MONDAY, April 15
WHAT: Quench: Queering Up the Law: The State of LGBT Legal Affairs
WHERE: LGBT Resource Center, Illini Union (Room 323)
WHEN: Monday, Apr. 15, 12 noon–1:00
Presented by: Casey K Howard, Attorney at Law, Ltd.
WHAT: Youth Time
WHERE: UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 3:00–6:00 p.m.
Youth Time is open time for youth in the UP Center meeting space. During this time, the UP Center meeting space will be open for youth in middle school and high school (13–17) to use to socialize, do homework, relax, or just spend time together. There will be an adult staff member in the space, but otherwise this time is reserved for youth only.
Youth groups Play It UP and Talk It UP will continue from 6:30–7:30, but the UP Center will now be open to youth before group from 3–6 p.m. Please join us!
For more information, please contact Maggie.
WHAT: Gay & Bisexual Men’s Group
WHERE: UIUC Counseling Center
WHEN: Monday, Apr. 15, 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: Chai Time: Beautiful Boxer
WHERE: Asian American Culture Center
WHEN: Monday, Apr. 15, 7:00 p.m.
Based on the true story of Thailand’s famed transgendered kickboxer, Beautiful Boxer is a poignant action drama that punches straight into the heart and mind of a boy who fights like a man so he can become a woman. Believing he’s a girl trapped in a boy’s body since childhood, Parinya Charoenphol (affectionately known as Nong Toom in Thailand) sets out to master the most masculine and lethal sport of Muay Thai (Thai kickboxing) to earn a living and to achieve his ultimate goal of total femininity.
WHAT: Pride Meeting
WHERE: Hillel Foundation
WHEN: Monday, Apr. 15, 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 join the Hillel Foundation for a film screening of Yossi & Jagger, a film about the romance of two soldiers in the Israeli Defense Forces. There will be snacks and mingling following the film.
For more information, please contact Kyle and/or Josh.
WHAT: Nekromancy
WHERE: Chester Street Bar
WHEN: Monday, Apr. 15, 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, April 16
Rainbow Coffeehouse, 6:00
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.
This week’s Rainbow Coffeehouse is hosted by oSTEM.
WHAT: Mpowerment Meeting
WHERE: Green Street Center
24 E. Green St., Suite 14
Champaign
WHEN: Tuesday, Apr. 16, 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, Apr. 16, 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, Apr. 16, 8:00–9:00 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, April 17
WHAT: Brother II Brother Meeting
WHERE: Green Street Center
24 E. Green St., Suite 14
Champaign
WHEN: Wednesday, Apr. 17, 7:00–8:00 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, Apr. 17, 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, Apr. 17, 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 Nite Out
WHERE: Boltini Lounge
WHEN: Wednesday, Apr. 17, 9:00 p.m.
Every Wednesday is Boys Nite 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, Apr. 17, 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, April 18
WHAT: Parkland Pride Meeting
WHERE: Parkland Community College (Room X-150)
WHEN: Thursday, Apr. 18, 12:00–12:50 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: Ebertfest: In the Family
WHERE: The Virginia Theater
WHEN: Thursday, Apr. 18, 4:00 p.m.
In the Family was shown as part of last year’s Reel It UP, so those of you who might have missed it then will get another chance to see it at this year’s Roger Ebert Film Festival.
Cody and Joey live in Martin, Tennessee, where they are raising their son, Chip. When Cody dies suddenly in a car accident, it’s discovered that he named his sister as Chip’s guardian in his will. As happens so often with same-sex couples, Joey’s in-laws turn against him, and the laws in Tennessee are not on his side.
Smile Politely will publish a review of this film on Thursday morning.
WHAT: Among Women: Lesbian, Bisexual, Queer, and Questioning Support Group
WHERE: Asian American Cultural Center
WHEN: Thursday, Apr. 18, 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, Apr. 18, 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, Apr. 18, 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 Harrison.
WHAT: Out in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (oSTEM)
WHERE: LGBT Resource Center, Illini Union (Room 323)
WHEN: Thursday, Apr. 18, 8:00–9:00 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, April 19
WHAT: The National Day of Silence
WHERE: Everywhere
WHEN: Friday, April 19, All Day
Day of Silence is an annual day of protest against harassment experienced by the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and trans community. Every year, the LGBT Resource Center, LGBT student organizations, and more organize a wide range of programming in observance of this important day.
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11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.:Tabling on the Main Quad
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5:00–6:00 p.m.: Breaking the Silence Rally on the Main Quad
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7:00–8:00 p.m.: Keynote Speech from David Yost (Illini Union, Room 314)
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8:00–10:00 p.m.: Green Street Hug-In Prep (LGBT Resource Center, Room 323)
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10 p.m.: Green Street Hug-In
WHAT: Blend UP
WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Friday, Apr. 19, 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 yourself
Blend UP is for young adults and adults (ages 18 and up). For more information contact Lance.
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SATURDAY, April 20
WHAT: Saturday Night Drag King Show
WHERE: Emerald City Lounge
WHEN: Saturday, Apr. 20, 10:00 p.m.–2:00 a.m.
Join Emerald City Lounge every Saturday for a Royal Event. You’ll enjoy the Best and Brightest Stars of Drag that Downstate Illinois has to offer.
Call (217) 398-8661 or email for information regarding the featured headliner and reservations.
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SUNDAY, April 21
WHAT: Women of Pride
WHERE: LGBT Resource Center, Illini Union (Room 323)
WHEN: Sunday, Apr. 21, 6:30–7:30 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, Apr. 21, 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
Are you an LGBTQA student graduating this year (May ’13/Dec ’13)? If you are interested in participating in Lavender Graduation on May 1, 2013 at 5:30 p.m., please email your full preferred name, degree title, and major to the LGBT Resource Center. They must receive your information by April 19, 2013 in order for your name to appear in the program.
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The UP Center of Champaign County is currently searching for potential films to show at their annual Reel It UP event in June. They are looking to show one film per Tuesday of the month, and are in need of diverse film choices related to the LGBT community (family friendly, political, erotic, racially diverse, kinks, sub-culture, etc.). Films that are feature-length (60 min., 120 min. max) and made in 2011 or earlier are preferred.
If you are a filmmaker or know someone who might be interested in having the UP Center show his/her film for free or at discounted price, please contact Tencia for more information.
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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.