A Minnesota transgender lawmaker who was elected just three months ago has been named the state’s “Woman of the Year” by USA Today.
Leigh Finke, a former academic, journalist and author, was elected to her far-left Twin Cities district last November with 81 percent of the vote.
She was honored alongside several others – transgender Deputy Secretary of Health Rachel Levine was one last year – including former first lady Michelle Obama and the United States women’s soccer team.
Finke is the first transgender lawmaker elected in the state, which is one of the reasons the newspaper honors her. Finke changed in 2017.
While the state’s Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan praised the award, some were less enthusiastic, including former White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany.
Leigh Finke, a former academic, journalist and author, was elected to her far-left Twin Cities district last November with 81 percent of the vote. She was recognized along with several others as USA Today’s Woman of the Year
Speaking to Fox News, ‘Outnumbered, the ex-press secretary was stunned by the election and wondered, ‘What will ever be left for biological women?’
Fellow commentator Emily Compagno said Finke’s inclusion was pure identity politics at the expense of hard-working women everywhere.
“In my opinion, it’s so tiring that unchanging properties or check-box properties are the reason someone gets boosted to that level,” Compagno said.
Fox commentator Guy Benson said he had no problem honoring a transgender woman, but noted she had only been in office for three months.
“President Obama got the Nobel Peace Prize because he did nothing and because people wanted to make a political statement. That’s it,’ he said.
Benson also said, “This doesn’t seem to be about actual achievement or accomplishment, as this person seems to admit. This is about “there’s a culture war, there’s a huge controversy over transgender issues, so let’s find some and put them on these lists to make a statement.”
Citing former first lady Obama’s inclusion, McEnany asked, “What does it take for a conservative woman to get on a list like this?”
Other Liberals selected for the list include incoming Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey and former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor.
Finke is the first transgender lawmaker elected in the state, which is one of the reasons the newspaper honors her. Finke changed in 2017.
Former White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany spoke on Fox News’ outnumbered. The ex-press secretary was stunned by the choice and wondered, “What will ever be left for biological women?”
Former First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama was one of the recipients
The entire United States women’s soccer team was also celebrated
The entire new United States House of Representatives, which elected a record number of women, was also honored.
Finke even admitted how recently she had risen in politics tweet commented on the award over the weekend.
“As the chosen one, I acknowledge that I have only just arrived here. The trust shown in me by my district, by the queer community, and by my colleagues in the Capitol has been life-giving. I’ve only just begun to realize how much my life has changed for the better in the past year.”
Sarah Fields, an elected delegate in Texas and leader of the family-friendly group the Texas Freedom Coalition, struck the decision and refused to identify her as a woman in a tweet.
“Meet Leigh Finke, a transgender lawmaker in Minnesota,” she wrote. “ER is one of USA TODAY’s “Women of the Year.” So many wonderful women truly deserve this kind of recognition. #USAToday can direct their scorn on real women where the sun doesn’t shine.
Another tried to reason with Finke, tweeting: “If you had any honor you would decline. You identify who you are to be comfortable in your own skin and seek happiness as such, not attention. This is denied by a biological woman who has succeeded with the challenges that biological women have.’
Another took aim at USA Today, writing, “I wonder what woman was passed over just so @USATODAY could signal virtue.”
Peggy Fleming, Minnesota Democratic Lieutenant Governor, praised the decision.
Finke, seen here in the Minnesota Legislature, drew criticism from some outposts for her selection
Finke, who has two children, has been fighting for transgender rights at a time when her state has become a flashpoint in the culture war.
She serves on the Environment and Natural Resources, Finance and Policy, Human Services Policy, Judiciary Finance and Civil Law, and Legacy Finance Committees.
When asked what we want other transgender women to know, she said: “The trans and LGBTQ community, we need to expand our understanding of what it means to be successful, happy and successful, but also how we can be creative and want to be expansive, want the future to look good for everyone.
“I think trans people are at the forefront of that. We are creating a way forward for all here, and all will benefit from the work we are trying to do for our young people.’
Two weeks ago, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat, signed an executive order protecting the rights of LGBTQ people from Minnesota and other states to gender-affirming health care.
Finke, who has two children, has been fighting for transgender rights at a time when her state has become a flashpoint in the culture war
Two weeks ago, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat, signed an executive order protecting the rights to gender-affirming health care of LGBTQ people from Minnesota and other states. Finke can be seen signing in the background
Finke was present when the order was signed and unsurprisingly supported the move in a tweet.
“This executive order is necessary because attacks on trans people nationwide are escalating every day. Our rights are now being attacked. People are looking for security now. And Gov. Walz’s actions today will provide that reassurance,” she wrote.
Elsewhere, however, she has sparked controversy when the Daily Caller slammed her for calling an allegation of sexual assault against a member of indigenous group Honor the Earth to a minor “irrelevant” person when debating the funding.
USA Today described Finke as “a transgender and LGBTQ+ rights activist and Black Lives Matter activist for most of her life.”