Tips for raising a transgender child

June 26, 2019December 14, 2020 Guest Writer

“When I grow up, I want to be a girl.” Genevieve Carter (not her real name) is, in many ways, a typical nine-year-old third-grader. She loves gymnastics and math, and is the embodiment of childhood enthusiasm. Her thick brown hair falls below her shoulders, and her bright smile frequently lights up her face. She is also transgender. “She used to say she wanted to be a builder,” her mom, Louisa, says. “Then she started saying she wanted to be a girl when she grew up.” This was three years ago,…

Communication, honesty are key to healthy polyamory

June 25, 2019January 13, 2021 Guest Writer

Polyamory, open relationships, and non-monogamy are popular fads — and terrifying concepts. Not many people want their partner to interact romantically, intimately, or sexually with another person. In fact, the thought of that might generate in you a feeling of palpable dread. Your stomach might tighten; you might throw up. It’s not a bad thing. These physical reactions and the affiliated emotions are certainly not comfortable. But if you’re ready and interested, these moments can be beneficial and invigorating for your relationship. Not sold yet? I know. But keep reading.…

Explore outlying Iowa’s progressive gems

June 23, 2019December 14, 2020 Christine Hawes

This is the first in an occasional series about progressive destinations located in outlying Iowa: shops, galleries, centers and watering holes located outside of the progressive “bubbles” of Johnson, Linn and Polk counties (Iowa City, Cedar Rapids and Des Moines). The Depot Brewery, 500 N. 4th St., Fairfield Fairfield’s eclectic spiritual energy is at the heart of this new live music hall. “The common ground here is the unspoken awareness of the ‘give and receive’ relationship between the energy on the stage and the energy in the audience,”…

Pride continues in Fairfield, Burlington, Quad Cities and more

June 20, 2019January 31, 2021 Guest Writer

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Here’s our latest update of Pride events remaining throughout Iowa and the Midwest! New to the list: June 21 and June 30 Pride events in Iowa City, and a new Queer Pride Takeover at The Depot Brewery in Fairfield! Take a look! Queertopia, Friday, June 21, 7:30-9:30 pm, The Mill, 120 E. Burlington St. Dreamwell Theater hosts an evening of original creations by LGBTQ+ performers, artists, storytellers, dancers, musicians and more. Admission is $10, with half of proceeds going to Iowa City Pride. LGBTQ+ Pride Takeover Party, 8 pm to…

QC Pride rebounds with weeklong celebration starting Saturday

June 19, 2019January 31, 2021 Christine Hawes

QC Pride is coming back strong after flooding forced its annual Pride celebration to be rescheduled. A week of fun is scheduled for June 22 to 28, with a parade, family skate day, movie, cruise, bar crawl, and pageant. Led by community organizer Michelle Royal, the group helping to revive this year’s Pride celebrations hopes to pull out an even bigger crowd th an last year. “We could have pulled the plug and said see you next year,” Royal said. “But we have sponsors in place. The water’s supposed to…

LGBTQ and POC: what’s it like to grow up in Iowa?

June 16, 2019December 14, 2020 Christine Hawes

This year’s 50th anniversary of Stonewall, though moving, has also been marred by episodes of entitlement. These included the shoutdown, at Stonewall Inn itself, of a black transgender woman as she tried to read the names of murdered transgender women amid a party involving mostly white gay men. The episode illuminated that even LGBTQ communities, while themselves marginalized, are still struggling with intersectionality, inclusion, and respect for other marginalized communities. Isaac Burris, 22, and Adrienne L. Woodard, 59, were among the headline performers at Iowa City Pride recently. They also…