Walz Champions LGBTQ Rights While Criticizing Vance Over School Shootings

WASHINGTON — During a keynote address at the Human Rights Campaign’s annual gala on Saturday, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz emphasized the importance of LGBTQ rights and condemned Republican Senator J.D. Vance’s comments regarding school shootings as a “fact of life.” Walz highlighted the absurdity of accepting violence in schools while acknowledging the existence of LGBTQ individuals.

“It’s a fact of life, some people are gay,” he stated. “But you know what’s not a fact of life? That our children need to be shot dead in schools.” His remarks came in light of a recent tragic shooting at Apalachee High School in Georgia that claimed the lives of two students and two teachers.

At a campaign stop in Phoenix, Vance remarked that he dislikes recognizing school shootings as a fact but emphasized the need to improve security at educational institutions. His comments have intensified calls from Democrats to implement measures such as banning assault weapons and enforcing red flag laws that identify individuals posing threats.

“Our kids should be free to go to school without being shot dead in the halls,” Walz reiterated during the gala.

Walz praised Vice President Kamala Harris for her long-standing support of LGBTQ rights, including officiating some of the first same-sex marriages in California following the Supreme Court’s 2015 decision. “This is the most pro LGBTQ+ administration in American history,” Walz declared, referring to Harris and President Biden’s enactment of the Respect for Marriage Act.

When introducing Walz, Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson lauded him for his connection to the LGBTQ community, noting, “Coach Walz not only embraces the fabric of our community, he embraces the fabric of our society.”

Walz’s history of advocacy for LGBTQ rights dates back to his time as a teacher and coach when he supported a gay-straight alliance, highlighting the impact of bullying on queer students. “It’s easy to be an ally, when it’s easy to be an ally,” he remarked. “What really matters is knowing who’s going to be at your side and stand up when it’s hard.”

Reflecting on his congressional run in 2006, Walz emphasized the sincerity of his beliefs, stating, “My marriage to my wife Gwen is the most important thing in my life. I love her deeply. Why would I stop anybody else from marrying the person they love?” He also recalled voting to repeal the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, asserting, “No one should get a pat on the back for doing what’s right.”

He described his involvement in passing the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which expanded the federal hate crime law to include crimes motivated by sexual orientation and gender identity. The poignant memory of walking with Matthew Shepard’s mother to the final vote left a lasting impression on Walz. “I walked with a mother who’d lost her son… to lose a child this way,” he conveyed, highlighting the emotional weight of the issue.

Walz has utilized his governorship to advance LGBTQ rights, signing an executive order to ensure healthcare access for transgender individuals and banning conversion therapy for minors. “In Minnesota, you are seen, heard, loved and respected and safe,” he asserted.

He fiercely criticized a surge in book bans targeted at LGBTQ authors, arguing that such efforts are misguided. “This is what these folks are focusing on… like reading about two male penguins who love each other is somehow going to turn your children gay,” he quipped.

Amid these discussions, former President Trump and Senator Vance face backlash for their comments regarding LGBTQ issues, with Trump labeling Walz as a “wack job.” In contrast, Walz’s progressive stance diverges sharply from Trump’s administration, which rolled back protections for transgender individuals.

In related news, former Vice President Dick Cheney recently endorsed Kamala Harris for president, a move that highlights ongoing political tensions as both sides confront pressing social issues. Harris acknowledged the significance of such endorsements amid rising division in the country, remarking, “People are exhausted about the division…”