People
American Idol’s David Archuleta opens up about “coming out”
Former American Idol star David Archuleta headlines Cedar Valley Pride Fest in Waterloo. He shares his story of “coming out” as a gay man and leaving the Mormon Church just three years ago.
Iowa multimedia arts pioneer Akwi Nji opens yet another chapter as Cedar Rapids Public Library artist in residence
Akwi Nji, already an accomplished artist, writer and communications expert, is now also the Cedar Rapids Public Library Artist in Residence.
Groups
QCAD nonprofit that started LGBTQ+ support in Quad Cities 33 years ago is now offering Joyce Wiley Memorial Scholarship
Joyce and Jack Wiley started Quad Citians Affirming Diversity in 1990, after watching their son suffer through “coming out.” QCAD is now offering the Joyce Wiley Memorial Scholarship.
Abortion care activism takes soft, supportive form through Carbondale Unitarian program
Inspired by a breast cancer survivor, this southern Illinois congregation is focusing on providing comfort bags for people experiencing abortion care.
Businesses
Kings and Queens Club in Waterloo will reopen no matter what, owner vows
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.
Fresh Feel Fade team brings family feel to contemporary style
IOWA CITY - When Johanna Lopez-Velador began receiving chemotherapy in November and needed to accept the temporary loss of all her hair, she knew where to turn. Johanna and her wife Karla immediately texted Angie Corbin and Molly Quast at Fresh Feel Fade Salon and...
