Project 515 is a focused initiative with a specific, achievable goal: to ensure that same sex couples and their families have equal rights and considerations under Minnesota law.

About Us
Project 515’s goal is to ensure that same sex couples and their families have equal rights and considerations under Minnesota law.

Project 515 believes:
- All families should be equally valued and respected under the law.
- All families should be treated fairly in their homes, neighborhoods, workplaces and communities.
- For true equality and fairness under Minnesota law to become a reality, all committed couples must share similar obligations and responsibilities.

Project 515’s Beginnings
Minnesotans from all walks of life came together as Project 515 following a 2006 public opinion survey sponsored by Equality Minnesota. The survey, conducted by Decision Resources, Ltd. of Minneapolis, discovered:
- Nearly eight out of 10 Minnesotans said government should treat people no differently because of their sexual orientation.
- Almost 70 percent of Minnesotans agreed that “gays and lesbians should have the same rights and responsibilities as everyone else.”

Unfortunately, Minnesota’s laws aren’t living up to Minnesotans’ expectations. There is a significant gap between the fairness Minnesotans value and what actually occurs under Minnesota law. That’s why Project 515 commissioned legal research conducted by Professor Anthony Winer and others at William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul. The research forms the basis for the report: Unequal Under the Law: 515 Ways Minnesota Laws Discriminate Against Couples and Families, which identifies at least 515 state laws that discriminate against families based on marriage.

Strengthening Minnesota Families and Communities
Project 515 and the report are about people – not politics. Neither Project 515 nor the report is advocating for the legal recognition of same-sex marriage. Instead, our goal and the goal of the report is to inform Minnesotans about the discrimination and unfairness that Minnesota families experience every day under state law.

Project 515 is committed to changing the debate around long-term same-sex relationships.  The first step is clarifying the discrimination families currently face in Minnesota and understanding how that discrimination affects all of us.

We also recognize that in leaving out many committed couples, some state laws offer unmarried, committed couples freedom from the obligations and responsibilities placed upon married couples. Project 515 believes that fairness means all committed couples must share similar obligations and responsibilities. This will only strengthen Minnesota families and communities.

Project 515 will execute a multi-year plan to secure equal rights for Minnesota’s same sex couples and their families through public advocacy and legislative and political advocacy.

Changing the debate: Fairness For Committed Couples A significant gap exists between the fairness Minnesotans value and what actually exists under Minnesota law. Nearly eight out of 10 Minnesotans said they think government should treat people no differently because of their sexual orientation, and seven out of 10 Minnesotans said they believe “gays and lesbians should have the same rights and responsibilities as everyone else,” according to a 2006 statewide survey*.

Yet at least 515 Minnesota statutes treat gay and lesbian couples in committed relationships unfairly and unequally. Here are some examples of how the 515 statutes discriminate against couples and families.

Minnesotans' Stories
Unfairness Even Hurts Those Too Young to Care For Themselves
Emily was covered by her partner’s insurance, according to Minnesota State Employees domestic partner benefits. She returned to school full-time to pursue her doctorate degree and then gave birth to the couple’s first child in 2003.
Read More...

Sometimes Planning and Legal Work Still Aren’t Enough
Tim Reardon is a prudent man. When he and his partner Eric decided to have a child through a surrogate, they made certain all the legal documents were in order.
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It’s Not About Benefits, But Acceptance
Dave Engstrom wants what any parent desires for their children — equality and fairness.
But he’s frustrated that his 29-year-old lesbian daughter can’t count on receiving the equal and fair treatment his married daughter or his 17-year-old son may take for granted.
Read More...

Trying to Teach Life’s Lessons to Our Children
When Lisa, Susan and their six-year-old daughter Paige moved to a new city, they chose to bank with Susan’s employee credit union. Wanting to teach their daughter good savings habits, they took Paige with them to open their new accounts and chose to establish one for Paige.
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Navigating the Inequality of Insurance Law
Shannon was pregnant with twins and fell so ill that she could no longer work. She was unable to qualify for insurance on her partner’s insurance plan, so she applied for medical assistance, which was available only because she was pregnant. After the twins were born and her health returned, the couple more closely examined the domestic partner benefits available through the employer of Shannon’s partner.
Read More...

Minnesotans' Stories
The personal stories of Minnesota families illustrate the very real harm that at least 515 Minnesota laws inflict. We hope these stories empower others to talk about their own values and what kind of state they want Minnesota to be. By sharing your story, you can also encourage lawmakers to seek fairness in all Minnesota laws.

Send us your story to share.

"We are constantly amazed at the hurdles that are placed in the way of couples who do not have the benefit of marriage. I'm not sure we would have the perseverance and patience necessary to continually fight for the most basic rights that are automatically afforded to people with a marriage certificate." -- Janet and David Berry

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Contact Us
Project 515
PO Box 50143
Minneapolis, MN  55405-0143
Phone:  612.246.3885
Email:  project515@earthlink.net

Get Involved
We need your help to ensure fairness under Minnesota law for committed same-sex couples and their families. Together, we can build understanding about the discrimination that occurs in our state. Make your voice heard and help us create a better Minnesota.
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