Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota falsely claimed that being gay is “technically illegal” in Nebraska, a statement fact-checked by various sources.
“Vice President Harris [will] fight, make sure that we continue to pass the Equality Act, enshrine anti-discrimination protections and anti-LGBTQ Americans healthcare into law, housing, education, and so much more. Now, look, if it sounds like a tall order, I’ll say it again, I’m an eternal optimist,” Walz said during the 2024 annual gala for the Human Rights Campaign.
“When I was a kid growing up in Nebraska, being gay was illegal, still technically illegal. Look how much it’s changed since this organization was founded 40 years ago.”
Nebraska, like all other U.S. states, does not have any laws criminalizing homosexuality. While the state lacks certain LGBTQ+ protections, it does not make being gay illegal.
This inaccurate claim by Walz, made during a public discussion, has been criticized for misrepresenting the legal status of LGBTQ+ individuals in Nebraska.
Last month, Republicans criticized Walz for allegedly making misleading statements about the fertility treatment he and his wife used, accusing the vice presidential nominee of dishonesty for political gain.
Gwen Walz, the governor’s wife, clarified that they had opted for intrauterine insemination (IUI) to address infertility, not in vitro fertilization (IVF) as previously implied by the governor’s statements.
“It’s just such a bizarre thing to lie about, right?” the Republican vice presidential nominee, JD Vance, said at the time “There’s nothing wrong with having a baby through IVF or not having a baby through IVF. Like, why lie about it? I just don’t understand that.”
Walz also reportedly lied about his past military rank, listing on his official biography a higher military rank than the one he retired with.
“Walz served in the Minnesota Army National Guard and retired at the rank of master sergeant, or an E-8. However, on his official website bio, he lists a higher rank that he served at for a short period that ultimately was rescinded, as he did not complete all the requirements to serve at that rank. However, his bio implies that he retired at the rank of command sergeant major, or an E-9,” Breitbart News reported.