Anna school board chair’s comments comparing being transgender to mental illness triggers civil rights and liability concerns, calls for him to step down

Nov 21, 2023

ANNA, ILL. –School Board Chair Joshua Gooden compared being transgender to having a mental illness. Now, a coalition is calling for him to step down for interfering with the district’s mission of sering all students, and some are concerned his comments may violate civl rights and expose the school district to liability.

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

Apr 7, 2023

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.

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

Mar 11, 2023

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.

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

Mar 1, 2023

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.

New Bolingbrook youth program helps fill growing mental health support needs of LGBTQ youth

Jan 19, 2023

The new Bolingbrook Pride LGBTQ youth program provides a monthly drop-in “safe space” for youth in Bolingbrook and Romeoville.

Allies and partners in the project include the Valley View School District, a University of Chicago professor, a suburban Chicago all-LGBTQ+ counseling service, and PFLAG Bolingbrook. Read about how this new drop-in program helps build on existing efforts in public schools and by other groups to help LGBTQ+ youth feel safe and accepted.

Education

Anna school board chair’s comments comparing being transgender to mental illness triggers civil rights and liability concerns, calls for him to step down

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

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

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

New Bolingbrook youth program helps fill growing mental health support needs of LGBTQ youth