This summer 2012, equality advocate, YouTube sensation, and author Zach Wahls will partner with One Iowa, the state’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) advocacy group, to launch a statewide Why Marriage Matters Iowa speaking tour.
In August, Wahls will travel to cities and towns across the state with One Iowa to visit supporters at house parties and speak at public engagements to take his message of “love makes a family” to Iowans in every corner of the state. Wahls will also engage with fellow college students on campuses across Iowa in December as part of One Iowa’s “Home for the Holidays” campus outreach program.
“My heart is in Iowa and I am committed to protecting marriage equality here in my home state,” said Wahls. “I can only hope that by sharing my story and talking about my family and our values, that I can reach more Iowans and dispel myths about families like mine.”
Wahls is a native Iowan who was raised by his two mothers. Since his powerful and heartfelt testimony before the Iowa State House of Representatives on January 31, 2011, Wahls has been a staunch advocate for fairness for all families.
When he declared proudly that “the sexual orientation of my parents has had zero effect on the content of my character,” Wahls solidified his place among the voices of LGBT advocates and has been bringing his message of love and family to audiences around the country. He is also the author of My Two Moms: Lessons of Love, Strength and What Makes a Family to be published in April 2012.
“Zach’s moving speech before the Iowa legislature captured the essence of this issue–love and family. By simply talking about his life, he touched thousands of people and opened both hearts and minds. One Iowa is deeply grateful to have Zach join our Why Marriage Matters Iowa campaign as an ambassador. We are confident that by working together we can have a tremendous impact on preserving the freedom to marry in our state,” said Calla Rongerude, One Iowa Interim Executive Director.
Earlier this year, One Iowa launched a public education campaign called Why Marriage Matters Iowa which aims to grow state support for marriage for gay and lesbian couples by promoting conversations through house parties and speaking engagements to talk about loving and committed Iowan couples, and how marriage strengthens them, their families, and their communities. The “Home for the Holidays” on-campus program is designed to equip students with the tools they need to effectively talk about the importance of marriage equality with their family over school breaks. Wahls will join the Why Marriage Matters Iowa public education campaign by visiting college campuses, house parties, and public speaking engagements across the state to bring his message of family to more Iowans.
“One Iowa is a great organization that is doing the important work to ensure equality for ALL Iowans. I am proud to work with them to speak to my fellow Iowans in every corner of the state about the importance of equality for my family, and for all families,” continued Wahls. “At the end of the day this is about protecting love and commitment and recognizing the inherent worth and dignity of all Iowans.”
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About Zach Wahls
Zach Wahls is a sixth-generation Iowan, a proud Hawkeye, the son of two lesbian mothers and an outspoken advocate for marriage equality. Since a video of his testimony about his family before the Iowa House Judiciary Committee became YouTube’s number one political video of 2011, he’s continued to share his story and advocate for full equality under the law. He has appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Last Word With Lawrence O’Donnell and other media outlets. Zach is the author of My Two Moms: Lessons of Love, Strength and What Makes a Family to be published in spring 2012 by Gotham Books, an imprint of Penguin Group, USA. He lives in Iowa City, Iowa.
Click here to watch the video of Zach Wahls talking about his book My Two Moms: Lessons of Love, Strength and What Makes a Family: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvXxOEhwKBU
For more information, visit: www.zachwahls.com
About One Iowa
One Iowa is the state’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) advocacy organization, committed to full equality for LGBT individuals, including the freedom to marry.
For more information about One Iowa, please visit www.oneiowa.org
For more information about the Why Marriage Matters Iowa public education effort, please visit www.whymarriagemattersiowa.org
