A Progressive City
Open minded. Vibrant. Friendly. Safe. Forward thinking. However you define it, Minneapolis makes an excellent destination for GLBT visitors and their families. Minneapolis enjoys the highest percentage of GLBT population of any city in the U.S. outside San Fransisco, and according to the 2000 Census it also possesses the third largest concentration of gay and lesbian couples. Advancements in GLBT legislation and cultural and entertainment assets contribute to making Minneapolis a popular place to visit and live.
Through a proven
history of leadership in GLBT legislation,
Minneapolis gained a reputation as a strong
GLBT community after it became one of the first
cities in the U.S. to protect GLBT rights. In
1974 the city council ammended an ordiance to
cover discrimination based on sexual
preference. Since 1991, same-sex couples in
Minneapolis could register as domestic partners
at City Hall, this recognizing the relationship
of two non-married but ommitted adult partners.
In 1993 the Human Rights Amendment passed,
barring discrimination based on sexual
orientation and gender identity.
Culture and Entertainment
At the end of the workday, this paves way for plenty of evening entertainment options. A vibrant restaurant, bar and club scene gives visitors a place to dine, dance, attend a drag show and sing karaoke every night of the week. With 587 museums and more theater seats per capita than any city outside New York, the city is truly and arts destination. For example, the contemporary Walker Art Center makes a statement with its new design and the Twin Cities Gay Men's Chorus uses unique programming to attract an audience.
The hip energy in Uptown welcomes the young creative crowd living there, with late-night dining and lively nightlife. The Chain of Lakes in Uptown attracts visitors year-round for sailing, biking, fishing, swimming and walking.
The Spoon and Cherry
The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is an 11 acre park in Minneapolis. The garden claims to be the largest urban Sculpture Garden in the country. There are over 40 sculptures in the garden and it remains one of Minneapolis' top attractions.
The centerpiece of the gardens, and an icon of the city, is the Spoonbridge & Cherry Water Fountain. Created by famed sculpture artists Claes Oldenburg and hist wife and collaborator Coosje van Bruggen, the utensil emerged as the theme of the Minneapolis project.
An Inviting Community
While pockets of gay communities exist, they are not exclusively gay. Neighbourhoods and community are important in the culturally diverse area of South Minneapolis, home to many GLBT families. The Northeast neighborhood is a booming arts district and a strong GLBT area. Numerous warehouses have been transformed into artist's spaces and the area is known for its range of ethnic food options. Downtown is home to 30,000 residents, making it a popular area because of the constant buzz. In particular is the Warehouse District, with a cluster of nightlife and dining options. The diverse Loring Park area downtown is also a popular gay area, and is home to the annual Pride Festival.
Several high-profile GLBT organisations that are leaders in shaping the GLBT community call Minneapolis home. Rainbow Families and OutFront Minnesota continually represent GLBT rights at the Minnesota legislature. Every year the community celebrates with annual events focusing on fashion, film and theater. Minneapolis is the site of one of the largest free Pride celebrations in the country: Twin Cities Pride features a weekend of food and art.
The strong GLBT community in Minneapolis shows through the numerous organizations and events geared toward GLBT people. A history of progression paired with an open-minded community makes Minneapolis a fabulous location.
Learn More
To learn more about GLBT Minneapolis, please download the official Minneapolis GLBT information pack, by clicking here. (pdf download.)