MINNEAPOLIS — Fifty years after a group of Minnesotans pioneered a civil rights movement for LGBTQ+ people, the city of Minneapolis gathered to celebrate.
The Gay Civil Rights Ordinance was signed into law by former Minneapolis Mayor Al Hofstede in 1974, helping pave the way for a new generation of inclusivity and acceptance.
So if anyone can speak to the significance of the battle for LGBTQ+ rights, it's any of the folks who gathered in the council's chambers Thursday morning.
The group included Michael McConnell and his husband, Jack Baker, who managed to marry long before the U.S. Supreme Court made same-sex marriages federally legal in 2015, preceded of course, by Minnesota's legalization in 2014.
But marriage milestones aside, the celebration was also about honoring the Minneapolis leaders who supported — even wrote — that initial ordinance that put Minneapolis on the national map of a fundamental fight. Those at the event were there to reflect on those wins, slowly earned through decades of battle.
"We were afraid we'd be kicked out of office," said Earl Netwal, a former Alderman and author of the ordinance.
But even now, the very community on the frontlines for 50 years said it's still fighting for more change, acceptance and rights.
"We must be diligent and continue to fight for the rights and humanity of everyone," said Council Member Andrea Jenkins.
City Councilor Emily Koski was also among the critical champions of Thursday's gathering, following in the path of her late father, former Mayor Hofstede.
“I am proud to welcome our former elected leaders and our LGBTQIA+ community to City Hall to celebrate all of the work that has been done to advance LGBTQIA+ rights and create an inclusive City," Koski said. “This celebration is especially special to me."
“Once (the ordinance) was passed, Minneapolis became a beacon of hope for people from throughout the five-state area and beyond,” added Netwal. “Minneapolis was enhanced by the influx of people from throughout that area that added to the economic and social vitality of the city.”
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