MONDAY, April 2
WHAT: Parkland PRIDE Meeting
WHERE: Parkland Community College (Room X150)
WHEN: Monday, Apr. 2, 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! An Illusionist Progression of Drag: 11 Years … My Time Flies
WHERE: Illini Union (Room 314A)
WHEN: Monday, Apr. 2, Noon–1:00 p.m.
Speaker: Justin Johnson (Leloni Stars). Read our interview with Justin here.
WHAT: Gay & Bisexual Men’s Group
WHERE: UIUC Counseling Center
WHEN: Monday, Apr. 2, 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. 2, 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 314A)
WHEN: Monday, Apr. 2, 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.
This week Jackie Beard (the Counseling Center) will discuss bullying, followed by a discussion about bullying in the LGBT community.
At this week’s meeting you can buy your tickets to Queer Prom. Prom is April 28 and tickets are $30.
For more information, please email Kyle or Josh.
WHAT: Nekromancy
WHERE: Chester Street Bar
WHEN: Monday, Apr. 2, 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 3
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. 3, 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. 3, 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, April 4
WHAT: Community Movie Night on LGBT Issues in Schools: Free Anti-Bullying Film Screenings
WHERE: The Champaign Public Library (Robeson Rooms A & B)
WHEN: Wednesday, Apr. 4, 6:00–9:00 p.m.
This event is free and open to the public. Discussion of all three films takes place 8:10–9:00 p.m.
That’s a Family
6:00–6:35 p.m.
This film explores what it’s like to grow up in a family with parents of different races or religions, divorced parents, a single parent, gay or lesbian parents, adoptive parents, or grandparents as guardians.
Trailer:
Let’s Get Real
6:45–7:20 p.m.
Let’s Get Real examines a variety of issues that lead to taunting and bullying, including racial differences, perceived sexual orientation, learning disabilities, religious differences, and sexual harassment. It gives a voice to targeted kids and also to the bullies themselves.
Trailer:
Bullied
7:30–8:10 p.m.
Bullied chronicles Jamie Nabozny’s ordeal at the hands of anti-gay bullies and offers an inspiring message of hope to those fighting harassment today. It is intended to help all students understand the terrible toll bullying can take on its victims in hopes that students will stand up for classmates who are being harassed.
Trailer:
WHAT: Brother II Brother Meeting
WHERE: Green Street Center
24 E. Green St., Suite 14
Champaign
WHEN: Wednesday, Apr. 4, 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.
WHAT: Boys Night Out
WHERE: Boltini Lounge
WHEN: Wednesday, Apr. 4, 9:00 p.m.
Every Wednesday is Boys Night Out at Boltini Lounge.
- DJ Randall Ellison at the decks
- FREE candy and condoms
- Half price food specials (4:00–6:30 p.m. only)
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THURSDAY, April 5
WHAT: Among Women: Lesbian, Bisexual, Queer, and Questioning Support Group
WHERE: Asian American Cultural Center
WHEN: Thursday, Apr. 5, 5:00–6:30 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: LGBTQA Youth Social Group
WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Thursday, Apr. 5, 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 Megan.
WHAT: Building Bridges
WHERE: Illini Union (Room 211)
WHEN: Thursday, Apr. 5, 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. 5, 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. 5, 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 6
WHAT: Rape for Who I Am: Film Screening & Discussion
WHERE: LGBT Resource Center, Illini Union (Room 323)
WHEN: Friday, Apr. 6, 2:00 p.m.
This documentary offers a fascinating and moving insight into the lives of South Africa’s black lesbians who, raped because of their sexuality, refuse to become victims. Set in Johannesburg and its surrounding townships, the film interweaves the experiences of four women, victims of rape, as they prepare for an annual Gay Pride celebration.
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SUNDAY, April 8
WHAT: Women of Pride
WHERE: LGBT Resource Center, Illini Union (Room 323)
WHEN: Sunday, Apr. 8, 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. 8, 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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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.