OutFront Minnesota Opposes the Voter Identification Suppression Amendment
01-31-2012The right-wing assault on Minnesotans' civil rights continues. The amendment to ban marriage for same-sex couples isn't the only horrible change to our constitution that Minnesotans may have to deal with this year. The very same legislators who put the rights of LGBT Minnesotans on the ballot are now working to threaten the right of thousands of Minnesotans to vote.
more ...The Road Ahead: 2012 Legislative Session Preview
01-24-2012Incredible work has been done since that night when OutFront Minnesota and Project 515 launched Minnesotans United for All Families (the campaign to defeat the amendment). Today, the 2012 legislative session begins and I want to let you know what you can expect and how you can hold your legislators accountable.
more ...Anoka-Hennepin Should Adopt Respectful Learning Environment Policy
01-24-2012At its January 23, 2012 meeting, the Anoka-Hennepin School Board introduced a second proposal to replace its infamous Sexual Orientation Curriculum "neutrality" Policy after its original proposal, the "Controversial Topics Policy", was widely condemned.
more ...Court of Appeals Sends Marriage Equality Case Back to District Court
01-23-2012Today the Minnesota Court of Appeals held that the plaintiffs in Minnesota's marriage equality case, called Benson v. Alverson, were improperly denied their day in court to present their arguments as to the most substantive aspects of their case.
more ...Eagan is 17th Minnesota City to Approve Domestic Partnerships
01-04-2012On Tuesday, the Eagan city council voted unanimously to approve the creation of a domestic partnership registry. Eagan is the first city in Dakota County to do so.
more ...Applicants Announced for Anti-Bullying Task Force
01-03-2012Near the end of December, the Secretary of State's office released a list of 61 Minnesotans who applied to serve on the task force charged with investigating bullying in Minnesota schools. There are many good names on the list and we look forward to seeing who will be selected to serve. Tom Weber at MPR has more. You can also read the whole list here.
more ...Statement Regarding Proposed Policy Changes in Anoka-Hennepin
12-09-2011We applaud the district's efforts to communicate that harassment and bullying will not be tolerated, and that their policies are not intended to interfere with stopping such conduct. But if the district is attempting to silence discussion around LGBT lives by deeming them too "controversial" instead of by imposing "neutrality," the core problem in Anoka-Hennepin's troubled dealings with its LGBT students and families will only be avoided, not resolved.
more ...Advocates Gather for Discussion on Minnesota's LGBT Population
12-08-2011On December 7, several dozen LGBT advocates joined OutFront Minnesota and our allies at Macalester College, HRC, Project 515, and PFund Foundation for an in-depth discussion regarding the 2010 US Census and the information it provides on LGBT Americans. Our special guest was Dr. Gary Gates, the nation's leading expert on the Census and its relationship to the LGBT community.
more ...Domestic Partnership Update: Shorewood Makes it 16!
12-08-2011In November, the City Council of Shorewood, a southwest-metro suburb, voted to become the sixteenth city in Minnesota to create a mechanism whereby domestic partners, whether same-sex or different-sex, may register with their municipal government and obtain government-issued documentation of their relationship's existence.
more ...Seeking Documentary Interviewees
12-02-2011The OutFront Minnesota Anti-Violence Program is seeking LGBT people to be interviewed for a short documentary we're creating about intimate-partner violence (IPV) and LGBT relationships.
more ...Our Stories are Powerful
11-09-2011Whether LGBT or straight, we all have personal stories to tell about why we support marriage equality for all couples. Over the next year, telling our stories effectively is going to be one of the most powerful tools we have to defend Minnesota against the amendment banning marriage for same-sex couples.
more ...Another Community Stands Up for Fairness for LGBT Minnesotans
11-03-2011The number of Minnesota communities showing their support and welcome for LGBT Minnesotans and their families grew again this week. On Tuesday, the Crystal City Council voted unanimously to approve a domestic partnership registry that will go into effect on December 1, 2011.
more ...Working Toward Safe Schools for All
10-28-2011OutFront Minnesota's work to make our state a better place for LGBT Minnesotans includes youth and schools. As a part of two coalitions, the Minnesota Safe Schools for All Coalition and the Minnesota School OUTreach Coalition (MnSOC), we take a multi-faceted approach to making our schools safer for LGBT youth. Here's what's been happening recently:
more ...This 'Weird Little Group' Isn't Backing Down
10-27-2011Some on the Inver Grove Heights City Council were so offended that the city's LGBT families might not be recognized as strangers in their community, that the they voted 4-1 against proceeding with discussion of a proposed domestic-partner ordinance supported by city residents a few weeks earlier.
more ...We're Here to Help
10-20-2011We hear hundreds of stories every year across Minnesota of people affected by intimate partner violence (IPV). Regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, socio-economic status, race or ethnicity, religion, and other identities, IPV occurs in approximately one in four relationships. LGBTQ communities are not immune. The term "intimate partner violence" describes physical, sexual or psychological harm by a current or former partner. IPV can vary in frequency and severity occurs as a continuum of behaviors that are in no way limited to physical abuse. IPV is a pattern of coercive behaviors that use various forms of power to control a survivor's life, choices and options.
more ...A Strong Start is Only the Beginning
10-20-2011Last weekend we wrapped up this fall's twelve Community Action Trainings in partnership with Minnesotans United for All Families. It was great to get to travel to every corner of the state and meet so many great marriage Champions. I got to watch the leaves turn and in Marshall they even served tater-tot hot-dish to everyone after the training. It was great.
more ...Making It Better
10-06-2011Many people ask me why I do this work. The answer is that knowing how bad the environment is, and knowing how utterly terrible it can make one feel, that I can't just walk away from it and say "I've graduated, it's not my problem anymore."
more ...New Arrivals!
09-30-2011A new shipment arrived this week full of blue and raspberry goodness: we once again have our Homosotan and Equality = Awesome shirts in all of your favorite (previously sold-out) sizes!
more ...We Stand in Solidarity with CeCe McDonald
09-27-2011An anti-transgender hate crime occurred this summer that left an attacker dead and the victim in jail. The OutFront Minnesota Anti-Violence Program has been engaged in the community response to this event, but we want to do a better job of communicating about what has happened and why we support CeCe McDonald.
more ...Minnesota Communities Are Blazing the Trail Forward for Equality
09-22-2011Earlier this week, Shoreview became the lucky thirteenth Minnesota city to approve an ordinance permitting domestic partners, whether same-sex or different-sex, to register for a fee and receive a document certifying their registration. One other city may vote on an ordinance later in September, and yet another may do so by the end of the year, potentially bringing the total to fifteen.
more ...Minnesota Faith Communities Unite for Marriage Equality
09-20-2011Last night, more than 550 people of faith from a wide variety of Minnesota's religious and spiritual traditions launched a Faith Organizing Campaign to defeat the anti-marriage constitutional amendment in November 2012.
more ...We're Going to do This Together
09-14-2011Nothing makes an Organizer happier than when more people want to get involved than you expected so if I look like I've been having a great time lately—that's why! And our awesome OutFront volunteers made me very happy again last night.
more ...LGBT People Don't Need to be Changed
09-13-2011Many people of faith affirm the inherent human dignity of all people, including those with LGBT identities. They recognize that, instead of asking how we can change a child's identity, we should ask how we can change our world so children will be supported as they are and be free to make the best choices for their own lives as they become adults.
more ...Don't Get Disappointed,
Get Organized
09-08-2011If you're a pro-LGBT person of faith, you probably share my disappointment every time you read a news story portraying religious people as universally opposed to LGBT equality.
more ...OutFront Minnesota names Thomas new Board Chair
08-26-2011MINNEAPOLIS, MN, August 26, 2011—OutFront Minnesota, the state's leading organization in securing full equality for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Minnesotans, has named Murray Thomas as their new Board Chair. Mr. Thomas was elected to this role at the organization's August Board meeting.
Thomas has been on the Board of OutFront since 2009 also serving as Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee during that time. He assumes the role from Ann Swanson who will remain on the Board.