This blog originally appeared at LGBTQ NATION.
She has been falsely accused of supporting pedophilia due to her efforts to protect LGBTQ+ individuals from such harmful accusations.
Minnesota State Rep. Leigh Finke (D) describes the relentless right-wing campaign against her, including attacks from within the House and a national hate group, Gays Against Groomers. “There were attacks from inside the House, with some members using their time on the floor to target me. Gays Against Groomers also joined in, fueling a nationwide campaign against me that has never really slowed down,” Finke tells LGBTQ Nation.
Finke has been falsely accused of supporting pedophilia, a claim with no evidence to back it up. She reports receiving death threats and having to increase her security measures, including regular meetings with the Sergeant at Arms and state troopers, as well as changes to her email and voicemail protocols.
Since her election to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2022, Finke has been in the spotlight. Representing District 66A in northern St. Paul, an area with a vibrant queer community, she stands as the first openly trans state legislator in Minnesota. Finke has made history by serving as a representative who authentically connects with and represents her constituency.
Finke’s distinct presence in the Minnesota House of Representatives is evident in both her policies and personal style. Known for her dyed pink or purple hair, tattooed arms, and black leather jackets over skirts and dresses, she consciously stands out to ensure queer individuals see themselves represented in a legislator capable of enacting meaningful change.
With a background in activism, including work with the state’s ACLU chapter and as a documentarian, Finke has made significant strides in office. Her achievements include passing the landmark trans refuge bill, which ensures safe passage for those seeking gender-affirming care from other states, codifying trans rights under the Minnesota Human Rights Act, securing millions in HIV care funding, and advocating for more inclusive shelters for homeless LGBTQ+ individuals.
While her political prominence has garnered her accolades, such as being named one of USA Today’s Women of the Year in 2023, it has also attracted considerable backlash. Finke faces intense vitriol, particularly from a segment of the Republican party in Minnesota that exploits her advocacy for trans protections as a liability against supporters. This mirrors national attacks, including dehumanizing language, misgendering, and targeted harassment.
One of her most controversial actions involved revising the outdated wording in the 1993 Human Rights Act, which previously stated, “sexual orientation does not include a physical or sexual attachment to children by an adult.” While this wording aimed to exclude pedophilia, Finke and LGBTQ+ rights advocates were concerned it could be used to unjustly label queer individuals as pedophiles. Her attempt to remove this language drew fierce criticism from right-wing groups, including Gays Against Groomers and figures like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), despite a PolitiFact fact check debunking the false claims that she was trying to “make pedophilia a protected class.”
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The right-wing Daily Caller and Fox News intensified their attacks on Finke, contributing to a surge in online harassment directed at her from right-wing circles.
LGBTQ Nation has confirmed that Finke indeed received death threats, a fact supported by public documentation from civil rights attorney Alejandra Caraballo on X.
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Minnesota conservatives often spotlight Finke, especially when she speaks positively about gender-affirming care. Both large and small accounts launch attacks against her. LGBTQ Nation has identified several of these accounts, including “@LeftistsofMN,” a prominent right-wing account that monitors notable left-wing figures in the state, and “Action 4 Liberty,” a right-wing activist organization.
The attacks on Finke weren’t confined to the right-wing outrage machine; they also came from within the state House.
Finke has pointed to social media attacks from Minnesota right-wing lawmakers, describing them as just a fraction of the vitriol she endures from some of her colleagues. One notable example came from state Rep. Dawn Gillman (R), who remarked, “Period. Biological males need to stop colonizing women’s spaces, be it a locker room, fitting rooms, women’s/girls sports,” which Finke interpreted as a direct attack on her.
Another instance came from state Rep. Mary Franson (R), who publicly stated, “However, Finke (who is a man cosplaying as a woman) supports the dispossession of women [sic] spaces.”
Finke’s colleagues have not faced the same level of attacks. While some allies experience a degree of criticism, the majority of the focus has been on her.
These relentless attacks have taken a toll on Finke’s health, but she remains committed to serving the people of Minnesota despite the challenges. “I continue to do the work I was brought to do. It has become a very heavy toll [on me] personally. It’s obviously hard to be attacked, but I have good support from my community, my family, and my colleagues at the House. There’s a faction of the Minnesota GOP that is not hesitant to use me as a political weapon, and that’s likely to continue,” she says.
Finke acknowledges the impact of these attacks but is determined not to let them deter her. “I’m getting a bit better at not letting it affect me personally, but you never know what’s next,” she notes. Her resolve is unwavering; she plans to push back by continuing her work and winning elections. “I will do what I’ve always done—ignore the specific attacks and advocate for what I believe is right. Trans people have always existed and deserve basic dignities, human rights, freedom, safety, and security. That will remain my message.”
Finke’s strategy includes focusing on legislative achievements and building a strong connection with her constituents. She engages directly with her community through door-to-door outreach, supporting fundraisers, and helping colleagues with their campaigns. Her goal is to maintain the Democratic trifecta in Minnesota, which facilitates the passage of progressive legislation and addresses constituents’ needs effectively.
In addition to her work on queer rights, Finke is interested in expanding her focus to issues of incarceration and justice. “The needs of the trans community are urgent, and I’ll concentrate on that until we reach a place where I don’t need to. When the time comes, I’d like to broaden my efforts to include other areas.”
Her actionable steps include advancing the Equal Rights Amendment to enshrine LGBTQ+ rights in the state constitution and improving support for queer youth in schools. Finke’s overarching aim is to strengthen her role as an advocate for both the LGBTQ+ community and marginalized groups more broadly. “I’ve been an activist for many years, involved in LGBTQ rights, the Black Lives Matter movement, and reproductive justice. My commitment to advocating for full human and civil rights will continue, whether it’s for incarcerated individuals, Black and brown communities, those with disabilities, or any group impacted by white supremacy and patriarchy.”
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