Eleventh Avenue South

• A day of close calls: ELCA braves a tornado and a tough vote on LGBT issues

  Two close calls marked the third day of the General Assembly of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) on Wednesday. The nearly 2,000 Lutherans, media and activists assembled at the Minneapolis Convention Center took cover as a tornado nipped... [...]
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  Posted: August 21, 2009, 12:29am EDT
  

• Focus on the Family drops ex-gay program, faces budget shortfall

  Focus on the Family, James Dobson's anti-LGBT empire and the largest organization in the religious right, announced earlier this week that it would be selling off its ex-gay therapy program called "Love Won Out." The organization says it's part of... [...]
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  Posted: August 15, 2009, 1:22pm EDT
  

• Anti-gay harassment costs taxpayers $25,000

  Alleged anti-gay harassment at the hands of teachers at a north metro school district cost taxpayers $25,000, the Star Tribune reports. The settlement addresses exactly the kind of hostile school environment an anti-bullying bill vetoed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty was... [...]
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  Posted: August 13, 2009, 1:05pm EDT
  

• Lutheran groups spar over inclusion of gay pastors

  Thousands of Lutherans will gather in Minneapolis on August 17 to take a historic vote on LGBT issues within the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). The church-wide ELCA assembly will decide whether openly gay pastors in committed relationships can... [...]
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  Posted: August 11, 2009, 7:56pm EDT
  

• Franken, Klobuchar sponsor workplace non-discrimination act

  Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Al Franken signed on to sponsor the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), which was introduced in the Senate on Wednesday. ENDA would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in employment. In 29 states, it... [...]
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  Posted: August 06, 2009, 1:39pm EDT
  

• New Minneapolis gay bar, Lush, opens tonight

  The Strib has the details: The "video bar will put a heavy emphasis on food, especially its champagne brunch. So don't come expecting a dance club. Although the bar will stay open until 2 a.m., Hoffman said he wants to...'" [...]
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  Posted: July 30, 2009, 5:52pm EDT
  

• Marry Me Minnesota: Matching grant opportunity

  The organizers at Marry Me Minnesota have been offered a matching grant of up to $10,000 until the end of July. That means any money you donate to the cause gets doubled. MMM is currently launching a lawsuit against the... [...]
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  Posted: July 21, 2009, 1:31pm EDT
  

• Franken sign on to Hate Crime bill

  Sen. Al Franken announced Tuesday that he has signed on to the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act, a bill that would add sexual orientation and gender identity to existing hate crime laws which outlaw bias crimes based on actual... [...]
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  Posted: July 17, 2009, 10:49pm EDT
  

• State LGBT leaders weigh in: After 40 years, has Pride run its course?

  This weekend marks the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall riots in New York City, largely seen around the world as the galvanizing moment for the LGBT rights movement. The Stonewall riots of June 28, 1969, were a highly political move,... [...]
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  Posted: June 29, 2009, 7:39pm EDT
  

• Bible-wielding couple arrested for trespassing at Pride

  A Wisconsin couple was arrested on Saturday for distributing bibles without permission at Twin Cities Pride, Minnesota's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender celebration. After Brian and Doris Johnson, self-described "born-again Christians," were denied a vendor table at the festival, the... [...]
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  Posted: June 29, 2009, 7:36pm EDT
  

• Local drag queen clears first round of Ru Paul's Drag Race

  Minneapolis' own Barbie Q landed in the top 100 in Ru Paul's casting call for the upcoming season of Drag Race on Logo. Everybody vote and get the hometown girl on the show! Here's a great video she did for...' [...]
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  Posted: June 24, 2009, 5:12pm EDT
  

• Obama administration defends ban on gay marriage

  President Obama's Justice Department filed a brief on Thursday to uphold the federal Defense of Marriage Act in a lawsuit brought against the federal government by married same-sex couples from California. The Justice Department's move has angered marriage equality advocates... [...]
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  Posted: June 12, 2009, 4:37pm EDT
  

• Youth Pride!

  I dropped by Thursday's Youth Pride event in Loring Park, yesterday. Around 100 LGBTA kids -- and even a few parents -- milled about Loring Park, listening to their peers sing and perform. After shooting a group of kids from... [...]
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  Posted: June 09, 2009, 5:51pm EDT
  

• Pine City Pride endures despite rival 'family values' event

  The national debate about gay rights hit home in the small community of Pine City, Minn., on Sunday as residents hosted two dueling picnics in the city of 3,000 people. For the fifth year, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people... [...]
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  Posted: June 08, 2009, 11:49pm EDT
  

• Gay Republican Sen. Koering eyeing governors seat

  Sen. Paul Koering, R-Fort Ripley, told the Pioneer Press he's thinking about jumping into the race for governor in 2010. Koering, a gay man, opened up about his sexual orientation in 2005 during a bitter debate over a constitutional amendment... [...]
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  Posted: June 04, 2009, 7:25pm EDT
  

• Youth Pride on Thursday

  [...]
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  Posted: June 02, 2009, 1:26pm EDT
  

• Gays in showdown with archbishop about Pentecost communion

  Pentecost was Sunday. I forgot to publish this though it's still a good read. -- Andy A group of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) Catholics won't be receiving communion at the Cathedral of St. Paul this Pentecost Sunday, according...' [...]
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  Posted: June 01, 2009, 5:23pm EDT
  

• I guess we're old news...

  Speaking at the National Press Club today, Dick "I Cant Believe It's Not Torture" Cheney voiced support for gay marriage! The gay marriage advocates now have the full support of a former Vice-President, most famous for his vehement defense of... [...]
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  Posted: June 01, 2009, 4:43pm EDT
  

• Party in Meirs Park!

  Hey gang -- James, here. St Paul's LGBTQA teen center, An Evening OUT, is holding a community party and reception tomorrow night in Meirs Park, in downtown St Paul! There will be a donor reception at the nearby Cosmopolitan Apartments,... [...]
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  Posted: May 28, 2009, 5:02pm EDT
  

• Advocates call anti-bullying veto a 'lost opportunity'

  Gov. Tim Pawlenty's veto of an anti-bullying bill on Saturday came as a shock to supporters of the measure who said they had negotiated with the governor's office to meet his concerns about the legislation. The bill, which would have... [...]
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  Posted: May 26, 2009, 7:01pm EDT
  

• California judges uphold Prop 8

  The California Supreme Court released its opinion on Tuesday upholding Proposition 8, a controversial voter initiative that passed in November and ended the right of same-sex couples in California to marry. That right was extended by the same court in... [...]
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  Posted: May 26, 2009, 5:32pm EDT
  

• Small steps made for LGBT equality this session

  LGBT rights activists have reason to celebrate this legislative session as steps -- albeit baby ones -- were made in the area of LGBT equality. While the majority of more than a dozen bills failed to even make it out... [...]
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  Posted: May 20, 2009, 9:55pm EDT
  

• Pine City Pride

  It's getting to be Pride Season. Pine City's “PRIDE IN THE PARK” will be held on June 7, 2009 from noon to 5:00 PM. A picnic will be held at the VFW and Voyageur’s Park on the beautiful Snake River... [...]
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  Posted: May 19, 2009, 2:43pm EDT
  

• Rep. Paulsen faces opposition at St. Olaf commencement

  The choice of Rep. Erik Paulsen as commencement speaker at St. Olaf College in Northfield has prompted students there to engage in a silent demonstration against the freshman House member. Paulsen, a St. Olaf alum and a Republican representing suburban... [...]
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  Posted: May 19, 2009, 11:49pm EDT
  

• Anti-bullying bill passes House, heads to governor

  The Safe Schools for All bill passed the Minnesota House on Monday and is heading to the desk of Gov. Tim Pawlenty. The bill would add 14 characteristics to existing anti-bullying policies and directs schools to beef up their anti-bullying... [...]
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  Posted: May 19, 2009, 11:47pm EDT
  

• KSTP poll: Solid majority of Minnesotans support same-sex unions

  A SurveyUSA/KSTP poll released this week shows a high level of support for the state recognition of same-sex couples. Sixty-four percent of respondents said the state should offer same-sex marriage or civil unions. Only 34 percent said same-sex couples should... [...]
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  Posted: May 14, 2009, 5:27pm EDT
  

• Duluth OKs domestic partner registry

  Same-sex couples residing in Duluth will find it easier to prove their domestic partner status as the Duluth City Council voted on Monday evening to approve a domestic partner registry. The council approved the measure by a vote of 5... [...]
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  Posted: May 12, 2009, 8:33pm EDT
  

• Gay marriage hits close to home, but Minnesotans not ready

  While Minnesotans may say they're not ready to extend full equality to same-sex couples, subtle changes abound as gay Minnesotans travel to Iowa to marry and Lutherans look to relax restrictions on churches that want to be inclusive. And while...' [...]
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  Posted: May 06, 2009, 4:02pm EDT
  

• Maine becomes fifth state to recognize same-sex marriage

  Maine Governor John E. Baldacci signed into law on Wednesday a bill that legalizes same-sex marriage in that state. Maine will become the fifth state to legalize same-sex marriage, along with Iowa, Massachusetts, Connecticut and Vermont. It's the second to... [...]
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  Posted: May 06, 2009, 4:01pm EDT
  

• Pawlenty opposes plan for same-sex partner benefits

  In a letter to Sen. Don Betzhold, DFL-Fridley, and Rep. Phyllis Kahn, DFL-Minneapolis, Gov. Tim Pawlenty said he wouldn't sign a bill that contained health benefits for same-sex couples. The omnibus state government bill currently being negotiated in conference committee...' [...]
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  Posted: May 05, 2009, 5:26pm EDT
  

• Senate passes 'death rights' bill for same-sex couples

  Despite fierce opposition from Republicans, a bill that would allow same-sex partners to make end-of-life decisions for their partners passed the Minnesota Senate on Thursday by a 37 to 24 vote. The bill, which also gives same-sex partners the right... [...]
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  Posted: May 04, 2009, 3:01pm EDT
  

• Peterson bucks party on hate crimes vote

  The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act passed the U.S. House Wednesday afternoon by a vote of 249 to 175. The bill, which extends existing hate crimes laws to include sexual orientation, gender identity and disability, passed mainly along... [...]
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  Posted: April 30, 2009, 2:51pm EDT
  

• Bachmann compares gays to pedophiles on hate crimes bill

  Rep. Michele Bachmann spoke out against federal hate crimes bill being considered on the U.S. House floor on Wednesday by conflating gays and lesbians with pedophiles, and saying that the bill would protect pedophiles from hate crimes. "[A]pparently people who..." [...]
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  Posted: April 29, 2009, 2:48pm EDT
  

• Religious right ad faces gathering storm of spoofs

  What was intended to be a serious effort to beat back the forces of marriage equality has become a "camp" sensation across the country. The National Organization of Marriage dumped $1.5 million into an ad campaign called the "Gathering Storm"... [...]
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  Posted: April 21, 2009, 7:20pm EDT
  

• Moxie award winners: Different kinds of leadership

  What the heck is going on? An out, gay high school guy playing football and baseball? Jayzus…things sure have changed since I was in high school. Here's some of this year's winners of PFund's Moxie Awards. Kiran Raghubir Minneapolis, Minn.... [...]
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  Posted: April 21, 2009, 5:42pm EDT
  

• Duluth to consider domestic partner registry

  Gay Duluth city council member Jeff Anderson is introducing an ordinance that would create a domestic partner registry this year. The registry would allow employers who wish to offer same-sex partner benefits a legal document to work from, much like... [...]
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  Posted: April 21, 2009, 4:10pm EDT
  

• Welcome James Sanna

  I'd like folks to welcome a new contributor to the blog. Our community is just too big for one person to cover, so I'm glad to have him partnering up with me on this blog. Here's his biography: James Sanna... [...]
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  Posted: April 20, 2009, 5:22pm EDT
  

• Peoria, Illinois bar shuns gays

  This is why I left Peoria when I was younger. There were a lot of LGBT people but they were all low profile. Sounds like that's changing though. When a local karaoke bar decided to post this sign, the... [...]
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  Posted: April 17, 2009, 1:52pm EDT
  

• Anti-bullying bill passes in state Senate

  Anti-gay bullying has been a topic of conversation in legislative chambers and at kitchen tables as the suicides of young people who were literally bullied to death have created a sense of urgency to protect students. Carl Walker-Hoover, an 11-year... [...]
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  Posted: April 17, 2009, 1:04pm EDT
  

• North Dakota rejects abortion ban, gay rights

  A pair of controversial bills in the North Dakota Legislature were voted down on Friday. A bill to protect people from being discriminated against based on sexual orientation in housing and employment lost in the House by a vote of... [...]
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  Posted: April 08, 2009, 9:13pm EDT
  

• Religious Right Watch: Gay marriage backlash begins

  The religious right has been handed a number of setbacks in recent days, with a unanimous Iowa Supreme Court and the Vermont Legislature legalizing same-sex marriage within days of each other. For this subset of American Christians who have found... [...]
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  Posted: April 08, 2009, 9:10pm EDT
  

• Minnesotans react to Iowa marriage decision

  With same-sex marriage legal just over Minnesota's southern border, many groups concerned about the issue feel it will have an impact on Minnesota. But while marriage equality advocates hailed the decision, they were quick to note that Minnesotans shouldn't try...' [...]
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  Posted: April 05, 2009, 8:43pm EDT
  

• Go Iowa!

  If you didn't know by now, you've been living under a rock. In 21 days, gays from across the country will flock to Iowa to marry. If you are one of them, check out the drag show at the Garden... [...]
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  Posted: April 03, 2009, 3:05pm EDT
  

• Family Council argues Final Wishes Act is 'discriminatory'

  A bill that would rectify discrimination in Minnesota statutes and allow domestic partners to make end-of-life decisions for each other is being strongly opposed by the Minnesota Family Council. The reason? The measure discriminates against married couples, council President Tom... [...]
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  Posted: April 02, 2009, 12:23am EDT
  

• Archbishop Nienstedt calls Obama 'anti-Catholic,' vows to pull support from Notre Dame

  The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis has called President Obama an "anti-Catholic politician" and has condemned the University of Notre Dame for inviting Obama to speak at the school's graduation in May. Archbishop John Nienstedt wrote to protest the... [...]
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  Posted: April 02, 2009, 11:09pm EDT
  

• Obama to tap controversial Golden Gopher for faith-based office?

  Tony Dungy, best known for winning Super Bowl XLI as coach for the Indianapolis Colts, is rumored to a top pick for the White House Advisory Council on Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships. Dungy has been controversial for his associations with... [...]
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  Posted: March 31, 2009, 8:17pm EDT
  

• Marriage equality stalls at the Capitol despite 'fair-minded majority'

  An unprecedented number of bills has been introduced this legislative session that would grant same-sex couples legal status similar to that of married couples. But the five bills have died quiet deaths, as leaders say they don't have the votes...' [...]
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  Posted: March 31, 2009, 5:49pm EDT
  

• Strib profiles Minneapolis Movie Bears

  They are a good group of guys and you don't have to be heavy or hairy to hang out: The founders came up with the Minneapolis Movie Bears moniker -- large, hairy men are called "bears" in gay circles --...' [...]
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  Posted: March 31, 2009, 1:14am EDT
  

• Queer rockers Jon Ginoli and Rob Halford to hit MN

  From a reader: Pansy Division's John Ginoli is on tour to promote his new book "Deflowered: My Life in Pansy Division". Bryant Lake Bowl has a short blurb on it: http://blb.ciceron.com/calendar.asp?date=4/5/2009 He'll be at: April 4th Magers & Quinn Uptown...' [...]
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  Posted: March 31, 2009, 12:55am EDT
  

• Rush Limbaugh amused at Red River 'dykes'

  Rush Limbaugh, popular conservative radio host and Republican Party icon, thought he found a bit of humor in the record Red River flooding devastating parts of Minnesota and North Dakota: The word for the berms holding the river back is... [...]
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  Posted: March 29, 2009, 10:17pm EDT