If you are navigating the dating world as a transgender woman or other gender diverse person in Minnesota, nobody needs to tell you how challenging it can be. Whether you are in the Twin Cities area or a smaller place, it’s important to find affirming spaces where you can connect with others. There’s more to that than swiping on dating apps or asking people out at bars in Minneapolis. Trans women have unique needs when it comes to safety, privacy, and trust. That’s why your approach to dating is different from your cisgender counterparts.
Fortunately, no matter where you are in Minnesota, there are places made for you and resources that offer opportunities to build community. Even technology is is catching up. Apps have helped transgender-affirming dating apps like Taimi strengthen their fraud prevention measures to keep trans women safe. That’s just one example of the tools, spaces, and resources we’ll talk about here to help you enjoy better dating experiences in Minnesota.
Here, transgender women and others can learn about:
- Community centers that provide fun, resources, and safe spaces
- Festivals and Pride Celebrations that honor trans joy and experiences
- Digital platforms that offer trans dating experiences
- Support groups that offer an inclusive environment for sharing
- Trans affirming social spaces for community gatherings and fun nights out
- Networks where shared friendships and community lead to deeper relationships
In Minnesota, the best way to meet trans women is enter these spaces with the genuine intention of making meaningful connections. This is true whether you want to make friends, date casually, or just connect with others in the community. You will find many opportunities to meet trans women in the Twin Cities and beyond all in spaces that are safe for transgender and other queer folks.
1. 2SLGBTQIA+ Community Centers
Trans women, men, and other members of the LGBTQIA+ community can find a precious resource in community centers that are designed for them. These are safe and affirming spaces where they can socialize with folks who understand their journey, enjoy fun events, get connected with resources, and more.
Queermunity – Minneapolis, MN
Queermunity is an event and gathering space for the queer and BIPOC community in Minneapolis. Transgender individuals can use the center’s coworking space, relax in the cafe, or take part in activities on Queermunity’s robust event schedule.
Quatrefoil Library – St. Paul
This is both an LGBTQIA+ library as well as a community center. The library has a diverse collection of books, magazines, zines, and other media that offer members representation that they may not experience anywhere else. There are several clubs that offer social opportunities to gender diverse and queer individuals, including game nights and a transgender book club.
Twin Cities Pride – Twin Cities
There’s more to this organization than an annual Pride celebration. Twin Cities Pride offers year round events programming, support, and resources for trans folks. This includes a wardrobe closet for those who need it and arts programs.
These community centers offer group support meetings, fun social opportunities, and sometimes just a place to hang out and feel safe. Trans folks can meet other members to build relationships that may lead to friendship or something more. Additionally, these organizations are active in mutual aid work that includes partnering with agencies like th Minnesota transgender health coalition.
2. 2SLGBTQIA+ Events in Minnesota
Minnesota has an active and vibrant trans community that gets together to celebrate one another and enjoy a range of social activities. This includes multiple Pride events in Minneapolis as well as other Minnesota cities.
Notable Pride Events in Minnesota
- Twin Cities Pride – Largest free Pride festival in Minneapolis St. Paul
- Golden Valley Pride – Free Pride festival in Golden Valley run entirely by volunteers
- East Central Minnesota Pride – Touted as the first rural pride event in the state
- UMN Pride – A collection of several events held on or sponsored by the Gender and Sexuality Center for Queer and Trans Life
Local Transgender And Queer-Friendly Events in Minnesota
- All Generations Queer Prom: Celestial Bodies in Minneapolis
- Going Out Coming In – Walking Tour of LGBTQIA+ Spaces in Minneapolis
- Drag Bingo at Lush
- Queer Trivia at The Brass Rail Lounge in MPLS
- Minnesota Pride Rotary’s Drag Brunch Extravaganza in Golden Valley
These events are ideal for trans women who are interested in finding folks to hang out with, thereby expanding their social circles and increasing dating opportunities. Attend local events to explore our options, but also show respect for boundaries and the core purposes of these gatherings.
MN Event Safety Tips
- Respect the event integrity
- Honor boundaries people set
- Share your pronouns and ask for pronouns too!
- Don’t photograph people without consent
- Chill out! No invasive questions
Queer and trans-friendly events offer individuals a way to make friends as well as dating opportunities. They also allow the larger queer community to thrive in a significant way.
3. Online Platforms For Transgender Dating
Digital platforms have transformed transgender dating and opened up a new world of possibilities for gender diverse women. Although many of these platforms exist, these dating services are often outdated and encourage chaser behavior. This includes using outdated and bigoted terminology such as ts dating. It is key that transgender individuals join only dating apps that are genuinely welcoming to members of this community. As of this writing, Taimi stands out as the best place to meet trans women in Minnesota.
App Features That Benefit Transgender People
These features are available for all, but provide meaningful benefits for gender-diverse folks.
- The choice of several gender identity options
- 15 sexuality choices beyond the standard gay, lesbian, and bisexual choices
- Protection against harassment
- A welcoming community
- Privacy measures that provide customization choices
- The ability to change identity and sexuality markers
- Profile verification
- The option to surf with visibility turned off
User Testimonials on Website Safety
Minneapolis area woman, Gwen Starr discusses her experiences with transgender dating on Taimi, “I was left with a lot of fear and anxiety because of my experiences on other sites. All I wanted was to meet, affirming folks in Minneapolis, not chasers. I am so glad I was able to find that on Taimi. The overwhelming majority of people have been amazing. And, I got help right away the few times somebody was inappropriate. I definitely recommend visiting the Taimi website if you are interested in meeting honest, sincere folks.”
Join Taimi Free to Get These Features
People who opt for a free membership on Taimi will love these features:
- Detailed profile customization
- Recommendations based on your activity and preferences
- Blocking and reporting capabilities
- Messaging
User Feedback on Addressing Chaser Behavior
Mary-Ann Ellis is a long-time Taimi user from the Twin Cities area. She has great insights on dealing with chasers and transphobes: “Of all the sites I’ve been on, Taimi has offered the most affirming space. That said, there is no way to avoid chasers completely. I urge anyone who encounters trouble to use blocking and reporting aggressively. My experience is that Taimi really cares about privacy and security. They have really made me feel heard when I reported issues.”
Connecting Locally in The State of Minnesota
One of the most important services offered by this platform is location based search and recommendations. After all, dating is a local thing for most people. Who wants to join an app just to see profiles from the other side of the state?
4. Support Groups
Support groups can help women and other gender-diverse individuals navigate the complexities of dating, their transition journeys, and other challenges they face out in the world, all in an affirming environment.
Key Benefits of Joining a Group
- A safe space to be frank and emotionally vulnerable about your experiences
- Getting advice from group members who have shared experiences
- A means to form friendships based on authentic connections
- An opportunity to socialize
- Access to other services
The Minnesota Transgender Health coalition offers support groups. Tea Time at Aliveness project is a group supporting trans femme individuals. The Minnesota Trans And Intersex Resource Network curates a helpful list of resources for individuals in all stages of their gender journeys.
Finding Groups in Minnesota
- Centers that serve trans individuals often have support group meetings
- Check with local online groups for lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual, and other queer folks
- Ask your trans-affirming healthcare provider for information
- Your local PFLAG chapter may have resources
- Check events calendars at local universities and libraries for group meetings
Please note that in-person meetings may have enhanced building security and other verification methods. However, this means that even first-time members will find a kind, affirming atmosphere from day one.
LGBTQIA+ Bars And Nightclubs
Check out gay bars and other LGBTQIA+ welcoming spots for a chance to have fun and create a wider social circle. Spots like The Saloon in Minneapolis offer a welcoming place for all sorts of queer folks to get together.
Here are some great nightspots for transgender dating.
- Black Hart – A queer soccer bar in St. Paul
- The Gay 90s – A vibrant dance cub in MPLS
- Roxy’s Cabaret – A cabaret club in MPLS
- A Bar of Their Own – An inclusive sports bar featuring all women’s sports all the time in Minneapolis
- EAGLE MPLS – If you know, you know!
These locations and others may not be created specifically for the trans crowd. However, these are accepting spaces where you can socialize, make friends, and maybe find love.
Pro Tip: Find 2SLGBTQIA+ bars in your area and follow them on social media. That way you will be among the first to know about special events like drag shows and trans-friendly singles nights.
6. Connecting Through Friends And Loved Ones
As long as you approach this with a commitment to ethics and authenticity, you can lean on your social circle to help connect you with other trans folks.
When you create social connections through your loved ones you benefit from:
- An immediate sense of trust thanks to mutual connections
- Less pressure than you might feel meeting folks through other channels
- The ability to engage as your authentic self from the start
Try these approaches to create connections:
- Ask people you know to recommend local hangouts
- Go to parties and gatherings hosted by trans-friendly acquaintances
- Join hobby and interest groups that are for queer folks
Ask folks you know to:
- Introduce you to their social circle
- Vouch for you
- Help you navigate the local transgender culture
Remember to approach networking with a sincere desire to meet folks you have something in common with. That means looking beyond sexuality and identity to other shared values and interests.
Conclusion
You can connect with trans women in Minnesota if you are sincerely interested in forming meaningful relationships. There are plenty of resources mentioned here, and you can probably find more in your locale. Whether you find what you need at a local queer-friendly bookstore or LGBTQIA+ coffee shop, know that you deserve welcoming and affirming spaces as well as genuine friendships.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Can I Find Trans Women if Bars Aren’t For Me?
Whether you are sober or simply under 21, there are still ways for you to find your transgender crowd in Minnesota. Start with your local LGBTQIA+ center where you might find groups that cater to various ages. You may also find what you are looking for in sober groups within LGBTQIA+ spaces.
What LGBTQIA+ Friendly Events Are in Minnesota
You can find annual events like Pride festivals all over the state, but pay attention to your local area. Use Facebook events, your local newspaper, and social media groups for information on and links to fun and affirming events that cater to a range of ages.
What is The Role of Online Platforms in Transgender Dating
Many trans lives have been made better thanks to online platforms. When trans women, men, and nonbinary folks can first get together online, they are able to get to know one another safely before deciding to connect in-person. Additionally, search features and filters allow for more precise recommendations.
How can a cisgender person date trans folks without chasing?
The reality is this. If your focus is on dating trans individuals, you are already chasing. Remember that trans women are women, and if you are more interested in the ‘trans’ portion of their identity, you are fetishizing them. Yes, that can be the case if you are queer too. Ask yourself if you are interested in dating women, including trans women, or if you are just seeking to fill a transgender dating fantasy. If it’s the latter, it’s time to change your approach.
How Can I find the right dating app for trans dating?
Start with a look at the app and site. What kind of language is used to discuss trans folks. Is the app focused on fulfilling the needs of trans folks and keeping them safe, or in advertising trans women to cis men. Do they use outdated terms like TS dating, or respectful words and phrases around identities. The best platforms treat trans folks as unique individuals deserving of safe and affirming dating experiences, not commodities to be advertised to chasers.
