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West Des Moines, IA – January 30 – The Iowa Pride Network presented checks to Valley High School’s Drama Department and Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) on Tuesday in support of their efforts to educate their school and community about tolerance, acceptance and the need to end homophobia in Iowa schools. The Iowa Pride Network threw a “Benefit Brunch” in support of Valley High School’s production of “The Laramie Project”. The play is based on the aftermath of the violent killing of Matthew Shepard, a University of Wyoming student who was kidnapped, beaten and tied to a fencepost outside of Laramie, Wyoming and left to die because he was gay. “The play generated intense dialogue in our community and state about acceptance and understanding—and both are needed now more than ever,” stated Ryan Roemerman, Iowa Pride Network Director. “We wanted to support Valley’s efforts to educate our community and to celebrate the brave students who are working everyday to help put an end to hate, violence and homophobia in Iowa schools.” “The money will be used to enhance our GSA’s programming and education efforts as well as support a possible school climate survey and teacher training,” stated Billy Hamilton, GSA President. Stacy Hanson, Valley’s Director of Theatre shared that, “Valley High School Drama is most proud and honored to play a role in diversity education,” noting that, “the most diverse groups of people in the U.S. today are students in our public schools. Educational theatre should reflect this diversity. ‘The Laramie Project’ offers a lens through which to better understand people and the world around us.” Valley High School will again perform scenes from “The Laramie Project” at the Second Annual Governor’s Conference on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Youth on February 22 at Drake University in Des Moines. |
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