The Minnesota Independent

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Minneapolis 4th highest for number of same-sex couples

By Andy Birkey | 08.30.11 | 11:24 am

According to a study of 2010 U.S. Census data by UCLA’s Williams Institute, among large U.S. cities, Minneapolis has the fourth highest rate of same-sex couples living within its borders. Neighboring St. Paul ranked 24th and Minnesota ranked 33rd…

Pine City Pride endures despite rival ‘family values’ event

By Andy Birkey | 06.08.09 | 2:51 pm

The national debate about gay rights hit home in the small community of Pine City, Minn., on Sunday as residents hosted two dueling picnics in the city of 3,000 people. For the fifth year, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender folks from east-central Minnesota gathered to celebrate family and community. And for the second year, their neighbors organized a picnic just blocks away opposing gay rights and promoting “family values.”