LGBT issues
Lindgren was possibly the first elected official in North Dakota to express support for gay rights in North Dakota.
The Fargo LGBT community had several popular hangouts in the 1970s,i.e. "The Flame" bar,Roger's Sandwich Shop on Broadway and a Chinese restaurant that became a disco at night. [2] However,no business existed that primarily catered to the gay community.
It was in the early 1980s that a business owner named Lenny Tweeden sought to open a gay bar named "My Place",in the face of significant local opposition. As mayor,Lindgren was supportive of the right for this establishment to exist. Years later,Tweeden said that "My Place" survived for as long as it did,thanks in no small part to Lindgren. [3]
While Lindgren was unable to pass any citywide LGBT civil right bill as mayor,he did issued several official pride proclamations in the 1980s,which were opposed by a majority of the city council,and publicly expressed his support for LGBT rights. [4] [5] [6]
