Post submitted by Lindsey Clark, Regional Field Organizer

Last month in Des Moines, HRC’s field team was on the ground to support our partners One Iowa for their annual lobby day. Nearly 100 LGBTQ Iowans and allies converged on the capital to urge their legislators to promote inclusion and protection for all Iowans. HRC's National Field Director Marty Rouse and Senior Regional Field Organizer Lindsey Clark were both on-hand to support One Iowa and their efforts this year to stop the legislature from passing legislation that would discriminate against LGBTQ Iowans and their families.

The morning of lobby day, Lindsey co-presented a Lobbying 101 training alongside one of our partners at the Movement Advancement Project, Molly Tafoya. Advocates then marched to the capitol for a rally before official lobby visits began. At the rally, openly gay legislators Senator Matt McCoy and Representative Liz Barrett spoke passionately about their efforts to keep Iowa free from discrimination, and Iowa’s only openly transgender elected official, Hiawatha City Council member Aime Wichtendahl, moved advocated with her personal story. Daniel Hoffman-Zinnel, Executive Director at One Iowa, talked about his childhood growing up on an Iowa farm and the way his love for his home state drives his passion to ensure it remains a welcoming and inclusive place.

Lindsey Clark has been working in partnership with One Iowa for over a year to ensure that this legislative session won’t jeopardize Iowa’s inclusivity. They’ll be back in Des Moines at key points in this legislative session and would love to get you more involved in their work. For more information, contact them at lindsey.clark@hrc.org.