Just the 'Alerts'

In an effort to improve campus life for students, staff and faculty, the University of Northern Iowa is hosting a series of events in September and October called "Standing on Higher Ground: LGBT Dialogue & Reflection around Civility". The events include award-winning LGBT-themed movies, panel discussions and an appearance by Judy Shepard.

The Rainbow Reception
Sept. 1, 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
The Gallagher-Bluedorn Performing Arts Center (GBPAC) Lobby, UNI
The Rainbow Reception is an event to welcome LGBT and ally students, faculty and staff back to campus. Join us for an evening of information sharing, networking, fellowship, and dessert.

Movie: The Laramie Project
Sept. 13, 5 p.m.-7 p.m.
University Book & Supply, Cedar Falls
Moisés Kaufman and members of New York's Tectonic Theater Project went to Laramie, Wyoming, after the murder of Matthew Shepard. This is a film version of the play they wrote based on more than 200 interviews they conducted in Laramie. It mixes real news reports with actors portraying friends, family, cops, killers, and other Laramie residents in their own words. It opened the 2002 Sundance Film Festival and was nominated for four Emmys.

Lecture: Judy Shepard
Sept. 16, 7:30 p.m.
GBPAC, UNI
Free for UNI students
In October 1998, Judy and Dennis Shepard lost their 21-year-old son Matthew to a murder motivated by anti-gay hate. Determined to prevent others from suffering their son’s fate, Judy and Dennis decided to turn their grief into action and established the Matthew Shepard Foundation to carry on Matthew’s legacy. In her continuing role as board president, she travels across the nation speaking to audiences about what they can do as individuals and communities to make this world a more accepting place for everyone, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, sex, gender identity and expression, or sexual orientation. Speaking from a mother’s perspective, Judy also authored a 2009 memoir, “The Meaning of Matthew.”

Panel Discussion: The Politics of Gay Marriage in Iowa
Sept. 21, 7 p.m.-8:30 p.m.
Waterloo Center for the Arts
Join us for an evening of dialogue, presented by One Iowa, with panelists representing legal, religious, PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) and same-sex couples.

Safety & Learning: Optimal School Environments for LGBT Students, moderated by Dr. Nick Pace
Sept. 27, 4 p.m.-5 p.m.
Center for Multicultural Education, UNI
Join a panel of educators and students for sharing of experiences and suggestions on how we can collaboratively ensure optimal learning environments for LGBT students.

Life-Long University Course, with Scott Cawelti
Oct. 4-6, 10 a.m.-noon
Fee: $20; To register: call 319-273-5141
This course is an analysis and discussion of the 2002 film "The Laramie Project," a 97-minute feature employing 53 actors, many of them well known (Christina Ricci, Steve Buscemi, Laura Linney, Michael Emerson, Peter Fonda, Janeane Garofalo, Dylan Baker, Joshua Jackson, Amy Madigan, Camryn Manheim) to play the parts of the investigators and citizens of Laramie. Essentially, they perform the stage version on screen. Yet it's not the same; this class will focus on how it's necessarily different, and how those differences affect viewers' perceptions. We will watch the first half on Monday and the second on Wednesday, discussing sequences and their implications from the DVD version.

Workshop: “That’s So Gay” in partnership with Iowa Safe Schools
Oct. 7, 4:45 p.m.-7:15 p.m.
AEA267, Cedar Falls
Oct. 8, 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Center for Multicultural Education, UNI
That's so gay, no homo, fag, and dyke are heard countless times in our schools. But how do you stop students from saying these hurtful words and phrases? Bullying and harassment of LGBT students can and must be stopped. This session is designed to create awareness of bullying and harassment facing LGBT students, and offer proven solutions to ending bullying and harassment.

Movie: Milk
Oct. 9, 2 p.m.
GBPAC, UNI
This is a powerful and inspiring story of California's first openly gay elected official Harvey Milk. In 1977, Milk was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, becoming the first openly gay man to be voted into major public office in America. His victory was not just a victory for gay rights, he forged coalitions across the political spectrum. From senior citizens to union workers, Harvey Milk changed the very nature of what it means to be a fighter for human rights and became, before his untimely death in 1978, a hero for all Americans. Join us for a brief discussion afterward.

Movie: Out in the Silence
Oct. 9, 7 p.m.
GBPAC, UNI
Out in the Silence captures the remarkable chain of events that unfold when the announcement of filmmaker Joe Wilson’s wedding to another man ignites a firestorm of controversy in his small Pennsylvania hometown. Drawn back by a plea for help from the mother of a gay teen being tormented at school, Wilson’s journey dramatically illustrates the universal challenges of being an outsider in a conservative environment and the transformation that is possible when those who have long been constrained by a traditional code of silence summon the courage to break it. Join us for a brief discussion afterward.

Performance: The Laramie Project, by Tectonic Theatre Project
Oct 13 and 14, 7:30pm
In October 1998, Matthew Shepard was kidnapped, severely beaten and left to die, tied to a fence on the outskirts of Laramie, Wyoming. Five weeks later, Moisés Kaufman and fellow members of the Tectonic Theater Project went to Laramie, and over the course of the next year, conducted more than 200 interviews with people of the town. From these interviews they wrote the play The Laramie Project, a chronicle of the life of the town of Laramie in the year after the murder. The Epilogue was written ten years later when the same company revisited Laramie.

Talk Back & Interview with Tectonic Theatre Project Company Members
Oct. 15, 3 p.m.-4 p.m.
Center for Multicultural Education, UNI
Join members of the company for post performances discussion and learn about the process of interviewing and how to craft into a stage play. Come with questions you’d like to ask Tectonic Theatre Project Company members!

And look for these events coming soon!
Workshops by the justice department
Workshops provided for area law enforcement and our students considering careers in law enforcement. Part of a Federal Department of Justice project, law enforcement agencies are provided training on the new Hate Crimes Legislation passed in Matthew’s memory and issues of enforcement and diversity relating to that enforcement.

Bookclubs, Discussion and a Movie showing at University Book and Supply
Rose Lorenz and UBS are fully behind the project and will be adding the play and Judy Shepard’s book to their book club groups. Additionally they will host a showing of the Laramie project film and discussion lead by emeritus faculty Scott Cawalti.

Participation by national Matthew Shepard foundation and Iowa’s Eychaner Foundation
Students on campus who have received the Matthew Shepard scholarship and alumni who also did talk in a moderated forum about what it is and was like to be LGBT at UNI/in Cedar Falls.

Conversations in Communities of Color is a safe space for communities of color to come together, discuss issues important to them, and enact change in our communities. The meeting will be held Wednesday, July 28, at the Des Moines Central Library, 1000 Grand Ave., from 6:30-8 p.m. To RSVP, contact Conner at 515.557.0246 or conner@oneiowa.org.

In honor of the 20th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Iowa ADA Planning Committee and the VISTA Civil Rights Project of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission announces four events.

ADA Night at the Ballpark
Wednesday, July 21, 4:30pm
Cubs Stadium in Des Moines and minor league parks in Cedar Rapids, Quad Cities, Sioux City and Waterloo
Pre-game reception and a performance by the New Visions Dance Troupe on the grassy area in front of Gate D of Cubs Stadium. Disability organizations will have tables at each gate, handing out information and ADA temporary tattoos. VSA Iowa will provide face painting and spin-art. Minor league ballparks in Cedar Rapids, the Quad Cities, Sioux City, and Waterloo will be holding similar ADA celebrations.

Downtown Farmers Market
Saturday, July 24, 7 a.m.-noon
Court Avenue, Des Moines
Visitors will be able to decorate free bags, sponsored by the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association of Iowa, filled with information about services offered for people with disabilities and their families.

ADA Anniversary Celebration
Saturday, July 24th, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
State Capitol West Terrace, Des Moines
Federal and state elected officials, advocates, and Iowans who were present at the actual signing of the ADA will be speaking. This will be a free, family-friendly event open to the public hosted by the ADA Planning Committee and the VISTA Civil Rights Project of the Iowa Civil Rights Commission. Attendees may pick up information about disability organizations and engage in interactive, educational activities for all ability levels. VSA Iowa artists will be providing art and entertainment. The Olmstead Consumer Taskforce, Principal Financial Group, the Iowa Department of Human Services, and Relay Iowa will serve as sponsors for this event. The rain location for this event will be the State Historical Building.

ADA Employer Workshop
Monday, July 26th
State Capitol, Des Moines
Among other workshops and training sessions, Iowa Department of Human Services will hold a workshop and public forum on a new mental health plan for Iowa. To learn more about these exciting events, activities planned in other parts of Iowa, and the entire ADA recognition campaign, please visit http://www.adaiowa.webs.com.

DMU Assistant Professor Julia Moffitt wrote a letter to Republican gubernatorial candidate as part of our Letters to Mr. Branstad effort.

Dear Governor,

My name is Julia Moffitt and I am currently an Asst. Professor in the Department of Physiology and Pharmacology at DMU and have had many positive interactions with you in the past. Your leadership as our President at DMU was truly outstanding, in both with regard to fiscal leadership and fair-minded stewardship. The policies at DMU currently and during your tenure embrace diversity and I have always felt a valued employee of DMU regardless of the makeup of my family status. I am now asking that since you are once again running for Governor of this state that you show a similar level of leadership and fairness in your policy toward gay marriage in the state of Iowa.

This past year, my partner and I had the tremendous opportunity to be legally wed under the law in the great state of Iowa, our home for many years. We have been together over 8 years and together are raising three wonderful, talented children. My partner and I are both lucky. We have great extended families, good paying jobs in higher education, care about this state and our community and in fact contribute quite a bit of tax revenue! We were so proud to be Iowans when the Supreme Court of the State of Iowa handed down its decision in the spring of 2009. Our family was finally able to achieve a level of equality and security that had not been previously allowed to us. Since last 4th of July, our marriage has strengthened our relationship and invigorated our love for this state and the values Iowans hold.

I am now deeply disturbed to think that you, my former boss, who I respected tremendously in the past are now making statements that you will work to overturn the decision handed down by the Supreme Court and if are elected may even bring my marriage to a vote.

I am writing to you today to appeal to your sense of fairness and good judgment, qualities I know you possess but seem to not be exercising over this current issue. Do think how it would feel to you if someone wanted to vote on the legality of your relationship? As I know you are aware, Loving vs. the State of Virginia was a court ruling that allowed interracial marriage. Had interracial marriage been put to a vote, who knows when and if it would have ever been attained? Allowing a majority group of citizens to vote on a matter of legal equality for a minority group of citizens seems to be one of the primary reasons we have a judicial system. I am asking you now to respect and recognize the thorough and thoughtful ruling handed down by the Supreme Court of the State of Iowa.

My partner and I are both law-abiding taxpaying citizens, who although you may disagree on the validity of our relationship via religious terms, have done nothing but contribute to this state and our community in a positive way. We would like to be able to raise our children with the confidence in the integrity of their family unit and the understanding that the state in which they live values their well-being and provides equal protection under the law. We as adult individuals would like to continue to live in a state that values our contribution by providing equal protection under the law and know we can raise our children in the same way other Iowans raise their children, with a strong sense of Midwestern values of love, commitment, community, respect, responsibility and fairness.

I urge you to consider my plea that you return to your sense of fair-minded leadership and do what is right and respect the ruling by our State Supreme Court, rather than allow whatever values are driving your current position on this issue to cloud your judgment and damage the lives responsible citizens of this state, such as myself, my partner and our 3 children.

Sincerely,
Julia A. Moffitt

Here's another example of the outpouring of support for same-sex couples in Iowa. Do your part: Send your letter today!

I just recently married the love of my life one week ago here in Des Moines, Iowa. I was born in Des Moines, but have lived in New York City for the past 12 years. We have decided to move permanently to Des Moines because of the legality of same sex marriage. It offers us a comfortable environment to live openly. In the future we would like to raise our family in a place of understanding and acceptance. As two to be physicians in Osteopathic Medical School we would like to help serve the underserved community here in Des Moines and help add to the medical community by inspiring preventative medicine. My wife and I would love to continue our life in Iowa and to contribute to the community, however if the State of Iowa changes their support and legal stance on marriage equality we will have to rethink our move to this community.

Please continue to vote for marriage equality and equality for all citizens of the United States. We as citizens are entitled to that right.
- Risa, Waukee

The letters to Republican gubernatorial candidate Terry Branstad, letting him know how positive same-sex marriage has been for Iowa, are pouring in. Here are some examples. Make sure you write your letter today!

"I heard of your desire to pass a constitutional amendment taking away the right of marriage from many of my fellow Iowans. When I first heard that Iowa had granted this right, I was extremely proud to be an Iowan. I have told many of my out-of-state friends about Iowa's progressive attitude and how living here is great for families. As a native Iowan I have had to correct many non-Iowans on their views of our state, and I would be ashamed if such a wonderful example of Iowa's equality were taken away. Marriage is about love, and please don't take this right away from your fellow Iowans.

You're the only governor I remember having when I was growing up, and if this is a point on which you will not waver, then you have lost my vote."
- Rachel, Ames, IA

"We lived in Iowa most of our lives, but moved recently to be near grandchildren in Minnesota. I was so proud of Iowa allowing gays to marry, as an accepting, non-prejudice state. Many have gay children or relatives, and want them to have full rights. Show that Iowa is a state that affirms others. It is only then that this great state can lead the way."
- Kay, Bettendorf, IA

"I urge you not to attempt to turn back history with regard to the law on same-sex marriage in Iowa. Freedom is the operative word here. Those who oppose same-sex marriage, on whatever grounds, have the freedom not to enter into it and to encourage those among their friends and families who might consider it not to do so. By contrast, supporting a constitutional amendment against the freedom to marry for gays and lesbians is a mean-spirited, narrow, and freedom-denying position. Iowans for the most part are open to a "live and let live" view of life and I urge you to lead them rather than attempt to lead those who seek to deny individual freedoms for equal status and protection for all citizens of and visitors to our state on this question of marriage."
- Joseph, Des Moines

One Iowa presents the People of Color Action Summit, a safe space for communities of color to organize and plan a course of action for protecting the freedom to marry for gay and lesbian couples.

Join us July 7 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in Meeting Room 1 at the Central Library, 1000 Grand Avenue, Des Moines. For more information and to RSVP, email Conner or call her at 515.288.4019 ext. 201.