THIS WEEK’S SPECIAL EVENTS (please see below for year-round weekly events, announcements, and selected regional events)
WHAT: What’s UP: LGBTQA Young Adult Social/Support Group
WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Monday, Feb. 13, 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.
For more information, email Bronwyn.
WHAT: Talk It UP
WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 16, 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: The Vagina Monologues
WHERE: Gregory Hall (Room 112)
WHEN: Friday, Feb. 17, 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 18, 2:30 & 7:00 p.m.
Sponsored by V-Day at UIUC.
Tickets: $10
WHAT: Brother Outsider: The Life of Bayard Rustin Film Screening
WHERE: Parkland College (Room D-244)
WHEN: Monday, Feb. 20, 11:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
Brother Outsider is the definitive film biography of one of the most controversial figures of the Civil Rights Movement. Bayard Rustin was one of the first Freedom Riders, an advisor to Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and A. Phillip Randolph, and an organizer of the 1963 March on Washington. Yet Rustin was denied his place in the limelight for one reason — he was gay.
Trailer:
WHAT: God vs. Gay? A Religious Case for Equality
WHERE: Hillel Foundation, Cohen Center for Jewish Life (Room 503)
WHEN: Monday, Feb. 20, 7:00 p.m.
Lecture with Jay Michaelson.
Don’t miss out on this great opportunity to hear Jay Michaelson speak about the taboo topic of gay rights and religion, and his new book God vs. Gay?: The Religious Case for Equality.
Michaelson is the author of three books and two hundred articles about the intersections of religion, sexuality, and law. In 2009, he was included on the “Forward 50” list of the fifty most influential Jewish leaders in America.
YEAR-ROUND, WEEKLY EVENTS
WHAT: Gay & Bisexual Men’s Group
WHERE: UIUC Counseling Center
WHEN: Monday, Feb. 13, 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: Illinois Pride Meeting
WHERE: Illini Union (Room 407)
WHEN: Monday, Feb. 13, 8:00 p.m.
Illinois 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, join PRIDE for a night of speed-friending, conference recap, and planning to submit a bid for the 2015 MBLGTACC conference.
For more information, please email Kyle or Josh.
WHAT: Nekromancy presents Anti-Valentine’s 2012
WHERE: Chester Street Bar
WHEN: Monday, Feb. 13, 9:00 p.m.–12:00 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.
This Monday, you are cordially invited to Nekromancy’s fifth annual Un-Valentine’s Day celebration! Our MCs for the night, Jamie Hines and Matt Brown, will be coordinating the madness and mayhem!
Carnivale Debauche will perform anti-love themed skits throughout the night. And special guest DJ Alpha Omega along, with resident DJ SorceryKid, will treat you to the lovelorn sounds of industrial, powernoise, EBM, synthpop, and electro music and videos.
Doors: 9:00 p.m.
Cover: $4
Age: 19+
Rainbow Coffeehouse offers a welcoming, open environment to LGBT and Ally communities to socialize. Whether you’re here for a meeting, with friends or to study, we welcome all!
WHAT: Mpowerment Meeting
WHERE: Green Street Center
24 E. Green St., Suite 14
Champaign
WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 14, 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, Feb. 14, 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, Feb. 15, 6:30–9:00 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, Feb. 15, 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, Feb 16, 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, Feb. 16, 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 contact Harrison.
WHAT: Open Mic Night
WHERE: Emerald City Lounge
WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 16, 7:00–10:00 p.m.
Every Thursday is Open Mic Night with Mike Solomon at Emerald City Lounge. Stop in early for half price appetizers and drink specials until 7:00 p.m.
If 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, Feb. 16, 8:00 p.m.
oSTEM is a student group open to and oriented towards LGBT students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Allies and those not in Science also welcome!
General Body Meetings are the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month. The 2nd and 4th Thursdays are hangout/homework sessions. Feel free to come any Thursday.
For more information, please email.
WHAT: Women of Pride
WHERE: LGBT Resource Center, Illini Union (Room 323)
WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 19, 6:30 p.m.
Women of Pride is a student group made for women, by women, as a safe place to gather. We 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 meeting weekly for discussions, workshops, and events on or off campus.
For more information, please contact Heather.
WHAT: Sunday Night Drag Shows
WHERE: Chester Street Bar
WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 19, 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
LGBTQ participants are invited to participate in a research study on community involvement.
Requirements:
- 18 years of age or older
- Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, or queer
- Willingness to be interviewed
All identifying information remains strictly confidential.
Contact the interviewer: Megan Paceley, PhD Student, School of Social Work by email, or call (217) 316-4789.
(email and phone number are confidential and accessible only by Megan.)
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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.