MN’s first out transgender lawmaker to prioritize LGBTQ rights

Olivia Stevens, Pioneer Press
Updated ·4 min read
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Leigh Finke knows representation matters. As Minnesota’s first out transgender lawmaker, she intends to set an example for others who, like her, have struggled to picture themselves belonging in politics.

“It’s very hard for trans people to sort of imagine a future for themselves because we don’t have a lot of representation in the world,” said Finke. “You can succeed, you can have a family, you can be partnered, have a job where decisions are made, help people. I want to expand the notion that trans people belong everywhere. And we can say that, but it’s a lot harder to believe it when you can’t see it.”

Upon her Jan. 3 swearing-in, Finke will represent House District 66A, an overwhelmingly Democratic area that encompasses the St. Paul neighborhoods of St. Anthony Park, Como and Hamline-Midway; Falcon Heights; areas of Roseville; and Lauderdale. She defeated opponent Dave Thomas in August’s primary election and won the general election against Republican candidate Trace Johnson with 81% of the vote on Nov. 8.

‘Close and concerning’

A 41-year-old documentary filmmaker and advocate, Finke has been organizing for political action on issues like climate change, police brutality and reproductive health care since she was a student at Bethel University.

Following the 2016 presidential election, Finke began her transition, which she said shifted her perspective on politics and change-making.

“What may have been theoretical to me in an earlier phase of my life was suddenly very close and concerning,” said Finke. “I had always been more interested in national politics and movement politics; I still am very dedicated to movement politics, but also politics is local and the ability to make change is local. … Bringing people into it, helping people understand it and then being at the center of the political fight became more important.”

Finke said she didn’t consider running for office until around 2018, when she said she began to notice an increase in proposed bills and debates in the state Legislature she saw as hostile to transgender rights.

“It started to become aware to me that we just really needed a trans person in our Legislature,” said Finke. “We needed someone in those rooms.”

When her district’s seat opened up after Rep. Alice Hausman announced her retirement, Finke took the opportunity to provide that representation.

While Finke said she sees Minnesota as a strong provider of gender-affirming and transitional health care, more needs to be done to protect that access for the future.

“We haven’t really done much in Minnesota to protect trans people,” said Finke. “We are one bad Election Day away from losing our rights because we haven’t put language around protecting our rights.”

Progressive policies

Finke is one of 44 incoming freshmen representatives who will make up about one-third of the House in the upcoming session, the highest proportion of new members since 1976. Democrats maintained control of the House in addition to picking up the Senate, which Finke said she hopes will create an environment conducive to passing progressive legislation. Incumbent Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat, also retained his seat in November.

Finke listed many issues she’s hoping to see action on this year, such as legalizing marijuana, protecting the right to an abortion and providing paid family medical leave. But the issues most personal to her include protecting LGBTQ health care, reducing gun violence and combating homelessness.

“I think that some of those things we can really take positive steps on now that we have a (state Capitol) trifecta, issues that have always been important, but we haven’t been able to sort of really leap forward because of the government,” Finke said. “There’s obviously a long list of things that I hope to do … and if we don’t do those things while we have the power, we’re gonna lose that chance.”

Working closely with other LGBTQ lawmakers, including incoming freshman member Alicia Kozlowski, who will be Minnesota’s first openly nonbinary legislator, Finke said she plans to advocate for bold action for LGBTQ people. A record 11 LGBTQ people were elected to the Minnesota Legislature this year, more than doubling representation at the Capitol, according to the LGBTQ Victory Fund, a national organization that works to increase the number of LGBTQ elected officials.

Finke said even though Democrats have control of the legislature, she expects some progressive policies will still be difficult to make happen.

“Not everybody supports pushing forward on trans rights, and plenty of people in the DFL fall into that category, so we need to stay motivated on the issues that matter … I would like to see us move forward with this opportunity that we have, and I worry that that won’t happen.”

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