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

Mar 9, 2023

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

Mar 7, 2023

Aime Wichtendahl, Iowa’s first-ever openly transgender elected official, shares shy she is putting herself at the forefront of efforts to stop a flood of anti-LGBTQ+ bills.

Events planned across Iowa to fight anti-LGBTQ bills

Mar 2, 2023

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.

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.

Killman holds candidate event, Rainbow Cafe calls out Tennessee anti-LGBTQ bills, and more

Feb 27, 2023

A bathroom bill that doesn’t even require multi-gender bathrooms triggers an Illinois state representative to cancel a planned appearance in Edwardsville.

Meanwhile, a Carbondale nonprofit is putting out a call of support for LGBTQ activist groups in Tennessee, where two anti-LGBTQ bills have advanced and are on the verge of becoming law.

You can also learn about some pivotal Carbondale City Council happenings: a “Meet the Candidate” event by Clare Killman, and a gun violence study before the City Council Tuesday.

it’s all part of the TRM Southern Illinois Weekly Update.