Galena LitFest welcomes Angela Trudell Vasquez, Madison’s first-ever Latina poet laureate

Jan 26, 2023

Angela Trudell Vasquez is the first-ever Latino poet laureate for Madison, Wis., a community with a thriving poetry scene.

She’ll speak Thursday, Jan. 26, as part of Galena LitFest in a presentation available in-person and online.

Learn about Vasquez’ childhood in Iowa City and Des Moines, her commitment to both editing and free-writing, and her many projects to bring the beauty of poetry alive for students and others.

Her talk tonight starts at 6 p.m.; pre-registration is required for both online and in-person attendance.

Kings and Queens Club in Waterloo will reopen no matter what, owner vows

Jan 20, 2023

John Hayes vows to keep Kings and Queens Club, Waterloo’s only LGBTQ+ bar, open no matter what.

He announced the bar’s temporary closing right after New Year’s and now has at least a dozen people who have made serious inquiries.

Kings and Queens Club opened in 2001 under Jona Von Blaricom, and Hayes took over in 2011. The bar has a long history of supporting causes and nonprofits and bringing out a spirit of LGBTQ+ acceptance in the Waterloo/Cedar Falls area.

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.

Rainbow Cafe renovation aims for March opening of new Carbondale headquarters

Jan 16, 2023

Rainbow Cafe aims to have its new headquarters in downtown Carbondale open for business by the end of March.

The new 3,000-square-foot space across the street from Carbondale’s Town Square will host Rainbow Cafe’s programming, AIDS and HIV testing, case management, office space, and a stage and open area for special events. Read about the renovation effort by and for Rainbow Cafe, which serves 20 southern Illinois counties with not only LGBTQ+ support services, but also harm reduction and other quality of life initiatives.

Cookie Walk continues MCC of the Quad Cities’ expanded social events, community service

Dec 16, 2022

Tomorrow and Sunday, MCC of the Quad Cities holds its annual Cookie Walk, featuring traditional sugary treats but also sugar-free, gluten-free, egg-free and dairy-free cookies, cakes, candies and breads.

It’s one of many events that have grown as MCC of the Quad Cities strives to be more than a church, not just Christian, and beyond LGBTQ. Learn about Metropolitan Community Church’s history of leadership, social justice, community service, and fun events intended for everyone seeking a connection and healthy relationships.

November poll calls for shorter campaigns, December poll explores “A Christmas Carol”

Dec 11, 2022

The results are in for our first-ever TRM Poll, and the clear winner: presidential campaigns should last no more than three months.

This, after former President Donald J. Trump has already thrown us into a two-year presidential election.

America has a longer campaign season than most countries — and worse voter turnout than almost three dozen.

Read more interesting context about the TRM Poll and results. You can also take our new December poll: What’s your favorite rendition over the last 69 years of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” ? You can vote until Dec. 23.

Jewish people, migrants, LGBTQ community face greater threats, says DHS advisory

Dec 6, 2022

Members of Jewish communities, LGBTQ communities, and migrants face increased threats of domestic terrorism “by violent extremists seeking to further a political or social goal or act on a grievance,” according to a new government advisory.

The increased warning is gaining new focus a week after its release because of a sabotage of the power grid in Moore County, North Carolina, that officials are describing as “domestic terrorism.” More than 40,000 people are without power for several days following an intentional, targeted shoot-up of the area’s electrical transformers.

LGBTQ+ Friendsgiving Dinner Part of Bolingbrook Pride’s emphasis on promoting “understanding through conversation”

Dec 3, 2022

Bolingbrook is one of the most diverse suburbs of Chicago. “We have lots of diversity, and we all live next to each other,” says Allaina Humphreys, co-head of the Bolingbrook Pride, only four years old.

With events like Saturday night’s LGBTQ+ Friendsgiving Dinner, Bolingbrook Pride is aiming to create “understanding through conversation” and takes a non-controversial approach to its mission: providing safe spaces for LGBTQ+ people and especially youth.

World AIDS Day inspires “Being & Belonging” in the Quad Cities, more events in Illinois and Iowa

Nov 28, 2022

DAVENPORT, IA — “Being & Belonging” is an international look at living with HIV and AIDS, and it’s coming to the Quad Cities Thursday courtesy of The Project of the Quad Cities, DeLaCerda House, and Figge Art Museum.

Read about the artists featured in the film, plus learn about seven other World AIDS Day events happening in Iowa and Illinois.

It features artists from Columbia, Mexico, Korea and more sharing what it’s like to live with HIV and AIDS in different cultures and countries.

This World AIDS Day commemoration, among many throughout Iowa and Illinois, also includes a reception and vigil. The Dec. 1 event starts at 5:30 p.m.

Support from Iowa and Illinois LGBTQ bars, groups increases following Club Q shooting

Nov 22, 2022

With victims’ and heroes’ names now released, and accounts shared of Saturday night’s mass shooting at Club Q in Colorado Springs, more events and support are coming from LGBTQ+ groups throughout Iowa and Illinois.

The Garden Nightclub in Des Moines plans a benefit show Friday evening, and Basix in Cedar Rapids holds a benefit show Nov. 27. Mary’s on 2nd in Davenport is also working on putting together a memorial and fundraiser for Club Q, but details are not yet finalized.

Groups like The Project of the Quad Cities are also stepping up efforts to circulate information about mental health support lines.

Author: Christine Hawes

Galena LitFest welcomes Angela Trudell Vasquez, Madison’s first-ever Latina poet laureate

Kings and Queens Club in Waterloo will reopen no matter what, owner vows

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

Rainbow Cafe renovation aims for March opening of new Carbondale headquarters

Cookie Walk continues MCC of the Quad Cities’ expanded social events, community service

November poll calls for shorter campaigns, December poll explores “A Christmas Carol”

Jewish people, migrants, LGBTQ community face greater threats, says DHS advisory

LGBTQ+ Friendsgiving Dinner Part of Bolingbrook Pride’s emphasis on promoting “understanding through conversation”

World AIDS Day inspires “Being & Belonging” in the Quad Cities, more events in Illinois and Iowa

Support from Iowa and Illinois LGBTQ bars, groups increases following Club Q shooting

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