Ames experienced the spirited energy of 1,700

attendees to the 20th Midwest Bisexual Lesbian Gay Transgender Ally

College Conference from Feb. 10 to 12.

The “Butterfly Effect” theme filled the Memorial

Union and Stephens Auditorium as guests from across the country

gathered to celebrate achievements of the LGBT community and to

gain knowledge in areas including history, identity, individual

intersections and “socially-just action.”

The conference kicked off at 7 p.m. on Friday in

Stephens Auditorium as attendees danced and cheered to popular Lady

Gaga and Beyoncé tunes. Cy was in attendance and showed off his

moves as co-chairwomen Valerie A. Guerrero and Petey Peterson, took

the stage.

“We butterflied this place up,” Guerrero said, as the

audience cheered in agreement.

Steven Leath, ISU president, welcomed attendees to

Iowa State and Ames. He encouraged them to experience all that Ames

has to offer, especially Reiman Garden’s butterfly exhibit

considering the conference’s theme. Leath commented on the

audience’s level of enthusiasm and his pleasure in being part of

the opening ceremony.

“This conference is important to me, and it is

important to Iowa State. We have rolled out the rainbow carpet for

you and hope you enjoy it,” Leath said.

Thomas Hill, vice president of Student Affairs,

enhanced audience participation by making jokes that were greeted

with applause and laughter. On a serious note, he told attendees he

was “glad to be a partner in your efforts.”

Beth Wessel-Kroeschell, state representative, and

Herman C. Quirmbach, state senator spoke to the audience about

their efforts in support of the LGBT community which caused

attendees to stand, applaud and hug one another.

“Sexual protection under the law means everybody, and

we are fighting to defend that law. History is on our side,”

Quirmbach said.

The conference’s motivational atmosphere continued

with keynote speakers Rev. Jamie Washington, Stacey Milbern and

Monica Adams.

The seven peer and speaker-led workshop sessions

filled up quickly with the large number of attendees, and the

exhibitor’s fair, state and regional caucuses and entertainment

were successful as well.

Drag queen, Pandora Boxx, wowed attendees as the

feature performer and acted as master of ceremonies for the Drag

Show and Dance Party on Saturday evening in the Memorial Union.

The diversity in activities presented at the MBLGTACC

reflected the diversity in people’s reasons to attend. Whether they

came from a Big 10 school or a community college, each attendee had

their own motive for traveling to Ames.

“At my school, this is considered a leadership

conference. I had to apply through my faculty advisor to come,”

said Taylor Moore, sophomore at the University of Minnesota Duluth.

“I applied because I wanted to learn different ways I can spread

acceptance of diversity and understanding.”

Another attendee chose to go to the conference on

spiritual grounds.

“I came to get a more spiritual perspective on being

gay,” said Martin Estrada, sophomore at Creighton University. “I’ve

been really interested in learning about gay myths in the Bible and

am looking forward to taking what I have learned back to

school.”

People that identify with the LGBT community and

those who are allied have gained from the MBLGTACC.

“I’m glad I got the opportunity to come and witness

the different lifestyles and attend some of the workshops,” said

Luke Aeilts, sophomore at Creighton University. “I wanted to get a

different perspective, and this conference allowed me to do

that.”

The ISU MBLGTACC planning team shared both smiles and

sighs of relief at the closing ceremony on Sunday in Stephens

Auditorium.

“The weekend was incredible,” said Brad Freihoefer,

coordinator for ISU’s LGBT Student Services. “The keynote speakers

and almost 100 workshops were unbelievable, and the entertainment

was an outstanding bonus to the conference.”

Freihoefer expressed gratitude to the entire ISU

planning team for their work over the past three years. He said his

favorite part of the weekend was being able to see the planning

team’s efforts come together.

Looking to the future, Freihoefer offered advice to

Michigan State University, host of the 2013 MBLGTACC.

“Stay excited and focus on fulfilling the

conference’s mission. It will be over before you know it so have a

blast,” Freihoefer said.