One Iowa Public Forums

It's been six months since the Iowa Supreme Court issued their unanimous decision to allow same-sex couples the freedom to marry in the state of Iowa. But the struggle to protect marriage equality has only just begun. As we've seen in California and Maine, these freedoms are never as secure as we hope.

The Iowa legislative session is set to begin in January, and a roster of anti-gay gubernatorial candidates is pledging to take away the freedoms we've worked so hard to achieve. One candidate even flaunts the idea of defying the Iowa Supreme Court ruling with an executive order, barring the door to committed couples who want to marry.

At this critical juncture, One Iowa will host a series of public forums to continue our statewide conversation about marriage equality. These panel discussions around the state will represent various local perspectives: same-sex couples, parents of gays and lesbians, faith and community leaders, the legal community and local businesses.

Since One Iowa began in 2005, we have kept Iowa's statewide conversation about issues like civil marriage polite and respectful. We hope to continue this conversation about the positive affect of marriage equality on Iowa communities.

We face a critical challenge in Iowa's long history of civil rights. The opposition will try to chip away at our freedoms; together, we can protect civil marriage and equality in America's Heartland.

The forums are sponsored by
Iowa Planned Parenthood Affiliate League
Iowa Civil Rights Commission
Interfaith Alliance of Iowa
ACLU of Iowa
NASW - Iowa Chapter
Lambda Legal
Family Equality Council
PFLAG
GLAAD
MetLife

Forums will take place throughout November, December and January (download list as PDF):  

Thursday, November 5th
7:00PM – 9:00PM
Public Library
115 West Washington St
Washington, IA

Thursday, November 12th
6:30PM – 8:30PM
CSPS Legion Arts
1103 3rd Street SE
Cedar Rapids, IA

Monday, November 16th
6:30PM – 8:30PM
The Council Bluffs Center
714 S Main St
Council Bluffs, IA

Wednesday, November 18th
6:30PM – 8:30PM
Indian Hills Community College
Arts & Sciences/Efner Hall complex, RM 154
Ottumwa, IA

Tuesday, December 1st
6:30PM – 8:30PM
Wilbur Aalfs Library
Gleeson Room
529 Pierce St
Sioux City, IA

Tuesday, December 1st
6:30PM – 8:30PM
Schera’s Restaurant & Bar
107 South Main St
Elkader, IA

Thursday, December 3rd
6:30PM – 8:30PM
Waterloo Public Library
415 Commercial St
Waterloo, IA

Monday, December 7th
7:00PM - 9:00PM
Grinnell Campus
Grinnell, IA

Postponed due to weather; check back for alternate date.
Thursday, December 10th
5:30PM – 7:30PM
Newton Public Library
100 N 3rd Ave W
Newton, IA

Monday, December 14th
6:00PM – 8:00PM
Central Library
1000 Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA

Thursday, December 17th
7:00PM – 9:00PM
Scott Community College
Student Life Center Auditorium
Bettendorf, IA

Monday, January 4th
6:30-8:00 PM
Central Middle School
901 Cedar Street
Muscatine, IA 52761-3942

Monday, January 4th 
6:30PM – 8:30PM
All Cultures Equal Center
1440 E 2nd St
Webster City, IA

Wednesday, January 6th 
6:30PM – 8:30PM
Mindframe Theater
555 JFK Rd
Dubuque, IA

Thursday, January 7th
7:00PM - 9:00PM
Campus of Northern Iowa Community College, Wiley 105 
Calmar, Iowa

Thursday, January 14th
6:30-8:00 pm
Southeastern Community College
Rm 433
1500 West Agency Rd
West Burlington, IA 52655