Smile Politely

The Rainbow Connection: Oct. 29–Nov. 4

MONDAY, October 29

WHAT: Gay & Bisexual Men’s Group

WHERE: UIUC Counseling Center

WHEN: Monday, Oct. 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, Oct. 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: Serial Thriller Pt. 1

WHERE: Chester Street Bar

WHEN: Monday, Oct. 29, 9:00 p.m.–2:00 a.m.

Every Monday, DJ SorceryKid, crafts a continuous audio-visual mixshow of the latest and the greatest in dark alternative and underground dance music.

This week, Nekromancy brings you the first of two Halloween parties!

Chester Street Bar’s annual Halloween event will be Thriller-based so we’ll be doing our own spin on the idea! The first Monday-night event will primarily be a dance party with an improv skit somewhere in the middle. Expect audience participation!

Doors: 9:00 p.m.
Cover: $5.00
Age: 19+

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TUESDAY, October 30

WHAT: Parkland Pride Meeting

WHERE: Parkland Community College (Room C-218)

WHEN: Tuesday, Oct. 30, Noon–1:00 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.

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 at ETC Cafe for Rainbow Coffeehouse.

This week’s Rainbow Coffeehouse is hosted by the UP Center.

WHAT: Mpowerment Meeting

WHERE: Green Street Center
              24 E. Green St., Suite 14
              Champaign

WHEN: Tuesday, Oct. 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, Oct. 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.

This week, Man UP will host Rainbow Coffeehouse. A Taco Bar will be available for those in attendance.

For more information go here, or contact Kevin.

WHAT: Infusions

WHERE: LGBT Resource Center, Illini Union (Room 323)

WHEN: Tuesday, Oct. 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, October 31

WHAT: Scary Stories: The Inequality in Medical Decision Making for Same-Sex Couples

WHERE: College of Law

WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 31, Noon

Health Law Society and Outlaw have teamed up to bring you a discussion about medical decision-making rights for same-sex couples, led by our very own Professor Purvis. It’s scary stuff!

WHAT: Brother II Brother Meeting

WHERE: Green Street Center
              24 E. Green St., Suite 14
              Champaign

WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 31, 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, Oct. 31, 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, Oct.31, 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: Emerald City DIVAS presents “A Night of Classic Horror”

WHERE: Emerald City Lounge

WHEN: Wednesday, October 31, 9:30 p.m.

Want to know what goes BUMP in the night? Well, at Emerald City Lounge it’s fierce Drag Queens and dashingly handsome Drag Kings!!

Join the Emerald City DIVAS, Leiloni Stars and Aurora Lamont-Carrington, as they are joined by very special guests: Holden Ryder Gently, McSchwaga Gently, Lola X’Carrera Dupree, Jack Kass, and Brooklyn Styles for a Halloween Extravaganza you will not want to miss!

Costume contests with cash prizes! Various games and prizes throughout the night! A fierce Drag Show! What more could you want at a ghoulishly awesome Halloween Celebration?

Table reservations are available (includes cover and a great view of all the action), $5 cover at the door and entry is 19+, plus drink specials all night long!

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THURSDAY, November 1

WHAT: Among Women: Lesbian, Bisexual, Queer, and Questioning Support Group

WHERE: Asian American Cultural Center

WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 1, 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, Nov. 1, 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, Nov. 1, 7:00–8:00 p.m.

Building Bridges exists to provide an open, accepting, safe 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, Nov. 1, 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, Nov. 1, 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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SUNDAY, November 4

WHAT: Women of Pride

WHERE: LGBT Resource Center, Illini Union (Room 323)

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 4, 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, Nov. 4, 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

Acorn Equality Fund provides opportunities for scholarships and grants to Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender (GLBT) persons, organizations, and allies in Illinois’ downstate counties. Several individuals from our area have been awarded scholarships from Acorn Equality Fund.

The UP Center would like to show its appreciation for this organization by hosting tables at their annual Breakfast, which will be held Saturday, December 1, at the Embassy Suites in Peoria, IL from 9:00 until 11:00 a.m. Last year, we were able to fill two tables, including one table for local youth to attend the breakfast with us so that they could be encouraged to stay in school and apply for scholarships upon graduating high school. This year, we would like to host three tables, but we need your help. We are looking for people who would like to:

  1. attend the event and sit at one of our tables ($35/person)
  2. purchase a ticket for a youth ($35)
  3. purchase a table for local youth ($280/table for 8 people)
  4. help us pay for transportation to and from the event ($300)

To reserve seats at one of The UP Center’s tables or to donate, please go here. Thank you for your support!

 

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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.

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