MONDAY, February 25
WHAT: Gay & Bisexual Men’s Group
WHERE: UIUC Counseling Center
WHEN: Monday, Feb. 25, 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: Main lobby of ARC (201 E. Peabody)
WHEN: Monday, Feb. 25, 7:00 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 Monday’s Pride meeting, we will be going rock climbing and playing volleyball.
- Bring your iCard! You will need this to swipe into the building. If you forget or have lost your iCard, you need to bring both a government-issued photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, passport) and know you UIN. If you don’t have your iCard or don’t have both a government-issued photo ID and UIN, you will NOT be allowed into the facility. These are the only two forms of verification Campus Recreation offers.
- If you want to go rock climbing, bring money. It costs $2 to rock climb (shoe and harness rental fee), so make sure you bring money.
For more information, please contact Kyle and/or Josh.
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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26
WHAT: Illinois House hearing and vote on marriage equality
WHERE: Springfield, IL
WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 26, 3:00 p.m.
OK, so I kind of got excited last week and jumped the gun on this. But this week, it’s happening for sure.
There are two very important ways that you can help. You can donate to Equality Illinois and help them in their lobbying efforts. Our representative, Naomi Jakobsson, supports marriage equality, but a letter to her can only help as she fights for us this week. Let her know you’re on her side.
WHAT: HPV Awareness for the Queer Community
WHERE: University of Illinois LGBT Resource Center
WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2:00 p.m.
Come learn more about the prevention, treatment, and various services that Planned Parenthood and McKinley Health Center offer for HPV.
The program will be discussion based and open to questions.
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 Pride.
WHAT: Man UP: Men’s Social Group
WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 26, 7:00–8:30 p.m.
Man UP meets in a social setting for casual discussion, games, and more. For adult men, 26+.
For more information go here, or contact Kevin Bowersox-Johnson.
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Wednesday, February 27
WHAT: Brother II Brother Meeting
WHERE: Green Street Center
24 E. Green St., Suite 14
Champaign
WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 20, 6:00–8:00 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: Gal UP
WHERE: UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 27, 6:00–7:00 p.m.
Gal UP is a social/support group for women of any sexual orientation to meet and discuss aspects of our daily lives, such as coming out, being an ally, creating friendships, networking in our community, job-related issues, spiritual/religious concerns, and other topics that members want to talk about. The group is a relaxed, safe environment where women can socialize and steer the direction as interests present themselves.
Feel free to invite any woman you think might be interested.
For more information, please email.
WHAT: Coming Out Support Group
WHERE: Please email for location
WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 27, 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: Boys Night Out
WHERE: Boltini Lounge
WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 20, 9:00 p.m.
Every Wednesday is Boys Night 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, Feb. 20, 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 p.m. join in on the fun and show everyone what you’ve got!
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY, 28
WHAT: Building Bridges
WHERE: LGBT Resource Center, Illini Union (Room 323)
WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 28, 7:00–9:00 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 Harrison.
WHAT: Out in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (oSTEM)
WHERE: LGBT Resource Center, Illini Union (Room 323)
WHEN: Thursday, Month day, 8:00–9:00 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, go here, or contact John.
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FRIDAY, March 1
WHAT: Youth Time
WHERE: UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Friday, Month day, 6:00–9:00 p.m.
Youth Time is open time for youth in the UP Center meeting space every Friday. 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.
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SATURDAY, March 2
WHAT: Read UP: An LGBTQ Book Club
WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Sunday, Mar. 3, 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.
The March book is Why be Happy when You could be Normal?, by Jeannette Winterson.
For more information, contact Ann, or go here.
WHAT: Sunday Night Drag Shows
WHERE: Chester Street Bar
WHEN: Sunday, Mar, 3, 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.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The UP Center is preparing for its Fourth Annual Turn It UP! fundraiser and variety show! The event will be held on Friday, April 12, at 88 Broadway.
They are currently looking for a diverse group of performers. Performances in the past have included a wide variety of musicians, spoken word artists, comedians, and more. If you are interested in performing please email the UP Center by March 22, 2013.
Do you know an Awesome Ally? Nominate him or her for the fourth annual Awesome Ally Award! The UP Center wants your help in their search for local individuals who go above and beyond with their support for the LGBTQ community. Email nominations to this address. The deadline to send nominations is March 22, 2013. Winners will be announced at the Turn It UP! event.
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Are you an LGBTQA student graduating this year (May ’13/Dec ’13)? If you are interested in participating in Lavender Graduation on May 1, 2013 at 5:00 p.m., please email your full preferred name, degree title, and major to the LGBT Resource Center. They must receive your information by April 19, 2013 in order for your name to appear in the program.
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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.