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LGBTQIA+ Archive Class Projects

LGBTQIA+ Archive Class Projects

This class project was a collaboration between Professor Debra Young (Department of Languages & Literatures) and Ellen Neuhaus (Digital Scholarship Librarian).

During the spring 2025 semester, students from the WGS 2040: Intro to LGBTQ Studies class worked in groups to identified artifacts they believed are important to the lives of the LGBTQIA+ community at the University of Northern Iowa. Students studied the materials and developed metadata for the online archive of documents and wrote background research articles and developed bibliography of sources.

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01. LGBTQIA+ Topics Class [photograph]

University of Northern Iowa

LGBTQ+ studies is a branch of Women and gender studies. It goes depth into the history of LQBTQ+ community and movement. This photo shows the students in the class of spring 2024-2025.

See the Rationale Paper by a group of student authors; L. Creelman, L. Stokes, K. Van Buren, and J. Morales; located under the main Download button.
02. Airness Photo 01 [photograph, April 22, 2025]

Webber Zehr, Taryn Poland, Annabelle Moon, and Noah Bock

Airness is a contemporary play, written by Chelsea Marcantel. The piece focused on the unknown population of air guitar. This production of the play involved aspects of drag, LGBTQ representation, and rock 'n roll!

There are twenty one related "Airness 2025" artifacts.
03. Airness Photo 02 [photograph, April 22, 2025]

Webber Zehr

There are twenty one related "Airness 2025" artifacts.
04. Airness Photo 03 [photograph, April 22, 2025]

Webber Zehr

There are twenty one related "Airness 2025" artifacts.
05. Airness Photo 04 [photograph, April 22, 2025]

There are twenty one related "Airness 2025" artifacts.
06. Airness Photo 05 [photograph, April 22, 2025]

There are twenty one related "Airness 2025" artifacts.
07. Airness Photo 06 [photograph, April 22, 2025]

There are twenty one related "Airness 2025" artifacts.
08. Airness Photo 07 [photograph, April 22, 2025]

There are twenty one related "Airness 2025" artifacts.
09. Airness Photo 08 [photograph, April 22, 2025]

There are twenty one related "Airness 2025" artifacts.
10. Airness Photo 09 [photograph, April 22, 2025]

There are twenty one related "Airness 2025" artifacts.
11. Airness Photo 10 [photograph, April 22, 2025]

There are twenty one related "Airness 2025" artifacts.
12. Airness Photo 11 [photograph, April 22, 2025]

There are twenty one related "Airness 2025" artifacts.
13. Airness Photo 12 [photograph, April 22, 2025]

There are twenty one related "Airness 2025" artifacts.
14. Airness Photo 13 [photograph, April 22, 2025]

There are twenty one related "Airness 2025" artifacts.
15. Airness Photo 14 [photograph, April 22, 2025]

There are twenty one related "Airness 2025" artifacts.
16. Airness Photo 15 [photograph, April 22, 2025]

There are twenty one related "Airness 2025" artifacts.
17. Airness Photo 16 [photograph, April 22, 2025]

There are twenty one related "Airness 2025" artifacts.
18. Airness Photo 17 [photograph, April 22, 2025]

There are twenty one related "Airness 2025" artifacts.
19. Airness Photo 18 [photograph, April 22, 2025]

There are twenty one related "Airness 2025" artifacts.
20. Airness Photo 19 [photograph, April 22, 2025]

There are twenty one related "Airness 2025" artifacts.
21. Airness Photo 20 [photograph, April 22, 2025]

There are twenty one related "Airness 2025" artifacts.
22. Airness [poster, April 17-25, 2025]

University of Northern Iowa

Advertisement poster for upcoming UNI production Airness. Airness is a production focused on an underdog story of rock and roll through the art of air guitar, pushing the boundaries of gender and gender expression.

There are twenty one related "Airness 2025" artifacts.
23. Debate Team Back in the Spotlight [article, April 9, 2025]

Citation: Westendorf, J. (2025, April 9). Debate Team back in the spotlight: UNI Debate returns to nationals for the first time in nine years. Northern Iowan, 7.

Description: Article from the Northern Iowan about the UNI debate team going to The National Debate Tournament for the first time in eight years. Kat Van Buren, Captain of the UNI Debate Team, argues for trans/queer rights within Debate while also strategizing for ways in which to do the same outside of debate.
24. Dragaganza 2025: Group Photo with Outstretched Hands [photograph]

University of Northern Iowa

An image with 6 students on stage with their arms stretched out in a star pattern, with a rainbow backdrop.

There are seven related "Dragaganza 2025" artifacts.
25. Dragaganza 2025: Group Photo [photograph]

University of Northern Iowa

A group photo of 6 students at the 'Dragaganza' event.

There are seven related "Dragaganza 2025" artifacts.
26. Dragaganza 2025: Masked Performer [photograph]

University of Northern Iowa

An image of a student performing at the 'Dragaganza' event.

There are seven related "Dragaganza 2025" artifacts.
27. Dragaganza 2025: Building a Brighter Future [poster, April 2025]

A poster promoting the draganza event presented by UNI Proud

There are seven related "Dragaganza 2025" artifacts.
28. Dragaganza 2025: Pink Pony Princess [poster, April 5, 2025]

University of Northern Iowa

A pink, blue, and purple poster advertising the UNI Proud Drag-A-Ganza. Poster contains 'pink pony princess' text and the image of a pink disco ball.

There are seven related "Dragaganza 2025" artifacts.
29. Dragaganza 2025 [poster, October 27, 2024]

Eugene Vander Leest EV

Poster showcasing the Drag-a-ganza event which took place on October 27, 2024.

There are seven related "Dragaganza 2025" artifacts.
30. Dragaganza 2025 [social media post, April 9, 2022]

University of Northern Iowa

A social media promotional post advertising the Dragaganza thrown by UNI Proud.

There are seven related "Dragaganza 2025" artifacts.
31. Just One More: Album Front Cover [photograph]

University of Northern Iowa

This is a musical work by M. S. Webster, a queer artist from Ankeny, Iowa. With their music they capture themes of reminiscence, tranquility, and solemness.

There are two related "Just One More" artifacts.
- Album Front Cover
- Album Back Cover
See the Rationale Paper by the student author, M. Webster, located under the main Download button.
32. Just One More: Back Album Cover [photograph]

This is a musical work by M. S. Webster, a queer artist from Ankeny, Iowa. With their music they capture themes of reminiscence, tranquility, and solemness.

There are two related "Just One More" artifacts.
- Album Front Cover
- Album Back Cover
See the Rationale Paper by the student author, M. Webster, located under the main Download button.
33. Protest 2025. Pride Ribbon [photograph]

University of Northern Iowa

A Rainbow ribbon about 2 inches long given out to students during a UNI Proud protest to pin their belongings showing support for LGBTQ+ students

There are six related "Protest 2025" artifacts.
See the Rationale Paper by the student author, H. Burke, located under the main Download button.
34. Protest 2025. Pride Flag [photograph]

Rico Miller

This is a flag belonging to UNI Student Tyler Blauvelt. It has been present at many of the protests for the LGBTQ+ community on the University of Northern Iowa campus.

There are six related "Protest 2025" artifacts.
See the Rationale Paper by the student author, R. Miller, located under the main Download button.
35. Protest 2025. Hands Off! Protest [article & images]

Holly Hudson Hill and Chris Zoeller

Citation: Hill, H. and Zoeller, C. (2025, April 8). Hands Off Protest. Courier, A1 & A4.

There are six related "Protest 2025" artifacts.
36. Protest 2025. Protest at Applied Engineering Building 1 [article]

University of Northern Iowa

Citation: Klinkhammer, B. (2025, April 9). Students make their voice heard at Applied Engineering building opening. Northern Iowan, 2.

This article is a description of a recent protest at the new Applied Engineering Building. Well over 100 UNI students, Cedar Falls High School students, and the Cedar Valley came together to protest Kim Reynolds appearance for the ribbon cutting ceremony. Kim Reynolds failed to appear to give a speech and to help cut the ribbon. I think that in itself is so powerful, to know that she didn't show up because people showed up to protest against someone so full of hate.

There are six related "Protest 2025" artifacts.
37. Protest 2025. Protest at Applied Engineering Building 2 [photograph]

Citation: Villatoro, J. (2025, April 9). Students protest during Applied Engineering Building ribbon cutting, Gov. Reynolds is a no-show. Northern Iowan, 1.

Description: Front page of "The Northern Iowan" paper titled "Students protest during Applied Engineering building ribbon cutting, Gov. Reynolds is no-show".

There are six related "Protest 2025" artifacts.
38. Protest 2025. United Faculty [article]

Citation: NI Staff. (2025, April 9). United Faculty cements opposition to higher education bills in statement. Northern Iowan, 3.

There are six related "Protest 2025" artifacts.
39. Northern Iowan. RodCon Celebrates Ten Years [article]

J. Villatoro

Citation. Villatoro, J. (2025, April 9). RodCon celebrates ten years of pop-culture and comics. Northern Iowan, 8.

There are four related "Northern Iowan" artifacts.
40. Northern Iowan. UNI 150th Celebration [article]

E. Pantini

Citation: Pantini, E. (2025, April 9). UNI 150th celebration: Highlighting the past and looking to the future. Northern Iowan, 6.

There are four related "Northern Iowan" artifacts.
41. Northern Iowan. If Iowa Legislators Loved UNI [article]

B. Klinkhammer

Citation: Klinkhammer, B. (2025, April 9). If Iowa legislators loved UNI the way I love UNI. Northern Iowan, 5.

There are four related "Northern Iowan" artifacts.
42. Northern Iowan. Estudiantes hacen oír su voz en la inauguración del edificio de Ingeniería Aplicada [article]

B. Klinkhammer

Citation: Klinkhammer, B. (2025, April 9). Estudiantes hacen oír su voz en la inauguración del edificio de Ingeniería Aplicada. Northern Iowan, 4.

There are four related "Northern Iowan" artifacts.
43. ThreeHouse Collaborative Campus Ministries [photograph]

Maxmilian Kimball

Front view of the ThreeHouse in Cedar Falls, IA, on College St. The staircase pictured is painted to represent the LGBTQIA+ Pride Flag.
44. Chalk Art [photograph 01]

Landon Stanley

Three photos feature chalk writings outside of Maucker Union on the University of Northern Iowa's campus. The student organization UNI-PAC (University of Northern Iowa - People's Assembly for Civil Rights), wrote messages calling for a change in Civil Rights and an end to domestic and foreign conflict. The writing within the photos include; "Panthers against hate," "End genocide," "Kim Reynolds hates students but loves drinking and driving," "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free UNI-PAC," "Diversity makes our campus great," "Keep ICE off campus," "Trans rights are human rights," and "No ICE."

There are two related "Chalk Art" artifacts.
- Chalk Art [photograph 01]
- Chalk Art [photograph 02]
44. Chalk Art [photograph 02]

Lex A. Taylor

These photos feature chalk writings outside of Maucker Union on the University of Northern Iowa's campus. The student organization UNI-PAC (University of Northern Iowa - People's Assembly for Civil Rights), wrote messages calling for a change in Civil Rights and an end to domestic and foreign conflict. The writing within the photos include; "Panthers against hate," "End genocide," "Kim Reynolds hates students but loves drinking and driving," "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free UNI-PAC," "Diversity makes our campus great," "Keep ICE off campus," "Trans rights are human rights," and "No ICE."

There are two related "Chalk Art" artifacts.
- Chalk Art [photograph 01]
- halk Art [photograph 02]
45. Jacket Project [photograph 01]

University of Northern Iowa

The jacket originated in the WGS-2040 Introduction to LGBTQ Studies class as a passion project from one of the students. The jacket features signatures of all the students in the class as well as different emblems and symbols of queer history. It serves as a relic of the class and the continuity of LGBTQ education and community.

There are ten related "Jacket Project" artifacts.
46. Jacket Project [photograph 02]

University of Northern Iowa

The jacket originated in the WGS-2040 Introduction to LGBTQ Studies class as a passion project from one of the students. The jacket features signatures of all the students in the class as well as different emblems and symbols of queer history. It serves as a relic of the class and the continuity of LGBTQ education and community.

The image depicted is a hand drawn cat with the message "CATS AGAINST ABLEISM" demonstrating intersectionality in the fight for equality for all.

There are ten related "Jacket Project" artifacts.
47. Jacket Project [photograph 03]

The jacket originated in the WGS-2040 Introduction to LGBTQ Studies class as a passion project from one of the students. The jacket features signatures of all the students in the class as well as different emblems and symbols of queer history. It serves as a relic of the class and the continuity of LGBTQ education and community.

The above image depicts a mouse, and several pride pins. The mouse patch represents the corporate rat race and the relentless competition for the pursuit of material success. The pride pins represent the different identities in the LGBTQ community.

There are ten related "Jacket Project" artifacts.
48. Jacket Project [photograph 04]

University of Northern Iowa

There are ten related "Jacket Project" artifacts.
49. Jacket Project [photograph 05]

University of Northern Iowa

There are ten related "Jacket Project" artifacts.
50. Jacket Project [photograph 06]

University of Northern Iowa

There are ten related "Jacket Project" artifacts.
51. Jacket Project [photograph 07]

University of Northern Iowa

There are ten related "Jacket Project" artifacts.
52. Jacket Project [photograph 08]

University of Northern Iowa

There are ten related "Jacket Project" artifacts.
53. Jacket Project [photograph 09]

University of Northern Iowa

There are ten related "Jacket Project" artifacts.
54. Jacket Project [photograph 10]

University of Northern Iowa

There are ten related "Jacket Project" artifacts.
55. Marian or the True Tale of Robin Hood [program]

University of Northern Iowa

Marian, or the True Tale of Robin Hood is a contemporary play by Adam Szymkowicz. The play is a twist on the classic story where Robin Hood is Maid Marian in disguise. The show explores queerness in a time before the labels we use today.

There are eleven related "Marian or the True Tale of Robin Hood" artifacts.
56. Marian or the True Tale of Robin Hood [photograph 01]

University of Northern Iowa

Marian, or the True Tale of Robin Hood is a contemporary play by Adam Szymkowicz. The play is a twist on the classic story where Robin Hood is Maid Marian in disguise. The show explores queerness in a time before the labels we use today.

There are eleven related "Marian or the True Tale of Robin Hood" artifacts.
57. Marian or the True Tale of Robin Hood [photograph 02]

University of Northern Iowa

Marian, or the True Tale of Robin Hood is a contemporary play by Adam Szymkowicz. The play is a twist on the classic story where Robin Hood is Maid Marian in disguise. The show explores queerness in a time before the labels we use today.

There are eleven related "Marian or the True Tale of Robin Hood" artifacts.
58. Marian or the True Tale of Robin Hood [photograph 03]

University of Northern Iowa

Marian, or the True Tale of Robin Hood is a contemporary play by Adam Szymkowicz. The play is a twist on the classic story where Robin Hood is Maid Marian in disguise. The show explores queerness in a time before the labels we use today.

There are eleven related "Marian or the True Tale of Robin Hood" artifacts.
59. Marian or the True Tale of Robin Hood [photograph 04]

University of Northern Iowa

Marian, or the True Tale of Robin Hood is a contemporary play by Adam Szymkowicz. The play is a twist on the classic story where Robin Hood is Maid Marian in disguise. The show explores queerness in a time before the labels we use today.

There are eleven related "Marian or the True Tale of Robin Hood" artifacts.
60. Marian or the True Tale of Robin Hood [photograph 05]

University of Northern Iowa

Marian, or the True Tale of Robin Hood is a contemporary play by Adam Szymkowicz. The play is a twist on the classic story where Robin Hood is Maid Marian in disguise. The show explores queerness in a time before the labels we use today.

There are eleven related "Marian or the True Tale of Robin Hood" artifacts.
61. Marian or the True Tale of Robin Hood [photograph 06]

University of Northern Iowa

Marian, or the True Tale of Robin Hood is a contemporary play by Adam Szymkowicz. The play is a twist on the classic story where Robin Hood is Maid Marian in disguise. The show explores queerness in a time before the labels we use today.

There are eleven related "Marian or the True Tale of Robin Hood" artifacts.
62. Marian or the True Tale of Robin Hood [photograph 07]

University of Northern Iowa

Marian, or the True Tale of Robin Hood is a contemporary play by Adam Szymkowicz. The play is a twist on the classic story where Robin Hood is Maid Marian in disguise. The show explores queerness in a time before the labels we use today.

There are eleven related "Marian or the True Tale of Robin Hood" artifacts.
63. Marian or the True Tale of Robin Hood [photograph 08]

University of Northern Iowa

Marian, or the True Tale of Robin Hood is a contemporary play by Adam Szymkowicz. The play is a twist on the classic story where Robin Hood is Maid Marian in disguise. The show explores queerness in a time before the labels we use today.

There are eleven related "Marian or the True Tale of Robin Hood" artifacts.
64. Marian or the True Tale of Robin Hood [photograph 09]

University of Northern Iowa

Marian, or the True Tale of Robin Hood is a contemporary play by Adam Szymkowicz. The play is a twist on the classic story where Robin Hood is Maid Marian in disguise. The show explores queerness in a time before the labels we use today.

There are eleven related "Marian or the True Tale of Robin Hood" artifacts.
65. Marian or the True Tale of Robin Hood [photograph 10]

University of Northern Iowa

Marian, or the True Tale of Robin Hood is a contemporary play by Adam Szymkowicz. The play is a twist on the classic story where Robin Hood is Maid Marian in disguise. The show explores queerness in a time before the labels we use today.

There are eleven related "Marian or the True Tale of Robin Hood" artifacts.
66. UNI Proud [poster 01]

University of Northern Iowa

1 jpg file

There are eleven related "UNI Proud" artifacts.
67. UNI Proud [poster 02]

There are eleven related "UNI Proud" artifacts.
68. UNI Proud [poster 03]

There are eleven related "UNI Proud" artifacts.
69. UNI Proud [poster 04]

University of Northern Iowa

1 jpg file

There are eleven related "UNI Proud" artifacts.
70. UNI Proud [poster, front 05]

A digital flyer for the UNI Proud 2025 Halloween Party. The even took place from 7:00-8:30 in the University Room of Maucker Union.

There are eleven related "UNI Proud" artifacts.
71. UNI Proud [poster, back 05]

This is the back of a Halloween Bash Flyer from 2024. It shows a map of how to get to the University Room in Maucker.

There are eleven related "UNI Proud" artifacts.
72. UNI Proud [poster 06]

There are eleven related "UNI Proud" artifacts.
73. UNI Proud [poster 07]

This is a UNI Event Poster from September 2024. The event was a Tye-Dye event to start off the school year.

There are eleven related "UNI Proud" artifacts.
74. UNI Proud [poster 08]

A poster in bright colors advertising 2 different events at which UNI Proud will be present. Transcription: Welcome Back, Panthers! Catch Proud at: Jump Start's Scholar's Involvement Fair: August 20th, 11AM - 12PM in Maucker Union Coffeehouse; New Student Org Fest: August 21st from 12-2pm outside Maucker Union

There are eleven related "UNI Proud" artifacts.
75. UNI Proud [poster 09]

A UNI Proud poster promoting and event.

Transcription: Transgender Day of Remembrance, UNI Proud, in collaboration with Threehouse Campus Collaborative Ministries, will be holding a candlelit vigil for Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20th from 6-8pm in the Chapel. Feel free to bring your own flower to add to the vigil.

There are eleven related "UNI Proud" artifacts.