The Council on LGBTQIA2S+ Minnesotans works 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.
February is Black History Month
Black History Month is a time to celebrate and honor the foundational role Black LGBTQIA2S+ people play in shaping movements for liberation, justice, and queer community. Black LGBTQIA2S+ leaders, artists, activists, and community members have long driven progress while navigating systems that uphold and perpetuate racism, homophobia, transphobia, and inequity.
This month, we uplift the ongoing leadership and labor of Black LGBTQIA2S+ communities. We encourage folks to stay connected with and attend . During this time of heightened fear and uncertainty in Minnesota from Operation Metro Surge, showing up for one another matters more than ever. We invite community to lean into solidarity, compassion, and real support for Black LGBTQIA2S+ folks leading and sustaining this work.
Black LGBTQ+ History Makers in the Minnesota State Senate:
In November 2022, Senators Erin Maye Quade and Clare Oumou Verbeten made history as the first Black LGBTQ+ women elected to the Minnesota State Senate. Together with Senator Zaynab Mohamed, sworn in that same year, they also marked the first time Black women served in the Minnesota State Senate in 164 years of statehood. Senator Maye Quade was the chief author of the bill to establish the Council on LGBTQIA2S+ Minnesotans, and Senator Oumou Verbeten was a co-author. Their leadership helped create a lasting structure through which our Council can partner with communities and state leaders to build a more equitable Minnesota.
On Tuesday, February 17th, the Minnesota legislature gaveled in for the 2026 session. The first day was marked by remembrance, as legislators honored Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, her husband Mark Hortman, and their beloved dog Gilbert, who were all killed in a targeted attack in June. Legislators also recognized Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette, who were targeted in the same attack and survived.
This was the first legislative session in two decades to begin without Melissa Hortman. She is remembered for her love of family, steady leadership, sharp political acumen, sense of humor, and unwavering commitment to public service. The Council on LGBTQIA2S+ Minnesotans was created under Speaker Hortman’s leadership during one of the most consequential bienniums in recent history. The work we do together and the progress we make for LGBTQIA2S+ Minnesotans is part of her enduring legacy, and her influence remains deeply embedded in this work.
The 2026 session begins under challenging conditions, including a tied House and a divided legislature. Major issues shaping the session include the projected $2.96 billion budget deficit projected for hte 2028-29 biennium, a possible bonding bill to address statewide infrastructure needs, ongoing policy conversations related to immigration enforcement and Operation Metro Surge, continued debate around gun violence prevention in the wake of recent tragedies, and efforts to strengthen anti-fraud measures. The Council will be closely engaged in advancing and defending LGBTQIA2S+ legislation, working with legislators and partners to protect rights, improve equity, and ensure LGBTQIA2S+ Minnesotans are visible in policy decisions.
On February 23rd, the Minnesota Equal Rights Amendment (SF473), passed the Senate Judiciary committee. It faces an uphill climb in the divided House of Representatives. This bill, if passed, would allow Minnesotans to vote on an amendment to the Minnesota constitution that would safeguard against discrimination based on race, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy outcomes, and more.
Committee deadlines will pace the session, with March 27 the first and second deadline and April 17 the third deadline. The annual Easter/Passover break will begin on March 27 at 5 p.m. and end 8 a.m. on April 7. The legislature must complete its work by May 18.
Report the impacts of federal law enforcement:
This confidential form from Gender Justice allows people to submit reports of gender-based violence from federal immigration officials. These reports are being collected for the purpose of evaluating unlawful conduct by government officials which includes targeting people based on their sex, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity and committing acts of gender-based or sexual violence and harassment. The form is also available in Spanish. Read more and submit a report here.
This Federal Action Reporting Form from MN Attorney General Keith Ellison is to help assess and address the impacts of federal actions on Minnesotans. The form is to report: violations of constitutional rights (racial profiling, excessive force, retaliation against protestors, observers, and media), business closures, reduced healthcare access, reduced education access, other issues impacting public safety and civil liberties, federal funding cuts, federal grant terminations, terms and conditions tied to federal program participation, and other administrative actions by Federal agencies. The information you provide may be used by the AGO to support its current lawsuit challenging the DHS surge, as well as future actions to enforce the law. This form is also available in Spanish, Hmong, and Somali. Read more and submit a report here.
Community Resources:
Stand With Minnesota virtual donation directory
MN Attorney General - Know Your Rights With ICE (PDF)
Immigrant Defense Project - Home Raid Booklet (PDF)
ACLU - Know Your Rights
Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota
Immigrant Defense Network
Federal Activity Hotline
ICYMI: MNQT 2025 Annual Report Now Available!
The 2025 Annual Report from the Council on LGBTQIA2S+ Minnesotans is now available to view on our website. We look forward to sharing the work accomplished in the past year as well as a high-level, preliminary demographic snapshot of the data gathered from our Community Needs Survey. We want to express our deep gratitude to the organizations and individuals who partnered with us to promote the survey; your contributions helped make this the largest state-run LGBTQIA2S+ needs assessment in history. Read the report now.
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