Any list of the country’s premiere independent bookstores always includes several from both coasts. Yet, one bright light shines in the middle of the Midwest — Prairie Lights Books in Iowa City.
For nearly 50 years, it has been a primary source of cultural understanding and community in this city of 75,000.Some point to Prairie Lights as a primary factor in Iowa City regularly appearing alongside San Francisco, New York and Miami as a destination for queer travel.
“From the beginning, Prairie Lights has never shied away from whose books and what topics they would carry or what authors they would invite to special events,” says Joe Reilly, a gay man who, as night mayor, serves as a non-elected liaison between downtown businesses and city officials on issues like safety and inclusivity.
“Iowa City has successfully planned for a safe and inviting community by providing good lighting, a healthy pedestrian mall and public safety that demonstrates this space is cared for,” he says.
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To find more about queer history in Iowa City, read about our history of inclusion.