Iowa drag legend Ruby James Knight looks back on her path-paving 30-year career

May 10, 2023 | 2023, Arts, LGBTQ+, News and Features, People Profiles

WATERLOO — Ruby James Knight, an Iowa drag legend for 30 years, is “resting comfortably and in his final hours,” announced Kings and Queens Club owner John Hayes earlier today after rumors spread that the 72-year-old icon had passed.

Knight (Jim Raymond in real life) took time about two months ago, before his illness took another severe turn, to talk with The Real Mainstream about his career, and how he credits Ruby James Knight, her style and generosity, and her fellow queens, with transforming his life.

Enjoy as Ruby James Knight, whose name became nearly synonymous with Kings and Queens, takes a look back. You’ll also find a photo album featuring some of Knight’s favorite looks over the years.

Pride walk/runs in Des Moines, Moline, Niles, Tuscola fill LGBTQ communities’ need for family-friendly, healthy activities

May 5, 2023 | 2023, Central Illinois, Central Iowa, Eastern Iowa, Health, LGBTQ+, News and Features, Northern Illinois and Chicagoland, Northwest Illinois, Southern Illinois

It’s time to start walking, running, and rolling for Pride, with at least five Pride-themed 5Ks coming up in the next six weeks across Illinois and Iowa.

They all start tomorrow with the Southern Illinois Pride K Fun Walk and Run. You can join in person or virtually.

More Pride walk and run events are also coming in Niles outside of Chicago June 3; Tuscola, Ill., and Des Moines, Ia., June 10; and Moline in the Quad Cities June 25.

Read about why these events are extra important to the LGBTQ community — and especially this year.

Quad Cities’ only LGBTQ bar, Mary’s on 2nd, turns to community as Mississippi River waters rise

Apr 28, 2023 | 2023, Eastern Iowa, LGBTQ+, News and Features, Northwest Illinois

DAVENPORT — Dozens of volunteers are turning out daily to help build a sandbag barrier for Mary’s on 2nd, the Quad Cities’ only LGBTQ bar.

The crew are applying lessons learned from four years ago, when burst temporary levees sent Mississippi River water flowing throughout downtown Davenport and caused Mary’s on 2nd to close for three weeks.

Owner Bobby Stansberry is touched and inspired by the outpouring of support. Read about the effort here, and also what’s behind this year’s flood concerns.

Upcoming events from One Human Family in Davenport promote individuality, happiness, visibility

Apr 25, 2023 | 2023, Eastern Iowa, Health, LGBTQ+, News and Features, Northwest Illinois

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

Apr 23, 2023 | 2023, LGBTQ+, News and Features, Southern Illinois

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.

Category: LGBTQ+

Iowa drag legend Ruby James Knight looks back on her path-paving 30-year career

Pride walk/runs in Des Moines, Moline, Niles, Tuscola fill LGBTQ communities’ need for family-friendly, healthy activities

Quad Cities’ only LGBTQ bar, Mary’s on 2nd, turns to community as Mississippi River waters rise

Upcoming events from One Human Family in Davenport promote individuality, happiness, visibility

Walkers, runners, pageant contestants sought by Southern Illinois Pride group

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