Amber Johnson
Council Bluffs Lewis-Central High School

"I did know that I was different than most of the other students when it came to sexual orientation. When the administration found out everything fell apart. The administration contacted my mom. At the end of the school year I was asked not to return to my Catholic High School.

I didn’t understand it. I was a 'good kid.' I was on student council. I was in the drama program. I was a cheerleader. And here I was… being cut loose…let go…expelled for being gay.

School is not supposed to be about orientation… but about education. I don’t want to feel like I have to pretend to be someone I’m not, just to get basic rights, the basic treatment, that my peers do. After having gotten in contact with Iowa Pride Network I feel less isolated and afraid and more confident in myself. The Iowa Pride Network has shown me that there are other students out there like me, and that, together we can make a difference."