For Immediate Release

Friday, August 15, 2025

The DFL Progressive Caucus strongly condemns the increasingly visible instances of transphobia that have occurred in our communities. In the past year, we’ve learned of the horrific torture and murder of Sam Nordquist, the murderer of Savannah Ryan Williams was convicted, and the murderer of Liara Tsai was placed into pre-trial custody. In the last few weeks we’ve learned of 18-year-old Gerika Mudra being forced to show her breasts to a server at an Owatonna restaurant in order to use their restroom without further harassment, and of several Minneapolis DFL City Convention delegates being targeted, monitored, harassed, and complained about on the convention floor, all for using the restroom associated with their gender. These incidents are part of a broader national trend and are fueled by the same sexism that progressive leaders of our past fought so hard to defend against: placing women in a box defined by what their body can do, instead of their dreams, love, achievements, and the impact they can have in their community. Trans women are women, trans men are men, and all trans and non-binary people deserve to be able to freely and safely use the restroom of their choice. Any beliefs or statements otherwise are incompatible with DFL values, and discrimination against transgender, gender-expansive, and gender non-conforming people is illegal in the state of Minnesota. 

Let us be clear on what transphobia means, because the word itself has become sanitized, passive, and acceptable. In practice, transphobia is the bullying, harassment, discrimination against, and violence towards transgender, gender-expansive, and gender non-conforming people. Transphobia does not exist in a vacuum in our party. We acknowledge and recommit our caucus to combatting racism, white supremacy, ableism, sexism, queerphobia and other barriers Minnesotans have to participating in our party, and want to highlight the toll being at the intersection takes. Racism, white supremacy, and transphobia are an especially dangerous combination; violence against trans folks overwhelmingly harms Black and brown people and infringes on their human rights to protection, dignity, respect, and equal access. There is no room in the DFL party or in our communities for transphobia. Individuals who bully and harass transgender and gender non-conforming people at DFL events are in violation of the DFL Code of Conduct and the behavior will not be tolerated or excused. It is incumbent upon all DFLers to speak out against this targeted bullying and harassment of our transgender neighbors, and it is all of our responsibility to educate our communities on the principles of diversity and inclusion. 

The DFL and Democratic Party are broadly at a crossroads when it comes to protecting, expanding, and supporting the rights and freedoms of transgender people. Nationally we have seen top Democratic officials publicly backslide on basic issues of access to gender-affirming care and trans inclusion in sports. These words and actions give credence to increased harassment, bullying, and violence towards trans people. Though the Progressive Caucus is issuing this statement, we want to be clear that condemning transphobia is not a progressive stance. It is the only acceptable stance to hold, if the DFL truly wishes to condemn hatred and bigotry in all its forms. 

In the firmest terms, the DFL Progressive Caucus condemns these transphobic actions which make us all less safe. We affirm the right to live freely without harassment or discrimination based on sex, gender identity, gender presentation, and all other protected statuses. Minnesota is a trans refuge state and we must fight diligently to ensure that we remain so. Any actions that lead to harassment, isolation, discrimination, bullying, or violence of any kind towards our transgender friends, families, and neighbors goes against the purported values of the Minnesota DFL and should not be tolerated under our big tent. 

With how quickly we are seeing a national shift in the Democratic Party, we are thankful for the leadership the Minnesota DFL party and elected officials have demonstrated in protecting trans rights. We invite them to continue with the urgency that this moment deserves by signing onto this letter and ensuring that the 2026 party platform continues to include unequivocal support for transgender Minnesotans.

LGBTQIA+ voters are one of the fastest growing voting blocs in America. LGBTQIA+ voters, especially transgender voters, are a valued and crucial part of the DFL coalition. Democratic victories cannot be won without LGBTQIA+ voters; all members of the community deserve to be safe, valued, and respected in our coalition. The DFL Progressive Caucus is committed to making space for queer leadership in our DFL party, especially that of trans and nonbinary folks. 

Call to Action: We call on all members of our community, cisgender and transgender alike, to take a stand against the transphobia you see in your life. Include your pronouns in your email signature. Correct others when they don’t get someone’s pronouns right. Post a comment on social media defending trans people. Have conversations with the people in your life about why they should also support trans folks. Take direct action and step in to prevent harassment, discrimination, and violence, instead of falling victim to the bystander effect. Continue to vote and support candidates who have committed themselves to upholding the human rights of our trans neighbors. Please pledge to take action here.

If you have the means, we ask that you donate to TC Trans Mutual Aid, which directly distributes funds to trans Minnesotans at their highest need; donate to Pfund’s Transcend Fund, which provides grants to organizations serving trans and gender non-conforming communities in IA, MN, ND, SD, and WI; and donate to the DFL Progressive Caucus, which is committed to supporting and electing progressive leaders who have made a commitment to supporting legislation that protects and uplifts our trans neighbors.

AP Weston, Chair (xe/xem/xyr & they/them/their)

Anita Smithson, Communications Officer (she/they)
Minnesota DFL Progressive Caucus

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