LGBT

Open minded. Vibrant. Friendly. Safe. Forward-thinking. However you define it, Minneapolis Saint Paul is an excellent place to live for the LGBT community. We like to say it’s halfway between LA and New York, and all the way out of the closet.

Minneapolis Saint Paul has the highest percentage LGBT population of any city in the U.S. outside San Francisco. According to the 2000 Census, it also possesses the 3rd largest concentration of gay and lesbian couples. Advancements in LGBT legislation, plus its cultural and entertainment assets, contribute to making Minneapolis Saint Paul a popular place to visit and live.

A PROGRESSIVE CITY
Through a proven history of leadership in LGBT legislation, Minneapolis Saint Paul gained a reputation as a strong LGBT community after it became one of the first areas in the U.S. to protect LGBT rights. In 1974, the Minneapolis City Council amended an ordinance to cover discrimination based on sexual preference. Since 1991, same-sex couples in Minneapolis could register as domestic partners at City Hall, thus recognizing the relationship. In 2002, Minneapolis enacted the Equal Benefits Ordinance requiring certain contractors with the city to offer domestic partner benefits.

More than 100 Minnesota businesses extend domestic partner benefits to employees including these companies:


AN INVITING COMMUNITY
While pockets of gay communities exist here, they are not exclusively gay. It’s what makes our metro area unique: the integration of the gay population in the overall community. The hip energy in Uptown welcomes the young creative crowd. The Chain of Lakes attracts LGBT visitors. Neighborhoods and communities are important in the culturally diverse area of South Minneapolis, home to many LGBT families. The Northeast neighborhood is a booming arts district and a strong LGBT area.

ORGANIZING FOR CHANGE
Several leading LGBT organizations call Minneapolis Saint Paul home, including:

  • Rainbow Families: One of the largest regional LGBT organizations in the country, it provides services to more than 2,000 families in the upper Midwest, hosts an annual conference and produces publications.
  • OutFront Minnesota: Minnesota’s largest LGBT organization, it’s the only one that represents the LGBT community on a full-time basis at the Minnesota Legislature.
  • District 202: LGBT youth can find their place at this, the first and only permanent space in Minnesota by and for LGBT youth.

LEADERS IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Many well-known local LGBT residents left their mark by influencing legislation and providing a positive image for the LGBT community. Here are just a few:

  • Native Minnesotan Miss Richfield 1981 is a creative artist and local celebrity and now a well-known national figure
  • Susan Kimberly (born Bob Sylvester) was former president of Saint Paul City Council and influential in passing the first gay rights law in the U.S. in 1993
  • Polar explorer Ann Bancroft was the first woman to travel across ice to the North Pole and to travel east to west across Greenland on skis
  • 3 openly gay men sit on the Minneapolis City Council: Scott Benson, Robert Lilligren and Gary Schiff. Minnesota State Senator Paul Koering is another notable gay.

LGBT EVENTS FOR EVERY SEASON


 

Spin & Brunch Sun. Nov. 9th 12-2pm (Melissa) - 10/05/2008

inner strength fitness is a excited to offer a GLBT spin & brunch event on Sun. Nov. 9th 12-2pm. Burn some calories, have some fun, meet new people & eat some yummy food- sounds good to me! $25, limit 20 people- reservations required, 612-644-1953 www.innerstrengthstudio.com thanks, Melissa Moreno owner inner strength fitness 2800 Lyndale Ave. So. Mpls. Mn, 55408 P.S. can you add us to our business listing?

Milk, The Harvey Milk Story (Rick Perry) - 11/06/2008

Hello everyone:

 

My name is Rick Perry and I’m the Webmaster and one of the founders of the Minneapolis Movie Bears.  We are a social group of guys and gals that go to the movies every week.  We are not limited to the bear community but open to everyone.  The primary movie theater we go to is the Regal Cinemas in Eagan.  We also go to the AMC Southdale, St. Anthony Main, Lagoon, Uptown and Edina Cinema.

 

As I am sure you are aware, Milk, The story of Harvey Milk starring Sean Penn is being released to theaters in late November.  I am writing to let you know we are organizing a showing at the Uptown on Tuesday, December 2nd. Time TBA.  Tickets can be purchased on the site through Pay Pal for the discounted price of $7.00, normally 9.25 at the theater for this showing. 

 

During this and every election season, (I know it is finally over) all citizens of the United States should understand how important voting is and how it can truly affect our lives.  Harvey Milk was one of those GLBT Pioneers that resisted the slurs and the pundits that said he couldn’t be elected and became The First Openly Gay elected official in the United States.   What I have observed in our community is that many people under the age of 30 have no idea who Harvey Milk or George Moscone were.  This is the main reason why I am pushing this movie and this particular showing.  We normally get a couple dozen people that show up at the movie but I think that is significant to show our community why it is important to organize and why we should celebrate the lives of such risk takers.   Everyone in the GLBT community should know their history and this is a big part of it.

 

Please check out each person in Wikipedia.

Harvey Milk – San Francisco City Supervisor

George Moscone – Mayor of San Francisco

 

The Movie Bear Committee, ask that you send this e-mail to your friends, family and members to let them know of this showing.  We also ask if you would post this information to your website and community bulletins.  We have set up an RSVP at www.minneapolismoviebears.com as space is limited.  By registering this will also lead you to the pay pal where you can purchase your tickets. 

 

This will be a will call situation. We will have people at the door to help you out with getting your tickets.

 

If you have any questions, please e-mail us at movies@minneapolismoviebears.com

Thank You

MMB


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