MONDAY, April 23
WHAT: How to Have Good Sex
WHERE: Illini Union (Room 314A)
WHEN: Monday, Apr. 23, 4:00–5:00 p.m.
Speaker: Kim Rice, McKinley Health Center
WHAT: Gay & Bisexual Men’s Group
WHERE: UIUC Counseling Center
WHEN: Monday, Apr. 23, 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: Illinois Pride Meeting
WHERE: Illini Union (Room 407)
WHEN: Monday, Apr. 23, 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. 23, 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, April 24
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. 24, 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, Apr. 24, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
The group meets in a social setting for casual discussion, games, and more. For adult men, 18+.
For more information go here, or contact Kevin.
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WEDNESDAY, April 25
WHAT: Gal UP
WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Wednesday, Apr. 25, 6:00–7:30 p.m.
Gal UP is a social/support group for women of any sexual orientation to meet and discuss aspects of our daily lives, such as coming out, being an ally, creating friendships, networking in our community, job-related issues, spiritual/religious concerns, and other topics that members want to talk about. The group is a relaxed, safe environment where women can socialize and steer the direction as interests present themselves.
Feel free to invite any woman you think might be interested.
For more information go here, or contact Evelyne or Jennifer.
WHAT: Brother II Brother Meeting
WHERE: Green Street Center
24 E. Green St., Suite 14
Champaign
WHEN: Wednesday, Apr. 25, 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: Boys Night Out
WHERE: Boltini Lounge
WHEN: Wednesday, Apr. 25, 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, April 26
WHAT: Among Women: Lesbian, Bisexual, Queer, and Questioning Support Group
WHERE: Asian American Cultural Center
WHEN: Thursday, Apr. 26, 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, Apr. 26, 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, but often include dating, coming out, bullying, coping with homophobia, and many others.
For more information, please contact Peggy.
WHAT: Building Bridges
WHERE: Illini Union (Room 211)
WHEN: Thursday, Apr. 26, 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, Apr. 26, 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, Apr. 26, 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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FRIDAY, April 27
WHAT: Screening of Bully
WHERE: The Art Theater
WHEN: Friday, Apr. 27, 5:00 and 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Apr. 28, 2:30, 5:00, and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, 4:30 and 7:00 p.m.
From Facebook: This year, over 13 million American kids will be bullied, making it the most common form of violence young people in the U.S. experience. Directed by Sundance- and Emmy-award winning filmmaker, Lee Hirsch, Bully follows five kids and families over the course of a school year, and confronts bullying’s most tragic outcomes, including the stories of two families who’ve lost children to suicide and a mother who waits to learn the fate of her 14-year-old daughter, incarcerated after bringing a gun on her school bus.
Official trailer:
SATURDAY, April 28
WHAT: Queer Prom
WHERE: Holiday Inn Hotel & Banquet Center
WHEN: Saturday, Apr. 28, 6:00 p.m.–1:00 a.m.
Come one, come all, to the U of I Gay Ball, and celebrate identity and community queerness.
Attire: Semi-formal – wear the fanciest thing you got!
Door: 6:00 p.m.
Dinner: 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $30 each. Limited tickets are available until Apr. 24. Email to purchase. Profits go to runaway LGBT youth.
The night’s entertainment includes:
- Plated dinner (with a vegetarian option)
- Queer entertainment (comedy and drag)
- Raffle ($2 pre-order, $3 during the event)
- Dancing, but of course
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SUNDAY, April 29
WHAT: Women of Pride
WHERE: LGBT Resource Center, Illini Union (Room 323)
WHEN: Sunday, Apr. 29, 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, Apr. 29, 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
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.