MONDAY, April 29
WHAT: Quench
WHERE: LGBT Resource Center, Illini Union (Room 323)
WHEN: Monday, Apr. 29, 12 noon–1:00 p.m.
Quench’s last lecture series welcomes Dr. Ramona Oswald, Professor of Family Studies, Director of Graduate Programs, Human and Community Development.
WHAT: Youth Time
WHERE: UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 3:00–6:00 p.m.
Youth Time is open time for youth in the UP Center meeting space. During this time, the UP Center meeting space will be open for youth in middle school and high school (13–17) to use to socialize, do homework, relax, or just spend time together. There will be an adult staff member in the space, but otherwise this time is reserved for youth only.
Youth groups Play It UP and Talk It UP will continue from 6:30–7:30, but the UP Center will now be open to youth before group from 3–6 p.m. Please join us!
For more information, please contact Maggie.
WHAT: Gay & Bisexual Men’s Group
WHERE: UIUC Counseling Center
WHEN: Monday, Apr. 29, 5:10–6:40 p.m.
Co-leaders: Rene Monteagudo, Ph.D. & Mark Patishnock, MA
This process-oriented therapy group focuses on issues relevant to gay and bi men, such as coming out, developing friendships, STDs/HIV, being gay or bisexual at UIUC, deciding whether or not to be politically active, dating, online/smartphone relationships, romantic relationships, and exploration of one’s identity as a gay or bisexual man. Finally, this group is open to other topics (e.g. depression, anxiety, etc.) not related to one’s sexual orientation.
WHAT: Pride Meeting
WHERE: Illini Union (Room 314)
WHEN: Monday, Apr. 29, 8:00 p.m.
Pride is a student organization for GLBT and Ally students at the University of Illinois. Activities include discussions of GLBT issues, social events, speaker panels, and involvement with national events.
For more information, please contact Kyle and/or Josh.
WHAT: Nekromancy
WHERE: Chester Street Bar
WHEN: Monday, Apr. 29, 9:00 p.m.–2:00 a.m.
Every Monday, DJs SorceryKid and Hivemind, craft a continuous audio-visual mixshow of the latest and the greatest in dark alternative and underground dance music.
Doors: 9:00 p.m.
Cover: $2.00
Age: 19+
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TUESDAY, April 30
The Rainbow Coffeehouse offers a welcoming, open environment for all LGBTQ and Ally communities to socialize. Whether you are here for a meeting, hanging out with friends, or to study, we invite you to join us each Tuesday at Rainbow Coffeehouse at ETC Cafe.
This week’s Rainbow Coffeehouse is hosted by the UP Center of Champaign County.
WHAT: Mpowerment Meeting
WHERE: Green Street Center
24 E. Green St., Suite 14
Champaign
WHEN: Tuesday, Apr. 30, 6:00–9:00 p.m.
Mpowerment is a local social and HIV prevention group for young gay/bisexual men. Meetings are open to all young gay and bisexual men interested in becoming involved.
For more information, please contact Carrie Keenan.
WHAT: Man UP: Men Against Negativity
WHERE: ETC Cafe
WHEN: Tuesday, Apr. 30, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Man UP is a men’s support and social group that meets every Tuesday. On months that contain five Tuesdays, Man UP donates their time to helping the community in variety of ways. For adult men, 26+.
For more information go here, or contact Kevin Bowersox-Johnson.
WHAT: Infusions
WHERE: LGBT Resource Center, Illini Union (Room 323)
WHEN: Tuesday, Apr. 30, 8:00 p.m.
Infusions: A Multicultural Gender and Sexuality Alliance is a cultural/LGBTQ organization dedicated to inclusion and diversity. Infusion focuses on the intersections of gender, sexuality, ethnicity, and race. We are open to any and all who seek to learn more about and to support these intersections of identities.
Infusions seeks to provide an inclusive space for LGBTQ people of color who may not feel welcomed within their ethnic communities due to their gender identity or sexuality.
For more information, please email.
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WEDNESDAY, May 1
WHAT: Brother II Brother Meeting
WHERE: Green Street Center
24 E. Green St., Suite 14
Champaign
WHEN: Wednesday, May 1, 7:00–8:00 p.m.
B II B is a social group for young men of color who have sexual or loving relationships with other men. The goal is to create a strong positive and healthy community for men of color in Champaign-Urbana.
For more information, please email Rage.
WHAT: Coming Out Support Group
WHERE: Please email for location
WHEN: Wednesday, Month Day, 7:00–8:00 p.m.
Coming Out Support Group is a safe, informal space for U of I students to listen, discuss, and learn about aspects of identity and coming out. It is open to all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning students, and those who do not choose to label themselves.
This is a confidential space; we always respect your privacy.
For more information, please email.
WHAT: Trans UP
WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Wednesday, May 1, 7:00–8:30 p.m.
Trans UP is a group for members of the transgender community to come together in a safe space to discuss our lives and socialize.
Topics for discussion can relate to the coming out process, transitioning, becoming comfortable with ourselves, and living as a trans person in general society, dating, and more — all while developing friendships and networking within the community.
A private changing room is available adjacent to meeting space. Privacy and confidentiality are respected and appreciated.
For more information, please email.
WHAT: Boys Nite Out
WHERE: Boltini Lounge
WHEN: Wednesday, May 1, 9:00 p.m.
Every Wednesday is Boys Nite Out at Boltini Lounge. DJ Randall Ellison is at the decks spinning Hi-NRG, dance pop, disco house, and oldskool, gay club anthems.
WHAT: Karaoke Party!
WHERE: Emerald City Lounge
WHEN: Wednesday, Month day, 9:00–11:00 p.m.
Emerald City hosts Karaoke every Wednesday. Doors open at 5:00. Order some great food, enjoy the drink specials, and at 9:00 p.m. join in on the fun and show everyone what you’ve got!
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THURSDAY, May 2
WHAT: Parkland Pride Meeting
WHERE: Parkland Community College (Room X-150)
WHEN: Thursday, May 2, 12 noon–12:50 p.m.
Parkland Pride is Parkland Community College’s LGBTA Student Organization that promotes social connections and campus awareness. Campus visibility and fun are our goals. Join us if you support LGBT Rights and LGBT Issues!
For more information, please contact Tanino.
WHAT: Among Women: Lesbian, Bisexual, Queer, and Questioning Support Group
WHERE: Asian American Cultural Center
WHEN: Thursday, May 2, 5:00–6:00 p.m.
We are an informal support group made up of lesbian, bisexual and queer women students; a place to meet other women who share your concerns and to form or broaden your social support network; an opportunity to decrease the alienation and isolation of being a lesbian or bisexual woman in a majority heterosexual environment; and a great chance to exchange ideas, experiences, and opinions. We are open to all University of Illinois students, both graduate and undergraduate.
For more information, please contact Alexandra.
WHAT: Play It UP
WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Thursday, May 2, 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Play It UP is a social group for LGBTQA middle and high school youth. Play it UP is peer-led, adult-supported, and an official program of The UP Center. The facilitators of the group include two board members and the youth seat on the Board of Directors.
Youth involved in Play it UP organize monthly social events for LGBTQA youth to engage in, including movie nights, putt-putt, bowling, etc.
Information shared at Play it UP is strictly confidential, including youths’ presence at the group.
For more information, please contact Peggy.
WHAT: Building Bridges
WHERE: LGBT Resource Center, Illini Union (Room 323)
WHEN: Thursday, May 2, 7:00–8:00 p.m.
Building Bridges exists to provide an open, accepting, safe space space for people who identify as LGBTQ and Allies and are interested in discussions about Christianity.
For more information, please email.
WHAT: Out in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (oSTEM)
WHERE: LGBT Resource Center, Illini Union (Room 323)
WHEN: Thursday, Month day, 8:00 p.m.
oSTEM@Illinois is an LGBT and Ally RSO that facilitates the growth of LGBT representation in STEM fields. We provide members with the tools to advance themselves both academically and professionally in an environment that is welcoming and friendly.
For more information, please contact John.
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FRIDAY, May 3
WHAT: Blend UP
WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Friday, May 3, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Blend UP is a discussion group for same-gender loving people of color in the Urbana-Champaign community. This group is geared toward meeting the social and support needs of LGBTQ people of color in Champaign-Urbana. We welcome men, women, and transgender folks of all identities to join us.
Discussion topics include:
- Family
- Relationships
- School
- Work
- Defining yourself
Blend UP is for young adults and adults (ages 18 and up). For more information contact Lance.
WHAT: Technicolor 2
WHERE: Emerald City Lounge
WHEN: Friday, May 3, 9:30 p.m.–2:00 a.m.
An intimate club vibe with deep house, tech house, and visuals. And check out the Friday night drink specials.
Lineup:
- 9:30–11 p.m.: Kirkwood West
- 11 p.m.–midnight: HeyCasey
- Midnight–1:00 a.m.: SuperNova
- 1:00-2:00 a.m.: J.Doya
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SATURDAY, May 4
WHAT: Saturday Night Royals
WHERE: Emerald City Lounge
WHEN: Saturday, May 4, 11:00 p.m.–2:00 a.m.
Join Emerald City Lounge every Saturday for a Royal Event. You’ll enjoy the Best and Brightest Stars of Drag that Downstate Illinois has to offer.
Call (217) 398-8661 or email for information regarding the featured headliner and reservations.
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SUNDAY, May 5
WHAT: Read UP: An LGBTQ Book Club
WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Sunday, May 5, 3:00–4:30 p.m.
Read UP is an LGBTQA book club. Participants get together on a monthly basis to discuss a book on LGBTQ issues or with LGBTQ themes. Group members take turns choosing the book of the month.
This month’s book is The Grass Widow, by Nanci Little.
For more information, go here.
WHAT: Sunday Night Drag Shows
WHERE: Chester Street Bar
WHEN: Sunday, May 5, 11:30 p.m.–2:00 a.m.
C-Street hosts drag shows every Sunday, with different performers every week. The first Sunday of every month is Open Talent Night, hosted by Ceduxion Carrington, so anyone who wants to sing, dance, or give drag a try can compete for a cash prize.
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Disclaimer: This is not a comprehensive list of all LGBTQ events in our community. Please always feel free to email me or post other events/updates/corrections in the comments.
Except on rare occasions, all language is taken directly from event pages and websites, and only minimally edited.