OutFront Minnesota head resigns

Ann DeGroot, executive director of OutFront Minnesota for 21 years, announced her resignation from the organization, the state’s largest in terms of advocacy for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community. DeGroot was instrumental in founding the organization, whose roots date back to 1987. “When we opened our doors, the level of social acceptance and legal protection we enjoy in Minnesota today was only a dream,” said DeGroot in a press release Thursday.  “I am proud of the work our committed staff, volunteers and community members throughout Minnesota have done the past 21 years to achieve a just and equitable role in their workplaces, city halls, churches, communities and families.”

Under DeGroot’s watch, Minnesota became the first state in the nation to make discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity illegal with the passage of the Minnesota Human Rights Act in 1993. The community was also successful in keeping a constitutional amendment that would ban civil unions and same-sex marriage off the ballot during DeGroot’s time at OutFront.

“Under Ann’s leadership, OutFront Minnesota gathered people together from across religious, political and geographic boundaries to support equal rights for GLBT people,” said OutFront Minnesota Board Vice Chair Jane Eastwood. “As a result, Minnesota became the eighth state in the nation to amend its human rights act to include gay, lesbian and bisexual individuals and the first in the country to include transgender people. Ann’s commitment and perseverance have made Minnesota a better place to live for its GLBT citizens and all people.”

According to OutFront, DeGroot cited “personal reasons for leaving the organization at this time,” and the timing is especially appropriate, given that the “political climate is expected to be less contentious than recent years.”

A community celebration of DeGroot’s work will be planned in the future.