Smile Politely

The Rainbow Connection: April 9–14

TUESDAY, April 9

WHAT: Come Out for Health: A LGBTQ Health Collective

WHERE: Illini Union (Room 314)

WHEN: Tuesday, Apr. 9, 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. | Wednesday, Apr. 10, 11:00 a.m.

Stop by the Illini Union to explore the holistic health & well-being resources that the UIUC campus & community organizations have to offer for gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans*, and queer-identified students! April 9 will have a focus on Health & Wellness, and April 10 will focus on Sexual Health.
 

Workshops & Special highlights:

April 9th, 11:00 a.m.2:00 p.m.

  • Educational outreach with Counseling Center Paraprofessionals
  • Photo shoot for The Ally Coalition: Tell us what it means to be an ally

April 10th, 12:00 p.m.4:00 p.m.

  • Free & anonymous STI/HIV Testing with the C-U Public Health District: Room 319
  • 1:00 p.m. Queer Sex 101 Workshop facilitated by Sexual Health Peers
     

Visit Tables from:

  • The UP Center
  • Champaign-Urbana Public Health District
  • Rape Advocacy, Education & Counseling Services of Urbana
  • McKinley Health Education
  • Sexual Health Peers
  • Building Bridges
  • Women’s Resources Center

For more information, please email Taylor Miranda.

 

The 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 Debra & Tim Larson.

WHAT: Mpowerment Meeting

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

WHEN: Tuesday, Apr. 9, 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. 9, 7:00–9:00 p.m.

Man UP is for adult men, ages 26 and up. A movie is shown, followed by discussion.

For more information go here, or contact Kevin Bowersox-Johnson.

WHAT: Infusions Presents: Isis King, Top Model

WHERE: Illini Union (Room 209)

WHEN: Tuesday, Apr. 9, 7:00–9:00 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.

This week, Infusions invites you all to a lovely night with Isis King. She is both a model and a fashion designer. Some of you may recognize her from The CW’s America’s Next Top Model cycles 11 and 17. Even if you didn’t watch the show, you may have heard of her as being the first transgender individual to compete on the show. She also gave the trans community huge visibility on television.

Isis will be speaking about her life as a trans person of color, what it was like being a contestant on ANTM and the controversy that came right along with it. She will be hosting a Q&A session afterward followed by a meet and greet.

For more information, please email.

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WEDNESDAY, April 10

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: Brother II Brother Meeting

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

Champaign

WHEN: Wednesday, Apr. 10, 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. 10, 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: Loving the Skin You’re In: Exploring Body Image and Eating Disorders in the LGBT Male Community

WHERE: LGBT Resource Center

WHEN: Wednesday, Apr. 10, 7:00 p.m.

More information to Come! Presented by the LGBT Resource Center, and Nikki Falk, Counseling Center Paraprofessional, class of 2013, and Gabrielle Smith (school and class information to come)

WHAT: Boys Nite Out

WHERE: Boltini Lounge

WHEN: Wednesday, Apr. 10, 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. 10, 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 11

WHAT: Parkland Pride Meeting

WHERE: Parkland Community College (Room X-150)

WHEN: Thursday, Apr. 11, 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: Among Women: Lesbian, Bisexual, Queer, and Questioning Support Group

WHERE: Asian American Cultural Center

WHEN: Thursday, Apr. 11, 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. 11, 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.

For more information, please contact Peggy Weyer.

WHAT: Building Bridges

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

WHEN: Thursday, Apr. 11, 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 email.

WHAT: Out in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (oSTEM)

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

WHEN: Thursday, Apr. 11, 8:00 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 12

WHAT: Panel Discussion: Using Mixed Methodologies in Research involving LGBT Participants

WHERE: School of Social Work (Room 2015)

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

Panelists include: Jennifer Greene, PhD, Educational Psychology, UIUC; Ramona Oswald, Department of Human and Community Development, UIUC; and Joshua Kellison, MA, Arizona State University.

Panelists will present on the usefulness and applicability of mixing methods to enhance research with, for, and on behalf of LGBT populations. Students, faculty, and staff, regardless of research interest, are invited to attend.

A free catered lunch will be provided.

WHAT: Turn It UP!

WHERE: 88 Broadway

WHEN: Friday, Apr. 12, 7:00–11:00 p.m.

The UP Center of Champaign County invites you to their Fourth Annual Turn It UP variety show supporting The UP Center and local LGBTQA efforts within our community.

We will be raffling off an IPOD as well as a 50/50 raffle. Raffle tickets will be sold for $2/ticket or $15/20 tickets. The IPOD winner will be announced around 10 p.m. and the 50/50 winner will be announced between 11:00–11:30. You must be present to win.

Lineup:

7:00 p.m.– Intro and Tusken Raiders

7:30 p.m. – Brendan Summers

7:45 p.m. – Moonlighting Heavy Metal Dance Troupe

8:00 p.m. – Crystal Champagne

8:10 p.m. – Tierney Reed

8:25 p.m. – Awesome Ally Award Presentation (Megan Paceley)

8:30 p.m. – STIGMA

8:35 p.m. – Isaac Arms

8:50 p.m. – Kia Sharealike

9:00 p.m. – Jamie Marlow

9:10 p.m. – Monique

9:15 p.m. – Leiloni Stars

9:25 p.m. – Mike and Kayla

9:45 p.m. – Nebraska Jones

10:00 p.m. – Janelle James

10:20 p.m. – Leiloni Stars

10:30 p.m. – Megan Johns

10:50 p.m. – Kia Sharealike

11:00 p.m. – Jesse Long

11:15 p.m. – Steamwhistle Hollow

11:45 p.m. – Outro (DJ Craig)

Tickets: $5, advance/$7, door (students and youth); $7, advance/$10, door (adult). Purchase tickets here.

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SATURDAY, April 13

WHAT: Mom’s Weekend Musical: Hairspray

WHERE: The Assembly Hall   

WHEN: Saturday, Apr. 13, 2:00 p.m. | 7:00 p.m.

Illini Union Board is proud to present its Spring 2013 production of Hairspray. The cast is filled with amazing actors, actresses, singers, and dancers. Click the link above for a list of the cast and production staff.

For more information, and to purchase tickets, go to the Assembly Hall website.

WHAT: Women of Pride at C-Street

WHERE: Chester Street Bar

WHEN: Saturday, Apr. 13, 11:00 p.m.

Join Women of Pride and let’s get down and dirty with our bad selves as we shake our groove things into the wee hours of the AM.

WHAT: Emerald City Divas present: 80s & 90s Show

WHERE: Emerald City Lounge

WHEN: Saturday, Apr. 13, 11:00 p.m.–2:00 a.m.

The Emerald City DIVAS will be welcoming back Angel LeBare, headliner of the Boom Boom Revue and host of the Amateur Dance Night at Hunter’s Chicago; Sorraya Dash, headliner of Hydrate Chicago’s weekly Hydrag Revue, judge for Hydrate’s Drag Idol, and former Miss Roscoe’s 2012; and debuting Champaign’s SONNY at her first appearance in the DIVAS show series.

Cover: $5
Age: 19+

Table reservations are available, and include cover and wait service for the night.

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SUNDAY, April 14

WHAT: Read UP: An LGBTQ Book Club

WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County

WHEN: Sunday, Apr. 14, 3:00–4:30 p.m.

Read UP is an LGBTQA book club. Participants get together on a monthly basis to discuss a book on LGBTQ issues or with LGBTQ themes. Group members take turns choosing the book of the month.

This month’s book is Getting Bi, by Robyn Ochs.

For more information, go here.

WHAT: Women of Pride

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

WHEN: Sunday, Apr. 14, 6:30 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. 14, 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.

 

PRIDE AROUND THE REGION

WHAT: Gay and Lesbian Association of Decatur, IL (GLAD)

WHERE: Peerless Training Facility
1304 N. 20th Street
Decatur

WHEN: Saturday, Apr. 13, 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.

The theme for this month’s social is “Creating Doors to One’s Self.” The evening’s program combines art with our awareness of self, and the doors that we sometimes place ourselves behind.

The social starts at 6:30 p.m., with potluck dinner at 7:00. Please bring a dish to share. A $5.00 suggested donation is appreciated.

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.

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