IPN Applauds Wendt, Champion for Safe Schools

IOWA PRIDE NETWORK APPLAUDS WENDT, CHAMPION FOR SAFE SCHOOLS

Rep. Wendt Was Lead Sponsor of Iowa’s Historic Safe Schools Law

Des Moines, IA – February 23 – Iowa Pride Network (IPN) expressed its appreciation for the work of Representative Roger Wendt, D-Sioux City, who recently announced that he has a serious medical condition and won’t be returning to the Capitol this year or seeking reelection in the fall.

Representative Wendt was a lead sponsor of Iowa’s historic Safe Schools Law which protects all students including those that are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT).

“I know our students will miss meeting with him during our Annual Student Day at the Capitol,” stated Ryan Roemerman, IPN Executive Director.  “Representative Wendt’s efforts helped to ensure that all students in Iowa are protected in meaningful ways from harassment and bullying.  He is a champion for all students.”

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NEW: Weekly Video Update for 2-22-10

Ryan and Rachel travel to the State Capitol to share the exciting plans they have for the 5th Annual Student Day at the Capitol which will be on March 3, 2010!!

NEW: Weekly Video Update for 2-15-10

Ryan and Rachel discuss the upcoming Student Day at the Capitol and Volunteers Drew and Damon drop in to say hello! 

Blog Post: Why Do Schultz & Windschitl Hate LGBT Students?

Check out this informative Blog Post regarding the recent controversy over House File 2291.

Students Protest for LGBT Inclusion!

Students at John Carroll University in Ohio protested during a school basketball game over the school's unwillingness to include sexual orientation to its nondiscrimination policy.

More commentary about this can be found at the Feministing Blog

Check-out Weekly Video Update for 2-8-10

Ryan and Rachel discuss H.F. 2291 and Nate Monson from Iowa Safe Schools drops by to talk about the upcoming Governor's Conference. 

Annual Governor's Conference on LGBT Youth

"Proud to Change the World; Creating an Accepting Future"

February 18^th, 2010 at Drake University

Keynote Address by:

Lt. Dan Choi

Additional Speakers:

Lt. Governor Patty Judge

Congressman Leonard Boswell

Special Performance by the Omaha Pride Players

To Register or for More Information go to www.iowasafeschools.org and click the Governors Conference Tab

WHO-TV 13 - Anti-Gay Legislation News Piece

Check out the story WHO-13 News did regarding the Anti-Gay legislation that was proposed last week.

Click HERE.

IPN Responds to Anti-Gay legislation on WHO-13 & FOX

Watch Iowa Pride Network respond to anti-gay legislation that was introduced by Republican Reps. Schultz & Windschitl this past week that would single out LGBT students for harassment.

9 pm: 13 News at Nine on FOX 17

10:00 pm: WHO-TV 13   

House Republicans Seek to Bully Gay Students

HOUSE REPUBLICANS SEEK 
TO BULLY GAY STUDENTS

Reps. Schultz & Windschitl Introduce H.F. 2291 to Exclude Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender (LGBT) Students from Safe Schools Law

Des Moines, IA – February 4 – House Representatives Jason Schultz, R-Schleswig and Matt Windschitl, R-Missouri Valley, co-sponsored legislation introduced today which seeks to exclude LGBT students from the 2007 Iowa Safe Schools Law. 

To see proposed House File 2291, click HERE. 

Iowa's 2007 Safe Schools Law protects ALL students from harassment and bullying in Iowa’s schools. 

“When our state is facing record budget deficits and unemployment, House Republicans feel their time is best spent picking on Iowa’s LGBT youth,” said Ryan Roemerman, Executive Director of Iowa Pride Network.  “There is no better example as to why we have this law, so youth in Iowa don’t grow up to be like these bigots.”

 H.F. 2291 has been referred to the House Education Committee.  Iowa Pride Network will continue to monitor this legislation to ensure all of Iowa’s students are safe and protected from harassment and bullying.

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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 by visiting Iowa Pride Network.

Gay NY teen's harassment suit gets federal notice

By MICHAEL HILL, Associated Press Writer Michael Hill, Associated Press Writer – Thu Feb 4, 12:41 pm ET

MOHAWK, N.Y. – The bullying by classmates and taunts of "homo" only got worse after Jacob began dyeing his hair and wearing eyeliner in eighth grade. One student scrawled "I hope you die" on his shoe, he said; another drew a pocket knife on him.

Jacob's grades dropped, and he missed school from fear. His father tried repeatedly to get school officials in their working-class village in upstate New York to help protect his son from harassment. The response by the Mohawk Central School District, according to a federal lawsuit, was to do "virtually nothing."

"Everything was bad," Jacob — who is identified as "J.L." in the lawsuit and didn't want to draw attention to his new school by having his last name used in this story — said this week. "I hyperventilated when I left the school ... and I didn't want to come back the next day, or ever."

The 15-year-old might soon get a measure of satisfaction. The lawsuit filed by Jacob and his father against the school district with the New York Civil Liberties Union could be close to settlement, according to both sides.

The negotiations come as the U.S. Department of Justice seeks to intervene in the case, citing the "important issues" it raises in enforcing federal civil rights laws.

Read the rest of the article HERE.

Colin Higgins Foundation Youth Courage Award Nominations Available!

Colin Higgins Foundation is seeking nominations for Youth Courage Awards! Grants of $10,000 will be awarded to LGBTQ youth who have stood up to bigotry and intolerance based on gender and/or sexual orientation by working for LGBTQ rights and social justice. The Deadline is March 1, 2010.  For more information click HERE

Student Day @ Capitol Set for March 3rd!

For the past four years, Iowa Pride Network members have been instrumental in helping Iowa legislators understand the inequality LGBT people face in Iowa. Through our capitol press conferences at the Student Day at the Capitol and personal stories and activism we have changed the landscape for LGBT people! In 2007, Iowa’s LGBT community achieved equality in our schools and our communities through the passage of the Safe Schools Law and the amended Civil Rights Law which now includes sexual orientation and gender identity.

To celebrate the remarkable advancement of civil rights for LGBT Iowans; we will be spending the day at both the Judicial Building and the Capitol! While at the Capitol we will have the honor to meet with Iowa’s Lt. Governor, Patty Judge! Then later during our Legislative Reception we will get to speak with some of Iowa’s legislators who have been some of our greatest allies over the years! It promises to be a day of fun and networking. We hope to see you all there!

* * * TENTATIVE AGENDA * * *

9:00 – 9:30 Registration/Check-in at Iowa State Historical Building, 600 E. Locust Street, Des Moines.

9:30 – 9:50 Opening remarks – Brief students on activities of the day

9:50 – 10:00 Travel to the Judicial Building (using the D-Line Shuttle for free)

10:00 – 11:00 Tour the Iowa Judicial Building

11:00 – 12:30 Walk to the Capitol/Lunch

12:30 – 1:00 Meet with Lt. Governor

1:00 – 2:00 Meet with Legislators/Tour the Capitol

2:00 – 3:00 Legislative Reception

3:00 –3:15 Wrap-Up/Evaluations

* * * PARKING * * *

Make sure you give yourself enough time to find a parking space! The best place to park is the parking ramp located on the corner of Pennsylvania & East Grand Ave. From there you can access the State Historical Building by simply walking across the street and using the Grand Ave entrance. If you park elsewhere you may also access the building through the Locust St. entrance.

*REQUIRED*

Those under the age of 18 are required to bring the Medical Release Form signed by a parent or guardian. You will also need to have the Parent Permission Slip signed by a parent or guardian to participate in this event. Those who do not have these forms filled out and handed in will not be eligible to participate at this event and will be turned away.

All forms are located on the Day @ the Cap web page, CLICK HERE:

* * * ALL STUDENTS MUST REGISTER TO ATTEND! * * *

___________ DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 24th__________

REGISTER HERE

For more information visit IPN's website

Click HERE for Capitol Complex Map

IPN Weekly Video Update Launched

Iowa Pride Network has launched  a weekly video update! Through this medium we hope to better connect to the network of students and supporters who are actively creating change throughout the state that better the lives of LGBTA people.  Tune in each week to find out about what's happening--and stay connected!