Smile Politely

The Rainbow Connection: June 24–30

MONDAY, June 24

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 6:00–7:00, 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: Nekromancy

WHERE: Chester Street Bar

WHEN: Monday, June 24, 9:00 p.m.–2:00 a.m.

Every Monday, DJs SorceryKid and Hivemind, craft 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, June 25

WHAT: Mpowerment Meeting

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

WHEN: Tuesday, June 25, 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, June 25, 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: 4th Annual LGBT Film Festival: Week 4

WHERE: Art Theater Co-op

WHEN: Tuesday, June 25, 7:30 p.m.

Join the UP Center for their 4th Annual LGBT Film Festival, Reel It UP, which happens every Tuesday in June 2013.

This week’s schedule:

7:30 p.m. — Scary Normal
9:30 p.m. — Romeos

A review of Scary Normal will publish later today. A comprehensive preview of Reel It UP is here. To buy tickets, go here.

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WEDNESDAY, June 26

WHAT: Gal UP

WHERE: UP Center of Champaign County

WHEN: Wednesday, June 26, 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, June 26, 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: tornAIDo RELIEF party

WHERE: Emerald City Lounge

WHEN: 7:00 p.m.–Midnight

Come party for a cause at Emerald City Lounge. This event is in cooperation with Backpack Aid for Kids.

There will be live entertainment, including local musicians, drag performers, spoken word performers, and a 50/50 raffle with prizes from local restaurants and artists. There will also be a mini bags tournament, face/body painting, and games.

The $5 donation will go to buy backpacks and much needed items for kids in Oklahoma. If you bring items from the list of requested donations, you’ll receive one free raffle ticket per packaged item.

Age: 18+
Cover/Donation: $5

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THURSDAY, June 27

WHAT: Day of Decision Rally in Champaign-Urbana

WHERE: Campustown Alma Mater

WHEN: Thursday, June 27, 7:00–8:00 p.m.

On the evening of the day that the Supreme Court announces its decision on Prop8 and DOMA, we will be having a rally in support of equal marriage for same-sex couples. No matter what the decisions are (good, bad, or otherwise) we will be rallying to show our support of the right for LGBTQ citizens to marry the one they love.

Signs will be available, but feel free to bring your own.

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FRIDAY, June 28

WHAT: Play It UP

WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County

WHEN: Friday, June 28, 6:00–7:00 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.

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SATURDAY, June 29

WHAT: Saturday Night Royals

WHERE: Emerald City Lounge

WHEN: Saturday, June 29, 11:30 p.m.–2:00 a.m.

Join Emerald City Lounge every Saturday for a Royal Event. You’ll enjoy the Best and Brightest Stars of Drag that Downstate Illinois has to offer.

Your hostes and emcee is Marci DuPree. With special guests:

Call (217) 398-8661 or email for information regarding the featured headliner and reservations.

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SUNDAY, June 30

WHAT: Sunday Night Drag Shows

WHERE: Chester Street Bar

WHEN: Sunday, June 30, 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: Forum on Freedom to Marry Illinois and Across the Nation

WHERE: Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation

WHEN: Thursday, June 27, 7:00 p.m.

This event is sponsored by Springfield Chapter – American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Coalition of Rainbow Alliances (CORAL).

Guests include local plaintiffs in suit against Illinois for marriage equality, Karen Sheley, ACLU Attorney and Jason Pierceson, author of Same-Sex Marriage in the United States: The Road to the Supreme Court and other books pertaining to gay-rights law.

 

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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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