Smile Politely

The Rainbow Connection: Feb. 27–Mar. 4

MONDAY, February 27

WHAT: What’s Good Sex? The Scoop on Sexual Pleasure

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

WHEN: Monday. Feb. 27, 4:00–5:00 p.m.

Presented By: Kim Rice, McKinley Health Center

WHAT: Gay & Bisexual Men’s Group

WHERE: UIUC Counseling Center

WHEN: Monday, Feb. 27, 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: What’s UP: LGBTQA Young Adult Social/Support Group

WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County

WHEN: Monday, Feb. 27, 6:30–7:30 p.m.

What’s UP is a group for LGBTQA people aged 18–25 to come together and work out problems, rant, socialize, philosophize, commiserate, speculate, or just plain talk.

For more information, email Bronwyn.

 

WHAT: Illinois Pride Meeting

WHERE: Illini Union (Room 407)

WHEN: Monday, Feb. 27, 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 Pride will discuss Unofficial Saint Patrick’s day and alcohol safety. For more information, please email Kyle or Josh.

WHAT: Nekromancy

WHERE: Chester Street Bar

WHEN: Monday, Feb. 27, 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, February 28

Hosted by oSTEM.

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, Feb. 28, 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: Film Screening & Discussion: La Mission

WHERE: Etc. Café Theater. 1203 W Green Street

WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 28, 6:30 p.m.

Ex-convict and recovering alcoholic, Che, gets by on his macho persona, but lives for the love of his son Jesse. When he discovers that Jesse has been living a secret life as a gay man, Che reacts violently and is forced to examine his actions and the life he lives.

 

Trailer:

 

WHAT: Man UP: Men’s Social Group

WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County

WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 28, 7:00–9:00 p.m.

This group meets in a social setting for casual discussion, games, and more.. For adult men, 26+.

For more information go here, or contact Kevin.

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WEDNESDAY, February 29

WHAT: Brother II Brother Meeting

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

WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 29, 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, Feb. 29, 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, March 1

WHAT: Among Women: Lesbian, Bisexual, Queer, and Questioning Support Group

WHERE: Asian American Cultural Center

WHEN: Thursday, Mar. 1, 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: Talk It UP

WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County

WHEN: Thursday, Mar. 1, 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: Building Bridges

WHERE: Illini Union (Room 211)

WHEN: Thursday, Mar. 1, 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: One Night Stand

WHERE: Emerald City Lounge

WHEN: Thursday, Mar. 1, 7:00–10:00 p.m.

Join us for Mike Solomon’s One Night Stand at Emerald City. 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, Mar. 1, 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, March 2

WHAT: Film Screening & Discussion: The Journey

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

WHEN: Friday, Mar. 2, 2:00 p.m.

Beautiful young Kiran falls in love with her lifelong best friend, the effervescent Delilah. But in their idyllic Indian village, tradition still dictates that a girl marry a boy chosen by her family. With longing in her heart, Kiran refrains from expressing her love. However, one day her neighbor Rajan comes to Kiran and asks her to help him compose love letters to Delilah. Thinking this will serve as an outlet for her feelings Kiran agrees…

Trailer:

 

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SUNDAY, March 4

WHAT: Read UP: An LGBTQ Book Club

WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County

WHEN: Sunday, Mar. 4, 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 Something Like Summer, by Jay Bell.

For more information go here, or contact Ann.

WHAT: Women of Pride

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

WHEN: Sunday, Mar. 4, 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, Mar. 4, 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

Opportunity to participate in a research study on community involvement

Requirements:

  • 18 years of age or older
  • Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, or queer
  • Willingness to be interviewed

Being currently or formally involved in LGBTQ-related groups is not a requirement for participation. All identifying information remains strictly confidential.

Contact the interviewer: Megan Paceley, PhD Student, School of Social Work by email, or call (217) 316-4789.

(email and phone number are confidential and accessible only by Megan.)

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Do you know an Awesome Ally?

Do you know anyone whose support for the LGBTQ community deserves recognition? If so, nominate that person for the UP Center’s third annual Awesome Ally Award!

For the past two years, the UP Center has given an Awesome Ally Award to local individuals who have gone above and beyond with their dedication to the LGBTQ community. Although the past recipients have been chosen by the UP Center’s Board of Directors, this year we want YOU to help us recognize the efforts of an Awesome Ally. Individuals, as well as businesses or organizations, are eligible to win. Winners will receive an Awesome Ally badge and/or framed certificate and be formally recognized at Turn It UP (Friday, Apr. 13th).

Nominations for this year’s Awesome Ally Award will be accepted through March 9th, 2012. All nominations will be reviewed by the UP Center. Both the nominator and nominee will receive complimentary tickets to Turn It UP.

If you would like to nominate someone for the Awesome Ally Award, please send a paragraph or two explaining how the nominee has demonstrated his or her commitment to supporting the LGBTQ community. Please indicate whether your nomination is an individual or business. Send all nominations to Tom Miebach.

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Calling all performers! It’s time to Turn It UP!

The UP Center is preparing for its third annual Turn It UP! fundraising event. Turn It UP! 2012 will take place on Friday, Apr. 13, from 7:00–11:00 p.m., at 88 Broadway.

We are now seeking a diverse group of performers for this year’s event: musicians, spoken word artists, comedians, dance troupes, etc. This year we plan to devote the first portion of the event to youth acts.

We have limited time and space, so we are asking all potential performers to contact us no later than March 12. If you are interested in performing, please email Tom Miebach.

Please include the following information:

  • Contact name
  • Group name (if any)
  • Contact phone number
  • Contact email
  • Type of performance
  • Ages of performers
  • Equipment (if any) needed for performance
  • Is performance content family friendly or adults only? (this is important in scheduling)
  • Any information you wish to share about your performance or your group


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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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