Category: LGBTQ+ - PACG - Progressive Action for the Common Good

Civil Rights Legislative Forum - After Action Report

3/30/2025

Civil Rights Legislative Forum - After Action Report

About 70 people attended the Civil Rights Legislative Forum at the TMBC Lincoln Resource Center on Saturday morning, March 29th. The event was sponsored by the Davenport NAACP, One Human Family, the Civil Rights forum of PACG and the Quad Cities Ministers Association.

In attendance to discuss the impact of civil rights legislation in the Iowa legislature were Representatives Cindy Winckler, Ken Croken and Dan Gosa of Davenport and Senator Mike Zimmer of DeWitt. Representative Ross Wilburn of Ames, a Democrat and member of the Iowa Legislative Black Caucus, joined us and shared his insights. The local Republican members of the Iowa legislature were invited as well but did not attend.

Rep. Wilburn said that the Republicans, having "opened" the civil rights code to remove gender identity, intend to remove sexual orientation in the upcoming session. Rabbi Karp of One Human Family QCA urged us to all come together to protect vulnerable groups, even if we are not a member of that group. We need to stand together if we want to protect LGBT+ civil rights in Iowa!

If you subscribe to the Quad City Times, read their coverage here.

Alta Price

LGBTQ+ couples rushing to wed - No Hate in Our States

1/24/2025

LGBTQ+ Couples Are Rushing to Get Married as Trump's Inauguration Looms

from Them.us

While legal experts say that marriage equality is likely safe for now, for many LGBTQ+ Americans — particularly in the South — nothing feels certain.

...LGBTQ+ couples all over the country are trying to shore up their relationships any way they can, including through marriage. Legal experts have said that Obergefell is safe, at least for the foreseeable future, but for many queer people..., who are also low-income and living in the South, nothing feels certain. After all, Justices Thomas and Alito have indicated they want to revisit Obergefell. And Republicans in Idaho’s legislature are currently trying to pass a resolution formally asking the Supreme Court to do just that.

Read more here about this issue that is of grave concern. And consider signing up for the Them newsletter here.

"The Children's Hour" film fundraiser - Of Interest to Our Comunity

7/21/2024

The Children's Hour film presentation
Sunday, July 28th at 3:00 pm

The Last Picture House
325 East 2nd ST
Davenport, IA (map)

One Human Family-QCA and Ken Croken

Iowa State Representative Ken Croken invites you to join him at the second annual film
fundraiser in support of access to gender-affirming care for transgender youth.
Proceeds will benefit Iowa families forced to seek this care in Illinois as a result of the Iowa ban on these health care and related services for children suffering gender dysphoria.

The benefit will be held on Sunday, July 28 at 3 pm at The Last Picture House, located
at 325 East Second Street in downtown Davenport. The private screening will feature
the Academy Award honored 1961 film masterwork, The Children’s Hour. Directed by William Wyler and based on the Lillian Hellman play, the film stars Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine, along with James Garner, Miriam Hopkins and Fay Bainter. The Children’s Hour is a groundbreaking classic based on the true story of two teachers whose reputations and lives were destroyed by the lies of a vicious student
accusing the women of a lesbian love affair in a time when such relationships were
considered immoral.

Sadly, there are many in government who still feel this way. Governor Reynolds signed a ban into Iowa law on March 22, 2023 amid GOP claims that the use of puberty blockers and hormones is “inappropriate” and based on faulty science. Nonetheless, the American Medical Association, the American Psychological Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics all recommend providing transgender youth with precisely such medical care. Children will suffer unimaginable and unnecessary depression and anxiety as a result of the Republican misguided beliefs about gender identity. Indeed, some will even die by their own hands. We must do what we can now until such time as we remove from office those who would dictate personal decisions for the children of others.

There is no set ticket price to attend the July 28 event. But a “free will” offering of any
amount will be gratefully received at the door. Checks and credit card gifts payable to
“The Project of the Quad Cities” and cash are all welcome. The theater will have its
usual food and beverage concessions for sale. Seating is limited and reservations are
strongly recommended. Please reserve your seats ASAP by email (preferred) to
[email protected] or by phone/text at 563/940-8439.

All proceeds will be divided between Moline-based The Project of the Quad Cities and
Rock Island-based Clock, Inc. LGBT+ Community Center. Since 1986 The Project has
served the local LGBTQIA+ community with remarkable health care services and the
mission of Clock, Inc. is to provide a non-judgmental, safe and reliable gathering space
for queer youth and others to reduce feelings of discrimination or isolation.
Please join us on July 28!

PACG Book Club - "Gender Queer"/"All Boys Aren't Blue", March 2024

2/17/2024

PACG Book Club - Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe and
All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson
Monday, March 18th at 5:15 pm - hybrid meeting

Edwards Congregational UCC
3420 Jersey Ridge Rd
Davenport, IA (map)

PACG Book Club

For March we will read two of the most banned books in the United States. They are relatively short and cover similar themes. We'll try meeting in person again, and hope for good weather!

Here is more about Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe from Goodreads:

"In 2014, Maia Kobabe, who uses e/em/eir pronouns, thought that a comic of reading statistics would be the last autobiographical comic e would ever write. At the time, it was the only thing e felt comfortable with strangers knowing about em. Now, Gender Queer is here. Maia's intensely cathartic autobiography charts eir journey of self-identity, which includes the mortification and confusion of adolescent crushes, grappling with how to come out to family and society, bonding with friends over erotic gay fanfiction, and facing the trauma of pap smears. Started as a way to explain to eir family what it means to be nonbinary and asexual, Gender Queer is more than a personal story: it is a useful and touching guide on gender identity—what it means and how to think about it—for advocates, friends, and humans everywhere."

Here is more about All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson from Goodreads:

"In a series of personal essays, prominent journalist and LGBTQIA+ activist George M. Johnson explores his childhood, adolescence, and college years in New Jersey and Virginia. From the memories of getting his teeth kicked out by bullies at age five, to flea marketing with his loving grandmother, to his first sexual relationships, this young-adult memoir weaves together the trials and triumphs faced by Black queer boys."

"Both a primer for teens eager to be allies as well as a reassuring testimony for young queer men of color, All Boys Aren't Blue covers topics such as gender identity, toxic masculinity, brotherhood, family, structural marginalization, consent, and Black joy. Johnson's emotionally frank style of writing will appeal directly to young adults."

Contact me for the Zoom link if you want to participate via Zoom.

Alta Price

Chapman-Combs Grammy performance of "Fast Car" - Of Interest to Our Community

2/14/2024

The Touching Story Behind Tracy Chapman's Iconic Grammys "Fast Car" Performance

Gender Equity Forum

From Them.us: Tracy Chapman’s surprise performance of “Fast Car” at the Grammys with country singer Luke Combs will likely go down in history as one of those iconic awards show moments that people still discuss decades later.

Considering that the singer hasn’t done a live TV performance since 2015...the duet felt like a bit of a miracle.

Read the article here about how Luke Combs honored the writer of this incredible song. If you haven't seen their duet yet, it is a definite mood-lifter. Here's hoping that we all have someone who appreciates us like Luke Combs appreciates Tracy Chapman!

Postcard Writing in Iowa - After Action Report

2/11/2024

Postcard Writing for Human Trafficking - After Action Report
St. Ambrose University and the Brewed Book

Civil Rights Forum

The Civil Rights Forum hosted two events where participants were asked to write postcards to Iowa State Legislators to support $5 million in funding that would be earmarked for agencies across the state to provide services specifically for human trafficking survivors. One event was a drop-in at the Brewed Book coffee shop and the other was a presentation on Taking Action hosted at St. Ambrose University as part of their annual Civil Rights week events. Between the two events, 45 postcards were written and mailed!

Allison Ambrose

"Rustin" on Netflix - No Hate In Our States

1/24/2024

**Watch Rustin on Netflix**

No Hate In Our States

Rustin is the true story of charismatic civil rights activist Bayard Rustin who had a falling out with some in the movement because he was a gay man. He went on to organize the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom which we at PACG have been talking about in conjunction with our I Am the Future film. Take the time to watch this film and see what happened behind the scenes to make that important march a reality. (Update: Colman Domingo has been nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of Bayard Rustin. This is only the second time that an openly gay man has earned the nomination for playing a gay character.)

Honoring QCAD founder Joyce Wiley - No Hate In Our States

9/5/2023

QCAD - the nonprofit that started LGBTQ+ support in the Quad Cities 33 years ago

Gender Equity Forum

PACG members interested in gender equity or civil rights will appreciate this wonderful article about Joyce and Jack Wiley and QCAD (Quad Citians Affirming Diversity) from the RealMainstream.com's Christine Hawes.

Joyce Wiley taught me how to be an activist! I'll always be grateful for her and Jack for all they did to help me and for their ongoing efforts to make the Quad Cities a better place to live. You may donate here to QCAD in honor of Joyce.

Alta Price

Intersectional Resource Fair -PACG Events

8/26/2023

Intersectional Resource Fair
Saturday, October 7th from 10:30 am to 1:00 pm

MCC of the Quad Cities
2930 W Locust ST
Davenport IA

PACG, The Project, One Human Family-QCA and the RealMainStream

This event is presented by One Human Family QCA, The Project of the Quad Cities, and TheRealMainstream.com.

Connection with Intersectional Resources in Our Community
FREE TO ATTEND! RAFFLE & DOOR PRIZES!

Our community is FILLED with resources -- but sometimes, we haven't yet had a chance to discover them all, because we're focused on what we already know.

The Intersectional Resource Fair is an unprecedented chance to learn, learn, learn about nonprofits, groups and businesses that serve marginalized identities and strive to be intersectional.

Come by for a few minutes, or stay for a couple of hours. Whatever it takes for you to partake of information from throughout the Quad Cities area and beyond about the resources available to you in more than a dozen different areas of interest.

Better yet, you'll receive door prizes just for showing up. And you'll win raffle tickets just for visiting the tables on hand, plus more raffle tickets if you complete some fun games.

Come intersect with us! This opportunity starts at 10:30 a.m. Sat., Oct. 7, and continues only until 1 p.m. Hope to see you there!

Find the support you need in:
-Housing
-Child care
-Education
-Employment
-Social justice
-Health care
-Animal welfare
-Substance use
-Spirituality
-LGBTQ topics
-BIPOC topics
-Small business
-Women's topics
-Environmental stewardship
-Community & social events

This free, simple, yet high-impact event is for nonprofits, community groups, and small businesses throughout the Quad Cities area -- especially those serving marginalized identities -- to share more about themselves, with more people, from more identities.

Share about the services you provide, how to access them, your upcoming events, your volunteer needs .... whatever will help you connect with more of your intersectional community.

More information is available here.

PACG Webmaster

Attacks on LGBTQ+ community and military readiness concerns - No Hate In Our States

7/6/2023

Pentagon Officials Fear Anti-LGBTQ+ Laws Could Impact Military Readiness

The Advocate

"The Advocate is an American LGBT magazine, printed bi-monthly and available by subscription. The Advocate brand also includes a website. Both magazine and website have an editorial focus on news, politics, opinion, and arts and entertainment of interest to lesbians, gay men, bisexuals and transgender (LGBT) people." (Wikipedia)

The attacks on the LGBTQ+ community has dire consequences across American society.

Officials at the Pentagon warned on Wednesday that states’ policies affecting LGBTQ+ people are potentially damaging to the military.

At an event at the Pentagon celebrating Pride Month, Space Force Chief Operating Officer Lt. Gen. DeAnna Burt emphasized that over 400 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have been introduced since January in various states.

“That number is rising and demonstrates a trend that could be dangerous for service members, their families, and the readiness of the force as a whole,” Burt pointed out, according to The Hill.

Undersecretary of the Pentagon for Personnel and Readiness Gil Cisneros said, “LGBT+ and other diverse communities are under attack, just because they are different. Hate for hate’s sake.”

Read the entire article here.

PACG Webmaster