LGBTQ affirming, BIPOC and women’s news, culture, commentary and events

Sapphira

A primal epiphany: burlesque pioneer Sapphira touts joys of nudity

Burlesque pioneer Sapphira expounds on the joys of nudity and offers ideas for how to partake. +
Body positivity the focus of Des Moines’ Zach Gillette and modern-day Bear culture

Zach Gillette used to feel self-conscious and insecure about his weight, the lessening hair on his head, and the bursting +
New, worse opioid epidemic calls for better solutions including legal cannabis in Iowa (EDITORIAL)

Cannabis legalization in Iowa, or at least expansion of its medical marijuana program, needs to be part of the solution +

Community Briefs for Iowa

Community Briefs for Illinois

– Opinion –

Intersectional commentary, columns and reviews.

Cathy Chavez

Revisit assumptions, could haves and should haves in “The Midnight Library” (Book Review)

Many of us humans, flawed and egotistical as we are, believe our own interpretations are the only correct or accurate ones. "The Midnight Library" by Matt Haig helps readers recognize that they might be looking at things too narrowly. +
Dangers of social media more severe for LGBTQ+, BIPOC, female and young people (TRM Blog: Series Kickoff)

Wake up to how social media poses greater dangers to not only teens but also LGBTQ+, BIPOC and female people. +
9/11’s 20th anniversary demands a return to perspective (TRM Blog)

We’ve already been down the path of pushing it to the limit, as we're newly reminded with the 20th anniversary +

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– Features –

Cathy Chavez

Are any lies kind? Worthy questions in Nancy Johnson’s first-time novel (Book Review)

Nancy Johnson's first novel raises a worthy question about lies, despite leaving characters unexplored, writes Cathy Chavez in her new "Off the Shelf" book review. +
A cozy, cool Saturday afternoon at The Blazing Saddle in Des Moines

WHAT: Saturday Afternoon Bingo WHERE: The Blazing Saddle, 416 E. 5th St., Des Moines WHO: A packed house featuring a +
REMINISCENCE: An I.C. Kings Photo Gallery, courtesy of Hugh Jindapants

Amanda Green (aka Hugh Jindapants) helped co-found the I.C. Kings of Iowa City 10 years ago. Here, their decade of +

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The Real Mainstream aims to empower marginalized communities throughout Illinois and Iowa, through news, opinion and features relevant to LGBTQ affirming readers, BIPOC communities (Black, Indigenous and People of Color, including Hispanic and Latino communities); women; seniors and elders; people with disabilities or conditions; and people of alternative faiths. To share events, information, press releases, or inquire about freelancing or contributing, see the opportunities listed on our Contact page. Thanks for reading — and enjoy!