COMMUNITY GUIDE 2024
CRYSTAL | ROBBINSDALE NEW HOPE | GOLDEN VALLEY
LGBTQIA2 + groups celebrate successes
Support for LGBTQIA2 + individuals continues to grow in the northwest suburbs . Lesbian , Gay , Bisexual , Transgender , Queer , Intersex , Asexual , and Two Spirit ( LGBTQIA2 +) Pride month has been celebrated during June via city council proclamations in the cities of Crystal , Golden Valley and Robbinsdale .
Two organizations are encouraging greater acceptance of queer individuals socially and in policy including the Golden Valley Pride which is a committee of individuals that plans the annual Golden Valley Pride Festival , and Birdtown Pride . a gay and lesbian rights group in Robbinsdale .
Birdtown Pride is a newly formed organization made up of Robbinsdale citizens with a goal to make their city a more welcoming place to the LGBTQIA2 + community . Birdtown Pride was organized in response to repeated conversion therapy seminars at a local church . The group ’ s first policy success occurred in 2021 , when the Robbinsdale City Council agreed to ban the practice of conversion therapy within city bounds . The practice is also banned in Golden Valley .
The Golden Valley Pride committee plans the annual Golden Valley Pride Festival . The festival was created by a group of Golden Valley residents and continues to be completely volunteer-run . Golden Valley resident Peter Knaeble established the suburban fest in an attempt to replicate the Twin Cities Pride Festival , an annual celebration in Minneapolis ’ Loring Park .
Continued strong turnout at the Golden Valley Pride Festival has suggested that a day-long celebration of everyone ’ s “ colors ” might just be a city staple for years to come . A primary reason to host the festival in Golden Valley is the oft-cited fact that many gay couples reside in the city . According to census data from the University of California , Los Angeles Williams Institute , there are more gay couples , married or unmarried , living in Golden Valley per capita than in any other city in Minnesota . The finding originates from a compilation of census data . Previous census data found that per 1,000 households , about 22 respondents self-identified as gay .
The festival occurs during June to coincide with Pride Month . It is open to all ages and is pet-friendly . The oneday event continues to draw large crowds of people from all walks of life to advocate for LGBTQIA2 + issues and celebrate the freedom for anyone to love who they love . For more information , visit goldenvalleypride . com .
Community Guide 2024 | CRYSTAL • ROBBINSDALE • NEW HOPE • GOLDEN VALLEY | 23