Words Matter
THE LANGUAGE THAT WE USE
At YWCA Mankato, we are dedicated to eliminating racism and empowering women. While our primary focus is to serve women and girls, we recognize and celebrate the diverse identities within our community. Women and individuals of gender minority groups are welcome here and we are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone feels respected, valued, and empowered to thrive.
We understand the intricacies and evolution of language, particularly in how we describe ourselves and others. Upholding our values of respect, compassion, and inclusion, we acknowledge the inherent limitations of the language used on this website and in all written materials in capturing the diverse experiences within our community.
We are in a time of significant transformation, recognizing that gender norms are a social construct built upon a false binary. While we acknowledge the injustices and challenges experienced by women and girls based on their gender, we also make space within our programming for nonbinary, gender-queer, and other gender-expansive individuals.
We extend a warm welcome to gender-expansive individuals, especially young people, to participate in our programming, ensuring that we foster environments that support and empower all participants.
We are committed to ongoing reflection and listening, recognizing the impact of language on the LGBTQ community.
LGBTQ+ Resources
South Central Minnesota Pride hosts an annual pride event in September as well as local community gatherings for queer people in Mankato.
Minnesota State University, Mankato’s LGBT Center is the 2nd oldest LGBT Center on a college campus in the country. Located on campus, they host events with speakers, drag shows, and more!
OutFront is Minnesota's largest LGBTQ+ advocacy organization. Based in St. Paul, OutFront frequently hosts name change clinics and advocacy opportunities.