Walz touts Democratic record of defending LGBTQ+ rights, says Harris will advance cause if elected

WASHINGTON (AP) — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz touted Vice President Kamala Harris’ record of defending LGBTQ+ rights on Saturday night, pledging to a supportive crowd that she will advance their cause if elected president.

Walz, the Democratic vice presidential nominee, headlined the national dinner for the Human Rights Campaign, which he praised as “the best party in the nation.” He entered the sprawling ballroom of 3,500 attendees to John Mellencamp’s “Small Town” and a boisterous standing ovation from members of the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ organization.

He noted how Harris worked alongside President Joe Biden to issue executive orders protecting the rights of LGBTQ+ people in health care, the military and education.

“And the reason she did it was pretty simple. Kamala Harris believes in equal justice under law, and that means proper, complicated, equal justice under law. It is not to be debated,” Walz said. “It’s not that difficult.”

Transgender youth and adults are facing growing restrictions in red states. Last year, HRC declared an emergency for LGBTQ+ people in the United States because of the proliferation of state laws restricting their rights. If elected, Republican Donald Trump has said he would replicate some of those restrictions at the federal level.

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