Smile Politely

The Rainbow Connection: September 13–19

WHAT: Same Sex Sunday Podcast

WHERE: Right here. And also here.

WHEN: Every Sunday

This week on SameSexSunday, we chat with YouTube icon Sean Chapin about Mark Bingham‘s legacy on the 9th anniversary of the September 11th attacks. We also sit down with Roi Whaley and Aurelia Tolentino, HIV+ same-sex binational partners who survived Hurricane Katrina, but will soon be torn apart by unfair immigration law in their last days.

Our weekly LGBT politics round table discusses Colorado’s new Lesbian Latina Supreme Court Justice, homophobia in the Tea Party, ENDA protests and progress, and hate crimes.

Finally, we spend a lot of time chatting with military veteran and long-time Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell activist, Jarrod Chlapowski about the California Federal Court decision that struck down Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Chlapowski’s partner, Alex Nicholson, was named as injured party in that decision, and we’ll talk with him about the Log Cabin Republican case and what the next steps will be.

On the round table this week with Jarrod are veteran Washington activist and netroots pioneer, Phil Attey, Bilerico Editorial Advisory Board member Michael Crawford, and National LGBT advocate and icon, Meghan Stabler.

Check it out.

WHAT: Talk it UP

WHERE: Independent Media Center (Suite 203)

WHEN: Monday, Sept. 13, 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.

WHAT: Comedy Night at Emerald City

WHERE: Emerald City Lounge

WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 14, 4:00–10:00 p.m.

Enjoy Comedy Classics all night on the Big Screens!!

$2 off Theme Martinis
$10 Martini Flights
1/2 Price Jumbo Shrimp Shooters.

WHAT: Sex Positive Women

WHERE: Women’s Resources Center

WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 14, 6:00–7:30 p.m.

Sex Positive Women is an educational group that provides peer support and a safe space for all female identified university students to learn about, explore, and feel empowered around their sexuality. This confidential group will be a diverse gathering of women to find strength and celebration in our sexuality.

Sex Positive Women will meet for six consecutive weeks, starting September 14th until October 19th.

The group will be limited to 10 participants and registration is required.

Contact Jodi (333-3704) or Kim (333-2714) to register.

WHAT: eQuality C-U meeting

WHERE: Rainbow Coffeehouse at Green and Goodwin

WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 14, 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: Ladies Night at Emerald City Lounge

WHERE: Emerald City Lounge

WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 15, 4:00 p.m.–Thursday, Sept. 16, 2:00 a.m.

Ladies Night featuring:

$2 Domestic Bottle Beer
$3 Seagram’s Cocktails
$1 off Specialty Emerald City Sliders
Retro ’80s/Disco for your listening pleasure!

WHAT: Look UP

WHERE: Independent Media Center (Suite 203)

WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 15, 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: M Spot Drop In Hours

WHERE: The M Spot (Above The Blind Pig)

WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 15, 6:00–9:00 p.m.

Come hang out with the men of Mpowerment. Play games, watch TV or movies, enjoy some snacks or just hang out. Bring a friend or meet new ones. Mpowerment is a social and HIV Prevention Group for young gay/bisexual men.

For more information, please contact Carrie Keenan.

WHAT: Coming Out Support Group

WHERE: 211 Illini Union

WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 15, 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.

Email for more information.

WHAT: Queer Grads Happy Hour

WHERE: Emerald City Lounge

WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 15, 6:00–9:00 p.m.

Join us for the Queer Grads kick off social event of the year! Queer Grads is a social group for all queer-identified graduate students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Social events will allow lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer grad students to get together, socialize, network, and plan other activities.

WHAT: Boys Night Out

WHERE: Boltini Lounge

WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 15, 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: Kevin Turner Trio at Emerald City Lounge

WHERE: Emerald City Lounge

WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 16, 4:00 p.m.–Friday, Sept. 17, 2:00 a.m.

Kevin Turner, Live @ Emerald City Lounge!
Come down and enjoy a music-filled evening.

Also enjoy our 1/2 price wine by the glass, accompanied by 1/2 price cheese plate, your selection . . . or one of our signature Martini’s created by Champaign’s premier mixologists. Our new Small Bite menu is a hit, so enjoy the evening out with friends.

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

WHERE: Email for location

WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 16, 5:00–6:30 p.m.

We are an informal peer-led support group made up of lesbian, bisexual, queer and questioning female 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 not a therapy group and group members are asked not to engage in romantic relationships with one another.

For more information, please contact: Allie Cavallaro.

WHAT: Shape UP: Fitness Cycling Group

WHERE: 105 N. James Street, Champaign

WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 16, 7:00–8:00 p.m.

Purpose: to convene a group of LGBTQA folks from the C-U area who are interested in fitness cycling. We provide weekly training information, that will culminate in the Pumpkin Pie Ride in Ottawa, IL on Sunday, October 3rd.

Thursday’s meeting focuses on preparation for the Oct. 3rd event (and beyond), including Hydration, eating, route review, warm-up, and discussing group interest in continuing to train for future events.

For more information, please contact Cristina.

WHAT: Friday Films: Philadelphia

WHERE: LGBT Resource Center (323 Illini Union)

WHEN: Friday, Sept. 17, 2:00 p.m.

A film screening and discussion about the film Philadelphia. Hailed as a landmark film that dazzles with deep emotion and exceptional acting, Philadelphia stars Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington as two competing lawyers who join forces to sue a prestigious law firm for AIDS discrimination. As their unlikely friendship develops, their courage overcomes the prejudice and corruption of their powerful adversaries.

Official Trailer:


WHAT: LGBT Apartment Crawl

WHERE: Four Queer friendly apartments and C-St. to top the evening

WHEN: Friday, Sept. 17, 8:00 p.m.–Saturday, Sept. 18, 2:00 a.m.

$10 at the door or ahead of time — this covers cocktails and entertainment for all apartments.

WHAT: Genderfuck Bar Crawl

WHERE: Champaign Bars

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 18, 8:00 p.m.–Sunday, Sept. 19, 2:00 a.m.

Las Putis is proud to present the first ever Genderfuck Bar Crawl to hit the streets of Champaign.

Boys, break out your gilda’s, pumps, and eyelashes! Girls, show us your bound breasts and eyeliner facial hair!

The date is subject to change. Unless this date suits the original Putis.

We’ll probably hit up:

Fubar
Joe’s
Firehaus
Cly’s
Murphy’s
Brother’s
and C-St

19 to cum/21 to swallow

WHAT: Shape UP: Fitness Cycling Group, Sunday morning bike ride

WHERE: Country Side School parking lot, SW corner of Kirby and Staley Roads, 4301 W. Kirby Ave., Champaign

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 19, 7:30 a.m. until finished (1–3 hours)

For more information, please contact Cristina.

WHAT: Mpowerment Meeting

WHERE: The M Spot (Above The Blind Pig)

WHEN: Sunday, Sept. 19, 4:00–6:00 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.

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