Find LGBTQ hotlines and community support in Iowa
For urgent issues, LGBTQ support staff are available to talk via phone to provide guidance and help at one of the hotlines listed below. You can also find local and national LGBTQ support groups to provide comfort and community.
One Iowa proudly provides a list of resources for LGBTQ Iowans and allies. Inclusion on our website does not warrant or imply any endorsement, recommendation, or outcome. You must fully vet each resource.
Know of a resource we should list? Email info@oneiowa.org to submit it for consideration.
Hotlines
Trans Lifeline
877-565-8860
Iowa Victim Service Call Center
The Iowa Victim Service Call Center is a resource to victims and survivors of crime in Iowa. With staff available 24 hours a day and 365 days a year, callers are given the full attention they deserve. They work with the Iowa Coalition Against Domestic Violence and the Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault to train our staff. Advocates are also instructed by many of the culturally-specific groups and are aware of the unique challenges and barriers to services that people in LGBTQ community may face.
1-800-770-1650 or text ‘iowahelp’ to 20121
LGBT National Youth Talkline
800-246-7743
M-F, 3:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Sat., 11:00 pm – 4:00 pm
LGBT National Talkline
888-843-4564
M-F, 3:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Sat., 11:00 pm – 4:00 pm
The Trevor Project
Anti-bullying Hotline
866-488-7386
24/7
Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault
Iowa Sexual Abuse Hotline at 1-800-284-7821, 24/7
Support groups
Open to all transgender, queer, non-binary, gender non-confirming individuals. Whether you’re just beginning your journey or somewhere beyond, join us! Allies in direct support of transgender members are welcome.
Meetings held weekly at UCS Healthcare are available in a hybrid format – both in person and on Zoom – for people who reside in Iowa. Guest speakers/special topics once per month. For questions and accommodations, email support@ucsdsm.org or call 515-280-3860.
Ames Pride
Creating community for LGBTQIA+ people through collaboration, advocacy, and programming.
hello@amespride.org
Join Ames Pride
Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
First Friday Breakfast Club
Iowa breakfast club for gay, bisexual and transgender men. Meets the first Friday of each month at 7:00 a.m. and also monthly meetings at Hoyt Sherman Place.
1501 Woodland Ave, Des Moines, IA 50314
Jonathan Wilson, FFBC President
515-288-2500 info@ffbciowa.org
Prime Timers Central Iowa
A social membership club offering older gay, bisexual and transgender men friendship, activities, support and personal growth.
Steven Therrien
PrimeTimersIowa@gmail.com
515-422-7870
Pride Sports League of Central Iowa
Des Moines Pride Center
Supports and celebrates gender and sexual minorities as well as allies.
Address: 1620 Pleasant St, Suite 244
515-608-8856
Des Moines Gay Men’s Chorus
Through great music, welcoming concerts and outreach the DMGMC brings amazing musicianship to central Iowa. Audition for the group or show support and see a show!
Contact via the website or by mail:
P O Box 12269
Des Moines, IA 50312
Women’s Cultural Collective (WCC)
WCC is an Iowa women’s organization founded over 40 years ago which seeks to promote community building and to provide a safe and inclusive atmosphere for lesbians. We invite all women to attend our activities and events.
The Quire is a not-for-profit chorus for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons promoting a positive image of these communities through excellence in choral music.
Capitol City Pride
Best known for the annual Pride Fest weekend celebration, Capital City Pride has expanded its programs and events throughout the year to embrace every aspect of the LGBTQ community.
PO Box 73
Des Moines, IA 50301
marketing@capitolcitypride.org
Iowa City Pride
Coordinates an annual Pride festival and related events throughout the year.
PO Box 2910
Iowa City, IA 52244
info@iowacitypride.org
OC Pride
An Orange City-based advocacy organization for the LGBTQ community.
Siouxland Pride Alliance
Connects and protects LGBTQ people in Siouxland. Hosts a weekly support group and monthly potluck. Provides a free lending library, resource referral and educational opportunities for the larger community.
c/o First Unitarian Church
2508 Jackson Street
Sioux City, IA 51104
712-223-0931
contact@siouxlandpridealliance.org
Sioux City Pride
An affiliate of Siouxland Pride Alliance that hosts June Pride celebrations.
712-223-0931
Transcend North Iowa
Dedicated to supporting transgender, non-binary, and all gender-nonconforming individuals.
1948 Gil Ave
Charles City, IA 50616
Open 24 hours
319-359-7774
Queer Your Faith, Iowa
Unitarian Universalist (UU) congregations across Iowa provide LGBTQA services on the second Sunday of every month. The service is streamed live on their Facebook page.
Clock Inc – Quad Cities
Clock, Inc’s purpose is to provide a non-judgmental, safe, and reliable community center for LGBT+ individuals to reduce any feelings of discrimination or isolation.
LGBTQIA+ Support Group
SS Therapy and Consulting, Ltd
Every Thursday at 1 pm
4725 Merle Hay Rd, Ste 205
Des Moines, IA 50322
515-528-8135
meaney@sstherapyandconsulting.com
PFLAG
PFLAG is the first and largest organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) people, their parents and families, and allies.
Siouxland Pride Alliance
(712) 223-0931
Transformations Iowa is a transgender support group that meets weekly every Wednesday at 7:00 pm and every second Saturday of the month at 1:00 pm. Wednesdays: Community Room of the Mickle Center, 1620 Pleasant St, Des Moines, IA. Saturdays: Urbandale United Church of Christ, 3530 70th St, Urbandale, IA
For more information, please contact Sophia Stone or call 515-745-6766
The Iowa Department of Public Health has created YourLifeIowa.org so you can get help for alcohol, drug and gambling problems, suicidal thoughts, and more from experts dedicated to the health of Iowans
855-581-8111
Des Moines Non-Binary Support Group
Iowa Queer Communities of Color Coalition
The Iowa Queer Communities of Color’s mission is to use an intersectional lens to address the inequity of services, lack of support and space, socioeconomic disparities, and institutional racism experienced by our communities through education, advocacy, intentional inclusivity and organizing.
TransVerse is a support group for trans people and their allies. We work to extend feelings of isolation and confusion to the connections that can grow through the community.
Iowa City Transgender Support Services
ICTSS is a peer-run not-for-profit program that is focused on providing the Iowa City transgender community with social support, access to resources, and education to individuals.
Financial Empowerment Center (FEC) clients receive no-cost one-on-one professional counseling assistance with money management. Our professionally trained counselors support our clients in navigating complex financial challenges and choices, helping them identify and meet present challenges and future ambitions. If you, or someone you care about, is trying to work out of financial troubles or has specific dreams such as homeownership; and would benefit from our no-cost services, don’t hesitate to contact 515-697-7700, or visit www.empowermoney.org.
PRISM Tabletop Club
The Slow Down Coffee Co.
3613 6th Avenue, Des Moines, IA 50313
Prism Tabletop Club is a monthly LGBTQIA+ board gaming meetup group celebrating the diversity of the gaming community.
The goal of Prism is to create a safe and welcoming space for LGBTQIA-identifying individuals of all ages in order to build a lasting, supportive community connecting over a shared love of games on a regular, monthly basis. We encourage you to gather, play games, slay dragons, piece together puzzles, hang out and meet new friends! Get in touch at info@therookroom.com or visit www.therookroom.com/events.
