Minnesota’s first LGBTQ+ lawmaker Leigh Finke wants to be a role model for others in her community who are struggling to portray themselves in politics.
Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy handed out engraved wooden paddles to the honorees in attendance after describing some of their individual impact over the years.
After her primary race win, Finke will face Republican Trace Johnson in November. Currently there are just eight out trans lawmakers in America among the more than 7,300 state legislators across the nation.
"I don't really think that much about.being the first person to do it as much as I think about the importance of trans young people and trans people having somebody who represents them in the government."