In Rememberance...
Joyce and Jack Wiley founded a support group for LGBTQIA youth in 1990, which evolved into Quad Citians Affirming Diversity (QCAD). Joyce led QCAD until 2017, supporting hundreds of LGBTQIA individuals and advocating for civil rights protections. She passionately advocated at city council meetings and state capitals, accompanying same-sex couples seeking marriage licenses before it was legal. Her efforts contributed to the establishment of discrimination protections in Illinois and Iowa, with local ordinances passed in Davenport (2000), Moline (2002), and Bettendorf (2004). Illinois extended protections in 2005, followed by Iowa in 2007. Joyce Wiley's heartfelt advocacy for LGBTQIA rights is deeply appreciated, and her dedication is celebrated
Quad Citians Affirming Diversity is the longest running organization in the greater Iowa-Illinois Quad Cities region that provides education, advocacy and support to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender/gender non-conforming community.
Quad Citians Affirming Diversity seeks to bring gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and straight people together to learn from each other and to create an inclusive community through support, education, and advocacy.
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Founded in 1990, QCAD initially focused on providing a supportive environment for youth of all sexual orientations and gender identities. Over time, they expanded their services to support people of all ages, including youth, young adults, adults, and seniors. What began as a safe space evolved into the leading organization in LGBTQ+ issues in their area.
In the early 2000s, QCAD played a pivotal role in advocating for civil rights protections for the LGBTQ+ community, leading to the passage of ordinances in Davenport, Iowa (2000), Moline, Illinois (2002), and Bettendorf, Iowa (2004). These local victories culminated in statewide protections in Illinois in 2006 and Iowa in 2007.
QCAD continues its advocacy and education efforts to promote public awareness and support for creating an inclusive community for all.
History
