ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Gov. Tim Walz on Wednesday signed an executive order designed to protect gender-affirming health care access in Minnesota, a step he says will make Minnesota safer for the LGBTQ+ community as they face increased political attacks nationwide.
In this state, love and acceptance is what we preach and we will live by that," Walz said.
It instructs state agencies to protect access to these health care services and unless compelled by court order, they are to not comply with investigations in other states where surgeries or treatments or banned or seriously limited.
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Nearby South Dakota recently outlawed gender-affirming care for minors and Iowa is on the path to do the same.
Many medical groups, though, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, support youth access to care.
"There's nothing in this world that I wouldn't do to protect her and others like her," he said. »
