Do we no longer need DEI in Iowa?

Every morning I read The Gazette and try to discern connections among the stories that I read. Today, I see these connections. The Republican-appointed Board of Regents is unhappy with the speed at which the state universities are eliminating the so-called Diversity Equity and Inclusion functions.

Meanwhile, the voters of the 80th district elected a transgender person to represent them at the Statehouse. Does their election mean that we no longer need DEI in Iowa, or do the legislators want to prevent even more diversity from invading their ranks? In her opinion column, Jennifer Rubin notes that “a multiracial democracy is threatening.” What about a multi-sexual orientation democracy? Is that threatening too? What are you afraid of, Iowans?

Tom Persoon

Coralville