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Upcoming events from One Human Family in Davenport promote individuality, happiness, visibility
DAVENPORT — One Human Family is looking to have an impact with a trio of events coming up.
First, tap into your individuality with a workshop and “Sip & Paint Party” this Sunday.
Next, find inspiration to seek “Happiness in a Difficult World” through a free symposium May 6 with religion and ethics expert Diana Fritz Cates.
And then, you can join one of the most impactful civil rights efforts of our era, the NOH8 campaign. It’s coming to Davenport June 1, in its only scheduled stop in Iowa. You can be one of the 56,000 people nationwide who have joined the NOH* campaign since its founding in 2008.

Walkers, runners, pageant contestants sought by Southern Illinois Pride group
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS — It’s been four years since Southern Illinois chose its first-ever Pride Royalty. Blanche DuBois and Faim Lee Jewls have been volunteering as ambassadors for the art of drag, and for LGBTQ+ Pride, since then.
On May 13, that all changes. Drag veteran Jodie Santana is overseeing Southern Illinois’ first Pride Royalty Pageant in four years. To bring out more contestants, and to counter anti-drag sentiments that emerged over the past year in neighboring states, Pride in Action-Southern Il. is opening the pageant up to any competitors within a 150-mile radius. That includes Kentucky and Missouri.
Learn more about the Pageant, how to attend or get involved, and other pride efforts in southern Illinois.

Darwin Days in Iowa City, time to register for LSA of Eastern Iowa, events at Hope UCC and MCC of the Quad Cities, Paige Clouse for Ottumwa Pride, and more
EASTERN IOWA — Tonight, partake of some Reiki at Realive in Cedar Rapids, or get started at immersing yourself in science at the Iowa City Darwin Days.
Tomorrow, take a walk outside for Easter at Hope UCC, enjoy some acoustic sounds in Ottumwa, or snack on sweets and soup at MCC of the Quad Cities.
Next week, the entire family is invited to watch the art of glass-blowing live at The Hazy Hideaway, And April 16 is the big day to register for two fun things: a Homestyle Vegan Dinner in North Liberty, and LSA of Eastern Iowa’s upcoming season.
It’s all in the latest Eastern Iowa update.

Healing sounds in Galena, cookies and community at Davenport’s MCC, Kewanee Pride stands strong, and two events for Sauk Valley Pride
NORTHWEST ILLINOIS — Coming up this week, you can partake of sound healing at the Galena Public Library, or cookies and a community meal at MCC of the Quad Cities just across the river.
Meanwhile, LGBTQ+ Pride events are coming together in Dixon, Kewanee, Moline, Rock Falls, Rock Island and Sterling.
Read all about it in the latest TRM Weekly Update for Northwest Illinois.

Quad Cities LGBTQ bar rebounds, Trans Day of Visibility in QC and IC, MCC’s focus on food, vegan eating in NL and CR, more
EASTERN IOWA — Such a busy two weeks coming up for eastern Iowa, whether you’re in the Quad Cities, Iowa City or the Cedar Rapids area.
The action starts today with burlesque, reading, roller derby and a chili cook-off. Next weekend, you’ll find two ways to honor the Transgender Day of Visibility March 31 and the Hollywood Queer Prom for teens in the Quad Cities.
You can also read about DIY jewelry opportunities at Beadology Iowa, more food fun at MCC of the Quad Cities and in North Liberty, and a scholarship program by PFLAG Oskaloosa.
Theres even more to read about in eastern Iowa. Check out The Real Mainstream’s weekly update.

Carbondale candidates turn out for LGBTQ forum, plus puppet-making, prom attire, three big Rainbow Cafe events, more
Six of seven Carbondale City Council candidates are slated to participate in tonight’s candidate forum on LGBTQ issues.
That’s the first of many progressive, LGBTQ affirming and intersectional events coming up in southern Illinois.
Learn in our Weekly Update about workshops for the upcoming All Species Puppet Parade, a youth prom closet by Alton Pride, and an important milestone for the SOIL Sisters.
Plus, Carbondale United wants you! The nonprofit is looking for a programming director; read about the position here.
And find all about the latest run of Rainbow Cafe special events coming March 31, April 2 and April 8. Read on!

Springfield’s Pridefest, Bloomington’s Transgender Resource Fair, Peoria’s River City Pride, and more
CENTRAL ILLINOIS — Though the big Ritz gala this weekend in Springfield is sold out this weekend in Springfield, central Illinois is bursting with LGBTQ affirming events in coming weeks.
Bloomington offers a Transgender Resource Fair March 31. The UP Center of Champaign County offers “Five Lesbians Eating a Quiche” April 1.
PFLAG Galesburg, Skate Palace and six other groups team up for Leading with Love Skate Night April 8.
And Springfield PrideFest starts raising money for its big festival (coming May 20) with Golden Girls Drag Queen Bingo April 21.
Check out our first TRM Weekly Update for Central Illinois.

Harrisburg restaurant, drag community, LGBTQ youth group weather religious furor spreading to library board elections
HARRISBURG, IL — First, a coalition of conservative Christian churches began attacking an LGBTQ youth group, calling it a recruitment tool to the “transsexual and homosexual lifestyle.”
Then, the coalition attacked the public library, and a moderate local church. Next up: drag performers and the gay-owned restaurant that started hosting them.
Now, two anti-LGBTQ candidates are running for the Harrisburg Public Library Board.

Carbondale town hall, forum focus on LGBTQ; Royalty Pageant coming; Mt. Vernon Pride event, and more
SOUTHERN ILLINOIS — Starting with Monday’s Town Hall, Rainbow Cafe has four big events coming up along with its daily work of providing support and resources to LGBTQ youth and adults.
Plus, Southern Il PrideFest sponsors a Carbondale City Council Candidate Forum.
Check out Mt. Vernon’s early start to the Pride season. And find links to learn about the Choate Mental Health crisis and how family members and activists are reacting.
It’s all part of the latest TRM Southern Illinois Weekly Update.

Protests, Banned Book Storytime, St. Patrick’s Day, billiards in Fairfield, plus Pride in Iowa City, Ottumwa, Fort Madison
Starting with rallies today in Davenport and Cedar Rapids, eastern Iowa is bustling with LGBTQ affirming and intersectional events coming up.
Read about Pride happenings in Iowa City, Fort Madison, Ottumwa, and more.
Find out about some fun sports opportunities soon: a huge women’s professional billiard tournament and related events in Fairfield, biking and disc golf in Iowa City, and roller derby in Eldridge near the Quad Cities, and Iowa City.
Plus, it’s a great time to make your own earrings at Beadology Iowa in Iowa City. And if you’re looking for a few recommendations for corned beef and cabbage for St. Patrick’s Day, we have two starting suggestions.
It’s all in the latest TRM Eastern Iowa Weekly Update.