The Council on LGBTQIA2S+ Minnesotans, in partnership with community organizations, is conducting a new survey to gain insight into the experiences and needs of LGBTQIA2S+ communities in Minnesota. Insights from the survey will shape recommendations to state leaders about what LGBTQIA2S+ communities need to feel safe and supported, guiding advocacy for increased resources and better protections. This anonymous and confidential survey takes 20–30 minutes and every response strengthens the impact. By taking and sharing the survey, you help ensure this survey reflects the full richness of LGBTQIA2S+ communities and families in Minnesota.
Why is this here?
The ReEntry Lab is not a specifically LGBTQIA2S+ organization, but one of our core audiences is formerly incarcerated people, and the LGBTQIA2S+ population is highly disproportionately impacted by incarceration:
- Lesbian, gay, and bisexual people are more than twice as likely to be arrested as straight people – and lesbian and bisexual women, specifically, are more than four times as likely to be arrested as straight women.
- One in six trans people have been incarcerated at some point, including nearly half of Black trans people. This is about five times the rate of incarceration for non-trans people.
It’s also fairly widespread knowledge (opinion? speculation?) that arts and writing communities are disproportionately LGBTQIA2S+, so again, we have an audience that intersects this population in significant ways.
Formerly incarcerated people are often overlooked, ignored, or silenced, and this is an opportunity to be heard, so the ReEntry Lab is helping promote the survey.
If you are not the target audience for this survey, you probably know someone who is – please pass along a link! The survey is available at mnqt.info/survey.
Why this survey?
The survey is a critical opportunity to make sure LGBTQIA2S+ voices are heard by the state of Minnesota and community partners. This survey helps identify the challenges, priorities, and needs of LGBTQIA2S+ individuals across Minnesota, guiding advocacy for increased resources and better protections in Minnesota. By taking and sharing the survey, you’re helping shape a future where our communities are better supported and represented.
Key points
- Safe, confidential, and anonymous – responses are not connected to you
- Gives underrepresented voices an opportunity to be heard
- Collecting updated, Minnesota-specific data to understand and support the community’s needs
- Make your voice count: The data you provide can directly influence policy and funding decisions in Minnesota
- Well worth your time: The survey takes about 15-30 minutes to complete, but the insights gathered will help shape policies, funding, and resources that support LGBTQIA2S+ communities for years to come. Your time makes a difference.
Now is the time!
LGBTQIA2S+ communities—especially trans and nonbinary people—are facing heightened attacks, legislative rollbacks, and misinformation. Now more than ever, we need accurate data to push back, advocate for protections, and ensure Minnesota is a place where LGBTQIA2S+ people are supported, safe, and valued.
Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.)
A more comprehensive list of F.A.Q.s is available on the survey website.
- Who is running the survey?
The LGBTQIA2S+ Community Needs Survey is being conducted by the Council on LGBTQIA2S+ Minnesotans (MNQT) in partnership with community organizations across the state. MNQT is a state agency that advises the governor, legislature, and state agencies on issues impacting LGBTQIA2S+ communities. It works to advance equity through policy recommendations, advocacy, and research that reflect the needs and priorities of LGBTQIA2S+ Minnesotans. This survey ensures government policies, programs, and funding decisions are informed by the lived experiences of LGBTQIA2S+ people in Minnesota.
Why should I take it?
Your voice matters, and this survey is a chance to make sure the needs and experiences of LGBTQIA2S+ Minnesotans are heard. Decision-makers rely on data to shape policies, funding, and programs, and without strong LGBTQIA2S+ data, our communities can be overlooked. By taking the survey, you’re helping to build a clearer picture of what’s needed to create lasting, meaningful change.
Is it anonymous?
Yes, the survey is anonymous and confidential. Survey responses are being managed by a team of independent data experts with legal protections that will allow them to remove any potentially identifiable information from individual responses. This will prevent that information from being accessed by anyone else, including MNQT, other state agencies, or the public. To further protect privacy, the survey does not collect identifying information such as name or email, and demographic data is limited to prevent any individual from being identified. For more detailed information about data privacy, please visit our privacy page.
What happens with the data?
The data will be analyzed to identify key trends and needs within LGBTQIA2S+ communities in Minnesota. This information will be used to inform policymakers, community organizations, and advocates to improve programs, funding, and policies. Only aggregated, anonymous data will be shared—individual responses will never be made public.
How will results be shared?
The findings will be shared through a public report that will be available online and distributed to community organizations, policymakers, and advocates. Key insights will also be shared via presentations, social media, and community discussions to ensure the information reaches the people who need it most.
