30 March 2023
In Support of the Drake University Trans Community

Dear Drake Community,

Drake University is a community that cares about and values all members of our community. We believe that creating a culture of belonging and inclusion means recognizing, respecting, and defending each individual’s value. It means recognizing that our differences make us richer and stronger. It means rising in vocal, visible, and steadfast support when we know members of our community are vulnerable—even under attack. Remaining silent when others are hurting is not our way.

Given the rise in the local(1) and national(2) legislation and discourse targeting transgender people, the undersigned publicly acknowledge the harmful ramifications of these laws and discourses. We reaffirm that the Drake community stands with transgender and gender nonconforming people. This is not to say that we don’t stand with other groups—to give support to one group does not take away from others. And of course, transgender people are themselves part of every group.

Today, we are speaking directly to legislation passed in the state of Iowa that denies all forms of gender affirming care until people turn 18. Such bans have been decried by leading medical organizations. Overwhelming scientific evidence demonstrates the value of gender-affirming care and the consequences and harm to transgender people when basic healthcare is denied(3). A second bill—now law—jeopardizes the health and well-being of Iowa youth by requiring students in K-12 public schools to use bathrooms according to their sex assigned at birth. This bill is based on unfounded fears(4). It is an attack on the basic human dignity of trans- and gender nonconforming people—as well as their safety. It also puts all youth at risk who may now be questioned—based on physical appearance alone—as to whether they are in the “right” bathroom (cisgender people who appear to be the “wrong” gender will be caught up in this gender policing as well).

These are just two examples of many bills introduced in Iowa that target the well-being of transgender people and are creating a threatening atmosphere that creeps beyond the reach of the law. While we here at Drake are not directly impacted by the specific bans codified by these recent laws, we know members of our campus community are harmed by their impact and the climate these laws are creating in Iowa.

The undersigned firmly stand against these threats to our neighbors, friends, and community members and firmly alongside and in solidarity with lgbtq+ people, especially transgender and gender nonconforming people. We recommit to our support of transgender and gender nonconforming individuals in the campus community and in the state of Iowa and beyond.

As a campus community, we value transgender people and believe that we should strive to see and respect the humanity in all members of our community. It is our role to make the campus community as welcoming and loving a space as we can. To remain silent during these times is to acquiesce to the voices of hate and we will not do that. That’s not who we are.

#HumanizeDrake #HumanizeMe

348
signatures
318 verified
  1. Douglas Robinett, Assistant Director of Residence Life, Drake University, Des Moines
  2. Leah Shepard-Carey, Assistant Professor, Drake University, Des Moines
  3. Bart Schmidt, Associate Professor, Drake University, Des Moines
  4. Jen Harvey, community member, Drake University, Des Moines
  5. Elizabeth Bullock, Admin Assistant, Drake University School of Education, Des Moines
  6. Lisa Morlock, Associate, Drake University, Des Moines
  7. Matt Bruinekool, Associate Professor, Drake University, Des Moines
  8. Tracy Davies, Program Coordinator, Drake University, Johnston
  9. Matthew Hayden, Associate Profess, Drake University, Des Moines
  10. Marcia Keyser, Associate Professor, Drake University, Des Moines
  11. Evan Favreau, Associate Director, Office of Admission, Drake University, Des Moines
  12. Debra L DeLaet, Professor, Drake University, Des Moines
  13. Jordan Flynn, Budget & Office Manager, Cowles Library, Drake University, Des Moines
  14. Lynne Cornelius, Student Affairs/Prevention Education, Drake University, Des Moines
  15. Ryan Wise, Dean, Drake University School of Education, Des Moines
  16. Kendra Colbert, Office Manager, Drake University - SOE/CEPD, Des Moines
  17. Suman Rose, Financial Aid Coordinator, Drake University, Des Moines
  18. Dan Alexander, Retired Professor Mathematicc, Drake University, Des Moines
  19. Erin Menardi, Coordinator of Library Outreach and Communication, Drake University, Des Moines
  20. Todd Hodgkinson, Drake University
...
278 more
verified signatures
  1. Megan Hartle, Student, Drake CPHS, Des Moines
  2. Adna Tokmic, Student, Drake University, Ankeny
  3. Zoey Possehn, Student, Drake University, Des Moines
  4. Haley Pertzborn, Pharmacist, N/a, Des Moines IA
  5. Margaret Petosa, Student, Drake University, Des Moines
  6. Delaney Rooks, Student, Drake University, Des Moines
  7. Becky Klein, staff/faculty, Drake University, Des Moines
  8. Greg Christie, Urbandale
  9. Haley Klein, Student, Drake University, Des Moines
  10. Jerome Hilscher, IT, Drake University, Des Moines
  11. Gillian Mohn, ITS Communications Manager, Drake University, Des Moines
  12. Tina Timm, Student, Drake University, Des Moines
  13. Alicia Mann, Staff, Drake University, Des Moines
  14. Geena Rasmussen, ITS, Drake University, Des Moines
  15. Ryley Covington, Student, Drake University, Des Moines
  16. Abigail White, Student, Drake University, Des Moines
  17. William Klein, Staff, Drake University, Des Moines
  18. Lilah Anderson, Anderson Gallery Manager, Drake University, Des Moines
  19. Sidney Dickenson 4/21/2022, Drake University
  20. Nate Smith, Stuart
Create an open letter
and sign it together