Andy Birkey, Senior Reporter

A graduate of the University of Minnesota with a degree in forestry, urban studies and sociology, Andy has been active in Minnesota’s LGBT community for the six years he has lived in Minneapolis, and has worked with and volunteered for a number of causes including LGBT rights, HIV prevention and care, transportation issues and environmental research. He has been writing Eleventh Avenue South, a blog about Minnesota LGBT news, issues, and politics, for three years and is a contributor to Metroblogging Minneapolis. Email abirkey [at] minnesotaindependent [dot] com. Twitter: @AndyMN

Jon Collins, Editor

Jon worked as a senior projects reporter for the Minnesota Daily and interned at KFAI News while earning a degree in journalism from the University of Minnesota. After graduating, he reported on politics and the State Capitol for a number of online and print publications, including an extended stint covering Minnesota’s Iron Range. Before coming to the Minnesota Independent, he launched and served as editor for Southwest Minneapolis Patch. He also completed an extensive oral history of Minnesota journalists, which was funded by the Minnesota Historical Society. Email: jcollins [at] minnesotaindependent [dot] com. Twitter: @Rhubarbarism