Louise Lopez expertly guides queer individuals to vibrant, inclusive U.S. and North American neighborhoods with 15+ years of dedicated experience, ensuring they find not just a home, but a community where their authenticity is celebrated and protected.
One of the most common thoughts you might have before relocating anywhere is how accepting the locals are towards the LGBTQ+ lifestyle. It is a very valid concern and something that sadly still needs to be considered in this day and age.
To help queer folx who are considering moving to Gay Minnesota, we have put together this guide from experts on the ground, considering the pros and cons of life here, discussing LGBT rights in Minnesota and whether Minnesota embraces our community.
We also take a look at the most gay-friendly cities in Minnesota and LGBT community organizations in Minnesota that you should be aware of!
Well, you’ll be happy to know that you’re not the only one. Hundreds, if not thousands of people, look forward to moving to gay Minnesota each year, and it’s for good reason. For one, the state is very gay-friendly and offers a safe space for those looking for a new location to call home. In addition to this, the state of Minnesota has some of the highest standards of living in the country, so you can be sure that there are plenty of amenities to suit your preferences, whatever they may be.
With cities such as Minneapolis, the truth is that Minnesota is a trendsetter when it comes to LGBT-friendliness. The state is home to various resources and LGBT-focused organizations such as OUTFront Minnesota and others. The GLBT Host Home Program, also located in the state, is a program run by the St. Paul-based organization Avenues for Homeless Youth that provides temporary housing and support to LGBTQ+ youth who are experiencing homelessness.
The state is also home to bustling cities, and attractive little towns and is the perfect location for those who would like to realize their dream of owning lakeshore property. If you love living in locations that have much to offer in recreational activities, culture, and commerce, you’re welcome to move to Minnesota.
But, just before you fall in love with the state, moving is a big step. It’s not enough to know that there’s the availability of jobs or recreational opportunities. It’s important to look at the local housing market too. Most importantly, those in the LGBTQ community have to go a step further and find out what the state has to offer them.
Is it always so safe? Is there a community that will welcome them, and yet, are there protections in place for people like us? Well, it’s a good thing you dropped by because we will answer these questions and much more!
To reduce the stress of your relocation, we recommend engaging a gay realtor in Minnesota early in the process to help you find your new perfect home there. They will have up-to-the-minute information on the best cities and areas for LGBT people and be able to match your needs to a neighborhood most suited to you.
You can just start with a no-obligation conversation, and if you decide to continue with your move to Minnesota – they will not only have your best interests at heart but also ensure you are treated with dignity and respect throughout the entire process.
In this article we will cover...
Highlights Of Moving To Gay Minnesota
It’s hard not to get enthusiastic about the unique and tempting proposition that moving to Minnesota presents – especially once you get chatting with residents and long-time locals in the know about all their state’s hidden gems and best-kept secrets. After all, this is why many chose to live here.
Once you move here, you should quickly befriend locals, let them ‘spill the tea’ and then spend your free time discovering the best sights, food, nature and culture Minnesota has to offer. On top of this, thanks to an offbeat yet deeply engaged LGBT community – which congregates at a few fabulous queer hot spots – securing a relocation to Minnesota should allow you to meet local queer people with similar interests.
We are certain locals will have many more to add, but to get you excited, here are just a few highlights to look forward to as you become Minnesota’s newest denizen.
Art Lover’s Paradise
When you think about the queer community, your mind goes to vibrancy and color. The good thing is, if you’re an art lover, you will be pleased to learn that the city of Minneapolis is home to some of North America’s best theaters and museums. The theater scene here is so vibrant that it’s acknowledged internationally.
This means, there’s always a chance to drown yourself in a theatrical production. What’s more, there’s no need to go hungry after indulging your mind. Minneapolis has some great cafes and restaurants that you can visit. Obviously, this means that you probably also have time to catch up with friends and enjoy a drink or two at some of the neighborhood bars before you call it a night.
Great For Business
Thinking of moving and starting an LGBTQ-owned business in Minnesota? Well, you’re in luck, because the state is great for business. Minnesota is home to a number of Fortune 500 companies. It is home to General Mills, Target, and Best Buy.
The median household income in Minnesota is $74,600, and there are always jobs for those looking. All this reflects on the economy of the state as it has one of the lowest poverty levels in the country. Minnesota has improved so much in previous years that the poverty levels in communities of color have also reduced.
Minnesota Nice Is A Thing
Ever heard of ‘Minnesota Nice?’ Well, it’s a thing! Apparently, Minnesota residents are so nice that they’re famous for it. You will meet people you don’t know saying hi to you as you walk down the street because that’s simply how people are here. Well, make sure you don’t look surprised; simply say hi back!
LGBTQ+ Rights In The USA
The laws governing lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people have altered considerably over time in the United States and vary from state to state. In many ways, LGBT rights are some of the best in the world – but the devil is in the detail, and some places are much more hostile to queer life than others.
While same-sex marriage has been legal in every state since the landmark Obergefell v. Hodges ruling on June 26, 2015 (before Obergefell v. Hodges, same-sex marriage was legal in 36 states and Washington, D.C. ), LGBT people are still treated differently in different states – both societally and as inequality under the law.
Over half of all states still allow discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation and gender identity/expression, while counties and cities within states often have distinct laws as well. While some states permit adoption by all couples, others forbid it for all unmarried couples.
This is all to say what most of us already know is that LGBT rights and equality differ greatly across the USA, and the specifics of family, marriage and anti-discrimination laws are different in every state.
Thus, while it is comforting to know that you can choose to marry whoever you love across the USA (and have it recognized as such) and are protected against hate crimes based on sexual orientation or gender identity (which can be punished under Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009), there are still many questions you will likely have about moving to Minnesota and what you can expect of LGBT life there.
Does Minnesota Embrace The LGBTQ Community?
Minnesota was the country’s first state to criminalize discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. The state also hosts one of the country’s largest Pride festivities.
As such, Minnesota is also known as one of the Midwest’s queer hubs. Before there were even settler colonies in the state, the indigenous people that lived here had already embraced gender and sexuality in their culture and language.
In fact, the identities they had embraced were specific to their cultures and many of the natives that live here to this day still embrace these identities. While some of their identities may look similar to what we term gay, lesbian, or transgender, their native language gives a different meaning to their terms.
In 2020, the transgender and queer youth of Minnesota began to carry on the legacy of the work of those before them by embracing more inclusive vocabulary.
They made effort to give more voice to some of the dimensions of gender and sexual variance that were often overlooked and started to use words such as gender-fluid, pansexual, aromantic, and polysexual.
They also rose to embrace the need to identify and support movements such as Black Lives Matter. While all this was happening, it is also important to understand that cities such as Minneapolis haven’t been left in the dark.
Minneapolis is an inclusive city with forward-thinking policies. It is also a trendsetter for the LGBTQ community. In 2013, same-sex marriage became legal in Minnesota, and the state was a pioneer in rejecting amendments to the constitution to ban same-sex marriage through a popular vote.
Is Minnesota An Expensive State To Move To
Minnesota has a lower cost of living than the country’s average. The cost of goods and services here is 2.5% less than the national average. Let’s take a look at some of the costs you will incur while living here.
Housing
The average home in Minnesota is valued at $211,800, which is $6,900 higher than the $204,800 national median home value. Homes built in 1939 or before cost, on average, $163,600, while those built in 2014 and later are worth, on average, $402,200. In Minnesota, the average renter pays $943 a month for housing, which is less than the $1,020 median monthly rent nationwide. In the state, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $810 per month, while the average rent for a home with five and more bedrooms is $1,338.
Transportation
Average fuel cost in Minnesota is $2.11, and you can expect to spend approximately $940 on gas each year, driving an average of 10,780 miles per year.
Healthcare
A single adult in the state is expected to pay around $4,880 per year on healthcare. This is much less compared to the national average of $4,265. A family of four is expected to spend about $16,430 on healthcare, which is much more than the national average of $12,945.
Food costs
A single adult in Minnesota spends around $3,220 on food each year, while a family of four is expected to spend about $9,310 on average. The national average for food expenses is around $3,239 for a single person and &9,350 for a family of four.
LGBTQ+ Community Organizations In Minnesota
Wherever you live, it is essential that you support LGBT organizations in any way you can so that they can keep reaching out to and assisting other, more vulnerable members of the community. After all, we are stronger when we work together, and each of us will likely have a time in our lives when we require a little extra support.
Thankfully, Minnesota has a supportive and diverse LGBTQ community, which has helped the state become more gay-friendly in recent years.
As a result, there are a variety of LGBT resources available to community members, their allies, friends, and families – and you ought to feel free to utilize them or consider giving your support as needed to keep your new home state moving forwards! They are also great places to meet new people and find your queer chosen family in Gay Minnesota.
The goal of OutFront Minnesota is to make the state a place where LGBTQ+ persons can live in peace without having to worry about being attacked, harassed, or discriminated against. They picture a society in which LGBTQ people enjoy equal opportunity, security, and rights. All Minnesotans have the freedom, authority, and conviction to make the greatest decisions for their own life is what they strive for.
Pride Collective And Community Center
The Pride Collective and Community Center’s mission is to foster a sense of belonging, support learning opportunities, and foster social interactions for the LGBT community in the region.
Everyone is welcome at the center, irrespective of their sexual orientation or gender identity. There is space for you here whether you identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, intersex, transgender, allied, questioning, queer, or any other identity.
Twin Cities Pride is committed to uniting the wider LGBTQ+ community in order to recognize their rich heritage, promote inclusivity, raise awareness of relevant problems, and celebrate progress toward equality.
They organize gatherings that are public and welcoming to everyone, offering a secure setting where people may freely celebrate their connections. The organization is committed to working in partnership with other organizations to serve the wider LGBTQ+ community.
RECLAIM is on a journey to increase access to mental health services in order for trans and queer youth to liberate themselves from oppression in all of its manifestations. It is one of the only places in the area where trans and queer adolescents aged 12 to 25 may get easily affordable, specialist mental health care.
Most Gay-Friendly Cities In Minnesota
In Minnesota, there are many wonderful areas to live in, but when relocating to LGBTQ Minnesota, you should be cognizant that there are a few cities and gaybourhoods that are nearer to the queer hubs of life. Knowing them will allow you to pull your U-Haul up to your new house in a gay-friendly neighborhood or town that is best suited to your needs.
If you’re a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or otherwise queer person seeking a welcoming neighborhood with facilities you’ll cherish, start with these top gay and gay-friendly Minnesota cities to discover your perfect new home, each with its distinct personality.
Give yourself enough time to acquaint yourself with Minnesota’s diverse personalities, and remember that there is no one perfect answer when it comes to the most gay-friendly places in Minnesota… and just because it does not make our list doesn’t necessarily make it a bad option.
We recommend speaking to a local LGBT real estate agent for a more detailed understanding of the best options today. Now, let’s take a look at where these fabulously gay-friendly cities in Minnesota are and why you might want to consider them!
Minneapolis
As one-half of the “Twin Cities,” Minneapolis is a lively, LGBT-friendly city. The city is home to the country’s best park system, a thriving arts and theater scene, and outstanding food options ranging from Vietnamese street food to a wide variety of restaurants. It is also home to fantastic LGBT nightlife, art, dance, and music.
Minneapolis is, without a doubt, Minnesota’s LGBT-friendliest metropolis. It is also conceivably one of the American cities with the highest LGBT acceptance rate. Over 300,000 people descend on Hennepin Avenue in June for one of the region’s top pride parades.
LGBT people congregate at the city’s numerous gay clubs. However, these clubs are usually more appropriate for young singles than for LGBT people who are in committed relationships.
There are numerous LGBT-friendly options for people who want a calmer setting and do not necessarily want the chaos of Downtown or Uptown. Some of the most popular neighborhoods in the city for LGBT families include Nokomis, Linden Hills, and Hiawatha. A number of LGBT bars are available in Minneapolis. All of them, apart from Lush, is located downtown.
The queer community in Minneapolis is vibrant and expanding all the time. Although there isn’t a specific gayborhood, most establishments will make you feel welcome. There’s something for everybody in this mid-sized city, whether it is a traditional diner, a trendy lounge, a local landmark, or a hole-in-the-wall.
It is simple to understand why this city has become a popular gay tourist hotspot with its diverse cultural landscape, vibrant art scene, and expanding LGBTQ community.
St. Paul
St. Paul serves as the political hub of Minnesota and is also the less populous part of the Twin Cities metro area. St. Paul provides a wonderful retreat with a small downtown and many of the region’s most beautiful historic districts.
Although it’s less hip and a little more traditional than Minneapolis, the city boasts a tiny but vibrant LGBTQ+ community as well as a few gay pubs. There are a few unique locations that the queer community prefers despite the city’s lack of a vibrant gay nightlife culture that Minneapolis offers.
One of these areas includes Black Hart, which is a popular LGBTQ+ bar. The soccer bar is one of the most popular and oldest gay nightspots in the area and is located near a cluster of shopping centers in the city. While the majority of the crowd at Black Hart is lesbian, there are also occasional appearances by men, especially for the drag shows.
Another popular queer spot is Joan’s in the Park, a white tablecloth restaurant led by Joan Schmitt and Susan Dunlop. The duo started the restaurant with an aim of offering high-quality experiences in the region.
Duluth
Duluth is a beautiful city, which is home to a large freshwater lake. The city also has pristine forests and rocky cliffs where explorers will love adventuring. No matter where you go in Duluth, you will find a thriving community, and chances to enjoy nature, a meal, or a show.
While the city does exude an unmatchable charm, it’s important to note that it’s also a cultural hub with exceptional art and performance.
In Duluth, you can enjoy orchestra, musicals, ballet, plays, and live music. If you’re like any of the locals, you will enjoy visiting the Historic Arts and Theatre district.
When it comes to liveability, it’s interesting that most LGBT families prefer to live here than in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Even so, the queer community here isn’t so big, but it’s a community you can depend on.
The Gloria Dei Church, First United Methodist Church, and Pilgrim Congregational Church are all LGBT-friendly if you’re interested in a place of worship. The Duluth-Superior community hosts Bayfront Pride Festival in September. The festival features block parties, family picnics, and a lot of fun.
LGBT residents of Duluth also have access to resources such as Aurora Center, Together for Youth, and Arrowhead Transgender Group, as well as other local queer organizations. The LGBTQ community in Duluth is diverse and promotes self-esteem, equality, respect, and acceptance.
Finding Gay Realtors In Minnesota
When looking for the ideal realtor, why would you consider someone’s sexuality? This may seem strange at first, but there are several reasons why contacting a gay realtor in Minnesota is a great way to find your dream house.
After all, when it relates to one of life’s most significant transactions, it’s not unreasonable to expect fair, equal, and honest representation from someone who understands the queer community’s particular needs and wishes.
Furthermore, unfortunately, many people (up to a third of Americans) believe that our community does not deserve protection and dignity in housing, adoption, employment, and other areas of life.
So it’s no surprise that LGBT people who use mainstream realtors often describe feelings of discomfort, unnecessary trouble, unenthusiastic representation, or even antagonism or outright contempt.
Everyone deserves a pleasant, stress-free home buying or selling experience while being adequately represented, and this is why we feel you should hire a gay realtor to assist you in finding your future home.
LGBTQ realtors are more likely to be familiar with the diverse communities in their area and know which ones may be best suited to you when looking for a home.
That’s not to say a heterosexual realtor isn’t capable, but they’ve probably never had to address many of the issues LGBT people face. Rather than just being concerned with how bustling, fashionable, or up-and-coming a neighborhood is (or what it may appear like), gay realtors conduct extensive research into the neighborhoods in which they sell homes to ensure that clients are safe.
It used to be challenging to locate professional LGBT-friendly real estate agents in Minnesota, and it was virtually impossible to find one if you were relocating here from out of state and didn’t have access to a local referral. You no longer have to search for a realtor without knowing whether or not they are accepting of others because you can use a list of gay, lesbian, and gay-friendly agents in Minnesota to do all of your homework for you.
Simply go to the page, and you’ll be presented with a free list of gay, lesbian, and gay-friendly agents who can help you with your relocation, as well as other useful information like LGBT+friendly schools, shopping, storage firms, tradespeople, and more. Read the biographies of LGBT real estate agents, then choose the one who is right for you. It’s critical that you find someone who will be by your side and support you and your family during one of life’s most exciting occasions.
Even better, there is no hidden motive, cost, or obligation whatsoever!
