About the Summary Report and Data Books

The Summary Report, released in August 2026, presents the first findings from the adult and parent/caregiver surveys. Conducted between March and December 2025, the surveys received 7,304 responses combined. The report presents results for each survey question and explains the methods, limitations, and partnerships behind the project.

The Adult Data Book and Parent/Caregiver Data Book provide deeper looks at survey responses. The Adult Data Book presents responses from LGBTQIA2S+ adults, while the Parent/Caregiver Data Book presents responses from parents and caregivers who answered questions about their LGBTQIA2S+ children. Both include tables broken down by region, community type, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, race and ethnicity, income, and years lived in Minnesota. Readers can use them to explore the experiences of specific communities, see where experiences differ, and identify questions for further study.

The Council partnered with Wilder Research to prepare the Summary Report and the Data Books.

About the Community Needs Assessment

In 2023, the Council on LGBTQIA2S+ Minnesotans (MNQT) was established to work toward economic, social, legal, and political equality for Minnesota’s community of people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender expansive, queer, intersex, asexual, and/or Two-Spirit. Consistent with its statutory mandate, the Minnesota Legislature directed the Council to conduct, or contract for, studies that identify challenges facing LGBTQIA2S+ Minnesotans and inform solutions across areas including education, employment, human rights, health, housing, social welfare, and related policy issues.

The Minnesota LGBTQIA2S+ Community Needs Assessment is the Council’s first major effort to fulfill that charge and better understand the experiences and needs of LGBTQIA2S+ Minnesotans across the state by collecting data that informs policy, administrative, and funding recommendations for the Governor, state legislature, and state agencies. The Community Needs Assessment includes three components: 

Community Needs Surveys: A survey of adult LGBTQIA2S+ Minnesotans age 18 and older and a survey of parents/caregivers of LGBTQIA2S+ youth age 17 and younger. Data collection was completed in 2025.

Community Conversations: A series of 12 focus-group style conversations with individuals from subsets of the LGBTQIA2S+ community who face unique barriers, disparities, and/or are historically underrepresented. Data collection was completed in 2025.

Organization and Provider Survey: An online survey for organizations and providers that serve or work with the LGBTQIA2S+ population in Minnesota. Data collection is ongoing at the time of the release of this report in August 2026 and will be completed by end of 2026.

The Community Needs Assessment was developed and promoted in partnership with LGBTQIA2S+ community organizations and leaders across Minnesota. The Council also partnered with Wilder Research to facilitate the community focus groups, analyze survey findings, and prepare the Summary Report. A full list of community partners and acknowledgements is included in the Summary Report.