At a time of unprecedented economic, racial, social and health upheaval, some Quad-Cities LGBTQ leaders are taking comfort in the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision on workplace civil rights. But during Pride Month, they say much still needs to be done. “It’s the most important LGBTQ decision to date,” Michelle Royal of Moline, a transgender activist and vice president of QC Pride, said this week of the June 15 high-court ruling that the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects employees against discrimination because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. “It’s better than marriage... Read More

WQPT will stream a virtual commemoration of the 155th anniversary of Juneteenth on June 19 at 11:00 am. Six leading Black museums and historical institutions from coast to coast have joined forces to launch a digital commemoration of Juneteenth, the day that the Emancipation Proclamation was officially enforced, ending enslavement in Texas. This timely event features cultural performances from Africa and across America, educational content and appearances by: Lonnie G. Bunch III, the first African American and first historian to serve as the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution Dr. Johnnetta... Read More

MACOMB, IL — The Multicultural Center (MCC) at Western Illinois University is highlighting two June national celebrations – the African-American community focused Juneteenth (Friday, June 19) and LGBT*QA community-focused Pride Month. Although the celebrations tend to give focus to a particular community, these are American celebrations by the diverse communities that comprise our nation. The MCC will host a virtual recognition of the commemorations on its webpage to bring additional light to the African American and the LGBT*QA tradition and celebration. “We invite you to learn... Read More

Mercado on Fifth in Moline has won a big financial boost from the state of Illinois. The five-year-old nonprofit in Moline’s Floreciente neighborhood was approved by Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) for nearly $500,000 as part of $11 million in state funding for 32 minority-owned businesses and business incubators, from the Minority-Owned Business Capital and Infrastructure Program. These grants will equip minority-owned firms with resources to create jobs, build capacity, increase revenues, and revitalize properties in underserved communities. Mercado’s... Read More

A group of local teenagers have spent the past year identifying promising opportunities and pressing needs in the Quad Cities area as part of the Quad Cities Community Foundation’s Teens for Tomorrow Program. The students immersed themselves in the grant process by learning about community needs, developing a grant opportunity, evaluating applications, visiting with nonprofits, and now, awarding grants. In recent months, with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the region, the teens also adapted to virtual meetings due to stay-at-home and social distancing requirements, giving them experience... Read More

Who is ready for another night of family fun playing Lotería? KWQC’s Montse Ricossa plans to lead the family game via Facebook Live starting at 6 p.m. on Friday May 22. Prizes include both Mercado on Fifth and KWQC swag. Print your cards here and get ready for some fun! https://bit.ly/2QWTuvl If you can’t print at home, they will have some cards available for pickup from 3-6 p.m this Friday at the Mercado Curbside Event at St. John’s Lutheran Church – Rock Island.   For more fun things to do in the Quad Cities this week, check out the latest issue of FUN10QC.  Read More

DAVENPORT – The Figge Art Museum will celebrate Quad-Cities Pride starting Saturday with its first dual virtual/gallery exhibition. Works by Cedar Rapids-based photojournalist Andy Abeyta will be in the Figge’s second-floor Lewis Gallery once the museum reopens, but will also be available Saturday, May 2, for online viewing at figgeartmuseum.org. The exhibit features 11 of Abeyta’s joyous and vibrant images of the 2019 QC Pridefest, part of the QC Pride’s Unity Pride Week, which is being postponed this year. “QC Pride is dedicated to promoting awareness and visibility of the LGBTQ+ community... Read More

Despite the Covid crisis, Mercado on Fifth is moving forth in its fifth year, cooking up some very special things. While the Moline-based nonprofit — which works to showcase Hispanic food, culture, and business – may postpone the start of its fifth-annual season, it’s also busy creating its first permanent building and has introduced new programming. In late 2019, Mercado, with real estate development group West Gateway Partners LLC, bought the former Car Shop Inc. at 423 12th St., Moline, next to the organization’s outdoor property. Mercado and West Gateway, both managed by members... Read More

A pesar de la crisis de Covid , Mercado on Fifth está avanzando en su quinto año, cocinando algunas cosas muy especiales. Si bien la organización sin fines de lucro con sede en Moline, que trabaja para exhibir la comida, la cultura y los negocios hispanos, puede posponer el inicio de su quinta temporada anual, también está ocupada creando su primer edificio permanente y ha introducido una nueva programación. A fines de 2019, Mercado, con el grupo de desarrollo inmobiliario West Gateway Partners LLC, compró la antigua Car Shop Inc. en 423 12th St., Moline, al lado de la propiedad exterior... Read More

The Flamingo, the biggest openly gay event in the world, is moving from its usual destination of Las Vegas to the city of Moline, Illinois. The event features gay musical acts, clinics, and novelties, and is coming to Moline for the first time due to tax breaks and the fact that the mayor is the uncle of the one and only fabulous host, Spencer Gayman. Of course, this isn’t really the case; rather it is the plot to “Hello Fabulous!” the new audiobook from Rock Island author Jason Tanamor, the critically acclaimed author of “Drama Dolls” “The underlying story revolves around a straight... Read More