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Category: Iowa

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

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

by | Mar 25, 2023 | , , , , , , , , , | 0

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.

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Protests, Banned Book Storytime, St. Patrick’s Day, billiards in Fairfield, plus Pride in Iowa City, Ottumwa, Fort Madison

Protests, Banned Book Storytime, St. Patrick’s Day, billiards in Fairfield, plus Pride in Iowa City, Ottumwa, Fort Madison

by | Mar 11, 2023 | , , , , , , , , , , , , | 0

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.

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Central Iowa businesses oppose anti-LGBTQ bills, ‘UNI Seven’ honored, Waterloo conversion therapy ban delayed, Postcards with Pints in Ames, more

Central Iowa businesses oppose anti-LGBTQ bills, ‘UNI Seven’ honored, Waterloo conversion therapy ban delayed, Postcards with Pints in Ames, more

by | Mar 9, 2023 | , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 0

More than 69 businesses in Ankeny, the West Des Moines community of Valley Junction, and Des Moines’ East Village have all joined statements opposing the anti-LGBTQ legislation moving fast through the Iowa Legislature.

Plus, learn about the UNI Seven and the stance they took in March 1970 that led to the Cedar Falls university’s Cultural Center.

Coming up, Ames Pride offers a “Postcards with Pints” event and showing of a renowned documentary as part of the International Day of Transgender Visibility coming up.

It’s all in the new TRM Weekly Update for Central Iowa.

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Transgender pioneer Wichtendahl highlights hope while fighting Iowa’s anti-LGBTQ+ bills

Transgender pioneer Wichtendahl highlights hope while fighting Iowa’s anti-LGBTQ+ bills

by | Mar 7, 2023 | , , , , , , , , | 0

Aime Wichtendahl, Iowa’s first-ever openly transgender elected official, has been at the forefront of all the protests and efforts to stop a flood of anti-LGBTQ+ bills.

The two-term Hiawatha City Council member was in Cedar Rapids when former Vice President Mike Pence swing through to spew anti-transgender rhetoric. She spoke before an Iowa House submittee, trying to convince its members to stop a bill that would ban gender-affirming care for minors.

And Wichtendahl, also the One Iowa Donna Red Wing Advocate of the Year 2021, gave a rousing speech before more than 1,000 Iowans at One Iowa’s Rally to Resist at the Iowa Capitol Sunday

“Our liberties we prize, our rights we shall maintain.” Those are the words on the Iowa state flag, that Wichtendahl hearkens in her column about the ongoing battle to stop Iowa Republicans from rolling back LGBTQ+ rights.

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A second Sunday protest event, fundraising for pet welfare, DBQ Pride Family Picnic, MCC fun, and more

A second Sunday protest event, fundraising for pet welfare, DBQ Pride Family Picnic, MCC fun, and more

by | Mar 4, 2023 | , , , , , , , , , | 0

There are now two big protest events happening in Des Moines Sunday, starting at 12:30. Read more about the March on Iowa for LGBTQ Rights and the Rally to Resist.

You can also check out this weekend’s annual Beadology Iowa tradition, Voices of the Stones, happening today and Sunday.

Coming up soon, explore a couple of events at Davenport’s MCC of the Quad Cities, and a supper-time “carry-out” fundraiser for companion animals in Cedar Rapids.

And finally, Dubuque announces its June 3 Pride Family Picnic and Block Party. It’s all in TRM’s Eastern Iowa Weekly Update.

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Events planned across Iowa to fight anti-LGBTQ bills

Events planned across Iowa to fight anti-LGBTQ bills

by | Mar 2, 2023 | , , , , , , , , , | 0

You can join five events coming up to protest or learn about the anti-LGBTQ bills proposed in the Iowa Legislature.

Find out about events happening this Sunday in Des Moines, Davenport, Cedar Rapids, and Iowa City.

Also coming up: the online “Urgent Meeting for Iowa Trans* Families,” a chance to focus in on proposals affecting transgender youth and their families. Those bills are the ones likely to make it through this Friday’s “funnel” for committee approval.

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One Iowa Action posts tracking page for Republicans’ anti-LGBTQ+ proposals

One Iowa Action posts tracking page for Republicans’ anti-LGBTQ+ proposals

by | Mar 1, 2023 | , , , , , , , , | 0

One Iowa Action has a page tracking 29 bills that include measures considered anti-LGBTQ+ .

The page, an annual service by the lobbying arm of One Iowa, is gaining even more focus this year. Iowa is among 14 states noted by the ACLU as having a record number of anti-LGBTQ+ bills proposed among state legislators.

Here’s a look at the One Iowa Action tracking page, some of the bills it’s tracking, and Iowa’s overall legislative process, including its “funnel weeks” — one of which ends this Friday.

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Western Iowa to have LGBTQ Pride events in Sioux City, Fort Dodge, Orange City and Omaha/Council Bluffs

Western Iowa to have LGBTQ Pride events in Sioux City, Fort Dodge, Orange City and Omaha/Council Bluffs

by | Feb 27, 2023 | , , , , , , , , | 0

If you live in western Iowa, you have at least four LGBTQ+ Pride events to choose from this year.

Read about plans underway for SUX Pride June 2 and 3, Fort Dodge Pride Fest coming June 24, Heartland Pride for Omaha and Council Bluffs on July 15, and Pride Orange City in October.

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Poet Rainey performs with colleagues, Clock Inc. speaks out, marriage equality pioneer Jim Obergefell visits Iowa City, and more

Poet Rainey performs with colleagues, Clock Inc. speaks out, marriage equality pioneer Jim Obergefell visits Iowa City, and more

by | Feb 22, 2023 | , , , , , , , , | 0

You can take in an evening of music with singer/songwriter Namoli Brennet, or a night of poetry with Caleb Rainey and friends. Or, you can hear marriage equality “accidental activist” Jim Obergefell give a speech.

Learn, too, about Clock Inc.’s strong stance against the anti-LGBTQ moves in the Iowa State Legislature, plus a new name for the former Quad Cities Pride Festivals. It’s now called Quad Cities Pride Alliance.

It’s all part of the new TRM Eastern Iowa Weekly Update.

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Kings and Queens Club in Waterloo will reopen no matter what, owner vows

Kings and Queens Club in Waterloo will reopen no matter what, owner vows

by | Jan 20, 2023 | , , , , , , , , | 0

John Hayes vows to keep Kings and Queens Club, Waterloo’s only LGBTQ+ bar, open no matter what.

He announced the bar’s temporary closing right after New Year’s and now has at least a dozen people who have made serious inquiries.

Kings and Queens Club opened in 2001 under Jona Von Blaricom, and Hayes took over in 2011. The bar has a long history of supporting causes and nonprofits and bringing out a spirit of LGBTQ+ acceptance in the Waterloo/Cedar Falls area.

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Cookie Walk continues MCC of the Quad Cities’ expanded social events, community service

Cookie Walk continues MCC of the Quad Cities’ expanded social events, community service

by | Dec 16, 2022 | , , , , , , , , , , | 0

Tomorrow and Sunday, MCC of the Quad Cities holds its annual Cookie Walk, featuring traditional sugary treats but also sugar-free, gluten-free, egg-free and dairy-free cookies, cakes, candies and breads.

It’s one of many events that have grown as MCC of the Quad Cities strives to be more than a church, not just Christian, and beyond LGBTQ. Learn about Metropolitan Community Church’s history of leadership, social justice, community service, and fun events intended for everyone seeking a connection and healthy relationships.

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World AIDS Day inspires “Being & Belonging” in the Quad Cities, more events in Illinois and Iowa

World AIDS Day inspires “Being & Belonging” in the Quad Cities, more events in Illinois and Iowa

by | Nov 28, 2022 | , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 0

DAVENPORT, IA — “Being & Belonging” is an international look at living with HIV and AIDS, and it’s coming to the Quad Cities Thursday courtesy of The Project of the Quad Cities, DeLaCerda House, and Figge Art Museum.

Read about the artists featured in the film, plus learn about seven other World AIDS Day events happening in Iowa and Illinois.

It features artists from Columbia, Mexico, Korea and more sharing what it’s like to live with HIV and AIDS in different cultures and countries.

This World AIDS Day commemoration, among many throughout Iowa and Illinois, also includes a reception and vigil. The Dec. 1 event starts at 5:30 p.m.

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