It wasn't until 2001 that the state of Minnesota officially decriminalized homosexuality. Minnesota Public Radio has been covering the long-running debate over the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Minnesota for decades. From the end of the 19th century to this day, LGBT Midwesterners have received a warmer reception in the Twin Cities than in other parts of the state, and for this reason Minneapolis is often called “The San Francisco of the Midwest.”
April 7, 1976 - MPR’s Kate Williams profiles Sutton’s, a gay bar in downtown Minneapolis that relocated to a more prominent location. Sutton’s has been around for over a decade but it officially came out of the closet last week when it opened its doors to over 800 people at a new location…the old Elk’s Club on 5th street in downtown Minneapolis.
May 5, 1977 - MPR’s Debbie Gage reports on debate in Minnesota Senate chambers over gay rights bill, which would have given protection to gays in the areas of housing employment education and credit, but not sanction gay marriage or gay adoption. It also did not provide protection and public accommodations.
June 8, 1977 - MPR’s Rich Dietman reports on the fight over local laws protecting homosexuals from discrimination. Dietman talks Florian Chmielewski, DFL state senator of Sturgeon Lake; and Jack Baker, a Minneapolis attorney and a coordinator of the Target City Coalition.
February 28, 1978 - St. Paul City Council considers the petition for the repeal of gay rights to appear on ballot in city election. City Council president Rober Sylvester and Councilman Dave Hosa oppose the petition. The council rules to accept the petition, thus the question will appear on the city election ballot on April 25th. The St. Paul gay rights repeal attempt will be the first since the controversial Dade County, Florida repeal last year.
February 28, 1978 - MPR’s Pat Kessler reports on St. Paul City Council as it considered petition on the repeal of gay rights ordinance to appear on ballot in city election. A debate over viewing as ‘referendum’ or ‘initiative’ ensued. City Council president Robert Sylvester and Councilman Dave Hosa oppose the petition.
March 30, 1978 - Bob Kunst, national gay activist and co-author of the Dade County, Florida gay rights amendment (which was repealed), urges St. Paul voters not to repeal the gay rights ordinance. In his comments, he also criticizes gay rights opponents.
April 20, 1978 - Report on three different St. Paul rallies, pro and con, regarding the vote to repeal the gay rights ordinance. MPR's Pat Kessler, Kate Williams, and Dan Olson were at the events and provide excerpts from the activity, including speeches and interviews of attendees.
April 25, 1978 - MPR’s Pat Kessler reports on vote results on repeal of St. Paul’s 1974 gay rights ordinance. St. Paul voters chose to repeal of the city's provisions protecting gays and lesbians from discrimination by a two-to-one margin.
April 27, 1978 - MPR’s Pat Kessler presents various local viewpoints and theories on why voters chose to repeal St. Paul’s 1974 gay rights ordinance.
May 26, 1978 - MPR’s Pat Kessler reports that 30 days after St. Paul gay rights ordinance repeal, there is a general attitude that the repeal has had no real effect on the lifestyles of homosexuals. Kessler talks with two individuals who fought on opposing sides of the rights issue.