"Connections is an organization of individuals and families that comes together to form, build and sustain queer community." -- our mission statement

A Brief History

The Connections movement began modestly in the dining room of a downtown Iowa City church in the fall of 2004 with a dozen or so participants. It was, at the time, an extension of a local LGBT spirituality discussion group which had formerly been named Open Hearts and had met at St. Thomas More Church.

By the time Connections kicked off its season two years later, more than 150 people filled the ballroom lobby and a large meeting room of the hotelVetro. A wide variety of area LGBT groups had tables which prompted their programs and services and recruited volunteers.

Much of the driving force and imagination behind the organization has come from Carlton Blackburn, who has chaired Connections from the beginning. He, in turn, has recruited a board of nine, representing a wide variety of ages, experience, and leadership skills in the area LGBT community.

Further Information