Minnesota

Rolling Stone describes the human cost of political gay-bashing: nine student suicides in two years in Michelle Bachmann’s home district. The article attributes this to the local School Board’s embrace of a fervent anti-gay agenda. The suicides feed a climate of severe gay bullying in the schools, making life hell for some - while administrators did nothing to protect them.

John Medeiros of Minneapolis issued a letter of apology to recently resigned Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch (pictured) for ruining the institution of marriage and causing her to stray from her husband. "On behalf of all gays and lesbians living in Minnesota, I would like to wholeheartedly apologize for our community's successful efforts to threaten your traditional marriage. We are ashamed of ourselves for causing you to have what the media refers to as an "illicit affair" with your staffer, and we also extend our deepest apologies to him and to his wife.

Minnesota's largest school district leaves gay and lesbian students without protection with it's current "neutrality" policy on sexual orientation. The policy came under criticism after six students committed suicide in the district in less than two years. The Anoka-Hennepin School Board is scheduled to hear a proposal to delete the policy, which says such matters are best discussed at home. A policy on keeping neutral on religious matters also would be eliminated and covered by the new policy.

According to results of the Minnesota House of Representatives State Fair Poll, visitors to the Fair support marriage equality. About 66.5 percent of those surveyed voted against an amendment that will appear on the 2012 ballot. It would define marriage as "only a union of one man and one woman". About 30 percent voted yes. A record number of fairgoers were surveyed. The results are very surprising when one considers the conservative demographic of most fairgoers.

A group called Central MN Prom Alternative has organized an alternative prom for GLBT students and their allies. It's being co-organized by a psychotherapist at Element Mental Health Services, which has a GLBT teen support group. For some community members this is a reflection of the growth and diversity in Central Minnesota. The prom is set for April; and ages 16-19 are welcome.

The national press is taking notice that Minnesota state health officials identify Michele Bachmann's school district as a teen "suicide contagion" area. Four students killed themselves in the last two years, and circumstances have been connected to their perceived sexuality. Since January, seven students at Anoka Middle School have been hospitalized for attempting or talking about suicide.

GOP presidential candidate and former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty was glitter-bombed by two female activists during a stop in SF recently. "Tim Pawlenty, where is your courage to stand?" they shouted. "Stand for reproductive rights! Stand for gay rights." An officer escorted them from the premises. Medea Benjamin, founder of CODEPINK, said the goal of the confetti dumping was to bring attention to Pawlenty's same-sex-marriage legislation.