Smile Politely

The Rainbow Connection: March 11–17

MONDAY, March 11

WHAT: Gay & Bisexual Men’s Group

WHERE: UIUC Counseling Center

WHEN: Monday, Mar. 11, 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: Pride Meeting

WHERE: Illini Union (Room 314)

WHEN: Monday, Mar. 11, 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 Black Light Party, Take 2

WHERE: Chester Street Bar

WHEN: Monday, Mar. 11, 9:00 p.m.–2:00 a.m.

Nekromancy’s Black Light Party is back. Copious amounts of ultra-violet light means that, should you desire, you will be able to achieve MAXIMUM GLOW. Good company, dancing, and excellent drink specials = the perfect recipe for EPIC!

DJs snarf. and DJ Xer0 will join DJs SorceryKid and Hivemind for dance floor annihilation. Live painting (that also glows!) for your viewing pleasure will also be done by Pwny LaMare.

Doors: 9:00 p.m.
Cover: $4
Age: 19+

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TUESDAY, March 12

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.

This week’s Rainbow Coffeehouse is hosted by Debra & Tim Larson.

WHAT: Mpowerment Meeting

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

WHEN: Tuesday, Mar. 12, 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, Mar. 12, 7:00–9:00 p.m.

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

For more information go here, or contact Kevin Bowersox-Johnson.

WHAT: Infusions

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

WHEN: Tuesday, Mar. 12, 8:00 p.m.

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.

For more information, please email.

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WEDNESDAY, March 13

WHAT: Brother II Brother Meeting

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

WHEN: Wednesday, Mar. 13, 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. 13, 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 Nite Out

WHERE: Boltini Lounge

WHEN: Wednesday, Mar. 13, 9:00 p.m.

Every Wednesday is Boys Nite 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. 13, 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 14

WHAT: Parkland Pride Meeting

WHERE: Parkland Community College (Room X-150)

WHEN: Thursday, Mar. 14, 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. 14, 5:00–6:00 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, Mar. 14, 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 Weyer.

WHAT: Building Bridges

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

WHEN: Thursday, Mar. 14, 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: Sex + Gender Film Series | Pariah

WHERE: Women’s Resources Center

WHEN: Thursday, Mar. 14, 7:00–9:00 p.m.

Pariah is the story of Alike, a seventeen-year-old African-American woman who lives in Brooklyn’s Fort Greene neighborhood. She has a flair for poetry, and is a good student at her local high school. Pariah is also the story of a young, queer, spoken word artist and her own coming of age.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. This event is free and open to the public.

WHAT: Broadway Cabaret

WHERE: Courtyard Cafe

WHEN: Thursday, Mar. 14, 8:00–9:00 p.m.

Illini Union Board is proud to announce that it will be hosting a Broadway-themed Cabaret Night in the Courtyard Café.

The night’s performers include The Other Guys, select cast members of I.U.B.’s spring musical Hairspray: Cassie Cushman, Kristina Loy, Kara Sotakoun, Phallon Boyd, Gregory Stewart Jr., and Shelby McKeever.

This event is free and open to the public.

WHAT: Out in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (oSTEM)

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

WHEN: Thursday, Mar. 14, 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, March 15

WHAT: Oz the Great and Powerful Tribute

WHERE: Emerald City Lounge

WHEN: Friday–Saturday, Mar. 15–16, 5:00 p.m.–2:00 a.m.

Emerald City will serve “themed specials” while Oz the Great and Powerful is showing in C-U. Specials include $1 off all Emerald City Themed Martinis and free desert when you bring in your theater ticket.

WHAT: Youth Time

WHERE: UP Center of Champaign County

WHEN: Friday, Mar. 15, 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 16

WHAT: Saturday Night Royals

WHERE: Emerald City Lounge

WHEN: Saturday, Mar. 16, 11:00 p.m.–2:00 a.m.

Join Emerald City Lounge every Saturday for a Royal Event. You’ll enjoy the Best and Brightest Stars of Drag that downstate Illinois has to offer.

This week’s show features:

  • Miles Long
  • Tyler Manhatten
  • T.J. Taylor
  • J.J. Connor
  • Acession Carrington
  • Brown Baby Styles
  • Parker Biggam
  • Freddie Farenheit
  • Jay Knight
  • Presley Stardust Gently
  • Kenny Tuckett Gently
  • Calvin Judas Carter
  • Ty Swag Burton
  • McSwagga Gently
  • Stephanie Hatfield
  • Defaye

Call (217) 398-8661 or email for information regarding the featured headliner and reservations.

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SUNDAY, March 17

WHAT: Women of Pride

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

WHEN: Sunday, Mar. 17, 6:30 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. 17, 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.

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

For more information, go here.

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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.

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