St. Paul, MN—The Minnesota Senate passed two major LGBTQ+ community priorities: SF 23 and SF 63. SF 23 ends the practice of conversion ‘therapy’ for LGBTQ+ Minnesotans, which is defined as seeking to “change an individual's sexual orientation or gender identity, including efforts to change behaviors or gender expressions or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward individuals of the same gender.” SF 63 enshrines and expands protections provided under Executive Order 23-03 signed by Governor Tim Walz. Minnesota’s trans refuge legislation will protect trans people, supportive families, and care providers as other states ban this essential care.

OutFront Minnesota thanks our champions in the Minnesota Senate for passing this vital legislation. We celebrate the hard work of State Senator D. Scott Dibble (DFL-61) as the lead author of SF 23, and Senator Erin Maye Quade (DFL-56) as the lead author of SF 63. Their efforts built on the work of State Representatives Leigh Finke (DFL-66A) and Athena Hollins (DFL-66B) for their leadership of the House companion bills. OutFront Minnesota is appreciative of the diverse and bipartisan coalition that has helped get this legislation passed in both chambers—especially members of the Queer, POCI, and Reproductive Freedom Caucuses—and the leadership of Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan on these critical issues.

OutFront Minnesota has worked collaboratively with local coalition partner organizations as well as national partners including The Trevor Project, Born Perfect, and the Human Rights Campaign, and GenderJustice. And we are proud to be part of the UnRestrict Minnesota coalition that supported the passage HF 366, or the Reproductive Freedom Defense Act, along with SF 23 and SF 63. The partners credit the persistence of Minnesota’s LGBTQ+ community organizers over many years of work on this priority.

Governor Tim Walz is expected to sign both bills. OutFront Minnesota is excited about what these laws will mean for LGBTQ+ people in both Minnesota and in surrounding states. Furthermore, OutFront Minnesota believes that this is just the beginning of LGBTQ+ policies to come through the Minnesota Legislature the rest of this biennium. 

“Today is a great day for Minnesota. Protecting our state’s youth from the harms of conversion ‘therapy’ and ensuring that Minnesota continues to be a place of refuge for those seeking gender-affirming and reproductive health care access is a tremendous accomplishment,” said Kat Rohn, Executive Director of OutFront Minnesota. “I am grateful for our Senate champions and the many people who have worked tirelessly for years to bring us to this moment. At a time when our community faces unprecedented attacks, Minnesota continues to send the important message to our LGBTQ+ community: You belong here.”

“In the wake of the record levels of anti-LGBTQ bills across the country, Minnesota lawmakers are a beacon of hope in their bold actions to protect LGBTQ young people across the state. These bills send a powerful message of affirmation and support to every young LGBTQ Minnesotan growing up in The North Star State,” said Troy Stevenson (he/him), Director of State Advocacy Campaigns for The Trevor Project. “We commend and thank OutFront Minnesota’s leadership and the allyship of the Minnesota legislature in helping advance these critical protections—and we urge leaders in other states to follow their example.”