THIS WEEK’S SPECIAL EVENTS (please see below for year-round weekly events, announcements, and selected regional events)
WHAT: Quench! Let’s Talk About Sex … Education
WHERE: Illini Union (Room 406)
WHEN: Monday, Feb. 6, 12:00–1:00 p.m.
Speaker: Kevin Ng, LGBT Resource Center Intern
WHAT: Look UP
WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Monday, Feb. 6, 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: Play It UP
WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 9, 6:30–7:30 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: Class It UP 2
WHERE: Silvercreek Restaurant
WHEN: Friday, Feb. 10, 5:30–11:00 p.m.
The UP Center of Champaign County, in association with LA Enterprises, would like to invite you to our second annual Class It UP, a benefit dinner supporting local LGBT efforts for and within our community.
This year has two separate dinner time choices:
- Early bird: 5:30–7:30 p.m.
- Late: 8:30–11:00 p.m., includes Single’s Mingle cash bar starting at 7:00 p.m.
Both dinner times will feature performances by the divine Leiloni Stars and will be hosted by the stunning Aurora Lamont-Carrington, but the 8:30 dinner time will also have an extended showcase of performers.
Both dinner times will feature a three-course meal consisting of a salad, an entree, and a plated dessert, and entrees for the night will consist of fish, chicken, or vegan selections. Ticket price includes full meal, non-alcoholic beverages, entertainment, and gratuity. A cash bar will be available.
Purchase your tickets now while you still can! There is limited seating, and last year’s event sold out weeks beforehand, so make sure you have your seats early! Ticket Sales end Feb 7.
Tickets: $45 each / ticket
$42 each for purchases of 4 or more
WHAT: Class It Up After Party
WHERE: Emerald City Lounge
WHEN: Friday, Feb. 10, 8:00–11:00 p.m.
Join us After Dinner for the Class It Up After Party! Emerald City is hosting a fundraiser for the UP Center. All Sales of the “Ruby Cocktail” will be donated at 100% directly to the UP Center.
Ruby Cocktail is a Vodka Cocktail to be mixed and sold only for this event! Come out after dinner and continue to support this wonderful organization!
WHAT: 3rd Annual Urbana South Drag Show
WHERE: Florida Avenue Residence Hall
WHEN: Friday, Feb. 10, 8:00–11:00 p.m.
Come One, Come All to the Third Annual Urbana South Drag Show!
Whether you’re a Drag Show expert or just a little curious, this event is for you! For the third year in a row we bring you some of the best Drag performers around.
If you’re interested in performing as a guest, student performer, please e-mail Chris. No experience is necessary; if this is something that interests you, give it a try!
This is a safe environment meant for us all to come together and have some fun, all while challenging ideas surrounding gender.
WHAT: Drop It Down: A Valentine’s Day Inspired Show
WHERE: Emerald City Lounge
WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 11, 10:30 p.m.–2:00 a.m.
Gracing Emerald City’s stage for the first time since New Year’s, the Emerald City Divas have a night of passion in store for you. Inspired by the upcoming Valentine’s Day, Leiloni Stars and Aurora Lamont-Carrington are planning a show so hot that you’ll just have to Drop It Down!!
Welcoming our special guests, Springfield’s Mimi Vincent and Iowa City’s Anja Mann, this show is going to set the mood for the rest of your Lover’s Holiday experience. All the girls are ready to sing you love songs to show off their softer sides and dance the night away with you to get a glimpse into their darker sides.
Table reservations are available. Please call (217) 202-7565 to book:
- 3-top tables for $20 on the outer portions of the stage and runway
- 4-top tables for $30 along the runway and stage
- 4-seat black leather couches for $30 at the end of the runway
- 5-seat VIP white leather couches for $40 on either side of the stage
All table reservations include door cover and wait service
You can add a bottle of bubbly to your table for just $10 more
Cover: $5 at the door.
Age: 19+
WHAT: Read UP: An LGBTQ Book Club
WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 12, 4:00–5:30 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 February book is Almost Perfect, by Brian Katcher.
For more information, contact Ann.
YEAR-ROUND, WEEKLY EVENTS
WHAT: Gay & Bisexual Men’s Group
WHERE: UIUC Counseling Center
WHEN: Monday, Feb. 6, 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: Illini Union (Room 407)
WHEN: Monday, Feb. 6, 8:00 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 are discussing our upcoming social events and the possible locations of the 2014 MBLGTACC conference.
For more information, please email Kyle or Josh.
WHAT: Nekromancy
WHERE: Chester Street Bar
WHEN: Monday, Feb. 6, 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+
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, Feb. 7, 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: Brother II Brother Meeting
WHERE: Green Street Center
24 E. Green St., Suite 14
Champaign
WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 1, 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.
WHAT: Man UP: Men’s Support Group
WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 7, 7:00–9:00 p.m.
This group is geared toward adult men, ages 18 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.
WHAT: Boys Night Out
WHERE: Boltini Lounge
WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 8, 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, Feb. 9, 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, Feb. 9, 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, Feb. 9, 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 Lounge at (217) 398-8661.
WHAT: Out in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (oSTEM)
WHERE: LGBT Resource Center, Illini Union (Room 323)
WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 9, 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.
WHAT: Women of Pride
WHERE: LGBT Resource Center, Illini Union (Room 323)
WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 12, 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, Feb. 12, 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, Month day, 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 theme is “Our GLAD Pets.” Veterinarian Cheryl Helsing and organic pet treat entrepreneurs Maire and Krista of Foxx Haven Farms are guests.
Also, Jim B. has planned a special birthday cake treat in honor of GLAD’s 19th birthday. And Douglas has lined up a coming out story as well.
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
LGBTQ participants are invited to participate in a research study on community involvement.
Requirements:
- 18 years of age or older
- Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, or queer
- Willingness to be interviewed
All identifying information remains strictly confidential.
Contact the interviewer: Megan Paceley, PhD Student, School of Social Work by email, or call (217) 316-4789.
(email and phone number are confidential and accessible only by Megan.)
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2012 International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA) Student Tourism Award
Victory Congressional Internship
The Victory Congressional Internship is now accepting applications for Summer 2012. The Gay & Lesbian Leadership Institute will bring 10–12 outstanding LGBTQ college students to Washington, D.C., for an intensive leadership program, including a Congressional internship with an LGBT-friendly member of Congress.
The program includes a generous stipend, placement in a congressional internship, and travel to/from Washington, D.C., as well as travel and registration to the International Gay & Lesbian Leadership Conference in Long Beach, California, in December 2012.
Applications are due Monday, February 6, 2012.
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Point Foundation Scholarship
Point Foundation, the nation’s largest scholarship granting organization for LGBT students, is seeking driven scholars who will become the leaders of tomorrow. Application deadline is February 10, 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.