- Homosexuality
- ⚢✔ Legal
- Gay Marriage
- ⚭✔ Legal
- Censorship
- ✔ No censorship
- Changing Gender
- ✔ Legal, no restrictions
- Gender-Affirming Care
- ✔ Legal
- Non-Binary Gender Recognition
- ✔ Recognized
- Discrimination
- ✔ Illegal
- Employment Discrimination
- ✔ Sexual orientation and gender identity
- Housing Discrimination
- ✔ Sexual orientation and gender identity
- Adoption
- ✔ Legal
- Intersex Infant Surgery
- ✖ Not banned
- Military
- ✔ Legal
- Donating Blood
- ✔ Legal
- Conversion Therapy
- ✔ Banned
- Age of Consent
- ✔ Equal
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Public Opinion
According to recent survey data, Minnesota shows to be supportive of the LGBTQ+ community in comparison to other parts of the world.
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Homosexual activity in Minnesota is legal.
Current status
Since Jun 26, 2003
Legal
US Supreme Court ruling issued in Lawrence v. Texas struck down all sodomy laws on the basis of privacy and liberty. The decision overturned any laws remaining in all US states which prohibited acts of sodomy.
Legal
Homosexuality is now legal in Minnesota, although the state constitution would not rescind its sodomy provisions until 2023.
Same-sex marriage in Minnesota is legal.
Current status
Since Aug 1, 2013
Legal
Governor Mark Dayton signed a bill into law overturning a previous law which banned marriage between anyone other than one man and one woman.
Banned
Minnesota laws are changed to explicitly outlaw same-sex marriage through adding the words "between one man and a woman".
Until Oct 15, 1971
Unrecognized
After two men attempted to obtain a marriage license, a court issued a ruling declaring that, though the wording of the law was not explicit in excluding same-sex couples from marriage, it was the intent of the law.
Censorship of LGBT issues in Minnesota is no censorship.
Current status
No censorship
There are no laws censoring LGBT topics in Minnesota.
Right to change legal gender in Minnesota is legal, no restrictions.
Current status
Since 2018
Gender-affirming care in Minnesota is legal.
Current status
Since Mar 8, 2023
Legal
As of 2023, Governor Tim Waltz made an executive order protecting transgender healthcare in the state of Minnesota. He also protected insurance discrimination, and also made sure that Medicaid required that they cover Gender affirming care state-wide. Health care providers are not to be arrested for giving gender affirming care. This executive order is still in effect until it is made law.
Legal recognition of non-binary gender in Minnesota is recognized.
Current status
Since Oct 1, 2018
Recognized
Residents of Minnesota can change their gender marker to an X on their driver's license.
LGBT discrimination in Minnesota is illegal.
Current status
Since Apr 2, 1993
Illegal
Language specifically protects on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. Exemptions exist for religiously affiliated/operated organizations.
LGBT employment discrimination in Minnesota is sexual orientation and gender identity.
Current status
Since Apr 2, 1993
Sexual orientation and gender identity
Language protects based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Religious exemptions apply.
LGBT housing discrimination in Minnesota is sexual orientation and gender identity.
Current status
Since Apr 2, 1993
Sexual orientation and gender identity
Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity is illegal. Religious exemptions apply.
Additionally, the Human Rights Campaign states, "The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires grantees and participants of HUD programs to comply with local and state non-discrimination laws that include sexual orientation and gender identity.
HUD also prohibits inquiries regarding the sexual orientation or gender identity of a prospective tenant or applicant for assisted
housing in every state (March 2012)."
Additionally, the Human Rights Campaign states, "The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requires grantees and participants of HUD programs to comply with local and state non-discrimination laws that include sexual orientation and gender identity.
HUD also prohibits inquiries regarding the sexual orientation or gender identity of a prospective tenant or applicant for assisted
housing in every state (March 2012)."
Same-sex adoption in Minnesota is legal.
Current status
Legal
Joint adoption is not explicitly prohibited, though no formal law states it is legal, and no state court has ruled on the issue. Second parent adoption by a same-sex partner is not explicitly prohibited by state law, and several lower courts in Hennepin and Atkins counties have allowed second parent adoptions to take place.
Intersex infant surgery in Minnesota is not banned.
Current status
Not banned
No US state has enacted a ban on surgeries that attempt to change an intersex minors sex without their consent.
Serving openly in military in Minnesota is legal.
Current status
Since Feb 26, 2021
Legal under federal United States law
President Biden removed former President Trumps ban on transgender people serving in the military, transgender people are still allowed to serve as of 2024.
A year after the ban was lifted, Admiral Levine was sworn into being a Admiral being the first transgender woman to hold a high rank in the Navy and in Cabinet.
A year after the ban was lifted, Admiral Levine was sworn into being a Admiral being the first transgender woman to hold a high rank in the Navy and in Cabinet.
Lesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned under federal United States law
New policy goes into effect barring individuals with a "condition" known as "gender dysphoria."
Legal under federal United States law
In 2011, Don't Ask Don't Tell was repelled under the Obama Administration 6 years later a new executive order was introduced. Former President Obama allowed members dishonorably discharged under DADT, to receive a honorable discharge.
Don't Ask, Don't Tell under federal United States law
Don't Ask, Don't Tell was the historic compromise signed by President Bill Clinton authorizing people who are LGBT to serve in the military provided they didn't disclose sexuality. The law also removed the ability for others in the military from asking for a service member's orientation.
Blood donations by MSMs in Minnesota is legal.
Current status
Since May 11, 2023
Legal
The new FDA policy on blood donation eliminates deferrals and screening questions specific to men who have sex with men (MSM). Prospective donors will be asked the same set of questions regardless of their sex or sexual orientation.
Banned (less than 6-month deferral)
Blood donation centers follow the new FDA 3-month deferral guidance.
Banned (1-year deferral)
Blood donation centers followed the non-binding FDA one year deferral guidance.
Conversion therapy in Minnesota is banned.
Current status
Since Jul 15, 2021
Banned
On July 15, The governor of Minnesota signed an executive order restricting conversion therapy for LGBTQ youth in the state.
Until Jul 15, 2021
Ambiguous
Conversion Therapy is currently legal in Minnesota, and has reportedly been carried out at various clinics throughout the state -- perhaps most notably at the clinic of Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann's husband, Marcus Bachmann. No law currently bans it, though a meager attempt to introduce a ban has taken place. The proposed ban would only impact minors (Those under the age of 18). Though it's not actually ambiguous (It is in fact legal), this is the best indicator of the available options.
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