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.
March 19, 1992 - MPR’s Chris Roberts reports on the uptick in reported bias crime against members of the gay community. Roberts interviews Patti Abbott, a crime/victim advocate for the Minnesota Gay and Lesbian Community Action Council (GLCAC), who details multiple reasons behind the dramatic percentage increase in reported incidents.
October 14, 1992 - MPR’s Paula Schroeder interviews Shirley and Adrienne, a mother and daughter who share their relationship after Adrienne came out as a lesbian. The two describe the experience of parent and child coming to terms and strengthing the love for each other.
November 14, 1992 - MPR’s Chris Roberts profiles District 202, gay and lesbian youth center in Minneapolis that is preparing to open by end of 1992. The site is designed be a safe social space and resource center for gay and lesbian youth. Report includes numerous interviews, including Elissa Raffa, who came up with the idea of center.
December 30, 1992 - MPR’s Chris Roberts reports on the importance of 1992 for Minnesota’s gay & lesbian community. Roberts details how political and social attention during the year created momentum in furthering civil rights and social acceptance.
January 1, 1993 - MPR’s Chris Roberts profiles Minneapolis police officer Sharon Lubinski, who has come out as a lesbian to the department. Lubinski shares both the her reasons and fears on making her sexuality public.
January 23, 1993 - MPR’s Perry Finelli interviews Marjorie Cowmeadow, associate dean of General College and University of Minnesota, about five recommendation actions to address discrimination of gay, lesbian, and bisexuals on campus. Cowmeadow details one of the actions, a proposal for a gay and lesbian studies program.
March 8, 1993 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer has a roundtable discussion with George Holdgrafer, editor of Gaze Magazine; Timothy Rose, communications director of Minnesota's Gay and Lesbian Community Action Council (GLCAC); and Jennifer Juarez Robles, editorial writer for the Minneapolis Star Tribune and president of the Minnesota. The group share their views on the state of affairs in Minnesota media for members of the gay community.
March 9, 1993 - On this Midday program, DFL Senator Allan Spear, who is the author of a gay and lesbian human rights bill; and Independent-Republican Senator Tom Neuville, who opposes it, talk and take questions about topic.
March 18, 1993 - MPR’s Mike Mulcahy describes the scene as Minnesota Senate debates and votes to extend the Minnesota Human Rights Bill to include protections on one’s sexual orientation. Report includes clips of Senate floor speeches.
March 19, 1993 - MPR’s Mike Mulcahy reports on bill passage in both Minnesota Senate and House of Representatives that changes the state's human rights law to prohibit discrimination against gays and lesbians in areas like housing, employment and education.