ABOUT US
Civic Engagement
If all politics are local, then queer politics are local. And we need to be informed, engaged, and active.
City councils, school boards, and every level of government beyond, have significant impacts on the daily lives of the LGBTQ2IA+ community and QEI wants to make sure all of our community members are ready to participate.
Empowering Queer Leaders
Our society has constructed numerous barriers to decrease participation in social, civic, and cultural engagement for LGBTQ2IA+ people, especially queer BIPOC, and queer people with disabilities.
QEI is creating a diverse network of queer leaders who want to make our democracy a more equitable place for all. By empowering queer leaders with resources and networking opportunities with those directly impacting public policy, we can break down both the visible and invisible barriers to engagement in civic and political processes.
Photo courtesy of QEI
Educational Programming
We're developing education programming to support queer leadership in building greater inclusivity and equity within society.
There is simply too much hate in this world for politics alone to tackle. If we want to break this hatred, we must work together and in good faith across all venues of change: art, culture, media, business, social engagement, and more.
Photo courtesy of QEI
Fellowship Program
The QEI fellowship awards are given to LGBTQ2IA+ community members who are ready to lead, but lack financial, institutional, and social capital to achieve their goals.
We provide $10,000 fellowships in four categories: Civic Engagement, Community Empowerment, Arts & Media, Business Development.
Photo by Hannah Busing on Unsplash
THE TEAM
Leigh Finke
Executive Director
Leigh Finke (she/her) represents district 66A in the Minnesota House of Representatives. She is the chair of the Queer Caucus, and the first transgender official elected to the legislature. In March, she was named Woman of the Year for the state of Minnesota by USA Today.
Click to read more.
Ravyn Gibbs
Board Chair
Ravyn Gibbs (she/her) is Anishinaabe. As an enrolled member of the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa with family ties to the Red Lake Nation, she serves to uplift the voices of Native communities and is passionate about eliminating health inequities and social injustices.
Click to read more.
Jason Bucklin
Board Member
Jason Bucklin (he/him) has worked with LGBTQ youth and adults for 19 years in the Twin Cities and is currently the first LGBTQ Education Specialist at the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE). Prior to MDE Jason was the LGBTQ Program Coordinator...
Click to read more.
Steve Cohen
Board Member
Steve Cohen (he/him) has decades of experience in politics, non-profits, and business. Steve currently sits on the Board at Mt. Zion Synagogue. He was formerly the Chair of Eureka Recycling, and served as Saint Paul’s Ward 4 DFL Chairperson and on the board of Congressional District 4.
Click to read more.
Brion Curran
Board Member
Brion Curran (they/she) represents district 36B in the Minnesota House of Representatives. Brion serves as Vice Chair of the Queer Caucus and has been appointed to the new Governor's LGBTQIA2S+ Council.
Click to read more.
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Cecily McMillan
Program Director
Click here to learn more or RSVP!
BECOME A SUPPORTER
Help us build an equitable, queer future for all.
Every dollar you donate supports our effort to build an equitable and QUEER future for all Americans. Through our fellowship program and coalition work, we're elevating the leaders that will bring forth fairer, more democratic communities.
We can only do this with your financial support.
Your tax deductible donation will be processed through our fiscal sponsor, FMW Nonprofit Solutions, tax exempt number 84-3753672
Check by Mail
Make check payable to "FMW Nonprofit Solutions" In memo line, write "QEI"
Mail check to:
Queer Equity Institute
c/o FMW Nonprofit Solutions
13033 Ridgedale Drive #239
Minnetonka, MN 55305
Zelle
Email: donations@fmwnonprofits.org,
Name: Marcy Harris
Memo: QEI or Queer Equity Institute
Please note: Zelle should verify this email address is linked
to FMW Nonprofit Solutions.
If it does not, please reach out to
Marcy Harris.
PayPal
Click the icon above or click
Paypal Donation Page
• Click the dropdown menu and select:
Queer Equity Institute
• Select "Add $ to cover fees"
Because Queer Equity Institute incurs transaction fees for
donations made through PayPal, we kindly ask that you cover
the fees as part of your donation. You may also consider Zelle
or check, which do not incur fees.
ACH / Wire
If you would like to donate by ACH or Wire Transfer, please contact us.
If you have would like to donate by Appreciated Stock or another method please contact Marcy Harris to make arrangements.
THE QUEER PAGES
We're developing a digital network of businesses, nonprofits, and organizations that are queer-led and queer inclusive. This directory will be available for public access to increase and strengthen our network of queer leaders across the state, and provide allies with a fast, easy way to find queer spaces to support.
Join our directory to increase your business or organization's visibility as a queer-led, queer inclusive space
MEDIA
News and Press Releases
