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.
May 7, 1977 - Russell Peterson, president of New Directions, speaking at the University of Minnesota on occasion of World Law Day. Peterson’s speech was titled “Citizen Action and World Order.” His remarks were followed by questions from the audience. About New Directions: Founded in 1976 by several people including Norman Cousins; Margaret Mead; Ruth Clusen, the president of the National League of Women Voters; and Paul Warnke, among others. New Directions has been called an international counterpart to the self-styled citizens lobby, Common Cause.
May 12, 1977 - U.S. Representative Donald Fraser, of Minneapolis, took part in a seminar on the BWCA, sponsored by the Anoka-Ramsey Community College in Coon Rapids. Fraser spoke on his bill regarding future use of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in northeastern Minnesota. Fraser's bill would ban entirely any logging or use of motors from both the interior and exterior portions of the BWCA.
May 12, 1977 - Congressman Jim Oberstar, of the 8th district, took part in a seminar on the BWCA, sponsored by the Anoka-Ramsey Community College in Coon Rapids. Oberstar, who represents an area which includes the BWCA, spoke on his bill proposing legislation which would add more territory to the existing million acres of the BWCA and roughly split the land between a wilderness area for hiking and canoeing only, and a "recreational area" where motorboats, snowmobiles and some logging would be permitted.
May 14, 1977 - Scientist and feminist Estelle Ramey speaking in Minneapolis, as part of a series of appearances by women sponsored by Dayton's. Ramey’s topic was “Sex Hormones and Executive Abilities”, which discussed men versus women in positions of control.
May 20, 1977 - Writer and European documentary film director Marcel Ophuls lectures at the 8th annual University of North Dakota Writers Conference: Literature and Film.
May 21, 1977 - On this regional public affairs program, MPR legislative reporter Debbie Gage introduces an example of the Minnesota legislature and how they function. The debate on this program is on the Ban the Can bill, which deals with container deposit and litter.
May 21, 1977 - On this The Saturday Show program, a presentation of Les Crystal's speech at Twin Ports Press Club.
May 23, 1977 - Black scholars from Africa, Latin America and the United States discuss prospects for a united black movement to solve common problems. The scholars were in Africa last winter for FESTAC 77, a celebration of black culture in Lagos, Nigeria.
May 27, 1977 - MPR legislative reporters Bob Potter and Debbie Gage prepared a half-hour summary of highlights from the 1977 Minnesota legislative session. Many observers have praised the orderly fashion in which many major bills were passed, though there were the expected political disagreements over tax, welfare, and other basic policies.