THIS WEEK’S SPECIAL EVENTS (please see below for year-round weekly events, announcements, and selected regional events)
WHAT: U of I National Coming Out Day Events
WHERE: Main Quad; Illini Union Courtyard Cafe
WHEN: Tuesday, Oct. 11, 12:00–10:00 p.m.
National Coming Out Day (NCOD) is an internationally observed civil awareness day for coming out. It is observed by members of the LGBT community and their allies on October 11 every year.
EVENTS:
NCOD Rally
Noon–1:00 p.m.
Main Quad
God-Des & She Concert
8:45 p.m.
Illini Union Courtyard Cafe
Smile Politely’s interview with God-Des & She
WHAT: Food For Thought: An International Twist of Living Out Loud: Asian American and International Students’ Coming Out Stories
WHERE: Asian American Cultural Center
WHEN: Tuesday, Oct. 11, 12:00–1:00 p.m.
WHAT: Director-Hosted Documentary on Homosexuality and the Bible
WHERE: Parkland College (Room D-244)
WHEN: Tuesday, Oct. 11, 3:00–5:00 p.m.
3:00 p.m. – Documentary Screening
4:00 p.m. – Q & A with Director
From the website: Fish out of Water is a genre-bending feature documentary that uses animation and academic interviews to dissect the seven Bible verses use to condemn homosexuality and justify marriage discrimination. Director Ky Dickens shows, through animated illustrations of the oft-quoted Bible passages … that the Bible is misinterpreted and misquoted regarding same-sex relationships.
This event is hosted by Parkland’s faculty/staff Ally Team, and is free and open to the public.
Official trailer:
WHAT: Talk It UP
WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Thursday, Oct. 13, 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: Friday Films: Out and Proud in Chicago
WHERE: LGBT Resource Center, Illini Union (Room 323)
WHEN: Friday, Oct. 14, 2:00 p.m.
Out & Proud in Chicago is the first television documentary to tell the history of Chicago’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) citizens. Its timeline spans from the Civil War through present day.
WHAT: Jesus Phreak — The Story of a Very Unlikely Disciple
WHERE: Community United Church of Christ
WHEN: Friday, Oct. 14, 7:00–10:00 p.m.
The UP Center is proud to present Dale Smith and his one-man show, Jesus Phreak: The Story of a Very Unlikely Disciple. The show is a pro-Christian, pro-LGBTQ examination of the intersections of LGBT identity and Christianity. Everyone interested in this topic is invited to attend the show and stay for the panel discussion to follow.
This event is free and open to the public.
For more information go here, and check back with Smile Politely for an interview with Dale on Wednesday.
WHAT: Families Group at Curtis Orchard
WHERE: Curtis Orchards & Pumpkin Patch
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 15, 12:30–3:30 p.m.
Come participate in the orchard’s activities, enjoy a snack, and meet other LGBTQA-headed families in the C-U area. We have a shelter reserved in the UP Center’s name near the playground area, so that the kids can enjoy themselves and parents can chat.
Please RSVP by Tuesday, October 11. For more information.
WHAT: Quench! Myths & Truths About Fraternity Life & the LGBT Community
WHERE: Illini Union (Room 314B)
WHEN: Monday, Oct. 17, 12:00–1:00 p.m.
Speakers: Andrew Hohn & Brandon Common, Fraternity & Sorority Affairs
WHAT: Look UP
WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Monday, Oct. 17, 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.
YEAR-ROUND, WEEKLY EVENTS
WHAT: Mpowerment Meeting
WHERE: Green Street Center
24 E. Green St., Suite 14
Champaign
WHEN: Tuesday, Oct. 11, 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, Oct. 11, 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 go here, or contact Kevin.
WHAT: Brother II Brother Meeting
WHERE: Green Street Center
24 E. Green St., Suite 14
Champaign
WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 12, 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: Illinois Bi Pride Meeting
WHERE: LGBT Resource Center, Illini Union (Room 323)
WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 12, 6:30 p.m.
Illinois Bi Pride is a registered organization at the University of Illinois dedicated to supporting bisexual, pansexual, queer people, and our allies.
For more information, please email.
WHAT: Coming Out Support Group
WHERE: Illini Union (Room 317)
WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 12, 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, Oct. 12, 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: Among Women: Lesbian, Bisexual, Queer, and Questioning Support Group
WHERE: Asian American Cultural Center
WHEN: Thursday, Oct. 13, 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: Building Bridges
WHERE: Illini Union (Room 211)
WHEN: Thursday, Oct. 13, 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 email.
WHAT: Pride Meeting
WHERE: Illini Union (Room 407)
WHEN: Monday, Oct. 17, 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 Monday, we will be reviewing National Coming Out Day and discussing “Out” and “Queer” representations in the media.
For more information, please email Kyle.
WHAT: Nekromancy
WHERE: Chester Street Bar
WHEN: Monday–Tuesday, Oct. 17–18, 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
WHAT: Rainbow Summit: A LGBTQA Student Retreat
WHERE: Student Dining and Residential Programs Building (Room 2009)
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 22, 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Sign up for the Rainbow Summit: An LGBTQA Student Retreat!
- Network with other LGBTQA students from across campus
- Make new friends
- Have an impact on your community
- Learn from LGBTQA staff and faculty
Space is limited to 30 students, so sign up today.
For more information, please contact Katy or Elizabeth.
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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.