Hello,

I am Paul Osterholt, chair of the Gay and Lesbian Caucus.  I was born and raised in Western Iowa near Sioux City and now live in Eastern Iowa, in Johnson County.  I have been an activist on Lesbian and Gay issues for many years, helping to establish the Cedar Rapids Gay & Lesbian Resource Center and working with Democratic candidates for elected office who demonstrate support for the LGBT community.

Since we have already achieved two of our major goals since I became chairman of the caucus; passage of the anti-bullying bill and passage of the civil rights bill that includes both sexual orientation and gender identity, we will be working on other goals until the next state
convention.

1.  Working to increase GLBT visibility and participation within the Iowa Democratic Party.
2.  Championing the causes and issues of our LGBT constituents and allies.
3.  Educating Democratic office holders and candidates on GLBT issues.
4.  Educating the public about Democratic candidates and Democratic Party platform positions relating to LGBT issues.
5.  Passing legislation for domestic partners of state employees to have the same insurance benefits as the spouses of state employees, including health care, life
insurance, IPERS, etc.
6.  Passing legislation to guarantee hospital visitation rights for domestic partners.