Supporting the LGBTQ Community in DSM Ahead of Pride Month in 2023

Every year, June marks Pride Month, a celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people and a commemoration of the anniversary of the Stonewall riots. In Iowa, 3.6% of people identify as LGBTQ, according to UCLA Williams Institute, and local resources offered by the Des Moines Pride Center, Iowa Safe Schools, One Iowa and others are essential to creating an inclusive city with LGBTQ-friendly policies that helps the region stay innovative and globally competitive. Iowa Safe Schools offers a Queer Campus Coalition to support post-secondary education of LGBTQ students in the state, while One Iowa’s LGBTQ Leadership Institute prepares the next generation of LGBTQ leaders. Applications for 2023 are live through Saturday, April 15.

In Greater Des Moines (DSM), there are many resources and events available to the LGBTQ community and its allies. This work is important year-round, not just in June, and that’s why we’ve put together the following events and resources now, so you don’t miss out on ways to get active in DSM.

LGBTQ Upcoming Events

Aside from DSM’s annual Pride Fest celebration — taking place June 9 – 11, 2023 — the partners above, and other community businesses and organizations, offer events to get involved with and support the LGBTQ community all year long. A few upcoming events include:

• LGBTQ+ Legal Clinic at Drake Legal Clinic on Saturday, April 22 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.
• 18th Annual Governor’s Conference on LGBTQ Youth at Prairie Meadows Event Center on Friday, April 28
• Rolling Into Pride Skate Party at Skateland Des Moines on Tuesday, May 30 at 6 p.m.
• LGBTQ 101 at West Des Moines Public Library on Wednesday, May 31 at 6 p.m.
• Des Moines Latino Film Festival: LGBTQ Night at the State Historical Museum on Wednesday, June 14 at 4:30 p.m.
• Disney Drag Brunch: Heroes and Villains for all ages at The Garden on Saturday, June 17 at 10 a.m.
• I-Cubs Pride Night at Principal Park on Friday, June 2 at 5:30 p.m.
• Capital City Pride Stride 5K in the Historic East Village on Saturday, June 10 at 8 a.m.
• 14th Annual One Iowa Gala at The River Center on Friday, June 30 at 7 p.m.

Other events include the Capital City Pride Speaker Series at the Temple Theater in Downtown DSM, which discusses LGBTQ issues and politics as well as human rights.

Online Tools

To help combat cyberbullying, an LGBTQ Guide from vpnMentor offers tips for navigating online communities, including connecting with colleagues on social media, controlling your online identity and safely taking part in online dating. According to a vpnMentor study, 73% of LGBTQ+ people have reported being personally attacked or harassed online. Staying safe online starts with awareness, and this guide provides insight into how LGBTQ community members can handle the challenges they might encounter online.

Learn more about stats and resources of LGBTQ individuals living in DSM on DSMpartnership.com.

Greater Des Moines (DSM) welcomes diverse talent to the region. As one of the fastest growing business communities, inclusion and attracting diverse talent in the workplace is a key strategy of the Greater Des Moines Partnership. Learn more here.