Smile Politely

The Rainbow Connection: Apr. 30–May 6

MONDAY, April 30

WHAT: Parkland Pride Meeting

WHERE: Parkland Community College (Room X150)

WHEN: Monday, Apr. 30, 12:00–1:00 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 email, or contact Kelsey.

WHAT: Quench! Last Lecture: On Punks, Professors & Public Sex

WHERE: Illini Union (Room 314A)

WHEN: Monday, Apr. 30, 12:00–1:00 p.m.

Speaker: Professor Fiona Ngo, Asian American Studies, Gender & Women’s Studies

WHAT: Gay & Bisexual Men’s Group

WHERE: UIUC Counseling Center

WHEN: Monday, Apr. 30, 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, Apr. 30, 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: Illinois Pride Meeting

WHERE: Illini Union (Room 407)

WHEN: Monday, Apr. 30, 8:00 p.m.

Illinois Pride is the largest student organization for LGBT persons and their allies at the University of Illinois. We offer resources and social activities for LGBT students, including support with coming out, scavenger hunts, bar crawls, and an annual camping trip, an more.

For more information, please email Kyle or Josh.

WHAT: Nekromancy

WHERE: Chester Street Bar

WHEN: Monday, Apr. 30, 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+

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TUESDAY, May 1

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, May 1, 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, May 1, 7:00–9:00 p.m.

This group 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.

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WEDNESDAY, May 2

WHAT: 2012 Lavender Graduation & Awards Ceremony

WHERE: Illini Union (Room 314)

WHEN: Wednesday, May 2, 5:30–8:00 p.m.

You are invited to honor lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and ally graduates, along with award winners at the 2012 Lavender Graduation & Awards Ceremony.

Refreshments beginat 5:30 p.m. and the program begins at 6:00.

WHAT: Brother II Brother Meeting

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

WHEN: Wednesday, May 2, 6:30–9:00 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: Tran UP

WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County

WHEN: Wednesday, May 2, 7:00–8:30 p.m.

Tran 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 contact Leah.

WHAT: Boys Night Out

WHERE: Boltini Lounge

WHEN: Wednesday, May 2, 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, May 3

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

WHERE: Asian American Cultural Center

WHEN: Thursday, May 3, 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, May 3, 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: Illini Union (Room 211)

WHEN: Thursday, May 3, 7:00–8:00 p.m.

Building Bridges exists to provide an open, accepting, safe space space for U of I students who identify as LGBTQ and Allies and are drawn to Christianity.

We aim to foster personal growth in ourselves, our spiritual health, and our community through honest spiritual discussions, sharing of personal experiences, and promoting social interaction. We respect the diversity of members’ spiritual backgrounds and are committed to breaking down stereotypes and to building an understanding between diverse groups.

For more information, please contact Harrison.

WHAT: Open Mic Night

WHERE: Emerald City Lounge

WHEN: Thursday, May 3, 7:00–10:00 p.m.

Every Thursday is Open Mic Night at Emerald City Lounge. Stop in early for half price appetizers and drink specials until 7:00 p.m.

If 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, May 3, 8:00 p.m.

oSTEM is a student group open to and oriented towards LGBT students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Allies and those not in Science also welcome!

General Body Meetings are the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month. The 2nd and 4th Thursdays are hangout/homework sessions. Feel free to come any Thursday.

For more information, please email.

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SUNDAY, May 6

WHAT: Women of Pride

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

WHEN: Sunday, May 6, 6:30 p.m.

Women of Pride is a student group made for women, by women, as a safe place to gather. We 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 meeting weekly for discussions, workshops, and events on or off campus.

For more information, please contact Heather.

WHAT: Sunday Night Drag Shows

WHERE: Chester Street Bar

WHEN: Sunday, May 6, 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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ANNOUNCEMENTS

Attention! Non-heterosexual and/or gender nonconforming people of color needed for a research project!

I am a PhD student in Social Work studying involvement in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and same-gender loving groups, centers, and/or organizations. I am interested in learning about motivations for involvement in these types of groups, as well as understanding potential barriers to involvement.

I am hoping to interview at least 20 adults about these topics. If you are 18 years of age or older, identify as non-heterosexual and/or gender nonconforming, and are interested in participating, please email Megan or call 217-316-4789. Being currently or formally involved in these groups is not a requirement for participation.

All communication will remain completely confidential, including your participation in the study. This study was approved by the UIUC IRB office on 1/20/2012.

 

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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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