Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Maquoketa Student Creates "Gay is Okay Day"

MAQUOKETA, Iowa - A T-shirt is causing confusion at Maquoketa High School. It has the word “gay” on it- and administrators say they couldn’t tell if the shirt was making fun of or supporting gay rights.

Early last week Ali Lai wore a shirt to school that read “I Heart Lady Gay Gay.” Lai said, “I mean “gay” that’s not inappropriate. At least I don’t think it’s inappropriate. But it could catch the eye of some people and make them mumble a few words.”

He says the shirt is in reference to Pop Star Lady Gaga, who’s also an activist for gay rights.

The school’s Assistant Principal told Lai to change his shirt or turn it inside out. The Superintendent stands by that decision. But admits, administrators didn’t know what the expression meant. Superintendent Kim Huckstadt said, “Not knowing if it was an item that was either in support of or if it was actually derogatory.”

Another student thinks this is an example of Maquoketa High School violating a student’s rights. So, she organized what she’s calling “gay is okay day”.

Read the full article from KCRG Here.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Michigan Asst. AG Targets Gay College Student

By: Ross Jones

ANN ARBOR (WXYZ) - Andrew Shirvell has fought battles in courtrooms throughout the state, but it’s a fight he’s picked with an openly gay college student that has some wondering if this attorney is out of order.

In classroom’s across the state, Attorney General Mike Cox uses videos to teach students the dangers of internet predators and cyber bullies.

“We want you to be safe on the Internet, and in particular, we want to protect you from Internet predators,” said Cox in the video.

But is one of his top lieutenants engaging in cyber bullying, the very behavior Cox says is so dangerous. Andrew Shirvell is an assistant attorney general who helped run Cox’s last re-election campaign. But on his own time, he’s the author of a blog he started last spring targeting Chris Armstrong, the openly gay president of the University of Michigan’s student assembly.

Read the rest of the article HERE.

Saturday, September 4, 2010

Queer Leadership Summit @ ISU on 11-6-10



SAVE THE DATE!!!
Saturday, November 6th, 2010
Iowa State University 
Memorial Union

On Saturday, November 6, 2010, Iowa Pride Network, in partnership with Iowa State University, will host the 4th Annual Queer Leadership Summit!

This is a FREE event and lunch is provided.

This year’s theme, The Politics of Progress, will explore Iowa’s ever-changing political landscape and what it means to LGBT and allied people and their rights and how institutional politics within schools and colleges can affect campus climates. The summit will also explore best practices for sustaining GSA and college LGBT groups and networking them together, emerging issues within our movement and provide time for attendees to network and collaborate.

Check-in will begin at 9:00 AM and the summit will start promptly at 10:00 AM and last until 4:00 PM.

This event is FREE and is sure to be a tremendous networking and community-building opportunity. Don’t miss it!

Further details regarding the summit and registration materials will be updated to the Iowa Pride Network website: http://www.iowapridenetwork.org/. Check back often. More questions or need more info? Call the Iowa Pride Network office at 515-471-8062 or email iowapridenetwork@gmail.com