May 28, 1990 - This isn’t the first time the St. Paul City Council or the city’s voters have had to deal with the gay rights issue. Back in 1978 existing language in the city’s human rights code that prohibited discrimination on the basis of sexual preference was removed during a referendum on the issue. In 1988 voters turned town a charter amendment that would not have allowed human rights measures to be subject to initiative or referendum. Those opposed to that charter amendment said that it was an attempt to create a gay rights ordinance. This year council members will be asked to approve an amendment to the city’s human rights code that would ban discrimination against homosexuals in the areas of housing, employment, education, public services or public accommodation.
June 26, 1990 - MPR’s Bill Wareham reports on St. Paul City Council passage of ordinance banning discrimination against homosexuals in employment, housing, education, and public services. Wareham interviews advocates and opponents of the measure.
June 26, 1990 - Gays and lesbians in St. Paul have gone without legal protection from discrimination since 1978, when voters repealed homosexual rights legislation that had been in effect for four years. And though the new measure easily won the approval of a council majority the specter of that defeat was raised by council member Roger Goswitz’s lone dissent. The group Citizens Alert says it will collect the 5200 signatures needed to put the measure on a general election ballot, but may not do it this year.
July 5, 1990 - In 1987 the Twin Cities Archdiocese informed a group called “Dignity” that it could no longer lease space in the church-run Newman Center on the University of Minnesota campus.
July 10, 1990 - MPR’s Chris Roberts looks at the collaboration between U.S. West Communications and EAGLE (Employee Association of Gay and Lesbians). The company has started gay and lesbian awareness and resource programs in an effort to create a more open workplace. Roberts interviews members from both organizations.
July 25, 1990 - MPR’s Chris Tetlin reports on upcoming Civil Rights Commission hearing regarding complaint by Dignity, a national organization of gay and lesbian Catholics, against the Twin Cities Archdiocese. The Diginity Twin Cities chapter used space at the Newman Center for worship services and other meetings until the Catholic church decided group could no longer lease facilities.
August 2, 1990 - MPR Journal’s Gary Eichten interviews Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Peter Popovich about studies on racial bias and discrimination in the court system.
September 13, 1990 - MPR’s Stephen Smith reports on an increase in attacks on individuals of the gay community in the Twin Cities. Smith interviews Patti Abbott, a crime/victim advocate for the Minnesota Gay and Lesbian Community Action Council about the seriousness of problem.
September 26, 1990 - MPR’s Mark Zdechlik reports on the efforts of Governor's Task Force on Lesbian and Gay Minnesotans to hear public testimony throughout the state as they begin to determine how human services in state can be improved. Report includes comments public and local officials.
November 9, 1990 - MPR’s Donna Nicholson reports on a survey put forth to the lesbian and gay community in the Twin Cities. The results detailed feelings on own’s sexual identity, discrimination, youth counseling, and domestic partners protections.