How LGBTQ+ Minnesotans navigate end-of-life plans
The leader of OutFront Minnesota shares insights about end-of-life planning in the LGBTQ+ community.
Members of Minnesota’s LGBTQ+ community can find help to complete end-of-life plans even as the social landscape is shifting.
More than 460,000 Minnesotans identify as LGBTQ+, according to Minnesota Compass. President Donald Trump has issued executive orders that roll back federal protections for the LGBTQ+ community since he took office.
Kat Rohn, executive director of OutFront Minnesota, said the organization has three big concerns:
- Federal health care funding cuts,
- Federal action on gender identity and how it will affect people’s access to government documents, and
- Increased harassment of LGBTQ+ people.
The organization recommends that LGBTQ+ Minnesotans complete end-of-life planning documents that fit their needs so they have some control over decision-making, Rohn said.
“I think a lot of the general guidance there remains true,” Rohn said. “The more you can sort of layer protections for yourself and give yourself assurances, the more resilient you'll be in an uncertain climate.”
Furthermore, Rohn advised people to learn about state-level protections.
“There are a lot of laws at a state level here in Minnesota certainly that provide folks with really resilient and robust protections from discrimination or guarantees of access to appropriate care,” Rohn said.
The organization created a guide with information for LGBTQ+ Minnesotans to consider in light of the Trump administration’s actions.
Jen Zettel-Vandenhouten
A couple areas give Rohn hope. The first is that Minnesota maintains robust protections for LGBTQ+ people.
The second is how people have come together. She cited the Volunteer Lawyers Network, a nonprofit organization in Minneapolis.
“Not only did those folks step up to offer their services, but they came together and put together funds to help get folks access to things where folks might not have the financial resources to do so,” Rohn said. “I've seen – across the board – different organizations and individuals stepping up and supporting community at a time when folks need it.”
Project Optimist spoke with members of the LGBTQ+ community who live in greater Minnesota to learn about their end-of-life plans. We’ll share them as chapters in this story over the next few weeks.
Come back next week to read the second chapter, or sign-up for our free newsletter to learn when it’s published.
This story was edited and fact-checked by Nora Hertel.
Project Optimist's End-of-Life series is supported by a grant from the Morgan Family Foundation.