THIS WEEK’S SPECIAL EVENTS (please see below for regular weekly events and announcements)
WHAT: Mayoral Election
WHERE: Champaign
WHEN: 6:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
My endorsement goes to Don Gerard, and I’ll tell you why. A few weeks ago, I met with Mr. Gerard. We had lunch together. I’d written to him requesting a visit because I was troubled that his website doesn’t discuss social issues. I understand why: he is running for mayor, and he is running a non-partisan campaign, and so he has prudently focused on local, fiscal, and business discussions.
But social issues are local issues as well, and as much as I like Gerard’s ideas on budgetary solutions, I’m the type of citizen who won’t vote for someone if he or she doesn’t stand with me on issues that I hold very dear.
So we met for lunch and I asked him about his opinions and beliefs on equality for LGBT citizens. He leaned over the table, looked me in the eye, and assured me that he is on our side. As Mayor, if ever he needed to, he would stand for equality for all citizens. He told me that, if necessary, he would use his office as a bully pulpit to ensure that all LGBT citizens — children, young adults, and adults — are safe and equal under the law in our city.
I also asked him if he is pro-choice, and he assured me that he is.
I have not spoken to Mayor Schweighart on these issues. I have my suspicions that I wouldn’t like his answer, but I can’t say anything for sure. For all I know, he could feel the same as Gerard on these topics. But it doesn’t matter. In every other non-partisan issue, I prefer Gerard to Schweighart anyway. But now I know that my vote will be cast for someone who will be a strong ally to our community.
Gerard has not run a campaign on social issues. But I’ll be honest. I’m a three-issue voter, and two of those issues are civil rights for LGBTQ people and a woman’s right to choose. On these issues, Gerard and I agree. He’s got my vote, and I hope he has yours.
WHAT: Robyn Ochs presents Bisexuality Myths and Realities
WHERE: LGBT Resource Center, Illini Union (Room 323)
WHEN: Tuesday, Apr. 5, 3:00–5:00 p.m.
What is bisexuality? What does it mean to identify as bisexual? What are some of the challenges to understanding and representing this often overlooked segment of the GLBT community?
Please join us for a lively presentation by award-winning speaker, writer, and educator Robyn Ochs. Bring your own list of myths: we’ll analyze them a bit and explore their origins.
This event is part of Bi Fest.
WHAT: Lost in Translation: Navigating the Nuances of Same-Sex Relationships
WHERE: Illini Union (Room 404)
WHEN: Tuesday, Apr. 5, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Presented by: Counseling Center Paraprofessionals; Students Helping Students
WHAT: Robyn Ochs presents Fighting Biphobia: What You Can Do
WHERE: Illini Union (Room 210)
WHEN: Tuesday, Apr. 5, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Biphobia (bahy – phobe – ia): n. “fear or discrimination against bisexuals”
Allies and bi folks ― join us as we explore the effect of biphobia in our own lives. How can we unlearn negative messages and misinformation and be proactive and fabulous rather than defensive? How can non-bi folks be allies to bisexual people?
Join Robyn Ochs for an interactive and thought-provoking workshop. Together, we’ll answer these questions, then turn our shared knowledge into tools and tactics for fighting biphobia.
This event is part of Bi Fest.
WHAT: Bisexual / Pansexual Ally Training
WHERE: Noyes Lab, Room 161 (Located on the Quad)
WHEN: Wednesday, Apr. 6, 6:00–8:30 p.m.
Join us for the first ever Bisexual / Pansexual Ally Training. This workshop offers students, faculty, and staff the opportunity to become educated on some of the issues regularly faced by bi/pan/queer people, to hear a panel of bi people talk about their experiences and respond to questions, and ultimately to learn about how to be a better ally to the bisexual community.
This event is part of Bi Fest.
WHAT: Film Screening of Bi the Way
WHERE: English Building (Room 160)
WHEN: Thursday, Apr. 7, 6:00–8:00 p.m.
The 2008 documentary Bi the Way investigates an America in a state of sexual flux. As we follow five young people from varied cultural, geographic, and racial backgrounds, we hear from the voices of a changing America, and even we change along the way.
The event is part of Bi Fest.
Official trailer:
WHAT: Hooking UP: How the Illinois Civil Unions Bill Impacts Our Community
WHERE: Champaign Public Library
WHEN: Thursday, Apr. 7, 6:00–8:00 p.m.
Join us to learn how the Illinois Civil Unions Bill impacts you.
In partnership with:
- Equality Illinois
- Nally, Bauer, Feinen, and Mann: A local law firm educated on the bill and prepared to support our local community by answering questions specific to: Marriage & Dissolution, Estate Planning, Real Estate, and Immigration/DOMA.
WHAT: Art + Amasong
WHERE: Indi Go Artist Co-op
WHEN: Friday, Apr. 8, 5:00–7:00 p.m.
Amasong, Champaign-Urbana’s Premier Lesbian/Feminist Chorus, invites to you to celebrate our 20th anniversary during the Boneyard Arts Festival. Join us for delicious hors d’oeuvres and drinks, surrounded by the gorgeous art quilts of Deborah Fell and the mixed media works of Charles Wisseman.
Enter to win fantastic raffle prizes, including gift certificates to local businesses, fine wines, and more — you could even win a one-of-a-kind original art quilt by Deborah Fell!
Sneak preview performances of our spring concert repertoire will take place throughout the reception.
Cost: $10.00 at the door
Click here for a larger view of the poster.
Menu
Raffle prizes
WHAT: Turn it UP! Concert and Variety Show
WHERE: 88 Broadway
142 Lincoln Square
Urbana
WHEN: Friday, Apr. 8, 7:00–11:00 p.m.
The UP Center is excited to announce 2nd Annual Turn it UP! concert and variety show. Join us for a night of music, spoken word, and more!
Advance tickets are available here! Ticket prices are:
- Youth (under 18) and students: $5.00
- Adults (in advance): $7.00
- Adults (at the door): $10.00
Leiloni Stars will be Emceeing and performing throughout the show. Please go here for more information, and a complete list of performers.
Go here for a complete list of performers.
WHAT: Talk it UP
WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County, Independent Media Center (Suite 102)
WHEN: Monday, Apr. 11, 7:00–8:00 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 and support 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.
Snacks are provided.
For more information, please contact Christina.
REGULAR WEEKLY EVENTS
Hosted by Excel Campus Ministry
Rainbow Coffeehouse offers a welcoming, open environment to LGBT and Ally communities to socialize. Whether you’re here for a meeting, with friends or to study, we welcome all!
WHAT: Mpowerment Meeting
WHERE: Green Street Center
24 E. Green St., Suite 14
Champaign
WHEN: Tuesday, Apr. 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: eQuality C-U Meeting
WHERE: Rainbow Coffeehouse at the Wesley Foundation
WHEN: Tuesday, Apr. 5, 7:00–8:00 p.m.
eQuality C-U is an LGBTQ activist group for students and community members. If you’re interested in helping in the struggle for LGBT liberation and equal rights for all, then this is a group for you!
For more information, please contact: John Kenealy.
WHAT: Brother II Brother Meeting
WHERE: Green Street Center
24 E. Green St., Suite 14
Champaign
WHEN: Wednesday, Apr. 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.
WHAT: Coming Out Support Group
WHERE: Illini Union (Room 317)
WHEN: Wednesday, Apr. 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: Boys Night Out
WHERE: Boltini Lounge
WHEN: Wednesday, Apr. 6, 9:00 p.m.
Every Wednesday is Boys Night Out at Boltini Lounge.
- DJ Randall Ellison at the decks.
- FREE candy and condoms
- $4.00 X-Boyfriend & Well Hung martinis; $9.00 carafe Long Island Iced Tea; $1.50 Miller High Life bottles; $5.00 Classic & Baby Mama Bellinis
- Half price food specials (4:00–6:30 p.m. only)
WHAT: Among Women: A Support Group for Lesbian, Bisexual, Queer and Questioning Female Women
WHERE: Please email for location
WHEN: Thursday, Apr. 7, 6:30–8:00 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. Among Women is open to all graduate and undergraduate students.
For more information, please contact: Allie.
WHAT: Same Sex Sunday Podcast
WHERE: Right here. And also here.
WHEN: Sunday, Apr. 10, 2011
This week, with news about LGBTQ population numbers, gay adoption developments, the National Organization for Marriage’s bus tour organizer switching sides, and the struggle for same-sex binational couples becoming very complicated, we had quite a workload.
Joining us prior to the round table was Executive Director of Basic Rights Oregon Jeana Frazzini to discuss marriage equality efforts in that state. Also, we sat down one-on-one with Executive Director of Equality Florida, Nadine Smith to discuss the “Refuse to Lie” campaign encouraging married same-sex couples to be honest about their marriages when filing taxes this year.
The round table talked quite a smorgasbord of topics, and technical issues afforded us the opportunity to host a more intimate and detailed round table than in the past. Lavi Soloway of Masliah and Soloway and the Stop the Deportations Project was the only round table participant to not be lost due to technical difficulties.
Check it out.
WHAT: Nekromancy
WHERE: Chester Street Bar
WHEN: Monday–Tuesday, Apr. 11–12, 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.
Doors: 9:00 p.m.
Cover: $2.00
Age: 19+
PRIDE AROUND THE REGION
WHAT: Gay and Lesbian Association of Decatur, IL (GLAD)
WHERE: Peerless Training Facility
1304 N. 20th St.
Decatur
WHEN: Saturday, Apr. 9, 6:30 p.m.
On the second Saturday of each month, GLAD has its social meeting and potluck dinner. The socials average between 25 and 30 people of all ages-both men and women.
This month’s social will discuss what it’s like to be transgendered and living in Central Illinois. Our guest speaker will be Dana Harrison of the group Transgendered in Bloomington-Normal, TGINBNIL. Dana will be accompanied by several members of TGINBNIL. It will be a great opportunity to dialogue with members of another area LGBT organization.
The Social starts at 6:30, p.m. with potluck dinner at 7:00. A $5.00 donation is appreciated.
To access GLAD’s newsletter, please click here (pdf).
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WHAT: Pride Charity Drag Show
WHERE: Illinois State University Bone Student Center Brown Ballroom
WHEN: Saturday, Apr. 9, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets will be on sale from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., April 4–8 on the quad at Schroeder Plaza. In the case of inclement weather, tickets will be sold in the Diversity Advocacy Unit on the 3rd floor of the Student Services Building. Pride members will also have tables located in campus buildings the week of the show for ticket purchase.
Proceeds from the performance will be donated to the Central Illinois Safe Schools Alliance.
Doors: 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $7:00 at the door; $5 in advance
For more information email Mark Vegter or Pride Drag Show.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
You are invited to participate in research exploring the dynamics of family life and how family leisure is connected to and affected by the “coming out” process for young adults who self-identified as gay, lesbian, and/or bisexual (GLB) during their high school years.
This research is being conducted by Dr. Dawn Trussell, a faculty member, and Jeremy Robinett, a doctoral student, in the Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism at the University of Illinois.
We are interested in interviewing young adults (aged 18–25) who openly self-identified as gay, lesbian, and/or bisexual in high school and the parents and/or individuals who raised them during that time.
If you are interested in participating, or have questions, please contact Dr. Dawn Trussell or Jeremy Robinett. Or call Dr. Trussell at 217-244-0523.
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The LGBT Resource Center has one vacant student intern position for the 2011–2012 academic year. This position is open to undergraduate students — federal work study eligible preferred — approximately 10 hours per week. If you are interested in applying, please contact Katy Weseman, Assistant Director, LGBT Resource Center.
Application Deadline: Friday, Apr. 8, 5:00 p.m.
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Nominations Needed for 2011 LGBTA Awards
The LGBTA Awards, sponsored by the LGBT Resource Center, were created to celebrate the achievements of the LGBTA campus community at the U of I. All students, staff, and faculty of the University of Illinois are encouraged to nominate their peers, students, colleagues, and co-workers for one of the awards listed below.
Nominations must be submitted here. This is a webtools document; you will need to log in with your netID and password. If you do not have a UIUC netID, but would like to nominate someone, please email.
Recipients selected for an award by the LGBTA Awards Committee will be honored with a Certificate of Recognition at the Lavender Graduation & Awards Ceremony on May 4, 2010 at 5:30 pm.
The deadline for nominations is 5:00 p.m. Monday, Apr. 18, 2011.
We are accepting nominations for the following awards:
- Distinguished Service Award
- Faculty/Staff Leadership Award
- Emerging Leader Award
- Ally Award
- Unsung Advocate Award
- Student Organization Award
- Outstanding Student Research Award
- Bridge Building Award
- Catalyst Award
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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. If I attempted to write this myself, I’d never get it done.