Manuscripts Collection
Equality Minnesota, incorporated August 22, 2005, was a campaign-based organization whose purpose was to improve the quality of life for same-sex couples and to reduce discrimination and oppression against them through communication and education efforts.
In 2011 the state legislature passed Senate File 1308, which brought Amendment 1 to the Minnesota constitution, which would have codified marriage in the state as being only between one man and one woman, to the ballot in 2012. Project 515 joined with OutFront Minnesota, another organization advocating for LGBTQ people, to form Minnesotans United for All Families to work via a large grassroots campaign for its defeat. The proposed amendment came before the voters on November 6, 2012, and was defeated by a narrow margin.
Governor Mark Dayton signed the freedom to marry bill (HF 1054) legalizing same-sex marriage in the state into law in May 2013. Project 515 disbanded in 2014.
These documents are organized into the following sections:
Certain files of Ann Kaner-Roth are restricted until January 25, 2024.
Digital masters of the MP4 and compressed files are maintained on the Society's secure digital collections storage servers and are managed and preserved in accordance with archival best practices.
Accession number: 17,058
Catalog ID number: 008646713
Includes an illustrated 17-page booklet telling the story of Project 515 from 2006 to 2014, including reminscences by key players and a list of legacy campaign supporters.
File includes correspondence between Minneapolis attorney Ann C. Viitala and the Internal Revenue Service regarding setting up Equality Minnesota as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization.
Philanthrofund Foundation (PFund) was the original source of funds for Equality Minnesota and Project 515.
Includes articles of incorporation and bylaws.
Attorney Lee Anderson was manager of state and local government relations for General Mills and was chair of the Project 515 board of directors.
Together Minnesota was a broad-based, temporary coalition of individuals and organizations formed to fight amending the Minnesota constitution to prohibit or limit marriage, civil unions and/or legal protections for same-sex couples.
Cogger-Williams was director of development and communications for PFund, a founding board member of Equality Minnesota, and a member of the Project 515 board of directors.
Includes Cogger-Williams' notes taken during Project 515 meetings on a variety of committees.
Ann Kaner-Roth was executive director of Project 515.
Includes minutes and bylaws.
Includes Federal tax returns (Form 990-EZ) (2009) for Project 515, Inc. and for Equality Minnesota, Inc.
Includes undated bylaws for Minnesotans United For All Families.
Laura Smidzik was a board member and executive director of Project 515.
Includes one CD-ROM.
Includes a list of 515 Minnesota statutes that Project 515 believed discriminated against committed same-sex couples and other domestic partners.
Some orientation materials are filed with the minutes and agendas.
Twenty video interviews with Project 515 board members conducted upon the disbandment of the organization in 2014.
Former executive director, Project 515.
Digital version
Founder, Equality Minnesota.
Digital version
Artist and volunteer with Project 515; formed the Project 515 Players.
Digital version
Former board member, Project 515.
Digital version
Board member, Project 515.
Digital version
Representative Erin Murphy, DFL, House majority leader.
Digital version
Executive director, Project 515.
Digital version
Current board chair, Project 515.
Digital version
Laura Olmstead, an attorney and pro bono counsel for Project 515. Kelly Olmstead, a criminal prosecutor with the Ramsey County Attorney's Office.
Digital version
Former executive director, Project 515.
Digital version
Founding board chair, Project 515.
Digital version
Board member, Project 515.
Digital version
Melchert is a pediatrician; Zimmerman has worked in sourcing and procurement for a retail chain.
Digital version
Michael Simon and Rabbi Michael A. Latz. Latz is Senior Rabbi at Shir Tikvah, Minneapolis; Simon works for a health care organizaiton.
Digital version
Former campaign manager, Minnesotans United.
Digital version
Former board chair, Project 515.
Digital version
State senator representing parts of Minneapolis.
Digital version
Founding board member, Project 515.
Digital version
Public affairs consultant.
Digital version
Owner of a public relations and public affairs company.
Digital version