Tim Walz, the Democratic governor of Minnesota, has emerged as a prominent figure in American politics, known for his dedication to creating an inclusive and equitable society for all and his unwavering support of LGBTQ+ rights and commitment to social justice.

Serving since January 2019, Walz’s political career spans over a decade, including his tenure as a U.S. Representative for Minnesota. His background as a retired Master Sergeant in the Army National Guard and a former high school teacher uniquely positions him as a leader who understands the values (and shortcomings) of military, educational, and governmental realms.

Recently, his strong leadership and progressive values have placed him among those being considered as a potential vice presidential pick for Kamala Harris, further elevating his national profile and influence.

Let’s take a closer look at who Tim Walz is along with his efforts to support and uplift the LGBTQ+ community.

Born on April 6, 1964, in West Point, Nebraska, Tim Walz grew up in the state’s rural northwestern area of Valentine. He entered the Army National Guard in 1981 at the age of 17, serving 24 years and retiring as a Command Sergeant Major in 2005. In 1989, he earned a bachelor’s in social science education from Chadron State College, and In 2001, he earned a master’s in educational leadership from Minnesota State University, Mankato.

Walz was a high school teacher and coach. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2006, representing Minnesota’s 1st congressional district and winning re-election every two years until he became governor in 2018. In the House, he focused largely on veterans issues and became known for his bipartisanship. As governor, he focused on police and firearm reform, cannabis legalization, and educational funding. He won re-election as governor in 2022.

Walz married his wife in 1994. They have two children.

Tim Walz’s Record of LGBTQ+ Advocacy

Tim Walz has been a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights throughout his political career. His policies and actions reflect a commitment to equality and non-discrimination.

When running for the House in 2006, Walz ran on a platform expressing support for same-sex marriage, which Minnesota banned in 1997. 

In 2011, he announced his support for the Respect for Marriage Act, which aimed to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and ensure federal and state recognition of same-sex marriages. The act became law in December 2022.

In April 2021, when Republicans in the Minnesota Legislature introduced a bill that would ban transgender student-athletes from playing on sports teams matching their gender identity, Walz publicly signaled that he would veto the legislation if it made it to his desk, The Minnesota Reformer reported.

In an April 2021 social media post on X (then Twitter), Walz wrote, “To all trans youth in Minnesota: You are loved and valued.”

To all trans youth in Minnesota: You are loved and valued.

It’s unclear whether Walz has made public statements about trans bathroom access. However, his strong support for trans rights and gender-affirming care suggests that he likely backs policies that allow trans individuals to use bathrooms that align with their gender identity.

Walz’s History of Supporting the LGBTQ+ Community

While working as a 35-year-old social studies teacher and football coach at Mankato West High School in 1999, Walz advised the school’s first gay-straight alliance (GSA) supporting LGBTQ+ students. At the time, Minnesota still criminalized consensual same-sex sexual relationships.

On May 17, Gov. Walz signed legislation that stops libraries in the state from removing books “based solely on the viewpoint, content, message, idea, or opinion conveyed,” including LGBTQ+ themes.  

On the day of the law’s signing, Walz wrote, “Censorship has no place in our libraries,” Walz posted to X. “As a former teacher, I’m clear: We need to remember our history, not erase it.”

Censorship has no place in our libraries. As a former teacher, I’m clear: We need to remember our history, not erase it. Today, I signed a bill into law putting an end to book bans based on ideology in Minnesota.

While delivering his State of the State Address last April, Walz seemed to make a thinly veiled criticism of Florida’s “Don’t say gay” law banning classroom instruction on LGBTQ+ issues in schools.

“Look, I’m only the governor of this great state. It’s not up to me how folks in places like Florida go about their business,” Walz said. “But I have to tell you, I’m pretty glad we do it our way and not their way. They’re banishing books from their schools. We’re banishing hunger from ours.”

Last May, Walz signed a bill outlawing the use of anti-LGBTQ+ “panic defenses” sometimes used by assailants in court to justify violence against queer victims.

In a 2009 House floor speech, Walz supported repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” the military’s ban on out gay, lesbian, and bisexual service members. “Not once did I see that this nation was safer because a soldier was removed because of sexual orientation,” he said.

That same year, he also helped facilitate the passage of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, a 2009 federal law that offers enhanced funding for and prosecution against hate crimes motivated by anti-LGBTQ bias, The Hill reported.

In April 2023, Walz signed a statewide bill banning so-called conversion therapy, the widely discredited and disavowed practice of attempting to change someone’s sexual orientation or gender identity.

The conversion therapy ban forbids any medical or mental healthcare practitioner from offering such therapy to minors and “vulnerable” adults. It also forbids any entities from publishing advertising that refers to LGBTQ+ identities as “a mental disease, disorder or illness” or promises to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. Practitioners who break the law could face discipline from the state’s health licensing boards.

During the law’s signing ceremony, Walz stated, “Minnesota says, ‘Welcome to a state who values who you are and protects you for who you are.’”

Walz’s Actions to Protect Gender-Affirming Care

In April 2023, Walz signed a statewide law protecting gender-affirming care access. The law forbids state legal authorities from honoring any out-of-state subpoenas or arrest warrants seeking to bring civil or criminal actions against anyone who helps provide access to gender-affirming care. Such laws help protect families fleeing other states that have banned or criminalized gender-affirming care.

He signed a similar executive order in March 2023. His order required the Minnesota Department of Health to prepare a report summarizing scientific evidence about the safety and effectiveness of gender-affirming health care. It also directed statewide government offices to ensure that medical insurers have clear policies on their coverage for gender-affirming care.

“We want every Minnesotan to grow up feeling safe, valued, protected, celebrated, and free to exist as their authentic versions of themselves,” Walz said in a press release about the order. “Protecting and supporting access to gender-affirming health care is essential to being a welcoming and supportive state.”

Tim Walz: A Champion for LGBTQ+ Equality

Tim Walz is a dedicated public servant and a staunch ally of the LGBTQ+ community. His policies and advocacy work reflect his commitment to equality, inclusion, and the protection of rights for all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

As a leader, Walz continues to champion causes that promote social justice and equity, making significant strides in advancing LGBTQ+ rights in Minnesota and beyond.

Minnesota is now the 22nd state to ban conversion therapy and the 5th to provide sanctuary for gender-affirming care.

A new law makes it illegal to remove titles from libraries based on ideology, including LGBTQ+ content.