
CONTACTStaffCAREER OPPORTUNITIESADVERTISE WITH USPRIVACY POLICYPRIVACY PREFERENCESTERMS OF USELEGAL NOTICE
© 2023 Pride Publishing Inc.
All Rights reserved
All Rights reserved
Don’t miss our latest news! Sign up today for our free newsletter.
Scroll To Top
By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Private Policy and Terms of Use.
Ryan Roemerman, 24, is not only helping rack up victories for LGBT students, he's proving to be a serious figure of interest for at least one 2008 Democratic presidential campaign. His gig: He's the cofounder and director of the Iowa Pride Network, an umbrella group of high school and college gay-straight alliances in the state.
What are some of the network's biggest successes to date? Our school climate survey, which we released at the end of 2005, found that 83% of the state's LGBT students said they had been verbally harassed because of their sexual orientation. The survey really provided the impetus and the background for the [School Anti-Bullying and Anti-Harassment Act], which was just passed this March. The law protects all students from bullying and harassment. We've tripled the number of gay-straight alliances in Iowa, and really increased the number of students who are aware of their rights and resources.
What is your favorite part of the job? I love watching students grow as leaders. I travel around the state and get to meet with student groups all over. I've also been meeting with other groups in the Midwest--I just went to Nebraska to help launch a Nebraska Pride Network.
How does Iowa hold on to its LGBT youths when it's not exactly an LGBT mecca? Iowa is small enough that you can have an impact and really see the fruits of your labor. Our goal is to make Iowa the best it can be, a welcoming place for LGBT people, [where] they can run for office and not have to face discrimination in the workplace or in housing. It's part of a long-term goal here, which is also to acknowledge the creative class and how important that is for our local economy.
Iowa is a bellwether state for Democratic presidential politics. Have any of the candidates reached out to you to help secure the LGBT youth vote? I recently had a meeting with the Obama LGBT outreach person here--I was invited to their headquarters and met a lot of the staff. I may be meeting with Obama in a few weeks. I haven't decided on a candidate yet, but, hopefully, I'll get to talk to all of them.
Want more breaking equality news & trending entertainment stories?
Check out our NEW 24/7 streaming service: the Advocate Channel!
Download the Advocate Channel App for your mobile phone and your favorite streaming device!
From our Sponsors
Most Popular
Lauren Boebert Caught Fondling Date’s Genitals During Family-Friendly Musical: Video
September 15 2023 11:20 PM
Don’t miss our latest news! Sign up today for our free newsletter.
Watch Now: Advocate Channel
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Trending Stories & News
For more news and videos on advocatechannel.com, click here.
Latest Stories
Virginia Beach Parents Sue to Force Schools to Adopt Glenn Youngkin's Anti-Trans Policies
September 22 2023 5:43 PM
Donald Trump Asked Joint Chiefs Chair Mark Milley, 'Are You Soft on Transgenders?'
September 22 2023 4:00 PM
Transgender Youth Face Hurdles Getting Gender-Affirming Care Even When It's Legal
September 22 2023 2:30 PM
Victory for Students: LGBTQ+ Resource Center Reopens at Missouri University
September 22 2023 12:00 PM
Country Star Adam Mac Bows Out of Kentucky Festival After Homophobic Treatment
September 22 2023 10:38 AM
Pro-Equality Lawmakers Demand Removal of Anti-LGBTQ+ Sections From Defense Bill
September 21 2023 6:20 PM
Transgender American Suspended by Ukrainian Military After Controversial Video
September 21 2023 4:30 PM
‘Paw Patrol’ Spinoff Gets Nonbinary Character and the Right Freaks Out
September 21 2023 2:00 PM