Smile Politely

The Rainbow Connection: March 1–7

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

WHAT: Stop Homophobia

WHERE: U of I Undergraduate Library

WHEN: Tuesday, Mar. 1, 12:00–1:00 p.m.

Last Fall, UIUC joined with It Gets Better/I Give A Damn to stop bullying. Join us for a viewing of the statements recorded by the UIUC community.

The film will be followed by a discussion facilitated by Katy Weseman from the LGBT Resource Center.

WHAT: Read UP: An LGBTQ Book Club

WHERE: The Up Center, the Independent Media Center (Suite 102)

WHEN: Sunday, Mar. 6, 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.

We’ll be discussing Naked, by David Sedaris. Hope you can make it!

WHAT: Quench! Heterosexism & Homophobia in the Black Community

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

WHEN: Monday, Mar. 7, 12:00–1:00 p.m.

Topic: Getting Beyond the Down Low & “No Homo”

Speaker: Rory James, of the Bruce D. Nesbitt African American Cultural Center

WHAT: eCISSA Meeting

WHERE: Universal-Unitarian Church of Urbana-Champaign (basement)

WHEN: Monday, Mar. 7, 5:30–7:00 p.m.

From their Facebook page: The goal of eCISSA is to eliminate all bullying of LGBTQ students and to create a school environment where youth feel nurtured and safe to be themselves, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. This is the East Central Illinois chapter of the Safe Schools Alliance.

For more information, please contact Mitali Purkayastha.

WHAT: Play It UP

WHERE: Independent Media Center (Suite 203)

WHEN: Monday, Mar. 7, 7:00–8:00 p.m.

Play it UP is a social committee that meets monthly to plan LGBTQA youth events.

For more information, please contact Christina.

REGULAR WEEKLY EVENTS

Sponsored by Excel Campus Ministry

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, Mar. 1, 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, Mar. 1, 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: Graft vs. Host Trio

WHERE: Emerald City Lounge

WHEN: Wednesday, Mar. 2, 6:00–9:00 p.m.

On Wednesday evenings Emerald City Lounge will welcome the Jazz talent from the University of Illinois. Each week a different mix of students, faculty, and professionals will take the stage for Happy Hour to top all Happy Hours.

Graft vs. Host Trio are:

  • Jay Sawyer ― Drums
  • Mike Harmon ― Bass
  • Sam Hasting ― Guitar

Please show your support for the local artists by stopping in early on Wednesdays.

WHAT: Coming Out Support Group

WHERE: Illini Union (Room 317)

WHEN: Wednesday, Mar. 2, 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, Mar. 2, 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, Mar. 3, 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, Mar. 6, 2011

Get the whole truth and nothing but on all things Maryland marriage with our incredible panel — who is switching sides; what has been happening in this three-ring circus; and are we still on track to win?

Before that, however, an exclusive debate between OutServe‘s Director, JD Smith and President of Transgender American Veterans Association, Monica Helms over Harvard’s move to welcome the Reserve Officers Training Corps back to campus (despite the fact that Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell is still in effect).

Our panel also takes this topic up, as well as the Supreme Court’s decision in favor of the Westboro Baptist Church’s controversial funeral protests, and the possibility of passing a gender-identity employment non-discriminaton bill in Maryland.

Participants on this week’s Round Table:

Round Table discussions:

  • Marriage in Maryland
  • Ensuring the equal rights of the trans community
  • Harvard’s ROTC decision

Check it out.

WHAT: PRIDE Meeting

WHERE: Illini Union (Room 407)

WHEN: Monday, Mar. 7, 8:00 p.m.

This week, PRIDE will be discussing the recent date auction, which was a monumental success.

Also on the agenda is the upcoming Day of Silence and the influence of alcohol in our community.

WHAT: Nekromancy

WHERE: Chester Street Bar

WHEN: Monday, Mar. 7, 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.

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

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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 otherevents/updates/corrections in the comments.

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