Iowa Pride Network

Youth Voices: Finn

noreply@blogger.com (Iowa Pride Network) — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 18:56:00 +0000

The T Side of Things

By Sean Finn, Marshalltown HS SOAR President

Practically everyone could tell you what it means to be gay, lesbian, or bisexual. Not all would be able to explain in depth, but they understand the general premise. But wait, there’s an initial missing from this set. There’s that ambiguous letter settled at the end of that common acronym - LGBT. What does it mean? Do people understand it? Unfortunately, not very many people fully understand or could explain what it means to be transgender. Even among those in the LGBT community, there are many who barely know what it means and who have several misconceptions about it.

Trans people are a huge minority! The numbers aren’t exact, but an estimated only 0.3% of the population fits under the category of trans. And that probably explains why so many people are so misinformed or uninformed about it. So I’ll go ahead and explain a few things about trans folk. Someone is transgender when the body they were born in doesn’t match up with their own idea of who they are. There are two main categories: FtM (Female to Male) and MtF (Male to Female). Typically, trans people like not to be called by their birth name, or by pronouns that align with their birth sex. There’s a lot about trans folk that many people don’t understand, so go inform yourself! Simply by Googling transgender, you’ll find an abundance of informational resources. Here are a couple:

http://transequality.org/Resources/NCTE_UnderstandingTrans.pdf

http://lbgtrc.msu.edu/resources/transgender-information-and-resources

Living in a world like ours is hard for me as an FtM. Yes, there are a lot of difficult, expensive steps to take in order to transition, but what is even harder is the psychological stress of everyday situations. From teachers continuing to call me “Miss Finn” and classmates not thinking to group me with the guys to avoiding public boys-or-girls restrooms at all costs and sitting with an application in front of me, staring at one of the first, usually easiest questions - check m or f.

In a world so oblivious to people like me, those who take the time to be informed and acknowledge me as a regular guy restore some confidence in me that there are non-trans people out there who can at least partially understand what I go through and who I am. They brighten my day, make me smile, and put some pep in my step. If you’re one of those people - I thank you sincerely. If not - become one! It’s always a good time to learn something new. You’ll never know how much of an impact just a few, well-intentioned words can make to someone.

Finn is a junior at Marshalltown high school and the President of SOAR (Sexual Orientation Alliance Representatives). He is very involved in the school community, participating in band, speech, Envirothon, Science Olympiad, debate, National Honor Society, mock trial, and SOAR. Finn writes that "as the leader of the school GSA, I have found the group to be a fantastic way to spread awareness and to establish otherwise unlikely friendships."

Leadership Team Voices: Stephen

noreply@blogger.com (Iowa Pride Network) — Sun, 06 Jan 2013 23:11:00 +0000

Rates of HIV+ Gay Youth are Rising

By Stephen Boatwright, Member of the IPN Leadership Team and Board of Directors

Three long decades ago it became apparent in the medical community that men who have sex with men were falling victim to a cancer common among elderly people of Mediterranean heritage, causing word to spread rapidly that there was a ‘gay cancer.’ Once medical science confirmed that the syndrome manifests itself in other ways, it acquired the name “Gay Related Immune Deficiency” or GRID. It had not yet been confirmed that HIV/AIDS is spread through many more ways than unprotected anal sex, so this epidemic largely fueled homophobia and added heavy stigma to the LGBT community as whole.

Thirty years later, according to the CDC new infections have stabilized to about 50,000 every year. However these rates are rapidly increasing among gay and bisexual men age 14-24. Collectively men who have sex with men (MSM) make up only 2% of the HIV+ population in the U.S., but MSM made up roughly 60% of new infections in 2009. Did we think the AIDS epidemic of the 80s was over?

If you feel like you’ve been exposed to HIV or you feel like you might be in the future—there are options for you called PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis), and newer method called PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis). After someone has been exposed to HIV, there is a 72 hour window period in which PEP medications can be prescribed. When taken orally for 30 consecutive days, PEP can decrease the likelihood of one contracting HIV by 90%. PrEP medications however are meant for individuals who are worried that they might be exposed to HIV in the future. Ethically, one might ask why an individual would put them self at risk of contracting HIV, or why these individuals should be helped at all. For individuals who are meth dependent however, PrEP medications would make a world of difference in terms of safer injections. Likewise, PrEP would greatly benefit individuals with ‘poz’ (HIV+) fetishes.

PEP and PrEP isn’t enough though, as gay and bisexual men we have a responsibility to protect our own health, our partners health, and thereby the health of our community. Work getting tested every 3-6 months into your health regiment, or destigmatize it by going with a friend as part of a lunch date. Embrace open and honest disclosure about knowing your own HIV status as well as your partners. We have the power to stop HIV in its tracks!

Stephen Boatwright is a student at Des Moines Area Community College and a long-time member of the Iowa Pride Network. Stephen started the first Middle School GSA in Iowa when he was in eighth grade and has been a youth leader ever since. In his free time, Stephen makes art and interns with the AIDS Project.

Young Adulthood and Youth Allyship

noreply@blogger.com (Iowa Pride Network) — Wed, 19 Dec 2012 21:45:00 +0000

By Dana Stuehling, IPN Outreach Coordinator

Lately I’ve been reflecting on what it means to be an effective ally to and for youth. I work with youth every day and genuinely believe that they are intelligent and creative and energetic and deserve to have a voice. When I was younger, I had adult friends and family members constantly supporting my decisions and choices, believing that even though I was still a minor, I had the right to make many decisions for myself. This belief has been engrained in my value system and I believe it to be true for the youth around me.

HOWEVER.

While at the National Gathering of GSA Networks in Louisville, KY, I was surrounded by incredible high school activists and staff from GSA organizations all around the country. I attended with Ella, an Iowa Pride Network Leadership Team Member and GSA leader, and had an amazing time. Six months later, though, I’m still hung up about a conversation I had in Kentucky.

As we were headed to dinner one night, I asked a young man that I recognized from my workshop earlier in the day where his staff was – youth couldn’t leave the hotel without a staff person present– and he laughed and told me that he was the staff. Horrified, I apologized profusely and turned beet red. I’m sure I made some remark about hating when people confused me for a high school or college student (it happens quite often, and understandably so), apologized again, and left it at that.

Driving the ten hours from Louisville to Des Moines, Ella and I had great conversations ranging from her post-graduation plans to battling racism to GSA planning. Somehow, we got to talking about adultism and I brought up the fact that my response to the young man was actually pretty adultist. Why should we feel offended or embarrassed when “adults” are mistaken for youth? Why should we (especially as young adults) try to distance ourselves from looking or acting too “young”? It saddens and upsets me when straight people become angry or offended when they are mistaken as gay or lesbian – how is this any different? I look young. Many young adults look young. There’s nothing wrong with this. In fact, I’m more successful in my job because I look young – working informally with middle school and high school students is much easier when they realize that I’m not a “real” adult. I relish this; it means I can act young and be fun and still have effective working relationships with teens and pre-teens. So why do I get upset when other adults mistake me for being younger than I am?

Society tells us that youth are reckless, immature, selfish, less intelligent, and irresponsible and that they should be talked down to. Clearly, I don’t want others to think that of me. But as a youth ally, I should instead see them as they are: as creative, energetic, open-minded, passionate, intelligent, mature, and thoughtful young people. Sure, some are impulsive and make bad decisions, but so do adults. Those negative traits are not specific to youth, and in order to be a better ally, I need to work on not automatically equating “young” with a lack of intellect and responsibility.

I have such respect and love for the youth with whom I work; I don’t equate their worth or value to the number of birthdays they’ve had, and I am constantly in awe of their brilliance and passion. So the next time someone asks me where I go to college or to take my hat off in the high school hallway, instead of being offended, I will try to laugh and say thank you.

Dana Stuehling is a 2011 graduate of Smith College where she studied Sociology focusing on race, gender and sexuality. As Outreach Coordinator with Iowa Pride Network, she works to support hundreds of LGBT and straight allied youth in Iowa. In her free time, Dana is playing with puppies, eating lots of garlic, thinking about privilege and oppression, examining her biracial identity, or drinking coffee.

You can reach her at dana@iowapridenetwork.org or 515-471-8063.

IPN applauds UI for LGBTQ Inclusive Admissions

noreply@blogger.com (Iowa Pride Network) — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 18:23:00 +0000

Des Moines, IA – Iowa Pride Network (IPN) is applauding the University of Iowa for becoming the first public university to ask incoming students about their gender identity and sexual orientation.

“This is a huge step for the University and an important one for prospective LGBTQ students,” stated Ryan Roemerman, IPN executive director. “How colleges portray LGBTQ students in college admission materials sends a clear signal to LGBTQ students about how the university views them and their role in the institutional fabric.”

University of Iowa admissions wants to identify LGBTQ students and connect them to campus resources such as the U of I student group, GLBTAU (Gay, Lesbian Bisexual, Transgender and Allied Union—the longest, continually funded LGBT student group in the nation).

Helping LGBTQ young people access such resources is important, as seen in the IPN’s College Climate Survey of LGBTQ students. In the survey, the majority of students (84.4%) reported attending campus LGBT group meetings with 56% reporting that they attend the meetings often or always, indicating how important these groups are for LGBTQ students.

A key recommendation from the Iowa College Climate Survey states that colleges and universities, “marketing and recruitment materials need to include LGBTQ students and reflect them in admission materials and other important documents.”

“What the University of Iowa is doing is providing a coordinated framework to provide support and resources to a population of students that are often overlooked. We applaud the University of Iowa for taking this step and hope that other colleges and universities follow their lead,” stated Roemerman.

About Iowa Pride Network
Iowa Pride Network empowers students to fight homophobia and transphobia in high schools and colleges by supporting gay-straight alliance (GSA) clubs and providing leadership opportunities and organizing projects centered on social justice. For more information call Iowa Pride Network at 515-471-8062 or visit www.iowapridenetwork.org

Leadership Team Voices: Thomas

noreply@blogger.com (Iowa Pride Network) — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 15:50:00 +0000

College: the most exciting time in your formal education

By Thomas Khongmaly, Leadership Team member

Well, it is in my opinion.

There is a plethora of interesting new things to try, a slew of classes to enjoy, and a multitude of people to get to know. But there is also a lot of stress that comes. Managing your time well, eating healthy, and living your life on a college student’s budget are all very stressful things that will pervade throughout your college career. Let’s not forget you’ll have to do silly things like homework or study! It’s all part of being a college student.

But for many people there’s a really important, and very stressful, part: being themselves. While I mean this for everyone, I feel as though it may be a bit worse for people identify within the LGBT community. It’s almost as if you have to come out a second time. Or maybe this will be your first time ever telling anyone. Some of you may feel you are constantly exposing yourself, as you’ll be meeting new people through new classes every semester. Add this stress on top of everything, and you have the ingredients for what could be just as painful as high school might have been. Or worse, middle school. And nobody wants that.

So I thought I’d try to help you out and give you the three main insights learned throughout my time in college thus far on how to have the best college experience possible.

First: Choose a college that suits you.

This, of course, is aimed more towards people who will be going to college in the future. Many things factor into where you want to go. One thing you might consider is a religiously affiliated college versus a non-affiliated institution. If you want to be active in a GSA or the potential school’s equivalent, ask about it on your college visit. If they don’t know about it, don’t assume they are hiding it or don’t have one. Some people might not be aware it’s there. It’s hard to be in the know of all the things going on! The private school I attended for two years had a week dedicated to raising LGBT awareness on campus by bringing guest speakers in, hosting events, selling t-shirts, and having a drag show. Identifying as LGBT should not be a reason to eliminate a religious institution. Religion and being LGBT are not mutually exclusive.

Ultimately, choose somewhere you feel you’ll become a better person by attending. Don’t go to an institution you won’t enjoy attending. You’ll be unhappy and regret the choice to go there all the time. If you find you aren’t happy anymore and transferring is an option, do it. If it’s not an option, let’s try some of the other things here.

Second: Get involved.

Like I already mentioned, if you want to get involved with your school’s LGBT related club just ask around about it. If there isn’t one, start it. There’s no time like the present. Join a band and/or choir. Audition for a theater production. Find an intramural sport that would be fun to play. Go to the your college’s student organization fair. Student organizations are the best way to enrich your college experience and find friends who are interested in the same things as you are. If you become a major leader of that organization, such as a president, it will look great on your résumé. Most importantly, it’s a great way to have fun and get a break from your studies.

If you are interested in becoming involved in Greek life, do it. I have a close friend whose fraternity is completely fine with him being gay. Don’t let your preconceived notions about how fraternity or sorority members may react to someone who identifies as LGBT be a reason to dismiss becoming involved in this way. Fraternities and sororities do some pretty awesome things that you should yearn to be involved in!

Third: Be prepared to be yourself. Unyieldingly.

The beautiful thing about being in college is you aren’t stuck with the same group of people until graduation. You’re free to make new friends all the time, to socialize with whomever you like. If somebody doesn’t appreciate who you are, then you don’t have to deal with them. It’s much easier to do this in college with thousands of people around you, rather than in it was in high school.

That said, not everybody is going to be able to empathize with who you are. Everybody leads a different life. They might not understand you or be willing to relate to you. Don’t let this sway you in fully being yourself. You are you. There’s no reason to hide any aspect about yourself so people will like you.

That’s it. It’s all very simple advice, really, but I truly believe doing these things will give you the best college experience you could possibly have.

It has been said before. It will be said many times over.

College is what you make of it.

Thomas Khongmaly is an Industrial Design student at Iowa State University. An alumni of Winterset High School, Thomas was involved with their Diversity Club until 2009; he then spent two years at Wartburg College and was involved with their LGBT group, Alliance. Since transferring to ISU, Thomas's time is practically always filled with Design work, but when he find a free moment he enjoys reading on his Kindle, watching movies and eating.

Leadership Team Voices: Ellen

noreply@blogger.com (Iowa Pride Network) — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 17:04:00 +0000

Growing Up Gender Blind
By Ellen Keyser, Leadership Team member

“Your Barbies can’t get married. They’re both girls!” my friend exclaimed, calling a halt to the proceedings in my bedroom. We were five and the Barbie wedding had been in the works for several hours. Dresses had been picked out, arrangements of dandelions made about the room, and my stuffed panda had been chosen to officiate the wedding. It was only when the brides themselves began down the aisle that we hit a snag. “Of course they can get married. They love each other.” I retorted and once again began to hum the processional. “But we have to have a Ken!” My friend stubbornly held onto her doll and crossed her arms. “No we don’t.” I huffed.
“Yes, we do.”
“No, we don’t.”
“Yes! We do!”
“No! We don’t!”
I won’t bore you with the rest of the argument, but suffice it to say that it went on that way for a good five more minutes before my friend hit me over the head with her Barbie and stormed out the door.

Growing up, the idea of “gender” never really bothered me. It was something that existed, but wasn’t necessarily relevant to my life. I was equally likely to wear striped overalls as a dress, and both were perfectly acceptable. My toy tractor and train collection was at least as extensive as my doll collection, and I never understood why boys and girls had to have different games on the playground. When I was informed that I was a “girl” I was perfectly ok with that, but it was just like being assigned a random number. I knew the correct answer when asked by an adult, but it didn’t have any effect on my life. Looking back at myself as a child I remember a lot of confusion. Why did it matter that I was a girl and he was a boy? Why was it important that two men were in love with each other? It just didn’t compute. It was like everyone else had some sort of rulebook that I didn’t. And it wasn’t really until middle school that I became aware just how different I was.

I first heard the word whispered as I walked down the hallway. In between giggles and curious stares the word “lesbian” followed me around like an ever-present shadow I just couldn’t shake. At first I was baffled. Why would anyone think that I liked girls? I obviously had a crush on the boy who sat next to me in band. And then, why would it matter if I liked girls? How was that different from liking a boy? My best friend attempted to explain to me that it just wasn’t “normal” for girls to like girls. I nodded and pretended to understand. My 7th and 8th grade years I decided I’d had enough of the bullying and began wearing bows in my hair, convinced my mother to buy me makeup, and attempted to fit in to the best of my ability.

It wasn’t until High School that I first heard the term “Gender Non-Conforming.” According to the “Sylvia Rivera Law Project” Gender Non-Conforming is defined as “people who do not follow other people’s ideas or stereotypes about how they should look or act based on the female or male sex they were assigned at birth.” The definition wasn’t perfect for me, but it was the closest I had come to finding a reason that I wasn’t accepted. Throughout my high school career it’s been a struggle to find my identity, and to discover that the same way that I couldn’t recognize labels, I don’t fit any.

I am what society would call a “straight female.” I was physically born a girl, who likes guys. But to me, those are just words, and always will be words. I am Ellen Keyser. I like the color orange, playing stupid card games, and laughing so hard I fall over. I’m not “straight,” I’m not a “tomboy” or a “girly-girl,” I’m just Ellen. And if it helps you, you can give my sexuality whatever labels you please. But ever since I was 3 years old, I’ve only seen people. And that’s all I will ever see.

Ellen Keyser is the president of the Indianola High School GSA and a member of Iowa Pride Network's Leadership Team. Ellen is actively involved in Drama, Theatre Crew, Speech Team, Debate, and Band. Ellen intends to go on to a four year college to study theatre and art. Ellen’s passion for equality came after witnessing the struggles of lgbtq friends and wanting to make a difference. Ellen’s Christian faith led her to fight for justice and safety for every one of her peers. To make a difference Ellen co-founded Indianola High School’s GSA. Ellen continues to be an outspoken individual not afraid to voice an opinion.

GSA stories: Newton High School

noreply@blogger.com (Iowa Pride Network) — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 17:48:00 +0000

The Newton High School Gay Straight Alliance

By Justin Prendergast, Newton GSA Vice-President

Our Gay Straight Alliance divides each month into a topic for discussion, learning, and activism. In October we cover LGBT history, in November we cover rejection and homelessness within the LGBT community, in December we cover transgender identities, issues, and rights, in January we cover HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness, in February we cover the anti-racist movement and famous queer people of color, in March we talk about how feminism and women's issues tie into the queer rights movement, in April we discuss bullying and self-discovery, and in May we discuss media portrayals of LGBT people. Then, we have a movie night for each topic to increase understanding and give faces and media representations to each point.

For instance, in November we discuss homelessness and rejection in the LGBT community, then we have a coat drive for an LGBT friendly homeless shelter, and we watch Pariah, a movie about a teenager embracing her identity as a lesbian while parents reject her for it, and But I’m A Cheerleader, about a teenager who is sent to an ex-gay camp by her parents in an effort to “cure” her of lesbianism. In January we discuss HIV/AIDS, then we have a bake sale and we donate the money to an AIDS related charity, and we watch Philadelphia, a film about a man who sues his former employers after he is fired from his job for having AIDS, and Rent, a musical about a group of New York City residents who struggle with life, love and AIDS.

Other things that we do throughout the year include making a list of all of the LGBT books in our school library (so students can have free easy access to queer media and resources), putting up posters of famous LGBT activists and celebrities during LGBT history month (in order to inform the students at our school), taking tallies of the number of anti-LGBT slurs that are heard by Gay Straight Alliance members during a single week (in order to have statistics specific to our school to use when talking to people about the stigma surrounding LGBT students), trips to The Garden (a gay nightclub that has “teen night” on Sundays where teens can watch a drag show), the Day of Silence (in which students take a vow of silence for a day as a way to illustrate the silencing effect of bullying and harassment), going to Pridefest (a parade and celebration of queer lives, culture, and the advancement of LGBT people) and attending LGBT conferences and coalition meetings.

Leadership Team Voices: Dane

noreply@blogger.com (Iowa Pride Network) — Wed, 14 Nov 2012 18:39:00 +0000

I’m not gay, I just like boys.

By Dane Buchholz, IPN Leadership Team Member and Board Secretary

Yes, by most people’s definition, I am gay. I am a boy who is attracted to boys, but what I mean when I say I am not gay is that I don’t fit all of the gay stereotypes. Speaking generally, if you ask someone what it means to be gay they would likely think of pride parades and sex. Why does this have to be our stereotype though? This is why the word gay has such a connotation, and maybe even partly why it is used as slang.

It is important to be able to express yourself and be the unique person you are, and I am not suggesting that we should all conform to the same boring stereotypes and live in the suburbs with 2 kids and a dog. What I am saying is that I know I’m not alone in being a “straight” gay person. I don’t go to pride festivals or parades simply because that is not my identity. To me, being gay is purely about loving another person who just so happens to be male. I don’t wear leather pants everywhere I go, I don’t have rainbow dyed hair, I try not to draw attention to my sexual identity. I’m Dane, and that is my identity.

I think if everyone could look past the gay stereotypes that have been created and see that there are “normal” gay people as well, we would have a much easier fight towards equality. There are plenty of people out there who argue against equality only because of the stereotypes that are portrayed. From my experience, the single most important step to accepting the LGBT community is when people find out someone that they know is gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender. This is because they realize that this person is still the exact same person they knew and accepted before, and it helps them see that there can be other LGBT people like their friend or family member.

The most important part is just to be yourself. No matter what that self is. The LGBT community is just as diverse as any other group of people, and we need to let that be seen. Let’s stop the stereotypes by showing people that we don’t all fit them.

Dane Buchholz is a student at Iowa State University studying architecture. He has been a part of IPN since he started the Waverly-Shell Rock High School GSA in 2009. In addition to serving on the Iowa Pride Network Leadership Team and as the Secretary of the Board of Directors, he is a peer mentor for the Hixson Scholarship program at ISU. When he's not busy working or doing school work, he enjoys music, photography, drawing, and working with computers.

IPN Outreach Coordinator to serve as Midwest Representative for the National Association of GSA Networks

noreply@blogger.com (Iowa Pride Network) — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 18:42:00 +0000

I am incredibly honored and excited to represent the Midwest states as a recently nominated member of the National Association of GSA Networks’ (NAGN) Steering Committee. The NAGN is coordinated by GSA Network in California and its goal is to support the growth of the GSA movement by connecting state and regional GSA networks. Iowa Pride Network has been a member of the NAGN since its inception in 2005 and I’m eager to both work within the Midwestern region and to provide input and direction for the National Association.

The NAGN provides support to GSA organizations by coordinating monthly conference calls, organizing an annual National Gathering for staff and student representatives, and managing on online listserve where state organizations can communicate about the issues and needs of the GSA movement. Currently, there are 35 state organizations (+ Washington, DC) that are part of the National Network and as the Midwest Representative, I will be representing Iowa Pride Network, Wisconsin’s Gay Straight Alliance for Safe Schools (GSAFE), Illinois GSA Network, Ohio’s Kaleidoscope Youth Center, Missouri GSA Network, Minnesota’s Out for Good and the Indiana Youth Group.

As the Midwest Representative, my role is as follows: I will participate in Steering Committee conference calls to provide ideas regarding the direction of and changes within the national network; I will offer input for the monthly NAGN conference call programming; I will help plan the National Gathering; I will coordinate among the Midwestern states; and finally, I will serve as the Chair of the Outreach & Expansion Committee. This committee will reach out to and recruit state GSA Networks that are not yet a part of the NAGN. As an organizer for National GSA Day, I am in a unique position to reach out to GSA Day partner organizations that have not yet joined the NAGN. With other members of this committee, I look forward to growing the National GSA Movement!

I will be taking many ideas and concerns to the National Association of GSA Networks, so please contact me if you would like to provide any input. I look forward to working with you and representing this great Midwestern Region!

dana

Dana Stuehling, Outreach Coordinator

dana@iowapridenetwork.org/515-471-8063

Leadership Team Voices: Tristan

noreply@blogger.com (Iowa Pride Network) — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 16:37:00 +0000

Sexual Orientation and Coming Out

By Tristan Paulus, IPN Leadership Team Member

Discovering that you may have feeling for the same sex can be a frightening and confusing time, you don't really know what’s going on, and your mind pulls you in many different ways. I know that when I first had feelings for other males, I was very confused and denied it right away, passing it off as a phase. When you first get that feeling, it’s weird, you feel out of place and alone, you feel like your world has been turned upside down, you question yourself: “Is it okay?” “Are there others like me?” “Is it normal?” I’m here to say yes- it is okay to feel like this. You may deny it right away, you may feel uncomfortable and just want to go back to liking the opposite gender, but you won’t, you will learn to live with it, you will get used to it in time, and you may even start to feel pride and enjoyment in the fact that you’re different.

As of today there are several different orientations that are used to label who you like. They are: homosexual- liking the same sex; heterosexual-liking the opposite sex; bisexual-liking both sexes; pansexual-liking both sexes regardless of gender or gender identity; asexual-not liking any sex, or being non-romantically attracted. Remember though these are just guidelines, you should feel free to like whoever you do, and shouldn't be held back by a label.

Statistics show that 4% of the United States population is gay, bisexual, or lesbian. Now four may seem like a small amount but when you apply that number to the total population, it shows that nearly 9,000,000 Americans are LGBT, 9 million, that is a huge number, and it means you have friends out there, you just have to look. Even though being LGBT has become more mainstream and accepted, some families have issues about members of their family being gay; it can range from religious views to personal or political belief. But even if your family is against homosexuality, you can still come out to them, be strong, be proud, and stay true to yourself. And if something occurs there are countless organizations set up to help you if you feel confused, depressed, or worried about being gay. Organizations such as: Iowa Pride Network, GLSEN, The Trevor Project, and many others. There are also many organizations out there to help support you during and after the dilemma of “coming out” or telling people about your LGBT identity. Some local ones are: Iowa Pride Network, The Trevor Project, and PFLAG.

Now you may feel as though you have to come out as soon as possible. Do not think that, and instead come out at your own speed. Even telling one person can be a huge achievement, so don't feel pressured into telling everyone at once. When I came out, I told my entire first period class that “I like boys,” and by third period I was the talk of the class, I was bombarded by questions, and people would laugh at me, and avoid my gaze. Now remember I live in a small town, and both my aunt and grandma work at the school, so the news traveled down the grapevine to my mother, she asked me if I was and I denied it. I ended up leaving her a note while I went on vacation saying “I’m Gay.” So take it at your own pace, unless you want to be pulled out of the closet.

Tristan Paulus is a senior at Rudd-Rockford-Marble Rock High School and the president and a member of Iowa Pride Network's Leadership Team. Tristan started the GSA at his high school in an effort to educate the community and provide support to other LGBT students. After graduating, Tristan hopes to study biology and theater at Iowa State University and become an LGBT rights activist.

IPN Named Iowa Civil Rights Award Winner

noreply@blogger.com (Iowa Pride Network) — Fri, 12 Oct 2012 16:13:00 +0000

2012 Friends of Iowa Civil Rights Awards will be presented to the African American Museum of Iowa, Chrysalis and the Iowa Pride Network during the 17th Annual Friends of Iowa Civil Rights Award Luncheon. The inaugural Friends of Iowa Civil Rights Lifetime Achievement Award will be awarded to Elizabeth Kruidenier posthumously.

The African American Museum of Iowa is a statewide resource based in Cedar Rapids for education on African American history and showcases contributions of the African American legacy to the cultural life of Iowa.

Chrysalis addresses needs of girls and women in the Greater Des Moines area. Chrysalis promotes increased investment in girls and women, raises awareness about their issues and potential, and develops them as leaders and philanthropists.

The Iowa Pride Network works directly with students, helping empower them to start and enhance Gay-Straight Alliance’s in their high schools and colleges, while building a statewide network that offers support, mentoring, educational, advocacy and networking opportunities.

Elizabeth Kruidenier was a lifetime advocate of civil rights in Iowa. Kruidenier entered Drake Law School at age 42, graduated in 1973 and in the 1980s became a senior partner in a law firm with Alfredo Parrish. She was a founding member of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission and has worked with the League of Women Voters, Planned Parenthood, the National Organization for Women and many other groups. Kruidenier died in October 2011.

The 2012 Friends of Iowa Civil Rights Awards Luncheon is Friday, October 26th from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center at the Iowa Event Center in Downtown Des Moines, Iowa. Tickets for the luncheon are available until October 19th by contacting Alice Vinsand at 515-225-1051 or by e-mail alice@avinsandinc.com.

IPN Staff Respond to Hate Crime in Lincoln, NE

noreply@blogger.com (Iowa Pride Network) — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 17:21:00 +0000

This past Sunday, a vigil was organized in Lincoln, NE for a woman who was assaulted during a hate-motivated attack. Hundreds attended. Reports state that three men entered her home, bound her wrists and ankles, and carved homophobic words onto her body. They then doused the room with gasoline and set it on fire. The woman was able to escape and found her way to a neighbor’s house, naked and bleeding.

While we have seen a dramatic shift in the public consciousness regarding lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people and their rights during these past few years, this is a harsh reminder of the hate that still exists. These crimes, fueled by hate and bias, send a message to the LGBT community and remind us of the work that is yet to be done.

From physical violence to anti-gay slurs shouted in schools, these actions are an assault on the entire LGBT community. As more details about the attack are released, we hope that this knowledge will inspire Iowans to create schools and communities that are truly supportive of LGBT people and families.

We are shocked and saddened by the account of such extreme violence and we can only hope that this woman’s physical and emotional wounds heal quickly. Our thoughts and prayers are with this woman and her family.

Ryan Roemerman, Executive Director

Dana Stuehling, Outreach Coordinator

IPN Student Testifies at Harkin Hearing on Bullying

noreply@blogger.com (Iowa Pride Network) — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 22:38:00 +0000

HARKIN HEARING ON BULLYING:

IOWA PRIDE NETWORK STUDENT TESTIFIES

Des Moines, Iowa– June 8 – Iowa Pride Network Leadership Team member Liz Sederquist testified today at Senator Tom Harkin’s (D-IA) field hearing of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, which he chairs, at Des Moines East High School. The hearing explored the growing national concern over bullying in schools.

Sederquist is currently a student at Des Moines Area Community College, after dropping out of Gilbert High School due to pervasive bullying and harassment.

In her testimony, Sederquist shared that after being “outed” as a lesbian at school; students vandalized her car and would often verbally harass her. Staff rarely intervened.

“I developed anxiety, stomach issues, and depression. I just didn’t want to go to school. I didn’t want to go and have faculty not pay attention to me, and no one handling the bullying problem.”

Sederquist made clear that there are steps schools can take to make life better for students; pointing to on-going trainings for teachers, ensuring schools follow Iowa’s Safe Schools Law and encouraging the formation of student clubs called gay-straight alliances.

“Students shouldn’t have to worry about being judged on how they present their gender or sexual orientation,” said Sederquist, adding that, “I hope through this testimony that schools will realize that not providing a safe and supportive environment does affect students and their ability to learn.”

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About Iowa Pride Network
Iowa Pride Network empowers students to fight bullying, homophobia, transphobia and hate in high schools and colleges by supporting gay-straight alliance (GSA) clubs and providing leadership opportunities and organizing projects centered on social justice.

Thank you, Mr. President, and Malia and Sasha!

noreply@blogger.com (Iowa Pride Network) — Thu, 10 May 2012 05:05:00 +0000

Iowa Pride Network is thrilled to have President Obama vocalize his support for marriage equality. It’s a big moment for the LGBT community—especially for young LGBT people and their allies.

Knowing the President believes that they should be treated equally and that their relationships are just as important helps young people envision a world that is more just and the courage to make it a reality.

A key part of the President’s personal story has been the influence his two girls, Sasha and Malia, have had in helping him understand how fundamental equal marriage is to a fair and just society.

It is yet another example of how important young people are in influencing national dialogue and how powerful their voices can be.

Everyday, young people are changing the world. Thank you Malia and Sasha!

IPN Hails Obama's Endorsement of SSIA & SNDA

noreply@blogger.com (Iowa Pride Network) — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 00:18:00 +0000

IPN HAILS PRESIDENT OBAMA’S ENDORESEMENT OF SAFE SCHOOL LAWS PROTECTING AMERICA’S STUDENTS

Des Moines, Iowa– April 20 – Iowa Pride Network is hailing President Obama’s endorsement of the Safe Schools Improvement Act (SSIA) and Student Non-Discrimination Act (SNDA). The two pieces of legislation are currently pending in Congress. Both acts are designed to address the bullying and discrimination thousands of American students face on a daily basis, including those that are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.

“President Obama’s support of these two life-saving bills is crucial. Our students deserve nothing less than schools that support and protect them so they can learn. We commend the Obama administration for its commitment to help end bullying and discrimination,” stated Ryan Roemerman, Executive Director of Iowa Pride Network.

Iowa Pride Network is a statewide nonprofit organization working to make schools and colleges safe for all students by empowering students to combat bullying, homophobia, tranphobia, and hate. The network has become a nationally recognized leader in student leadership development and safe school policies.

Iowa Students Respond to the Death of Kenneth Weishuhn, Jr.

noreply@blogger.com (Iowa Pride Network) — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 15:42:00 +0000

Des Moines, Iowa– April 18 – Iowa Pride Network’s Leadership Team, made up of high school and college students from across Iowa issued a statement today regarding the tragic death of 14 year-old Kenneth Weishuhn, Jr. of Primghar, Iowa.

The death of 14-year-old Kenneth Weishuhn Jr. is heartbreaking. Kenneth’s classmates began to bully him at his South O'Brien High School and online after he came out earlier this year. As lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and allied (LGBTA) students, we are heartbroken that this persecution and tragedy has taken place. Many are outraged and are asking the question, why is this happening? How could this happen here?

From what we know, Kenneth frequently experienced verbal harassment and cyber-bullying. According to reports, Kenneth’s sister Kayla Weishuhn, a sophomore, stated "A lot of people, they either joined in or they were too scared to say anything." Unfortunately, what Kenneth experienced in school and online is not uncommon, as Iowa Pride Network’s School Climate Survey reveals:

• 78.4% of Iowa LGBT students report being verbally harassed because of their sexual orientation
• 93% of Iowa LGBT students are more likely to have considered suicide if they were verbally harassed because of their sexual orientation
• 59% of Iowa LGBT students are more likely to report having considered suicide if cyber-bullied because of their sexual orientation

This tragedy has shown the need for our peers to stand up for one another—to care for one another—to realize the cost of silence is the lives of our generation. As young people, we need to vocalize what is happening in our schools and communities.

We have the power to make things better. We must stop bullying in that classroom, at that desk, in that lunchroom, and on that playground. If there is bullying, we must report it to school officials. If you are being bullied or harassed, you are not alone. Iowa Pride Network is a resource for you and so is The Trevor Project, a confidential hotline where you can talk with a trained counselor by calling 1-866-488-7386.

As the details of this tragedy become clear, it is our hope that the lessons learned will create an environment where all students are treated with dignity and respect and where all students feel safe. Our hearts and thoughts go out to Kenneth’s family.

Benjamin Alley, University of Iowa

Hollie Wilson, Southeast Polk High School

Sean Hernandez, University of Iowa
Dane Buchholz, Iowa State University
Alan Toussaint, University of Iowa

Joy Dannelly, Roosevelt High School

Nicholas Muntz, University of Iowa

Brittany Banks, Waldorf College

Stephen Boatwright, DMACC

Sara Puffer, University of Iowa

2012 Campus Climate Survey is now live!

noreply@blogger.com (Iowa Pride Network) — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 15:18:00 +0000

Iowa Pride Network is asking all Iowa high school and college students to take this quick, confidential 5-7 minute survey.

>>>>>>https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/climatesurvey12<<<<<<

The Iowa Campus Climate Survey is the first and only statewide survey to document the experiences of LGBT and straight allied students as well as the levels of racism and sexism in Iowa’s high schools, colleges and universities.

The survey is open to ALL students in Iowa's high schools and colleges/universities - LGBTQ or straight, freshman to senior, traditional or nontraditional, undergraduate or graduate - we want to hear from you! If you are a student, please take a few minutes to fill it out. If you are not a student but work with one, parent one, or interact with one in any other capacity, please spread the word! Those who complete the survey will have the option of entering their names in a random raffle drawing.

Please help us educate our state and communities about what it’s like to be in school in Iowa . Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences!

Roger F. Wendt Award - Nominate someone today!

noreply@blogger.com (Iowa Pride Network) — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 21:09:00 +0000

THE ROGER F. WENDT EDUCATION AWARD

Recognizing & Honoring those who Champion Efforts that Better the Lives of Students in Iowa

-NOMINATION APPLICATION FORM -

APPLICATION DEADLINE April 2, 2012

Iowa Pride Network’s Roger F. Wendt Education Award serves to recognize and honor those who champion efforts that better the lives of students in Iowa. The award is named after Representative Wendt, a lead sponsor of Iowa’s historic Safe Schools Law which protects students from harassment and discrimination. The individual’s or organization’s achievements to date will be key to the selection committee’s appraisal; promise for ongoing advancement of their work will be considered.

Nominee Criteria and Eligibility:

Award winners will have an exceptional record of substantive, innovative contributions in educational initiatives that have bettered the lives of students in Iowa.
In keeping with Iowa Pride Network’s mission, award winners will support the full equality of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
Award winners must be nominated by a third party.
Award winners must participate in Iowa Pride Network’s awards ceremony at the annual Spring Soiree and Honors Benefit on April 26^th, 2012 in downtown Des Moines.
Nominations must be received no later than April 2^nd, 2012

Click HERE to nominate an individual or organization online.

IPN Releases Statement on Dunkerton Assembly

noreply@blogger.com (Iowa Pride Network) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 05:11:00 +0000

Iowa Pride Network, Interfaith Alliance of Iowa, One Iowa, Iowa Safe Schools and the ACLU of Iowa have released a statement (see below) to schools about the need for due diligence anytime a school invites outside groups to present.

***

Re: Groups Seeking to Hold Public School Assemblies in Iowa
March 13, 2012

Dear School Administrators and Staff,

We are writing to inform you of a group working in Iowa to invite itself into your school to hold an assembly for your students. We have concerns about this group and their presentations as a presentation given at a public school assembly last week sparked criticism and concerns from students, parents, teachers, and administrators. Iowa schools work hard to create environments where all students feel safe and welcome, where bullying is not tolerated. However, Bradlee Dean’s Junkyard Prophets and You Can Run But You Cannot Hide presentations undermine those goals as they are sectarian and divisive.

In hindsight, administrators of the school acknowledge they wish they had completed a more thorough check on Dean and his organization and the school district has since apologized for the assembly. But it is hard to undo some of the harmful effects the event had on students. It is clear Bradlee Dean’s group was not forthcoming in revealing what they would present. School administrators thought the subject matter of the assembly would be “provocative lyrics in music and making good choices.” Instead, the group focused on its personal religious and highly controversial views about the Constitution, Christianity, sexual orientation and gender identity, and teen sexual activity.

You can view a KWWL-TV news story about the school assembly HERE.

The message presented at assemblies such as this can make students feel uncomfortable, unaccepted, and unsafe. Holding a school–sponsored assembly of this nature also creates the appearance that the school itself is endorsing the message given to students. From both educational and constitutional standpoints, such an endorsement is inappropriate, given that statements made by the group reflected the beliefs of a particular religious sect to the exclusion of others. Both the U.S. and Iowa constitutions prohibit such an endorsement.

Bradlee Dean, Junkyard Prophets, You Can Run but You Cannot Hide and their real purpose can be found easily on the Internet. We urge you to continue to gather necessary background information about any group wishing to come into your school and hold assemblies for students.

Assemblies like the one last week have no place in our public schools.

Sincerely,

Iowa Pride Network
Iowa Safe Schools
Interfaith Alliance of Iowa
American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa
One Iowa

IPN Applauds Landmark Anoka-Hennepin Decree

noreply@blogger.com (Iowa Pride Network) — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 05:18:00 +0000

IOWA PRIDE NETWORK APPLAUDS

LANDMARK DECREE BETWEEN U.S. & MINNESOTA’S ANOKA-HENNEPIN SCHOOL DISTRICT

Landmark case makes clear harassment based on nonconformity with gender stereotypes is a violation of Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972

Des Moines, Iowa– March 6 – Iowa Pride Network is applauding the landmark consent decree reached by the U.S Departments of Justice and Education, six private plaintiffs and the Anoka-Hennepin school district to resolve claims of pervasive bullying and harassment of students who did not conform to gender stereotypes in district schools.

Six students sued the Anoka-Hennepin school district last summer for its “neutrality policy”—a policy that singled out lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students and, some say, barred teachers from intervening when anti-LGBT bullying occurred in classrooms and hallways. Within the past two years, nine students committed suicide, a number of them having identified as LGBT.

“Today’s settlement sends a clear message—all students deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, regardless of their real or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity. It also highlights how important it is for Iowa’s school districts to enforce Iowa’s own Safe Schools Law,” stated Ryan Roemerman, Iowa Pride Network Executive Director.

Iowa Pride Network is a statewide nonprofit organization helping make schools and colleges safe for all by empowering students to stop bullying, homophobia, transphobia, and hate. It was one of a handful of organizations that fought to secure Iowa’s Safe Schools Law.

Adopted in 2007, the law defines bullying and harassment and addresses the prevention, reporting, investigation, and consequences of any bullying or harassment incidents, as well as the need for accurate data collection and public reporting of those incidents.

“The tragic events that led to the lawsuits in Anoka-Hennepin are a reminder of why it was so important for Iowa to have passed our law and the continued need for schools to implement it with fidelity,” Roemerman said.

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A candlelight vigil in Minneapolis for the victims of gay bullying

Apply for IOWA'S BEST GSA AWARD!!

noreply@blogger.com (Iowa Pride Network) — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 18:33:00 +0000

Is your GSA doing incredible activism in your high school or college?

Has the climate of your school increased because of the GSA's efforts?

Do you have a well-organized leadership structure?

Is your GSA creative?

Does your GSA provide a safe space for ALL students, regardless of orientation or identity?

If you answered "yes" to any of those questions, you should think about applying for the Iowa Pride Network Award! Every year, we award one outstanding high school GSA and one outstanding college LGBT group with the Best GSA Award at our Spring Soiree on April 26. The application deadline is April 2!

For a hard copy application: click here.
To apply online: click here.

GSAs and LGBT student organizations should be celebrated for their work! Apply before April 2!

CELEBRATE STUDENTS WHO STOP BULLYING!

noreply@blogger.com (Iowa Pride Network) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 19:48:00 +0000

CELEBRATE STUDENTS WHO STOP BULLYING!

SAVE THE DATE for IOWA PRIDE NETWORK’S

ANNUAL SPRING SOIREE &

HONORS BENEFIT for LGBT STUDENTS

Thursday, April 26 from 7-9 p.m.

Hosted by the Principal Financial Group®

650 8^th Street, DSM

Join us as we celebrate Iowa students who are making their schools and colleges safe and supportive for all!

Click Here to RSVP / Donate

Nothing is more important or powerful than what our LGBT and straight allied students do on a daily basis to create safe schools and reduce bullying. Enjoy great food, meet and celebrate the next generation of LGBT and Allied leaders who will present the award for best High School and College Gay-Straight Alliance! The night will also feature the presentation of the Roger F. Wendt Education Award and Partner in Progress Award!

6:00 VIP Reception

7:00-9:00 Spring Soiree

8:00 Honors Program

Don’t miss this exciting evening as we celebrate students—and their role in making schools and colleges safe!

Click Here to RSVP / Donate

Interested in serving on the Host Committee?

Please call Ryan Roemerman 515-471-8062
or email ryan@iowapridenetwork.org

Our next big event: National Gay Straight Alliance Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Iowa Pride Network) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:29:00 +0000

For the past five years, Iowa has celebrated Iowa GSA Day during the last week of January. This year, we're taking it national! For the first time ever, there will be a national celebration of GSA Day on January 25, 2012!

GSA Day was started as a way to celebrate and honor our high school and college GSAs. Studies show that students who have a Gay-Straight Alliance in their school report decreased absenteeism and lower rates of name calling, harassment and assault. For decades, GSAs have been working to make their campuses safe places for all students regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Students who start and take part in these student groups are brave. They dare to create a dialogue to improve lives. We believe that courage deserves to be recognized, to be celebrated!

Help us spread the word by "liking" our Facebook page or following us on Twitter! Tell all of your friends and help us make this a fantastic day of celebration!

GSA Day's Resources page has ideas for celebration as well as links to buy GSA Day T-Shirts and to submit to the GSA Day Video Campaign.

Each high school and college group will be celebrating in their own individual way - all throughout the country. Sign up to receive email updates and news! If you're wondering who to contact, the GSA Day Partner page has a list of State, National, Foundation, and Corporate partners, from California to Kentucky to Massachusetts. Find your state's LGBT youth organization to find out what's happening in your state!

Here in Iowa, Iowa Pride Network will be hosting a Kickoff Party on January 24, 2012 at Ritual Cafe in Des Moines. Join our Facebook event and register online for this fun (and free) event!

If your Iowa GSA is planning to celebrate, please register here. We want to know about all of the awesome things you're doing!

IPN & AIDS Project Announce $500 GSA Grants!

noreply@blogger.com (Iowa Pride Network) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:33:00 +0000

The AIDS Project of Central Iowa and Iowa Pride Network are proud to announce

$500 GRANTS FOR HIV/STD EDUCATION

Three Iowa high school Gay-Straight Alliances (GSA) will receive $500 grants for creative educational projects related to HIV/STD risk and prevention. The deadline for grant applications is December 1, 2011 at 5pm.

Funds will be awarded by December 31, 2011, and funded projects must be completed by March 31, 2012. For more information and to apply, click HERE

IPN Hires Outreach Coordinator

noreply@blogger.com (Iowa Pride Network) — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 06:44:00 +0000

IOWA PRIDE NETWORK

HIRES OUTREACH COORDINATOR

DES MOINES— Iowa Pride Network has hired Dana Stuehling as its Outreach Coordinator. Dana is a 2011 graduate of Smith College in Northampton, MA where she studied Sociology, focusing on race, gender and sexuality. Dana will be responsible for enhancing Iowa Pride Network’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) youth leadership and organizing projects and providing outreach to Gay-Straight Alliances.

“As an anti-oppression activist, this is a perfect fit for me. It's extremely important that we challenge discrimination and oppression. Iowa Pride Network provides the vehicle for our students to understand social justice and I am proud to work with them in creating a more welcoming state for all people,” said Dana.

During her tenure at Smith, Dana worked with Students for Social Justice and Institutional Change and co-chaired the working group, Queers and Allies; both groups focused on working for LGBT rights within the college community and at a national level. As a student, Dana acted as a resource for local GSAs, the local domestic violence shelter, the Smith Community Service Office, and with cultural bridges to justice™, a national consortium of anti-oppression trainers.

“We are thrilled to have Dana as our Outreach Coordinator. Her expertise and organizing experience will allow us to grow the network and enhance our programs to meet the needs of our students across Iowa,” said Ryan Roemerman, Iowa Pride Network Executive Director.