Smile Politely

The Rainbow Connection: September 20–26

WHAT: Same Sex Sunday Podcast

WHERE: Right here. And also here.

WHEN: Every Sunday

Candidate for Colorado Attorney General, Stan Garnet, talked with Phil Reese. Joe Mirabella and Phil Reese interviewed the Courage Campaign‘s Rick Jacobs and Arisha Michelle Hatch, with Open Left‘s Adam Bink. They discussed the Prop 8 Trial Tracker, the NOM Tour Tracker, and the Courage Campaign’s new Testimony Project.

Check it out.

WHAT: Quench! Being an Ally to Our Communities

WHERE: Women’s Resource Center

WHEN: Monday, Sept. 20, 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.

WHAT: Comedy Night at Emerald City

WHERE: Emerald City Lounge

WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 21, 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: eQuality C-U Meeting

WHERE: Rainbow Coffeehouse at Green and Goodwin

WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 21, 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–Thursday, Sept. 23–24, 4:00 p.m.–2:00 a.m.

Ladies Night featuring:
$2 Domestic Bottle Beer
$3 Seagram’s Whiskey Cocktails
$1 off Specialty Emerald City Sliders
Retro ’80s/Disco for you listening pleasure!

WHAT: M Spot Drop In Hours

WHERE: The M Spot (Above The Blind Pig)

WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 22, 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: Boys Night Out

WHERE: Boltini Lounge

WHEN: Wednesday, Sept. 22, 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: Celebrate Bisexuality Day!

WHERE: U of I Quad

WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 23, 12:00–4:00 p.m.

Come join us as Bi Pride tables the Quad from 12:00–4:00 p.m. for Celebrate Bisexuality Day! We will be on the north end of the Main Quad by the Union. Look for the beautiful rainbow flags and Bi Pride flag and come say hi!

We will have candy, information about bisexual/pansexual/queer identity, and flyers about Bi Pride (the new student organization at the University of Illinois to support bisexual, pansexual, and queer people and our allies). So stop on by!

WHAT: Shape UP: Fitness Cycling Group

WHERE: 105 N. James Street, Champaign

WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 23, 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.

At Thursday’s meeting we will prepare for the event, 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: Emerald City Welcomes Cara Maurizi!

WHERE: Emerald City Lounge

WHEN: Thursday, Sept. 23, 8:00–11:00 p.m.

Listen to the Mix of Jazz and Blues Vocals performed by Cara Maurizi.

1/2 Price Wine by the Glass and 1/2 off Our Gourmet Cheese Plates all evening!

WHAT: Friday Films! Shelter

WHERE: LGBT Resource Center, 323 Illini Union

WHEN: Friday, Sept. 24, 2:00–4:30 p.m.

Film screening and discussion of Shelter.

Synopsis: Forced to give up his dreams of art school, Zach spends his days working a dead end job and helping his needy sister care for her son. In his free time he surfs, draws and hangs out with his best friend, Gabe, who lives on the wealthy side of town. When Gabe’s older brother, Shaun, returns home, he is drawn to Zach’s selflessness and talent. Zach falls in love with Shaun while struggling to reconcile his own desires with the needs of his family.

Official Trailer:

WHAT: C-U Premiere of Leading Ladies

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 25, 7:30 p.m.
            Sunday, Sept. 26, 2:30, 5:00, 7:30 p.m.

WHERE: The Art Theater

Leading Ladies returns to Champaign. That’s right, the movie is coming home! Tickets can be purchased from the festival website or The Art box office.

 

Official Trailer:

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. 26, 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. 26, 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.

Pride Around the Region

Local Therapist Opens Practice

Trey Polesky, a local transman and Licensed Social Worker, has opened a practice that includes services for transgender people.

Trey counsels transgender clients and those questioning their gender identity or gender expression. Trey’s stated goal is to help his clients “clarify and resolve the difficulties [they] are facing in a way that makes sense” to them. He helps people with issues related to transitioning, coming out, relationships, work related concerns, and mental health and substance use issues. He is authorized to refer clients for hormone therapy and/or gender reassignment surgery.

Please visit his website for more information.

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Disclaimer: It would be impossible for me to compile 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.

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