A crowd of students, Iowa State alumni, professors and community members gathered to hold a “funeral” for The Center for LGBTQIA+ Student Success.
The Center has been a space on campus since 1992, originally named the Office of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual Transgender Student Services (LGBTSS). According to the website, “Since 2010, the goal of The Center is to be a welcoming space for all students as they work toward their academic goals.”
Senate File 2435 and the Regents’ reinforcement of the removal of all diversity, equity and inclusion caused the “reformatting” of The Center. According to previous reporting from the Daily, “The Center will be reallocated as a study and computer lab space for all students on campus, with its two staff members’ roles broadened and job profiles updated for more general student support.”
On Wednesday morning, a group carried a coffin painted with the LGBTQ+ flag, representing The Center, from the Memorial Union to the designated free speech zone.
The nearly 50 demonstrators gathered to share their experiences with The Center and give speeches and eulogies. Edwin Cepeda, a first-year in computer science, was among the many speakers.
“It’s heartbreaking, as someone who wanted to start visiting The Center more, that I and so many other queer young adults will not get the opportunity to see The Center again,” Cepeda said. “It’s easy to point the blame at ISU’s administration. It is, but we mustn’t get bogged down chasing our shadow. We must remember that this order was given because of demands made by the Board of Regents, who were, in turn, influenced by our conservative legislature and governor.”
As the crowd grew, Cepeda encouraged the community to continue the fight.
“Though they have taken our dedicated space away from us, don’t let that stop you from gathering,” Cepeda said. “Though they are trying to cut us out, don’t let that stop you from being involved. Though they are trying to take away our voice, don’t let them stop you from being heard. But above all else, don’t let them stop you from being kind, collected and well-mannered because if we succumb to our despair and become as bitter as they are, nothing will change.”
Another speaker was the Rev. Kelli Clement, senior minister at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Ames.
“When you find your people, it is a holy moment, and the loss of this center does not mean that your people go away,” Clement said.
Clement sang a song, with the crowd joining in. The lyrics, “We resist, we refuse to let hatred in. We rise up, we won’t back down, we’re in this ‘til the end.”
Terry Miles, a community member who has worked with the student since November and a member of the LGBTQ+ community, participated in the funeral as well.
“We are here,” Miles said. “We are staying. We are bold. We are strong against any opposition you can throw at us. If you think these students are scared, they might show it a little bit, but I promise you deep down inside, they have more strength than they realize, and it’s becoming more and more evident every day.”
Miles also shared speeches from students who could not attend the protest about their personal experiences with The Center and how its closing has impacted them.
“It still takes up space on the fourth floor of the MU, for now, but stripped of all purpose, all autonomy, just a space that means something, a room that sticks around until the university puts something else in its place,” Miles said.
Iowa State Sen. Herman Quirmbach was present and shared a speech.
“Each and every one of us is part of this rainbow on this coffin,” Quirmbach, a previous professor at the university, said. “The university has a moral responsibility to provide equal educational opportunities to all of the students, wherever they may be on this campus. Part of that responsibility is in providing a supportive and encouraging environment to each and every student, regardless of their background. This university is failing in its moral responsibility. The members of the board of regents are failing in their moral responsibility, and the legislature, don’t get me started.”
Quirmbach emphasized that the community is still present and must keep fighting.
“Our community comes off away from this stronger than ever before,” Quirmbach said. “The fight is not over, and In the end, we will win.”
Silvera Dudenhoefer, a junior studying animal science, said the most challenging part is knowing “staff and administration of this university are not going to fight for us.”
“Above all, [The Center] was a clear mark that LGBTQ students matter to this school,” Dudenhoefer said. “That despite the opinion of others, our presence would be acknowledged and respected. In taking the LGBTQ out of the LGBTQ Center, the Board of Regents and ISU administration has shown us exactly who they’re willing to push to the side in an effort to comply.”
