Iowa’s largest LGBTQ organization has selected a new executive director.
Daniel Hoffman-Zinnel will become the head of One Iowa, beginning in January. He grew up in Pomeroy and now lives in Bondurant.
Hoffman-Zinnel says he isn’t looking to make any rash changes, but one top priority is legislation that bans youth gay-conversion therapy. Many teens are forced into treatment to change their sexuality or gender.
"What therapists have found is that it actually can do more harm than good," he says. "In order to protect our young people in such a pivotal time in their lives it’d be better to provide more support in discussing sexuality in a positive realm, rather than trying to suppress those thoughts and feelings."
Currently Hoffman-Zinnel is director of education and leadership at Planned Parenthood of the Heartland. He replaces Donna Red Wing, who announced she was retiring from One Iowa in August.