IN THE MAIN LIBRARY GALLERY
JANUARY 17 – JUNE 30, 2023

Several people hold a white banner that says "We're alive in '85. Gay & Lesbian Pride Week, Iowa City, IA." They are on the Pentacrest on campus and many are smiling.

Scrapbook photo, 1985. Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Allies Union Records [RG02.0003.018], University Archives.

Out & About: Queer Life in Iowa City is an exhibition about some of the many LGBTQ+ people and organizations in Iowa City’s history. Across the decades, queer folks in Iowa City and at the University of Iowa have created spaces in which to gather, to find support, and build community. The exhibit invites exploration of the diverse and complex history of LGBTQ life through an Iowa City lens.

Documents, photos, artifacts, and ephemera from local archives help recount stories from the recent past about queer student groups, local businesses and organizations, and publications. Materials on display in the exhibition are from the University Archives and Iowa Women’s Archives at the University of Iowa Libraries, from the LGBTQ Iowa Archives & Library, and from community members.

View the Exhibit Guide for Out & About: Queer Life in Iowa City

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Virtual Exhibit


Click here to view the accessible version of this interactive content (Opens in a new window/tab)

 

Curator Highlights

First even issue of Better Homes and Dykes. Check the page under the image for a transcript of the text.

Better Homes and Dykes, Fall 1974 (first issue)

Jo Rabenold Papers [IWA0191], Iowa Women’s Archives.
A Gay Liberation Front flyer featuring drag queen Divine pointing her finger at handwritten text that says: Outrageous Weekend. The flyer includes a calendar of activities.

Gay Liberation Front “Outrageous Weekend” flyer, 1974

Jo Rabenold Papers [IWA0191], Iowa Women’s Archives. Read more here about Gay Liberation Front and the Midwest Gay Pride Conference in the 1970s.
Pink flyer advertising Coming Out Day 1999 on the Pentacrest in Iowa City. Features a Keith Haring artwork depicting a figure walking out of a closet. Words transcribed in the page text.

National Coming Out Day flyer, 1999

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Staff and Faculty Association Records [RG03.0011.001], University Archives.
Five people hold rainbow flags in front of the Old Capitol Building in Iowa City.

Pride feature in The Gazette, 2007

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Staff and Faculty Association Records [RG03.0011.001], University Archives.
The cover of the RFD Winter 87-88 issue features a Black man holding a glowing orb.

RFD: A Country Journal for Gay Men Everywhere

Donald Engstrom Papers [MsC1170], Special Collections & Archives.
Tracy Bjorgum and two friends march happily amongst a large group of protestors in Washington, D.C. Tracy is eating a snack and is wearing a shirt that says

Second National March on Washington, 1987

Photos of events in Washington, D.C. on October 11, 1987. From the Tracy Bjorgum Papers, LGBTQ Iowa Archives & Library, Iowa City.
Several game cards in black and white are displayed. The ones with visible text say

Spinster, “a lighthearted lesbian gayme”

Created by Lavender Lace, printed by Iowa City Women’s Press, 1982. Iowa City Women’s Press Records [IWA0220], Iowa Women’s Archives.
A flyer for Grupo LL with handwritten text, transcribed on the web page.

¡Atención! ¿Quienes somos? flyer, 1994

Nancy V. “Rusty” Barceló Papers [RG99.0351], University Archives.

Credits

Exhibition Curation

Madde Hoberg
Annex Assistant, University of Iowa Libraries 

Aiden Bettine
Curator of the Tretter Collection in GLBT Studies, University of Minnesota 

Preparation & Conservation
Bill Voss, Conservator Technician & Exhibit Preparator 
Giselle Simón, University Conservator 

Design
Kalmia Strong, Creative Coordinator

Exhibition Coordination & Curatorial Assistance
Sara J. Pinkham, Exhibition and Engagement Coordinator

Editing
Madde Hoberg, Sara J. Pinkham
Anna Holland, Associate Curator of the Iowa Women’s Archives

Installation
Bill Voss, Kalmia Strong, Sara J. Pinkham

Website
Sara J. Pinkham 
Ken Clinkenbeard, Web Services Specialist

Virtual Exhibit Assembly & Photography
Sara J. Pinkham

Financial Support
Friends of the University of Iowa Libraries

Special Thanks
Paula Balkenende, Rusty Barceló, Ben Barreras, Anne Bassett, Michael Blake, Ken Bunch, Adria Carpenter, Laura Crossley, John Culshaw, Claire Czerwionka, Bethany Davis, Jill Davis, Natalee Dawson, Em Domingues, Katie Ferring, Margaret Gamm, Amanda Green, Maggie Halterman-Dess, David Hays, Dr. Katie Imborek, Sarah Keen, Quentin Kinzy, Kymbyrly Koester, Ann Kreitman, Tricia Kroll, Kris Kuebler, Lauren Magnani, Danielle Martinez, Randy Mayer, David McCartney, Lindsay Moen, Dr. Nicole Nisly, Kate Orazem, Jenna Silver, Laura Shoemaker, Sara Tate, Bethie Walker, Janet Weaver, Emma Welch, David Weldon.

Contributing Local Archives 
Iowa Women’s Archives, University of Iowa Libraries 
University Archives, University of Iowa Libraries 
LGBTQ Iowa Archives & Library, Iowa City