Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s administration allocated nearly $449,000 in taxpayer money to the nonprofit Gender Justice, raising concerns about a potential “sue-and-settle” scheme. The legal case, brought by Gender Justice on behalf of Craig Lusk, a transgender inmate, argued discrimination for housing Lusk in a men’s prison and denying access to gender reassignment surgery. The settlement granted Lusk $245,903 and a transfer to a women’s prison, with the state covering surgery costs.
Though the Minnesota Department of Corrections initially resisted, the agency eventually agreed to the settlement, which also awarded $198,000 to Gender Justice for legal fees. Critics allege the case represents a “closed circle of interests,” with legal partners Robins Kaplan LLP donating more than $22,000 to Walz’s 2022 campaign.
This deal established the WPATH standards for treating transgender inmates in Minnesota prisons, sparking controversy over taxpayer funding for gender-affirming surgeries. Some critics argue the new policies lack transparency and amount to unchecked policy changes, circumventing the legislature.
Walz’s executive order protecting gender-affirming care has been a focal point for Republicans critical of his LGBT policies, including a law requiring menstrual products in boys’ restrooms in schools. The Harris-Walz campaign did not respond to requests for comment on their administration’s LGBT policies.
