Smile Politely

The Rainbow Connection: January 22–27

TUESDAY, January 22

WHAT: Exhibit: “It’s Not Because I’m LGBT, It’s Because I’m Human”

WHERE: University of Illinois Main Library’s Marshall Gallery

WHEN: Daily, through Jan. 31, 2013

This exhibit, curated by undergraduate students Dominique Moore and Harrison Hakes, is based on several of the photographs from ‘Q,’ Allen Hall’s LGBTQIA student organization, and documents the history of the U of I’s LGBT Center and LGBT issues on this campus.

WHAT: Parkland Pride Meeting

WHERE: Parkland Community College (Room C-218)

WHEN: Tuesday, Jan. 22, Noon–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 contact Tanino.

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 SODA. For more information, go here.

WHAT: Mpowerment Meeting

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

WHEN: Tuesday, Jan. 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: Man UP

WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County

WHEN: Tuesday, Jan. 22, 7:00–8:30 p.m.

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

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

WHAT: Infusions

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

WHEN: Tuesday, Jan. 22, 8:00–9:00 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.

For more information, please email.

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WEDNESDAY, January 23

WHAT: Gal UP

WHERE: UP Center of Champaign County

WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 23, 6:00–7:00 p.m.

Gal UP is a social/support group for women of any sexual orientation to meet and discuss aspects of our daily lives, such as coming out, being an ally, creating friendships, networking in our community, job-related issues, spiritual/religious concerns, and other topics that members want to talk about. The group is a relaxed, safe environment where women can socialize and steer the direction as interests present themselves.

Feel free to invite any woman you think might be interested.

For more information go here.

WHAT: Brother II Brother Meeting

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

WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 23, 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 Rage.

WHAT: Coming Out Support Group

WHERE: Please email for location

WHEN: Wednesday, Jan. 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: Karaoke Party!

WHERE: Emerald City Lounge

WHEN: Wednesday, 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!

WHAT: Boys Night Out

WHERE: Boltini Lounge

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

Every Wednesday is Boys Night Out at Boltini Lounge. DJ Randall Ellison is at the decks spinning Hi-NRG, dance pop, disco house, and oldskool, gay club anthems.

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THURSDAY, January 24

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

WHERE: Asian American Cultural Center

WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 24, 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: Play It UP

WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County

WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 24, 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 Peggy.

WHAT: Building Bridges

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

WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 24, 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: Open Mic Night

WHERE: Emerald City Lounge

WHEN: Thursday, Jan. 24, 8:00–11:00 p.m.

Join us for Mike Solomon‘s One Night Stand at Emerald City! Michael hosts Open Mic Night every Thursday. Stop in early for half price appetizers and drink specials until 7:00 p.m.

If you’re 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, Jan. 24, 8:00–9:00 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, January 25

WHAT: Gays on Ice

WHERE: University of Illinois Ice Arena

WHEN: Friday, Jan. 25, 10:30 p.m.–12:30 a.m.

Calling all members of the LGBT community and allies! Come join us for the Illini Union Board and the LGBT Resource Center’s annual Gays on Ice Event!

Skates will be provided, along with hot chocolate!

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SATURDAY, January 26

WHAT: Talent Night

WHERE: Emerald City Lounge

WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 26, 11:00 p.m.–2:00 a.m.

If you have a talent, Emerald City wants to see it. Bring one number on a CD. The audience chooses the winner.

  • First Place: $100
  • Second Place: $50

Drink specials all night and tables are free!

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SUNDAY, January 27

WHAT: Women of Pride

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

WHEN: Sunday, Jan. 27, 6:30–7:30 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, Jan. 27, 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.

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