His campaign has faced scrutiny for spreading misinformation about transgender athletes and gender-affirming surgeries in schools.

During the Human Rights Campaign's national dinner on September 8, 2024, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz praised Vice President Kamala Harris for her strong commitment to defending LGBTQ+ rights.

Walz highlighted Harris's collaboration with President Joe Biden on executive orders aimed at protecting LGBTQ+ rights across various sectors, including healthcare, education, and the military.

He emphasized that Harris believes in equal justice under the law, asserting that this principle should not be a topic of debate.

Walz recounted Harris's decisive action as California Attorney General when she ensured that marriage licenses were issued to same-sex couples.

He urged attendees to support Harris's presidential campaign, cautioning about the risks of a second term for Donald Trump, which could threaten freedoms and target vulnerable communities.

The Human Rights Campaign declared a state of emergency for LGBTQ+ individuals in the U.S. last year due to increasing restrictions on their rights in conservative states, with Trump promising to replicate such restrictions federally if elected.

Trump has made anti-transgender rhetoric a central theme of his campaign, contrasting sharply with his previous position advocating for LGBTQ+ protections in 2016.

If reelected, Trump aims to stop public schools from promoting gender transition and has threatened to punish medical professionals providing gender-affirming care to transgender youth.

Trump has falsely suggested that public schools are performing gender-affirming surgeries on children, a claim that lacks substantiation.

A spokesperson for Trump stated that while he supports equal treatment for all Americans, he opposes what he describes as 'permanent gender mutilation surgeries' for minors.

Walz referred to the Human Rights Campaign as 'the best party in the nation,' underscoring the organization's significance in advocating for LGBTQ+ rights.