THIS WEEK’S SPECIAL EVENTS (please see below for year-round weekly events, announcements, and selected regional events)
WHAT: Quench! Latina Lesbian Organization in Chicago 1987–2010
WHERE: La Casa Cultural Latina
WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 10, 12:00–1:00 p.m.
Speakers: Lourdes Torres, Vincent de Paul Professor, Latin American & Latino Studies, DePaul University.
WHAT: Talk It UP
WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 10, 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 Trip, featuring Andy Moreillon
WHERE: Emerald City Lounge
WHEN: Friday, Nov. 11, 5:00 p.m.
Andy is back, this time with The Trip.
Cost: Free
Age Limit: 19+
WHAT: Families Group — Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch
WHERE: Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 12, 3:00–6:00 p.m.
The UP Center Families Group has scheduled an event at Hardy’s Reindeer Ranch, which is near Rantoul. We have reserved time in the Corn Maze, a Hay Rack Ride, and (naturally) a Reindeer tour. The event is open to any and all LGBTQA families, but we need to know who is coming. If you are planning to attend, please RSVP by Wednesday, November 9.
For those who have never been to the Reindeer Ranch or are unsure of how to get there, a group will be meeting at the UP Center at 2:15 p.m. to set up a convoy. If you are interested in participating in the convoy, please include that information in your RSVP.
Cost: $5 per person
For more information, go here or email Kerri.
WHAT: Read UP: An LGBTQ Book Club
WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 13, 3:00–4:30 p.m.
At Read UP, 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 Shine, by Lauren Myracle.
For more information, please email Ann.
WHAT: Mindful Mondays — Home for the Holidays: Being Balanced Back Home
WHERE: LGBT Resource Center, Illini Union (Room 323)
WHEN: Monday, Nov. 14, 2:30–3:30 p.m.
Presented by Anita Hund, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Counseling Center
WHAT: Look UP
WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Monday, Nov. 14, 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.
YEAR-ROUND,WEEKLY EVENTS
The week’s Rainbow Coffeehouse is hosted by PFLAG.
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, Nov. 8, 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, Nov. 8, 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, Nov. 9, 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: Illinois Bi Pride Meeting
WHERE: LGBT Resource Center, Illini Union (Room 323)
WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 9, 6:30 p.m.
Illinois Bi Pride is a registered organization at the University of Illinois dedicated to supporting bisexual, pansexual, queer people, and our allies.
For more information, please email.
WHAT: Coming Out Support Group
WHERE: Illini Union (Room 317)
WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 9, 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, Nov. 9, 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, Nov. 10, 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, Nov. 10, 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 email.
WHAT: Pride Meeting
WHERE: Illini Union (Room 407)
WHEN: Monday, Nov. 14, 8:00 p.m.
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, and more.
This week, we will discuss how to deal with being home for the holidays (both Thanksgiving break and After Finals). We’re covering coping strategies, support networks, and campus resources still available to you.
For more information, please email Kyle.
WHAT: Nekromancy
WHERE: Chester Street Bar
WHEN: Monday–Tuesday, Nov. 14–15, 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+
PRIDE AROUND THE REGION
WHAT: Gay and Lesbian Association of Decatur, IL (GLAD)
WHERE: Peerless Corporate Training Center
1304 N. 20th St.
Decatur, IL
WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 8, 6:30–9:30 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. We ask for $5 donation to help us offset our expenses.
The November GLAD social will feature our annual Thanksgiving Dinner. As we have in past years, GLAD will be collecting non-perishable food items to donate to local food pantries. Please bring canned goods and other non-perishable items for our local families that need a helping hand.
The evening begins at 6:30 with the meet and greet. The potluck will begin at 7:00.
ANNOUNCEMENT
Acorn Equality Fund Breakfast
The UP Center of Champaign County is excited to provide an opportunity for youth to learn more about a downstate Illinois college scholarship from the Acorn Equality Fund. LGBTQ youth are at an increased risk of dropping out of high school due to the effects of stigma and discrimination. The UP Center hopes to prevent this negative outcome by providing youth with resources they can utilize after high school, especially those resources that are LGBTQ-affirming. The Acorn Equality Fund offers LGBTQ individuals, allies, and children of LGBTQ parents (at any academic level) the opportunity to apply for scholarships to help pay for school and school-related expenses (between $1,000 and $4,000 each, as much as $25,000 annually). They present these awards at their annual Family Breakfast and Fundraiser. This year the breakfast will take place on Saturday, December 3 in East Peoria.
The UP Center plans to sponsor a table of 10 (at $250) for youth (and a friend or family member if they choose) to attend, but we need your help! Please help send these youth to the breakfast where they can learn more about their scholarship opportunities (several of whom will be applying next year!). We need donations that will go directly toward funding the breakfast for the youth and their families. If you are interested, you can donate at the following levels:
- $20 (provides 1 gas card for a family/group to attend)
- $25 (pays for 1 youth to attend)
- $50 (pays for 1 youth and a guest to attend)
Or at any amount you feel comfortable with.
Please help us encourage our local LGBTQ youth to finish high school and look toward the future by sponsoring this event in any way. Email Megan [email protected] with any questions.
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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. If I attempted to write this myself, I’d never get it done.