Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, speaking at the Human Rights Campaign’s national dinner, praised Vice President Kamala Harris for her steadfast defense of LGBTQ rights. Walz, who is Harris’ running mate in the upcoming election, addressed a crowd of 3,500 attendees, describing Harris as a champion of equality and justice.
He highlighted her work alongside President Joe Biden, noting how they passed executive orders protecting LGBTQ individuals in health care, the military, and education. Walz framed Harris’ commitment as non-negotiable, driven by a belief in “equal justice under law.”
The event took place amid rising restrictions on LGBTQ rights, particularly affecting transgender youth in Republican-led states. Last year, the Human Rights Campaign declared a national emergency for LGBTQ people in response to an increase in state laws restricting their freedoms.
Harris has gained support from the HRC, which officially endorsed her presidential campaign after President Biden dropped out of the 2024 race. Walz, who has a long history of supporting LGBTQ rights in his own state, was praised for his work, including his role as a faculty adviser for a high school Gay-Straight Alliance.
Governor Walz Praises Kamala Harris’ LGBTQ Advocacy, Urges Support Amid Rising Restrictions
In his speech, Walz shared stories illustrating Harris’ long-standing commitment to LGBTQ rights, including a notable incident when she was California’s attorney general. In this instance, Harris intervened to ensure that same-sex couples could receive marriage licenses, directly instructing a clerk to comply with the law.
Walz used these examples to urge the audience to rally behind Harris, emphasizing the importance of electing leaders who will defend LGBTQ rights in a time of growing challenges.
The contrast between Harris’ platform and that of Donald Trump was also highlighted. Trump has taken an increasingly aggressive stance against transgender rights, reversing his earlier calls for the Republican Party to protect LGBTQ people.
His current proposals include banning gender-transition discussions in schools, revoking federal funding for schools that promote gender ideology, and punishing medical professionals who provide gender-affirming care for minors. These actions mark a significant shift in Trump’s position and reflect a broader trend of anti-transgender policies within his campaign.
Trump’s rhetoric has stirred misinformation, including claims that public schools are performing gender-affirming surgeries without parental knowledge. His campaign has been unable to substantiate these claims, yet continues to push policies that target transgender youth.
In contrast, Harris and Walz are positioning themselves as defenders of LGBTQ rights, offering a vision focused on protecting and advancing equality, while warning of the dangers posed by another Trump presidency.
