8th Annual GSA Conference set for 4-23-11

Mark your calendars and get ready to register for the 2011 Gay-Straight Alliance Conference! This year's theme: "WE CREATE EQUALITY"

On Saturday, April 23—Iowa’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning and straight allied (LGBTQQA) high school and college students will converge on Iowa State University to celebrate the diversity and culture of our communities; collaborate across the spectrum of our identities an...d experiences; and discuss challenges, issues and ideas facing our movement today.

We’re excited to announce our keynote speaker: LGBTQQA movement leader, Danielle Askini, National Program Manager for the National Association of GSA Networks who will kick-off the conference AND Leslie and the Lys will wrap it all up with a special concert, FREE for conference attendees!

FREE t-shirts will also be given to those that register early (only about 125 t-shirts will be made so register early!)

Registration information and applications for workshop proposals will be available soon—only on Iowa Pride Network’s main website at http://www.iowapridenetwork.org/, so check often!

DON’T MISS THIS YEAR’S CONFERENCE!

5th Annual Iowa GSA Day set for 1-26-11

IOWA PRIDE NETWORK’S FIFTH ANNUAL IOWA GAY-STRAIGHT ALLIANCE DAY - JANUARY 26, 2011

Taking place on high school and college campuses across Iowa!

What is Iowa Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) Day?
Now in its fifth year, the goals of Iowa GSA Day are to:

• Honor GSAs around that state that work to end violence, homophobia and transphobia in Iowa schools and colleges.

• Honor students, teachers and community members that have shown dedication for keeping all students safe, and insuring a quality education for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

• Raise awareness of the need for GSAs in schools and colleges and how they are a proven, effective tool in combating hostile and unsafe learning environments for all students.

• Increase the visibility of the important bond between LGBT people and their straight friends and family.

For the most up-to-date information, and to register yourself or your GSA group, please visit Iowa Pride Network's website at: http://www.iowapridenetwork.org/

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

When is Iowa GSA Day and where is it held?
Iowa GSA Day will be held on Wednesday, January 26, 2011. Iowa GSA Day events will happen on high school and college campuses throughout the state.

How Do We Participate In Iowa GSA Day?
To participate, register your GSA with Iowa Pride Network at http://www.iowapridenetwork.org/ , click the “Iowa GSA Day” logo and fill out the form and describe what your GSA is planning to do and why your GSA is important to you. Each GSA across the state can design activities to fit their school or college based on our three main areas of focus:

• BE VISIBLE:
 -- Make sure that people know your GSA exists and why.
 -- Make t-shirts.
 -- Make fliers and hand them out at lunch.
 -- Have a panel discussion or lead a staff training to discuss your GSA.
 -- Hold a GSA meeting where you bring your friends—just be visible and let people know why you love and appreciate your GSA and how they can be involved!

• SHOW APPRECIATION:
 -- Do you have a fantastic GSA advisor? Do you have supportive teachers, administrators or community members?Let them know by giving them a card or thank-you note.
 -- Show appreciation for your group by discussing your group’s history.
Take the time to research your GSA’s history, or if you started it, write down your history and pass it on to new GSA leaders.
 -- Understanding and appreciating where you’ve been will help the group feel confident in creating change for the future!

• GET ORGANIZED:
Sit down with your GSA and plan for the future.
 -- What are your goals for the GSA?
 -- What do you want to accomplish? Do you want to increase attendance, improve programming, or make your school safer?

 -- Do you know who next year’s leaders will be?

• JOIN IPN’S GSA VIDEO CAMPAIGN:
Tell the world about all the great things your GSA is doing be creating a video—you can be as creative or simple as you want!!
 -- Create a short video
 -- Create a YouTube page and upload your video

 -- Send IPN the link to your video and we’ll post it on IPN’s website!

 -- Check out IPN’s website for more information on the video campaign

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Ends!!

Iowa Pride Network hailed the end to the discriminatory policy that discriminated against gay and lesbian military service members, known as "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," today. The repeal of the policy helps our nation and military become a stronger, better force for the world.

IPN is 2010 Characters Unite Award Winner!

Dear Friends,

I wanted to inform you of some great news!

I recently learned IPN will receive the prestigious 2010 Characters Unite Award from USA Network and Mediacom! 

As supporters and student advocates of Iowa Pride Network (IPN), you know how important our work is. You know that everyday, IPN advocates for the safety and well-being of Iowa's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students and educates them on their rights and resources.   It is because of this, and your continued support in making it happen, that I want to personally invite you to help us celebrate by joining us at a Celebration Luncheon, hosted by USA Network and Medicom on Thursday, December 16th at noon at the Marriott in downtown Des Moines. (Please see the invitation for details below)

The Celebration Luncheon is complementary to IPN supporters and student advocates and will be a great time to mark how far we have come in creating a more affirming state for LGBT people.

Hope to see you there!
Ryan Roemerman


 P.S. Please direct RSVPs or questions to Molly Scoles at Mediacom – mscoles@mediacomcc.com

(Click Invitation for Larger View)

Please RSVP by Monday, December 13

Ryan Roemerman co-founded Iowa Pride Network when he was a student at the University of Iowa and led the effort to establish and LGBT center on campus.  Ryan has since developed IPN into a nationally recognized state organization.  IPN works directly with students, helping empower them to start and enhance gay-straight alliances in their high schools and colleges, while building a statewide network that offers support, mentoring, educational, advocacy and networking opportunities.  Additionally, Ryan has authored the Iowa School and College Climate Surveys and newly developed "Safe School Certification Program" - a program that seeks to strengthen implementation of Iowa's Safe Schools Law, legislation for which IPN was a major proponent. 

Characters Unite, USA Network's community affairs program, was created in January 2009 to address the social injustices and cultural divides still prevalent in our society. Inspired by USA Network's iconic "Characters Welcome" brand and with the support of leading national nonprofit organizations, the ongoing campaign is dedicated to supporting activities and messaging that combat prejudice and intolerance while promoting understanding and acceptance -- on-air, online, and in communities across the country. www.charactersunite.com
 
For more information on Characters Unite and Ryan Roemerman, visit http://www.charactersunite.com/awards/roemerman
 

Transgender Day Of Remembrance 11-20-10

Today is National Transgender Day of Remembrance. We remember lives lost due to hatred and violence and honor them by stopping hate where it starts and by creating a more welcoming state for transgender people.  Check out GLAAD's blog, honoring the transgender people who have lost their lives due to violence. See their faces and hear their stories here.

IPN Attends National Safe Schools Roundtable

Recently, Iowa Pride Network traveled to Minneapolis, MN to attend the 2010 National Safe Schools Roundtable (NSSR).  



The packed 2.5 days delved into the current state of the LGBTQ safe schools movement.  

Amidst the work we did at NSSR, we had the opportunity to meet with Sen. Al Franken, sponsor of the Student Non-Discrimination Act.  We also met with with Joe Wardenski from the U.S. Department of Justice about ensuring legal protections for transgender youth, and Stacey Horn, Program Director, M.Ed. in Youth Development in the UIC Department of Education, about cutting edge safe schools research. 

We also benefited from the wealth of expertise of the other participants such as the Southern Poverty Law Center, aMaze, Anti-Defamation League, National Black Justice Coalition, Alabama Safe Schools Coalition, Idaho Safe Schools Coalition, GLSEN, Family Equality Council, National Youth Advocacy Coalition, ACLU LGBT Rights Project, Mississippi Safe Schools Coalition and many others!

Bishop Gene Robinson Steps Down

On Tuesday, V. Gene Robinson, the first openly gay Episcopal bishop, announced his resignation from leading his diocese.    Robinson still plans to be a bishop, but feeling the stress of both leading a parish and serving as a gay rights icon, this decision was made for his health as much as anything.

Robinson has been a trailblazer for the LGBT community for years now, adding an open voice to the religious community and creating a much-needed conversation within the Anglican Communion (not to mention other Christian denominations).  Ever since starting as a bishop, Robinson has received countless death threats and hateful messages.

Robinson assures the community that he’s not “being run off” by those who have always opposed him.  Instead, he’s retiring to focus on his ministry in New Hampshire, though he still plans to be engaged in “trying to achieve full and equal rights for gay, lesbian, transgendered, and bisexual people.”

We only wish the best for Robinson in his decisions, and thank him for all of the hard work he’s done for the nation!

The full article can be found HERE.