MINNEAPOLIS — Gov. Tim Walz issued an executive order on Wednesday protecting access to gender-affirming health care for transgender Minnesotans, a direct response to recent legislative action in states such as Iowa and South Dakota to ban that care for children and their families.
"It's being led by bullies, and I say this as a teacher, we cannot stand bullies," the Democratic governor said during a signing ceremony for the order. "Nothing to gain for themselves, not following any factual data, and essentially using the state apparatus to bring cruelty."
The order aims to make Minnesota a refuge for people seeking health care designed to affirm their gender identity by protecting patients and providers from extradition orders and keeping their data private. State agencies will communicate with health care systems about the requirements under the order.
