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MARCH 2025
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March 28, 2025
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Welcome to the March 2025 Issue!
The Council on LGBTQIA2S+ Minnesotans (MNQT) works 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.
Our big news this month is that our Community Needs Survey is LIVE! Follow this link to take the survey. If you follow us on social media, you'll notice we've been posting about the survey A LOT! That's because a high response rate ensures a more accurate and inclusive understanding of the diverse needs of LGBTQIA2S+ individuals across Minnesota.
Government agencies and community organizations rely on accurate, Minnesota-specific data to fund programs, develop policies, and provide essential services. The data collected from this survey will impact policy and funding for years to come.
Please take the survey and check out the graphic below for other ways to support the Needs Assessment.
Keep reading to find out what else MNQT has been working on, check out our events to know where to find us in community, and share this newsletter with a friend so they can stay updated with MNQT news too!
With gratitude,
the MNQT staff:
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A Note From Our Community Engagement Specialist:
Hello! I’m Mars Kamenski, the Community Engagement Specialist for the Council on LGBTQIA2S+ Minnesotans. You may have seen me tabling at events or promoting our Community Needs Survey —a key initiative to uplift LGBTQIA2S+ voices across Minnesota.
When I started this job in December, I was tasked with increasing public engagement. To achieve this, my colleagues and I launched a statewide community needs assessment, incorporating a community survey, community conversations with underrepresented groups, and an organizational scan. Our goal? To better understand the lived experiences of LGBTQIA2S+ Minnesotans and the landscape of services, resources, and gaps using multiple approaches.
From the start, we knew this idea couldn’t be built in isolation. That’s why I engaged in pre-design conversations with Council Members and community leaders who generously shared their expertise and time. A heartfelt thank you to: Harry Hartigan, Theo Casio, Jay Belsito, Rox Anderson, Ash Tifa, Kat Rohn, B Wilson, Phil Duran, K Adams, Christina Kendrick, Bibi Black, and Jon Poquiz.
We also hosted informational sessions for LGBTQIA2S+ organizations to provide input on the overall scan and to review the survey. Now, after months of intense collaboration, the survey is live! In just two weeks, we’ve engaged 900 people at 10 events, from queer dance nights, Capitol lobby days, to even the North Star Roller Derby!
To continue to maximize outreach, we’re distributing partner outreach toolkits with social media graphics, newsletter blurbs, and email templates to over 1,000 contacts, including LGBTQIA2S+ orgs, nonprofits, colleges, religious institutions, healthcare providers, businesses, government agencies, and trusted messengers/community leaders. We’re also partnering with key organizations like OutFront Minnesota, Gender Justice, Our Space, PFund Foundation, Queerspace Collective, MN POC Pride, and more.
Beyond survey outreach, I’m committed to building intentional relationships with groups serving historically underrepresented LGBTQIA2S+ communities—including BIPOC folks, trans youth, elders, disabled individuals, and Greater Minnesota residents. Our community is not a monolith and we must be intersectional in our approach, This is the beginning of long-term work to embody our values of equity, inclusion, and community care.
📩 Email me at mars.kamenski@state.mn.us for the outreach toolkit, to invite us to table at an event, or to connect about your organization. I would love to learn more about the work that you do for the LGBTQIA2S+ community and how we can better support you.
I’ll close with the words of Alice Walker:
"The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any."
Your voice matters. Take the Community Needs Survey—even small actions create big change.
In community and with deep gratitude,
 Thank you to our incredible Community Needs Survey partners - we couldn't do this work without you!
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What We've Been Up To:
Introducing the Council
On March 11th our Executive Director, Emma Watts, introduced our Council on LGBTQIA2S+ Minnesotans (MNQT) to the House State Government Finance and Policy Committee. MNQT presented along with the other executive councils who represent diverse communities across the state. |
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Policy Work
MNQT has been responding to trans-exclusionary bills with research-backed one-pagers and letters of opposition to inform legislators about the impact of the proposed legislation. Protecting the rights of trans, gender expansive, and non-binary Minnesotans is a critical priority for MNQT. Find these documents and learn more on our policy page ().
ICYMI: Read Our 2024 Annual Report
The Council on LGBTQIA2S+ Minnesotans (MNQT) 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.
MNQT'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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Join us Monday, March 31st for a rally in support of Trans Day of Visibility!
We're excited to host this community celebration with OutFront MN at 10:30am on Monday, March 31st at the State Capitol. (75 Rev Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Saint Paul, MN 55155)
Community organizations and leaders along with local trans-inclusive sports teams will be meeting in the Rotunda for a rally of solidarity and support. Then we'll move outside onto the steps of the Capitol to enjoy performers and celebrate trans joy. We hope to see you there! Free event, but registration is suggested. Register here on Outfront's website.
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Upcoming Community Conversations
In addition to the survey, MNQT is conducting community conversations with underrepresented groups within the LGBTQIA2S+ community. The Community Conversations are designed to capture qualitative data about the lived experiences of specific underrepresented groups within the LGBTQIA2S+ community. This data will be analyzed in tandem with the Community Needs Survey to create policy, administrative, and funding recommendations for the Governor, state legislature, and state agencies.
If you would like more information about participating in our upcoming community conversations, you can request the sign up form directly by emailing Mars Kamenski at mars.kamenski@state.mn.us.
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Upcoming Council Meetings
Next Regular Council Meeting
Thursday, May 15th 2025: 5:00pm - 6:30pm.
Next Executive Committee Meeting
Wednesday, April 16th, 2025: 6:00pm - 7:30pm.
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