MONDAY, February 4
WHAT: Quench: Looking Back and Looking Forward
WHERE: Illini Union (Room 314A)
WHEN: Monday, Feb. 4 (Location)
Twenty Year Panel: Looking Back and Looking Forward LGBT Resource Center Celebrates 20 Years – James Warren Hall, Associate Dean for Student Affairs/MSP, College of Medicine; Curt McKay, Former Director of LGBT Resource Center, and Patricia L. Morey, Assistant Dean; Director, Women’s Resources Center.
WHAT: Gay & Bisexual Men’s Group
WHERE: UIUC Counseling Center
WHEN: Monday, Feb. 4, 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: Bi Mix UP
WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Monday, Feb. 4, 7:00–8:30 p.m.
Bi Mix UP is an ongoing adult support/social group for members of the community who identify as bisexual or bi-questioning. Topics include dating, navigating relationships as bisexuals, coming out, and bi-phobia.
For more information, please contact Matt.
WHAT: An Evening With Keith Boykin: A Celebration of Black LGBT History Month
WHERE: Illini Union (Room 314A)
WHEN: Monday, Feb. 4, 7:00 p.m.
Keith Boykin will discuss his latest book, For Colored Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Still Not Enough: Coming of Age, Coming Out, and Coming Home.
For Colored Boys responds to the crisis of youth development and suicide in the black community, specifically among young gay men of color. Following Boykin’s presentation, there will be a book signing and reception in room 314A Illini Union.
WHAT: Pride Meeting
WHERE: Illini Union (Room 314)
WHEN: Monday, Feb. 4, 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, Feb. 4, 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, February 5
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.
WHAT: Mpowerment Meeting
WHERE: Green Street Center
24 E. Green St., Suite 14
Champaign
WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 5, 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’s Support Group
WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 5, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Man UP is geared towards adult men, ages 26 and up. We meet in a peer support setting with focused discussions on topics such as the coming out process, developing friendships within the community, dating, and more.
For more information go here, or contact Kevin Bowersox-Johnson.
WHAT: Infusions
WHERE: LGBT Resource Center, Illini Union (Room 323)
WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 5, 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, February 6
WHAT: Brother II Brother Meeting
WHERE: Green Street Center
24 E. Green St., Suite 14
Champaign
WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 6, 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: Coming Out Support Group
WHERE: Please email for location
WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 6, 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, Feb. 6, 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 Night Out
WHERE: Boltini Lounge
WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 6, 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. 6, 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, February 7
WHAT: Parkland Pride Meeting
WHERE: Parkland Community College (Room X-150)
WHEN: Thursdays, Feb. 7, 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: Lunch @ La Casa
WHERE: La Casa Cultural Latina
WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 7, Noon
A Conversation with Aurora Guerrero, Director and Producer of Mosquita y Mari, a coming-of-age film about two Chicana high schoolers who fall in love.
WHAT: Among Women: Lesbian, Bisexual, Queer, and Questioning Support Group
WHERE: Asian American Cultural Center
WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 7, 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, Feb. 7, 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, Feb. 7, 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: Open Mic Night
WHERE: Emerald City Lounge
WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 7, 8:00–11:00 p.m.
Join us for Mike Solomon‘s One Night Stand at Emerald City! Michael hosts Open Mic Night every Thursday. Stop in early for half price appetizers and drink specials until 7:00 p.m.
If you’re interested in performing on open mic night, call Emerald City at (217) 398-8661.
WHAT: Out in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (oSTEM)
WHERE: LGBT Resource Center, Illini Union (Room 323)
WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 7, 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, February 8
WHAT: Third Annual Class It UP
WHERE: Silvercreek Restaurant
WHEN: Friday, Feb. 8, 5:30–7:30 or 8:30–11:00 p.m.
The UP Center of Champaign County invites you to Class It UP, their third annual benefit dinner supporting the UP Center and local LGBT efforts within our community.
The 5:30 p.m. dinner features a performance of love songs by local theatre group Stone Soup Theater Company. The 8:30 dinner time will have a showcase of female and male impersonators performing to the theme of love as well.
Both dinner times will feature a three-course meal consisting of a salad, an entree (fish, chicken, or vegan selections), and a plated dessert. Each service will include a cash bar prior to dinner being served (5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., respectively).
Between dinners, a silent auction is available consisting of generous donations from local businesses.
Seating is limited, and this event sells out every year, so don’t procrastinate! Tickets are $47, and can be purchased online until Monday, Feb. 4.
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SATURDAY, February 9
WHAT: What’s UP: LGBTQA Young Adult Social/Support Group
WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 9, 3:00–4:00 p.m.
What’s UP is a group for LGBTQA people aged 18–25 to come together and work out problems, rant, socialize, philosophize, commiserate, speculate, or just plain talk. Every meeting will have a specific topic for discussion and possibly a speaker, who will help keep the discussion going and answer any questions that may be raised.
For more information, email.
WHAT: Mona Monclair Hosts the “Who Killed Cupid” Valentine’s Party
WHERE: Emerald City Lounge
WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 9, 11:00 p.m.
Join Mona for the Fun and Fantasy of Valentine’s Day Who Killed Cupid Party! There will be Games, “post office” hook ups, and Red Carpet entry to a Valentine Photo Booth. Special Guests Amaya, Brooklyn, and International guest King Veer.
As always, seating is limited so please contact Amy Myers for reservations.
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SUNDAY, February 10
WHAT: Read UP: An LGBTQ Book Club
WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 10, 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 February books are The Absolutist and The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, both by John Boyne
For more information, go here.
WHAT: Women of Pride
WHERE: LGBT Resource Center, Illini Union (Room 323)
WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 10, 6:30 p.m.
Women of Pride is a student group made for women, by women, as a safe place to gather. We informally educate the campus community of cultural, political, and other social issues related to lesbians, bisexual women, and transgender people. One of our goals is to foster a sense of community among queer women and our allies. We do this by gathering weekly for discussions, workshops, and events on or off campus.
For more information, please contact Sarah.
WHAT: Sunday Night Drag Shows
WHERE: Chester Street Bar
WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 10, 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.