John,

One school year in the mid-1990s, when I was teaching at Mankato West High School, a group of my students asked if I’d be willing to help them start the school’s first gay-straight alliance.

They were concerned there was an uptick in anti-LGBTQ bullying, and they wanted to do something about it.

My answer was, “absolutely." As a teacher, it was my responsibility to be an ally and do what I could to make sure every student felt safe to be themselves at school.

I think about that day often during Pride Month.

In Congress, I was proud to fight for the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” push for marriage equality, and stand up to President Trump’s hateful transgender troop ban. 

As Governor, I was proud to sign the Trans Refuge Act and a conversion therapy ban into law – sending the clear message that everyone is welcome in Minnesota, while Republicans elsewhere across the country were attacking the rights of the LGTBQ+ community.

Even though we've made a lot of progress since the 1990s, I know the work is not over to ensure that everyone, regardless of who they are or who they love, is treated equally. But my promise to you is this: I'll never back down until it is.

Happy Pride,

Tim Walz