Prismatic Peoria: Documenting Peoria's LGBT History

On March 3, 2018, we lost David Ogden Stiers at the age of 75. Passing away at his home in Newport, Oregon, Stiers left behind a legacy that spanned television, film, animation, theater, and classical music. Known for his refined voice, intellectual presence, and emotional depth, he remains one of the most distinguished character actors of his generation.
Born October 31, 1942, in Peoria, Illinois, Stiers studied at the prestigious Juilliard School, training alongside future stars such as Christopher Reeve and Robin Williams. His classical foundation shaped the articulate, commanding persona that would define much of his career. Before television fame, he built his craft on stage, including Broadway, developing the vocal precision that later made him unforgettable in animation.
Stiers joined MAS*H in 1977 as Major Charles Emerson Wi******er III. Initially introduced as a replacement for Frank Burns, Wi******er could have remained a one-note foil. Instead, Stiers transformed him into a proud yet principled surgeon capable of compassion and vulnerability.
Across six seasons, his nuanced performance earned two Emmy nominations and helped redefine what a “replacement character” could become. Wi******er remains one of television’s most thoughtfully developed characters — a testament to Stiers’ intelligence and restraint as a performFor many audiences, Stiers’ voice is inseparable from Disney classics. In Beauty and the Beast, he voiced the meticulous yet loyal Cogsworth. In Pocahontas, he demonstrated remarkable range as both Governor Ratcliffe and Wiggins. And in Lilo & Stitch, he brought chaotic warmth to Dr. Jumba Jookiba, reprising the role in sequels and television adaptations.
His performances blended theatrical elegance with humor and humanity, helping define some of Disney’s most memorable animated personalities.
Stiers’ live-action résumé was equally impressive. He appeared in The Dead Zone, Better Off Dead, and Doc Hollywood, along with guest roles in Star Trek: The Next Generation, The West Wing, and Touched by an Angel. Whether portraying authority figures, intellectuals, or eccentrics, he brought gravitas and subtle wit to every role.
Outside acting, Stiers was an accomplished classical music conductor, frequently leading orchestras throughout the United States and Europe. Music was not a side pursuit but a lifelong passion that reflected his discipline, sophistication, and dedication to the arts.
From wartime operating tents to enchanted castles and distant galaxies, David Ogden Stiers shaped generations of storytelling. His work balanced intelligence with empathy, humor with dignity, and theatrical grandeur with heartfelt sincerity.
Though he left us on March 3, 2018, his performances continue to resonate. Every refined line delivery and every resonant note he conducted remains part of a legacy that endures.

More info to come soon! We hope to see you there!!


Image description: Tie dye background with text reading, "We're back! Did you miss us? SAVE THE DATE" River City Pride Logo in the middle and the bottom text reads, "Third Saturday in July".

On Holocaust Memorial Day, the world remembers the millions of people murdered and persecuted by the N**i regime — including those targeted for being Q***r.

The Holocaust remains one of the darkest chapters in human history. Under N**i rule, six million Jewish people were murdered, alongside millions of others deemed “subhuman” by the regime. Among them were Roma people, Slavic people, Black people, Disabled people, and gay men.

It is estimated that more than 50,000 gay men were convicted under N**i laws criminalising homosexuality. According to the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, most were imprisoned in police jails, while between 10,000 and 15,000 were deported to concentration camps, where many were subjected to forced labour, abuse, and death.

This brutality stands in stark contrast to life in Weimar Germany before 1933. At the time, Germany had a visible and vibrant Q***r scene, particularly in cities like Berlin. Gay bars operated openly, LGBTQ+ publications circulated, and the Institute for Sexual Research — founded by Magnus Hirschfeld — conducted pioneering work on sexuality and gender that was decades ahead of its time.

All of this was violently dismantled when the N**is seized power. From 1933 onwards, Q***r spaces were closed, books were burned, and police compiled lists of suspected homosexuals. Some people fled Germany in an attempt to survive; others entered heterosexual marriages to avoid persecution.

Q***r people did not escape the horrors of the Holocaust. Their stories, long marginalised in historical accounts, are a vital part of remembering the full scale of N**i persecution — and a reminder of where hatred, scapegoating, and dehumanisation can lead.

Image shows marchers carrying a pink triangle with the words: 'Never Forget' at the Le***an and Gay Pride event, London, 18th June 1994. The pink triangle began as a badge used at N**i concentration camps to identify gay men.

🎉 MIDNIGHT IN PEORIA IS ALMOST HERE! 🎉
Tickets are now just $35 — an absolute steal for everything included! 🥂

✨ Full Bar
🍽️ Food
🎁 Silent Auction - LOTS OF ITEMS
🍷 Wine Pull
🎶 Tons of entertainment
⏰ Our signature Human Ball Drop countdown to midnight
🚌 FREE shuttle by Hadaway Transport to the after party at Diesel!

All proceeds benefit our Community Relief Fund, which has already helped 27 local households since launching in November. ❤️

Celebrate, give back, and keep the party going.
🎟️ Grab your $35 tickets now!

Supreme Court denies Kim Davis petition to overturn same-sex marriage ruling The judges will not revisit the landmark 2015 decision in Obergefell v Hodges.

Happy birthday to one of Peoria’s own! 🥳🏳️‍🌈

📜 On This Day in Peoria History 📜

On October 31, 1942, actor David Ogden Stiers was born in Peoria. Best known for playing Major Charles Wi******er III in “M*A*S*H,” Stiers (1942-2018) grew up in central Illinois before moving to Eugene, Oregon, with his family while in high school.

Stiers appeared on Broadway, in several TV series, and in one TV movie before joining the cast of “M*A*S*H” in 1977. He received two Emmy Award nominations for his work on the show and another for his role in a TV miniseries. He endeared himself to another generation of fans with his voice-acting in eight Disney animated features, including “Beauty and the Beast,” “Pocahontas,” “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” and “Lilo & Stitch.”

A gifted musician, Stiers was also a prolific conductor. In 1989, he returned to Peoria to serve as a guest conductor for a benefit concert that helped fund a Peoria Symphony Orchestra trip to Peoria’s sister city of Friedrichshafen, Germany.

King Charles III is to unveil a memorial to LGBTQ+ military personnel at what will be his first engagement in support of the LGBTQ+ community.

Reflect. Remember. Erase Hate.

Gay athlete Mark Bingham and three of his fellow passengers onboard United Airlines Flight 93 helped to save hundreds of lives during 9/11. ➡️ bit.ly/461WMV7