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FEBRUARY 2025
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February 21, 2025
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Welcome to our first newsletter!
Hello from the MNQTs! We are The Council on LGBTQIA2S+ Minnesotans (MNQT), and we are here to work for the implementation of economic, social, legal, and political equality for all Minnesotans who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender expansive, queer, intersex, asexual, and/or two-spirit.
We are excited to send you monthly updates about our work with the legislature and community, more about who we are as staff and council members, and how you can get involved with our upcoming projects.
February is Black History Month and an estimated 1,210,000 US adults self-identify as Black and LGBTQ+ in the United States according the The Williams Institute(2021). If you’re looking to connect with other Black and BIPOC LGBTQ+ community members in February, you can join the MN POC Pride Organization at their ‘Political Climate Conversation’ on Feb. 22 from 2:00-3:00pm.
February 16 – 22 is also Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week. Aromanticism is a romantic orientation, which describes people whose experience of romance is disconnected from normative societal expectations, often due to experiencing little to no romantic attraction, or sometimes feeling repulsed by romance or being uninterested in romantic relationships. You can learn more about Aromanticism and find more resources at arospecweek.org.
Stay tuned for more from us at MNQT about our upcoming Community Needs Survey launching in March, and feel free to send this newsletter to a friend so they can sign up for MNQT news too!
A Note From Our Executive Director
It’s an honor and a pleasure to introduce both our new agency and the first edition of the MNQT newsletter. As Minnesota’s official state agency dedicated to advocating for LGBTQIA2S+ communities, our mission is to uplift the voices, needs, and experiences of LGBTQIA2S+ Minnesotans at all levels of state government.
LGBTQIA2S+ Minnesotans have always been here – leading movements, strengthening communities, and shaping our state’s future. Yet, we continue to face barriers in access to healthcare, economic opportunity, safety, and full inclusion in public life. The Council was created to help address these challenges by advising state leaders on policies that impact our communities, conducting research to identify pressing needs, and building partnerships that drive meaningful change.
This work is urgent. At a time when LGBTQIA2S+ rights are under threat across the country, particularly Trans rights and dignity, Minnesota has the opportunity to lead. Through advocacy, research, and community engagement, we’re working to ensure that LGBTQIA2S+ people in our state are not just protected, but supported and celebrated.
This newsletter is one of the ways we’ll keep you informed about our priorities, legislative efforts, and opportunities to engage with us. In this edition, you’ll learn more about our legislative mandate, what we’ve been up to since we become operational, and what’s on our agenda this year.
We’re honored to serve this community and committed to building a Minnesota where all LGBTQIA2S+ people can thrive. Thank you for being part of this work with us – we're just getting started.
Executive Director, Council on LGBTQIA2S+ Minnesotans
 Lieutenant Governor Flanagan with Council Members and community leaders at Mudluk Pottery
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Meet Our Staff!
Emma Watts
Executive Director
Emma Watts (she/her) is the Council’s first Executive Director. Before joining the Council, Emma served as a Principal at a public affairs firm where she managed government relations programs for clients in LGBTQIA2S+ advocacy, arts and humanities, capital investment, and economic development. Emma has also been a Political Director at two Minnesota non-profits, overseeing coalition-building and statewide political and campaign strategy. Emma has significant experience in LGBTQIA2S+ issue advocacy - she worked to defeat the constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage in Minnesota, lobbied for a ban on conversion therapy, and secured $2m in state funding for LGBTQIA2S+ business owners, non-profits, and to expand access to gender- affirming care.
Emma has her M.A. in Communication from Johns Hopkins University and holds a B.S. in Social Justice and Political Science from the University of Minnesota. She oversees all Council operations, develops strategic plans, and ensures the Council fulfills its legislative mandate.
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Angelica Gentile
Senior Operations Specialist
Angelica Gentile (she/her) is the Senior Operations Specialist for the Council. Before joining the Council, Angelica managed and mentored students at the St. Cloud State University Women’s Center. Her work history has given her experience with advocacy, administration, content creation, Board relations, and event promotion and planning.
Angelica received her BA in English and Women’s/Gender Studies from St. Catherine University and her MFA in Writing for Children & Young Adults from Hamline University. Angelica’s role at the Council involves financial management, creation and maintenance of office processes, and coordinating administrative functions to support the Executive Director. Two of her passions are queer lit and building community in Greater Minnesota.
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Mars Kamenski
Community Engagement Specialist
Mars Kamenski (he/they) is the Community Engagement Specialist for the Council for LGBTQIA2S+ Minnesotans. He has 12+ experience working in systems and government in a range of roles from a corrections officer, probation officer, researcher, project manager, professor, and equity manager. His mix of direct service and macros level systems change offers him a unique perspective which centers the voices of those most impacted by systems, identifies what isn't working in systems, and uses policy and inside/outside organizing strategies to transform systems.
Mars' experience in research and program development led to the creation of the first Transition Age Youth probation unit in the State of Minnesota. This strategic initiative was rooted in better serving 18-24 year olds by being responsive to their neurodevelopment. Mars led Hennepin County's transgender equity work as the Transgender and Gender Non-conforming Employee Resource Group Co-Chair, advocating for better healthcare coverage for trans employees and creating an ally toolkit for employees. Most recently, he advanced LGBTQIA+ equity work at the City of Minneapolis as the first ever LGBTQIA+ Equity Manager.
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Kelsey Waits
Research and Policy Specialist
Kelsey Waits (she/they) is the Research and Policy Specialist for the Council. She has experience advocating for LGBTQIA2S+ supportive policy at all levels of government from her local school board to the White House. Kelsey loves taking part in the political process and empowering community members to do the same. She formerly served as her local School Board Chair where she led her district in unanimously passing policies related to gender inclusion and racial equity. Kelsey has also lobbied at the state level for a ban on conversion therapy and testified in support of the Equal Rights Amendment and the Trans Refuge Bill.
Kelsey holds a master’s in Public Policy from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs and she is currently working to complete her PhD where her dissertation will focus on the effects of anti-transgender policies on the LGBTQIA2S+ population. Kelsey also holds a master’s degree in Statistics from the University of Connecticut and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Wellesley College.
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Brittany Wallman
Communications and Outreach Specialist
Brittany Wallman (She/Her) has been a communications consultant, marketing strategist & Director, and event organizer in the Twin Cities for over a decade. Brittany has a passion for the arts, entertainment, and environments that foster creativity and civic engagement. Before joining the Council as a staff member, Brittany was the Director of Marketing for Theater Latté Da. Previously, Brittany also spent time fundraising as the Director of Advancement for Women Winning. Brittany has also consulted with various nonprofits in Minnesota including the Queer film festival 'Flip the Script Fest', and longstanding non-profit Women’s Advocates.
Brittany's role with the Council will prioritize building and planning strategic communication efforts, in conjunction with the Executive Director, to help enhance public awareness and support the Council's activities.
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Read Our 2024 Annual Report
The Council on LGBTQIA2S+ Minnesotans was established by the Minnesota Legislature in 2023 under Minn. Stat. § 15.0147 to work for the implementation of economic, social, legal, and political equality for Minnesota's community of people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender expansive, queer, intersex, asexual, and/or two-spirit.
Our legislative mandate includes advising the Governor, and the legislature, and other state agencies on issues affecting LGBTQIA2S+ individuals.
The Council’s work is guided by its statutory purpose of ensuring that LGBTQIA2S+ Minnesotans are represented in state government and officials have expert advice on LGBTQIA2S+ issues. Its core functions include advocacy, research, engagement, and public awareness.
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What We've Been Up To
On January 28 our Executive Director, Emma Watts, introduced our Council on LGBTQIA2S+ Minnesotans (MNQT) to the Minnesota State Senate along with the other executive councils who represent the diverse and vast communities across our state.
Our staff and council look forward to the work ahead to help achieve equity and safety for the LGBTQIA2S+ residents of Minnesota.
Click the button below to see our Google Calendar for upcoming events and meetings.
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 Check This Out
OutFront Minnesota and Queermunity invite you to meet your elected officials in a casual setting on February 24!
There will be cookies, a time to introduce yourself to Queer Caucus members and learn straight from your legislators how you can make your voice heard in the House and Senate. Registration is not required but encouraged
Find out more here.
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Remembering Sam Nordquist & Tahiry Broom
Please join Outfront Minnesota, Reclaim!, and Duluth’s Glitter Moss Collective to honor the lives of Sam Nordquist, Tahiry Broom and all our Trans, Two-Spirit, Non-Binary and Gender Expansive kin who keep being taken from us too soon due to systemic violence.
This event will take place on Sunday, February 23rd from 6-8pm at Halcyon House. You can RSVP through OutFront MN.
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Coming Soon!
The Council on LGBTQIA2S+ Minnesotans (MNQT) is conducting a Community Needs Survey to gather critical insights about the needs, priorities, and challenges faced by LGBTQIA2S+ communities in Minnesota. This assessment will help shape policies, funding priorities, and advocacy efforts to better serve our communities.
Our staff and council are excited to conduct this historic work, and look forward to sharing more information about our survey in the coming days and weeks.
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Upcoming Council Meetings
Next Regular Council Meeting
Thursday, March 20th, 2025: 5:00pm - 6:30pm.
Next Executive Committee Meeting
Wednesday, April 16th, 2025: 6:00pm - 7:30pm.
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