ST. PAUL, Minn. — An organization that filed a federal lawsuit last year to bar transgender students from using locker rooms consistent with their gender identity today announced that they have voluntarily dismissed their lawsuit. The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Minnesota had intervened in the case on behalf of a transgender…
ST. PAUL, Minn. — A Minnesota district court ruled this week that transgender people on the state’s Medical Assistance program in Minnesota deserve access to medically necessary services related to gender transition. Since 2005, surgical treatments for gender dysphoria have been excluded from coverage even though equivalent treatments were covered under the federal Medicare program and…
For the second time in almost as many months, a Totino-Grace High School faculty member has been fired for being gay. Kristen Ostendorf, 43, who teaches English and ministers at the Fridley, Minnesota Catholic high school, announced during a peer-based conference that she is lesbian and living in a happy same-sex relationship; a fact, she…
The state of Minnesota made it a round dozen for marriage equality when it became the twelfth state to pass a marriage equality bill. Minnesota also became the first Midwestern state to do so legislatively as Iowa became a marriage equality state due to a decision by the state Supreme Court. Gov. Mark Dayton has…
(CNN) — Minnesota’s House of Representatives passed a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage, putting the Midwestern state in line to become the 12th nationwide to take that step. Rep. Karen Clark of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party of Minnesota sponsored the bill, which passed Thursday night by a vote of 75-59. Supporters celebrated on the steps…
As the Republican Party continues to find ways out of its electoral grumpy, old white men quagmire, some in the party are bucking the trend by encouraging Republicans to support same-sex marriage. A new PAC formed by some of the party’s wealthier donors called American Unity PAC – including Paul Singer as first among equals…
In what doctors are hoping will be the second time in recorded medical history that a patient is cured of both leukemia and HIV, specialists at the University of Minnesota’s Amplatz Children’s Hospital are using a highly experimental transplant to rid the young patient of his diseases. A similar procedure, which was tried once before…
WASHINGTON (CNN) — The Supreme Court will tackle the contentious issue of same-sex marriage and hear two constitutional challenges to state and federal laws dealing with the recognition of gay and lesbian couples to legally wed. In a one-page order on Friday, the court took on what will be one of the most important issues…
BARNESVILLE, Minn. – A 17-year-old boy has been denied confirmation after the priest at a local church found a pro same-sex marriage post on the teen’s Facebook. According to the Grand Forks Herald, the Rev. Gary LaMoine called the boy’s mother, Shana Cihak, into a private conversation soon after the photo was discovered and told…
The Roman Catholic Church hierarchy funneled $2 million into efforts to advance discrimination against LGBT people in the four marriage ballot states of Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, and Washington this election cycle. An updated HRC report provides a snapshot of just how much money the Church, along with its close ally the National Organization for Marriage…
