Smile Politely

The Rainbow Connection: October 8–14

MONDAY, Oct. 8

WHAT: Gay & Bisexual Men’s Group

WHERE: UIUC Counseling Center

WHEN: Monday, Oct. 8, 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: Look UP

WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County

WHEN: Monday, Oct. 8, 6:00–7:00 p.m.

Look UP is a group for LGBTQ and ally individuals to discuss the intersections between LGBTQ identity and Christianity in a safe, supportive environment. Discussion topics include: gay bible studies, responding to hate/discrimination, finding LGBTQ-affirming congregations, and other topics important to those in attendance.

For more information, please contact Mada.

WHAT: Pride Meeting

WHERE: Illini Union (Room 314)

WHEN: Monday, Oct. 8, 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.

This week, Pride will discuss National Coming Out Day and programming for the week.

For more information, please contact Kyle and/or Josh.

WHAT: Nekromancy: Revolution Zero 2012

WHERE: Chester Street Bar

WHEN: Monday, Oct. 8, 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 presents Revolution Zero, its annual underground band night. We’ll be bringing you four extremely talented groups from the local and near-local area for a night that we know you’ll immensely enjoy!

The Lineup:

DJs Rasclin and Hivemind will be mixing sets for your dark-dancing pleasure before, in-between, and after the bands play.

Doors: 9:00 p.m.
Cover: $6.00
Age: 19+

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TUESDAY, Oct. 9

WHAT: Parkland Pride Meeting

WHERE: Parkland Community College (Room C-218)

WHEN: Tuesday, Oct. 9, 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.

ETC Cafe, 1203 W. Green Street, corner of Green/Goodwin

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 Rainbow Coffeehouse.

WHAT: Mpowerment Meeting

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

WHEN: Tuesday, Oct. 9, 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 Social Group

WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County

WHEN: Tuesday, Oct. 9, 7:00–9:00 p.m.

Man UP is for adult men, ages 26 and up. A movie is shown, followed by discussion.

For more information go here, or contact Kevin.

WHAT: Infusions

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

WHEN: Tuesday, Oct. 9, 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 10

WHAT: Brother II Brother Meeting

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

WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 10, 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: Illini Union (Room 317)

WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 10, 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.

**Canceled**

WHAT: Hunter Valentine Concert

WHERE: Illini Union, Courtyard Cafe

WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 10, 8:00 p.m.

Like all great love stories, Hunter Valentine’s  began in a dark, crowded bar when girl met girl and an unbreakable bond was forged over cheap beer and rail whiskey. Kiyomi McCloskey was looking for a drummer and found her rhythmic soul mate in Laura Petracca. Eight years, two record labels, and three studio albums later, the band has solidified their line-up, put down roots in Brooklyn, and grown their fan base steadily across North America and the globe.

Hunter Valentine’s latest album Collide and Conquer was released September 2012.

“Crying”

WHAT: Boys Night Out

WHERE: Boltini Lounge

WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 10, 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.

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THURSDAY, October 11

WHAT: National Coming Out Day

WHERE: Everywhere

WHEN: All Freaking Day

National Coming Out Day is an internationally observed civil awareness day for coming out and discussion about Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender issues. It promotes personal and social empowerment, and solidarity.

And who can’t use more of that? Woot!

WHAT: Everyone is Gay

WHERE: Various (see below)

WHEN: Thursday, Oct. 11, Times vary (see below)

Everyone is Gay is coming to the University of Illinois for National Coming Out Day. They will be speaking at the Noon rally on the Main Quad, and then speaking in Room 211 of the Illini Union at 7:30 p.m. to answer questions from students.

Everyone Is Gay is an advice website for all, with an emphasis on LGBTQ youth. The website uses humor and honesty to support these youth, to dialogue with others in the LGBTQ community, and to simultaneously keep everyone laughing. Everyone Is Gay also works to increase awareness at high school and college campuses through an ongoing, nationwide tour.

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

WHERE: Asian American Cultural Center

WHEN: Thursday, Oct. 11, 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: Talk It UP

WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County

WHEN: Thursday, Oct. 11, 6:30–7:30 p.m.

Talk It UP is a peer-run LGBTQ support group for middle and high school youth. LGBTQ youth can expect an atmosphere of acceptance, support, and confidentiality while meeting other LGBTQ youth. The group is co-facilitated by two UP Center board members (one teacher, one social worker); however the group is led by the youth participants.

Topics for the youth group are decided by the youth present.

For more information, please contact Peggy.

WHAT: Building Bridges

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

WHEN: Thursday, Oct. 11, 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, Oct. 11, 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, Oct. 11, 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, October 12

WHAT: Blend UP

WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County

WHEN: Friday, Oct. 12, 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 yourse

Blend UP is for young adults and adults (ages 18 and up). For more information contact Lance.

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SUNDAY, October 14

WHAT: Women of Pride

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

WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 14, 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: LGBT Meet Up

WHERE: Emerald City Lounge

WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 14, 7:00–10:00 p.m.

Join the local LGBT community on the second Sunday of every month at Emerald City Lounge for a social gathering. Chips and salsa will be provided by Emerald City.

WHAT: Sunday Night Drag Shows

WHERE: Chester Street Bar

WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 14, 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

LGBTQ Women with Disabilities Needed for Research Project

  • Are you at least 18 years old?
  • Are you currently attending the University of Illinois?

  • Are you a woman with a physical disability?
  • Do you identify as lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, or same-gender loving?
  • Have you experienced emotional, physical, or sexual violence or abuse by a romantic partner or with your personal assistant within the past year?

Woman who answer yes to the above questions are needed for a research study. If you are interested in participating in a confidential interview about your relationship experiences, please contact Miranda and Megan at (217) 751-2794.

Participation is confidential. All interview participants will receive a $10 gift card to Espresso Royale for participating. This study approved by the UIUC IRB 6/24/12.

 

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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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