LGBTQ Professionals in Minnesota

OutLaw is a vibrant student organization at the University of Minnesota Law School in Minneapolis, MN that serves as a welcoming community for LGBTQIA+ law students and allies. Founded on the principle that legal education should be inclusive and supportive, OutLaw creates spaces where LGBTQIA+ students can connect, learn, and grow together. The organization explicitly rejects gatekeeping, extending an open invitation to anyone curious about their mission and community, regardless of prior involvement or background. At its core, OutLaw is committed to raising awareness and visibility of LGBTQIA+ issues within the law school and broader Minneapolis legal community. The organization believes in taking action beyond awareness, actively advocating for concrete improvements such as gender-neutral bathroom facilities and other campus accessibility measures. By organizing community events, hosting educational panels, and facilitating professional development opportunities, OutLaw ensures that LGBTQIA+ law students have access to resources and connections they need to thrive. The organization's approach emphasizes both community support and practical legal assistance. Through partnerships with established law firms and clinics, OutLaw has provided direct legal services to Minneapolis residents while simultaneously creating valuable learning experiences for law students. Regular social gatherings complement more formal programming, building genuine relationships and camaraderie among members. OutLaw maintains active communication with its community through a mailing list, ensuring members stay informed about events, opportunities, and developments relevant to their professional and personal lives. The organization represents a commitment to creating an affirming legal education environment in Minneapolis, MN.

The Minnesota Lavender Bar Association represents over two decades of commitment to advancing LGBTQ+ equality and inclusion within Minnesota's legal profession. Established in Minneapolis, MN in 1996 as a special project of OutFront Minnesota's Legal Program, the MLBA was created to address the significant barriers facing LGBTQ+ lawyers and law students in networking, professional development, and combating homophobia within the legal field. Reorganized as an independent 501(c)(6) nonprofit organization in 1999, the MLBA has grown into a dynamic force for social justice and professional advocacy. The organization has achieved landmark victories including successfully challenging Minnesota's sodomy law alongside the Minnesota Civil Liberties Union, filing amicus curiae briefs in federal and state courts to challenge sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination, and actively lobbying against constitutional amendments that would have restricted same-sex marriage recognition. Today, the MLBA continues its mission through strategic partnerships with other nonprofit organizations and bar associations, building a supportive community for all legal professionals while advocating for fairness and equality for all Minnesota citizens. The organization's work is sustained by the passionate volunteer efforts of its members and leadership.

Since 1987, OutFront Minnesota has been a cornerstone of LGBTQ+ advocacy and support in St. Paul and throughout the state, building power within Minnesota's 2SLGBTQIA+ communities through intersectional organizing and direct support. The organization's mission is to create a Minnesota where lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people are free to be who they are, love who they love, and live without fear of violence, harassment, or discrimination. OutFront Minnesota envisions a safe and equitable world where all community members have equal opportunities, protection, and rights—where all Minnesotans possess the freedom, power, and confidence to make the best choices for their own lives. The organization is deeply committed to an inclusive vision that welcomes Two Spirit, gender expansive, intersex, asexual, aromantic, questioning, and all individuals regardless of the labels and language they use. OutFront Minnesota's theory of change emphasizes that lasting equity requires multifaceted, intersectional, and cooperative approaches. The organization engages in shared work across racial justice, disability justice, gender and reproductive rights, immigrant rights, Indigenous rights, labor movements, and environmental justice. Built on decades of community resilience and hard-fought protections, OutFront Minnesota continues rising to meet today's challenges through meaningful community partnerships, education and training for culture change, and direct aid addressing community needs. The dedicated staff and board remain deeply committed to making Minnesota equitable and affirming for all LGBTQ+ people.