Minnesota Became A ‘(safe place)’ Thanks To Tim Walz — And It Changed Lives

[Jessica_Rose]

Minnesota Became A '(safe place)' Thanks To Tim Walz — And It Changed Lives

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/minnesota-became-a-trans-refuge-thanks-to-tim-walz-and-it-changed-lives/ar-AA1oFX3S?ocid=windirect&cvid=41b27a55271b470e85580a835309c294&ei=57

Story by Lil Kalish (12 Aug 2024)

When Heather Crawford walked into a Minnesota public school to enroll her teenager in August 2022, she was ready for a fight. More than anything, she wanted her then-15-year-old, Cass, who is nonbinary and trans, to be safe at school, to have their name and pronouns respected, and to be able to use the restroom without fear.

The school registrar told Crawford not to worry and handed her a form where she could note Cass' pronouns for the school's records.

"I was ready for a fistfight, and it was just as simple as a piece of paper," Crawford said, recalling that she felt such a wave of relief that she broke down crying in the office.

"It's so fantastic knowing that the state is not only not actively trying to harm my child but is actively trying to protect them," she added. "It's comforting on a level I can't really fully articulate."

Learning that Walz had become Harris' pick for vice president was bittersweet for Crawford. She joked that she wanted him to stay put as Minnesota's governor.

"But on the other hand, I love the idea that the rest of the country is going to get to know him," she said. "What I love the most about him is that when he speaks about trans folks, there's no hesitation, there's no qualification in his voice. To him, trans people are just people and trans children are just children."