Smile Politely

The Rainbow Connection: March 12–18

MONDAY, March 12

WHAT: Queer and Ally Meeting

WHERE: Parkland Community College (Room X150)

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

Queer and Alley 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!

Queer and Alley is preparing for an official name change, so they’ve added an extra meeting to talk about the LGBTQA acronym.

For more information, please email, or contact Kelsey.

WHAT: Down but not out: Coping with depression

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

WHEN: Monday, Mar. 12, 2:30–3:30 p.m.

Presented by: Anita Hund, Ph.D., Counseling Center

WHAT: Gay & Bisexual Men’s Group

WHERE: UIUC Counseling Center

WHEN: Monday, Mar. 12, 5:10–6:40 p.m.

Co-leaders: Rene Monteagudo, Ph.D. & Mark Patishnock, MA

This process-oriented therapy group focuses on issues relevant to gay and bi men, such as coming out, developing friendships, STDs/HIV, being gay or bisexual at UIUC, deciding whether or not to be politically active, dating, online/smartphone relationships, romantic relationships, and exploration of one’s identity as a gay or bisexual man. Finally, this group is open to other topics (e.g. depression, anxiety, etc.) not related to one’s sexual orientation.

WHAT: What’s UP: LGBTQA Young Adult Social/Support Group

WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County

WHEN: Monday, Mar. 12, 6:30–7:30 p.m.

What’s UP is a group for LGBTQA people aged 18–25 to come together and work out problems, rant, socialize, philosophize, commiserate, speculate, or just plain talk.

For more information, email Bronwyn.

 

WHAT: Illinois Pride Meeting

WHERE: Campus Recreation Center East (right next to Allen Hall)

WHEN: Monday, Mar. 12, 7:30 p.m.

Illinois Pride https://www.facebook.com/illinoispride is the largest student organization for LGBT persons and their allies at the University of Illinois. We offer resources and social activities for LGBT students, including support with coming out, scavenger hunts, bar crawls, and an annual camping trip, an more.

For our last meeting before break, we’re going swimming! Please bring your swimsuits, towels, and take a much needed break from midterms! We’re also selling Queer Prom tickets. Prom is going to be April 28th and tickets are $30.

Check out our queer campus newsletter for further events.

For more information, please email Kyle or Josh.

WHAT: Nekromancy

WHERE: Chester Street Bar

WHEN: Monday, Mar. 12, 9:00 p.m.–2:00 a.m.

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

This Monday, Nekromancy is proud to welcome back guest DJ Instant Cash, hailing from Chicago, and guest DJ Alayt from C-U.

Doors: 9:00 p.m.
Cover: $3.00
Age: 19+

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TUESDAY, March 13

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. 13, 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, Mar. 13, 7:00–9:00 p.m.

This group is for adult men, ages 26 and up. A movie is shown, followed by discussion.

For more information go here, or contact Kevin.

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WEDNESDAY, March 14

WHAT: Brother II Brother Meeting

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

WHEN: Wednesday, Mar. 14, 6:30–9:00 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, Mar. 14, 9:00 p.m.

Every Wednesday is Boys Night Out at Boltini Lounge.

  • DJ Randall Ellison at the decks
  • FREE candy and condoms
  • Half price food specials (4:00–6:30 p.m. Only)
  •  

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THURSDAY, March 15

WHAT: Sex & Relationships

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

WHEN: Thursday, Mar. 15, 3:00 p.m.

A discussion about healthy communication within relationships, with much emphasis on sexual communication.

Presented by: Corbin Dixon, Education Programs Coordinator, Planned Parenthood of Illinois

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

WHERE: Asian American Cultural Center

WHEN: Thursday, Mar. 15, 5:00–6:30 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: Talk It UP

WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County

WHEN: Thursday, Mar. 15, 6:30–7:30 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.

WHAT: Building Bridges

WHERE: Illini Union (Room 211)

WHEN: Thursday, Mar. 15, 7:00–8:00 p.m.

Building Bridges exists to provide an open, accepting, safe space space for U of I students who identify as LGBTQ and Allies and are drawn to Christianity.

We aim to foster personal growth in ourselves, our spiritual health, and our community through honest spiritual discussions, sharing of personal experiences, and promoting social interaction. We respect the diversity of members’ spiritual backgrounds and are committed to breaking down stereotypes and to building an understanding between diverse groups.

For more information, please contact Harrison.

WHAT: Open Mic Night

WHERE: Emerald City Lounge

WHEN: Thursday, Mar. 15, 7:00–10:00 p.m.

Every Thursday is Open Mic Night at Emerald City Lounge. Stop in early for half price appetizers and drink specials until 7:00 p.m.

If 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, Mar. 15, 8:00 p.m.

oSTEM is a student group open to and oriented towards LGBT students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Allies and those not in Science also welcome!

General Body Meetings are the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month. The 2nd and 4th Thursdays are hangout/homework sessions. Feel free to come any Thursday.

For more information, please email.

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SATURDAY, March 17

WHAT: Families Group

WHERE: Urbana Free Library (Lewis Auditorium)

WHEN: Saturday, Mar. 17, 1:00–3:00 p.m.

The UP Center’s Families Group focuses on the specific needs of LGBTQA parents and children. This group provides separate programming opportunities for children of LGBTQA parents, LQBTQA parents, and the family.

Come join us for an afternoon of games and activities for LGBT families. Light snacks and beverages will be provided. It’s St. Patrick’s Day, so feel free to wear your favorite green outfit for this event. The more festive, the better!

For more information, please contact Melissa Reiman.

WHAT: St. Patty’s Day Drag King Concert

WHERE: Emerald City Lounge

WHEN: Saturday, Mar. 17, 10:30 p.m.–2:00 a.m.

Join us for Emerald City’s first ever Drag King Show!

Guest MC Amy Myers welcomes the Kings:

DJ Dreea (Andreea Leonard) will be on site mixing all your favorite tunes during the breaks and rocking out until 2:00 a.m.

Limited VIP Seating is available. Book early!

  • (2) Large White Leather Sofas, seating for five ($40, includes cover)
  • (4) 4-Top tables along the runway ($30, includes cover)
  • (2) Black Leather Sofas, seating for four ($30, includes cover)
  • (6) 3-Top tables on the main floor ($20, includes cover)

With the table purchase, you are guaranteed great seats for the entire night.

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SUNDAY, March 18

WHAT: Women of Pride

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

WHEN: Sunday, Mar. 18, 6:30 p.m.

Women of Pride is a student group made for women, by women, as a safe place to gather. We 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 meeting weekly for discussions, workshops, and events on or off campus.

For more information, please contact Heather.

WHAT: Sunday Night Drag Shows

WHERE: Chester Street Bar

WHEN: Sunday, Mar. 18, 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.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Opportunity to participate in a research study on community involvement

Requirements:

  • 18 years of age or older
  • Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, or queer
  • Willingness to be interviewed

Being currently or formally involved in LGBTQ-related groups is not a requirement for participation. All identifying information remains strictly confidential.

Contact the interviewer: Megan Paceley, PhD Student, School of Social Work by email, or call (217) 316-4789.

(email and phone number are confidential and accessible only by Megan.)

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Calling all performers! It’s time to Turn It UP!

The UP Center is preparing for its third annual Turn It UP! fundraising event. Turn It UP! 2012 will take place on Friday, Apr. 13, from 7:00–11:00 p.m., at 88 Broadway.

We are now seeking a diverse group of performers for this year’s event: musicians, spoken word artists, comedians, dance troupes, etc. This year we plan to devote the first portion of the event to youth acts.

We have limited time and space, so we are asking all potential performers to contact us no later than March 12. If you are interested in performing, please email Tom Miebach.

Please include the following information:

  • Contact name
  • Group name (if any)
  • Contact phone number
  • Contact email
  • Type of performance
  • Ages of performers
  • Equipment (if any) needed for performanceIs performance content family friendly or adults only? (this is important for scheduling)
  • Any information you wish to share about your performance or your group

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Nominations Needed for 2012 LGBTA Awards

The LGBTA Awards, sponsored by the LGBT Resource Center, were created to celebrate the achievements of the LGBTA campus community at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. All students, staff, and faculty are encouraged to nominate their peers, students, colleagues, and co-workers for one of the awards.

Nominations must be submitted via this link. The deadline for nominations is 5:00 p.m. on Monday, April 16, 2012.

Recipients selected for an award by the LGBTA Awards Committee will be honored with a Certificate of Recognition at the Lavender Graduation & Awards Ceremony on May 2, 2012 at 5:30 p.m.

We are accepting nominations for the following awards:

  • Distinguished Service Award
  • Faculty/Staff Leadership Award
  • Emerging Leader Award
  • Ally Award
  • Unsung Advocate Award
  • Student Organization Award
  • Outstanding Student Research Award
  • Bridge Building Award
  • Catalyst Award

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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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