in re guardianship of kowalski, 478 n.w.2d 790 (minn. ct. app. 1991), is a minnesota court of appeals case that established a lesbian's partner as her legal guardian after sharon kowalski became incapacitated following an automobile accident. because the case was contested by kowalski's parents and family and initially resulted in the partner being excluded for several years from visiting kowalski, the gay community celebrated the final resolution in favor of the partner as a victory for gay rights.