How to Connect With the Gay and Lesbian Community in Minneapolis

Boasting the second-highest percentage of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender population in the nation, Minneapolis also has the third-largest concentration of gay and lesbian couples, according to the 2000 census. So you won't be surprised to find that Minneapolis and its twin city, St. Paul, offer plenty of resources for the GLBT community.

Instructions

1. Get the news. The award-winning Lavender Magazine, published since 1995, has the scoop on all things GLBT in Minneapolis.

2. Celebrate your pride for a whole week. GLBT Pride Twin Cities offers seven days of Pride each summer at the end of June.

3. Get into your groove. Minneapolis has a gay group for just about everyone: the gay and lesbian bowlers, Chrysalis: A Center for Women, Keshet Ga'avah Jewish support group and the Rainbow Alliance of the Deaf, just to name a few.

4. Take advantage of parenting support. Attend the Gay Fathers support group or Lesbians Parenting Adolescents. Plus, there's help for the kids at Teens with GLBT Parents.

5. Bar hop. Check out the many gay and lesbian bars in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

6. Be politically active. Join the Stonewall Democrats, the OutFront Minnesota equality group or the Log Cabin Republicans.

Tips & Warnings

• Just because it's cold in the wintertime, don't stay indoors. Get out and get involved.

• Volunteer to work for GLBT Pride Twin Cities to meet others and celebrate your pride.

Resources

• Lavender Magazine
• Gay Minneapolis-St. Paul
• Bars and nightclubs
• Stonewall Democrats
• OutFront Minnesota
• GLBT Pride Twin Cities