Smile Politely

The Rainbow Connection: September 10–16

MONDAY, September 10

WHAT: S. Bear Bergman, Guest-in-Residence

WHERE: Unit One/Allen Hall

WHEN: Monday–Thursday, Sept. 10–13

The amazing, brilliant S. Bear Bergman will be visiting C-U all week. Here’s the press release:

S. Bear Bergman is an author, theater artist, storyteller, and lecturer on gender, sexuality, and culture. Bergman is the creator and performer of five award-winning solo performances. His published work includes Butch Is a Noun, Lambda Literary Award-finalist The Nearest Exit May be Behind You… He is also the editor (with Kate Bornstein) of the multiple-award winning Gender Outlaws: The Next Generation.

Please go here for all the details. All events take place at Allen Hall, unless otherwise noted.

Monday, Sept. 10

Noon – Through The Looking Glass: Five Things I Only Understood About Men Once I Was One
(at the Women’s Resources Center)

7:00 p.m. – Storytelling Performance: Family Stories
(in the South Rec Room)

9:00 p.m. – tea time: Queer & Trans Identified folks only, please.
(in the guest apartment)

Tuesday, Sept. 11

7:00 p.m. – Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Gender
(in the South Rec Room)

9:00 p.m. – tea time: Writing and Publishing
(in the guest apartment)

Wednesday, Sept. 12

8:00 p.m. – Is it OK to Ask My Question?
(in the South Rec room)

10:00 p.m. – tea time: Bedtime Stories
(in the guest apartment)

Thursday, Sept. 13

7:00 pm – Dirty Stories
(in the South Rec Room)

9:00 p.m. – tea time: Sex Advice 5¢
(in the guest apartment)

WHAT: Gay & Bisexual Men’s Group

WHERE: UIUC Counseling Center

WHEN: Monday, Sept. 10, 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, Sept. 10, 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 210)

WHEN: Monday, Sept. 10, 8:00 p.m.

Illinois 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.

This week, Pride will discuss the LGBT alphabet. Whether you are L(esbian), G(ay), B(isexual) or T(rans), there are still MANY more letters, labels, and identities to discuss.

For more information, please contact Kyle and/or Josh.

WHAT: Nekromancy

WHERE: Chester Street Bar

WHEN: Monday, Sept. 10, 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, September 11

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, Sept. 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, Sept. 11, 7:00–9:00 p.m.

Man UP is for adult men, ages 26 and up. A movie is shown, followed by discussion.

For more information go here, or contact Kevin.

WHAT: Infusions Meeting

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

WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 11, 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.

WHAT: Circuit Pulse

WHERE: Chester Street Bar

WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 11, 9:00 p.m.–2:00 a.m.

Circuit Pulse is Champaign-Urbana’s weekly club night featuring all electronic dance music with a circuit party vibe. Great drink specials and no cover charge.

Featuring:

DJ Tim Williams
DJ Randall Ellison
DJ Alexander Audiophile

Every Tuesday features a non-stop mix of:

Hi-NRG
Eurodance
Club House
Vocal Trance
Italo House
French House
Hard Trance
Progressive Trance
Jungle
DnB
Hard House
Scouse House
Bassline House

Great drink specials and no cover charge.

~~*~~

WEDNESDAY, September 12

WHAT: Brother II Brother Meeting

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

WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 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 Rage.

WHAT: Coming Out Support Group

WHERE: Illini Union (Room 317)

WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 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, Sept. 12, 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.

~~*~~

THURSDAY, September 13

WHAT: Among Women: Lesbian, Bisexual, Queer, and Questioning Support Group

WHERE: Asian American Cultural Center

WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 13, 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, Sept. 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: Building Bridges

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

WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 13, 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, Sept. 13, 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, Sept. 13, 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.

~~*~~

FRIDAY, September 14

WHAT: OUTLAW at the University of Illinois

WHERE: Law Building (Room A)

WHEN: Friday, Sept. 14, Noon

We are a student organization at the University of Illinois College of Law focused on legal issues surrounding sexual orientation and gender. We encourage discussion on these subjects and work to promote awareness of LGBT concerns.

For more information, please email.

~~*~~

SATURDAY, September 15

WHAT: Youth Pancake Breakfast

WHERE: Minneci’s Ristorante

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 15, 7:00–10:00 a.m.
    
Are you looking for a fun way to support LGBTQ and allied youth in C-U and its surrounding areas? Do you like pancakes? Do you like rainbows? (OK, the last question isn’t necessarily relevant but who doesn’t like rainbows?!) If so, join us at Minneci’s this Saturday for pancakes served fresh, all for just $5.00!

Menu:

Three pancakes (regular or vegan)
Sausage (vegetarian option available)
Juice or coffee

Please RSVP through the event page, or by contacting Peggy.

~~*~~

SUNDAY, September 16

WHAT: Read UP: An LGBTQ Book Club

WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 16, 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 Alma Rose, by Edith Forbes.

For more information, go here.

WHAT: Women of Pride

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

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 16, 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: LGBT Meet Up

WHERE: Emerald City Lounge

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 16, 7:00–10:00 p.m.

Join the local LGBT community on the second Sunday of every month at Emerald City Lounge for a social gathering. Chips and salsa will be provided by Emerald City.

WHAT: Sunday Night Drag Shows

WHERE: Chester Street Bar

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 16, 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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