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

Posted by Christine Hawes | May 10, 2023

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.

Religious ethics expert to explore deeper meanings of happiness, “god,” in free symposium

Posted by Christine Hawes | May 5, 2023

The key to finding happiness in a difficult world also involves reconstructing “god.”

That’s one of the premises Dr. Diana Cates will share during her presentation Saturday as part of “Finding Happiness in a Difficult World.” The free symposium is offered by One Human Family QCA, a Davenport-based nonprofit that focuses on educating people about how to report hate crimes and incidents and how to fight hate.

Saturday’s symposium at Scott Community College-Urban Campus in Davenport starts at 9 a.m., though Cates’ presentation isn’t until 11 a.m. Read more about it here.

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

Posted by Christine Hawes | May 5, 2023

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

Posted by Christine Hawes | Apr 28, 2023

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

Posted by Christine Hawes | Apr 25, 2023

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

Posted by Christine Hawes | Apr 23, 2023

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.

Mendoza Temple says signs emerging that research into cannabis as medicine will increase

Posted by Christine Hawes | Apr 20, 2023

A leading doctor says research into cannabis as medicine will likely increase soon, based on new moves by the government.

Darwin Days in Iowa City, time to register for LSA of Eastern Iowa, events at Hope UCC and MCC of the Quad Cities, Paige Clouse for Ottumwa Pride, and more

Posted by Staff Reports | Apr 7, 2023

EASTERN IOWA — Tonight, partake of some Reiki at Realive in Cedar Rapids, or get started at immersing yourself in science at the Iowa City Darwin Days.

Tomorrow, take a walk outside for Easter at Hope UCC, enjoy some acoustic sounds in Ottumwa, or snack on sweets and soup at MCC of the Quad Cities.

Next week, the entire family is invited to watch the art of glass-blowing live at The Hazy Hideaway, And April 16 is the big day to register for two fun things: a Homestyle Vegan Dinner in North Liberty, and LSA of Eastern Iowa’s upcoming season.

It’s all in the latest Eastern Iowa update.

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

Posted by Staff Reports | Mar 30, 2023

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.

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

Posted by Staff Reports | Mar 25, 2023

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.

Category: News and Features

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

Religious ethics expert to explore deeper meanings of happiness, “god,” in free symposium

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

Mendoza Temple says signs emerging that research into cannabis as medicine will increase

Darwin Days in Iowa City, time to register for LSA of Eastern Iowa, events at Hope UCC and MCC of the Quad Cities, Paige Clouse for Ottumwa Pride, and more

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

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

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