FEBRUARY LEGISLATIVE FORUM/PART B
 
As promised, I am giving a second report on the Senators' and Representatives' Legislative Forum held at St. Ambrose University, Davenport, IOWA, which took place Saturday, February 25th.

A question from a young man, Andrew, drew applause from many in the audience.  He wanted to know, especially from the Republicans, what was going to be done in the state of IOWA regarding bullying.  Andrew said gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender persons (GLBT's) are not given the same protections as "other minority" groups.  He wanted to know what was going to be done to protect him and others of the GLBT group.

First to respond was Rep. Jim Van Fossen (R), "…they (school administrators) all say there is a bullying policy in place, and is this something that the state of IOWA needs to get involved?…We try to allow the school boards to set their own policies on hours, numbers of days that they're working…" Take a stand here Jim, take a stand.  (((It is going to be so sweet to see your opponent, the articulate ELESHA GAYMAN, take you to task on so many issues, including this one.)))

Andrew said, "Kids now use 'gay' in a slang term as something bad.  We don't go around saying: 'That's so black. That's so Asian. That's so Jewish.'  We don't do that…I'm just wanting my officials of the state of IOWA regardless of party to do something to insure my rights as an American citizen."

When asked by the senior Rep. Jim Van Fossen what rights Andrew himself did not have that he, Van Fossen, had, the young man's answer was that he lost his job.  He was "actively and maliciously sought out for being a homosexual."

Senator Joe Seng (D-Davenport) said he was on the Davenport city council when they passed a law regarding no discrimination on credit, housing, and employment.  He said we (Democratic legislators) are working on getting a law standardized.  Although, Sen. Seng said he was not sure the Republicans were working on one.  "We're working to try to get a statewide anti-bullying bill.  I am.  I think it's needed."  He thanked Andrew for coming forward with his concerns.

But it was Representative Jamie Van Fossen (R-Davenport) who really seemed out of touch.  He said he didn't understand the problem after Andrew had described being fired from his job for being gay and for nearly being run off the road 5 times by the same individual just because he was gay.  Andrew said he learned that the IOWA hate crime law does nothing to protect him as a gay person.

So, for Rep. Jamie Van Fossen not being more aware, more in touch, more inclusive-thinking about this, well, I guess it's time to step aside and let someone govern who does.  Step down Jamie, step down.

Though this episode has nothing to do with environmental issues, please still take time to CPR…CONSERVE/PARTICIPATE/RECYCLE.