One Iowa (sometimes styled One 1owa) is a left-of-center LGBT-interests advocacy group that originally focused on campaigning for the state recognition of same-sex marriage in Iowa, but since 2012 has shifted its focus to a broader set of issues involving LGBT Iowans, including health care policy, corporate practices, and elder quality of life.

Its associated lobbying arm is One Iowa Action.

Background

One Iowa was founded in 2005, originally as an LGBT advocacy organization primarily concerned with securing state recognition of same-sex marriage in the state of Iowa. In September 2007, the organization’s 501(c)(4) lobbying arm, which was also registered under the name One Iowa, but which now goes by the name One Iowa Action, was founded in Des Moines. About a year later, in February 2008 the original One Iowa, which still maintains that name (though sometimes styles it One 1owa), was registered as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. ^{1 2 3 4}

Following the Iowa Supreme Court’s decision on April 3, 2009 in Varnum v. Brien holding that Iowa’s limitation of marriage to opposite-sex couples violated the equal protection clause of the State Constitution, the organization described its “original goal” as “realized.” Three years later in 2012, the organization officially shifted its focus to broader Iowa-centered LGBT issue advocacy. ^{5 6}

Activities

One Iowa conducts advocacy campaigns and manages programming in support of LBGT-aligned health care aims. For instance, the organization co-hosts an “LGBTQ Health & Wellness Conference” that opposes legislation limiting the availability of medical procedures supported by transgender activists as well as legislation limiting the availability of abortions. ^{7 8}

One Iowa also hosts events and conducts workplace trainings to promote aligned corporate practices. For instance, as of July 2023, the organization advertised a virtual “LGBTQ Inclusivity Training” at a rate of $500 per hour (or $250 for nonprofits). ^{9 10}

Additionally, One Iowa advertises resources on its website for elder LGBT adults in Iowa concerned with quality-of-life issues. For instance, the organization’s website features links to a community volunteer program for older residents of Madison and Marion Counties as well as LGBT-oriented clinics and health-care providers. ¹¹

One Iowa Action

One Iowa Action is the 501(c)(4) lobbying arm of One Iowa, and was founded in September 2007 in Des Moines. Policies that One Iowa Action supports include legislation that would limit admissible legal strategies in cases involving LGBT individuals, legislation that would prohibit forms of behavioral therapy for LGBT minors, legislation that would more strictly regulate the activity of health-care providers in Iowa, as well as legislation that would align sex education curriculums in Iowa public schools with objectives favored by LGBT activists. ¹²

Leadership

Courtney Reyes

Courtney Reyes is the executive director of One Iowa. Previously, Reyes worked in a substance abuse treatment facility, and then later as an office assistant at One Iowa before being promoted to the executive director role in 2019. ¹³

Jeremy Weiss

Jeremy Weiss is the chair of One Iowa’s board of directors as well as the assistant vice president for P&C Underwriting and Valuation at the United Services Automobile Association. ^{14 15}

Keenan Crow

Keenan Crow is the director of Policy and Advocacy at One Iowa. Previously, Crow worked with Cedar Valley Citizens for Undoing Racism before joining One Iowa, initially as a staff lobbyist and spokesperson. ¹⁶

1. “One Iowa.” ProPublica. Accessed July 30, 2023. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/721613927
2. “About Us.” One Iowa. Accessed July 30, 2023. https://oneiowa.org/about-us/
3. “One Iowa.” ProPublica. Accessed July 30, 2023. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/830440260
4. Homepage. One Iowa. Accessed July 31, 2023. https://oneiowa.org/
5. “Varnum.” State Historical Society of Iowa. Accessed July 30, 2023. https://history.iowa.gov/history/education/educator-resources/primary-source-sets/government-democracy-and-laws/varnum
6. “About Us.” One Iowa. Accessed July 30, 2023. https://oneiowa.org/about-us/
7. “LGBTQ HEALTH AND WELLNESS CONFERENCE.” One Iowa. Accessed July 31, 2023. https://oneiowa.org/event/hw23/
8. “Healthcare Access.” One Iowa. Accessed July 30, 2023.  https://oneiowa.org/our-work/healthcare-access/
9. “WORKPLACE CULTURE.” One Iowa. Accessed July 30, 2023.  https://oneiowa.org/our-work/workplace-culture/
10. “Book an LGBTQ Inclusivity Training.” One Iowa. Accessed July 30, 2023. https://oneiowa.org/lgbtqtraining/
11. “LGBTQ OLDER ADULTS.” One Iowa. Accessed July 30, 2023. https://oneiowa.org/resources/lgbtq-older-adults/
12. ” Issues.” One Iowa Action. Accessed July 31, 2023.  https://oneiowaaction.org/issues/
13. “Courtney Reyes.” One Iowa. Accessed July 30, 2023. https://oneiowa.org/team-members/courtney-reyes/
14. “Board of Directors.” One Iowa. Accessed July 31, 2023. https://oneiowa.org/about-us/board-of-directors/
15. “Jeremy Weiss.” Wiza. Accessed July 31, 2023. https://wiza.co/d/usaa/f71e/jeremy-weiss
16. “Keenan Crow.” One Iowa. Accessed July 30, 2023. https://oneiowa.org/team-members/keenan-crow/