The Rainbow Connection: Jan. 31–Feb. 6
THIS WEEK’S SPECIAL EVENTS (please see below for year-round weekly events, announcements, and selected regional events)
WHAT: Exploring the Views of Transgender People: A group discussion
WHERE: LGBT Resource Center, Illini Union (Room 323)
WHEN: Tuesday, Jan. 31, 3:00
WHAT: Talk It UP
WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 2, 6:30–7:30 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.
Topics for the youth group are decided by the youth present.
For more information, please contact Peggy.
WHAT: Queer Research Group
WHERE: School of Social Work (Room 2015)
WHEN: Friday, Feb 3, 12:00–1:00 p.m.
A networking and discussion group about research involving LGBTQA individuals, families, groups, organizations, and/or communities.
This group is open to students, staff, and faculty in social sciences, humanities, and education who are interested in working on LGBTQA-related research.
For more information, please email.
WHAT: The Man Who Drove with Mandela: Film Screening & Discussion
WHERE: LGBT Resource Center, Illini Union (Room 323)
WHEN: Friday, Feb. 3, 2:00 p.m.
This video is an unusually revealing portrait of one of the historic figures behind Nelson Mandela's long struggle for freedom in South Africa. In the early Sixties, Mandela traveled incognito across South Africa, organizing armed rebellion against the apartheid regime. Driving a gleaming Austin Westminster limousine, he was disguised as the chauffeur for an elegant, impeccably dressed white man. That man was Cecil Williams, leading Johannesburg theater director, a committed freedom fighter, and a gay man.
Official trailer:
WHAT: Homophobic Bullying and Prevention
WHERE: Parkland College (Room D-105)
WHEN: Friday, Feb. 3, 3:00–5:00 p.m.
Join the Parkland College Ally Team as we welcome nationally renowned expert on bullying, Dr. Dorothy Espelage.
Dr. Espelage will be addressing the topics of homophobic bullying and violence, the effects such experiences have on students, and what we as a school, and as individuals, should be doing to help.
For more information, please contact Erin Wilding-Martin.
WHAT: Families Group
WHERE: Urbana Free Library (Lewis Auditorium)
WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 4, 2:00-4:00 p.m.
The UP Center’s Families Group focuses on the specific needs of LGBTQA parents and children. This group provides separate programming opportunities for children of LGBTQA parents, LQBTQA parents, and the family.
This Saturday’s meeting will be Valentine's themed, and we’ll be making crafts. The UP Center will have the basics needed to make the crafts, but we are asking families to bring embellishments. Whether it's stickers, markers, or glitter, additions are welcome.
The UP Center will also be providing snacks. RSVPs are encouraged, but not required.
For more information go here, or contact Kerri.
WHAT: Gays on Ice
WHERE: University of Illinois Ice Arena
WHEN: Saturday, Feb. 4, 8:00-10:00 p.m.
Join the University of Illinois LGBT Resource Center for a fun evening of ice skating! Free admittance and skate rental.
WHAT: Quench! Let's Talk About Sex … Education
WHERE: Illini Union (Room 406)
WHEN: Monday, Feb. 6, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Speaker: Kevin Ng, LGBT Resource Center Intern
WHAT: Look UP
WHERE: The UP Center of Champaign County
WHEN: Monday, Feb. 6, 6:00–7:00 p.m.
Look UP is a group for LGBTQ and ally individuals to discuss the intersections between LGBTQ identity and Christianity in a safe, supportive environment. Discussion topics include: gay bible studies, responding to hate/discrimination, finding LGBTQ-affirming congregations, and other topics important to those in attendance.
For more information, please contact Mada.
WHAT: New Wave Pajama Party
WHERE: Chester Street Bar
WHEN: Monday, Feb. 6, 9:00 p.m.–12:00 a.m.
Mark your calendars for our sexy slumber party at Chester Street! Pajamas, night gowns, lingerie, night caps, slippers, and even stuffed animals are encouraged. We'll be having a contest for the sexiest and coziest sleepware. And don't forget to bring a pillow for our Midnight Pillow Fight in the pit. Games, prizes, and tasty sleepover treats await you!
New wave, new romantic, electroclash, electro indie, and other synthy sonnambulent goodness on the dancefloor with DJ SorceryKid, DJ Rasclin, and DJ Hivemind.
Cover: $2.00
Age: 19+
YEAR-ROUND, WEEKLY EVENTS
Rainbow Coffeehouse 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!
This week’s Rainbow Coffeehouse is hosted by the UP Center of Champaign County.
WHAT: Mpowerment Meeting
WHERE: Green Street Center
24 E. Green St., Suite 14
Champaign
WHEN: Tuesday, Jan. 31, 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: Brother II Brother Meeting
WHERE: Green Street Center
24 E. Green St., Suite 14
Champaign
WHEN: Wednesday, Feb. 1, 6:30–9:00 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, Feb. 1, 9:00 p.m.
Every Wednesday is Boys Night Out at Boltini Lounge.
- DJ Randall Ellison at the decks
- FREE candy and condoms
- Half price food specials (4:00–6:30 p.m. only)
WHAT: Among Women: Lesbian, Bisexual, Queer, and Questioning Support Group
WHERE: Asian American Cultural Center
WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 2, 5:00-6:30 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. We are open to all University of Illinois students, both graduate and undergraduate.
For more information, please contact Alexandra.
WHAT: Building Bridges
WHERE: Illini Union (Room 211)
WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 2, 7:00-8:00 p.m.
Building Bridges exists to provide an open, accepting, safe space space for U of I students who identify as LGBTQ and Allies and are drawn to Christianity.
We aim to foster personal growth in ourselves, our spiritual health, and our community through honest spiritual discussions, sharing of personal experiences, and promoting social interaction. We respect the diversity of members' spiritual backgrounds and are committed to breaking down stereotypes and to building an understanding between diverse groups.
For more information, please contact Harrison.
WHAT: Open Mic Night
WHERE: Emerald City Lounge
WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 2, 7:00-10:00 p.m.
Every Thursday is Open Mic Night at Emerald City Lounge.
Kicking off Open Mic Night this week, is Michael Solomon, performing a few numbers for folks to enjoy.
WHAT: Out in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (oSTEM)
WHERE: LGBT Resource Center, Illini Union (Room 323)
WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 2, 8:00 p.m.
oSTEM is a student group open to and oriented towards LGBT students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Allies and those not in Science also welcome!
General Body Meetings are the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month. The 2nd and 4th Thursdays are hangout/homework sessions. Feel free to come any Thursday.
For more information, please email.
WHAT: Women of Pride Meeting
WHERE: LGBT Resource Center, Illini Union (Room 323)
WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 5, 6:30 p.m.
Women of Pride is a student group made for women, by women, as a safe place to gather. We educate the campus community of cultural, political, and other social issues related to lesbians, bisexual women, and transgender people. One of our goals is to foster a sense of community among queer women and our allies. We do this by meeting weekly for discussions, workshops, and events on or off campus.
For more information, please contact Heather.
WHAT: Sunday Night Drag Shows
WHERE: Chester Street Bar
WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 5, 11:30 p.m.–2:00 a.m.
C-Street hosts drag shows every Sunday, with different performers every week. The first Sunday of every month is Open Talent Night, hosted by Ceduxion Carrington, so anyone who wants to sing, dance, or give drag a try can compete for a cash prize.
WHAT: Queer and Ally Meeting
WHERE: Parkland Community College (Room X-150)
WHEN: Monday, Feb. 6, 12:00–1:00 p.m.
Queer and Alley is Parkland College's LGBTA Student Organization that promotes social connections and campus awareness. Campus visibility and fun are our goals. Join us if you support LGBT Rights and LGBT Issues!
For more information, please email, or contact Kelsey.
WHAT: Gay & Bisexual Men’s Group
WHERE: UIUC Counseling Center
WHEN: Monday, Feb. 6, 5:10–6:40 p.m.
Co-leaders: Rene Monteagudo, Ph.D. & Mark Patishnock, MA
This process-oriented therapy group focuses on issues relevant to gay and bi men, such as coming out, developing friendships, STDs/HIV, being gay or bisexual at UIUC, deciding whether or not to be politically active, dating, online/smartphone relationships, romantic relationships, and exploration of one’s identity as a gay or bisexual man. Finally, this group is open to other topics (e.g. depression, anxiety, etc.) not related to one’s sexual orientation.
WHAT: Illinois Pride Meeting
WHERE: Illini Union (Room 407)
WHEN: Monday, Feb. 6, 8:00 p.m.
Illinois Pride is the largest student organization for LGBT persons and their allies at the University of Illinois. We offer resources and social activities for LGBT students, including support with coming out, scavenger hunts, bar crawls, and an annual camping trip, an more.
For more information, please email Kyle or Josh.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
2012 International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA) Student Tourism Award
Annual Global Convention: Florianopolis Brazil, April 12–14, 2012
Each award recipient will receive full, complimentary registration to the convention and the opportunity to network with global tourism professionals. Recipients will also be assigned a daily mentor who will be dedicated to sharing information to enhance students' knowledge of domestic and international LGBT tourism.
Apply online. The application deadline is February 1, 2012.
For more information, please contact Donovan Kaneshiro.
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Victory Congressional Internship
The Victory Congressional Internship is now accepting applications for Summer 2012. The Gay & Lesbian Leadership Institute will bring 10–12 outstanding LGBTQ college students to Washington, D.C., for an intensive leadership program, including a Congressional internship with an LGBT-friendly member of Congress.
The program includes a generous stipend, placement in a congressional internship, and travel to/from Washington, D.C., as well as travel and registration to the International Gay & Lesbian Leadership Conference in Long Beach, California, in December 2012.
Applications are due Monday, Feb. 6.
~~*~~
Point Foundation Scholarship
Point Foundation, the nation’s largest scholarship granting organization for LGBT students, is seeking driven scholars who will become the leaders of tomorrow. Application deadline is February 10, 2012.
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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.
Most Recent Culture Comments
@Jason: You’re right about that. I get groceries at Schnucks (they carry what I buy, which I can’t say of any other single grocery store in town), and if they have a beer I’m in the market for it’s usually a quarter or two cheaper per 6-…
Best Neighborhood Bar (& Grill) : Urbana - My ‘hood- the ‘Boom! http://www.boomerangbarandgrill.com Go on a Wing Wednesday or Fish Friday, or see a band play some night. Local blue-collar Urbana terroir galore. My only beer snobbish gripe is lack of a pale hopped ale, but you…
The one thing that’s bothered me for a while about the Friar is that, for most commonly purchased adult beverages, you can actually walk down the strip mall to Schnucks and get them cheaper. It makes no sense, but there it is. I suspect it’s because Schnucks…
Maybe I complained enough in person. One time I even explained to the (wholly uninterested) clerk how to navigate the Illinois Statutes web page, and Savoy’s Municipal Code database I wouldn’t know because I only go there when I want to pay 30% more for anything, which is never.
@Rob: You seem to have the weirdest experiences. I’m in Friar Tuck every other week (don’t tell my mom that I’m a lush). They never fail to ask for my birth date but never my age, they never card afterwards, and they often allow me to use…
This column affords me a long-awaited opportunity. I’ve wanted to write my own column called Fuck You Friar Tuck Liquors. but I always thought it’d be too pithy. Here, I can say Fuck You Friar Tuck Liquors and not feel bothered to stretch it out to 750…
Ha! Exactly. You, sir, are welcome at the bar in My House.
Why wait ‘til 3 pm?
I’m excited to go tonight- should be very fun!
Most Recent Comments
The Alan Partridge lookalike on the right in the first small photo has nothing to condescend to anyone about. AH HA!
Snell and the little Hitlers of the neighborhood association need to chill out. Legitimate businesses should have the freedom to exist without having to endure the slings and arrows of ignorant and misguided opposition.
represent, Matt.
Yeah, I’d agree that Transporter Room 3 is the worst house venue I’ve ever seen.
Food trucks are the start-up, small businesses of the future for those unable to afford real estate. No surprise, that merchants who pay rent, utilities, and maintenance on a property would despise the traveling competition. Or developers who build more empty retail spaces would want to close…
Not so much far-right Tea Party as a balanced, moderate viewpoint between letting businesses succeed and protecting society with reasonable regulations. In spite of what the city reps are saying, the interpretation of policy on this issue certainly has changed. Letting a business start up under one…
I think it’s neat that SP has turned rightward, now espousing a Tea Party-style frustration with government regulations & taxes.
This makes me so sad. (Happy to live in Urbana, though!) Crave Truck has been a GREAT addition to the food choices in C-U, and it’d be a travesty to chase them away. This town should be supporting small businesses. I’m glad to hear that they’ll still…
*slow. clap.* Still offering no threat of intelligence…. I know I said I thought you should just write this whole column yourself next year, Isaac, but now that you’ve gone and taken a “part deux” run at it, I’d like to modify my request: Best Music 2013,…
Actually, it’s kind of nice, the quiet. John Heoffleur’s engaging commentary/dialogue is sorely missed, however. In lieu of someone intelligent saying something, I’ve compiled a list of Honourable Mentions: BEST ROCK BAND: Take Care ::these gentlemen have four completely different sets at their disposal right now (which…
What? Echo! (Echo!) Where’s the dischord and dissent?
This weekend will mark the first appearance of Kayla Brown’s Fire Doll Candle booth at the Market. Check it: http://www.facebook.com/firedollcandles
And without bloodshed. Sounds like the Savoy trustees aren’t as narrow-minded as some of their whiny pants constituents. Do you think quack Snell is already planning an asinine counterattack or is he still laying low after those “threats” against his person?
hey, if hair ain’t gon’ be over your head, my jokes may as well be.
Okay, almost 24 hours later and I finally got Issac’s Summer joke. I’m an idiot.
Excellent. I am glad sometimes American dreams are encouraged, rather than stifled.
Swap the dog for a fire pit and it sounds like you’re writing about my back yard. Very nice.
funny, as your summer begins, another Summer ends.
@Dan - Wow. Unfortunately, I have to refrain from further comment due to a previous employment relationship. But with that brief context you might be able to imagine possible comments or responses I could have.
Oh, by the way, the “Champaign County YMCA” no longer exists. The official name is now the “Stephens Family YMCA” (the website has not been updated, but check out the latest program guide). And no, it’s not just the name of the building. It’s the name of the organization.
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The Alan Partridge lookalike on the right in the first small photo has nothing to condescend to anyone about. AH HA!