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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.
Celebrate Trans Day of Visibility on March 31st
Transgender Day of Visibility is an annual day to celebrate and recognize the lives and accomplishments of transgender, Two-Spirit, non-binary and gender-expansive people and to recommit ourselves to advancing equity and justice and to building a world where all transgender people can live openly and visibly without fear. This year's celebration comes amidst ongoing national attacks on the dignity and equity of our trans siblings. While we lift up the power of trans lived experiences, it's also necessary to bring attention to the work needed to close disparities faced by the community, particularly the violence that disproportionally harms Black trans women.
Access to gender-affirming care for youth has also been under attack. Recently, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison along with a coalition of 21 states and the District of Columbia successfully secured a federal court ruling to block the Trump Administration's attempt to pressure providers into ending gender-affirming care for youth. This is a welcome win in the face of ongoing adversity. Read on for more details of the court decision.
The Council on LGBTQIA2S+ Minnesotans stands with our trans community. We are resolved in our work to build a state where trans people of all ages are able to thrive and live fully.
Community Celebrations:
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Friday, March 27th: MNQT is excited to join OutFront MN at the MN State Capitol Building from noon - 2pm for a rally to celebrate Trans Day of Visibility. It will be an afternoon of togetherness, inspiration, and community. No RSVP required but visit OutFront's page to find more information .
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Sunday, March 29th: Trans Northland Trans Day of Visibility Celebration: St. Louis County Depot from 1pm - 4pm in Duluth. More info available here.
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Monday, March 30th: Prism Organizing Trans Community Virtual Check In at 7pm. Meeting link will be sent upon registration. Register and more info here.
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Tuesday, March 31st: MN Abortion Action Committee Trans Day of Visibility Rally at 6pm at the Walker Library Lawn in Minneapolis. More info here.
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Tuesday, March 31st: Prism Organizing Gatherings: South Central (St. Peter, more info here); East Metro (Newport, more info here); North Metro (Blaine, more info here); South Metro (Apple Valley, more info here); West Metro (Plymouth, more info here).
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- Friday, March 27th: first and second deadline
- Easter/Passover Break is from March 27th at 5pm through 8am on April 7th.
- Friday, April 17th: third deadline
- Monday, May 18th: session ends.
On March 19th, U.S. District Court Judge Mustafa Kasubhai ruled Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. overstepped his authority and violated procedure when he published a document in December 2025 claiming gender-affirming care for youth was neither “safe nor effective” and that providers offering the care were threatening the health and safety of children. This ruling is a win not only for Minnesota and its coalition of state partners in the lawsuit, but also for hospitals, clinics, and other providers that were threatened with loss of federal funding if they continue to provide best-practice gender-affirming care to minors.
Gender-affirming care is critical care, backed by every major medical association and significant research. Gender-affirming care improves lives, and decisions about it should remain between health care providers and patients.
In Minnesota, this care remains available and protected. The Council on LGBTQIA2S+ Minnesotans is committed to continuing this protection and working to ensure that gender-affirming care is accessible across the state. We’d like to thank Attorney General Keith Ellison and the coalition of 21 states and the District of Columbia for securing this win and protecting essential healthcare services. From Attorney General Ellison:
"Gender-affirming care is healthcare, and healthcare decisions should be left up to doctors, their patients, and if the patient is younger, their parents or guardians,” said Attorney General Ellison. “States are responsible for licensing and regulating the medical profession, and professional associations like the American Medical Association, the Endocrine Society, and others like them, establish standards of medical care based on evidence-based research. The federal government should not be part of that equation, and there’s no room in Minnesota doctor’s offices for Donald Trump, RFK Jr., and other politicians that want to dictate what healthcare we can and cannot receive. I am pleased to have prevailed in my lawsuit to protect essential healthcare services that allows transgender individuals to be themselves and live with the same dignity that we all deserve."
Did you know the Legislature offers translation and interpretation services? Hmong, Somali, and Spanish language services can be provided when testifying in a committee hearing, meeting with legislators, or conducting any other official legislative business. To request services, you must work with the staff of your legislative contact. Find more information here or reach out to language.services@lcc.mn.gov with questions.
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Community resources regarding the impact of federal law enforcement:
Gender Justice confidential form to submit reports of gender-based violence from federal immigration officials (also available in Spanish).
Federal Action Reporting Form from MN Attorney General Keith Ellison to assess and address the impacts of federal actions on Minnesotans (available in Spanish, Hmong, Somali).
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
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From the MN Council on Latino Affairs: Youth Day at the Capitol 2026 on Monday, March 30th from 9am - 3pm. Get to know the capitol, the legislative process, and Latino members of the capitol and policy making communities; practice skills helpful to organizing, advocacy, and making systems level change; and do it all en comunidad. Participation is free! Register here.
 From the Council for Minnesotans of African Heritage:
- Policy Priorities Public Meeting (virtual) on Thursday, April 2nd from 6pm - 8:30pm. Link to join the Teams meeting.
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RESCHEDULED: African Heritage Day on the Hill: Friday, April 24th from 1pm - 4:30pm. This event brings together constituents, elected leaders, and community leaders to discuss policy impacting Minnesotans of African Heritage and encourage civic engagement. Join Us In the Minnesota Capitol Rotunda to highlight the African heritage community in Minnesota. Contact CMAH@state.mn.us for more information.
 More Opportunities to Get Involved:
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From OutFront MN, St. Cloud State University LGBT Resource Center, and St. Cloud Pride: Out Loud: Stories of Identity and Allyship. Thursday, March 26th from 6pm - 7:30pm. Location will be shared after RSVP. Registration and more information here.
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From Transforming Generations: Rest and Resistance: Community Healing Workshop on Friday, March 27th from 5pm - 7pm. Register here.
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From Transforming Families: Moving to Minnesota webinar on April 14th from 6:30 - 8pm. Register here.
MNQT Staff:
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Emma Watts, Executive Director
emma.watts@state.mn.us
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Angelica Gentile, Senior Operations Specialist
angelica.gentile@state.mn.us
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Kelsey Waits, Research Director
kelsey.waits@state.mn.us
Stay updated with MNQT:
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Upcoming Council Meetings
All meetings are fully virtual. Public registration links available on our website.
Regular Council Meeting:
Thursday, May 14th, 2026: 5:00pm - 7:00pm.
Next Executive Committee Meeting(s):
Tuesday, April 14th from 5:30pm - 6:30pm
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