MONDAY, November 5
WHAT: WHERE: Women’s Resources Center
WHEN: Monday, Nov. 5, Noon–1:00 p.m.
This year’s lunch scramble focuses upon intersecting identities and/or multiracial, multiethnic identities. Monday’s speaker is R. Shirene Thomas.
For more information, please contact Buffy Vance.
WHAT: Gay & Bisexual Men’s Group
WHERE: UIUC Counseling Center
WHEN: Monday, Nov. 5, 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: Bi Mix UP
WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Monday, Nov. 5, 7:00–8:30 p.m.
The Bi Mix UP group is an ongoing adult support/social group for members of the community who identify as bisexual or bi-questioning. Topics include dating, navigating relationships as bisexuals, coming out, and biphobia.
At this Monday’s meeting we’ll watching Bedroom and Hallways. Spouses/significant others are more than welcome!
For more information, please contact Matt.
WHAT: Pride Meeting
WHERE: Illini Union (Room 314)
WHEN: Monday, Nov. 5, 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.
Today’s meeting will be about queer-friendly businesses. Join us to learn about bringing queer in the business world!
For more information, please contact Kyle and/or Josh.
WHAT: Nekromancy: Serial Thriller Pt. 2 [Costume Contest]
WHERE: Chester Street Bar
WHEN: Monday, Nov. 5, 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.
Monday night is the second of two Halloween parties at Nekromancy! We’ll be holding a costume contest for anyone interested to enter and compete. This year we’ll have a panel of judges (all will be in costume and in character), instead of using the usual means of gauging winners (applause).
Doors: 9:00 p.m.
Cover: $2.00
Age: 19+
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TUESDAY, November 6
WHAT: Election Day
WHERE: Find your polling place here
WHEN: Tuesday, Nov. 6, 6:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m.
I assume that most of us are not single-issue voters (personally, I’m a quadruple-issue voter), but for this column’s purposes, I’ll just put this information out there.
- Representative Naomi Jakobsson not only voted for civil unions in Illinois, she helped write the bill.
- Senator Mike Frerichs (granted, a Blue Dog Democrat for the most part) also supported the civil unions bill.
- Dr. David Gill not only supports civil unions, he also supports full civil marriage equality.
- And then of course, there’s this guy:
Please feel free to name candidates whom you support in the comments! If they’re people I don’t like, I promise to hold my temper. (I’ll have to or the editorial board will scold me.)
WHAT: Parkland Pride Meeting
WHERE: Parkland Community College (Room C-218)
WHEN: Tuesday, Nov. 6, 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!
For more information, please contact Tanino.
ETC Cafe, 1203 W. Green Street, corner of Green/Goodwin
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 Rainbow Coffeehouse.
WHAT: Mpowerment Meeting
WHERE: Green Street Center
24 E. Green St., Suite 14
Champaign
WHEN: Tuesday, Nov. 6, 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, Nov. 6, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Man UP 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 go here, or contact Kevin Bowersox-Johnson.
WHAT: Infusions
WHERE: LGBT Resource Center, Illini Union (Room 323)
WHEN: Tuesday, Nov. 6, 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 7
WHAT: Brother II Brother Meeting
WHERE: Green Street Center
24 E. Green St., Suite 14
Champaign
WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 7, 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. 7, 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: Trans UP
WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 7, 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 email.
WHAT: Boys Night Out
WHERE: Boltini Lounge
WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 7, 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 8
WHAT: Among Women: Lesbian, Bisexual, Queer, and Questioning Support Group
WHERE: Asian American Cultural Center
WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 8, 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: Talk It UP
WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 8, 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 Meyer.
WHAT: Building Bridges
WHERE: LGBT Resource Center Illini Union (Room 323)
WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 8, 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. 8, 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. 8, 8:00 p.m.
oSTEM@Illinois https://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=123656189845 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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FRIDAY, November 9
WHAT: Blend UP
WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Friday, Nov. 9, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Blend UP is a discussion group for same-gender loving people of color in the Urbana-Champaign community. This group is geared toward meeting the social and support needs of LGBTQ people of color in Champaign-Urbana. We welcome men, women, and transgender folks of all identities to join us.
Discussion topics include:
Family
Relationships
School
Work
Defining yourself
Blend UP is for young adults and adults (ages 18 and up). For more information contact Lance.
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SATURDAY, November 10
WHAT: What’s UP: LGBTQA Young Adult Social/Support Group
WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Monday, Nov. 5, 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. Every meeting will have a specific topic for discussion and possibly a speaker, who will help keep the discussion going and answer any questions that may be raised.
For more information, please email.
WHAT: The Invasion Show
WHERE: Emerald City Lounge
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 10, 10:30 p.m.
This show is a Do Not Miss. Hosted by Kia Mann, and featuring Lola Carerra, Calexus Carrington, Brooklin Styles, Sienna Mann, and Nysean Luv.
Tables are available for purchase. Tables include cover and wait staff. Text 552-9445 for a table.
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SUNDAY, November 11
WHAT: Read UP: An LGBTQ Book Club
WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 11, 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, the reading group is mixing things up. Each person will pick a biography or autobiography and will share it with the group
For more information, go here.
WHAT: Women of Pride
WHERE: LGBT Resource Center, Illini Union (Room 323)
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 11, 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, Nov. 11, 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.