The GLBT Youth in Iowa Schools Task Force offers a variety of workshops and presentations to help educate Iowa’s educators, parents, Human Relations classes, students, youth-service organizations, Residence Life staff, and corporations about the needs of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender youth in Iowa.
If interested in having a session at your school, college/university, AEA, business, or organization gathering please contact Nate Monson at
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or by phone 515-243-1221.
 Being Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) in Iowa…
Time: 1 Hour
What does queer mean? What is transgender? What is the “coming out” process? This workshop examines the definitions of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and other terms related to the GLBT community, examines Iowa based statistics, and looks at possible resources in the state that are available for you, your organization, or your community.
Teaching Against Homophobia/Transphobia
Time: 1.5-2 Hours
Sexual orientation and gender identity are two of the most controversial topics Iowa’s educators need to address. This workshop is for educators and other youth-serving professionals who are interested in learning how to generate a safe environment related to sexual orientation and gender identity/expression issues. Participants will examine the effects of bias and harassment on students who identify and students who are perceived to be gay, lesbian, bisexual and/or transgender and learn about laws dealing with the GLBT community.
 Safe Schools for All
Time: 2.5-3 Hours/Half-Day In-service
All students need a safe and supportive environment in which to learn including students who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender (GLBT). Statistics show a lack of understanding and visible support from many youth-serving workers in the state of Iowa. This workshop goes over terminology of the GLBT community, legal information in the state of Iowa, solutions to anti-GLBT harassment in Iowa’s schools, and what your individual school/organization can do to be more visibly supportive.
Comments of trainings have included:
One of the best things I think we’ve had the chance to do is the workshop dealing with Iowa Safe Schools…The workshop just really opened my eyes to the fact these kids need to be protected. As a teacher I feel it’s not only our legal responsibility, but our moral responsibility. I just loved the when the presenter said, ‘I don’t care if you think I’m going to hell, I don’t care if you think these kids are going to hell, you’re going to protect them if you want to be a teacher in this state.’ To me that just said it all. I know a lot of the other students who went really found it quite beneficial as well. I think that should be something all teachers should have to take before entering a classroom.
- College football player and future elementary school teacher in his final paper
This is one of the best sessions available in the state and I would recommend these trainings to anyone.
-School Counselors in Northeast Iowa
Every Area Education Agency, school, school district – needs to have this kind of training!
-AEA School Improvement Consultant in Southern Iowa
These sessions save lives. That’s what this is about and people need to hear this message.
-Youth-service worker in Des Moines
Every time I can make a presentation from Safe Schools I go. I think it’s something everyone gay or straight that needs to be experienced.
-Wells Fargo employee in Des Moines
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