Minneapolis – Learning in Community: LGBTQ+ History in Downtown Minneapolis

Photos courtesy of the Jean Nickolaus Tretter Collection in GLBT Studies and Hennepin County Library

Minneapolis-Saint Paul is far from being flyover country; our metro area has some of the richest and deepest LGBTQ+ history in all of North America. Grow your understanding of this history with an interactive, in-person walking tour of downtown/central Minneapolis, an area deeply entangled with LGBTQ+ people’s stories, movements, and place in the world.

Be immersed by traveling through downtown Minneapolis, interspersing history with storytelling from local LGBTQ+ activists and artists. Learn about how down-and-out drifters in the notorious Gateway District helped shape a Twin Cities gay identity, how lesbians threw parties in deserted industrial warehouses, how gay and lesbian political power was built in response to police raids, and how one of the first Pride festivals grew from a ragtag group marching up Nicollet Mall.

We hope you’ll come along!

This event is a collaboration with Telling Queer History.

Registration

Space is limited to 40 participants.

K-12 educators will receive 3 clock hours.

This experience involves approximately 2.5 miles of walking and standing, starting and ending at Minneapolis Community and Technical College. Audio headsets will be provided for amplification of the tour guide and storytellers.

This event is open to all. Members of Minnesota’s LGBTQ+ community are welcome to register using promo code LGBTQ-HISTORY to waive the fee if they wish.

To ensure that cost is not a barrier, we have a limited number of complimentary spaces available for all Minnesota residents. If you would like to receive a complimentary spot, please register with the promo code FEEWAIVER.

REGISTRATION FOR THIS EVENT HAS CLOSED