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January 29-February 5, 2006: Volume I, Issue 16

News and Announcements

• Fourth Annual Larry Travis Bushong Award
  The College of Law is pleased to announce the fourth annual Larry Travis Bushong Award. This award, established in memory of Larry Travis Bushong (1983 alum) will be awarded to a College of Law student in good standing who will be selected on the basis of writing a paper addressing gay and lesbian legal issues. The award may be given for a submission on other legal issues of a progressive nature if there is no submission on gay and lesbian legal issues. The winner of the Larry Travis Bushong Award will receive $2,000. Papers must be submitted by February 1, 2006. For more information, please contact Virginia.
• MBLGTACC at UIUC
  LGBT Concerns Student Intern, Patrick Hale, is chairing the committee to create a bid UIUC to host the 2008 Midwest Bisexual, Lesbian, Gay, Transgender and Ally College Conference (MBLGTACC). The committee has begun meeting but there is still lots of opportunity for members of the UIUC community to join the bid committee. If you are interested, please e-mail phale@uiuc.edu. More information about MBLGTACC is available at www.mblgtacc2006.org.
• April is LGBT Awareness Month!
  LGBT Concerns is gearing up for April's Awareness Days again. If you are planning any or would like to work with us to develop a program that is relevant to the LGBT-Awareness, let us know so we can include it in the calendar. We are very excited about April and wish to develop a diverse set of programs and activities that will appeal to a wide audience. E-mail kkempdel@ad.uiuc.edu for more details.
• Hearing Queer Voices?
  Queer Voices, the area's only LGBT public affairs radio show, is moving to a new time 6:00 - 8:00 pm EVERY week starting the first of February. We have two awesome hours to fill. So tune in to WEFT on Wednesday nights. WEFT is a community radio station broadcasting at 90.1 FM. If you want to become a member, email Peter directly. I can send you the necessary information. Membership is a $40.00 tax deductible donation to WEFT. You do not have to make a donation to be involved with the show.
  • If you make your donation soon you can become an airshifter and help in the production and technical aspects of the show. Airshifter training is going to take place at the WEFT studios located on market street two doors down from Mike and Mollies Pub or directly behind the Blind Pig. The training takes place during our first show Wednesday February 1 from 7:00 - 9:30 pm. If you are interested in training please call 359-6759 to reserve your spot in the training class. We do need people to train so that we can do more interesting things with the studio equipment. Also training and becoming an airshifter enables you to have you own show on WEFT; there are several time slots available.
  • We still have a show scheduled for this Sunday, during which we will review Broke Back Mountain. If you have seen the film and would like to be a guest and discuss it please let Peter know by Saturday Evening.
  • In less than a week we have our first two hour show. Some of the topics we should discuss include but are not limited to:
    • Gays and Lesbians in religion. Queer Voice would like to have a discussion with members of the LGBT community who are involved with a religious organization or who have left a religious organization and would like to share their experiences and opinions. Eventually it would be interesting to host a debate amongst religious scholars on this issue. So we are looking for LGBT people who are religious, supporting members of our religious community members and the religious leaders themselves. We can also have an in-depth discussion on alternative or non mainstream religions if there are people who have insights to share.
    • Queer Business leaders. This could be a regular segment where we interview business leaders and learn about their businesses and how they interact with the LGBT community.
    • Racism in the LGBT community. This could be a panel discussion with callers and could be a reoccurring event say on a monthly basis. And as always in-depth interviews with LGBT leaders and allies who come to or already are in Champaign Urbana.
  • If you want to get involved in planning a particular show or have an idea for a segment that you are willing to work on please let Peter know. He will be contacting some people he knows for the upcoming show on the first. Please let him know if you are available and what topic areas you are interested in by Saturday evening.
• Among Women: A Lesbian and Bisexual Women's Discussion Group
  Among women is a new women's discussion group that will begin meeting on Tuesdays 5:45 - 7:15 pm, beginning February 7. We are an informal discussion group made up of lesbian and bisexual women students that provides:
  1. a place to meet other women who share your concerns and to form or broaden your social support network;
  2. an opportunity to decrease the alienation and isolation of being a lesbian or bisexual woman in a majority heterosexual environment;
  3. a great chance to exchange ideas, experiences, and opinions.
  We ARE NOT a therapy group (difference elaborated in meetings, if appropriate). Contact Anita for more information about being a part of this group, including location.

Upcoming Events

If your campus group has an event you would like featured in "Upcoming Events," please e-mail Khristian.

Sunday, January 29

• QueerGrads: Fabulously Fun Game Night
  6:00 - 9:00 pm, Home of Brandon Bowersox and Kevin Johnson
  We will be playing games (such as board games, cards, dvd games, etc.), chatting, and eating some snacks. Brandon and Kevin will be providing some snacks and sodas (Coke, Diet Coke, and Sprite). People can feel free to bring other drinks and snacks if desired. And bring your favorite games. Come out for this easy going and relaxed way to meet new people and connect with old friends!

Monday, January 30

• Illinois GLBTQSA Collegiate Council Conference Planning Committee Meeting #2
  6:00 pm, Office for LGBT Concerns
  Last year, at the MBLGTACC 2005 Illinois Caucus, an Illinois state GLBT organization was founded to facilitate networking and collaboration among student organizations in Illinois. This organization (ILGLBTQSACC) held its founding meeting/mini-conference last December at Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago. At that meeting, it was decided that the next conference should be right here at UIUC! The conference is tentatively scheduled for the end of April, and if we're going to get ready in time we need to get started. Please email Philip so that he can get a rough count for buying pizza. There will be pizza and drinks available for anyone who attends (paid for by the Office for LGBT Concerns). If you can't make it, but are still interested in helping or just being on the email list, please email Philip. Conference information/events will be announced closer to the date of the conference.

Tuesday, January 31

• Rainbow Coffee House
  6:30 pm, the Etc., Wesley Foundation (corner of Green and Goodwin)
  Offers a welcoming, nonreligious, open environment to LGBT and ALLY communities to socialize. Open every Tuesday. If you or your organization is interested in hosting, contact Sara Clemons for more information. Sponsored by the Office of LGBT Concerns.
• Advisory Group on Programming for Queer Women
  8:00 pm, Rainbow Coffee House (Wesley Foundation; 1203 W. Green St., Urbana)
  All LGBT/Q women are invited to come and voice their visions, ideas, and strategies on what events, activities and services queer women want on campus!

Thursday, February 2

• MBLGTACC 2008 Planning Committee Meeting #3
  5:00 pm, Office for LGBT Concerns (Room 323, Illini Union)
  As some of you may know, the 2006 Midwest Bisexual, Lesbian, Gay, Transgender, and Ally College Conference is on its way, and the staff at the Office for LGBT Concerns has expressed an interest in hosting the conference for the year 2008. In order for this conference to be made possible, we would be required to submit a bid to this year's conference committee to be considered. The university has hosted the conference in the past, but we feel it would be a great opportunity to reintroduce such a large venue to our campus. We will be providing food and refreshments for you for attending this meeting. If you are unable to attend this meeting, but would like to be involved in whatever capacity or would like to be kept on the e-mail list, please inform Patrick at your earliest convenience.

Group Meetings

If your LGBT-related group or organization would like to be featured in "Group Meetings," please e-mail Khristian.

Sunday, January 29

• Ladies Loving Ladies (L³)
  7:00 - 9:00 pm, LGBT Concerns Office, 323 Illini Union
  THE NEW SEASON OF THE L-WORD IS HERE! Join L³, a social/support network for queer women, to watch the new episodes. After the show, we do a variety of activities, including playing games, watching films or having heated debates. All women are invited to come; bring your friends and ideas! For more information, contact Emily.

Monday, January 30

• Colors of PRIDE
  8:00 - 9:30 pm, LGBT Concerns Office, 322 Illini Union
  Provides a safe space and friendly environment for all LGBT students of color to share, listen, discuss and express themselves. All LGBT students of color and allies are welcome! For more information, contact Victor or Paul.
• Q of Allen Hall
  9:00 pm, Allen Hall Conference Room
  Q, a group for LGBTQIA residence hall students, meets every Monday to explore issues of concern and provide support to students. To find out the new meeting time, contact Kim or Patrick.

Wednesday, February 1

• PRIDE
  8:00 pm, 388 Lincoln Hall
  PRIDE provides educational, social, recreational and support programs to enhance the campus climate for LGBT students. Check the PRIDE website for information on events and activities.

Thursday, February 2

• Coming Out Support Group (COSG)
  7:00 pm, LGBT Concerns Office, 323 Illini Union
  COSG is a safe place to listen, talk and learn about sexual identity and coming out issues. For more information, e-mail comingout@uiuc.edu.

Sunday, February 5

• Ladies Loving Ladies (L³)
  7:00 - 9:00 pm, LGBT Concerns Office, 323 Illini Union
  THE NEW SEASON OF THE L-WORD IS HERE! Join L³, a social/support network for queer women, to watch the new episodes. After the show, we do a variety of activities, including playing games, watching films or having heated debates. All women are invited to come; bring your friends and ideas! For more information, contact Emily.

Around Campus

If you know of an event sponsored by another organization or program that you would like featured in "Around Campus," please e-mail Khristian.

Guest-in-Residence at Unit One/Allen Hall: Kathy Kelly

• January 29 - February 2
  Internationally renowned peace activist Kathy Kelly will be a Guest-in-Residence at Unit One/Allen Hall January 29 - February 2. She will be speaking each night of her residency. All programs are open to the public and take place at Allen Hall, 1005 W. Gregory, Urbana.

Sunday, January 29

• The Further Invention of Nonviolence
  7:00 pm
  Kathy Kelly will draw from experiences in war zones and in U.S. prisons to talk about the work and witness required to promote peacemaking and nonviolently resist U.S. wars.

Monday, January 30

• Who are the Criminals?
  7:00 pm
  Simulations, role plays, anecdotes, and discussion to explore questions about the criminal justice system, the prison system and the "crimes" which most threaten us.
• "Greetings from Missile Street"
  9:00 pm
  This 35 minute video from Joe Public Films presents ordinary life in the Jumurriyah neighborhood of Basra, Iraq with commentary from five Voices in the Wilderness members who lived with families there in the summer of 2000.

Tuesday, January 31

• Get a Job!
  7:00 pm
  Role plays and discussion to focus on the pressures people face trying to find meaningful work in a society that pours wealth and productivity into defense spending and war preparation.
• Exercising Empathy
  8:00 pm
  A workshop designed to build empathy for various people, both Iraqi and non-Iraqi, affected by the ongoing war and occupation in Iraq.
• "State of the Union"
  9:30 pm
  Viewing with opportunity to press pause and talk back.

Wednesday, February 1

• The Illness of Victors
  7:00 pm
  What has the U.S. accomplished in Iraq? Kathy Kelly will tell about encounters with Iraqis since 1991, when she first lived in Iraq during the Gulf War, up to and including living in Iraq during the Shock and Awe bombing, the U.S. invasion and the initial weeks of U.S. occupation in 2003.
• Nonviolence and Civil Disobedience
  9:00 pm
  Basic nonviolence training, discussion of civil disobedience, what to expect if one engages in civil disobedience, moving through experiences of arrest, jail, court, and prison sentences.

Thursday, February 2

• Grass Roots Opposition to War and the Campus Lawn
  7:00 pm
  Presentation and discussion about promoting peace through nonviolent direct action with an invitation to join a Voices for Creative Nonviolence campaign called "The Winter of Our Discontent."
• "In A State of Siege"
  9:00 pm
  Jackie Rivet-River's documentary of Voices in the Wilderness's many violations of the economic sanctions against Iraq, including footage of Voices members meeting U.S. Marines who arrived in Baghdad following the 2003 Shock and Awe bombing.

Out and About

If you know of an off-campus community event that you would like featured in "Out and About," please e-mail Khristian.

Thursday, February 2

• Sexual Assault Awareness Month Planning Meeting
  5:30 pm, Rape Crisis Services, 310 W. Church St. (near downtown Champaign, on the corner of Church and Prairie)
  Everyone is invited to come provide their talents, ideas, and skills to April 2006's Sexual Assault Awareness Month activities. For more information, contact Ross Wantland at 333-3137.

Article(s) of Interest

Articles of interest are collected from a variety of online and electronic sources. They are intended to spark thought or general discussion about issues important to the LGBT community.

Judge Rules Against Same Sex Ban

A Baltimore judge ruled Friday that Maryland's law against same-sex marriage "cannot withstand constitutional challenge," although she stayed action pending appeal.

"After much study and serious reflection, this court holds that Maryland's statutory prohibition against same-sex marriage cannot withstand constitutional challenge," Judge M. Brooke Murdock wrote in her decision.

The Maryland suit was filed against court clerks in Prince George's, St. Mary's, Dorchester and Washington counties and Baltimore city. Murdock decision is expected to be appealed. "Because of the nature of this action and the logistical ramifications that may affect the clerk's offices across the state of Maryland as a result of the court's decision the operation of this court's order is stayed pending any appeal," Murdock wrote. Murdock also wrote that "although tradition and societal values are important, they cannot be given so much weight that they alone will justify a discriminatory statutory classification." A lawsuit filed in Baltimore by 19 gay men and women contended that Maryland's ban on same-sex marriages violates the guarantee of equal rights under the state constitution.

The 1973 law specifying that marriage is a union of one man and one woman was defended by the state attorney general's office.

During arguments in August, Assistant Attorney General Steven Sullivan appealed to Murdock not to interject the courts into what he said is a legislative prerogative. Approving marriage of same-sex couples would change "the essence of the institution as it has always existed," he said at the time.

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