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Lt. Governor Judge Hosts Conference on LGBT Youth |
Des Moines - Over 250 educators and students from across Iowa attended the 5th Annual Governor's Conference on LGBT Youth on February 18 at Drake University.
Photo courtesy of Radio Iowa. http://www.radioiowa.com/2010/02/19/lieutenant-governor-says-lgbt-students-still-face-challenges/
Lt. Governor Patty Judge told the crowd that "As long as Chet Culver is Governor and I am Lt. Governor, we will do everything in our power to protect the students of Iowa."
The Conference is timely in light of the recent failed attempt by Republican legislators to amend the Safe Schools Law to no longer protect Iowa's LGBT students from harassment and bullying. The Safe Schools Law is designed to ensure that all children are protected from bullying and harassment. The law protects children based on real or perceived age, color, creed, national origin, race, religion, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical attributes, physical or mental ability or disability, ancestry, political party preference, political belief, socioeconomic status, or familial status.
“Name-calling and harassment are still serious problems in our schools," said Nate Monson, Executive Director of Iowa Safe Schools. "The Governor's Conference helps remind all of us why this law is in place."
Monson also noted that the law and this Conference is supported by education, civil rights, faith and public health communities, including the Iowa Department of Education, Iowa State Education Association, and the Iowa Association of School Boards. Many of those groups along with numerous education and civil rights organizations joined together to host today’s conference.
The conference was keynoted by Lt. Dan Choi. Lt. Choi has become a national spokesperson on the effort to repeal "Don't Ask., Don't Tell" after saying three words on the Rachel Maddow Show in March 2009 - I am gay. In addition to Lt. Choi, Congressman Leonard Boswell addressed the audience and expressed support for the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell.
(photo by T.M. Lindsey/Iowa Independent)
Following Congressman Boswell's address, members of the Omaha Pride Players performed scenes from their traveling show.
Iowa Safe Schools also honored Carol Greta, Attorney for the Iowa Department of Education and Mary Gannon, Attorney for the Iowa Association of School Boards with the Kathy Collins Reilly "Courage in Education" Award. The award was created to recognize educators, administrators, and others involved in Iowa's education process who create or further safer, more inclusive schools for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students in Iowa and is named in honor of Kathy Collins, a former teacher and later legal consultant for the Iowa Department of Education and School Administrators of Iowa. Collins has been a highly visible advocate of policies and practices to end bullying, harassment, and discrimination against LGBT students in Iowa schools.
"We are pleased to honor Carol & Mary. Both have demonstrated a strong commitment to create safer schools for all students. Their courage to stand up for LGBT students is inspiring,” said Monson.
About Iowa Safe Schools:
Iowa Safe Schools works to improve school climate in order to increase the personal safety, mental health, and student learning of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and allied (LGBTA) and all other students and to increase awareness and understanding among current and future educators, school administrators, and key community agents of inequities regarding the safety of LGBTA students in schools and communities throughout Iowa. For more information contact Nate Monson at 515-243-1221 or
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