ISU Alliance Blog

Well hello, I hope you had a good weekend and enjoyed some of the festivities of National Coming Out Week.

So a long time ago I tried to write a weekly blog catered to lesbian and bi women around ames/iowa with info about all sorts of queer things that are going around Ames, Des Moines and the Midwest.

Tonight starting at 9pm till 2am. We're tranforming the M-Shop into a dance club. $5 general admission. $3 for due paying members.

The All 1 Dance Party is a once a month [held on the 2nd Saturday of each month this semester]. We will be playing the hottest tracks, mash-ups, rare remixes, and occational performances. Tell all of your friends about it.

And I am for sure will be playing this song.

Campus Pride Issues Warning regarding the Princeton Review’s Top 20 “Gay Community Accepted” College Ranking

National nonprofit organization states that the educational preparatory company's college ranking is "erroneous & potentially misleading, harmful to LGBT youth & families"
(CHARLOTTE, NC, Thursday, August 13, 2009) -- Campus Pride issues a warning regarding the Top 20 “Gay Community Accepted” and “Alternative Lifestyle Not an Alternative” rankings in the 2010 edition of the Princeton Review’s annual college guide The Best 371 Colleges (Random House/Princeton Review, $22.99). The national nonprofit organization believes that not only is the use of “alternative lifestyle” problematic when referring to the lives of LGBT people, but the methodology Princeton Review used to garner their findings is too simplistic and could potentially lead to harmful, unsafe choices for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) students looking for acceptance and support during college.

The criteria that Princeton Review used to determine the best LGBT “acceptance” at colleges was not based on significant LGBT student opinions or research related to inclusive LGBT policies, programs or practices as one might expect. Their rankings were based off one single question asked to 122,000 students at the 371 top colleges -- whether they agreed or disagreed with the following statement: “Students, faculty, and administrators treat all persons equally regardless of their sexual orientation and gender identity/expression.”

“This list is an erroneous, misleading indicator of acceptance for LGBT youth and their safety on campus,” said Shane Windmeyer, founder and executive director of Campus Pride and the author of The Advocate College Guide for LGBT Students, the first-ever guide profiling the 100 Best LGBT-Friendly Colleges, released in 2006 by Alyson Books. “The majority of students responding to such a question – irrespective of response – will be straight. Their perceptions of equality are likely quite different from those of LGBT students.”

While Princeton Review— a widely trusted company—believes that their rankings are created to help parents and students determine which school is right for them, Campus Pride believes that parents who are truly concerned for their children’s safety and well-being will be misled by these particular findings. Campus Pride strongly believes that given the rise in violence and harassment among LGBT students, there are serious issues to consider when looking for the right college.

Another reason for concern is the dated use of the words ‘alternative lifestyle’ when referring to the lives of LGBT people. “It’s disrespectful and out of touch because it alludes that being gay is a choice and something that can be cured,” Windmeyer said. “The insensitivity to language is a major warning sign that this guide does not have the nuanced perspective to be a trusted resource and to truly understand the complexity of LGBT students’ lives and needs.”

Campus Pride believes that LGBT students deserve better. “Today more and more LBGT high school youth are making life decisions on the college that not only best fits their academic needs, but also a college where they can live and learn openly in a safe and welcoming environment,” says Windmeyer. “If students and families do decide to use the Princeton Review as a resource, I would encourage them to compare its rankings for LGBT schools with those available from the Campus Climate Index (http://www.campusclimateindex.org) – plus, it’s free.”

The Campus Climate Index, developed by Campus Pride in 2007, is an online educational research tool for LGBT students and their families with over 200+ colleges and universities with inclusive LGBT policies, programs and practices. In 2010, Campus Pride’s National LGBT College Climate Survey (http://www.campuspride.org/research) will share the attitudes and perceptions of LGBT students, faculty and staff in a report titled “The State of Higher Education for LGBT People.”

For more information on Campus Pride, please visit www.campuspride.org.

Outsiders will be visiting the Ames community to spread hate and lies, so we're coming together to share food, socialize and celebrate equality & respect for all in spite of their efforts. Help us call Iowa voters and have productive conversations about marriage equality, spreading understanding and protecting our newly recognized freedoms.

Staff from One Iowa and local volunteers will be present to provide callers with all the training they need to have a great time talking to Iowa voters about marriage equality!

** Please bring your cell phone and charger to use for the phonebank **

Doors will open at 6:00pm, with phonebank training at 6:00pm & 7:15pm. The meal starts around 6:30pm (or when food & tables are set up)!

The event is open to all community members (including ISU students). If bringing food isn't convenient, just show up! There are plenty of ways to contribute (e.g. helping with set-up and clean-up). There is always enough food to share.

For questions about the phonebank event, please call or email Matt Fender (mfender@lambdalegal.org) or (646)752-5932. Please contact Joel Geske (curlyjoe1955@yahoo.com) with any questions about the location or meal.

Fred Phelps and his posse over at the Westboro Baptist Church will be in town on July 24 from 4:45-5:00 pm.

This is from their press release:
Iowa State University - We're back to tell you God H8s You! SW corner of W. Lincoln Way & University Blvd What's up ISU? Long time, no see. While we are in the area to picket Marshalltown, we thought we'd stop by and say "God Hates You"; "You're Going To Hell" and "God Hates Fags" Iowa says "It's Okay To Be Gay", and was the first to begin giving $ to little perverts for no other reason than they brag about being little perverts. God Hates Iowa, and all who live there are cursed. Deuteronomy 11:26 Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse; 27 A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day: 28 And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known. 29 And it shall come to pass, when the LORD thy God hath brought thee in unto the land whither thou goest to possess it, that thou shalt put the blessing upon mount Gerizim, and the curse upon mount Ebal. 30 Are they not on the other side Jordan, by the way where the sun goeth down, in the land of the Canaanites, which dwell in the champaign over against Gilgal, beside the plains of Moreh? 31 For ye shall pass over Jordan to go in to possess the land which the LORD your God giveth you, and ye shall possess it, and dwell therein. 32 And ye shall observe to do all the statutes and judgments which I set before you this day. Obama's gonna destroy your State with his "economic program" and then you are going to eat you little babies - you heard it here FIRST. AMEN!

Too bad we won't be there. Summer session ends on the 10th of July. I'm not wasting my summer vacation dealing with them. I have more important things to do like solving the middle east crisis, alternative energy, global warming, world hunger, and world peace.

Naked Pride
Friday, June 12, 2009 7:30 p.m.
Sheslow Auditorium, Drake University, 25th & University, Des Moines

The Chorus finds just the right mix of songs for a free-spirited Capital City Pride weekend and songs from a cycle called Naked Man. Composer Robert Seeley says, "Naked Man not only addresses experiences in Gay culture, it celebrates the human condition. We all go through life shedding layers of ourselves, our masks and our insecurities, in order to express our true selves." Experience a powerful night of pride with the Des Moines Gay Men's Chorus.

N.B. Unfortunately, no men will actually be naked in this choral performance

Interfaith Brunch for Pride
Saturday, June 13, 2009 10:30 - Noon
FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH, 1800 Bell Ave., Des Moines

An opportunity for LGBT folks and their allies from different faith communities and the larger community, too, to come together for food, fun, and fellowship! Enjoy a bountiful brunch buffet that will include vegetarian options. Free will offering welcome.

RSVP to Mark at 274-0925 or scorpiored48@yahoo.com .

Childcare is also available upon request.

Pride Street Party!
6/13/09 6:00pm

The street Party will start at 6pm in the heart of the Historic East Village with entertainment and dancing until midnight. Headliner Kristine W. performs!
The cost is $3 for a wristband to drink if you are over 21. (Passes for both the street party and Sunday’s festival are $5).

Pride Brunch
6/14/09 9:00am

Pride Brunch this year will be at the Grand Piano Bistro on Grand Avenue between East 5th and East 6th St. $20 before and $25 at the door. For information email info@capitalcitypride.org

Pride Fest 2009
6/14/09 12:00 noon

Starts at noon with entertainment until 6pm. $3 for a wristband to drink if you are over 21. (Passes for both Saturdays Street Fest and Sundays Fest are $5)

Gay Day at Adventureland Park
6/15/09 10:00am

Join all your friends for a family fun day at our local amusement park. Each year we all try to coordinate matching colors so we can find one another. This years color is Purple. If you haven’t been before - Catch the wave! Discount tickets available at the Capital City Pride booth at the Street fest on June 13th and the festival on June 14th or by emailing vice_moderator@capitalcitypride.org. Save $10 off the regular admission price by purchasing through Capital City Pride

Hey guys.

Marshalltown Community Theatre is presenting "The Laramie Project" on July 24-26, July 30 and Aug. 1.

Sources claim that the Westboro Baptist Church will be picketing the show.

The theater would be willing to offer group discount tickets.

You can learn more about the Marshalltown Community Theatre by going to their website.

You can also contact Tom LaVille (the director) for additional information or tickets at 641-752-0153 or email at tlaville@earthlink.com

Congratulations are in order for the following LGBTA Alliance cabinet members for recieving honors and recognition during the Lav Grad & Small Victories ceremony.

• Leah, our out-going Secretary was honored with the Academic Execellence Award.
• Marisol, our out-going Logistics Chair was honored with the Community Development Award.
• Kelly, our Vice President won the Emerging Leader Award and the Walter J. Allen & Shaun B. Keister Scholarship.
• Callen, our President was named Student of the Year (Undergradute), and also the recipient of Scott Rohlf Presidential Leadership Initiative Award and scholarship.

Congrats!

Also, we are pleased to announce the LGBTAA cabinet for the fall 2009- spring 2010 school year.

Historians: Curt P. & Amy B.
Logistics: Kay W.
PR/Advertising: Mike A.
Fundraising: Holland D.
Treasurer: Anna H.
Secretary: Stephanie I.
Vice President: Kelly M.
President: Callen U.

Good luck!

Have a great summer. Don't forget to add us on Twitter, and Facebook.

Opponents of equality are at it again! Once again on Monday, extremists will protest the unanimous Iowa Supreme Court decision and push additional measures to undermine the Court's historic decision! Monday's protest follows a similar protest last Thursday that saw opponents of equality disrupt the House Chambers with chants and political gamesmanship.

In response, One Iowa is calling on Iowans across the state to participate in a virtual rally asking our elected officials to continue work on issues of common concern to all Iowans. In the midst of a budget shortfall, job losses, and last year's devastating floods, our elected officials should put aside divisive politics and continue to work for all Iowans!

TAKE ACTION ONLINE!
Sign the Rally for Common Concern petition. Signatures will be delivered to House leadership later in the day.

"Defendant appeals from district court summary judgment ruling holding state statute limiting civil marriage to a union between a man and a woman unconstitutional. AFFIRMED." read the rest of the 69 page court ruling here.

There are still federal laws that make same-sex couples second class citizens when it comes to issues like tax law, veterans' entitlements, health care subsidies, aged care, immigration law, etc. Given the positive progression of laws that have, in the past, discriminated against gender, race and age, it's disappointing same-sex couples' rights still have a long way to go. I think we need to look at how equality is reserved for only the 'right' kind couples under current laws.

Simple changes to the way we define de facto relationships in the legislation would make life fairer for thousands of same-sex couples and their families, and make it easier to access rights accorded to them under the law.

These laws are about basic personal rights and should be available to all couples and families.

Amy Higgins, an LAS Career Services intern will be delivering her semester project in the form of a workshop on Thursday April 30 from 4:00-5:00 in 353 Catt. Her topic is: LGBT Graduates and the Job Search. She will address: legal issues, the job search and personal issues. You are welcome and encouraged to attend.

An Awesome Day
I'm lovin' that my quote made it to the front page.

Take note of same-sex ruling, Midwest and US.
Editorial that's clear and consise. This serves as a good talking-points.

It is a historic day not only for the lgbt community but for all Iowans. This is not a small victory, but a monumental one.

Marriage legitimizes the love and commitment of couples, same-sex or otherwise. Legally recognized marriage gives couples over a thousand rights that would otherwise not be available to them, not to mention the social equity that the word marriage gives.

As we rejoice, let us not forget those who had fought for our equality and our rights. Even in the face of adversity, we continued to live our lives with dignity and hope that someday the future would be brighter and that our goal for equality would be realized. Today, it did.

I am lucky to be alive and witness this joyous occasion. No longer will we doubt the legitimacy of our existence and the validity of our relationships.

The ISU LGBTA Alliance will continue to promote, support and advocate equality for all.

Sincerely ,
Callen Ubeda
President, ISU LGBTA Alliance

read the pdf of the court ruling here.

check out the kinsey scale and its ok with me buttons. only $1/ea. produced in limited quantity. buy one during our spring benefit, throughout awareness week, and during viesha.