Marriage Equality Supporters Hail Historic Senate Hearing

For only the second time since considering a divisive proposed constitutional amendment to prohibit legal recognition for same-sex couples, a state legislative committee will hold a hearing on bills that would extend such recognition, announced Amy Johnson, Executive Director of OutFront Minnesota, the state's leading direct-service and public-policy agency for the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) community and its allies. The state's first such hearing took place on February 22.

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Marriage Equality Supporters Hail Historic Hearing

For the first time since considering a divisive proposed constitutional amendment to prohibit legal recognition for same-sex couples, a state legislative committee will hold a hearing on bills that would extend such recognition, announced Amy Johnson, Executive Director of OutFront Minnesota, the state's leading advocacy organization working for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) equality.

Follow OutFront Minnesota on Twitter!

OutFront Minnesota is now on Twitter! Follow our tweets to get the latest news about what we're doing to lead Minnesota toward GLBT equality.

Watch Mayor Coleman Sign Domestic-Partner Ordinance

July 22, 2009 - Saint Paul, MN

Mayor Chris Coleman Signs Domestic-Partner Ordinance Following 6-0 City Council Vote

Lambda Legal Launches National Health Care Fairness Campaign

As health care reform is being debated in congress, it's critical that health concerns specific to LGBT people and people living with HIV are included in this discussion and any proposed legislation.  Reform of the health care system is a key issue in our country and health care fairness is a high priority for Lambda Legal, too.  People are most vulnerable when they are sick or have medical needs.  That’s when every person needs good care and fairness — not extra barriers and obstacles to overcome. And we want you to get involved.

YouTube Video Captures Verbal Harassment at Twin Cities Pride

A video appearing on YouTube depicts verbal harassment of Twin Cities Pride attendees by a small group of young people. Read more here.

2008 National Hate Crimes Report Released

Minnesota sees increased violence against the GLBT community. 

Read more.

Senate Sets Stage for Passage of Safe Schools for All Bill!

On Thursday, April 16, the Safe Schools for All Bill passed a procedural vote in the Minnesota Senate by a margin of 43-22.  Final passage is expected April 20.  The bill to enhance anti-bullying policies would then be ready to be voted on by the full House.  Outfront Minnesota will send an action alert out as soon as we know when the bill will get voted on.

Safe Schools Bill to be heard in House committee

On Wednesday, April 1st, the House K-12 Education Policy and Oversight Committee will be hearing the Safe Schools for All bill at 8:30 a.m. in the Basement Hearing Room of the state capitol.

Is your representative on this committee? If so, contact them  and urge them to vote for H.F. 1198!

This legislation addresses the violence, harassment, and bullying that plague our young people in school. While the vast majority of GLBT youth report being harassed or bullied in school, most school districts' policies do not include protections for them.

H.F. 1198 and its companion in the senate would establish additional categories of protected characteristics in the state's model anti-bullying policy. Those categories include sexual orientation/gender identity; disability; national origin; and physical characteristics (such as size). 

Act today!

Marriage Hearing Postponed

The hearing on the marriage equality bill that had been scheduled for this Friday has been postponed. The activity at the legislature is very intense and rescheduling is being done to accommodate bills for which there are definite votes planned. This hearing was to be informational only, and lawmakers believed priority should be given to bills that will receive a vote.

We still anticipate a hearing on the marriage bill at some point during this session.

ther bills to be heard:
March 26th: The health care agent bill will be heard in the House Human Services Committee.

March 27th: The domestic partner benefits for state employees will be heard in a senate committee.

Soon: The Safe Schools for All bill is expected to be heard in a house committee 

Stay tuned to our website and E-news for all the latest developments!

Three GLBT bills pass in committee!

Three bills to improve the lives of GLBT people have moved forward in the Minnesota legislature: Safe Schools for All; Domestic Partner Benefits for State Employees; and Medical Agent protections.

Workplace Alliance finds new home

The Workplace Alliance is now housed with Twin Cities Quorum, the GLBT Chamber of Commerce. This move signifies an important step in WPA's and Quorum's growth.

Powerful testimony at Safe Schools bill hearing

The Senate Education Committee heard powerful testimony on March 18th for the Safe Schools for All bill which would expand anti-bullying, harassment and violence protections for GLBT and other youth.

Marriage Equality Bills At the Capitol!

Marriage Equality Bills
Two marriage equality bills have been introduced at the legislature. While differing slightly in their language, their thrust is the same - to create marriage equality in our state!

Anoka-Hennepin School Board Changes GLBT Policy

OutFront Minnesota and Rainbow Families praise Anoka-Hennepin board’s recision of anti-GLBT policy.

Lavender Law a success!

Minnesota's Chief Justice the first to address GLBT event.

Support OutFront Minnesota's Legislative Agenda

OutFront Minnesota is working with the 2009 legislature on a series of bills to improve the lives of GLBT people across our state including legislation for marriage; safe schools; and health care initiatives.

Read the full agenda

Contact your lawmakers

Register for OutFront Minnesota's justFair Lobby Day!

Amy Johnson's Letter to the Community

Dear Friends,

I want to take this opportunity to introduce myself to you and to share with you the excitement and the challenges of the coming years ahead, as OutFront Minnesota moves into its third decade of working for GLBT equality.

Become a Crisis Support Advocate!

Become a Crisis Support Advocate for the OutFront Minnesota Anti-Violence Program!

Prop 8 Action Turns to Organizing

The outrage over the passage of Prop 8 is transforming into a move for action to repeal the federal DOMA law.

Court rules against Rochester lesbians in athletic club case

The Minnesota Court of Appeals has ruled against lesbian couple Amy and Sarah Monson in their lawsuit against the Rochester Athlietic Club for discrimination in denying them a family membership.

OutFront Minnesota names new Executive Director

We are very pleased to announce the selection of attorney and long-time community advocate and leader Amy Johnson to become the new OutFront Minnesota Executive Director.

OutFront Minnesota receives PFund grant

OutFront Minnesota has received a $5,000 grant from PFund to support OutFront Minnesota's justFair Lobby Day - to be held April 23rd, 2009! PFund is the only Minnesota foundation dedicated exclusively to advancing social justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities in the Upper Midwest.

OutFront Minnesota thanks PFund for its generosity in helping us build on the nation's largest GLBT lobby day!

Read PFund press release announcing all grants.

Video and photos from Prop 8 protest

Nationwide protests on Saturday, November 15th against the passage of Prop 8 were powerful, peaceful, and made a bold statement about GLBT equality supporters' not backing down in our full campaign for equality. Demonstrations were held in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Fargo-Moorhead, and Duluth.

Watch video excerpts from the Minneapolis demonstration!

Check out these photos

2008 election results

Celebrating Wins. Mourning Losses. The 2008 elections were a mix of happy and sad news - ranging from keeping a fair-minded majority in the state legislature to losing marriage equality ballot initiatives in other states. 

Stay tuned to OutFront Minnesota Action for election results from a GLBT perspective.

OutFront Minnesota statement on marriage ballot initiatives.

Updated national map on GLBT family laws

OutFront Minnesota helps influence police work

OutFront Minnesota serves on the Police Community Relations Council whose primary goal is to address and improve various underserved communities' relationship with Minneapolis police.

Hate crimes much higher than FBI report indicates

Hate crimes against gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people in Minnesota are much higher than indicated in a newly-released FBI report.

E-news updates

Read OutFront Minnesota's latest  E-news

Memorial service scheduled for Allan Spear

A public memorial service for the late Senator Allan Spear has been scheduled for Sunday, November 23rd, from 12:30 to 2:30 at Temple Israel at 2324 Emerson Avenue South, Minneapolis. A reception will follow.

OutFront Minnesota's statement on Allan Spear's death.

Former State Senator Allan Spear Dies

Former State Senator Allan Spear, one of the first openly gay elected state legislators in the country, has died. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Spear died of complications from surgery. Spear was a leader and icon of the GLBT community in Minnesota, including strong involvement with and support of OutFront Minnesota's work.

Connecticut rules for marriage equality

The Connecticut Supreme Court has struck down as unconstitutional the state's denial of marriage rights to same-sex couples.

Maple Grove GSA wins court victory

A federal appeals court has ended a three-year court battle, ruling on the side of the Maple Grove High School group Straights and Gays for Equality (SAGE) in its effort to have equal access to publicize its events.  

Statement on the RNC

Read OutFront Minnesota's statement on the Republican National Convention in St. Paul.   

Statement on marriage litigation

Despite favorable marriage-equality rulings elsewhere, including Iowa, leading GLBT groups in Minnesota oppose a marriage-equality lawsuit in Minnesota. 

Assault outside gay bar

A man has been charged with assault in an incident outside the Eagle Bar in Minneapolis. Read story the Star Tribune report.

OutFront Minnesota receives new grants

OutFront Minnesota has received three recent grants totalling $125,000 to support the work of equality.

California marriage - Minnesota implications

The legalization of same-sex marriages in California took effect on June 16^th, 2008.  In light of this, Minnesota couples are heading west to tie the knot. 

Violence against GLBT community increases

A new report by the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs shows that violence, harassment, and intimidation against gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people in Minnesota went up substantially in 2007.

Massachusetts lets out of state gays marry there

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick has signed a bill that paves the way for GLBT couples to marry in that state even if their unions cannot be legalized in their home state. 

New help for GLBT domestic violence victims

Bridges to Safety opened on July 14th in Ramsey County, a full service center for victims of domestic violence and their families.

Gay man killed by domestic violence

A man has been murdered in what Minneapolis police are calling the first same-sex domestic homicide in over two years.  The victim’s partner has been arrested.  

Governor Vetoes Local Government DP Bill

The 2008 session of the Minnesota legislature ended Sunday, May 18th with a veto of a bill that would have allowed local governments to provide domestic partner benefits to their employees.

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