St. Paul, MN—Governor Walz signed bills into law to end conversion “therapy” for minors and vulnerable adults and protect those seeking gender-affirming and reproductive care in the state of Minnesota. These laws enshrine and expand protections here in Minnesota established through related executive orders in 2021, 2022, and 2023.

OutFront Minnesota thanks Governor Tim Walz and Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan for their leadership across these issues and their strong commitment to LGBTQ+ Minnesotans. Minnesota continues to rewrite the national narrative on LGBTQ+ rights and today’s signings send a clear message to the LGBTQ+ community: You belong here.

These pieces of legislation address significant community priorities that OutFront Minnesota played a critical role in advancing. Ending so-called conversion “therapy” has taken years of advocacy work from community members—particularly survivors who have shared their stories in the effort to end this harmful and discredited set of practices. Minnesota’s trans refuge legislation comes in response to the wave of bans on gender affirming care, and ensures that as states around our country and region limit access that trans people, supportive families, and care providers have necessary protections in a rapidly shifting national landscape.

OutFront Minnesota celebrates lead authors of the conversion “therapy” ban—Senator D. Scott Dibble (DFL-61) and Representative Athena Hollins (DFL-66B); trans refuge authors Senator Erin Maye Quade (DFL-56). Their work, supported by a diverse coalition of legislative champions including the Queer, POCI, and Reproductive Freedom Caucuses—made today’s historic signings possible.

We are grateful to our national partners including The Trevor Project, Born Perfect, and the Human Rights Campaign; and we thank our local community organizations—including Gender Justice, Transforming Families MN, Family Tree Clinic, TIGERRS: Trans Intersex Gender-Expansive Revolutionary Resources & Services, RECLAIM, PFund Foundation, and QUEERSPACE collective who showed up to support this legislation—as well as our fellow members of the UnRestrict Coalition who work to make Minnesota a leader on abortion and reproductive care access.  And we celebrate with our fellow members of the UnRestrict Coalition who are all committed to ensuring Minnesota is a leading state for access to abortion and reproductive care.

And we wish to give a special thank you to the testifiers who shared their stories year after year to advance important legislation—and to all the community members who organized, rallied, and reached out to their representatives. We could not have done this without you.

“Today is a day that I am deeply proud to be a Minnesotan,” said Kat Rohn, executive director of OutFront Minnesota. “The signing of these bills marks the most significant legislative wins for the LGBTQ+ community in this state since marriage equality. And this comes at a time when our communities all across this country are being targeted with an unprecedented level of harmful legislation and rhetoric. Here in Minnesota we welcome and celebrate our LGBTQ+ communities. And we will continue to affirm our values as a state that trusts all of us to make the best decisions about our bodies and lives, takes pride in providing exceptional health care, and supports communities in need. We celebrate this moment and look forward to the important work ahead!”