Ann DeGroot is a wolverine. Let's get that straight, right from the beginning. Her opponents at the Capitol would concur.
With the current legislative session barely over, the tenacious executive director of OutFront Minnesota is reloading and preparing for the next session in the Fall. Going into the last one, she and her cohorts at OutFront were chomping at the bit to see ground-breaking movement on GLBT issues at the legislature. Seeking dividends from the DFL landslide that brought Democrat majorities to both state houses, OutFront pushed domestic partner benefits for state government employees, hospital visitation protections and sick leave allowances for domestic partners.
In the end, the governor, who won re-election last Fall by a narrow margin, faced down DFL majorities who pulled each of the initiatives off the table.
Disappointing? Of course, but keep in mind who we're talking about here. Ann DeGroot will live to fight another day. "Change takes a lot of time and patience. We can't give up," she cautions.
Ann DeGroot grew up in Racine, Wisconsin and attended Catholic schools where liberal nuns taught her peace and justice issues. Back that with the culture her parents instilled in their children by encouraging lively political discussions along with undergraduate work at the University of Minnesota where she was among the first to major in Sociology and Women's Studies and you have a woman with a vision; you have a spirited, strong-willed leader.
Here is a woman who cut her teeth by pushing university officials to enforce the Title 9 initiative in the mid-seventies and then went on to organize violence prevention programs to benefit women and children. Anyone who has heard the phrase, "Take Back the Night" can thank Ann for playing a key role in the creation of the annual march.
Later, she participated in a task force for the St. Paul Human Rights Commission. There, along with others she worked alongside, got a repealed city ordinance to protect GLBT rights reinstated. "That was an exciting time and it was a good thing for the commission to take on at the time," she said. "It helped a lot of us to get involved more and in 1990 the ordinance was restored."
In 1986, leaders in the nonprofit sector recognized the need for a GLBT organization. Ann was invited to join a planning a group to look into possibilities. The Gay and Lesbian Community Action Council was created in 1987. "When we got started, we were promised some money to bring on staff and get off on good footing. We have many people to thank for that beginning," she adds. The name changed to OutFront Minnesota in 1998.
Today, OutFront commands respect. It offers the GLBT community programs in anti-violence, legal support, public policy, community outreach, education, and training. It keeps GLBT issues in the news and in the minds of leaders statewide. It also provides a community calendar of GLBT-related events and organizes the annual justFair Lobby Day. "This year, over 80% of our state legislators received a visit from a GLBT constituent. We have built clout with people in cities throughout Minnesota."
Regarding the future? "I believe that although homophobia is alive and well, the walls are beginning to crumble. Social change is slow and tedious, but it's worth it. Quorum and OutFront have similar missions and goals. And business has a tremendous impact on politics. We cannot succeed without that perspective."
After more than thirty years of service to the community, Ann DeGroot keeps her perspective positive and maintains the courage instinctual to all wolverines. "It is important to reflect on how far we've come. I've been out for many years, and the changes since then are enormous."
For more information about OutFront Minnesota, go to www.outfront.org.
-- Chrissy Henning
