April 25, 2026, is the 47th anniversary of the St. Paul vote that repealed human rights protections for
2SLGBTQIA+ (Two Spirit/Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual/Agender) individuals.
On April 25th, 1978, the citizens of St. Paul voted by 2 to 1 to remove 2SLGBTQIA+ people from the listof protected classes in the City’s Human Rights Ordinance. The following year, the small queer communities in St. Paul held the first “Celebration of Community” as the first step in our fight back.
St. Paul has the distinction of being the only jurisdiction to have removed 2SLGBTQIA+ people from local human rights law by popular vote in a public election. However, a new law, passed in 1991, was the first in any jurisdiction in the nation to specifically protect the rights of transgender individuals. This demonstration, that voters had changed their minds on the issue of 2SLGBTQIA+ equality, opened the doors for changes for 2SLGBTQIA+ people that we’ve seen over the last thirty plus years.
To mark this occasion, a “Celebration of Community” is held each year with the next celebration on Saturday, April 25th. On this day, we celebrate our resilience, tenacity, and accomplishments in promoting the full equality of 2SLGBTQIA+ people. This year the celebration will be held at Hamline Church, 1514 Englewood Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55104. The event will start at 5pm. The evening begins with a reception and then a series of speakers highlighting current events of importance to our communities followed by the bestowing of awards to individuals and to organizations who have done something noteworthy to make change benefiting 2SLGBTQIA+ people and the cause of full equality.
There is no cost, however donations will be accepted.
Hope to see you there!
Love, Hannah
Hannah McKnight 