Category: 2023

Healing sounds in Galena, cookies and community at Davenport’s MCC, Kewanee Pride stands strong, and two events for Sauk Valley Pride

NORTHWEST ILLINOIS — Coming up this week, you can partake of sound healing at the Galena Public Library, or cookies and a community meal at MCC of the Quad Cities just across the river.

Meanwhile, LGBTQ+ Pride events are coming together in Dixon, Kewanee, Moline, Rock Falls, Rock Island and Sterling.

Read all about it in the latest TRM Weekly Update for Northwest Illinois.

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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.

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Carbondale candidates turn out for LGBTQ forum, plus puppet-making, prom attire, three big Rainbow Cafe events, more

Six of seven Carbondale City Council candidates are slated to participate in tonight’s candidate forum on LGBTQ issues.

That’s the first of many progressive, LGBTQ affirming and intersectional events coming up in southern Illinois.

Learn in our Weekly Update about workshops for the upcoming All Species Puppet Parade, a youth prom closet by Alton Pride, and an important milestone for the SOIL Sisters.

Plus, Carbondale United wants you! The nonprofit is looking for a programming director; read about the position here.

And find all about the latest run of Rainbow Cafe special events coming March 31, April 2 and April 8. Read on!

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Springfield’s Pridefest, Bloomington’s Transgender Resource Fair, Peoria’s River City Pride, and more

CENTRAL ILLINOIS — Though the big Ritz gala this weekend in Springfield is sold out this weekend in Springfield, central Illinois is bursting with LGBTQ affirming events in coming weeks.

Bloomington offers a Transgender Resource Fair March 31. The UP Center of Champaign County offers “Five Lesbians Eating a Quiche” April 1.

PFLAG Galesburg, Skate Palace and six other groups team up for Leading with Love Skate Night April 8.

And Springfield PrideFest starts raising money for its big festival (coming May 20) with Golden Girls Drag Queen Bingo April 21.

Check out our first TRM Weekly Update for Central Illinois.

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Harrisburg restaurant, drag community, LGBTQ youth group weather religious furor spreading to library board elections

HARRISBURG, IL — First, a coalition of conservative Christian churches began attacking an LGBTQ youth group, calling it a recruitment tool to the “transsexual and homosexual lifestyle.”

Then, the coalition attacked the public library, and a moderate local church. Next up: drag performers and the gay-owned restaurant that started hosting them.

Now, two anti-LGBTQ candidates are running for the Harrisburg Public Library Board.

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