Smile Politely

The Rainbow Connection: May 17–23

THIS WEEK’S SPECIAL EVENTS (please see below for regular weekly events and announcements)


WHAT:
Men’s Support Group

WHERE: The UP Center (Suite 102)

WHEN: Tuesday, May 17, 7:00–8:30 p.m.

This group is geared toward adult men, ages 18 and up, for peer support, developing friendships within the community, dating, and more.

For more information, please contact Kevin.

WHAT: The Amy Mitchell Trio

WHERE: Emerald City Lounge

WHEN: Thursday, May 19, 9:00 p.m.

A night of live music starts with The Amy Mitchell Trio. This group also features Tommy G and Guido doing every kind of music imaginable.

Tickets: Free
Age: 21+

WHAT: Gay-Straight Alliance & LGBTQA Youth Networking Party

WHERE: Channing-Murray Foundation

WHEN: Friday, May 20, 6:00–8:00 p.m.

All middle and high school LGBTQ-identified or allied youth are invited to attend this event. Join area youth from Champaign County (and beyond) schools for an evening of networking, games, and the opportunity to learn more about how YOU can get involved in LGBTQ activism with eCISSA and The UP Center.

Dinner will be provided with the LGBTQA youth prom to follow!

For more information, please contact Megan.

WHAT: LGBTQA Youth Prom

WHERE: Channing-Murray Foundation

WHEN: Friday, May 20, 8:30–10:30 p.m.

The UP Center of Champaign County and eCISSA are excited to announce the first annual LGBTQA youth prom! First, come early to the GSA/LGBTQA youth networking party (6:00–8:00) and then get ready for the Prom!

Refreshments and a DJ will be on hand to make the night fun, exciting, and magical! This year’s theme: Spring Halloween! Come dressed as your favorite LGBTQ person — from any time period! Don’t feel like dressing up? That’s okay, come as you are! All LGBTQ-identified and allied youth in middle school and high school are welcome to attend.

Larger poster image

For more information, please contact Megan.

WHAT: DJ Ringo Mix

WHERE: Emerald City Lounge

WHEN: Saturday, May 21, 11:00 p.m.

Come Party with a DJ at Emerald City! Every Saturday experience the mix of your local celebrity DJs. $2 Domestic Bottles; $3 Sobieski Cocktails.

Tickets: Free
Age: 21+

WHAT: Rap UP

WHERE: The UP Center (Suite 102)

WHEN: Sunday, May 22, 2:00–4:00 p.m.

Do you want to get to know other lesbian, gay bisexual, transgender, and ally members of our community in an informal environment where you can just relax and participate in casual conversation? If you said yes, then we invite you to come hang out at Rap UP! Come be among friends and share in casual conversation.

For more information, please contact Ann.

WHAT: AMASONG Celebrates 20 Years of Song!

WHERE: McKinley Presbyterian Church

WHEN: Saturday, May 21, 7:30–10:30. p.m.
             Sunday, May 22, 4:00–7:00 p.m.

Over the past twenty years, AMASONG has been known for our diverse repertoire, exploring the range of women’s experiences around the world, bringing songs in dozens of languages to life.

Come celebrate with us, hear favorites from the past and see some familiar faces, and open your ears to exciting new music, including the premiere of a commissioned work by music director Meagan Johnson Smith.

Larger image of poster

WHAT: Talk It UP

WHERE: The UP Center (Suite 102)

WHEN: Monday, May 23, 7:00–8:00 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.

Snacks are provided.

For more information, please contact Christina.

REGULAR WEEKLY EVENTS

 

LGBT Resource Center, Illini Union (Room 323)

Rainbow Lemonade Stand 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, May 17, 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: eQuality C-U Meeting

WHERE: TBA

WHEN: TBA

eQuality C-U is an LGBTQ activist group for students and community members. If you’re interested in helping in the struggle for LGBT liberation and equal rights for all, then this is a group for you!

For more information, please contact: John Kenealy.

WHAT: Brother II Brother Meeting

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

WHEN: Wednesday, May 18, 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.

WHAT: Boys Night Out

WHERE: Boltini Lounge

WHEN: Wednesday, May 18, 9:00 p.m.

Every Wednesday is Boys Night Out at Boltini Lounge.

  • DJ Randall Ellison at the decks.
  • FREE candy and condoms
  • $4.00 X-Boyfriend & Well Hung martinis; $9.00 carafe Long Island Iced Tea; $1.50 Miller High Life bottles; $5.00 Classic & Baby Mama Bellinis
  • Half price food specials (4:00–6:30 p.m. only)

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

WHERE: Please email for location

WHEN: Thursday, May 19, 6:30–8:00 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. Among Women is open to all graduate and undergraduate students.

For more information, please contact: Allie.

WHAT: Nekromancy

WHERE: Chester Street Bar

WHEN: Monday–Tuesday, May 23–24, 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: $3.00
Age: 19+

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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. If I attempted to write this myself, I’d never get it done.

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