LGBTA Student Day At Capitol March 1st in Des Moines
The Iowa Pride Network's College Coalition has announced
a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and allied (LGBTA) Student Day at
the Capitol for March 1st at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines.
“All
students deserve safe learning environments, including those that
identify as LGBT and allied. Unfortunately, as seen in the 2005
School Climate Survey and the Straight Student Ally Report, many Iowa
LGBT and allied students face hostile learning environments daily,
inhibiting their personal and academic growth,” said Ryan Roemerman,
Iowa Pride Network Director.
The
College Coalition's LGBTA Student Day at the Capitol comes at a time of
much debate about the safety of LGBT students in Iowa.
Iowa
High School and college students will talk to legislators about what it
is like to be LGBT and Allied and encourage them to adopt laws to
specifically protect LGBT students. Historically, legislators
have been reluctant to pass such policies for fear of promoting a “gay
agenda”. Nevertheless, the College Coalition is determined to put
a face on the issue.
“When
did wanting to protect all of Iowa's students, including those that are
LGBT, become a political liability?” asked Rachel Johnson, an executive
board member of University of Northern Iowa’s GLBTAU. “It's time
that Iowa legislators act to ensure the safety and access to a quality
education for all students — including Iowa's LGBTA students!” stated
Haley Whitlatch, an executive board member for the University of Iowa's
GLBTAU.
Click here to register.
Register for the LGBTA Student Day At Capitol
Who: LGBT and Allied Students in Iowa’s High Schools and Colleges
What: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Allied (LGBTA) Student Capitol Day
When: Wednesday, March 1st – 10:00 a.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Where: Iowa State Capitol, Capitol Building, Des Moines
Why:
To tell our legislators to pass anti-bullying and harassment policies
that specifically protect LGBT and allied students from abuse.
The Iowa Pride Network
or prideNet, fights bigotry and intolerance against LGBT students in
Iowa. The Iowa Pride Network works directly with students, empowering
them to start and enhance Gay-Straight Alliances in their high schools
and colleges, while building a statewide network that offers support
mentoring and educational opportunities. In addition, the Iowa Pride
Network educates policy makers and educators on issues facing LGBT
students and advocates for the interests of these students on the state
and local levels.
Blog For Iowa 