History of Cedar Rapids LGBTQ culture and figures
The piece surveys Cedar Rapids LGBTQ history from early social life to modern visibility. It notes Carl Van Vechten and Grant Wood connections, Legion Arts, nightlife venues, and community events. It highlights AIDS era fear, Pride milestones from 1995 onward, and ongoing efforts to revive CR Pride with volunteers for 2022.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Cedar Rapids
Carl van Vechten
Cedar
Maple Valley
Grant Wood
Cedar Rapids Museum of Art
Wood
Sara Sherman Maxon
University of Iowa Libraries
Mel Andringa
Ray Westrom
Roosevelt Hotel
Andringa
Susan Liddell
CR Pride
Greene Square Park
Belle’s Basin
NewBo City Market
Early Cedar Rapids female pilots cited in WWII era
Nadine Kirkland earned her 1940 pilot license at 19 and joined Civil Air Patrol with eight Cedar Rapids women by 1942. She trained with Helen Krengela and Maxine Weed in Des Moines, with reports noting women serving identically to men. Kirkland later married Thomas Merryman, lived in Cedar Rapids, and died in 2009 at 88.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Cedar Rapids
Nadine Kirkland
Civil Air Patrol
U.S. Air Force
Ing Helen Krengela
Maxine Weed
Kirkland
Des Moines
the Gazette
Des Moines Assembly
Thomas Merryman
Dianna
Nadine Merryman
Tara Templeman
History Center
Historycenter
the History Center
Also Mentioned on This Page
US Art and Art History
Arnold
Arnold Pyle
Pyle
Sheldon Museum of Art
Lincoln
Neb
F. John Herbert
Herbert
Legion Arts Organization
CSPS
Legion Arts
Iowa
Side Saddle
Belle’s Basix
Les Deal
Joe Coffey
The
Coffeygrande
Gmail
Roof Toy
ieTor
Rooftop Maintenance Co
Piece OF
Girl’ Pilots
Dandelion Stompers
Historycenter.org
Rootbeer
Prohibition
America
Second Avenue Secedar Rapids
Repra Lao
Tata