Smile Politely

The Rainbow Connection: Mar. 29–Apr. 4

WHAT: The Scott Ninmer Quartet

WHERE: Emerald City Lounge

WHEN: Wednesday, Mar. 30, 6:00 p.m.

On Wednesdays, Emerald City Lounge will be welcoming the Jazz talent from the University of Illinois. Each week, a different mix of students, faculty, and professionals will take the stage for a Happy Hour to top all Happy Hours. Please show your support for the local artists by stopping in early on Wednesdays.

Cover: Free
Age: 21+

WHAT: “Mexican Psychotic”: A reflection on the play by playwright Ricardo A. Bracho

WHERE: 140 Burrill Hall

WHEN: Wednesday, Mar. 30, 7:00–10:00 p.m.

The play “Mexican Psychotic” tells the history of famed 1900s visual artist Martin Ramirez, who emigrated from Mexico to the USA and spent 30 years in the psychotic ward of a Northern Californian mental asylum. During this time, he produced hundreds of pieces of art. Bracho will reflect on his experiences writing and shaping productions of “Mexican Psychotic.”

WHAT: Lunch @ La Casa:A Conversation with Ricardo A. Bracho

WHERE: La Casa Cultural Latina

WHEN: Thursday, Mar. 31, 12:00 p.m.

Independent Playwright, Ricardo A. Bracho.

More info. to come, as I find it.

WHAT: The Hot Slugs

WHERE: Emerald City Lounge

WHEN: Thursday, Mar. 31, 5:00 p.m.

The Hot Slugs playing your favorite Standard and Latin Jazz Tunes by artists such as Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Joe Henderson, Thelonious Monk, Charles Mingus, Herbie Hancock, Keith Jarrett, Wes Montgomery, and many more.

The Hot Slugs are:

  • Caleb Cook — Guitar
  • Chuck Applebee — Bass
  • Dr. David Hardy — Piano
  • Dr. Norman Miles — Drums

Doors: 5:00 p.m.
Show: 8:00 p.m.
Cost: Free
Age: 21+

Sheryl SwoopesWHAT: An Evening with Sheryl Swoopes

WHERE: Illini Union (Rooms A, B, & C)

WHEN: Thursday, Mar 31, 7:30–8:30 p.m.

Join us for an evening with 4-time WNBA champion Sheryl Swoopes.

As a member of the Houston Comets, her extraordinary scoring and defensive ability earned her the nickname “the female Michael Jordan.”

Poster of Training RulesWHAT: Friday Films: Training Rules

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

WHEN: Friday, Apr. 1, 2:00 p.m.

Film screening and discussion of the movie Training Rules: No Drinking. No Drugs. No Lesbians. One of the most award-winning LGBT documentaries of 2009, this inspiring film follows Penn State women’s basketball champ Jennifer Harris as she takes on the institutionalized homophobia of coach Rene Portland.

Official trailer:

WHAT: Fools Rush In Dance Party

WHERE: Emerald City Lounge

WHEN: Friday–Saturday, Apr. 1–2, 11:00 p.m.–2:00 a.m.

Emerald City Dance Party April 1st with DJ Bob Bass, Trendsetter Productions. Come out and “be a fool.”

WHAT: NO H8 Photo Shoot

WHERE: Illini Union (Room 217)

WHEN: Saturday, Apr, 2, 1:00–4:00 p.m.

The LGBT Resource Center is sponsoring a NO H8 photo shoot.

We ask that you come wearing a plain white t-shirt. If need be, we will have some available.

Cover Art of Eight BulletsWHAT: Read UP: An LGBTQ Book Club

WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County, IMC (Suite 102)

WHEN: Sunday, Apr. 3, 5:00–6:00 p.m.

The April book is Eight Bullets: One Woman’s Story of Surviving Anti-Gay Violence, by Claudia Brenner.

For more information check out the Facebook page or contact Ann.

WHAT: Quench! Our Queer Bodies: Body Image and Gay Men

WHERE: Illini Union (Room 407)

WHEN: Monday, Apr. 4, 12:00–1:00 p.m.

Speakers: Kyle Kittleson & Jackie Bear, Counseling Center

WHAT: eCISSA Meeting

WHERE: Champaign Public Library

WHEN: Monday, Apr. 4, 5:30–7:00 p.m.

From their Facebook page: The goal of eCISSA is to eliminate all bullying of LGBTQ students and to create a school environment where youth feel nurtured and safe to be themselves, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. This is the East Central Illinois chapter of the Safe Schools Alliance.

Dinner is provided at the meetings.

For more information, please contact Cristina.

WHAT: Bi Fest

WHERE: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

WHEN: Monday, Apr. 4–6, 2010

Come out this week for The University of Illinois’ first annual Bi Fest, hosted by Bi Pride and co-sponsored by various organizations across campus. We will have several events throughout the week to celebrate and educate the community on bisexual, pansexual, and queer identity.

Check here or SPlog for a detailed schedule of events.

WHAT: Nekromancy: The 13th Hour feat. DJ Copper Top

WHERE: Chester Street Bar

WHEN: Monday–Tuesday, Apr. 4–5, 9:00 p.m.–12:00 a.m.

Nationally renowned electronica DJ Copper Top takes the stage with special guest DJ Krazy Karoline for an evening of all out industrial music warfare. If you missed DJ Copper Top performing here in 2010, then now is your opportunity to check her out.

Cover: $5.00
Ages: 19+
Valid ID Required

 

REGULAR WEEKLY MEETINGS/EVENTS

Hosted by Colors of Pride.

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, Mar. 29, 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: eQuality C-U Meeting

WHERE: Rainbow Coffeehouse at the Wesley Foundation

WHEN: Tuesday, Mar. 29, 7:00–8:00 p.m.

eQuality C-U is an LGBTQ activist group for students and community members. If you’re interested in helping in the struggle for LGBT liberation and equal rights for all, then this is a group for you!

At Tuesday’s meeting we’ll discuss flyering in support of the Chick-fil-A boycott, banner prices, and future events.

For more information, please contact: John Kenealy.

WHAT: Brother II Brother Meeting

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

WHEN: Wednesday, Mar. 30, 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: Coming Out Support Group

WHERE: Illini Union (Room 317)

WHEN: Wednesday, Mar. 30, 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, Mar. 30, 9:00 p.m.

Every Wednesday is Boys Night Out at Boltini Lounge.

  • DJ Randall Ellison at the decks.
  • FREE candy and condoms
  • $4.00 X-Boyfriend & Well Hung martinis; $9.00 carafe Long Island Iced Tea; $1.50 Miller High Life bottles; $5.00 Classic & Baby Mama Bellinis
  • Half price food specials (4:00–6:30 p.m. only)

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

WHERE: Please email for location

WHEN: Thursday, Mar. 31, 6:30–8:00 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. Among Women is open to all graduate and undergraduate students.

For more information, please contact Allie.

WHAT: Same Sex Sunday Podcast

WHERE: Right here. And also here.

WHEN: Sunday, Apr. 3, 2011

D Gregory Smith interviewed Jim and Tammy Fey Bakker’s son, Jay Bakker about his new book Fall to Grace. On this week’s Same Sex Sunday, Bakker discusses how growing up in the Bakker house helped him discover empathy for LGBT people later in life.

Then our round table discusses the need for more information about the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities as outlined in a new study by the Institutes of Medicine. We discuss privacy concerns about reporting one’s sexual orientation or gender identity on medical records, a potential government mandate to include sexual orientation and gender identity in government funded research and more.

Our panel addresses concerns about last week’s introduction of ENDA and the roller coaster ride caused by the immigration back-and-forth for bi-national couples.

Finally, our Republican candidate for president, Fred Karger, won the first straw poll in New Hampshire. What does this mean for the republican presidential campaign season? Will Karger fair better than some expected?

Our panel this weekend included:

Check it out:

WHAT: PRIDE Meeting

WHERE: Illini Union (Room 407)

WHEN: Monday, Apr. 4, 8:30 p.m.

This Monday, Pride and Women of Pride are co-sponsoring a stereotype and identity workshop. We will focus on myths, stigmas, and supposed norms within our own community. We will use live demonstrations and group work to tackle these issues.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

You are invited to participate in research exploring the dynamics of family life and how family leisure is connected to and affected by the “coming out” process for young adults who self-identified as gay, lesbian, and/or bisexual (GLB) during their high school years.

This research is being conducted by Dr. Dawn Trussell, a faculty member, and Jeremy Robinett, a doctoral student, in the Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism at the University of Illinois.

We are interested in interviewing young adults (aged 18–25) who openly self-identified as gay, lesbian, and/or bisexual in high school and the parents and/or individuals who raised them during that time.

If you are interested in participating, or have questions, please contact Dr. Dawn Trussell or Jeremy Robinett. Or call Dr. Trussell at 217-244-0523.

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The LGBT Resource Center has one vacant student intern position for the 2011–2012 academic year. This position is open to undergraduate students — federal work study eligible preferred — approximately 10 hours per week. If you are interested in applying, please contact Katy Weseman, Assistant Director, LGBT Resource Center.

Application Deadline: Friday, Apr. 8, 5:00 p.m.

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Nominations Needed for 2011 LGBTA Awards

The LGBTA Awards, sponsored by the LGBT Resource Center, were created to celebrate the achievements of the LGBTA campus community at the U of I. All students, staff, and faculty of the University of Illinois are encouraged to nominate their peers, students, colleagues, and co-workers for one of the awards listed below.

Nominations must be submitted here. This is a webtools document; you will need to log in with your netID and password. If you do not have a UIUC netID, but would like to nominate someone, please email.

Recipients selected for an award by the LGBTA Awards Committee will be honored with a Certificate of Recognition at the Lavender Graduation & Awards Ceremony on May 4, 2010 at 5:30 pm.

The deadline for nominations is 5:00 p.m. Monday, Apr. 18, 2011.

We are accepting nominations for the following awards:

  • Distinguished Service Award
  • Faculty/Staff Leadership Award
  • Emerging Leader Award
  • Ally Award
  • Unsung Advocate Award
  • Student Organization Award
  • Outstanding Student Research Award
  • Bridge Building Award
  • Catalyst Award

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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.

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