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October 2005 Special Events

National Coming Out Day is Tuesday, October 11.

The first National Coming Out Day was held on October 11, 1988. This date was chosen for the annual event in commemoration of the 1987 March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. It also marks the anniversary of the first visit of the NAMES PROJECT AIDS Memorial Quilt to Washington, D. C.

The Human Rights Campaign Foundation's theme for 2005 Coming Out Day Celebration, is "TALK ABOUT IT." The University of Illinois community will be "talking about" issues that affect the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community throughout the month. (Email kkempdel@uiuc.edu for a .pdf flyer you can display in your office, room, or hall.)

Daily Illini Articles

• "Council approves same sex employee benefits: Also approves board to discuss pedestrian safety." - Gaines, Danielle (10/5/05)
• "Fine Print: Other Campuses" - Northern Star (10/12/05)
• "Visiting professor to hold lectures, discussions on gay marriage issues." - Opila, Sky (10/6/05)
• "Campus confronts hate." - Sewell, Teresa (10/3/05)
• "LGBT rallies for Coming Out Day." - Sood, Kiran (10/12/05)
• "Water guns raffled on Quad: Fundraiser brings in more than $100 while poking fun at Orange and Blue Observer's gun raffles." - Sues, Allison (10/14/05)
• "Student organizations address LGBT issues." - Zemaitis, Mary (10/10/05)

Daily Illini Columns and Letters to the Editor

• "Column: Miers: a Souter in making?" - Merchant, Shouger (10/19/05)
• "Column: Marriage matters." - Mollison, Dan (10/12/05)
• "Column: States' rights hypocrisy." - Swiss, Todd (10/11/05)

Sunday, October 2

• Journey to a Hate Free Millennium
  7:00 pm, Allen Hall Main Lounge
  Guest speaker Brent Scarpo, presents his film, "Journey to a Hate Free Millennium," a multiple award-winning documentary that seeks solutions to ending hate. Sponsored by Unit 1; Residential Life Hate-Free Week.
  "Campus confronts hate." - Sewell, Teresa (10/3/05)

Monday, October 3

• Interactive Workshop about the Nature of Hatred from the Inside Out.
  7:00 pm, Room 100 Lincoln Hall
  Facilitated by Brent Scarpo, director of the film, "Journey to a Hate Free Millennium," a multiple award-winning documentary that seeks solutions to ending hate. Sponsored by Residential Life Hate-Free Week.
  "Campus confronts hate." - Sewell, Teresa (10/3/05)

Tuesday, October 4

• Rainbow Coffee House, hosted by the Sexual Health Peers
  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 at for more information. Sponsored by the Office of LGBT Concerns.
• TransGeneration: Part 3
  8:00 pm, LGBT Concerns Office, 323 Illini Union
  Don't forget, the Sundance special documentary series, TransGeneration shows every week at 8:00 pm. Join us and follow the 8-part series that shows a year in the life of four transgender students just like you! The office is also recording the episodes so that they can be a part of our lending library.

Wednesday, October 5

• Workshop: Being an Ally in the Asian Community
  6:30 pm, Asian-American Cultural Center, 1210 W. Nevada St, Urbana
  Come discuss and learn about the unique issues relevant to the Asian-American community and learn how to be an ally to the LGBT community. Sponsored by SODA Committee, Asian American Cultural Center.
• Winning Gay Marriage
  8:00 pm, Allen Hall, South Rec Room
  Guest speaker Evan Wolfson, Executive Director of "Freedom to Marry Project," and Adjunct Professor of Law, Columbia University, leads a discussion about the battle over same sex marriage. Sponsored by Unit 1.
  "Visiting professor to hold lectures, discussions on gay marriage issues." - Opila, Sky (10/6/05)
• Lunch and Learn: GLBT Issues within the Black, Latino and Asian Communities
  12:00 noon, La Casa Cultural Latina, 203 W. Nevada Street, Urbana
  Sponsored by La Casa Cultural Latina; Residential Life Hate-Free Week.

Thursday, October 6

• Lunch and Learn: "What'd You Call Me?" - Culturally-Sanctioned Language
  12:00 noon, African American Cultural Center, 708 S. Matthews Street, Urbana
  Sponsored by African American Cultural Center; Residential Life Hate-Free Week.
• Lunch and Learn: Winning Gay Marriage
  12:00 noon, Illini Union
  Guest speaker Evan Wolfson, Executive Director of "Freedom to Marry Project," and Adjunct Professor of Law, Columbia University, leads a discussion about the battle over same sex marriage. Pre-registration required. Register by e-mailing Curt McKay. Sponsored by LGBT Concerns.
  "Visiting professor to hold lectures, discussions on gay marriage issues." - Opila, Sky (10/6/05)
• CAS/MillerComm Lecture Series: Marriage as a Human Rights Battlefield
  7:30 pm, Third Floor, Levis Faculty Center, 919 West Illinois Street, Urbana
  Guest speaker Evan Wolfson, Executive Director of "Freedom to Marry Project," and Adjunct Professor of Law, Columbia University, offers a new perspective on same sex marriage. Reception at 9:00 pm with a book signing and reception in the lounge of the McKinley Foundation.
  "Visiting professor to hold lectures, discussions on gay marriage issues." - Opila, Sky (10/6/05)

Friday, October 7

• Friday Forum: Marriage, Gays and the Importance of Progressive Engagement
  12:00 noon, Latzer Hall, University YMCA, 1001 S. Wright Street, Champaign
  Guest speaker Evan Wolfson, Executive Director of "Freedom to Marry Project," and Adjunct Professor of Law, Columbia University, offers a new perspective on same sex marriage. Sponsored by University YMCA.
• LGBTA Graduate Student, Faculty/Staff Mixer
  5:30 pm, 207 West Washington Street, Champaign
  Curt McKay, Director of the Office for LGBT Concerns, will host a mixer for UIUC and Parkland College LGBT Faculty/Staff/Graduate Students. Wine, cheese and will be served. Bring along a hors d'oeuvres. Partners welcome. Come join your fellow LGBT and Ally academic and student affairs professionals for an evening of networking and socializing. 207 West Washington is accessible by the Brown bus line from campus. Email Curt McKay to RSVP, or for more information. (Rain date October 14.)

Sunday, October 9

• Student Leader Ally Training
  1:00 pm, Allen Hall South Rec. Room
  This is geared to anyone that considers themselves to be a leader and wants to learn more about being an Ally to the LGBT community. Sponsored by Residential Life Hate-Free Week.

Tuesday, October 11

• Staff/Faculty Ally Training
  9:00 am, 209 Illini Union
  Come discuss and share tips about being an ally to the LGBT community and join the Ally Network. Sponsored by SODA Committee; Office for LGBT Concerns.
• National Coming Out Day Rally
  5:00 pm, on the Quad
  Help PRIDE commemorate at the annual rally, featuring special guest politicians, musicians and community members. Sponsored by PRIDE.
  "LGBT rallies for Coming Out Day" - Sood, Kiran (10/12/05)
• Rainbow Coffee House, hosted by Inner Voices
  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 at for more information. Sponsored by the Office of LGBT Concerns.
• TransGeneration: Part 4
  8:00 pm, LGBT Concerns Office, 323 Illini Union
  Don't forget, the Sundance special documentary series, TransGeneration shows every week at 8:00 pm. Join us and follow the 8-part series that shows a year in the life of four transgender students just like you! The office is also recording the episodes so that they can be a part of our lending library.

Thursday, October 13

• Film: "Out In The Cold"
  7:00 pm, 406 Illini Union
  Riveting documentary that takes viewers on a journey into the lives of homeless, LGBT youth. Followed by discussion with community health-educator, Lawrence Lewis. Sponsored by Illini Union Community Connections; Office for LGBT Concerns.

Friday, October 14

• "Come Out and Party"
  6:00 - 9:00 pm, Allen Hall, Main Rec Room
  Come out and enjoy drag performances, music, and snacks. Sponsored by the Multicultural Advocates.

Tuesday, October 18

• Rainbow Coffee House, hosted by L³
  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 at for more information. Sponsored by the Office of LGBT Concerns.
• TransGeneration: Part 5
  8:00 pm, LGBT Concerns Office, 323 Illini Union
  Don't forget, the Sundance special documentary series, TransGeneration shows every week at 8:00 pm. Join us and follow the 8-part series that shows a year in the life of four transgender students just like you! The office is also recording the episodes so that they can be a part of our lending library.

Wednesday, October 19

• Film: "On the Downlow" -- RESCHEDULED
  Screening of the film about two Latino gang members live and love against all odds in urban Chicago. Followed by reception and discussion with film promoter, Jesse Rodriguez. Sponsored by Colors of PRIDE; La Casa Cultural Latina; Office for LGBT Concerns.
  Notice: The showing of the film, "On the Downlow," which was scheduled for Wednesday, October 19, has been rescheduled due to scheduling conflicts. Stay tuned to the newsletter to find out the new date, time and location!

Friday, October 21

• The Laramie Project
  7:00 pm, Champaign Central High School, 610 W. University Ave, Champaign
  The Laramie Project is a play chronicles the life of the town of Laramie in the year after the murder of Matthew Shepard, using eight actors to create a complex portrayal of more than sixty different people in their own words - from rural ranchers to university professors. (Friday is not eligible for the free admission!) This performance is sponsored by the Champaign Central High School Drama Department.
  "High school theatre group asked to perform in Scotland." - Chima, Eric (11/16/05)

Saturday, October 22

• The Laramie Project
  7:00 pm, Champaign Central High School, 610 W. University Ave, Champaign
  SHOW UP BY 6:30 PM WITH YOUR UIUC ID AND LGBT CONCERNS DIRECTOR CURT MCKAY WILL PURCHASE YOUR TICKET FOR FREE! The Laramie Project is a play chronicles the life of the town of Laramie in the year after the murder of Matthew Shepard, using eight actors to create a complex portrayal of more than sixty different people in their own words - from rural ranchers to university professors. This performance is sponsored by the Champaign Central High School Drama Department.
  "High school theatre group asked to perform in Scotland." - Chima, Eric (11/16/05)

Sunday, October 23

• The Laramie Project
  2:30 pm, Champaign Central High School, 610 W. University Ave, Champaign
  SHOW UP BY 2:15 PM WITH YOUR UIUC ID AND LGBT CONCERNS DIRECTOR< CURT MCKAY WILL PURCHASE YOUR TICKET FOR FREE! The Laramie Project is a play chronicles the life of the town of Laramie in the year after the murder of Matthew Shepard, using eight actors to create a complex portrayal of more than sixty different people in their own words - from rural ranchers to university professors. This performance is sponsored by the Champaign Central High School Drama Department.
  "High school theatre group asked to perform in Scotland." - Chima, Eric (11/16/05)

Monday, October 24

• Film: "De Colores"
  8:00 pm, La Casa Cultural Latina, 203 W. Nevada Street, Urbana
  Award-winning, bilingual documentary about how Latino families are replacing the deep roots of intolerance with love. Sponsored by Colors of PRIDE; La Casa Cultural Latina; Office for LGBT Concerns.

Tuesday, October 25

• Rainbow Coffee House, hosted by the SODA Committee
  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 at for more information. Sponsored by the Office of LGBT Concerns.
• TransGeneration: Part 6
  8:00 pm, LGBT Concerns Office, 323 Illini Union
  Don't forget, the Sundance special documentary series, TransGeneration shows every week at 8:00 pm. Join us and follow the 8-part series that shows a year in the life of four transgender students just like you! The office is also recording the episodes so that they can be a part of our lending library.

Wednesday, October 26

• Dating and Beyond: Guidelines for Healthy Same Sex Relationships
  8:00 pm, West Lounge, Wesley Foundation (corner of Green and Goodwin)
  Tim Shea and Joanna Kling present this workshop on making same-sex relationships work. Sponsored by the Domestic Violence Awareness Month Committee.

Friday, October 28

• The Dance Against Domestic Violence
  7:00 - 9:00 pm, McKinley Foundation
  Tunes will be spun by DJ Missus. Suggested Donation is $4 and will go to Rape Crisis Services. Sponsored by MASV (Men against Sexual Violence); Domestic Violence Awareness Month Committee.

Sunday, October 30

• Film: "Clara's Summer"
  7:00 pm, Office for LGBT Concerns, 323 Illini Union
  Coming out, "Coming of Age" story about young women at summer camp. A women only event. Sponsored by L³; Office for LGBT Concerns.

Student organizations and social/support groups meet on a weekly basis throughout the month at various locations, including the Office for LGBT Concerns, 323 Illini Union. For more information about any of these events or the office, visit the Office for LGBT Resources or call 244-8863.

Events for this calendar are taken from the Office for LGBT Concerns weekly newsletter. Please email all events submissions to Khristian Kemp-DeLisser. Please use the following subject: LGBT Website Event: EVENT NAME. The closer you can match your information to the format used above, the easier you make our tasks.

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