
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.

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.

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

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

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