Imagine what it must feel like to be barred from a doctor’s office where the love of your life is receiving a horrible medical diagnosis.

Carolyn Jenison choked up during a public hearing while testifying that a nurse had prevented her from joining her partner, Angela, in the examination room – even though there was a letter on file allowing her access. The nurse also expressed disdain when she characterized Angela as her partner, Jenison said. 

“This experience isn’t unique to me – same-sex couples all over the state of Iowa suffer similar situations,” she added.

Jenison’s complaint is one of many heard Tuesday by the Iowa Commission on the Status of Women, an agency that studies issues affecting women and advocates for them. Topics up for discussion included protections for sexual assault victims and money for programs, legal and justice issues and health care. The commission will use the testimony as it forms its legislative priorities for 2008.

Jenison, who is executive director of One Iowa, which represents gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people, asked the commission to oppose laws and policies that are discriminatory. She said the group is hopeful that same-sex couples eventually will be allowed to legally marry. 

Natalie Sugira, of One Vote `08 and a native of Rwanda, was among several other speakers at the hearing. She urged the commission to help in the fight against global poverty. The bipartisan group hopes to keep issues of global health and poverty in the forefront during the 2008 presidential election.

Sugira is the only one of her seven siblings who attended school beyond third grade, she said. Women can make an enormous difference in their families and communities if they’re educated, she said.

“I’m proof that it works.”

While financial help is needed for developing African countries, it’s important to make sure the money is used appropriately, she told commissioners.

Sister Joanne Talarico of Davenport spoke on behalf of the Iowa Coalition to Oppose Life Without the Possibility of Parole for Children. The group is advocating for legislation to prevent juveniles from being sentenced to life in prison without parole. There are 43 people in Iowa prisons with life sentences who entered the prison system as juveniles, she said.

“We need to reconsider adult punishment for child crimes.”

The Iowa Commission on the Status of Women was created in 1972 by the Iowa Legislature. The agency tackles such issues as elder care, insurance, divorce, pay equity, housing, domestic violence, sexual assault, education and many others.