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.
April 26, 1993 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Tim Rose, media advocate for Gay and Lesbian Community Action Council (GLCAC), who shares his personal experiences while participating in March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay, and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation. Rose also details others that were a part of movement event.
May 20, 1993 - MPR’s Chris Roberts reports on the various efforts by Minneapolis DFL mayoral candidates to capture the gay and lesbian vote in city. Report includes various interviews and commentary.
May 24, 1993 - MPR’s Mark Zdechlik profiles Pamela Mindt, an Army National Guard captain specializing in mental-health counseling. Despite praise of her career within Minnesota National Guard, Mindt finds her military role under threat of discharge after notifying her commanding officer that she was a lesbian.
June 25, 1993 - MPR’s Perry Finelli interviews Ann DeGroot, local LGBT acitivist, about Gay Pride Festival, appointment of a U.S. AIDS czar, gays in the military, and the term ‘family.’
September 10, 1993 - MPR’s Mike Mulcachy interviews a staff member of the University of Minnesota about the enactment of same sex benefits policy for school employees. The initial enrollment of spouse/partner program was eight people.
October 1, 1993 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer interviews St. Paul book editor Pam Keesey about the publication “Daughters of Darkness: Lesbian Vampire Tales." Keesey discusses sexuality and other elements in vampire lore.
October 16, 1993 - MPR’s Chris Roberts highlights a same-sex commitment ceremony at Spirit of The Lakes Church in a report on how same-sex couples and churches are approaching a situation where gay unions aren't recognized under state law as a legal contract like heterosexual marriages.
December 30, 1993 - MPR’s Karen Boothe gives a brief summary report on a hearing challenging the city of Minneapolis in offering health benefits to same-sex partners of city employees.
February 5, 1994 - MPR’s Chris Roberts interviews Aron Pilhofer, the news editor of the weekly gay publication Equal Time. Pilhofer discusses the goals of newspaper and the concerns of his leadership role at Equal Time, being that he is straight and not part of the gay community.
February 17, 1994 - MPR’s John Rabe interviews an individual at Cardthartic Greeting Cards about product that focus on gay and lesbian market. The company has a contract to sell cards at Dayton’s department store chain.