LGBTQ+ life in Minnesota is a chronological collection of stories that provide a glimpse into the history and sometimes turbulent nature of the LGBTQ+ experience in the state. This curation is not to highlight individual Minnesotans based on their orientation, but rather to present voices of and on the LGBTQ+ community…as it relates to the enduring fight for civil rights, societal achievements, and the act of many in attaining acceptance and inclusion in towns, family, healthcare, church, education, politics, arts, and the workplace.
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 8, 1990 - MPR’s Stephen Smith presents the documentary "Whom They Fear, They Hate," which explores the issue of hate crime in the U.S. by looking at two communities: Minneapolis/St. Paul and Portland, Oregon.
November 8, 1990 - MPR’s Donna Nicholson reports on survey of homosexual community in Minnesota. Nicholson interviews activist and Minneapolis city council member on the take away of survey results.
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.
January 1, 1991 - MPR’s Catherine Winter reports on Minnesota Civil Liberties Union call for expanding Human Rights Act by including gay rights. Winter gets opposing views on subject from William Roath, executive director of Minnesota Civil Liberties Union; and Tom Prichard, executive director of Berean League.
January 7, 1991 - MPR’s Tom Fudge interviews Brian Coyle, the first openly gay Minneapolis City Councilmember, about domestic partner benefits that local government is considering.
March 23, 1991 - MPR’s Chris Roberts reports on the Governor's Task Force on Lesbian and Gay Minnesotans and their recommendations in a report on Minnesota gay quality of life, which determined that gays and lesbians are targets of widespread discrimination. Report includes comments from members of task force.
April 5, 1991 - MPR’s Mike Maus interviews Joel Shepard, a member of Film in the Cities (FITC) organization, about a gay and lesbian film festival running for two weeks in the Twin Cities. Shepard talks of the importance of arts in bridging social debate.
April 5, 1991 - MPR’s Mike Maus interviews artist CathyAnn Beaty about being a lesbian mother. Beaty shares her thoughts on the importance of acceptance and diversity in raising a child.
April 24, 1991 - MPR’s Mike Maus interviews Brian Coyle, Minneapolis council vice president, about going public with his health battle after being diagnosed as HIV positive. Coyle, shares his reasons for disclosing the news and the response from people in the community.