Minnesota gay rights

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The change came amid the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, where blood was needed urgently.

Banned (indefinite deferral) under federal United States law
Starting in 1983, the United States implemented a full ban on blood donations from gay men. Photographed by Gary Johnson.
MNHS call number: III.29 

"Senator Allan Spear and the Minnesota Human Rights Act," by Joshua Preston.
In Minnesota History vol.

The decision overturned any laws remaining in all US states which prohibited acts of sodomy. The primary justification for the ban was the perceived high risk of HIV transmission, with health regulators identifying men who have sex with men (MSM) as a significant risk to the safety of the blood supply.

Equal age of consent in Minnesota

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Equal age of consent in Minnesota is equal.

Land of 10,000 Loves: A History of Queer Minnesota, by Stewart VanCleve.
Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, c2012.
MNHS call number: HQ76.3.U52 M683 2012

Minnesota GLBT Movement Papers (1964-2007), collected by Leo Treadway.
Correspondence, agendas, bylaws, minutes, financial reports, notes, newsletters, brochures, miscellaneous printed matter, and newspaper clippings collected by Leo Treadway, a leading Minnesota gay rights activist.
MNHS call number: Digital finding aid

Minnesota Committee for Gay and Lesbian Rights Records.
Board and annual meeting minutes, news clippings, financial data, office logs, correspondence, lobbying files, and other records of an organization formed in 1974 to work for passing local ordinances and state laws guaranteeing rights for gays and lesbians, to combat homophobia and violence against gays and lesbians, and to educate the public and legislature about gay and lesbian issues.
MNHS call number: Digital finding aid

 

Gay and Lesbian Activities in Minneapolis: Photographs.
Views of Gay Pride celebrations, a 1979 meeting with Minneapolis Chief of Police D.R.

Dwyer, Tim Campbell's "Mayoral Ball" in August 1979, a gay march on Washington D.C. Oct. 1979, a 1980 meeting with Mayor Don Fraser and Chief of Police Tony Bouza, and Tom Burke's campaign fundraiser in Feb. 1980. Minnesota's sodomy ban was definitively repealed in May 2023.

Same-sex marriage in Minnesota

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Same-sex marriage in Minnesota is legal.

Current status
Governor Mark Dayton signed a bill into law overturning a previous law which banned marriage between anyone other than one man and one woman.
After two men attempted to obtain a marriage license, a court issued a ruling declaring that, though the wording of the law was not explicit in excluding same-sex couples from marriage, it was the intent of the law.

Right to change legal gender in Minnesota

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Right to change legal gender in Minnesota is legal, no restrictions.

Gender-affirming care in Minnesota

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Gender-affirming care in Minnesota is legal.

Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Minnesota

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Hate crime protections in Minnesota

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Hate crime protections in Minnesota is sexual orientation and gender identity.

Sexual orientation and gender identity
Minnesota law protects individuals from hate crimes on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

LGBT discrimination in Minnesota

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LGBT discrimination in Minnesota is illegal.

Current status
Language specifically protects on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

Sexual orientation protections still existed at the state level.

LGBT housing discrimination in Minnesota

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LGBT housing discrimination in Minnesota is sexual orientation and gender identity.

Current status
Sexual orientation and gender identity
Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity is illegal.

Second parent adoption by a same-sex partner is not explicitly prohibited by state law, and several lower courts in Hennepin and Atkins counties have allowed second parent adoptions to take place.

Intersex infant surgery in Minnesota

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Serving openly in military in Minnesota

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Serving openly in military in Minnesota is lesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned.

Lesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned under federal United States law
On January 27th, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order that bans transgender people from serving in the military.
On February 10th, 2025, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth filed in court a memo relating to President Trump’s executive order from the previous month.

From then until March 18th, 2025, The U.S.

military prohibited transgender individuals from enlisting and ceased providing or supporting gender transition procedures for service members.

Lesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned under federal United States law
The Trump administration enacted a new policy barring individuals with a "condition" known as "gender dysphoria." from serving in the military.

Blood donations by MSMs in Minnesota

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Blood donations by MSMs in Minnesota is legal.

Current status
Banned (less than 6-month deferral) under federal United States law
The FDA announced changes to the blood donor eligibility policy in April 2020, reducing the MSM deferral period from 12 months to 3 months.

9, 1989. Even though we try to suggest materials that will be of help, further research is usually required to find a complete and correct answer. 76-86.
MNHS call number: Digital copy

LGBT Rights


Statutes and Rules: (Additional statutes, regulations & opinions may apply to your specific situation.)

Minnesota Resources:

Online resources: 

  • Airport Security: National Center for Transgender Rights
  • Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration ("OSHA") issued guidance on the best practices for providing restroom access to transgender workers.
  • EEOC Factsheet: Bathroom Access Rights for Transgender Employees Under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
  • Legal Program, from OutFront Minnesota.
  • Lesbian & Gay Couples: Marriage, Domestic Partnerships, and Civil Unions, from Nolo.
  • LGBT Law, from Nolo.
  • LGBT Rights, from the ACLU.
  • Minnesota Lavender Bar Association.
  • Trans Law and Health, from OutFront Minnesota.
  • Name Change, from the Minnesota Judicial Branch
  • Practice, Research and advocacy Organizations, from the University of Minnesota Law Library.
  • Researching Sexual Orientation and the Law, from the University of Minnesota Law Library.
  • Trans Law Help: Trans-positive legal resources for people living in the United States.

Print resources:(available at the Minnesota State Law Library and around the state.)

  • Before I Do: A Legal Guide to Marriage, Gay and Otherwise, Elizabeth F.

    Schwartz KF539.S39 2016

  • Breaking New Ground: Study of transgender people interacting with the Mn Court System /  Ellen Krug (OutFront MN 2013) KFM5811.5 .T73 K78.
  • The Court, the Ballot Box, and Gay Rights: How Our Governing Institutions Shape the Same-Sex Marriage Debate / Joseph Mello, KF539 .M45 2016.
  • Estate Planning for Same-sex Couples / Joan M. Burda (ABA 2015) KF750 .B87 2015.
  • Gender Nonconformity and the Law / Kimberly A.

    Yurako, KF3467.

    minnesota gay rights

    Y875 2016.

  • Legal Guide for Lesbian and Gay Couples /Denis Clifford et al. Includes articles of incorporation and bylaws, minutes, correspondence and memoranda, committee files, financial data, files of directors and key officials, digitized interviews with board members, information about donors and community support, publications and promotions, and files about related organizations with which Project 515 cooperated.
    MNHS call number: Digital Finding Aid

    University Lesbian-Gay Community Records.
    Constitution, newsletters, correspondence, steering committee minutes, and other records of a lesbian and gay social organization at the University of Minnesota.
    MNHS call number: Digital finding aid

According to recent survey data, Minnesota shows to be supportive of the LGBTQ+ community in comparison to other parts of the world.

Survey results from 13 LGBTQ+ Equaldex users who lived in or visited Minnesota.

Perceived Safety*
Absence of verbal harassment
Absence of threats and violence
*Survey results represent personal perceptions of safety and may not be indicative of current actual conditions.

Equal Treatment
Treatment by general public
Treatment by law enforcement
Treatment by religious groups

Visibility & Representation
Representation in entertainment

Culture
Interest groups and clubs

Services
Support and social services

History

Homosexual activity in Minnesota

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Homosexual activity in Minnesota is legal.

Current status
The US Supreme Court's ruling issued in Lawrence v.

For links to resources on finding an attorney click here.

A , 19th ed. / Frederick C. Hertz & Emily Doskow, KF539 .H47 2016.
  • Minnesota Estate Planning for Non-traditional Families, 2nd ed. Topics include the collective's philosophy, routine management, hiring of collective members, fund raising, publicity, programming-which included live performances, dancing, and political or educational presentations, and the coffeehouse's dissolution.
    MNHS call number:  Digital finding aid

    Conference of Gay/Lesbian Elected and Appointed Officials, Candidates, Prospective Candidates, and Campaign Workers Records (1987).
    Orientation materials, press releases, news clippings, notes, audio-taped proceedings, and other materials from a nonpartisan conference focusing on the mutual concerns and experiences of lesbian and gay elected and appointed officials, candidates, potential candidates, and campaign workers.
    Note: Additional records from the 3rd annual conference and from conferences held in previous and subsequent years may be found in the Brian J.

    Coyle Papers (see next entry).
    MNHS call number: Digital finding aid

    Integrity National Convention Records.
    Orientation materials, including schedules, a letter of welcome, budgets, reports, and other materials for the annual national convention of Integrity, an organization of lesbian and gay Episcopalians and their supporters working for the full inclusion of homosexual persons in the Episcopal Church.
    MNHS call number: P970.

    Minnesota Committee for Gay and Lesbian Rights Records.
    Board and annual meeting minutes, news clippings, financial data, office logs, correspondence, lobbying files, and other records of an organization formed in 1974 to work for passing local ordinances and state laws guaranteeing rights for gays and lesbians, to combat homophobia and violence against gays and lesbians, and to educate the public and legislature about gay and lesbian issues.
    MNHS call number: Digital finding aid

    Minnesota Queer Student Conference Records (1994).
    Agenda, audiotaped proceedings, and other materials-including a directory of gay/lesbian/bisexual/ transgender organizations on Minnesota college campuses-of the Minnesota Queer Student Conference, held on the campus of the University of Minnesota in May of 1994.
    MNHS call number: Digital finding aid  

    Minnesotans United For All Families Records, 2010-2013
    Administrative files, advertising, publicity and outreach materials, awards, correspondence, polls, reports, research files, photographs, files of campaign manager Richard Carlbom, and information about related organizations in Minnesota created by an organization leading a campaign that successfully defeated a proposed constitutional amendment that would have denied the right to marry to same-sex Minnesota couples.
    MNHS call number:Digital Finding Aid

    Project 515 Records, 2005-2013
    Paper and electronic records of a Minneapolis-based organization working to achieve equal rights for same sex couples under the law, particularly through the defeat of a proposed amendment to the Minnesota constitution that would have proscribed same-sex marriage and the subsequent passage of legislation that opened marriage to all couples.

    (Minnesota Continuing Legal Education, 2010-) KFM5540 .M56 2010.

  • Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and the Law in a Nutshell / Ruth Colker KF4754.5 .C65 2017
  • State Equality Index: A Review of State Legislation Affecting the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender. For many questions, the best answer may be to consult an attorney.

    The Coffeehouse Collective assumed management in early 1976 and operated the coffeehouse until its closing on Sept. 65, no. Exemptions exist for religiously affiliated/operated organizations.

    • LGBT employment discrimination in Minnesota

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    LGBT employment discrimination in Minnesota is sexual orientation and gender identity.

    Current status
    Sexual orientation and gender identity
    On June 15th, 2020, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that discrimination in employment based on sexual orientation or gender identity is illegal under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, classified as sex discrimination.

    Community Human Rights Campaign. Religious exemptions apply.

    Same-sex adoption in Minnesota

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    Same-sex adoption in Minnesota is married couples only.

    Joint adoption is not explicitly prohibited, though no formal law states it is legal, and no state court has ruled on the issue.

    Campaign 90s, Organizational Records.
    Correspondence, memoranda, notes, agendas, lists, news clippings, press releases, campaign literature, and other materials documenting the efforts of Campaign 90s and its predecessor groups, Campaign 90 and Yes For Human Rights, to pass and protect from repeal a human rights ordinance prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation in the city of St.

    Paul.
    MNHS call number:  Digital finding aid

    Coffeehouse Collective Records.
    Correspondence, minutes, financial statements, calendars, flyers, contracts, a mailing list, and a directory of performers that document the history of one of the first women's coffeehouses in the U.S. The coffeehouse was promoted as "a chemically-free meeting place for all women, which supports and nurtures the social, cultural, and political life of the Twin Cities lesbian community." A Woman's Coffeehouse originally opened in late 1975 as a fundraiser for the Lesbian Resource Center.