MONDAY, March 25
WHAT: National Equality Action in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois
WHERE: Corner of Green and Wright, at the base of the Alma Mater
WHEN: Monday, Mar. 25, 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Come to a rally to support equal civil marriage! On March 26–27, the United States Supreme Court will hear cases on Prop 8 and DOMA. Actions are being organized across the U.S. on March 25 to show support for full marriage equality for ALL people.
For more information, go to the National Equality Action Facebook page.
WHAT: Nekromancy
WHERE: Chester Street Bar
WHEN: Monday, Mar. 25, 9:00 p.m.–2:00 a.m.
Every Monday, DJs SorceryKid and Hivemind, craft 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, March 26
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 Infusions.
WHAT: Mpowerment Meeting
WHERE: Green Street Center
24 E. Green St., Suite 14
Champaign
WHEN: Tuesday, Mar. 26, 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. 26, 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 Bowersox-Johnson.
WHAT: Uncovering the Mirrors | Performance Art feat. Rebecca Kling
WHERE: Armory Free Theatre
WHEN: Tuesday, Mar. 26, 7:00 p.m.
Uncovering the Mirrors travels from Rebecca Kling’s first explorations of gender at six years old, naked and uncomfortable in her body, to the Bar Mitzvah that gendered her as a “man,” from the hormones coursing through her blood, to a future as fragile as glass. Uncovering the Mirrors confronts the gender policing we all experience in our day-to-day lives, and asks how to live with regrets, push beyond mistakes, and look in the mirror each morning without flinching.
WHAT: Infusions
WHERE: LGBT Resource Center, Illini Union (Room 323)
WHEN: Tuesday, Mar. 26, 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 27
WHAT: Lunchtime Trans Ally Workshop feat. Rebecca Kling
WHERE: Women’s Resources Center
WHEN: Wednesday, Mar. 27, 12 noon–1:00 p.m.
In this workshop, students will learn how to be allies to the transgender and gender non-conforming people in their lives. Rebecca Kling is a transgender artist and educator who explores gender and identity through solo pieces and educational workshops. Her multidisciplinary performances incorporate conversational storytelling, personal narrative, humor, movement, video projection, and more.
Kling takes the position that sharing accessible queer narrative with a wide audience is a form of activism, and that understanding combats bigotry.
WHAT: Gal UP
WHERE: UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Wednesday, Mar. 27, 6:00–7:00 p.m.
Gal UP is a social/support group for women of any sexual orientation to meet and discuss aspects of our daily lives, such as coming out, being an ally, creating friendships, networking in our community, job-related issues, spiritual/religious concerns, and other topics that members want to talk about. The group is a relaxed, safe environment where women can socialize and steer the direction as interests present themselves.
Feel free to invite any woman you think might be interested.
For more information, please email or go here.
WHAT: Brother II Brother Meeting
WHERE: Green Street Center
24 E. Green St., Suite 14
Champaign
WHEN: Wednesday, Mar. 27, 7:00–8:00 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. 27, 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. 27, 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. 27, 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 28
***This meeting has been canceled***
WHAT: Parkland Pride Meeting
WHERE: Parkland Community College (Room X-150)
WHEN: Thursday, Mar. 28, 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. 28, 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. 28, 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. 28, 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: Or,
WHERE: The Station Theatre
WHEN: Thursday, Mar. 28, 8:00 p.m.
Aphra Behn is getting out of the spy game and into showbiz. Sprung from debtors’ prison after a disastrous overseas mission, she’ll fulfill her dream of becoming the first professional female playwright — if she can finish her play by morning. All that’s standing in her way are her royal lover, King Charles II; magnetic actress, Nell Gwynne; and double agent, William Scot, who may or may not be trying to murder the king.
Double-crossing, cross-dressing, sex, art, and politics all come together in playwright Liz Duffy Adams’s mischievous, bodice-ripping farce that peers into the life and times of the literal first lady of the stage.
Make your reservations here.
WHAT: Out in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (oSTEM)
WHERE: LGBT Resource Center, Illini Union (Room 323)
WHEN: Thursday, Mar. 28, 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 29
WHAT: Drag Show
WHERE: Illini Union (I Rooms)
WHEN: Friday, Mar. 29, 9:00 p.m.
WHAT: The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
WHERE: Art Theater Co-op
WHEN: Friday–Saturday, Mar. 29–31, 11:30 p.m.
The Art will be showing Priscilla, Queen of the Desert on 35mm print. The evening will be hosted by Veronica Bleaus, the self-proclaimed “worst drag queen in the Midwest.” Buy your tickets here.
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SATURDAY, March 30
WHAT: Saturday Night Royals
WHERE: Emerald City Lounge
WHEN: Saturday, Mar. 30, 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.
Call (217) 398-8661 or email for information regarding the featured headliner and reservations.
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SUNDAY, March 31
WHAT: Easter Brunch
WHERE: Emerald City Lounge
WHEN: Sunday, Mar. 31, 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
WHAT: Women of Pride
WHERE: LGBT Resource Center, Illini Union (Room 323)
WHEN: Sunday, Mar. 31, 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. 31, 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
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:
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Distinguished Service Award
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Faculty/Staff Leadership Award
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Emerging Leader Award
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Ally Award
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Unsung Advocate Award
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Student Organization Award
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Outstanding Student Research Award
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BridgeBuilding Award
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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 (family friendly, political, erotic, racially diverse, kinks, sub-culture, etc.). 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.