Tess Catalano Papers, Iowa Women’s Archives

1982

The first Take Back the Night Rally in Iowa City is held in 1979 and is held annually thereafter.

Cedar Rapids Gazette, Michael Blake Personal Collection

1983

The Iowa City chapter of Ladies Against Women protests ERA opponent Phyllis Schlafly’s appearance at the Iowa Memorial Union on the UI campus in April.

Records of the GLBTAU, University of Iowa Archives

1984

The first reported cases of HIV/AIDS on campus galvanize Gay People’s Union to educate gay men about the disease and its prevention. The University’s Student Health Service, however, initially refuses to display AIDS information and the state’s Department of Health does not target gays in its prevention efforts. To fill this void, grassroots efforts in Iowa City begin to offer support groups and education.

Michael Blake Personal Collection

The Arts Center of Iowa City presents “Real Men,” a performance-art exploration of the role of gender.