MONDAY, November 26
WHAT: Gay & Bisexual Men’s Group
WHERE: UIUC Counseling Center
WHEN: Monday, Nov. 26, 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: Look UP
WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Monday, Nov. 26, 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: Pride Meeting
WHERE: Illini Union (Room 314-A)
WHEN: Monday, Nov. 26, 8:00 p.m.
Pride is a student organization for GLBT and Ally students at the University of Illinois. Activities include discussions of GLBT issues, social events, speaker panels, and involvement with national events.
Monday’s meeting will host a BDSM workshop.
For more information, please contact Kyle and/or Josh.
WHAT: Nekromancy
WHERE: Chester Street Bar
WHEN: Monday, Nov. 26, 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, November 27
WHAT: Parkland Pride Meeting
WHERE: Parkland Community College (Room C-218)
WHEN: Tuesday, Nov. 27, Noon–1:00 p.m.
Parkland Pride 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.
At Tuesday’s meeting we ill put up the World AIDS Day bulletin board in the college center and discuss any last minute details for Friday.
For more information, please contact Tanino.
The Rainbow Coffeehouse offers a welcoming, open environment for all LGBTQ and Ally communities to socialize. Whether you are here for a meeting, hanging out with friends, or to study, we invite you to join us at ETC Cafe for Rainbow Coffeehouse.
WHAT: Mpowerment Meeting
WHERE: Green Street Center
24 E. Green St., Suite 14
Champaign
WHEN: Tuesday, Nov. 27, 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, Nov. 27, 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: CU PFLAG Panel: “Journey through the Ages”
WHERE: Champaign Public Library (Robeson Pavilion)
WHEN: Tuesday, Nov. 27, 7:00–8:30 p.m.
CU PFLAG invites you as a parent, friend, and LGBTQ person to a panel consisting of members of the LGBTQ community and parents who will share their journeys.
PFLAG is an organization for parents, families, friends, and straight allies to unite with LGBTQ people in a shared mission of support, education, and advocacy. Started forty years ago, it currently has 200,000 members in over 350 communities across the U.S. and the world.
For more information, email PFLAG.
WHAT: Genderbread!
WHERE: Allen Hall (Room 151)
WHEN: Tuesday, Nov. 27, 8:00–9:00 p.m.
With the holiday season soon to be in full swing, what a better way to celebrate and make the yuletide gay then by spreading holiday cheer with your LGBTQA friends on campus?
A genderbread cookie is the same as decorating any old gingerbread cookie, but with a focus on gender identity. You can decorate the cookie any way that you want. There are no limits on just how you want your cookie to look. It’s all about your identity here. We will have a discussion about gender afterwards.
WHAT: Infusions
WHERE: LGBT Resource Center, Illini Union (Room 323)
WHEN: Tuesday, Nov. 27, 8:00 p.m.
Infusions: A Multicultural Gender and Sexuality Alliance is a cultural/LGBTQ organization dedicated to inclusion and diversity. Infusion focuses on the intersections of gender, sexuality, ethnicity, and race. We are open to any and all who seek to learn more about and to support these intersections of identities.
Infusions seeks to provide an inclusive space for LGBTQ people of color who may not feel welcomed within their ethnic communities due to their gender identity or sexuality.
For more information, please email.
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WEDNESDAY, November 28
WHAT: Gal UP
WHERE: UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 28, 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, Nov. 28, 6:00–8:00 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: Coming Out Support Group
WHERE: Please email for location
WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 28, 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, Nov. 28, 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, November 29
WHAT: Among Women: Lesbian, Bisexual, Queer, and Questioning Support Group
WHERE: Asian American Cultural Center
WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 29, 5:00–6:00 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. We are open to all University of Illinois students, both graduate and undergraduate.
For more information, please contact Alexandra.
WHAT: Play It UP
WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 29, 6:30–7:30 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.
WHAT: Building Bridges
WHERE: LGBT Resource Center, Illini Union (Room 323)
WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 29, 7:00–8:00 p.m.
Building Bridges exists to provide an open, accepting, safe space space for people who identify as LGBTQ and Allies and are interested in discussions about Christianity.
For more information, please email.
WHAT: Open Mic Night
WHERE: Emerald City Lounge
WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 29, 8:00–11:00 p.m.
Join us for Mike Solomon‘s One Night Stand at Emerald City! Michael hosts Open Mic Night every Thursday. Stop in early for half price appetizers and drink specials until 7:00 p.m.
If you’re 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, Nov. 29, 8:00 p.m.
oSTEM@Illinois is an LGBT and Ally RSO that facilitates the growth of LGBT representation in STEM fields. We provide members with the tools to advance themselves both academically and professionally in an environment that is welcoming and friendly.
For more information, please contact John.
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SATURDAY, December 1
WHAT: Brooklyn Styles ALL STAR Invasion!
WHERE: Emerald City Lounge
WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 1, 10:30 p.m.
Emerald City Lounge presents an all-star line up, hosted by Miss Springfield Newcomer 2012, Brooklyn Styles. Featuring:
Tables are for sale now, and include admission and wait service.
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SUNDAY, December 2
WHAT: Women of Pride
WHERE: LGBT Resource Center, Illini Union (Room 323)
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 2, 6:30 p.m.
Women of Pride is a student group made for women, by women, as a safe place to gather. We informally 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 gathering weekly for discussions, workshops, and events on or off campus.
For more information, please contact Sarah.
WHAT: Sunday Night Drag Shows
WHERE: Chester Street Bar
WHEN: Sunday, Dec. 2, 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
Acorn Equality Fund provides opportunities for scholarships and grants to Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender (GLBT) persons, organizations, and allies in Illinois’ downstate counties. Several individuals from our area have been awarded scholarships from Acorn Equality Fund.
The UP Center would like to show its appreciation for this organization by hosting tables at their annual Breakfast, which will be held Saturday, December 1, at the Embassy Suites in Peoria, IL from 9:00 until 11:00 a.m. Last year, we were able to fill two tables, including one table for local youth to attend the breakfast with us so that they could be encouraged to stay in school and apply for scholarships upon graduating high school. This year, we would like to host three tables, but we need your help. We are looking for people who would like to:
- attend the event and sit at one of our tables ($35/person)
- purchase a ticket for a youth ($35)
- purchase a table for local youth ($280/table for 8 people)
- help us pay for transportation to and from the event ($300)
To reserve seats at one of The UP Center’s tables or to donate, please go here. Thank you for your support!
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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.