As Minnesota's first transgender state legislator, Leigh Finke knew she'd be an example and hoped she'd change misperceptions.
Then the DFL took full control of state government, and Finke raised her ambitions. She went to work on a bill to make Minnesota a safe haven as anti-transgender legislation swept the country. With help from a veteran colleague, the St. Paul DFLer started getting the bill drafted before she took office.
"That became my entire drive, my focal point," she said.
