Smile Politely

The Rainbow Connection: May 14–20

MONDAY, May 14

WHAT: Look UP

WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County

WHEN: Monday, May 14, 6:00–7:00 p.m.

Look UP is a group for LGBTQ and ally individuals to discuss the intersections between LGBTQ identity and Christianity in a safe, supportive environment. Discussion topics include: gay bible studies, responding to hate/discrimination, finding LGBTQ-affirming congregations, and other topics important to those in attendance.

For more information, please contact Mada.

WHAT: Nekromancy

WHERE: Chester Street Bar

WHEN: Monday, May 14, 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.

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

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TUESDAY, May 15

WHAT: Mpowerment Meeting

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

WHEN: Tuesday, May 15, 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, May 15, 7:00–9:00 p.m.

This group 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, please contact Kevin.

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WEDNESDAY, May 16

WHAT: Brother II Brother Meeting

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

WHEN: Wednesday, May 16, 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: Tran UP

WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County

WHEN: Wednesday, May 16, 7:00–8:30 p.m.

Tran UP is a group for members of the transgender community to come together in a safe space to discuss our lives and socialize.

Topics for discussion can relate to the coming out process, transitioning, becoming comfortable with ourselves, and living as a trans person in general society, dating, and more — all while developing friendships and networking within the community.

A private changing room is available adjacent to meeting space. Privacy and confidentiality are respected and appreciated.

For more information, please contact Leah Boyer.

WHAT: Boys Night Out

WHERE: Boltini Lounge

WHEN: Wednesday, May 16, 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, May 17

WHAT: East Central Illinois Safe Schools Alliance Meeting

WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County

WHEN: Thursday, May 17, 6:30–7:30 p.m.

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. All middle and high school youth are invited to attend. Youth participation is kept strictly confidential.

For more information, please contact Megan.

WHAT: Open Mic Night

WHERE: Emerald City Lounge

WHEN: Thursday, May 17, 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.

 

 

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SATURDAY, May 19

WHAT: Amasong Spring Concert: Passages

WHERE: McKinley Presbyterian Church

WHEN: Saturday, May 19, 7:309:30 p.m.
            Sunday, May 20, 4:006:00 p.m.

Passages is a concert exploring themes of change, transience and transformation that features devotional songs to the Sacred Feminine from Africa and medieval Europe, contemporary compositions by American women, and folk music from South India to the Bahamas to the Republic of Georgia. Please join AMASONG as we celebrate change and experience the transformational power of song.

For more information, please email or call (217) 328-6828.

Larger poster image

WHAT: The UP Center’s Bi Mix UP

WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County

WHEN: Saturday, May 19, 4:00–5:00 p.m.

The UP Center is looking to start an ongoing adult support/social group for members of the community who identify as bisexual or bi-curious. Join us for our first social gathering to discuss your needs as a community and ideas of what you would want a support/social group to “look” like (discussion topics, preferred dates & times, and activities).

We’ll meet at The UP Center from 4:00 until 5:00 p.m. and then anyone wanting to continue the conversation over dinner can do so. A restaurant of choice will be decided as a group during the meeting.

Light refreshments will be provided.

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SUNDAY, May 20

WHAT: Read UP: An LGBTQ Book Club

WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County

WHEN: Sunday, May 20, 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.

This month’s book is A Density of Souls, by Christopher Rice.

 

WHAT: Sunday Night Drag Shows

WHERE: Chester Street Bar

WHEN: Sunday, May 20, 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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