Our Mission & Vision

Our mission is to build power within Minnesota’s 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and address inequities through intersectional organizing, advocacy, education, and direct support services.

We envision a safe and equitable world where all members of our communities are free to lead lives of opportunity, autonomy, and full self-expression.

Theory of Change

OutFront Minnesota believes that lasting change requires a multifaceted, intersectional, and cooperative approach to addressing inequities at every level. We engage in collaborative work that spans legislative advocacy, community organizing, culture change through education and training, and direct aid to address the needs in our communities. All of this work is community-centered, prioritizes systems change, and is carried out through meaningful community partnerships. We believe that through these actions we can advance 2SLGBTQIA+ rights and build a more just and equitable Minnesota for all.

Statement of Inclusion

We are committed to an inclusive vision of the LGBTQ+ community where all—including Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, gender expansive, intersex, asexual, aromantic, questioning, and other individuals regardless of the labels and language they use—feel welcomed, supported, and reflected in our work. The movement for queer and trans rights is strongest when we are all working together to provide support and build a better future.

Statement of Intersectionality

OutFront Minnesota is committed to intersectional and inclusive work across all that we do. We recognize that the work of LGBTQ+ equity is deeply intertwined with racial justice movements, disability justice, gender & reproductive rights, immigrant rights, Indigenous rights, labor movements, environmental justice, and many other civil and social justice movements. Our work is shared work and our solutions must be comprehensive. Together, we seek to build on the strengths of those intersections, to engage in meaningful partnerships with organizations and individuals across these spaces, and drive change that reflects and supports the diversity and depth of our communities.

Photo of Ashley Harp

Ashley Harp

Co-Director Anti-Violence Program, they/them or she/her
Laster headshot

Karlton Laster

Director of Policy and Organizing, he/him
Massetti Headshot

Audra Massetti

Co-Director Anti-Violence Program, she/her or they/them
Edwards headshot

Hannah Edwards

Training Manager, she/her
School Equity Manager, they/them

Aliya Finman-Palmer

Director of Educational Equity, she/they
Associate Director of Religious Organizing, he/him or they/them

Chelb McMurray

Communications Coordinator, they/them
Associate Director of Development, they/them
picture of Kelly McCann

Kelly McCann

Operations & Administrative Manager, she/her
C Michael Headshot

C. Michael

Community Advocacy & Training Specialist, they/them & he/him
Policy & Community Organizing Coordinator, they/them
Kat headshot

Kat Rohn

Executive Director, they/she
Safe Harbor Youth Services Coordinator, they/she
Goodspeed headshot

Seth Goodspeed

Director of Development and Communications, he/him

Join Our Team

Join a dedicated, passionate staff and board who are deeply committed to making Minnesota a state that is equitable and affirming for all LGBTQ+ people.

Explore opportunities to work with OutFront Minnesota

As an intern you will gain valuable experience in learning about organizing for the LGBTQ+ community, the legislative process, and build connections with our team and partners.

Co-Chair of OutFront Minnesota's 501(c)3 Board | Founder, Elton EyeCare, Inc. | he/him

Kelsey Waits

Chair, OutFront Minnesota PAC | Executive Director, TransParent Alliance
Board Member | Consultant, TACKLE | He/They
Board Member | Therapist, Seal Dwyer Counseling LLC | She/They

Jared Mollenkof

Board Member | Public Defender, Hennepin County

Marta Tierney

Board Member | Co-Founder, IDEA Hastings

John Eavin McPherson

Board Member | Senior Quality Engineer, Neovasc Inc.

Edward Weinberg

Board Member | Senior Consultant, Xcel Energy

Sara Pournoor

Board Member | Social worker, Institute for Sexual and Gender Health, University of Minnesota

Nikhil Enugula

Board Member | Director of Diversity and Inclusion, BI WORLDWIDE
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Malcolm Lee

Co-Chair | Teacher, Minneapolis Public Schools

Emma McBride

Board Member | Principal, Park Street Public

Leading Minnesota Toward LGBTQ+ Equality

OutFront Minnesota was founded in 1987 to fight for LGBTQ+ justice and equity. Over the past 36 years we have worked to ensure that our values of liberation and intersectional justice guide our work until full equality under the law and full equity in practice is realized.

We successfully passed a statewide nondiscrimination law that included sexual orientation AND gender identity as protected statuses in 1993—the first law that included protections for our trans community members. We won marriage by defeating an anti-marriage amendment at the ballot box and passing marriage equality through the legislature in 2013. We ensured that our kids have safe and supportive environments to learn in by passing the Safe and Supportive Schools Act in 2014 and the Trans Toolkit in 2017. In 2023 we passed both the Conversion Therapy Ban and the Trans Refuge Bill. Our fight is not over and our supporters are needed more than ever.