Iowa Pride Network - Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Iowa Pride Network's Vision?
Our vision is to educate Iowa LGBTQA students on their rights and available resources, end the isolation that many LGBTQA students face, help empower these students to build successful futures, and transform Iowa into a state that is affirming and inclusive.

What does the Iowa Pride Network do?
In support of our overall vision, the Iowa Pride network can be briefly described in this way:

• We are working to make sure that all students are safe in school by empowering them to become educated on their rights and available resources and advocating for these students on the state and local levels
• We are networking these students to end isolation and give them a sense of community
• We are providing and mentoring and resources to these students to help them build healthy, successful futures

Is Anti-Gay Harassment really a problem in Iowa?
Anti-Gay harassment is a serious problem in Iowa schools. This anti-gay harassment affects gay and straight students alike.

Our 2005 Iowa Pride Network School Climate Survey Found that the majority of Iowa LGBT students (92.3%) frequently heard homophobic remarks, (61.2%) felt unsafe in their school because of their sexual orientation and (83.3%) reported being verbally harassed because of their sexual orientation or their gender expression. A large number of students also reported incidents of physical harassment (34%) and physical assault (18%). Faculty and school staff often (75%) did not intervene when homophobic remarks were made and were even less likely to intervene (80%) when hearing negative comments about someone’s gender expression.

Fortunately, our survey clearly indicates that schools that adopt and enforce inclusive policies that include sexual orientation or gender identity/expression were more likely to have a healthier and affirming school climate resulting in students that had higher grade point averages (GPA's) and students that were more likely to go on to college.

How can I support the Iowa Pride Network's vision and work?
There are many ways to support the Iowa Pride Network's work. Find out more about supporting our work financially as an individual donor, corporate sponsor or to find out if your employer matches your individual gift.

As parents, students and educators, we can all play a role in making anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment unacceptable in Iowa's schools.