Minnesota is the 12th largest state in the U.S., and the 21st most
populous, with over five million residents. Nearly 60% Minnesota residents live in the
Twin Cities metropolitan area
The state is known as the "Land of 10,000 Lakes," and those lakes and the other
waters for which the state is named, together with state and national forests and
parks, offer residents and tourists a vigorous outdoor lifestyle.
The extremes of the climate contrast with the moderation of Minnesota's people.
It ranks among the healthiest states by a number of measures, and has one of the
most highly educated and literate populations.
Minnesota is home to a wide variety of open, public spaces and park lands.
Minnesota's state park, Itasca State Park, was established in 1891, and is the
official source of the Mississippi River. Today Minnesota has 71 state parks.
The state has two national forests, the Chippewa National Forest and the Superior
National Forest, and one national park, Voyageurs National Park.
Minnesota Gay Issues:
Gay Marriage
1997 - Anti-same-sex marriage constitutional amendment banned
marriage for same-sex couples
Domestic Violence
Has domestic violence lawsthat are gender neutral and include
household members and dating partners
Sodomy Laws
(Misdemeanor) Maximum Penalty: 1 Year & $3,000.00 Fine
Second-Parent Adoption For Gays And Lesbians
Trial courts have granted second-parent adoptions
State Nondiscrimination Laws
1993 - Laws banning discrimination based on sexual orientation
and gender identity
Hate Crimes
Has hate crime laws that include crimes based in
sexual orientation or gender identity
Some Minnesota Cities:
Backus - Brooten - Cannon Falls - Chatfield - Clearwater - Dakota City
Dennison - Doran - Eagle Bend - Independence - Iron Junction
Jasper - Kellogg - Kettle River - La Salle - Lafayette - Lake Bronson
Lake City - Lakefield - Lancaster - Le Sueur - Madison - Manchester
Manhattan Beach - Minneapolis - Minneiska - Minnesota Lake - Montgomery
Monticello - Montrose - Morgan - New London - Nisswa - Oakdale - Ormsby
Palisade - Park Rapids - Pine Island - Pleasant Lake - Princeton
Racine - Red Lake Falls - Richfield - Rock Creek - Roosevelt - Rose Creek
Rosemount - Sanborn - Sherburn - Silver Bay - South Haven - Spring Lake Park
St. Anthony - St. Clair - St. Cloud - St. Paul - Staples - Tenney - Tonka Bay
Underwood - Victoria - Waconia - Waldorf - Warren - Wells - Westbrook - Whalan
Wheaton - White Bear Lake - Wolverton - Worthington - Zimmerman |
