2023 Iowa City Pride!
Hey everyone! I hope this finds you well. Tomorrow is Pride in Iowa City, and I hope everyone can be there! Transistors is not doing an official entry in the parade, partly because the support group is a safe space from outside inspection. That said, I know a bunch of us want to march, including me. I'll be hopefully walking with the LGBTQ+ Iowa Archive and Library (LIAL) group, because they are our liaison with PS1 and Close House.
The IC Pride web sites and FB groups are a bit of a hot mess (sorry not sorry), so here's some valuable info for you. The parade route is this:
The starting point, College Green Park, is the green space at the bottom right of this map. The march/parade will be counter-clockwise, going up Johnson St., west on Iowa Ave., etc. Those of us trying to march are on our own, and should be in the park by 11am, though it's usually a bit late.
Everyone else who wants to be a Transistor and watch the parade together, I suggest meeting at the corner of Washington and Linn Sts., south-west side. Every street downtown near a bar or restaurant will be packed (hopefully), so be on the lookout for friends. I'm not sure where the mainstage will be, but probably at the intersection of Iowa and Linn Sts. like last year, to support the drag queens getting prepped at Studio 13.
Here's the lineup, from here https://www.iowacitypride.org/events-1/iowa-city-pride-parade-festival:
About the event
We realized we are Stronger Together, so let's have a party about it!
Join us for a Parade, Entertainment and a Vendor Fair!
12:00PM - 12:45PM - Parade
MAINSTAGE LINE UP 12:45PM - Opening Singer - mars hojilla
1:00PM - The Quire
1:30PM - Draglings
2:30PM - Allegra Hernandez
3:30PM - Drag Royalty
4:30PM - Natural Habits
5:45PM - I.C. Kings
6:30PM - Bawdy Bawdy Ha Ha
7:00PM - Rachel Saint
8:00PM - Drag Headliners - Chey Boi Myling Belle Frisbee Jenkins from RuPaul's Drag Race Dahli from Dragula Jazell Barbie Royale from Queen of the Universe Jade Jolie from RuPaul's Drag Race
https://www.facebook.com/events/957673705380641
Studio will be open all day I believe, but if people want to go to the evening show and want a chaperone (me), I'll probably duck in there at 3:30, and then later again at night. Text me at 319-541-0073 and I'll do my best.
There's also an LGBTQ+ swim event tonight! First I heard of it, but what do I know? https://www.iowacitypride.org/events-1/pride-at-the-pool-picnic
The first Pride was a riot, so have fun, but be safe. Don't yuck anyone else's yum, and don't engage with cops (ACAB). We love you, and you deserve to shine.
–Dani 🏳️⚧️❤️🏳️🌈