So, what’s new? Well, some of you remember that last winter the Iowa General Assembly approved the Governor’s mean-spirited proposal to ban gender-affirming care in Iowa for children under 18, irrespective of parental approval. That law took effect in September. The lack of compassion, much less clinical understanding, reflected in this draconian and arbitrary action is difficult to understand. But what is much easier to recognize is the needless, life-threatening distress this health care ban will cause those suffering from gender dysphoria. Indeed, according to the National Institutes of Health; the suicide attempt rate among transgender persons ranges from 32% to 50%.
As a community, we need to rally in support of those who suffer in the face of such pointless cruelty. For this reason, I’m working with The Project of the Quad Cities and Clock, Inc. to establish a fund to offset the additional costs to Iowans seeking gender-affirming care in the Illinois Quad Cities. The first fundraising event will be the Iowa debut screening of The Mattachine Familyheld in the John Deere Auditorium of the Figge Art Museum on Friday, October 20 at 7 p.m. and again at 9 p.m.
The latest offering from up-and-coming indie film director Andrew Vallatine, The Mattachine Family is a heartwarming LGBTQ+ film about chosen families as two committed, same-sex couples struggle with issues related to relationships and parenthood. The film stars Nico Tortorella (Younger, Walking Dead), Juan Pablo Di Pace (Mama Mia, Fuller House), and Emily Hampshire (12 Monkeys, Schitt’s Creek). The Mattachine Family was the 2023 opening night title of REELING 2023: The 41st Annual Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival last month. REELING is the second longest-running film festival of its kind, and prides itself on showcasing the best LGBTQ+ films and videos each year from award-winning international feature films to social documentaries to experimental shorts.
Tickets can be purchased in advance online at TPQC.org/film or at the door on October 20 while seats are available. Contributions to the fund for gender-affirming care beyond the suggested $15 ticket price will be gratefully accepted as well, online and at the door. Or, supporters can also bid on “silent auction” prizes. All funds raised on October 20 will be administered by Clock, Inc. and The Project of the Quad Cities. Both organizations are located in Moline. The mission of Clock, Inc. is to provide a non-judgmental, safe, and reliable community center for LGBTQ+ individuals to reduce feelings of discrimination or isolation. The mission of The Project is to transform lives through remarkable health care. Tickets also can be reserved by phone by calling Tyler Mitchel at 309/581-2037 or me at 563/940-8439. You can call those same numbers with questions or concerns.
I also want to report to you that this week I also signed on to a letter of unqualified support for Israel in the current hostilities with Hamas. This letter enjoyed broad bipartisan support among the Iowa legislators in both chambers due to the shockingly barbaric actions of the Hamas fighters against Israeli civilians. I attended services at Beit Shalom and I urge all of you to be particularly sensitive to our Jewish and Muslim neighbors who are likely in great distress over the safety of family and friends in Israel and Gaza.
