Smile Politely

The Rainbow Connection: November 9–15

WHAT: Mpowerment Meeting

WHERE: M Spot
              24 E. Green St., Suite 14
              Champaign

WHEN: Tuesday, Nov. 9, 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: Rainbow Coffeehouse at Green and Goodwin

WHEN: Tuesday, Nov. 9, 7:00–8:00 p.m.

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: Scott Turner Schofield presents: Two Truths and a Lie, A Performance

WHERE: Allen Hall (Main Lounge)

WHEN: Tuesday, Nov. 9, 7:00–9:00 p.m.

Scott Turner Schofield is a man who was a woman, a lesbian turned straight guy who is usually taken for a gay teenager. From inside his young life, armed with only a decoder ring and a gifted tongue, Schofield comes out with truly unbelievable stories of a body in search of an identity.

For more information, please contact Laura Haber.

WHAT: Coming Out Support Group

WHERE: Illini Union (Room 317)

WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 10, 7:00–8:00 p.m.

A safe, informal space for U of I students to listen, discuss, and learn about aspects of identity and coming out. Open to all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning students, and those who do not choose to label themselves.

Coming Out Support Group is a confidential space; we always respect your privacy.

For more information, please email.

WHAT: Boys Night Out

WHERE: Boltini Lounge

WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 10, 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 carafe Long Island Iced Tea; $1.50 Miller High Life bottles; $5.00 Classic & Baby Mama Bellinis; and half price food specials (4:00–6:30 p.m. only).

WHAT: Tony Buff: Creating Queer Identities and Embracing Your Kinks

WHERE: Illini Union (Room 210)

WHEN: Thursday, November 11, 7:00 p.m.

Queer activist, educator, performance artist, and adult film director Tony Buff (NSFW) shares his experiences on:

  • Claiming a queer identity
  • Forming polyamorous relationships
  • Building communities that feed your soul
  • Exploring leather, kink and BDSM

This event is a great opportunity learn about alternative lifestyles from an expert. All are welcome!

WHAT: Joni Dreyer & Dave Cooper

WHERE: Emerald City Lounge

WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 11, 8:00–11:00 p.m.

Come down and enjoy the musical performances of Joni Dreyer & Dave Cooper, live on stage at Emerald City Lounge.

Relax at the Lounge and enjoy 1/2 price wine by the glass accompanied by a 1/2 price cheese plate, your selections.

WHAT: Friday Films: Middle Sexes: Redefining He and She

WHERE: LGBT Resource Center (323 Illini Union)

WHEN: Friday, Nov 12, 2:00 p.m.

Film screening and discussion of the movie Middle Sexes: Redefining He and She. This documentary examines the diversity of human sexual and gender variance around the globe, with commentary by scientific experts and firsthand accounts of people who do not conform to a simple male/female binary.

WHAT: Same Sex Sunday Podcast

WHERE: Right here. And also here.

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 14, 2010

The election has left the future of many Federal LGBT equality bills up in the air, but one particular legislative goal that has a chance is the repeal of the military’s discriminatory Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell ban on gay, lesbian, and bisexual troops serving openly. All eyes in the LGBT community now rest on the hopes of the success of this one, limited, but historic effort. With the brevity of Congress’s “Lame Duck” session looming, however, advocates only have a very tiny window to secure the passage of this repeal.

This week, Joe and Phil sit down with the most complete panel of DADT experts they’ve ever assembled. Joining them are Servicemembers United‘s Jarrod Chlapowski, MetroWeeky‘s Chris Geidner, Log Cabin Republican‘s Casey Pick, OutServe‘s J.D. Smith, veteran, writer and activist, Brett Edward Stout, and Human Rights Campaign‘s Sarah Warbelow.

They discuss every aspect of the fate of this legislation — from LCR’s Federal Court challenge to Marine Commandant, General James Amos’ bucking the administration’s line, to the chances of “Lame Duck” success. They even opine on Cindy McCain’s strange flip-flopping on the DADT issue.

They also speak with Josh Friedes, Executive Director of Equal Rights Washington about messaging, and what the states can do to push equality over the next year or two. Josh helps us get in a proactive mindset, setting our sights to 2012 now, rather than waiting for the year — and its challenges — to come to us.

Check it out.

WHAT: The Bi in LesBian!

WHERE: Illini Union (Room 323)

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 14, 6:30 – 9:30 p.m.

BiPride UIUC will discuss Bisexuality and how it fits in the Lesbian Community.

WHAT: Trans Fusions National Tour: Live @ The Red Herring

WHERE: The Red Herring

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 14, 9:00–11:30 p.m.

The Trans Fusions National Tour comes to the Red Herring to commemorate the release of the Trans Fusions II CD compilation, featuring over 20 renowned and emerging transgender artists.

Bringing Trans Fusions to the stage are:

  • Whimsy-core puppeteer & uke princess Geppetta

This unique and poignant multimedia performance includes original music, spoken word, dance, puppet theater, and visual art blended with trans liberation and social justice.

**Cover: Donations graciously accepted and appreciated!

**All ages are welcome, but adults only is recommended

WHAT: eCISSA Meeting

WHERE: Universal-Unitarian Church of Urbana-Champaign (basement)

WHEN: Monday, Nov. 15, 5:30–7:00 p.m.

From their Facebook page: The goal of eCISSA is to eliminate all bullying of LGBTQ students and to create a school environment where youth feel nurtured and safe to be themselves, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity. This is the East Central Illinois chapter of the Safe Schools Alliance. For more information, please contact Mitali Purkayastha.

WHAT: Champagne & Show Tunes with Ron Bryant

WHERE: Emerald City Lounge

WHEN: Sunday, Nov. 14, 8:00–11:00 p.m.

Emerald City Lounge welcomes Piano Man Ron Bryant LIVE for Show Tune Sunday.

Ron Bryant has been performing in St. Louis for a number of years, and brings a stylish campy rendition to Show Tunes classics. Ron’s mastery and flair on the piano makes this a show you don’t want to miss.

Come out and enjoy a glass of Champagne during the show, $3 on Sunday!

Other Specials for the evening are:

  • 1/2 Price “Small Bite” Menu from 5:00–8:00 p.m.
  • $2 Miller Light Drafts
  • $3 Margaritas
  • $3 Champagne/Mimosa
  • $4 Bloody Mary’s
  • $6 Purple Passion Martini (Horse of a Different Color)

WHAT: Quench! Two-Spirit Identity: A Navajo Perspective

WHERE: Illini Union (Room 404)

WHEN: Monday, Nov 15, 12:00–1:00 p.m.

As part of the Office of Inclusion & Intercultural Relations Lunch On Us Series, the LGBT Resource Center presents Quench! A noon hour lunch presentation and discussion series.

Speaker: Irvin Harrison, Native American House Director

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Get Ready for Pride 2011!

The UP Center of Champaign County is hosting their first Pride Fest 2011 meeting this Sunday, Nov. 14, at 4:00 at the Independent Media Center. If you are interested in being involved this year, please attend!

For more information, please contact Evelyne.

Pride Around the Region

WHAT: Gay and Lesbian Association of Decatur (GLAD) Social

WHERE: Peerless Training Facility, 1304 N. 20th Street, Decatur

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 13, 6:30 p.m.

The November 13th Social will continue its tradition of having a Thanksgiving dinner with GLAD providing turkey and ham. They’ll also have their annual canned food drive, so please remember to bring in a few non-perishable food items along with your Thanksgiving dinner trimmings.

We hope to see you there.

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Disclaimer: I won’t pretend that this is 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. This is your column.

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