The Human Development Center (HDC) is the Northland’s only Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic.

They provide a number of services across St Louis, Carlton, Lake, and Douglas Counties. These include things like addiction recovery, crisis response, and mental health services.

Alex Lorenz is a dual licensed therapist who’s been with HDC for over four years. During her time, they’ve formed a bond with a diverse group of patients.

“My pride and joy is working with queer and non-binary folk. So, I love working within the trans and non-binary population” Lorenz said. Their background is well suited to it – and helps with connecting to patients.

“I’m a member of the queer community. I have a lot of friends and family members who are part of the trans and non-binary community. And so, I have that personal experience and understand being a part of that community.” Lorenz explained that there are certain terms or concepts that in that community that some therapists might find unfamiliar – which could hamper the treatment process.

Familiar, however, are some of the painful issues that Alex’s patients deal with.

“There’s a lot of different things we’re dealing with societal pressures and helping them navigate a society that doesn’t always want them to be in that space. While we’re also helping them navigate, what does community look like? What do roots look like or family look like if their immediate family isn’t accessible?” Lorenz said.

The services that HDC provides are for everyone in the community, and they aren’t the only resource for the LGBTQ+ community, but care like they provide is harder to find – or simply inaccessible in other parts of the country.

“I know of at least a dozen to at least a couple dozen individuals that meet that trans refugee status. They’ve moved here from places like Texas or Florida because they don’t have access to care. They’re scared for their lives and they’re looking to build that community.”

Minnesota’s status as a “refugee state” for those in the trans community means that organizations like HDC can welcome anyone in with open arms.

“The uniqueness of Duluth and Minnesota is that we have a space as a trans refugee state, not only for people coming here, but for people, trans individuals that currently live in Minnesota, it adds extra protection. We know we can be safe here.” Lorenz said.

HDC is a non-profit which relies on grants and donations for operational costs. Donation forms can be found here.