June is Pride Month, dedicated to celebrating and commemorating lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) pride. Pride Month was inspired by the Stonewall riots, a series of gay liberation protests, in 1969. In honor of Pride Month, let’s take a look at all of the recent progressive wins that LGBTQ+ Minnesotans can celebrate this June.
Huge Wins for LGBT Liberation
In a massive win for LGBTQ+ people, Minnesota’s progressives shepherded a bill through conservative opposition that banned conversion therapy for LGBTQ+ youth and vulnerable adults.
Lawmakers also passed a proposal last year making Minnesota a Trans Refuge State. This crucial legislation protects transgender people, their families, and medical practitioners from legal repercussions for traveling to Minnesota to receive gender-affirming care.
News of Minnesota’s status as a Trans Refuge State is spreading, motivating many people to make Minnesota their new home. Earlier this month, a couple reunited at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport after they both fled persecution in Russia. One of them, a trans man named Erik Beda, said “It’s an obvious fact that Minnesota is a refuge for trans people, so we had no doubts that we had to go.”
Progressives continue to work tirelessly to make Minnesota a safe, accessible place for all people to seek the care they need without the threat of repercussion. These wins help make Minnesota a safer place for LGBTQ+ people and their families to thrive.
Twin Cities Pride Festival
The Twin Cities Pride Festival is Minnesota’s second-largest festival and the largest free Pride festival. It occurs in Loring Park on Saturday, June 29th, and Sunday, June 30th. There will be four stages with LGBTQ+ entertainment and over 650 vendors, including LGBTQIA+ & BIPOC community resources, artists, and businesses.
Alliance for a Better Minnesota (ABM) is excited to have our first-ever booth at the Twin Cities Pride Festival this year. We’ll have games, prizes, and maybe even a guest appearance by a certain mystical fish. Visit us at Booth 310 and meet our team!
Get Involved with ABM!
We have recently added an organizing program to Alliance for a Better Minnesota! We are building a community of progressive Minnesotans who want to create a better Minnesota. Our network will serve as a resource for organizers, activists, and passionate Minnesotans looking for tools to make a real impact in the community. Read more about our program here.
Join our community by signing up for our organizing email list here. We can’t do this work without people like you. Please join our communications organizing hub to take this crucial step in building a vibrant progressive community. We’re so much stronger when we work together!
