Transgender Minnesota Rep. Leigh Finke Criticizes Age Verification Bill For Adult Sites

Rep. Leigh Finke Challenges Age Verification Legislation

Minnesota State Representative Leigh Finke expressed strong reservations this week regarding proposed age verification laws for adult websites. Finke, who is a transgender woman and a vocal advocate for LGBTQ rights, worries the legislation could unintentionally limit access to crucial educational resources for LGBTQ youth.

During a House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee meeting, Finke referenced the implications seen in Texas, where a similar law was upheld by the Supreme Court. "You mentioned the [Ken] Paxton case and the AGs in many states are very clear about—they're almost jubilant about being able to use these laws to ban young people from accessing content that could be educational if they are queer," Finke stated, raising concerns about the broader impact on youth education.

“We know that prurient interest could be, for many people, the very existence of transgender kids. More and more people are saying there simply are no transgender kids. To transgender kids, that is a problem,” she said.

Bill's Intent and Broader Implications

The bill in question, authored by Minnesota State Rep. Ben Bakeberg, aims to enforce age checks on websites where 25 percent or more of the pages contain pornographic content. While Finke acknowledges an "underlying goal" of the bill that she supports, she emphasizes her concerns about potential misuse in targeting legitimate educational content for minors.

Finke stressed, "I mean, people don’t have to take me at my word because of who I am, because they often don’t. But in this committee, I’ve made it very clear who I am." She likened the bill to other restrictive measures, warning against its potential as a "weapon" to penalize LGBTQ youth under different political leadership.

Support and Opposition

Finke emphasized the need for amendments to ensure the bill doesn't become a tool for discrimination, particularly against transgender and LGBTQ youth. She likened its restrictive potential to certain liquor laws, adding, "I do not want people to have access to things that do harm to them when they are young."

Meanwhile, Rep. Bakeberg responded by affirming that the primary aim of H.F. 1434 is to "protect kids" and foster their development. The debate over the bill highlights ongoing tensions over how best to balance protection with access to vital educational content for marginalized communities.