LGBTQ+ Voices: Then and Now
Related Stories
Looking Back
“Language Lesson,” by Shannon Drury, March 2017
I am old enough to remember being taught that the pronoun “he” correctly referred to the entire human race. I am young enough to be parenting kids who use “they” all the time. My son and daughter know both the transitioned and the transitioning; gender fluidity is neither scary nor taboo.
“Gender Justice,” by Anne Hamre, November 2014
Gender Justice was a founding member of the broad coalition behind the groundbreaking Women’s Economic Security Act, a wide-ranging bill with provisions on reducing the pay gap, supporting women-owned businesses, expanding unpaid parental leave, and much more. … In 1993, Minnesota became the first state to prohibit discrimination on gender identity as well as sexual orientation in its Human Rights Act.
“2013 Changemaker: Marriage Equality,” December 2013
“When you put a human face on civil rights issues, people understand better,” said Rep. Karen Clark.
“Out in Rural Minnesota,” by Kendall Anderson, October 2012
Fitting in means being “safe,” Schuman said. “We feel like we have the rainbow banner on our shoulders and that we have to be safe and palatable to everybody and if we aren’t, we are doing a major disservice to the LGBT community.”
“The Political Is Personal,” June 2008
She dislikes what she sees as “‘the invisibility of being bisexual.’ If I am with a woman, people think I am a lesbian. If I am with a man, they assume I am straight.” … “I think it is good to get people out of their boxes. Sometime I might say to my partner, ‘I am going to the queer women’s potluck.’ But I can’t go if I am not invited.”
“Say It Loud, Say It Proud, Say ‘I Do,” June 2006
Couples celebrate their love and commitment at the Pride mass commitment ceremony. “I don’t understand why this has to be an issue,” said Lisa Baldwin, who has been married to her partner three times — but never legally. “I don’t understand why people can’t view this as ‘These are two consenting adults who are in love.’”
“Transgendered Among Us,” April 2006
During the extensive testing and numerous interviews that preceded Alex Nelson’s hiring to the police department, he had been open about the fact that he was a pre-operative transgender man.
