Smile Politely

The Rainbow Connection: April 9–15

MONDAY, April 9

WHAT: Mindful Mondays — Calm within a Storm: A Moment of Relaxation

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

WHEN: Monday, Apr. 9, 2:30–3:30 p.m.

Speaker: Anita Hund, Ph.D. Counseling Center

WHAT: Gay & Bisexual Men’s Group

WHERE: UIUC Counseling Center

WHEN: Monday, Apr. 9, 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: Papa Del’s (206 E. Green St.)

WHEN: Monday, Apr. 9, 7:00 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, we’re eating out with PRIDE. Join us for pizza! Even if you’re not staying for dinner, meet us at Papa Del’s to buy your prom ticket.They are $30, and this week is your last chance to buy them).

For more information, please email Kyle or Josh.

WHAT: Nekromancy

WHERE: Chester Street Bar

WHEN: Monday, Apr. 9, 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+

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TUESDAY, April 10

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, Apr. 10, 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. 10, 7:00–9:00 p.m.

This group is for adult men, ages 26 and up. A movie is shown, followed by discussion.

For more information go here, or contact Kevin.

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WEDNESDAY, April 11

WHAT: Brother II Brother Meeting

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

WHEN: Wednesday, Apr. 11, 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 Rage.

WHAT: Boys Night Out

WHERE: Boltini Lounge

WHEN: Wednesday, Apr. 11, 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.

 

 

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THURSDAY, April 12

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

WHERE: Asian American Cultural Center

WHEN: Thursday, Apr. 12, 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: Talk It UP

WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County

WHEN: Thursday, Apr. 12, 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: Building Bridges

WHERE: Illini Union (Room 211)

WHEN: Thursday, Apr. 12, 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, Apr. 12, 7:00–10:00 p.m.

Every Thursday is Open Mic Night 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, Apr. 12, 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.

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FRIDAY, April 13

WHAT: Turned Out: Sexual Assault Behind Bars — Film Screening & Discussion

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

WHEN: Friday, Apr. 13, 2:00 p.m.

Of the over two million Americans in jail today, one out of five inmates will be sexually assaulted during their incarceration. Most of those who will be “turned out,” or sodomized, and turned into sexual slaves, will be nonviolent drug offenders who have doubled the prison population over the last decade. This video is a shocking, but insightful expose of the taboo subject of homosexual rape and homosexual relations in prison.

Trailer:

 

WHAT: 3rd Annual Turn It UP!

WHERE: 88 Broadway

WHEN: Friday, Apr. 13, 7:00–11:00 p.m.

Tickets: $7 Presale; $10 for Adults; $7 Students/Youth

Come out and Turn It UP! to help support the UP Center!

For the past two years,Turn It UP! has brought together a diverse group of performers for a night of entertainment and festivities, with all proceeds benefiting the UP Center of Champaign County.

This year, the third annual Awesome Ally Award will be presented to a nominee from the community. There will be catering available courtesy of Piato’s, drinks available through 88 Broadway, and a cash prize raffle.

This year’s show will be hosted by Josh (from radio station 96.1) and DJ Craig will be spinning all night.

Live Music:

Isaac Arms
Eminence
Angie Heaton
Megan Johns
Lance Keene
Tom Miebach and Justin Powell
Tusken Raiders
Trapstar Stevenson
Brendan Summers

Spoken Word:

Jamie Marlow
Sylph

Comedy/Improv:

Abe Froman Project
Jesse Long

Drag:

Crystal Champagne
Kelasia Karmika
Leiloni Stars

After the show there will be a private screening of Rocky Horror Picture Show at 88 Broadway for all adult attendees of Turn It UP!

Larger poster image (pdf)

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SATURDAY, April 14

WHAT: Dance Against AIDS

WHERE: Emerald City Lounge

WHEN: Saturday, Apr. 14, 9:00 p.m.–2:00 a.m.

Tickets: $5

Come dance the night away with the Sexual Health Peers at Emerald City! More than half of the proceeds from this fundraiser will go to the Greater Community AIDS Project, an organization that provides support to people living with HIV/AIDS in our community.

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SUNDAY, April 15

WHAT: Read UP: An LGBTQ Book Club

WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County

WHEN: Sunday, Apr. 15, 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.

The April book is I Am Not Myself These Days: A Memoir (P.S.), by Josh Kilmer-Purcell.

 

WHAT: Women of Pride

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

WHEN: Sunday, Apr. 15, 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, Apr. 15, 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 (GLAD)

WHERE: Peerless Training Facility
              1304 N. 20th Street
              Decatur

WHEN: Saturday, Apr. 14, 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.

This month’s social will screen the multiple award winning documentary For the Bible Tells Me So. It will be followed by a discussion of the movie. We are fortunate to have two well-qualified speakers who will lead our discussion on the various religions’ attitudes toward homosexuality.

Dr. William Keagle, a faculty member of the Millikin History Department, has two degrees in religion and two degrees in history, including a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois. Pastor John Beidler is now retired from his position as the Decatur Unitarian Universalist Fellowship pastor. He is a coordinator of MAX (Macon County Assistance Exchange) program, which helps people in need.

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.

Trailer:

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Nominations Needed for 2012 LGBTA Awards

The LGBTA Awards, sponsored by the LGBT 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.

Nominations must be submitted via this link. The deadline for nominations is 5:00 p.m. on Monday, April 16, 2012.

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 2, 2012 at 5:30 p.m.

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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Are you an LGBTQA student graduating this year?

If you are interested in participating in Lavender Graduation on May 2, 2012 at 5:30 p.m., please send your full preferred name, degree title, and major to Katy Weseman. She must receive your information by April 16, 2012 in order for your name to appear in the program.

 

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Attention! Non-heterosexual and/or gender nonconforming people of color needed for a research project!

I am a PhD student in Social Work studying involvement in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and same-gender loving groups, centers, and/or organizations. I am interested in learning about motivations for involvement in these types of groups, as well as understanding potential barriers to involvement.

I am hoping to interview at least 20 adults about these topics. If you are 18 years of age or older, identify as non-heterosexual and/or gender nonconforming, and are interested in participating, please email Megan or call 217-316-4789. Being currently or formally involved in these groups is not a requirement for participation.

All communication will remain completely confidential, including your participation in the study. This study was approved by the UIUC IRB office on 1/20/2012.

 


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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.

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