- Homosexuality
- ⚢✔ Legal
- Gay Marriage
- ⚭✔ Legal
- Censorship
- ✔ No censorship
- Changing Gender
- ✖ Legal, but requires medical diagnosis
- 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
- Unknown
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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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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 Jun 1, 1977
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
Since Aug 1, 2023
Right to change legal gender in Minnesota is legal, but requires medical diagnosis.
Current status
Since Jul 26, 2007
Legal, but requires medical diagnosis
While there's no actual law support this, Minnesota's Department of Safety had quietly added X gender marker to their licenses. This is still in effect as of 2018, as they roll out REAL ID. Permits are also able to get X gender marker, as of 2018 as well. Although surgery is not required, a letter confirming “appropriate medical treatment” is.
Gender-affirming care in Minnesota is legal.
Current status
Legal
In 2023, Governor Tim Walz issued an executive order protecting transgender healthcare in Minnesota. He also safeguarded against insurance discrimination and ensured that Medicaid required coverage for gender-affirming care statewide. Healthcare providers cannot be arrested for providing gender-affirming care. This executive order remains in effect until it is enacted into 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 Jun 15, 2020
Sexual orientation and gender identity
On June 15th, 2020, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled that discrimination in employment based on sexual orientation or gender identity is illegal under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, classified as sex discrimination. Sexual orientation protections still exist at the state level.
Sexual orientation only
President Trump's Department of Justice and the EEOC revoked protections for gender identity in employment discrimination. Sexual orientation protections still existed at the state and federal levels, however.
Sexual orientation and gender identity
In a landmark decision, Democratic President Obama's EEOC ruled that gender identity was included under Title VII protections from the Civil Rights Act (originally written to protect people based on sex discrimination). Sexual orientation protections still existed at the state level.
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
In Minnesota there is no ban on intersex infant surgery.
Serving openly in military in Minnesota is legal.
Current status
Since Mar 18, 2025
Legal under federal United States law
On the evening of March 18th, U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes blocked the implementation of Trump's executive order banning transgender people from the military. The judge said that not only was the order unconstitutional but “a solution in search of a problem.”.
Lesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned under federal United States law
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth filed in court a memo on February 10th, 2025 relating to President Trump’s executive order from the previous month.
From now on, The U.S. military will prohibit transgender individuals from enlisting, and will cease providing or supporting gender transition procedures for service members.
From now on, The U.S. military will prohibit transgender individuals from enlisting, and will cease providing or supporting gender transition procedures for service members.
Legal under federal United States law
President Joe Biden removed former President Donald Trump’s ban on transgender people serving in the military, and transgender people are still allowed to serve as of 2025.
In January of 2025, President Trump signed an executive order that bans transgender people from serving in the military. However, before his executive order can take effect, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth needs to submit a plan on how the military will implement the order.
In January of 2025, President Trump signed an executive order that bans transgender people from serving in the military. However, before his executive order can take effect, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth needs to submit a plan on how the military will implement the order.
Lesbians, gays, bisexuals permitted, transgender people banned under federal United States law
The Trump administration enacted a new policy barring individuals with a "condition" known as "gender dysphoria." from serving in the military.
Legal under federal United States law
In 2011, "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" was repealed by the Obama Administration. Former President Obama allowed members who were dishonorably discharged under DADT, to receive an 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 under federal United States law
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) under federal United States law
The FDA announced changes to the blood donor eligibility policy in April 2020, reducing the MSM deferral period from 12 months to 3 months. The change came amid the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, where blood was needed urgently.
Banned (1-year deferral) under federal United States law
After a series of recommendations, the FDA has moved to a 12 months deferral.
Banned (indefinite deferral) under federal United States law
Starting in 1983, the United States implemented a full ban on blood donations from gay men. The primary justification for the ban was the perceived high risk of HIV transmission, with health regulators identifying men who have sex with men (MSM) as a significant risk to the safety of the blood supply.
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
Not banned
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).
Equal age of consent in Minnesota is unknown.
Current status
Unknown
United States Equality Rank
#195
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