Culture in Iowa creates fleeing refugees

This is the tale of three refugees. Two are transgender women, one is Black.

One transgender friend has decamped for Chicago. She proudly shared a photo online of her first pizza as a Chicago resident. She can now enjoy the opportunities the city offers. She grew tired of being misgendered here, and of the continuing legislative assault on LGBTQ people.

I helped another trans friend fix her car so she could safely emigrate to Michigan. She attended ISU and calls herself “conservative.” She found a supportive community in Michigan, and also emigrated because Iowa has become hostile to trans people. It is ironic that she, a Republican, left a Republican-occupied state for a Democratic oasis where she feels welcome.

My Black friend, an organizer of Black Lives Matter demonstrations, could no longer abide the racism here. Even living in Iowa City, she felt that oppressive presence of prejudice against her. She and her partner now live happily in Denver.

All three are young, and have taken their talents elsewhere. Iowa City is no longer a haven. Anti-abortion protesters at Emma Goldman Clinic are getting louder and more aggressive: one newcomer has the temerity to wear a phony escort’s vest. Johnson County Republicans now want to do to the Iowa City Public Library’s drag queen story hour what Putin is trying to do to Ukraine: erase it.

Do Iowans really want young people to flee? I hardly recognize this state now.

Jeff Klinzman

Coralville