Social Issues

The Dalai Lama apologizes for asking a young boy to suck his tongue
The 87-year-old Buddhist high priest says he “regrets” kissing a young boy on the lips and asking him to "suck my tongue." A video capturing the incident went viral on social media, sparking outrage.
Some ‘cautiously hopeful’ state oversight will lead to changes in Minneapolis police
A court-enforceable agreement between the city of Minneapolis and the state requires ambitious changes to how the Minneapolis Police Department functions. But achieving the goals of the agreement is going to require courageous leadership from elected officials and committed engagement from the public.
Minnesota may soon OK free menstrual products in schools. These teens led the way
High school students pressed lawmakers for years to act, detailing the practical indignities of dealing with periods at school. With a bill poised to pass the Legislature this year, the teens say they’ve learned lessons on power, persistence and making change.
Inside a Twin Cities couple’s ‘Trans-Glam-Punk-Rock Love Story’
Two local artists — author Lynette Reini-Grandell and musician Venus de Mars — share their story of transitioning, resilience, and advocacy, now captured in a new memoir, “Wild Things: A Trans-Glam-Punk-Rock Love Story,” out now from Minnesota Historical Society Press.
Winona LaDuke resigns as Honor The Earth leader after sexual harassment case
LaDuke said she failed a former employee by not responding to her reports of sexual harassment by a coworker. The new director Krystal Two Bulls will now be taking over the organization.
NHL's Pride nights collide with LGBTQ+ political climate
After six NHL players recently opted out of wearing rainbow-colored jerseys on their teams’ Pride nights for the first time, the league’s commissioner says it is weighing the future of the events.
Hamline president caught up in Muslim art controversy to retire
Fayneese Miller will leave her post effective June 30, 2024, the school said Monday. Miller faced widespread criticism over how she handled a controversy involving an image of the Prophet Muhammad shown in an art history class.