Luther College hosts 'maintaining marriage equality' panel discussion
Luther College will host a Women’s History Month panel discussion titled "The Fight Isn’t Over: Maintaining the Marriage Act in Iowa" on Tuesday, March 16, at 7 p.m. in the Center for Faith recital hall.
In April 2009, a ruling by the Iowa Supreme Court established civil marriage equality in Iowa, overturning 10-year ban on same-sex marriage. The panel will discuss what is being done in Iowa to protect the marriage act and the many forces working to try to overturn the act.
"This year’s Women’s History Month theme is 'Marriage-Family-Diversity,' which makes this panel timely," said Kim Powell, Luther professor of communications and women and gender studies board member. "This fall, a presentation at Luther by the Iowa Supreme Court Justice who authored the marriage act, as well as a WGST discussion event, celebrated diversity in marriage. The focus of the March 16 panel will be on the forces aiming to overturn same-sex marriage in Iowa."
Panelists will include two local couples, Bill Musser and Otter Dreaming; and Ginger Mayette and Lynda Erickson. Other panelists are One Iowa Regional Field Organizers Emily Holley (Luther class of 2007) and Ryan Crane.
Iowa State professor studies cyberbullying of gay and lesbian teens
"There's a saying that we’ve now changed to read, 'Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can kill,'" said Warren Blumenfeld, an Iowa State assistant professor of curriculum and instruction and the [cyberbullying] study's lead author.
"Especially at this age, this is a time when peer influences are paramount in a young person's life. If one is ostracized and attacked, that can have devastating consequences — not only physically, but on their emotional health for the rest of their lives."
In the online survey of 444 junior high, high school and college students between the ages of 11 and 22 — including 350 self-identified non-heterosexual subjects — 54 percent of the LGBT and allied youth reported being victims of cyberbullying in the 30 days prior to the survey.
Cyberbullying includes attacks such as electronic distribution of humiliating photos, dissemination of false or private information, or targeting victims in cruel online polls.
One Iowa board chair leads collaborative effort at Davis Brown
Imagine this business: The leader is elected. Committees make most of the decisions. Lawyers run the place.
Sound more like Congress than commerce? Perhaps. But Sharon Malheiro says the formula works for the Davis Brown law firm.
"The way we govern ourselves is an anomaly for a larger law firm," said Malheiro, the firm's president. "What sets us apart is our desire for consensus, and it keeps us cohesive."
As president, Malheiro leads a voting board of five members elected by senior shareholders. Other major law firms have a managing partner or more direct leadership structure.
"Some firms essentially have a benign dictatorship, ranging toward a more corporate style of governance," said Alan R. Olson of Altman Weil, which provides management consulting services to law firms, including Davis Brown.
Malheiro said Davis Brown's style creates a collegial and productive place to work at one of the largest law firms in the state.
SHAMEFUL: Rep Hagenow Seeks to Exclude Gay Spouses from Domestic Abuse Statute
State Representative Chris Hagenow of Windsor Heights led the charge today seeking to exclude married gay and lesbian couples from a domestic abuse bill.
The attempt failed after Speaker of the House Pat Murphy ruled the move "non-germane" to the bill at hand and a procedural attempt to suspend the rules and bring the matter to the floor failed largely along party lines.
Shame on Representative Chris Hagenow for playing politics with the domestic abuse bill! Seeking to exclude married gay couples from equal protections is unconscionable.
Let him know we don't approve of him putting political charades ahead of protecting Iowa families!
http://eqfed.org/campaign/SHAMEFUL
More from the Register's Jason Clayworth:
Don’t define gays under domestic abuse protection, lawmaker proposes
A Windsor Heights representative unsuccessfully lobbied for the House today to adopt an amendment to a domestic abuse bill that would have defined a spouse as between one man and one woman.
Senate File 2357 brings federal laws concerning protective orders and conviction of domestic violence with relation to possession of guns into Iowa’s law.
Rep. Chris Hagenow, R-Windsor Heights, offered an amendment that would define the term spouse to be a person of marriage that is valid under Iowa law that says marriage is between one man and one woman.
The Iowa Supreme Court, last year, ruled the law was unconstitutional, which Rep. Rick Olson, D-Des Moines, pointed out on the House floor.
Ultimately the proposal was deemed not germane to the bill. Hagenow’s call to suspend the rules to move forward anyway failed, largely along a party vote.
Waukee chamber's Airhart seeks recorder's post
Chad Airhart, director of the Waukee Area Chamber of Commerce, is a candidate for Dallas County recorder, a position that will come up for election in November.
Airhart said he would continue to work for the chamber while he pursues the county office, which he wants to infuse with both fiscal and social conservatism. He said he plans to make the office more efficient and also hopes to be an advocate for prohibiting gay marriage in Iowa.
Since a decision by the Iowa Supreme Court in April, county recorders must issue marriage licenses to both heterosexual and gay couples. Airhart said he would follow the law if elected but would use the position to advocate for a vote to outlaw gay marriage.
Airhart said the office could save money in the long run by purchasing a computer system that would allow records of various types to be filed electronically.
Radio Iowa: Three GOP candidates for governor speak
From Radio Iowa's O. Kay Henderson:
The three Republican candidates for governor each spoke, briefly, at an Iowa Christian Alliance event earlier tonight. Former Governor Terry Branstad was the first of the three to speak and he began by reminding the crowd that while he was governor, he signed a number of abortion restrictions into law as well as the Defense of Marriage Act.
“I was deeply disappointed that the Iowa Supreme Court struck that down,” Branstad said.”I believe the people of Iowa deserve the right to vote to restore one-man/one-woman marriage in this state.”
Republican rival Bob Vander Plaats drew the largest burst of applause from the crowd when he repeated his vow to issue an executive order on his first day as governor to forbid gay marriage in Iowa. Vander Plaats suggested it was time to nominate a “principled conservative” as the Republican Party’s gubernatorial nominee.
Iowa Journal: Where Do You Stand On the Same Sex Marriage Debate?
From Iowa Public Television's Iowa Journal
In his book, "Founding Brothers," Joseph J. Ellis states that the debate between freedom and equality was written into the American constitution.
In that spirit, we are looking at the constitutional debate Iowans are talking about: whether to change Iowa's constitution to define marriage as between one man and one woman, effectively excluding same sex couples from using that terminology.
The following list came from listening to the debate at ISU, and comments afterwards. If you have trouble deciding between them, see the definitions in the links below the survey.
Ralph Reed: Give me $500,000 and we’ll take back Iowa
Iowa Independent's Jason Hancock reported on last night's Iowa Christian Alliance event. The keynote was GOP presidential hopeful Rick Santorum. But perhaps the most telling speech was given by former Christian Coalition head Ralph Reed.
The scandal-ridden Reed laid out his plan to elect anti-gay officials from governor to the statehouse to school boards.
From the Iowa Independent:
Ralph Reed: Give me $500,000 and we'll take back Iowa
Ralph Reed, the former head of the Christian Coalition and a veteran Republican strategist, told a Des Moines crowd Tuesday night that he was helping establish an Iowa-based Christian political organization, and if he could raise $500,000, Hawkeye State politics would be changed for the better.
[...]
After years in the spotlight, Reed’s political career collapsed in 2006 after his work with and close ties to Jack Abramoff — the disgraced Republican lobbyist who is still in prison for his illegal activity — were revealed. He began his political comeback last summer when he started the national group Faith & Freedom Foundation. He is also widely considered to be mulling a run in Georgia’s open 7th congressional district.
But Tuesday, his focus was on Iowa and the new organization he was hoping to fund, an organization that will have some relationship with the influential Iowa Christian Alliance.
“We’re not going to leave the express advocacy during an election to the radical left, MoveOn.org and labor unions anymore,” he said. “We’re going to do it, and we’re going to get people who share our values elected to office, from governor all the way down to the statehouse and school boards all across the state of Iowa.”
'Love at first sight' for native Iowan
Bruce Nelson was born in Cherokee, Iowa, and grew up on a farm near Meriden. He went on to Trinity College, and has spent his life in education -- from teaching missionary children in Ivory Coast and inner-city children in Chicago to being a school librarian in the Chicago area.
In 1982, he met Axel Kunzmann, a German-born radiologist who attended Princeton and Northwestern.
"It was truly love at first site," Bruce says. The couple has been together ever since.
And in November, Bruce returned to Iowa with the love of his life to get married at the Mines of Spain State Recreation Area near Dubuque.
They started their wedding day in true Iowa style: viewing the works of Grant Wood, on loan to the Dubuque Museum of Art.
The couple visits Dubuque often, most years riding in the annual TOMRV bike ride between Dubuque and the Quad Cities. Because they find the town so supportive, Bruce says it was a natural place to have their wedding.
"We are now both retired and enjoying the extra time together which that makes possible."
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: Drew Riebhoff
For One Iowa super volunteer Drew Riebhoff, marriage equality is a "no-brainer".
"I don't get why it's an issue, it doesn't affect anyone but the two people in a relationship" Drew says. "Our country was founded on the ideals of life, liberty and happiness, and denying anyone those ideals is denying them as an American."
Drew also says he was not surprised by the Iowa Supreme Court decision granting gay and lesbian couples the freedom to marry.
"In the past, Iowa's been a pioneering state for civil rights, and the Supreme Court just continued that tradition," Drew says.
As a volunteer, Drew's done a bit of everything, but his favorite job was helping plan Sweet Equality. Drew also helped set up and bartened at the event.
We are lucky to have Drew, especially given his incredibly lack of free time. He's also a senior at Simpson College, where he is also student body president, and an intern at the Des Moines Social Club.
Des Moines Metro Opera's Wine and Food Showcase Offers One Iowa Special!
This Friday March 5 at 5:30 PM is the Des Moines Metro Opera's Wine and Food Showcase. They are offering a special offer to One Iowa supporters which will give a portion of your ticket proceeds to One Iowa.
By mentioning special code "ONEIOWA38" $15 of your $50 ticket fees will be donated to One Iowa.
Des Moines Metro Opera's Wine and Food Showcase
Friday, March 5 at 5:30 PM
Downtown Marriott 3rd Floor Des Moines, IA
Couples line up as same-sex marriage becomes legal in DC
There's a rush for marriage licenses in the nation's capital on the first day same-sex unions are legal.
At least 50 same-sex couples were lined up when city offices opened this morning.
A woman at the front of the line with her partner of 12 years called it "a dream come true." She says, "It's like waking up Christmas morning."
Cheering erupted from the crowd when the first couple signed in at the marriage bureau blocks from the U.S. Capitol.
One Iowa Business Symposium - Corporate Sponsorship
If you company is interested in being a corporate sponsor for the One Iowa Business Symposium, please contact Amanda at amanda@oneiowa.org or call 515.288.4019 ext. 214.
Presenting Sponsor - $10,000 commitment
- Your company will be the Presenting Sponsor of the 2010 One Iowa Business Symposium.
- Verbal recognition of your company will be given at the 2010 Business Symposium.
- Your corporate logo will appear in all 2010 Business Symposium printed promotional materials recognizing your sponsorship level.
- Complimentary admission to the 2010 Business Symposium for ten (10) employees
- Complimentary admission to the 2010 Awards Luncheon for an additional ten (10) employees
Platinum Level - $7,500 commitment
- Your corporation will be listed as a sponsor on all Business Symposium printed promotional material recognizing your sponsorship level.
- Complimentary admission to the 2010 Business Symposium for eight (8) employees
- Complimentary admission to the 2010 Awards Luncheon for an additional eight (8) employees
Gold Level - $5,000 commitment
- Your corporation will be listed as a sponsor on all Business Symposium printed promotional material recognizing your sponsorship level.
- Complimentary admission to the 2010 Business Symposium for six (6) employees
- Complimentary admission to the 2010 Awards Luncheon for an additional six (6) employees
Silver Level - $2,500 commitment
- Your corporation will be listed as a sponsor on all Business Symposium printed promotional material recognizing your sponsorship level.
- Complimentary admission to the 2010 Business Symposium for four (4) employees
- Complimentary admission to the 2010 Awards Luncheon for an additional four (4) employees
Bronze Level - $1,000 commitment
- Your corporation will be listed as a sponsor on all Business Symposium printed promotional material recognizing your sponsorship level.
- Complimentary admission to the 2010 Business Symposium for two (2) employees
- Complimentary admission to the 2010 Awards Luncheon for an additional two (2) employees
One Iowa Business Symposium - Vendor Application
Limited space is available for corporations/organizations to exhibit resources and materials at the 2010 Business Symposium & Awards Luncheon. Vendor tables are six (6) feet and electrical outlets are available by request.
Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. A vendor fee of $250 includes two (2) symposium registrations. If additional individuals plan to attend the symposium, they must also register. To apply, print this page and email, fax 515.244.5846, or mail to address below.
Corporation/Organization ____________________________________________
Contact Person _____________________________________________________
Address __________________________________________________________
City _______________________________ State __________ ZIP ___________
Email ____________________________________________________________
Phone ____________________________________________________________
Registration 1 Name _________________________________________________
Registration 2 Name _________________________________________________
___________ $250 Vendor Fee
___________ $75/additional symposium registrations
___________ TOTAL ENCLOSED
Make checks payable to One Iowa Education Fund and mail to
One Iowa
Attn: 2010 Business Symposium
500 East Locust #300
Des Moines, IA 50309
For more information, contact amanda@oneiowa.org or call 515-288-4019 x214.
One Iowa Business Symposium - Workshop Proposal
As part of our ongoing commitment to ensure a safe, welcoming environment for LGBT employees and consumers, One Iowa is hosting the first-ever Business Symposium & Awards Luncheon on May 10, 2010, for more than 100 business and corporate leaders throughout the state. Through a series of workshops, participants will learn best practices for creating inclusive work environments for LGBT employees, and exploring recent corporate trends in market outreach to LGBT consumers.
We seek workshop proposals on a wide range of topics, including building and growing an Employee Resource Group, implementing the Iowa Civil Rights law with regards to sexual orientation and gender identity, the effect of marriage equality in the workplace, and marketing to the LGBT consumer market.
Symposium workshops will be 60 minutes. Presenter(s) must provide printed materials and laptop computers. The following equipment is available by request. Please include any equipment you need with your proposal.
__ Overhead Projector
__ Easel, paper and markers
__ TV/VCR
__ Screen
__ LCD Projector
To submit your proposal, please provide:
Contact Person and Information
Please provide name, address, email and phone number of contact person submitting the proposal.
Workshop Presenter(s), Title, Corporation/Organization
Please list all the workshop presenters and/or panel members. Symposium registration fees are waived for up to three presenters.
Workshop Title
Create a descriptive title for your workshop you think would appeal to symposium participants.
Workshop Description
Please describe your workshop in fifty words or fewer. Make sure your description summarizes the needs/issues addressed in the workshop and the goals/outcomes of the presentation. Be specific and concise.
Submit proposals by April 1, 2010, to amanda@oneiowa.org, fax to 515.244.5846 or email to the address below. If you have questions, please contact Amanda at 515.288.4019 ext. 214.
One Iowa
500 E Locust St. #300
Des Moines, IA 50309
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