Smile Politely

The Rainbow Connection: November 22–28

THIS WEEK’S SPECIAL EVENTS (please see below for year-round weekly events, announcements, and selected regional events)

WHAT: Rap UP

WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 27, 2:00–4:00 p.m.

Do you want to get to know other lesbian, gay bisexual, transgender, and ally members of our community in an informal environment where you can just relax and participate in casual conversation? If you said yes, then we invite you to come hang out at Rap UP! Come be among friends and share in casual conversation.

For more information, please go here or contact Ann.

WHAT: Quench! HIV 30 Years Later: Is it time to get angry again?

WHERE: Illini Union (Room 314A)

WHEN: Monday, Nov. 28, 12:00–1:00 p.m.

Presented By: Mike Benner, Greater Community AIDS Project

WHAT: Sex Toys & Good Sex

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

WHEN: Monday, Nov. 28, 4:00–5:00 p.m.

Presented by: Kim Rice, McKinley Health Center & Amanda Walner, Sexual Health GA

WHAT: Look UP

WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County

WHEN: Monday, Nov. 28, 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: Two Spirits: A Native American Heritage Month Event

WHERE: 180 Bevier Hall

WHEN: Monday, Nov. 28, 6:00 p.m.

Film Screening followed by discussion with Dr. Brian Gilley (Cherokee/Chickasaw) & Dr. Wesley Thomas (Navajo).


Official Trailer:

YEAR-ROUND, WEEKLY EVENTS

WHAT: Mpowerment Meeting

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

WHEN: Tuesday, Nov. 22, 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. 22, 7:00–9:00 p.m.

This group is for adult men, ages 18 and up, who meet in a social setting for casual discussion, games, and more.

For more information, please contact Kevin.

WHAT: Brother II Brother Meeting

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

WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 23, 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.

WHAT: Boys Night Out

WHERE: Boltini Lounge

WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 23, 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)

WHAT: Pride Meeting

WHERE: Illini Union (Room 407)

WHEN: Monday, Nov. 28, 8:00 p.m.

Pride 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.

This week we are covering elections and MBLGTACC. We are announcing candidacies for the spots of one Co-Political chair and  two Co-Outreach chairs. If you wish to run for one or both of these positions please attend this meeting to announce your candidacy and make a short speech. As Co-Political Chair you will share in organizing and running National Coming Out Day, Day of Silence, and be responsible for notifying PRIDE and its members of current changes in LGBT politics.

As Outreach Chair you will both be responsible for attending different LGBT RSO meetings and collaborating with different groups and organizations on campus. In addition to these responsibilities you will be required to help organize and attend weekly PRIDE and PRIDE EXEC BOARD meetings, as well as help with our events.

Now for MBLGTACC! Every year, one of the Big Ten schools hosts the Midwest Bisexual Lesbian Gay Transgender Ally Collegiate Conference. This year it’s at Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. Further information can be found on their website. If you are interested in this attending this conference please attend this week’s meeting for more information (things like hotel reservations, registration, and transportation to and from the conference). See you all there!

For more information, please email Kyle.

WHAT: Nekromancy

WHERE: Chester Street Bar

WHEN: Monday–Tuesday, Nov. 28–29, 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+

ANNOUNCEMENTS

LGBT Resource Center Fall Break Hours

The LGBT Resource Center will be open the following dates and times during fall break. Regular hours will resume on Monday, November 28, 2011.

Monday, Nov. 21, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Tuesday, Nov. 22, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 23, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 24, Closed
Friday, Nov. 25, Closed

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Acorn Equality Fund Breakfast

The UP Center of Champaign County is excited to provide an opportunity for youth to learn more about a downstate Illinois college scholarship from the Acorn Equality Fund. LGBTQ youth are at an increased risk of dropping out of high school due to the effects of stigma and discrimination. The UP Center hopes to prevent this negative outcome by providing youth with resources they can utilize after high school, especially those resources that are LGBTQ-affirming. The Acorn Equality Fund offers LGBTQ individuals, allies, and children of LGBTQ parents (at any academic level) the opportunity to apply for scholarships to help pay for school and school-related expenses (between $1,000 and $4,000 each, as much as $25,000 annually). They present these awards at their annual Family Breakfast and Fundraiser. This year the breakfast will take place on Saturday, December 3 in East Peoria.

The UP Center plans to sponsor a table of 10 (at $250) for youth (and a friend or family member if they choose) to attend, but we need your help! Please help send these youth to the breakfast where they can learn more about their scholarship opportunities (several of whom will be applying next year!). We need donations that will go directly toward funding the breakfast for the youth and their families. If you are interested, you can donate at the following levels:

  • $20 (provides 1 gas card for a family/group to attend)
  • $25 (pays for 1 youth to attend)
  • $50 (pays for 1 youth and a guest to attend)

Or at any amount you feel comfortable with.

Please help us encourage our local LGBTQ youth to finish high school and look toward the future by sponsoring this event in any way. Email Megan with any questions.

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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. If I attempted to write this myself, I’d never get it done.

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