LGBTQ+ History Month was first celebrated in the United States in 1994, centering National Coming Out Day, which occurs annually on October 11th. This celebratory month was originally known as Lesbian and Gay History Month, and additional identity acronyms were added over time to increase inclusivity of LGBTQ+ communities. LGBTQ+ Pride Month is celebrated in June.
The University of Iowa maintains a long tradition of support for LGBT issues: Iowa was the first state university to officially recognize a queer student organization, the Gay Liberation Front (1970), now known as Spectrum UI (2021), and was the first public university in the country to offer insurance benefits to employees' domestic partners (1993).
Information for this article was gathered from the Division of Student Life and the UI Admissions office.
University of Iowa offers LGBTQ+ resources for staff, faculty, students, patients, and more.
Discover campus and community resources:
Event: Fluidscapes: Exploring Identity Through Art The event focuses on expression through art, exploring the landscapes of heritage and identity, and an expressive art activity using watercolors. Snacks will be provided. Wednesday, October 9, 2024, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Iowa Memorial Union Native Nations Room #341.
LGBTQ+ Council: The University of Iowa LGBTQ+ Council was organized in 1990 to support the interests of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer campus community. All are welcome, regardless of identity or experience. The Council holds monthly meetings and events.
LGBTQ Safe Zone Training: The LGBTQ Safe Zone Project is a campus-wide program from the office of Inclusive Education and Strategic Initiatives, that offers a visible message of inclusion, affirmation, and support to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people in the university community. There are three parts to this training: Phase I, Phase II, and Trans Awareness.
Trans@Iowa: Trans@Iowa exists as a resource for trans students, communities, and their allies. This website is to identify services and resources for trans and non-binary individuals at the University of Iowa as well as their allies. We encourage you to explore our directories of support services, affirming healthcare options, community organizations, and much more.
LGBTQ Clinic: Every staff member of the University of Iowa's LGBTQQ clinic has had LGBTQ-specific cultural humility training. This training, through the Safe Zone Project, is to make sure the clinic setting is welcoming and assuring for all patients.
QT Closet: This queer-trans clothing closet, which opened in 2019, provides gender-affirming clothing that is both free and sustainable to the University of Iowa and Iowa City communities.
Office of Health Parity: This office in the Carver College of Medicine works to strengthen its efforts to identify, recruit, and retain individuals from groups traditionally underrepresented in medicine and biomedical fields. The office supports training, programming, and events.
UIHC University of Iowa Health Care LGBTQI+ Staff and Faculty Group
Division of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion - LGBTQ+ Resources
LGBTQ+ History at Iowa (VIDEO Interviews)
Pride Alliance House: A supportive space where students have been able to interact with others and experience diversity while serving their community since 2006.
LGBTQ Archives and Library: This archival project is inspired by the history of LGBTQ community archives founded in the 1970s and 1980s as well as present day efforts to build new queer archives around the country.
Hawkeye Pride: Hawkeye Pride Alumni Network serves as a supportive and professional network for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and allied (LGBTQ+) alumni. This group will foster a sense of pride in and commitment to the University of Iowa; provide educational resources on LGBTQ+ issues; offer networking and social events; and support current LGBTQ+ students at Iowa.