Prairie Flame Archive

The Prairie Flame was an LGBTQ+ newspaper founded and operated by Buff Carmichael (1947-2021) in 1996 from his Springfield home with his partner, Jerry Bowman (1955-2017). It was widely distributed throughout Central Illinois until 2008 when rising printing costs caused the paper to cease production.

This paper served a vital function during its run, especially in smaller downstate cities and towns. Having a paper that specifically served the LGBTQ+ community not only connected these people with others but also helped these folks remember that they were not alone in the world. 

As the Peoria Journal Star once wrote, "The Prairie Flame never makes money, occasionally breaks even, has no full-time paid staff, and gives voice to the voiceless. It advocates for legislation and recognition of basic human rights. It establishes a community and lists resources.”

The tireless work and passion poured into this paper will not be forgotten. Its influence can still be felt today in publications like the Illinois Eagle.

The following scans are from the issues preserved at the University of Illinois History, Philosophy, and Newspaper Library in Urbana. In their archives is a near-complete run of The Prairie Flame. All scans were completed by me.

1996

1997

1998

1999

2002

2003

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