LGBTQ

Capital City PrideFest in Des Moines burst forth with color, music and love this past weekend.

In the 1980s, an Iowa City art teacher wrote to Keith Haring not expecting a response. This resulted in a friendship and two visits by Haring to Horn Elementary.

This year, the University of Iowa says it will close the provider of sexual assault services in southeastern Iowa. A local provider has less than a year to fill the gap.

The Rape Victim Advocacy Program has provided support for survivors of sexual assault for more than 50 years. An IPR News investigation reveals how its abrupt closure came about and how that puts those services for 10% of the state’s population in jeopardy.

Fifteen years ago on April 3, Iowa became the third state to establish marriage equality. Now, over a decade later, LGBTQ issues are still hotly debated.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill into law Tuesday evening that supporters say will prevent state and local government from infringing on Iowans’ religious freedom. Opponents of the “Religious Freedom Restoration Act” have said it opens the door to discrimination, especially against LGBTQ Iowans.

There’s a mix of red and blue politics across the Midwest. Statehouse journalists share updates on new and proposed legislation in neighboring states.

The jury found that the state’s case against Tara McGovern wasn’t sufficient to convict them. But that doesn’t mean the acquittal challenges 2021’s increased penalties for protest-related crimes.

Iowa House Republicans voted Thursday to send a bill to the governor’s desk they said will prevent state and local government from infringing on Iowans’ religious freedom. Opponents of the so-called Religious Freedom Restoration Act said it opens the door to discrimination.

Expert readers discuss Alice Walker's The Color Purple for the Talk of Iowa book club.