Queer Twin Cities Resource Guide
The fight for equality is ongoing! Use the following resources to guide you on your queer journey. They are varied in sort but all exist to serve the LGBTQA+ community and allies in some way. In searching for resources for this guide, I only selected established, well-sourced (when applicable) guides and organizations, lead primarily by queer individuals, to ensure that the guide provided only the most trustworthy info. Some of the links provide information regarding LGBTQA+ activism and list upcoming PRIDE celebrations and political protests. These websites are great if you’re looking for some way to make your voice heard! If protesting’s not really your style, there are also links with credible information about how to contact local government officials about important LGBTQA-related legislation and issues. This guide also includes resources dealing with LGBTQA+ mental health support, another essential issue. Although some of these links are more Minnesota-specific than others, they all provide interesting and helpful information, supporting the LGBTQA community and our collective goals.
Resource 1: RECLAIM
Reclaim is a project that attempts to connect queer Minnesotan youth and families in need with mental health professionals, equipped to help them manage their illness. It popped up in 2009, after major budget cuts, that gutted youth counseling services and stripped the community of its LGBTQ gathering space. Today, they provide funding and counseling resources for queer individuals and their families, in an attempt to foster deep, healing relationships between patrons and staff.
Resource 2: Queer Visitor’s Guide
This is a city-specific resource for the everyday gay, looking to have a good time downtown. GayCities is like a queer Yelp. It uses crowdsourcing to gather reviews of LGBTQ-friendly restaurants and gay bars in metropolitan areas. The link above takes you to Minneapolis’ page, which lists hundreds of queer spaces, like the Wilde Roast Café or Psycho Suzi’s Motor Lounge, my favorite tiki bar in the world. This is an excellent guide to reference before going out when you want to ensure the queerest experience possible!
Resource 3: Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)
PFLAG was formed in the early 1970’s by a mother, who wanted the world to know that she accepted and loved her gay son, during a time when abandoning queer family members was even more common. Today, this group is an excellent activism-centric resource for allies, looking to further the LGBTQ movement. PFLAG’s website lists upcoming LGBTQ events and ways to support LGBTQ family and friends.
Resource 4: Twin Cities Pride
This resource is Minnesota-specific. It’s a guide to Minneapolis and St. Paul’s joint PRIDE celebration, which typically takes place in June or July, when the average temperature rises above 0º. Their annual Pride Guide lists many of the area’s queer-friendly businesses and events!
Resource 5: National LGBTQ Taskforce
The National LGBTQ Taskforce is an activist’s dream. It is the one-stop-shop for finding rallies to join, petitions to sign, and legislators to contact about the LGBTQ issues you care most about. The Taskforce website is a goldmine for those looking for ways to join the movement (even from behind a computer screen)! The “TAKE ACTION” bar will provide you with a guide to millions of upcoming national events, where you can make your voice heard!
Resource 6: Human Rights Campaign
Human Rights Campaign is the largest LQBTQ civil rights organization in the United States. They are a group of political and legal experts, who lobby and fight policies that infringe upon human rights. Their website has all of the latest news regarding ongoing legal battles and political policy changes. Use this site to stay informed about the latest issues, impacting the LGBTQ community.