Smile Politely

The Rainbow Connection: October 19–25

WHAT: Quench! Asians and the 4-letter word: LGBT

WHERE: Asian American Cultural Center

WHEN: Tuesday, Oct. 19, 12:00–1:00 p.m.

Speaker: Bee Yang, NUFP Intern. Today’s Quench is a partnership with Food for Thought: Lunch Scramble: Asians and LGBT. Stop by the Asian American Cultural Center for lunch at noon and to hear a presentation by Bee Yang about Asians and the Four Letter Word: LGBT!

WHAT: Mpowerment Meeting

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

WHEN: Tuesday, Oct. 19, 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, Oct. 19, 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: Spirit Day

WHERE: Everywhere

WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2010

On October 20th, we will wear purple in honor of the six gay boys who committed suicide in recent weeks/months due to homophobic abuse in their homes and at their schools. Purple represents Spirit on the LGBT flag and that’s exactly what we’d like all of you to have with you: spirit.

Please know that times will get better and that you will meet people who will love you and respect you for who you are, no matter your sexuality. Please wear purple on October 20th. Tell your friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, and schools.

RIP:

  • Tyler Clementi
  • Seth Walsh
  • Justin Aaberg
  • Raymond Chase
  • Asher Brown
  • Billy Lucas

WHAT: Quesadilla and Cupcake Sale

WHERE: On the Quad, in front of the Union

WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 20, 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

Come support Bi Pride‘s first fundraiser! We will be selling:

  • Quesadillas–made fresh on the Quad. Yum!
  • Bisexual Cupcakes–with frosting in the shape of the Bi Flag!
  • Soda–Pepsi and Coke, because we support you even if you like both 🙂

So come get some lunch and support Bi Pride while you’re at it! Bi Pride is a registered organization at the University of Illinois to support bisexual, pansexual, queer-identified people, and our allies.

WHAT: Look UP

WHERE: Independent Media Center (Suite 203)

WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 20, 6:00–7:00 p.m.

What does it look like to combine sexuality with spirituality? Look UP is a discussion group for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgendered, and queer individuals where we provide a safe environment to meet people, hang out, and discuss these two ideas and how they can and do coexist. Our goal is to bring together people from the LGBTQ community that have shared experiences, and allow them the freedom to explore these subjects in a respectful, peer-mediated setting.

For more information, please contact Rob.

WHAT: It Gets Better: Vigil to Remember LGBT Youth

WHERE: University of Illinois Alma Mater
              Green St. & Wright St.

WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 20, 7:00–7:30pm

The recent string of highly publicized youth and young adult suicides has deeply saddened the University of Illinois’ LGBTQ and Ally community. We remain troubled by the circumstances surrounding these deaths and we are mindful that, despite the recent surge in media attention, suicide rates among LGBTQ youth have continued to grow over the years. Suicide is the third most prevalent cause of death for people age 15–24, with LGBTQ persons estimated at four times more likely to attempt suicide than their heterosexual counterparts, this crisis has been quietly building for a number of years.

On October 20th, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Resource Center will hold a candlelight vigil to remember all the LGBTQ youth whose lives were lost. We will demonstrate that a society dominated by civil and respectful discourse cannot accept bullying, harassment, and intimidation. More importantly, we are a visible sign to all LGBTQ people that there is a future worth waiting for, there is acceptance and love to be had, and despite the challenges they face now, it gets better.

WHAT: Boys Night Out

WHERE: Boltini Lounge

WHEN: Wednesday, Oct. 20, 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: Night of Comedy with Gloria Bigelow

WHERE: Illini Union Courtyard Cafe

WHEN: Thursday, Oct. 21, 8:00–9:30 p.m.

Gloria Bigelow… If the girl next door was black and gay!

University of Illinois alum Gloria Bigelow is an emerging comic who is achieving great success on the national comedy scene. . . . Subtle, disarming, and witty — Gloria is poised to take the world of comedy by storm.

WHAT: Caleb Cook Center Stage

WHERE: Emerald City Lounge

WHEN: Thursday, Oct. 21, 8:00–11:00 p.m.

Come down and enjoy a music-filled evening of Folk Rock, Jazz, Blues, and more.

Also enjoy 1/2 price wine by the glass, accompanied by 1/2 price cheese plate (your selection), or a signature Martini created by Champaign’s premier mixologists.

WHAT: Friday Films: Milk

WHERE: LGBT Resource Center, (323 Illini Union)

WHEN: Friday, Oct. 22, 2:00 p.m.

A film screening and discussion about the film Milk. His life changed history. His courage changed lives. Academy Award winner Sean Penn stars in this stirring celebration of Harvey Milk, a true man of the people.

Based on the inspiring true story of the first openly gay man elected to public office, this compelling film follows Milk’s powerful journey to inspire hope for equal rights during one of the least tolerant times on our nation’s history.

WHAT: Good vs Evil Ball

WHERE: Chester Street Bar

WHEN: Monday–Tuesday, Oct. 25–26, 9:00 p.m.–2:00 a.m.

Halloween 2010 is just around the corner, and this year we celebrate the good with the evil! Look forward to plenty of audience participation, including spooky skits and fun games all night long in the patio. And of course this is a masquerade ball, so we encourage everybody to dress up for the occasion. At midnight we will crown the most demonic and angelic contestant!

Of course, DJs will be spinning all your favorite swoopy-n-stompy dance music throughout the evening. So join us for a night of fear and fantasy at the third annual Nekromancy Halloween Bash.

$3.00 cover
Ages 19+

WHAT: UP Center Families Group Apples & Pumpkins Party

WHERE: Meadowbrook Park Garden Pavilion

WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 23, 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

The UP Center’s Families Group is hosting a fall party at Meadowbrook Park in Urbana. Kids and adults can dip their own caramel apples, decorate miniature pumpkins, and meet other families. All ages are welcome, and the event is free. Please RSVP by October 20!

For more information, please contace Erin.

WHAT: Same Sex Sunday Podcast

WHERE: Right here. And also here.

WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 24, 2010

Daniel O’Neill discusses HIV Infection prevention efforts in Washington, D.C.

The Round Table discussed the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell roller coaster, the end of the Florida ban on gay adoption, the President’s It Gets Better video, NOM’s legal troubles, Ken Buck, and more.

Joining us this week were Field Director at the Courage Campaign, Arisha Hatch; Programs Director for Log Cabin Republicans, Casey Pick; Managing Partner of Renna Communications, Cathy Renna; co-director of Active Duty Service Members Network, OutServe, JD Smith; Executive Director of Equality Florida, Nadine Smith; and Founding Partner of 3PG Consulting, Andy Szekeres.

Check it out:

WHAT: Talk it UP

WHERE: Independent Media Center (Suite 203)

WHEN: Monday, Oct. 25, 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 and support 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 Megan.

 

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Disclaimer: As much as I would like it to be, 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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