Smile Politely

The Rainbow Connection: Aug. 27–Sept. 2

MONDAY, August 27

WHAT: Look UP

WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County

WHEN: Monday, Aug. 27, 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.

WHAT: Lesbian Life in France: A Screening & Conversation with Jacqueline Julien

WHERE: Illini Union Levis Center, Music Room (2nd Floor)

WHEN: Monday, Aug. 27, 8:00–10:00 p.m.

Jacqueline Julien, longtime protagonist of the French feminist and lesbian movements, and co-founder of Toulouse’s celebrated Bagdam Cafée — one of the first “women-only” commercial cafés in France — produces lesbian cultural and political events in France. Her first short film, Yes, I am single! which calls the Western cultural imperative to be “coupled” into question, was the First Prize Winner in Rome (Five Lesbian Days, 2010), and is now being shown in numerous lesbian and LGBT festivals internationally. Her second short film, Time Bomb, received its premiere in Toulouse, France, in April of 2012, and is now on the festival circuit. In Time Bomb, Julien asks, “What does it mean to represent lesbian desire on film in this post-feminist, post-porn age?”

WHAT: Pride Meeting

WHERE: Illini Union (Room 210)

WHEN: Monday, Aug. 27, 8:00 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. 

For more information, please contact Kyle and/or Josh.

WHAT: Nekromancy

WHERE: Chester Street Bar

WHEN: Monday, Aug. 27, 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, August 28


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 at Rainbow Coffeehouse every Tuesday, 6:00 p.m., at ETC Coffeehouse.

WHAT: Mpowerment Meeting

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

WHEN: Tuesday, Aug. 28, 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, Aug. 28, 7:00–8:30 p.m.

Man UP meets in a social setting for casual discussion, games, and more. For adult men, 26+.

For more information go here, or contact Kevin.

WHAT: Circuit Pulse

WHERE: Chester Street Bar

WHEN: Tuesday, Aug. 28, 9:00 p.m.–2:00 a.m.

Circuit Pulse is Champaign-Urbana’s weekly club night featuring all electronic dance music with a circuit party vibe. Great drink specials and no cover charge.

Featuring:

DJ Tim Williams
DJ Randall Ellison
DJ Alexander Audiophile

Every Tuesday features a non-stop mix of:

Hi-NRG
Eurodance
Club House
Vocal Trance
Italo House
French House
Hard Trance
Progressive Trance
Jungle
DnB
Hard House
Scouse House
Bassline House

Great drink specials and no cover charge.

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WEDNESDAY, August 29

WHAT: Brother II Brother Meeting

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

WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 29, 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: Building Bridges

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

WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 29, 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.

For more information, please email.

WHAT: Boys Night Out

WHERE: Boltini Lounge

WHEN: Wednesday, Aug. 29, 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, August 30

WHAT: Talk It UP

WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County

WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 30, 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: Open Mic Night

WHERE: Emerald City Lounge

WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 30, 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: Out in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (oSTEM)

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

WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 30, 8:00 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, please contact John.

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FRIDAY, August 31

WHAT: Cosmic Bowling

WHERE: Illini Union Rec Room

WHEN: Friday, Aug. 31, 9:00–11:00 p.m.

Participants are allowed to bowl and play video games for free (we will provide wristbands). This year’s theme is Masquerade, so wear your best outfit. Lots of music, fun, and food throughout the building — a great way to end the first week of classes.

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SUNDAY, September 2

WHAT: Women of Pride

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

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 2, 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, Sept. 2, 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.


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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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