Minnesota's Transgender Advocacy and the School Shooting
Minnesota's Democrats, known for their strong support of transgender rights, are now trying to distance themselves from a shooter who targeted a Catholic school. The 23-year-old shooter had expressed his struggles with his transgender identity in an online journal.
Shooter's Troubled Writings
The shooter's writings suggest he was deeply troubled and his identity was unstable. He didn't have a clear motive for the shooting but expressed antisemitism, support for transgenderism, and hatred for former President Donald Trump in a video before the attack.
Democratic Leaders' Stance on Transgender Rights
Minnesota's Democratic leaders have been aggressive in promoting transgender rights:
- Governor Tim Walz ordered tampons to be placed in boys' bathrooms in 2023, earning him the nickname "Tampon Tim" from Trump.
- Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan wore a t-shirt with a knife and the slogan "Protect Trans Kids" in 2024.
- The state's Attorney General issued a "Transgender Rights Fact Sheet" in June, outlining support for transgender demands and prohibiting mental health professionals from contesting teenagers' gender claims.
Funding and Advocacy
Minnesota's Democratic legislators have funded pro-transgender groups in schools and communities. In May, a pro-transgender group boasted about receiving $1 million from the state legislature for training and education on gender-affirming care.
Democrats Downplay Shooter's Identity
Since the shooting, Democrats have been trying to downplay the shooter's transgender identity:
- Governor Walz described the attack as a "horror" and said there shouldn't be words for such incidents.
- Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey insisted that any examination of the shooter's transgender identity amounts to "hate."
Centrist Conservatives' Perspective
Centrist conservatives have spotlighted the destabilizing civic and personal chaos promoted by state-backed advocacy for teenage transgenderism. Christopher Rufo stated that transgenderism is not a matter of "personal choice" or "live and let live," but an ideology that has done grave damage to millions of Americans.
Role of Drug Use
The state's tolerance for drug use also played a role in motivating the gunman. @memeticsisyphus on X noted that the shooter hated life itself as a concept and wanted to spread his misery as far as possible. Gays Against Groomers, which opposes transgenderism, noted that cross-sex hormones combined with mental illness is a seriously deadly combo.