Iowa Conservatives Want Gay Kids Excluded from Safe Schools Law

Iowa Republicans never cease trying to cause trouble for the state's gay and lesbian citizens. They've worked tirelessly to bring an end to Marriage Equality.  Wrapping themselves in the mantle of religion, they dehumanize committed same-sex unions and rail against equal rights at every opportunity.  Having failed thus far to impose their Old Testament values on Iowa's constitution, GOP lawmakers are now going after the most vulnerable members of society - LGBT children.  What could be more craven?

The Iowa Pride Network reports that Representatives Jason Schultz and Matt Windschitl (pictured right) have introduced legislation which seeks to exclude LGBT youngsters from Iowa's 2007 Safe Schools Law.  Needless to say, the measure protects ALL public school students from bullying and harassment  - not just kids with atypical sexual orientations.  But religious conservatives such as Schultz and Windschitl would rather see gay students cruelly abused than in a safe learning environment.  Right-wing politics before compassion - that's the GOP's motto.  Ryan Roemerman, Executive Director of Iowa Pride, issued this statement:  "When our state is facing record budget deficits and unemployment, House Republicans feel their time is best spent picking on Iowa’s LGBT youth.  There is no better example as to why we have this law, so youth in Iowa don’t grow up to be like these bigots."

Iowa Pride Network encourages students to fight homophobia in high schools and colleges by supporting Gay-Straight Alliance clubs and organizing projects centered on social justice.