Baker, then a student, and McConnell, a librarian, became gay activists in the U.S. state of Minnesota from 1969 to 1980. After being refused in their first attempt to obtain a marriage license in Hennepin County in early 1970, Baker was legally adopted by McConnell in early August 1971 and changed his legal name to Pat Lyn McConnell (although he continued to use "Jack Baker" informally).
Baker, then a student, and McConnell, a librarian, were pioneering gay activists in Minnesota from 1969 to 1980. After being rejected for their first marriage license attempt in Hennepin County in early 1970, Baker was adopted by McConnell in August 1971 and took his new name as Pat Lyn McConnell.