History - Iowa Pride Network

iowapridenetwork history

Iowa Pride Network (IPN) was founded by two college students in June 2003 after recognizing the need to reduce the isolation and harassment that so many lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) students’ face in Iowa. The vision was to build a network of Gay-Straight Alliances (GSA), educate students on their rights, offer direct support and leadership opportunities, and ultimately help students change the society in which they live.

Now a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization governed by youth and adults, IPN is empowering youth to fight homophobia and transphobia in high schools and colleges. We work to improve the quality of life among LGBT students by reducing isolation through a statewide network of GSA clubs and coalitions and by providing leadership opportunities and organizing projects centered on social justice. Put simply, IPN is: Connecting Students, Cultivating Leaders, Creating Change.

Mission:
IPN works directly with LGBTA youth to cultivate advocates and leaders who fight homophobia and transphobia and strive for social justice.

Vision:
LGBTA Youth lead the transformation of Iowa into a state that embraces LGBT citizens.

Achievements:

Expanded the number of GSAs from 20 to over 100 in five years

Provided resources and support to 1,200+ LGBTA students last year alone

Publish the bi-annual Iowa Pride Network School Climate Survey which assesses—for the first time ever—the level of homophobia, racism and gender-bias in Iowa schools and its effects on LGBT and Allied youth

Iowa’s Safe Schools Law: IPN’s “School Climate Survey” provided statistics regarding LGBT student harassment; the alarming numbers compelled legislators and the public to act

Our student advocates were instrumental in helping pass Iowa’s Safe Schools Law and Iowa’s amended Civil Rights Law, which now includes sexual orientation and gender identity—some of the most inclusive LGBT laws in the nation

Co-sponsor of Iowa’s Matthew Shepard Scholarships since 2004

Co-sponsored and presented opening session/student panel for The Governor’s Conference on LGBT Youth in 2006 and 2008, which helped put a student face on the issues of bullying and harassment to nearly 1,000 participants

Received the 2007 “Champion for Children” Award in recognition of our commitment and advocacy on behalf of Iowa’s Children and Youth

Recognized nationally as a leading state GSA Network, IPN received a three year, $100,000 grant from the Queer Youth Fund to hire a full-time Outreach Coordinator

IPN is one of five states serving on the Steering Committee for the National Association of GSA Networks

High School Youth Council and College Leadership Team was established in 2007 to increase youth ownership of IPN (youth now make up one-fourth of IPN’s Board of Directors)

Six GSA Coalitions statewide (Council Bluffs, Sioux City, Mason City, Cedar Falls/Waterloo, Iowa City/Cedar Rapids, and Des Moines/Ames) were created to allow for grassroots organizing and peer education

In 2007-2008, 31 new GSAs were created; 60% of existing GSAs were sustained (up from previous level of about 44%); 100% of Coalitions and 91% of GSA members felt supported by IPN; and, 92% of students reported increased knowledge on LGBT students rights because of IPN programs

In fall 2008, IPN launches “Thinking Queerly” Coalition Curriculum—a curriculum designed to fill the information gap by empowering youth with knowledge about their history, community, identity and culture (currently, only 16% of Iowa’s LGBT youth ever hear about LGBT people, history or events in their schools: 2007 Iowa School Climate Survey)