Minnesota Now with Nina Moini

Former Lavender Magazine staffers launch new outlet dedicated to LGBTQ+ stories in Minnesota

A magazine laid out on a table
Q Minnesota launched in October 2026 and focuses on the lives of LGBTQ+ Minnesotans.
Photo courtesy Andy Lien

A new LGBTQ+ magazine and website has launched in Minnesota, three months after Lavender Magazine shut down its operations after a 30-year run. Lavender was a mainstay for the LGBTQ+ community in the state.

Q Minnesota was created by several former Lavender staffers. The very first issue came out last Thursday.

For more about the launch and what’s ahead, MPR News host Nina Moini spoke with Q Minnesota editor-in-chief and publisher, Andy Lien, and vice president of digital content and marketing, Nell Gelhaus.

Use the audio player above to listen to the full conversation.

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