Smile Politely

The Rainbow Connection: June 3–9

MONDAY, June 3

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 3, 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.

This week welcomes the return of Psyclone Jack.

Doors: 9:00 p.m.
Cover: $2.00
Age: 19+

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TUESDAY, June 4

WHAT: Mpowerment Meeting

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

WHEN: Tuesday, June 4, 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, June 4, 7:00–9:00 p.m.

Man UP is geared towards adult men, ages 26 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 Bowersox-Johnson.

WHAT: 4th Annual LGBT Film Festival

WHERE: Art Theater Co-op

WHEN: Tuesday, June 4, 7:30 p.m.

Join the UP Center for their 4th Annual LGBT Film Festival to be held at the Art Theater in Champaign every Tuesday in June 2013.

This week’s films:

7:30 p.m. — Codebreaker
9:30 p.m. — Weekend

Smile Politely will be reviewing many of these films throughout the month. Look for our comprehensive preview tomorrow. To buy tickets, go here.

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WEDNESDAY, June 5

WHAT: Brother II Brother Meeting

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

WHEN: Wednesday, June 5, 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: Boys Night Out

WHERE: Boltini Lounge

WHEN: Wednesday, June 5, 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.

WHAT: Karaoke Party!

WHERE: Emerald City Lounge

WHEN: Wednesday, June 5, 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!

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FRIDAY, June 7

WHAT: Talk It UP

WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County

WHEN: Friday, June 7, 6:00–7:00 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, 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 Weyer.

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SATURDAY, June 8

WHAT: Saturday Night Royals

WHERE: Emerald City Lounge

WHEN: Saturday, June 8, 11:00 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.

This Saturday, the Divas are back! Leiloni Stars & Aurora Lamont-Carrington will be hosting their first show together in 2013.

Guest Stars:

Call (217) 398-8661 or email to reserve a VIP table (includes cover and wait service).

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SUNDAY, June 9

WHAT: Ignite Change: An Alliance Launch Event

WHERE: Emerald City Lounge

WHEN: Sunday, June 9, 3:00–6:00 p.m.

You’re invited celebrate the opening of the Alliance Champaign office and honor all those who helped pave the way for the Alliance’s continued and expanded work into central and southern Illinois.

The Alliance’s Ally of the Year award will be given to Dr. Laura Taylor, Assistant Superintendent of Achievement and Student Services Champaign Unit 4 Schools, for her role in identifying and building new partnerships to leverage the ongoing work of the Alliance. Also recognized on Sunday will be: East Central Illinois Safe Schools Alliance (eCISSA), Central Illinois Safe Schools Alliance (CISSA), and Heartland Safe Schools Initiative (HSSI).

Tickets are $35 per person ($20 is deductible) and can be purchased here.

WHAT: Read UP: An LGBTQ Book Club

WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County

WHEN: Sunday, June 9, 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.

June’s book is Songs for the New Depression, by Kergan Edwards-Stout.

For more information, go here.

WHAT: Sunday Night Drag Shows

WHERE: Chester Street Bar

WHEN: Sunday, June 9, 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: Gay and Lesbian Association of Decatur, IL (GLAD)

WHERE: Peerless Training Facility
1304 N. 20th Street
Decatur

WHEN: Saturday, Month day, 6:30 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.

In honor of Gay Pride Month, this month’s social will feature the theme “All Pride Colors.”

The social starts at 6:30 p.m., with potluck dinner at 7:00. Please bring a dish to share. A $5.00 suggested donation is 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.

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