Sweet Equality 2010: Call for bakers!
Sweet Equality Baker Entrance Form (PDF)
The third annual Sweet Equality is a dessert/pastry/candy competition showcasing some of Iowa’s sweetest creations. Join us Friday, Nov. 12, at Forte Banquet and Conference Center in Des Moines from 5:30-8:00 p.m. Awards will be given for Best Presentation and Sweetest Thing.
You can represent yourself or a company, and you may enter any type of dessert/pastry/candy. There are no limits to what dessert you enter, so let your creative energy go wild! Desserts will all be judged using the same criteria.
Here are the requirements for your company to participate in Sweet Equality 2010.
1) You must have at least 150 bite-sized samples of your dessert so the public can taste and judge your entry. Please provide utensils and plates or papers for serving your dessert.
2) You must have a presentation dessert of any size to be judged. The presentation dessert must be real and may not be made of non-edible materials e.g., Styrofoam or “dummy cakes” (please let us know if this is a problem).
3) Please have all desserts finished before arrival. Two 6-foot banquet tables and linens will be provided as a work and presentation area.
Please fill out the Bakers Entrance Form and submit to One Iowa no later than Friday, Sept. 17, to ensure your name and/or company will be on all printed promotional material for the event.
If you have any questions, please email Amanda@oneiowa.org, or call (515) 288-4019 ext. 214.
The proceeds from this event will go to the One Iowa Education Fund, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
American Family Association leader: Muslims are guilty of treason
from The Iowa Independent
One of the leaders of a group allegedly spending hundreds of thousands of dollars bankrolling an effort to oust three Iowa Supreme Court justices says “Muslim values are grossly incompatible with American values,” and therefore no community in America should allow a mosque to be built.
He later said that since Islam is “determined to wipe out the Constitution,” it could be argued that Muslims are guilty of treason and could be thrown in jail.
The comments were made on the blog of Bryan Fischer, the director of issue analysis for government and public policy at the American Family Association (AFA). Last week, Fischer announced his organization was providing huge financial support to social conservative leader Bob Vander Plaats’ campaign to convince Iowans to vote against retaining the three state Supreme Court justices on the ballot this fall due to their vote in the case that effectively legalized same-sex marriage.
GOP leads charge for constitutional convention
from IowaPolitics.com
Despite two Republican bloggers leading the charge for passage of a constitutional convention this fall and Iowans for Tax Relief contemplating its involvement, it appears at this point that the ballot issue stands little chance of passage and has strong opponents on both sides of the aisle.
... The nonprofit 501(c)(4) group encouraging Iowans to vote for the constitutional convention this year is called “Call the Convention.” Its president is Nathan Tucker, a Davenport attorney who writes for The Iowa Republican blog. Its vice president is Craig Robinson, the founder and editor-in-chief of TheIowaRepublican.com who was political director of the Republican Party of Iowa during the 2008 caucuses.
Board members include other key Republicans such as Chuck Laudner, a former executive director of the Republican Party of Iowa who’s the new campaign manager for the “Iowa for Freedom” group that’s pushing to oust three Supreme Court justices. Also on the board are Patty Brown of Des Moines, Bob Haus of Urbandale, Brent Hoffman of Sioux City and Daryl Hendrickson of Davenport.
“There are a number of amendments that need to be passed and the Legislature has shown an unwillingness to do it,” Tucker said. “A convention is needed to bypass the Legislature and get the matter into our own hands.”
Know your opposition: 700 Club's twisted report on marriage in Iowa
The 700 Club and Pat Robertson are not likely strangers to many of you who follow the anti-gay industry. While their supposed news stories dangerously twist the truth and misrepresent everyday Iowans, it's good to know what we're up against.
Feel free to point out factual errors, misleading comments, and errors of omission in the comments section. We'll start by pointing out how a story supposedly focused on Iowa opens with a rally in Rhode Island.
One Iowa potluck in Iowa City!
Join us in Iowa City for an evening of fun and morale building with other LGBT people and allies!
Sunday, September 26
5-8 pm
Lower City Park, Shelter 12
This potluck is a place to bring the family and meet with new people and old friends, share ideas, and have a good time. Please bring food to share. We will have some hot dogs, but if you desire something different please feel free to bring your choice cut for grilling on available grills. A meatless grill will be available for vegetarian options. We'll be near the playground; BYO plates, silverware, drinks, chairs, favorite games, and anything else you'd like to share!
Iowa Independent: Group spending ‘a couple of hundred thousand’ to oust Iowa judges
Bryan Fischer, the director of issue analysis for government and public policy at the American Family Association, said Thursday on his radio show that his organization has “put a couple of hundred thousand dollars into this campaign” to oust three Iowa Supreme Court justices up for retention votes this fall.
Fischer was interviewing Bob Vander Plaats, who last month launched a campaign to convince Iowans to remove the three justices from the court over its unanimous ruling that essentially legalized same-sex marriage. Both Fischer and Vander Plaats agreed that the campaign was “the single most important election this Nov. 2.”
The fact that The American Family Association (AFA) was funding the effort was first reported by The Iowa Independent last month, but Fischer’s statements represent the first indication of the investment national anti-gay organizations are going to make in the Hawkeye State.
Kyle Mantyla of Right Wing Watch calls AFA “among the most vigilant and vicious and anti-gay activists operating today.”
I wonder if the people of Iowa realize that this campaign is being financed by a group that believes that gays should be banned from serving in public office, claims that gays are no different from murderers, liars, thieves, and slave traders, claims that gay sex is a form of “domestic terrorism” and that homosexuality ought to be criminalized, and that Hitler filled the Nazi ranks with gay soldiers because gays have no limits to their savagery and brutality?
...
“It’s no secret that out of state extremist groups are footing the bill for Bob Vander Plaats’ spiteful efforts to corrupt our judiciary,” said Carolyn Jenison, executive director of LGBT-rights group One Iowa. “Iowans deserve to know whether Bob Vander Plaats is willing to defend the hate group that writes his paycheck.”
Iowa Senator: Boycott anti-gay radio advertisers
from The Des Moines Register
An Iowa senator is organizing a boycott of businesses that advertise during WHO-AM talk radio’s Jan Mickelson program.
His first target: Toyota of Des Moines even though he drives a vehicle purchased from the dealership.
“It’s the last one I’m ever going to own, that’s for sure,” said Sen. Matt McCoy, a Democrat from Des Moines.
Mickelson is a conservative host who said during a show broadcast from the Iowa State Fair last month that some AIDS education efforts destigmatize the “stupid behavior” of homosexuality. He likened AIDS to lung disease, cirrhosis of the liver and heart disease.
The station later ran a clarification noting that Mickelson is entitled to his opinions but that the statements confused medical fact and contained factual errors in the spread of the disease.
McCoy, who is gay, urged friends on his Facebook page to stop buying from the dealership. He said there plans to launch a website to encourage boycotts of other businesses that sponsor Mickelson or other programs that speak inaccurately or unfairly about gay and lesbians.
Joel McCrea, the vice president/market manager for the station, said he wasn’t aware of a campaign to boycott advertisers of Mickelson’s program. Advertisers have not withdrawn advertising from the program, he said, declining to comment further.
Ron Short, service manager for Toyota of Des Moines, said he was not aware of McCoy’s efforts. The car dealer currently has no plans to pull advertising during Mickelson’s program, Short said.
“No matter who you associate with, there’s going to be people that are with or against you,” Short said. “To focus it against Jan or anyone else I don’t think would be fair.”
One Iowa, Iowa’s largest civil rights group for gay and lesbians, has not taken a stand on the issue even though the group called for WHO to correct Mickelson’s statements. Justin Uebelhor, a spokesman for the group, said the boycott is an option but not a step the group has agreed to take at this time.
Iowa GOP’s war on courts could result in partisan judges
from The Iowa Independent
Starting from the days of Brown v. Board of Education, through Roe v. Wade and up to a federal judge overruling Proposition 8 in California last month, many conservatives have viewed the courts with contempt. The term “judicial activism” is often thrown around, usually meant to convey some variation on the idea that a judge implemented progressive policy against the will of citizens (though in a post-Citizens United world some liberals have taken to using the rhetoric of overreaching court decisions).
While this discussion raged at the national level, it largely bypassed Iowa courts, which through their merit nomination system, were generally viewed as less partisan. That changed with the state Supreme Court’s decision on the Varnum v. Brien case in 2009. In a unanimous decision, the court struck down Iowa’s Defense of Marriage Act, clearing the way for same-sex marriage.
Since that ruling, state Republicans have bemoaned not just the change in marriage laws, but also the structure of the court itself. With Terry Branstad leading in all polls and favored to retake the governor’s office for Republicans this fall, proposals to reshape the court nomination process could have a lasting impact on Iowa’s judicial system.
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: Nick Berte
by Nick Berte
Although I feel that nothing can stop two people's expression of true love, marriage equality still must be pursued. To me, denying the simple, basic and elemental expression of love that marriage embodies is a failure of the human heart, a lack of compassion and integrity.
Some day when I find that person whom I want to be with for the rest of my life, I want the same rights and protection as heterosexual couples. I want the same level of citizenship. I do not want to be told I am a second-class citizen because of who I love.
We – the gay community – are everywhere: We are your doctors, we are your nurses, we are your police, we are your teachers, we are your clothing consultants. And all we ask is to express our love in the same way straight couples do. What could gay couples possibly do to marriage that the straight community has not already done?
Growing up in a very conservative Iowa town, I did not always support marriage equality. I was raised Catholic, and for the longest time I could hardly say the word "gay". Raised to think homosexuality was a HORRIBLE sin defiantly puts a damper on the whole gay-rights thing. But after a difficult personal battle, I finally accepted myself.
A quote from Mother Teresa truly inspired me to be who I am: “God told us, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' So first I am to love myself rightly, and then to love my neighbor like that. But how can I love myself unless I accept myself as God has made me?”
The Varnum decision changed Iowa by bringing a usually hush-hush topic smack dab into the living rooms of every Iowan. This allows people to talk about marriage equality and really get the word out about change. Even people who do not support human dignity and love can now see we are here – we are real people, in every part of society – and no matter what they do, we are not going away.
I talk about marriage equality very openly with anyone who will listen, interjecting it in to everyday conversation. I also love to bring up the freedom to marry with new people, because it really gives me a feel for who they are. The key to change is to let go of fear, and the more people are talking the less fear they will have.
When people complain about what is happing in our country, I ask them what they are doing to help. Often the response is "nothing". My favorite part about volunteering with One Iowa is knowing I am truly doing something for our state and for our country. I am fighting for the rights of a minority I’m a part of. The importance of marriage equality touches every person in some way, and holds the potential to show an Iowa history that favors justice and equality for all.
Omaha paper clarifies gay marriage announcement policy
from The Iowa Independent
The Omaha World-Herald has been bashed of late through the social networking site Facebook for its lack of a clear policy regarding publication of wedding and engagement announcements for same-sex couples.
The flap prompted Publisher Terry Kroeger to set the record straight in a statement published Tuesday. Kroeger explained that the paper will “recognized licensed marriages approved by states,” and “that if citizens of more states approve same-sex marriage, our practice will adjust along with those changes.”
“Celebrations announcements regarding legal weddings, engagements for legal weddings or anniversaries of a legal marriage will be welcomed, regardless of the genders of the couple,” he wrote.
Kroeger also lamented the “firestorm” that erupted on Facebook as the publication considered its existing policies.
Catch Scriptease reading of LGBT play tonight!
StageWest hosts a free, monthly play-reading series, and this month's reading will hold special appeal for the LGBT community: TRIANGLES -- a gay/lesbian/heterosexual romantic comedy? -- by William Randall Beard and Mark Carlson. It's fun and it's free! Plus meet the Minneapolis playwrights!
SYNOPSIS: Tyler is in love with David, a married man. This is fine with Tyler, until he discovers that David’s wife is his sister’s business partner. Tyler’s sister, Joanne, is having romantic troubles of her own, dealing with her closeted partner, Donna. A fast-paced blending of romantic comedy, melodrama and farce, Triangles follows a racially diverse community of characters as they come to terms with family and commitment among the orientations.
Scriptease is held the last Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the First Unitarian Church, 1800 Bell Ave., in Des Moines. For more information, visit the StageWest website or call 515.309.0251.
'Independence' cited by justice in same-sex case
from The Des Moines Register
...The unanimous Varnum decision overturned a state law that defined marriage as the union of a man and woman. The court's seven justices ruled that the Iowa Defense of Marriage Act violated the equal protection rights of six same-sex couples who were denied marriage licenses in Polk County.
[Iowa Supreme Court Justice Mark] Cady urged the graduates not to shy from unpopular work as lawyers, because "you may very well be performing your most important work. Remember, what is popular at a given time is not always right."
The justice then cited the work of John Adams, who defended British soldiers against manslaughter charges in 1770 for their role in the Boston Massacre.
"In Varnum, we likewise just did our job," Cady said. "We did our job as judges, and this is what led to our unanimous decision."
Iowa Supeme Court attacks baseless and reckless, former justices say
from The Iowa Independent
The effort to oust the three Iowa Supreme Court justices up for retention vote this fall, along with calls by some to replace Iowa’s merit based system for judicial appointment with partisan elections, “reflect a fundamental misunderstanding and misrepresentation of the role, responsibilities and authority of judges in the interpretation and application of the Iowa Constitution,” three former state Supreme Court justices wrote Sunday in The Des Moines Register.
Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Marsha Ternus and Justices Michael Streit and David Baker are up for retention votes on the Nov. 2 ballot. They are targeted for defeat in an effort organized by Bob Vander Plaats, a three-time former GOP gubernatorial hopeful who says the court’s ruling last year legalizing same-sex marriage is grounds for the judges to be voted out.
Former Justices Robert Allbee, Linda Neuman and Mark McCormick defended the decision and the court that made it.
Iowa foes of same-sex marriage seek to oust judges who legalized it
from The Washington Post
... Last year, the Iowa Supreme Court upheld a lower court's ruling that the state's law barring the recognition of same-sex marriage violated the Iowa Constitution. It was a major victory for gay rights groups, in part because Iowa is the only Midwestern state to allow same-sex couples to legally wed, joining four other states and the District of Columbia.
Supporters note that ousting the judges would not change the ruling. Nevertheless, they see it as a symbolic threat and have begun reaching out to voters.
"I think those opponents of same-sex marriage are going to grab hold of this and run with it, and it will be a big battle ax that they can shake around and say, 'You're next,' " said Carolyn S. Jenison, executive director of One Iowa, a gay advocacy group.
The controversy has drawn the attention of the Iowa Bar Association and legal experts around the country, including former U.S. Supreme Court justice Sandra Day O'Connor, who is slated to address the matter at an event here next month. O'Connor for years has spoken out against the judicial elections, arguing that they create "politicians in robes."
Des Moines Register - Clear Channel: Jan Mickelson comments on AIDS contained errors
From the Des Moines Register's Jason Clayworth:
Clear Channel Communications today issued an on-air response to comments by commentator Jan Mickelson who said some education efforts about AIDS destigmatizes the “stupid behavior” of homosexuality.
The station noted Mickelson is entitled to his opinion but said his comments “confused strong opinion with medical fact and contained factual errors regarding HIV/AIDS, its spread and current efforts to inform the public about this disease.”
Mickelson made the comments during a show broadcast from the Iowa State Fair.
He noted during the broadcast awareness campaigns that contain local politicians or community members describing how AIDS does not discriminate. Such campaigns locally include appearances by Sen. Matt McCoy, Rep. Ako Abdul-Samad, both Des Moines Democrats as well as Register columnist Rekha Basu.
He then described how One Iowa, the state’s largest civil rights group for gay and lesbians, spoke out against a Republican candidate for state representative who referenced Bible verses that gays should be killed. A statement from Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Matt Strawn distancing the party from the comments is proof that propaganda works, Mickelson said.
“Why? Because there was a constituency group that used propaganda to destigmatize stupid behavior and it worked on Matt Strawn,” Mickelson said.
Mickelson then described how lung disease also doesn’t discriminate but it’s probably a good idea to stop smoking; sclerosis of the liver doesn’t discriminate but it’s probably a good idea to stop drinking; heart disease doesn’t discriminate but “you probably should take that weight off, lard butt.”
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