MPR Archive presents a selection of stories tied to various the aspects, history, and battles for civil rights of individuals and groups within the State of Minnesota.
December 22, 1999 - MPR’s Marisa Helms reports on Kinpride, a cable-access show in St. Cloud that takes a closer look at homosexuality. The show's creator and host says the program is designed to educate people and, hopefully, lead to a greater acceptance of a wider range of lifestyles in Minnesota.
July 27, 2000 - MPR’s Tom Scheck reports on Minnesotans with disabilities are marking the 10th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. In South Minneapolis, nearly a thousand people visited the Anne Sullivan School to take part in a day long celebration of the signing of the legislation. Disability rights activists say the ADA literally opened doors and businesses to millions of Americans, but they say more needs to be done.
August 22, 2000 - The United Way of Minneapolis is sticking by its committment to give money to local boy scout troops. The charity considered revoking the scouts' gift after the Supreme Court upheld a ban on gay troop leaders earlier this year. Nationally, seven United Ways have stoped giving money to the Boy Scouts. Terri BUH-RAY-ROH is the Senior Director of Community Service for the United Way of Minneapolis. She says reaction to the Supreme Court decision has been low-key:
September 22, 2000 - The Ventura administration is considering whether to join five other states in extending benefits to the domestic partners of state employees. Ventura recently directed his commissioner of employee relations to study the cost and feasibility of domestic partner benefits, which could include health care and other insurance. The proposal will have to go before the legislature, where it could face significant opposition. Anne DeGroot is the director of outfront Minnesota, an advocacy group for gays and lesbians. She's happy to see the state taking this step:
October 10, 2000 - Minneapolis Schools Superintendent Carol Johnson will recommend to the school board tonight that the district stop sponsering or promoting Boy Scout Troops. That decision is a reaction to the U-S Supreme Court ruling which allows the Boy Scouts to ban gay troop leaders. Superintendent Johnson says the policies of the Boy Scouts and the school district are now in direct conflict. Minneapolis Schools Superintendent Carol Johnson.
November 3, 2000 - What do you do if you're not who you think you are? A hermaphrodite's memoires are now the basis of a play in the Twin Cities.
November 16, 2000 -
November 20, 2000 - After years of wrangling, the University of North Dakota is preparing to decide the future of the schools Fighting Sioux nickname. The Sioux name was chosen in 1930, and is a focus of school pride. Since the 1960s people have challenged the name, some charging it is offensive to Native Americans. A commission studying the use of the Sioux nickname held its final meeting today. Next month the U-N-D president will recommend keeping or changing the nickname. The states board of higher education will make the final decision. Minnesota Public Radio's Dan Gunderson reports.
November 21, 2000 - Adressing a sold-out crowd at the Minneapolis Hilton Monday, former South African president Nelson Mandela spoke of the need for people on opposite sides of debates to respect one another, and of the ability of the U.S. to influence attitudes on racism around the world. His message was above all a hopeful one that any society can acheive justice. Mandela declined to express an opinion on the U.S. presidential election, but spoke glowingly of President Clinton's efforts to reach out to African nations. Minnesota Public Radio's Amy Radil reports.
November 27, 2000 -