Educational Series
Held in Speaker's Alley on West Fourth Street
SATURDAY ONLY
SATURDAY ONLY
UnityPoint Clinic offers dedicated healthcare services in a comfortable and welcoming environment to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning communities. Safe Zone trained providers will ensure compassion and understanding for all patients. The objectives of this panel discussion include:
- Learn how stigma and discrimination impact health and wellness
- Learn how UnityPoint Clinic developed a plan to create a safe, welcoming place to access healthcare
Presented by:
Emily Ball, ARNP; Kelly Hassman, ARNP; Eric Neverman, DO; Deb Van Dyke, ARNP, and Kyle P. Christiason, MD, CPE; all of whom are providers at the Unity Point LGBTQ Clinic.
Emily Ball, ARNP; Kelly Hassman, ARNP; Eric Neverman, DO; Deb Van Dyke, ARNP, and Kyle P. Christiason, MD, CPE; all of whom are providers at the Unity Point LGBTQ Clinic.
Some Christians base their objections to homosexuality on the Bible. This session explores the social and cultural contexts of the biblical world in order to understand what the Bible really says about homosexuality, and what it means for us today.
Presented by Dr. Susan Hill, Department of Philosophy and World Religions,
University of Northern Iowa
Her research interests focus primarily on the intersections between religious belief and cultural expression, particularly around questions of personal and bodily identity, gender, and sexuality. She has published articles on the authors George Eliot and Willa Cather, translation theory, pedagogy, and the history of gluttony and the fat body in western culture. She is the author of Eating to Excess: The Meaning of Gluttony and the Fat Body in the Ancient World (Praeger, 2011).
University of Northern Iowa
Her research interests focus primarily on the intersections between religious belief and cultural expression, particularly around questions of personal and bodily identity, gender, and sexuality. She has published articles on the authors George Eliot and Willa Cather, translation theory, pedagogy, and the history of gluttony and the fat body in western culture. She is the author of Eating to Excess: The Meaning of Gluttony and the Fat Body in the Ancient World (Praeger, 2011).
This panel, presented by Transcend Iowa will cover topics such as discovery of gender identity, coming out, family and community reaction, and resource availability. Transcend was founded in 2016 by two parents of a transgender son. They created the group in response to a lack of resources in the North Iowa area for transgender individuals, hoping that their efforts would make their son’s transition easier and more fulfilling. Soon after, they realized the need for support in the area was greater than anticipated, and Transcend began to grow. What started as a simple support group meeting in one location expanded into three locations, a Clothing Closet, trainings, community outreach, events for the wider LGBTQ community, and more. Transcend is constantly growing and evolving, and we hope to continually find new ways to assist the transgender community.
Booker Murray is a 19-year-old transgender man who came out in July of 2015. He began medically transitioning in 2016 with the support of his family and friends, and currently works closely with a nonprofit organization to educate the public about transgender issues. In the future, Booker would like to pursue a career in social work or law so that he can continue advocating for the LGBTQ community.
Nichole Bolas Mlodzik is a 22-year-old trans woman born and raised in the Midwest. Growing up in a Catholic family, anything LGBTQ was viewed as wrong, and issues like gay marriage, transgender rights, and even the existence of other identities (other than the stereotypical cisgender) were swept under the rug. Nichole enjoys recounting her story from her untutored youth to her emergence as the ever-growing, if not slightly nerdy, transgender woman she has always seen staring back in her reflections and dreams, provided she's not working another day shift as a prep cook at Culver's or playing Magic the Gathering.
Leah Leland is a 67-year-old transgender woman, an Iowa native. She served eight years in the Navy, then worked for several trucking companies until retiring. When she isn't home, she's on her Harley or attending motorcycle rights meetings or seminars.
Our History from Persecution to Pride.
The 1950s, 60s and 70s were full of dangerous confrontations and secret but exciting double lives for gays and lesbians. As laws changed, closet doors burst open and the buds of a local LGBT community began to take shape with the first gay bar, a gay church, and support groups. When AIDS grabbed our attention in the 80s and 90s, activism energized the community and united us with compassion and determination. Many new groups formed, only to fall victim to volunteer burnout. Today’s PrideFest celebrates not only the current community but the sacrifices and struggles of previous generations.
The 1950s, 60s and 70s were full of dangerous confrontations and secret but exciting double lives for gays and lesbians. As laws changed, closet doors burst open and the buds of a local LGBT community began to take shape with the first gay bar, a gay church, and support groups. When AIDS grabbed our attention in the 80s and 90s, activism energized the community and united us with compassion and determination. Many new groups formed, only to fall victim to volunteer burnout. Today’s PrideFest celebrates not only the current community but the sacrifices and struggles of previous generations.
Presented by David Hays, Cedar Valley LGBTQ Activist
Active in the local LGBT community since 1976, Dave Hays danced at the first local gay bar and was a founding member of ACCESS in N.E. Iowa, Iowans for Social Justice, the Cedar AIDS Support System and Cedar Valley Chapter of The NAMES Project (AIDS Quilt.) He also participated in the gay men’s support group, the AIDS Coalition of N.E. Iowa, UNI-GLO and UNI’s “Intro to Gay & Lesbian Studies” classes. He is a “hobby historian” and believes that if we don’t learn the lessons of past generations, we may be forced to repeat them.
Active in the local LGBT community since 1976, Dave Hays danced at the first local gay bar and was a founding member of ACCESS in N.E. Iowa, Iowans for Social Justice, the Cedar AIDS Support System and Cedar Valley Chapter of The NAMES Project (AIDS Quilt.) He also participated in the gay men’s support group, the AIDS Coalition of N.E. Iowa, UNI-GLO and UNI’s “Intro to Gay & Lesbian Studies” classes. He is a “hobby historian” and believes that if we don’t learn the lessons of past generations, we may be forced to repeat them.
This workshop will explore the impact of the federal court system, and specifically the United States Supreme Court, on the Iowa LGBTQ community. Issues addressed will include Iowa’s role in the confirmation process, a brief history of federal judicial decisions involving the LGBTQ community, and potential outcomes of adding Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.
Presented by Keenan Crow, Director of Policy and Advocacy at One Iowa
One Iowa is the state’s leading LGBTQ advocacy organization. Keenan joined the organization after a history of political and non-profit involvement with organizations such as Cedar Valley Citizens for Undoing Racism and Planned Parenthood of the Heartland. Keenan has worked to train a diverse number of organizations and institutions around LGBT issues including K-16 educators, local and federal agencies, businesses, health care providers, and law enforcement facilities. As director of Policy and Advocacy, they work with state and local government officials to create policies that protect and advance LGBTQ equality in Iowa.
One Iowa is the state’s leading LGBTQ advocacy organization. Keenan joined the organization after a history of political and non-profit involvement with organizations such as Cedar Valley Citizens for Undoing Racism and Planned Parenthood of the Heartland. Keenan has worked to train a diverse number of organizations and institutions around LGBT issues including K-16 educators, local and federal agencies, businesses, health care providers, and law enforcement facilities. As director of Policy and Advocacy, they work with state and local government officials to create policies that protect and advance LGBTQ equality in Iowa.
LGBTQ youth are more likely to experience bullying, homelessness, and suicide compared to their cisgender and heterosexual peers. This session will discuss the current state of LGBTQ youth and resources available to meet their needs.
Nate Monson has been the Executive Director for Iowa Safe Schools since 2007. In this role, Nate works to create safe schools and communities for LGBTQ youth through education, outreach, victim services, and advocacy efforts
