Transgender Day of Remembrance events happening today in Iowa, Illinois

Posted by Christine Hawes | Nov 20, 2023

At least four Iowa communities or groups are holding events today in honor of the National...

Rock Island showing of Harris Neck documentary honors “strength and resilience” of Black Americans

Posted by Christine Hawes | Aug 31, 2023

“The Taking of Harris Neck” tells the story of the federal government’s illegal land seizure of Harris Neck in 1942 from descendants of slaves.

Gaye Shannon Burnett, head of the Azubuike African American Council for the Arts, describes the film as a tribute to the “strength and resilience” of Black Americans.

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

Posted by Christine Hawes | Mar 22, 2023

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!

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

Posted by Staff Reports | Mar 21, 2023

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.

Central Iowa businesses oppose anti-LGBTQ bills, ‘UNI Seven’ honored, Waterloo conversion therapy ban delayed, Postcards with Pints in Ames, more

Posted by Staff Reports | Mar 9, 2023

More than 69 businesses in Ankeny, the West Des Moines community of Valley Junction, and Des Moines’ East Village have all joined statements opposing the anti-LGBTQ legislation moving fast through the Iowa Legislature.

Plus, learn about the UNI Seven and the stance they took in March 1970 that led to the Cedar Falls university’s Cultural Center.

Coming up, Ames Pride offers a “Postcards with Pints” event and showing of a renowned documentary as part of the International Day of Transgender Visibility coming up.

It’s all in the new TRM Weekly Update for Central Iowa.

Killman holds candidate event, Rainbow Cafe calls out Tennessee anti-LGBTQ bills, and more

Posted by Staff Reports | Feb 27, 2023

A bathroom bill that doesn’t even require multi-gender bathrooms triggers an Illinois state representative to cancel a planned appearance in Edwardsville.

Meanwhile, a Carbondale nonprofit is putting out a call of support for LGBTQ activist groups in Tennessee, where two anti-LGBTQ bills have advanced and are on the verge of becoming law.

You can also learn about some pivotal Carbondale City Council happenings: a “Meet the Candidate” event by Clare Killman, and a gun violence study before the City Council Tuesday.

it’s all part of the TRM Southern Illinois Weekly Update.

Learn about 19th-century transgender war hero in Russia, “second-wave Klan” roots in southern Illinois

Posted by Staff Reports | Feb 19, 2023

Acclaimed sci-fi author Cheryl Morgan, the first-ever openly transgender winner of the Hugo Award for literary achievement, will lead an online talk Feb. 21 about Aleksandr Aleksandrov, a Ukrainian-born Russian war hero in the 19th century who lived as a man after being born a woman.

Historian Darrel Dexter will share his research Saturday into the “second-wave Klan” history of southern Illinois. Dexter’s talk at the Carbondale Public Library, also available online, will outline the rise and fall of the Klan during its second life in the early 1900s.

These two online events are part of TRM’s new weekly Online Event of the Week, highlighting virtual events that help present a more complete picture of society that includes marginalized identities.

Black History Month Art from ‘Embracing Our Differences’

Posted by Staff Reports | Feb 15, 2023

Embracing Our Differences has grown from a Florida effort to an international cause involving tens of thousands across 119 countries.

Its leaders gathered submissions that resonated with Black History Month and gave The Real Mainstream a chance to share that work here.

Check out this specially curated collection, featuring nine pieces from eight different artists exploring different themes of Black history, and excerpts from their Artists’ Statements.