In 2011, the LGBT*QA Resource Center was established at Western Illinois University to serve as a home, and to raise awareness for, the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, questioning+ community at WIU. Ten years later, the resource center provides that home-away-from-home, numerous programming and events and resources for the WIU and surrounding communities. According to Sarah Daniels, a graduate assistant at the LGBT*QA Resource Center, before the center had its first physical home in Seal Hall (now in the Multicultural Center), there was just one week of programming in April to raise awareness for... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL — Applications are being accepted for the Western Illinois University 2021 Martin Dupuis/Mukti Fund Leadership Award in Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) Communities. The $1,400 award recognizes a student who has provided leadership either for a LGBTQ* group and/or in regards to LGBTQ* issues. Applicants who meet the leadership criteria must be undergraduate students who will return to WIU for the 2021-2022 academic year. To be considered for this award, students must complete an application, write a short essay, provide a resume and include two letters of reference.... Read More

A local group of volunteers has begun a project to preserve the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer (GLBTQ+) history of the Quad Cities. This project began shortly after Joyce Wiley, a local social activist in the GLBTQ+ community passed away in June of 2020. Joyce’s long-time friend Kathy Bowman was talking with Joyce’s husband Jack and the conversation turned to how much GLBTQ+ history disappeared with Joyce and how it would be great to preserve it for the benefit of future generations. The project is currently holding interviews of current and former GLBTQ residents of the Quad... Read More

Do you have some cool talents you’d like to show off? Head on over to the Varieties Nightclub open stage at 10:30 p.m. Thursdays at 822 W. 2nd St., Davenport. Do you have a talent? Looking for a place to show your talent? Here is your chance as performers will compete against each other to win a paid spot in one of our shows! Sign up the day of by 10:00 p.m. Varieties is an LGBTQ+ Nightclub offering the QC’s best Drag Queen/King shows, EDM shows, Burlesque, and performances every Friday and Saturday @ 10:30 pm. Serving great drinks at great prices! Available to rent for any special... Read More

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

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

Are you an LGBTQ+ adult in the Quad Cities looking to stay connected to your community during COVID-19? Join The Project Quad Cities for a FREE virtual book club! Just fill out a quick RSVP form so The Project can collect an address to ship the book to. Reserve your spot by April 28. Please note there are only have ten (10) spots available. They will take registrations on a first come first serve basis. If they cannot accept your registration, they will inform you via email. Virtual meeting information will be shared with those who RSVP via email. Discussion Date: Monday, May 18 Discussion Time:... Read More

Hey Quad Cities, it’s time to show your PRIDE! That’s right, QC Pride’s Unity Pride Week is back for the second year! To help fulfill their mission of promoting awareness and visibility of the LGBTQ+ community in the Quad Cities, QC Pride has a full week of fun events planned. QC Pride Week kicks off Saturday Jun 22 and runs all the way through Saturday Jun 29.   Check out some of these amazing opportunities to show your PRIDE: Tuesday Jun 25 Get your skates on for a fun-filled family-friendly event at the Eldridge Community Center & Skatepark (400 S 16th Avenue Eldridge) from 5... Read More

Hey Quad Cities, it’s time to show your PRIDE! That’s right, QC Pride’s Unity Pride Week is back for the second year! To help fulfill their mission of promoting awareness and visibility of the LGBTQ+ community in the Quad Cities, QC Pride has a full week of fun events planned. QC Pride Week kicks off Saturday Jun 22 and runs all the way through Saturday Jun 29.   Check out some of these amazing opportunities to show your PRIDE: Saturday Jun 22 Get this incredible week started off with Brunch at the Radisson (111 East Second Street Davenport) from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. 10% of all revenue... Read More

Hey Quad Cities, it’s time to show some PRIDE! One of the coolest festivals in the Quad Cities is back and better than ever! Quad Cities Fall Pride Festival is happening this Friday Oct 5 and Saturday Oct 6 at Mary’s on 2nd (832 W 2nd St. Davenport). Come enjoy fun, food, music, friends, art and LGBTQ pride at this family-friendly event!   Here is the full line-up of entertainment: Friday Oct 5 4 p.m.                 DJ Wayne 6 p.m.                 Belly Dancers 7 p.m.                 Corporate Rock 9 p.m.                ... Read More