Minnesota’s only non-profit LGBT media organization is holding a media/arts showcase on Sept. 6 at the Schmidt Artist Lofts to raise money for arts reporting and investigative journalism.
Our Voices: A media/arts showcase in support of TheColu.mn, will feature live entertainment, a documentary film premiere, a silent art auction, and multimedia presentations. Funds raised at the event will go directly to investigative reporting and arts coverage. Tickets are a suggested donation of $20 online, or donation of $25 at the door.
Over the last 6 months, TheColu.mn’s reporting has had a large impact on LGBT issues:
We successfully uncovered a plot by evangelical group Trinity Works to infiltrate Twin Cities Pride, and that investigative reporting warned the community about the group’s efforts to convert turn vulnerable members of the LGBT community away from “the lifestyle” and into its brand of conservative Christianity.
TheColu.mn’s reporting on religious right groups promoting false information about the safe schools bill and the LGBT community was picked up by interest groups such as OutFront Minnesota, which were able to alert members about those groups activities.
TheColu.mn has promoted 17 emerging artists and provided information about 143 LGBT arts events.
We also told the story of 21-year old Joel Larson who was killed in an anti-LGBT hate crime in Loring Park in 1991. Friends and family had been holding a fundraiser to create a memorial for Joel, and within days of our report on Joel, the fundraiser exceeded its goal.
Looking forward, TheColu.mn will be developing new programming specifically benefiting Minnesota’s LGBT artists and arts organizations. These include collaborative projects aimed at preserving the cultural history of LGBT Minnesotans, and reporting that elevates emerging artists in the LGBT community.
In addition, TheColu.mn will be expanding investigative reporting especially around “ex-gay” therapy in Minnesota and the struggle to ban the practice for minors. In addition, TheColu.mn will be focusing on investigating the disparities in health, income, education, and employment for members of the LGBT community despite recent gains in equality.
For more information and to donate to the cause, please visit our fundraising page at GiveMN.