Providing safe, supportive, and nurturing environments and communities for LGBTQ youth

Founded in 2002, Iowa Safe Schools is the strongest LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer) youth organization in the Midwest. The mission of Iowa Safe Schools is to provide safe, supportive, and nurturing learning environments and communities for LGBTQ and Allied youth through education, outreach, and advocacy. Staff at Iowa Safe Schools provide youth engagement and community building support for gay-straight alliances in middle schools and high schools across all 99 counties in Iowa and approximately 35 collegiate institutions. We also provide in-person and online teacher professional development opportunities to empower teachers to develop inclusive curriculum, and we advocate for policies at the Iowa Legislature to support the needs of LGBTQ youth.

Mark Busch (He, Him, His) is the Director of Education at Iowa Safe Schools. He is responsible for leading professional development efforts for educators and school leaders across the state to learn about marginalized communities and develop welcoming classrooms through Iowa Safe Schools’ Safe Schools Academy. He is also the planning chair for the National Safe Schools Convening, orchestrating four school climate and culture symposiums across the Midwest. A proud graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, Mark earned his Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry Teaching in 2011 and Master of Arts in Science Education in 2018