Smile Politely

The Rainbow Connection: February 22–28

THIS WEEK’S SPECIAL EVENTS (please see below for regular weekly events)

WHAT: Look UP

WHERE: Independent Media Center (Suite 102)

WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 22, 6:00–7:00 p.m.

Look UP is an awesome discussion group for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer individuals where we provide a safe environment in which to meet people, hang out, and discuss sexuality and spirituality and how they can and do coexist. We talk about shared experiences, and provide the freedom to explore these subjects in a respectful, peer-mediated setting.

For more information, please email Kevin.

WHAT: Drug Use: An honest non-judgmental discussion of safer practices

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

WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 23, 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.

Discussion presented by: Joe Trotter, Champaign Urbana Public Health District

Lunch will be provided

Gwen AraujoWHAT: A Legacy of Mexican “Transwoman” Hating: Rewriting the Life of Gwen Araujo

WHERE: La Casa

WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 24, 12:00–1:00 p.m.

Speaker: Frank Galarte, Educational Policy Studies.

WHAT: Mike Ingram at Emerald City Lounge

WHERE: Emerald City Lounge

WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 24, 8:00 p.m.

Emerald City Lounge welcomes back one of the area’s best solo performers, Mike Ingram. Mike has been entertaining in and around the C-U area for quite some time. He’s a DJ, show promoter, and performer. Mike is once again stopping in at the Lounge for your entertainment.

Make it a night out with your partner or a group of friends. Great show, Great fun!

DVD Cover of Angels in America

WHAT: Friday Films: Angels in America

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

WHEN: Friday, Feb. 25, 2:00 p.m.

Film screening and discussion of the movie Angels in America.

 


Official trailer:

WHAT: Introduction to Gender and Feminist Questions in a Post Colonial Time and Space

WHERE: University of Illinois Women’s Resources Center

WHEN: Monday, Feb. 28, 12:00–3:00 p.m.

Speaker: Chantal Nadeau, Gender and Women’s Studies.

WHAT: What’s Good Sex? Sex & Alcohol

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

WHEN: Monday, Feb. 28, 4:00–5:00 p.m.

Speakers:

  • Kim Rice, Sexual Health Educator
  • Heather Stapleton, Sexual Health G.A.

A sex positive discussion to promote healthy sexuality.

WHAT: Talk it UP

WHERE: Independent Media Center (Suite 203)

WHEN: Monday, Feb. 28, 7:00–8:00 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 and support 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.

Snacks are provided.

For more information, please contact Christina.

REGULAR WEEKLY EVENTS

Hosted by Building Bridges.

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. 22, 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: eQuality C-U Meeting

WHERE: Rainbow Coffeehouse at the Wesley Foundation

WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 22, 7:00–8:00 p.m.

eQuality C-U is an LGBTQ activist group for students and community members. If you’re interested in helping in the struggle for LGBT liberation and equal rights for all, then this is a group for you!

For more information, please contact: John Kenealy.

WHAT: Coming Out Support Group

WHERE: Illini Union (Room 317)

WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 23, 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, Feb. 23, 9:00 p.m.

Every Wednesday is Boys Night Out at Boltini Lounge.

  • DJ Randall Ellison at the decks.
  • FREE candy and condoms
  • $4.00 X-Boyfriend & Well Hung martinis; $9 carafe Long Island Iced Tea; $1.50 Miller High Life bottles; $5.00 Classic & Baby Mama Bellinis
  • Half price food specials (4:00–6:30 p.m. only)

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

WHERE: Please email for location

WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 24, 6:30–8:00 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. Among Women is open to all graduate and undergraduate students.

For more information, please contact: Allie.

WHAT: Same Sex Sunday Podcast

WHERE: Right here. And also here.

WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 27, 2011

This week Same Sex Sunday tackles the big one: the Justice Department’s letter to Speaker Boehner informing him that the Obama Administration would no longer defend the Constitutionality of Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act in the numerous Federal court cases working their way through the judiciary. What does this mean for the current cases, what does this not mean, and what can we expect? Immigration equality, “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell repeal” ― it’s all a little bit touched by this change.

Speaking of Log Cabin Republicans v. United States ― the Log Cabin Republican’s landmark case against the government over DADT discharges ― the Administration finally filed their brief in that case as well. You’re not going to believe what the Justice Department is saying there.

We are fairly heavy with legal scholars this week. Lending us their brilliance and expertise this week are:

  • Press Secretary for the Human Rights Campaign, Michael Cole-Schwartz
  • Senior Political Writer for MetroWeekly in DC, Chris Geidner.
  • Director for Public Engagement at the National Black Justice Coalition, Jasper Hendricks III
  • Programs Director for Log Cabin Republicans, Casey Pick
  • Representing the plaintiffs in the Gill & Pedersen cases, Staff Attorney at Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders, Janson Wu

Also discussed are the headlines of the week, the good news, and lots of great information.

Check it out:

WHAT: PRIDE Meeting

WHERE: Illini Union (Room 407)

WHEN: Monday, Feb. 28, 8:00 p.m.

This week, PRIDE will be introducing you to the U of I speakers panel program. PRIDE and the LGBT Resource Center need different queer people to talk about their experiences/coming out for different GWS classes. We will train you to do this, as well as talk about the conference.

WHAT: Nekromancy

WHERE: Chester Street Bar

WHEN: Monday, Feb. 28, 9:00 p.m.

Every Monday, DJ SorceryKid crafts a continuous audio-visual mixshow of the latest and the greatest in dark alternative and underground dance music.

Cover: $2.00
Age: 19+

ANNOUNCEMENTS

WHAT: Awesome Ally Award Nominations

WHERE: Your computer

WHEN: Present–Feb. 28, 11:30 p.m.

Do you know an Awesome Ally? Is there someone in your life that supports the LGBTQ community in ways you feel deserve to be recognized? If so, then nominate that person for The UP Center‘s 2nd Annual Awesome Ally Award!

Nominations will be accepted through February 28, 2011. Nominations should include one to two paragraphs about why you feel your nominee is an awesome ally. Include whatever information you feel is relevant. Nominations will be judged by the Turn it UP! 2011 committee and the award(s) will be presented at the Turn it UP! 2011 party.

All nominations should be submitted using this form.

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LGBT Alternative Spring Break

Looking for an exciting way to spend your spring break that involves volunteering with the LGBT community? Look no further! Alternative Spring Break is sending a trip over spring break to Minneapolis, Minnesota to work with three different LGBT organizations in the city, including Rainbow Families, District 202, and Out4School.

The deadline for applications is Tuesday, Mar. 1 at 5:00 p.m.

Access the ASB website to begin (and finish) your application today! If you would like more information, please email.

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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.

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