LGBTQIA+ Pride and History Month

June has been proclaimed as LGBTQIA+ pride month to honor the Stonewall Inn riots that transpired in June of 1969. Pride month serves as a time to promote dignity, equity, and increased visibility of the LGBTQ+ community; to celebrate the vast diversity and experiences of people in the community; and to remember the past and ongoing struggles that the community has and still endures.

LGBTQ+ History Month is a month-long celebration that occurs in October to observe lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer history. It also honors the history of gay rights. LGBTQ+ History Month was first celebrated in the United States in 1994 to coincide with National Coming Out Day on October 11 and to commemorate the first and second marches on Washington in 1979 and 1987 for LGBT rights. 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. Gay and Lesbian Pride Month is also celebrated in June.

EQUAL Meds, the UI Health Care LGBTQ+ Group, and the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion would like to celebrate the history of progress made for LGBTQIA+ rights here in the state of Iowa and at the University of Iowa; highlight ongoing disparities for people in the community and organizations that fight to ameliorate those disparities; and to provide resources for connection and education for those who need them.

History

Timeline of LGBTQ milestones at the University of Iowa - Here is a timeline that marks significant milestones in the University of Iowa’s journey toward being a more inclusive and welcoming institution for LGBTQIA+ individuals.

LGBTQ+ Pride Month

From the Library of Congress

About

Resources at the University of Iowa and in Iowa City

Pride month events:

Iowa City Events

LGBTQ+ History Month Events:

University of Iowa Events

Iowa City Pride festival and parade - 2025

LGBTQ+ Community Resources

Resources for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Students - This site contains a variety of organizations and resources for LGBTQIA+ people and allies at the University of Iowa and in Iowa City: including access to healthcare; scholarship support; education and advocacy; and community engagement.

Resources for LGBTQ+ UI Health Care students, staff, faculty, and trainees:

University of Iowa Health Care LGBTQ+ OutList

The UI Health Care LGBTQ+ OutList is a public and voluntary listing of members of our health care community who identify as LGBTQ+. The OutList serves as a resource for faculty, staff, resident, fellow, post-docs, and students. The OutList was created to foster an inclusive community, and to provide members of the LGBTQ+ community with informal networking and mentoring opportunities. Current, future, or prospective UI Health Care community members may contact people on the OutList to connect or to ask questions.

Resources for families and allies of LGBTQ individuals

LGBTQ Reading Resources