MN’s laws attract transgender population and their families

Today’s forecast

Minnesota’s gender-affirming laws act as magnet to transgender population and their families

Minnesota’s laws related to the transgender population are working as a magnet for people and families from less friendly states, especially in the South.

Several of them told us they’ve already moved here or are planning to come soon because they feel vilified and abandoned by states where they’ve spent their entire lives.

A simple Reddit request for Twin Cities neighborhood recommendations landed Rylie Rogers a lot of affirmation.

It’s often the opposite in her native Arkansas.

Rogers is transgender and she’s afraid her state will go further than its recent school bathroom law and join the ranks of states trying to ban gender-affirming care.

She and her wife decided they’ll move to Minnesota after seeing Gov. Tim Walz sign an executive order supporting that care here.

The Crawford family left Texas for the Twin Cities last year after that state’s governor went the opposite direction — ordering child protective services to investigate parents for child abuse if they let their kids get gender-affirming care.

The Crawford’s son, Cass, suffers from depression, anxiety, and gender dysphoria and has needed inpatient psychological treatment.

A 2022 Trevor Project survey found more than half of trans teens seriously consider suicide and the rates are higher in states where lawmakers aggressively pursue anti-trans legislation, like Texas.

Catch Up Quick 

⚖️ Minnesota lawmakers are set to vote on a measure that would ban privately owned and operated prisons in the state.

🏛️ Lawmakers in Minnesota are working to ensure transgender youth have a safe space when seeking gender-affirming healthcare, moving a new “Trans Refuge” bill closer to law after passing the House of Representatives early Friday on a vote of 68-62.

👮 An Eagan police officer who was seriously injured in a wreck involving a semi along I-35E last week is making strides in his recovery, the police department said Thursday.

🌲 The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on Thursday revealed the four Free Park Days that vehicle permit fees will be waived at all 75 state parks and recreation areas: 

• Saturday, April 22 (Earth Day)
• Saturday, June 10
• Saturday, Sept. 9
• Friday, Nov. 24 (Black Friday)

Another North High football player becomes victim of Minneapolis shooting

More than a year after Deshaun Hill was senselessly shot and killed in Minneapolis, one of his North High football teammates became the victim of the shooting Wednesday night.

Once again, it appears that the Minneapolis North High football team and the entire Polar community have been hit by senseless violence. But thankfully, it appears this time around that Cashmere Grunau, also known as “Cash,” is already on the road to recovery. He was seen walking the hospital hallways on Thursday after being shot three times in the legs just the night before. Like his classmate Deshaun Hill, who was shot and killed last year, Cash is featured in Showtime’s documentary “Boys in Blue.”

Cash’s coach describes him as a team leader who is passionate, loves his teammates and coaches, and is the heart of the defense. A couple of Polar football players posted their thoughts on Thursday morning, wishing him a speedy recovery and expressing their love and support.

As Cash begins his healing journey, he is receiving a lot of support from his community, family, friends, and teammates.

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