MONDAY, April 22
WHAT: Youth Time
WHERE: UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 3:00–6:00 p.m.
Youth Time is open time for youth in the UP Center meeting space. During this time, the UP Center meeting space will be open for youth in middle school and high school (13–17) to use to socialize, do homework, relax, or just spend time together. There will be an adult staff member in the space, but otherwise this time is reserved for youth only.
Youth groups Play It UP and Talk It UP will continue from 6:30–7:30, but the UP Center will now be open to youth before group from 3–6 p.m. Please join us!
For more information, please contact Maggie.
WHAT: Gay & Bisexual Men’s Group
WHERE: UIUC Counseling Center
WHEN: Monday, Apr. 22, 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: Pride End of Year Poor Party
WHERE: CRCE
WHEN: Monday, Apr. 22, 8:00–9:00 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.
This week, Pride is ending its year with a pool party! Splash around in the pool, play some volleyball, go down the water slide, and enjoy the hot tub.
Make sure to bring your iCards! If you don’t have your iCard, you must bring a government-issued photo ID and your UIN. Towels can be rented for $1.
For more information, please contact Kyle and/or Josh.
WHAT: Nekromancy
WHERE: Chester Street Bar
WHEN: Monday, Apr. 22, 9:00 p.m.–2:00 a.m.
Every Monday, DJs SorceryKid and Hivemind, craft 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, April 23
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 each Tuesday at Rainbow Coffeehouse at ETC Cafe.
This week’s Rainbow Coffeehouse is hosted by Women of Pride.
WHAT: Mpowerment Meeting
WHERE: Green Street Center
24 E. Green St., Suite 14
Champaign
WHEN: Tuesday, Apr. 23, 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, Apr. 23, 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: Infusions
WHERE: LGBT Resource Center, Illini Union (Room 323)
WHEN: Tuesday, Apr. 23, 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, April 24
WHAT: Gal UP
WHERE: UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Wednesday, Apr. 24, 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, Apr. 24, 7:00–8:00 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, Apr. 24, 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 Nite Out
WHERE: Boltini Lounge
WHEN: Wednesday, Apr. 24, 9:00 p.m.
Every Wednesday is Boys Nite Out at Boltini Lounge. DJ Randall Ellison is at the decks spinning Hi-NRG, dance pop, disco house, and oldskool, gay club anthems.
WHAT: Karaoke Party!
WHERE: Emerald City Lounge
WHEN: Wednesday, Apr. 24, 9:00–11:00 p.m.
Emerald City hosts Karaoke every Wednesday. Doors open at 5:00. Order some great food, enjoy the drink specials, and at 9:00 p.m. join in on the fun and show everyone what you’ve got!
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THURSDAY, April 25
WHAT: Parkland Pride Meeting
WHERE: Parkland Community College (Room X-150)
WHEN: Thursday, Apr. 25, 12 noon–12:50 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.
WHAT: Among Women: Lesbian, Bisexual, Queer, and Questioning Support Group
WHERE: Asian American Cultural Center
WHEN: Thursday, Apr. 25, 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, Apr. 25, 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 Weyer.
WHAT: Building Bridges
WHERE: Illini Union (Room 209)
WHEN: Thursday, Apr. 25, 7:00 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.
This week, Building Bridges welcomes Dr. McCarty, a reverend and professor of religious studies at Mercyhurst University. Dr. McCarty frequently travels the United States speaking at colleges, universities, and faith communities on the intersection of religion, ethics, and sexuality. He will be talking about how ethics are best pursued from the perspective of critical realism. Dr. McCarty will be discussing insights from cross-cultural dialogues, as well as data from the natural and social sciences, in order to better understand human sexuality, and reflect critically on sexual morality in conversation with a wide variety of religious perspectives.
For more information, please email.
WHAT: Out in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (oSTEM)
WHERE: LGBT Resource Center, Illini Union (Room 323)
WHEN: Thursday, Apr. 25, 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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FRIDAY, April 26
WHAT: Rainbow Bookbag
WHERE: ACES Library
WHEN: Friday, Apr. 26, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
Are you planning to work in a school as a teacher, librarian, social worker, coach, administrator, or other school personnel? If so, please mark your calendars for the second annual Rainbow Bookbag event on April 26, 2013!
From identity development to school safety, curriculum design to legal concerns, future school professionals have lots to think about when it comes to inclusion of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning students and their allies in school communities. Through Rainbow Bookbag conference sessions, participants will work collaboratively to develop skills and increase awareness of resources to build safe and inclusive schools.
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Workshops, panels, and speakers in the ACES Library Heritage Room
4:00–5:00 p.m.
Reception and Resource Fair in the Education Building
Register here.
Join us after the resource fair for a screening of Scary Normal and Q&A with filmmaker, Jennifer Bechtel.
WHAT: Provocative Party with OR-G
WHERE: Emerald City Lounge
WHEN: Friday, Apr. 26, 10:00 p.m.
OR-G Invites you to Party Provocatively @ Emerald City
Join us for a night of provocative sights & sounds, sexy people, and refreshing cocktails in the trendiest spot in Champaign.
Featuring:
- Sensual Sounds by DJ Smiley
- Sexy Shots Served all night!
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SATURDAY, April 27
WHAT: Emerald Talent
WHERE: Emerald City Lounge
WHEN: Saturday, Apr. 27, 11:00 p.m.–2:00 a.m.
If you have a talent, Emerald City Lounge wants to see it.
Drink specials all night, and the audience picks the winners:
- First place: $100
- Second place: $50
Call (217) 398-8661 or email for information regarding the featured headliner and reservations.
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SUNDAY, April 28
WHAT: Women of Pride
WHERE: LGBT Resource Center, Illini Union (Room 323)
WHEN: Sunday, Apr. 28, 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, Month day, 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.
PRIDE AROUND THE REGION
WHAT: Same-Sex Marriage in the United States: The Road to the Supreme Court
WHERE: ISU, Schroeder Hall (Room 130)
WHEN: Monday, Apr. 22, 7:00 p.m.
LGBT legal scholar Dr. Jason Pierceson will be the featured speaker at 7 p.m. on Monday, April 22 in Schroeder Hall 130 at Illinois State University.
Pierceson’s presentation will come on the heels of oral arguments heard by the United States Supreme Court concerning two marriage equality cases: United States v. Windsor, which challenges the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), and Hollingsworth v. Perry, which seeks to overturn California’s Proposition 8 anti-gay marriage ballot measure. Pierceson will discuss the oral arguments, concerns, and questions raised by the justices, and scenarios for how the court might rule (a ruling is expected in June).
Copies of Pierceson’s book Same-Sex Marriage in the United States: The Road to the Supreme Court will be for sale following the presentation.
For more information, please email.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The UP Center of Champaign County is currently searching for potential films to show at their annual Reel It UP event in June. They are looking to show one film per Tuesday of the month, and are in need of diverse film choices related to the LGBT community (family friendly, political, erotic, racially diverse, kinks, sub-culture, etc.). Films that are feature-length (60 min., 120 min. max) and made in 2011 or earlier are preferred.
If you are a filmmaker or know someone who might be interested in having the UP Center show his/her film for free or at discounted price, please contact Tencia for more information.
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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.