THIS WEEK’S SPECIAL EVENTS (please see below for year-round weekly events, announcements, and selected regional events)
WHAT: Brother II Brother’s Winter Wonder Land
WHERE: 88 Broadway
WHEN: Wednesday, Dec. 7, 10:00 p.m.–2:30 a.m.
Come help support and celebrate Worlds Aids day, and the Be Great Campaign at C-U Public Health‘s first ever talent show. Hosted by Rage Dupree and Ceduxion Carrington.
This event is free and open to the public.
PERFORMERS:
Rage Dupree
Anastasia Dupree
Peaches Dupree Carrington
Sonny
Lil Lovie Da Man
Mona Rose
Jordan Becker
Selena Styles
WHAT: Talk It UP
WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 8, 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.
WHAT: The Impalas, featuring Dawna Nelson
WHERE: Emerald City Lounge
WHEN: Friday, Dec. 9, 5:00 p.m.
The Impalas are back at the lounge! Come enjoy the show, featuring Dawna Nelson And “Bruiser.”
Doors: 5:00 p.m.
Show: 9:00 p.m.
Tickets: Free
Age Limit: 19+
WHAT: The Spirit Is Moved! A Winter Celebration of Music and Dance
WHERE: McKinley Presbyterian Church
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 10, 7:30–10:30 p.m.
Sunday, Dec. 11, 4:00–7:00 p.m.
Join Amasong for a high-spirited concert of songs and dances from around the world. Sung in ten different languages, this program of music and movement will inspire your heart—and your feet—to dance.
Contemporary composition by Meredith Monk and many more celebratory pieces. Featuring Subhalakshmi Kumar, Bharatanatyam (South Indian Classical) dancer, Josh Houchin, bass, and others.
Suggested Donation: $15–$25 (more if you can, less if you can’t)
Sign interpreted for the hearing impaired and wheelchair accessible.
WHAT: Tis the Season, A Holiday Extravaganza
WHERE: Emerald City Lounge
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 10, 10:30 p.m.–1:30 a.m.
Join us for a fun filled evening, with great performances, and drink specials. Please join us, along with Leiloni Stars, Aurora Lamont-Carrington, and Dymond Champagne-Calloway. A surprise guest will be joining the cast for this special Holiday Show.
Cover: 5.00
Age: 19+
WHAT: Read UP: An LGBTQ Book Club
WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 11, 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.
The December book is Remembrance of Things I Forgot: A Novel, by Bob Smith.
For more information go here, or contact Ann.
WHAT: Look UP
WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Monday, Dec. 12, 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.
YEAR-ROUND, WEEKLY EVENTS
Hosted by PFLAG.
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, Dec. 6, 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, Dec. 6, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
This group is geared toward adult men, ages 18 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.
WHAT: Brother II Brother Meeting
WHERE: Green Street Center
24 E. Green St., Suite 14
Champaign
WHEN: Wednesday, Dec. 7, 6:00–8:00 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.
WHAT: Illinois Bi Pride Meeting
WHERE: LGBT Resource Center, Illini Union (Room 323)
WHEN: Wednesday, Dec. 7, 6:30 p.m.
Illinois Bi Pride is a registered organization at the University of Illinois dedicated to supporting bisexual, pansexual, queer people, and our allies.
For more information, please email.
WHAT: Coming Out Support Group
WHERE: Illini Union (Room 317)
WHEN: Wednesday, Dec. 7, 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: Boys Night Out
WHERE: Boltini Lounge
WHEN: Wednesday, Dec. 7, 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)
WHAT: Among Women: Lesbian, Bisexual, Queer, and Questioning Support Group
WHERE: Asian American Cultural Center
WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 8, 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: Building Bridges
WHERE: Illini Union (Room 211)
WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 8, 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 email.
WHAT: Pride Meeting
WHERE: Illini Union (Room TBA)
WHEN: Monday, Dec. 12, 8:00 p.m.
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.
WHAT: Nekromancy
WHERE: Chester Street Bar
WHEN: Monday, Dec. 12, 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+
PRIDE AROUND THE REGION
WHAT: Gay and Lesbian Association of Decatur, IL (GLAD)
WHERE: Peerless Corporate Training Center
1304 N. 20th St.
Decatur, IL
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 10, 6:30–9:30 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. We ask for $5 donation to help us offset our expenses.
For our December 10th Social, we are planning to bring back our famous Gift Exchange. We are asking that (if you decide to participate) you try to stay around the $10 range. If you plan to bring smaller children and want them to participate, please either bring gifts for them to exchange amongst themselves or other children who may attend. Please be sure to label the gift for a child.
We will also be collecting socks, mittens, gloves, scarves, etc. for students grades K thru 12th to be donated to DOVE
The evening begins at 6:30 with the meet and greet. The potluck will begin at 7:00.
A suggested $5 donation for expenses is greatly appreciated.
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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. If I attempted to write this myself, I’d never get it done.