MONDAY, March 4
WHAT: Quench: What the “All Campus Career Fair” is All About
WHERE: Women’s Resources Center
WHEN: Monday, Mar. 4, 12:00–1:00 p.m.
Speakers: Marianna DiVietro, Assistant Director of Student Outreach and Zelda Gardner, Senior Assistant Director, The Career Center
There will be a Resume Review Session following at 1:30 p.m. in the LGBT Resource Center.
WHAT: Gay & Bisexual Men’s Group
WHERE: UIUC Counseling Center
WHEN: Monday, Mar. 4, 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: Bi Mix UP
WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Monday, Mar. 4, 7:00–8:30 p.m.
Bi Mix UP is an ongoing adult support/social group for members of the community who identify as bisexual or bi-questioning. Topics include dating, navigating relationships as bisexuals, coming out, and bi-phobia.
For more information, please contact Matt.
WHAT: Pride Meeting
WHERE: Illini Union (Room 314)
WHEN: Monday, Mar. 4, 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.
As part of a special “Porn Week” series from the LGBT RSOs, Pride will host a special presentation on Porn Parodies.
For more information, please contact Kyle and/or Josh.
WHAT: Nekromancy
WHERE: Chester Street Bar
WHEN: Monday, Mar. 4, 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, March 5
*CANCELED DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER*
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 each Tuesday at Rainbow Coffeehouse at ETC Cafe.
WHAT: Mpowerment Meeting
WHERE: Green Street Center
24 E. Green St., Suite 14
Champaign
WHEN: Tuesday, Mar. 5, 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 Support Group
WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Tuesday, Mar. 5, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
Man UP is geared towards adult men, ages 26 and up. We meet in a peer support setting with focused discussions on topics such as the coming out process, developing friendships within the community, dating, and more.
For more information go here, or contact Kevin Bowersox-Johnson.
WHAT: Infusions
WHERE: LGBT Resource Center, Illini Union (Room 323)
WHEN: Tuesday, Mar. 5, 8:00–9:00 p.m.
*CANCELED DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER*
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.
As part of a special “Porn Week” series from the LGBT RSOs, Infusions will discuss the “dark side of porn.”
For more information, please email.
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WEDNESDAY, March 6
WHAT: Brother II Brother Meeting
WHERE: Green Street Center
24 E. Green St., Suite 14
Champaign
WHEN: Wednesday, Mar. 6, 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: Please email for location
WHEN: Wednesday, Mar. 6, 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: Sons of the Prophet
WHERE: The Station Theatre
WHEN: Wednesday–Saturday, Mar. 6–9, 8:00 p.m.
I had the pleasure of seeing this play last week, and I can honestly say that it has some of the best acting I’ve seen live in a long, long time. It’s a magnificent play: great story, fantastic acting, just amazing. See our preview and review.
WHAT: Boys Night Out
WHERE: Boltini Lounge
WHEN: Wednesday, Mar. 6, 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.
WHAT: Karaoke Party!
WHERE: Emerald City Lounge
WHEN: Wednesday, Mar. 6, 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, March 7
WHAT: Parkland Pride Meeting
WHERE: Parkland Community College (Room X-150)
WHEN: Thursday, Mar. 7, 12:00–12:50 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, Mar. 7, 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: LGBT Resource Center, Illini Union (Room 323)
WHEN: Thursday, Mar. 7, 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.
As part of a special “Porn Week” series from the LGBT RSOs, Building Bridges will discuss sexual ethics.
For more information, please Harrison.
WHAT: Open Mic Night
WHERE: Emerald City Lounge
WHEN: Thursday, Mar. 7, 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: Friday Forum: Rev. Dr. Cindi Love from Soulforce
Where: Latzer Hall, University YMCA
When: Friday, Mar. 8, 12 Noon
This talk will focus on the challenges faced by marginalized communities, who are often subjected to the violence of exclusion, and highlight the non-violent efforts made by Soulforce to resist the oppression arising out of the fundamentalist agenda.
Background: Successful entrepreneur and corporate executive turned minister, Rev. Dr. Cindi Love is the Executive Director of Soulforce, as well as a regular contributer to the Huffington Post. Soulforce is a national non-profit organization dedicated to bring freedom to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people from religious & political oppression. It also challenges other forms of oppression including sexism, racism, and classism. Soulforce accomplishes its mission primarily through community organizing, education and training, advocacy for public and private institutional policy change, and street-based nonviolent resistance to overt discrimination.
Go here for more information.
WHAT: Out in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (oSTEM)
WHERE: LGBT Resource Center, Illini Union (Room 323)
WHEN: Thursday, Mar. 7, 8:00–9:00 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, go here, or contact John.
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FRIDAY, March 8
WHAT: Play It UP
WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Friday, Mar. 8, 6:00–7:00 p.m.
Play It UP is a social group for LGBTQA middle and high school youth. Play it UP is peer-led, adult-supported, and an official program of The UP Center. The facilitators of the group include two board members and the youth seat on the Board of Directors.
Youth involved in Play it UP organize monthly social events for LGBTQA youth to engage in, including movie nights, putt-putt, bowling, etc.
Information shared at Play it UP is strictly confidential, including youths’ presence at the group.
For more information, please contact Peggy.
WHAT: Youth Time
WHERE: UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Friday, Mar. 8, 6:00–9:00 p.m.
Youth Time is open time for youth in the UP Center meeting space every Friday. 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 be open to youth before and after group from 6–9 p.m. Please join us!
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SATURDAY, March 9
WHAT: What’s UP: LGBTQA Young Adult Social/Support Group
WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Saturday, Mar. 9, 3:00–4:00 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. Every meeting will have a specific topic for discussion and possibly a speaker, who will help keep the discussion going and answer any questions that may be raised.
For more information, please email.
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Sunday, March 10
WHAT: Read UP: An LGBTQ Book Club
WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Sunday, Mar. 10, 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 Jeannette Winterson’s Why be Happy When You Could be Normal?
For more information, go here.
WHAT: Women of Pride
WHERE: LGBT Resource Center, Illini Union (Room 323)
WHEN: Sunday, Mar. 10, 6:30–7:30 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, Mar. 10, 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: Gay and Lesbian Association of Decatur, IL (GLAD)
WHERE: Peerless Training Facility
1304 N. 20th Street
Decatur
WHEN: Saturday, Mar. 10, 6:30 p.m.
On the second Saturday of each month, GLAD has its social meeting and potluck dinner. The socials average between 25 and 30 people of all ages-both men and women.
Six school board candidates running for the Decatur School District Board will be attending this month’s social and answering questions from GLAD members. The candidates will include Barry Butz, Fred Spannaus, Alida Graham, TJ Jackson, Tony Wilkins, and Dan Winter.
The Forum begin at 8:00 p.m. Each candidate will briefly introduce themselves and give a brief statement of their reasons for running for the school board. There will be a question and answer forum with topics covering bullying, discipline in schools, academic achievement, diversity training, etc.
The social starts at 6:30 p.m., with potluck dinner at 7:00. Please bring a dish to share. A $5.00 suggested donation is appreciated.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
The UP Center is preparing for its Fourth Annual Turn It UP! fundraiser and variety show
The event will be held on Friday, April 12, at 88 Broadway.
They are currently looking for a diverse group of performers. Performances in the past have included a wide variety of musicians, spoken word artists, comedians, and more. If you are interested in performing, please email the UP Center by March 22, 2013.
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Nominations Needed for the 2013 LGBTA Awards
The LGBTA Awards, sponsored by the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Resource Center, were created to celebrate the achievements of the LGBTA campus community at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. All students, staff, and faculty are encouraged to nominate their peers, students, colleagues, and co-workers for one of the awards listed below.
Nominations must be submitted only by those affiliated with the university via this link. Note: please scroll down the page to find the nomination form.
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 1, 2013 at 5:00 p.m.
The deadline for nominations is 5:00 p.m., Friday, April 5, 2013.
Nominations are being accepted 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
- BridgeBuilding Award
- Catalyst Award
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Are you an LGBTQA student graduating this year (May ’13/Dec ’13)? If you are interested in participating in Lavender Graduation on May 1, 2013 at 5:00 p.m., please email your full preferred name, degree title, and major to the LGBT Resource Center. They must receive your information by April 19, 2013 in order for your name to appear in the program.
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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 (i.g. family friendly, political, erotic, racially diverse, kinks, sub-culture). 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.