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Transgender lawmaker honored on USA TODAY 'Women of the Year' list
https://ktul.com/news/nation-world/...st-leigh-finke-minneasota-rachel-levine-lgbtq
by ALEC SCHEMMEL | The National DeskMon, March 20th 2023, 3:36 PM EDT
For the second year in a row, USA TODAY has named a transgender woman to its "Women of the Year" list, meant to honor "heroines who make a positive impact in their communities every day."
Every year, the publication compiles a list of "Women of the Year," which includes both national honorees and honorees from individual states.
USA TODAY faced scrutiny last year for naming Dr. Rachel Levine, the first openly transgender federal official to be confirmed by the Senate, as one of its national honorees.
This year, for the outlet's Minnesota honoree, USA TODAY selected Rep. Leigh Finke, who became Minnesota's first transgender state lawmaker last year.
"Finke has been an activist for transgender and LGBTQ+ rights, as well as Black Lives Matter, almost her whole life," USA TODAY writes in a feature article honoring Finke. "After transitioning in 2017 Finke said politics began hitting 'a lot closer to home.' Witnessing national and coordinated attacks against the rights of transgender people and others in her community motivated her to be the representation Minnesota was lacking."
Since taking her post in the state legislature, Finke has pushed to make Minnesota a "trans refuge" state, meaning the state would provide universal access to "gender-affirming care."
READ MORE: "Minnesota 'trans refuge' bill would block other state laws from stopping kids' gender changes"
Such care, particularly for minors, has come under scrutiny in a litany of GOP-led states that have either banned the procedures for minors, or are attempting to ban them for minors.
Finke's advocacy efforts proved not to be for nothing, as earlier this month Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed an executive order making the state a "trans refuge" where anyone can access "gender-affirming care."
https://ktul.com/news/nation-world/...st-leigh-finke-minneasota-rachel-levine-lgbtq
by ALEC SCHEMMEL | The National DeskMon, March 20th 2023, 3:36 PM EDT
For the second year in a row, USA TODAY has named a transgender woman to its "Women of the Year" list, meant to honor "heroines who make a positive impact in their communities every day."
Every year, the publication compiles a list of "Women of the Year," which includes both national honorees and honorees from individual states.
USA TODAY faced scrutiny last year for naming Dr. Rachel Levine, the first openly transgender federal official to be confirmed by the Senate, as one of its national honorees.
This year, for the outlet's Minnesota honoree, USA TODAY selected Rep. Leigh Finke, who became Minnesota's first transgender state lawmaker last year.
"Finke has been an activist for transgender and LGBTQ+ rights, as well as Black Lives Matter, almost her whole life," USA TODAY writes in a feature article honoring Finke. "After transitioning in 2017 Finke said politics began hitting 'a lot closer to home.' Witnessing national and coordinated attacks against the rights of transgender people and others in her community motivated her to be the representation Minnesota was lacking."
Since taking her post in the state legislature, Finke has pushed to make Minnesota a "trans refuge" state, meaning the state would provide universal access to "gender-affirming care."
READ MORE: "Minnesota 'trans refuge' bill would block other state laws from stopping kids' gender changes"
Such care, particularly for minors, has come under scrutiny in a litany of GOP-led states that have either banned the procedures for minors, or are attempting to ban them for minors.
Finke's advocacy efforts proved not to be for nothing, as earlier this month Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed an executive order making the state a "trans refuge" where anyone can access "gender-affirming care."
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