CU Queer Calendar

Queer events, updated regularly! Did we forget yours? Then email us at thelavendernewseltter@gmail.com or DM us @thelavendernewsletter on Insta with the info!

Standing Events

THURDAYS
- Thirsty Thursgays
  - Location: Amy's Place, 120 n First Street, Champaign
  - Time: 9:00 pm - 2:00 am, DJ starts at 10:00 pm
  - Details: $5 cover, cash only, ATM inside, 19+.
SUNDAYS
- Playgroup
  - Time: 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
  - Frequency: Last Sunday of the month
  - Hosted by: Uniting Pride, which is an organization that serves and advocates for the equality, wellness, and visibility of the LGBTQIA2S+ communities of Champaign County and East Central Illinois.
  - Details: Playgroup is a monthly social group for 2SLGBTQ+ families and children ages 3-10 to connect with other local queer families. It meets in person on the last Sunday of each month from 10am-noon. Contact organizers at youth.manager@unitingpride.org for more details.
- Meet UP
  - Time: 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
  - Frequency: Second and last Sunday of the month
  - Hosted by: Uniting Pride, which is an organization that serves and advocates for the equality, wellness, and visibility of the LGBTQIA2S+ communities of Champaign County and East Central Illinois.
  - Details: An in-person social group for LGBTQ+ adults looking to make new connections and expand their social circle. Contact organizers at meetup@unitingpride.org for more details.
- Aging UP
  - Time: 3:00 pm
  - Frequency: Every Sunday
  - Hosted by: Uniting Pride, which is an organization that serves and advocates for the equality, wellness, and visibility of the LGBTQIA2S+ communities of Champaign County and East Central Illinois.
  - Details: A virtual group for LGBTQ+ older adults to gather and discuss the fears, joys, and complications of aging in a safe and affirming space. Open to call genders. Contact organizers at agingup@unitingpride.org for more details.

Summer Calendar

July 31 - Beach Party
- Location: Amy's Place, 120 n First Street, Champaign
- Time: 8:00 pm - 2:00 am
- Hosted by: Amy's Place is a lesbian-owned LGBTQ+ bar and the only queer bar in CU.

Details: No cover, dress to the theme, music by DJ Leslie, 19+, cash only or Venmo, ATM inside.

August 1 - CUQTBIPOC Book Club
- Location: Satterthwaite Conference Room at The Urbana Free Library, 210 w Green Street, Urbana
- Time: 2:30 pm
- Hosted by: CUQTBIPOC, which is a supportive, community-centered space for queer and trans people of color to connect and share resources.
- Details: Join CUQTBIPOC as they talk about The Gilda Stories by Jewelle Gomez, a groundbreaking novel that reimagines the vampire myth through the eyes of Black lesbian protagonist Gilda, who escapes slavery in 1850s Louisiana and becomes an immortal vampire.
August 1 - Herra's Drag Menagerie
- Location: The Space, 1 E Main St, Champaign
- Time: Doors at 7:30 pm, Show at 8:00 pm
- Hosted by: Herra Winn is a CU-based drag artist and host of Herra's Drag Menagerie. The Space is a restaurant and event space in Champaign.
- Details: Join Herra Winn for CU's most delicious drag open stage every first and third Saturday.
Sunday, August 2 - Queer Climb @ Boneyard
- Location: Boneyard Boulders, 119 E University Ave, Champaign
- Time: 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm
- Hosted by: Boneyard Boulders is the second location of CU-based climbing gym Urbana Boulders.
- Details: Every first Sunday of the month. $14 daypass + shoes.
August 22 - Drag Story Hour
- Location: Good Judys Espresso & Bagel Bar, 2740 s Philo Road, Suite D, Urbana
- Time: 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
- Hosted by: Good Judys is an LGBTQ+ owned cafe in Urbana, IL.
- Details: Join Good Judys for a family-friendly Drag Story Hour filled with storytelling, creativity, and joyful performances by local drag artists. Each event will feature a unique theme, interactive moments, and activities for all ages.
August 23 - Ephemera Open Mic
- Location: Channing Murray Chapel, 1209 w Oregon Street, Urbana
- Time: 7:00 pm - 9:30 pm
- Hosted by: Ephemera Music Collective, which is a collective of CU-based musicians dedicated to created mask-required programming and programming that centers creatives from marginalized identities.
- Details: Ephemera Open Mic is a mask-required and provided open mic and showcase that highlights the work of queer, trans, and BIPOC performers. It opens with a 90-minute open mic, then a 15 intermission with information from a local community org, and closes with a 45-minute set from a queer, trans, and/or BIPOC performer. $5 - $15 suggested donation, no one turned away for lack of funds. Event also features a collage table, a free clothing rack provided by FreeCU, and a queer, trans, or BIPOC vendor selling their wares.
August 29 - Infodump Craft Hour
- Location: Lewis Auditorium at The Urbana Free Library, 210 w Green Street, Urbana
- Time: 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
- Hosted by: CUQTBIPOC, which is a supportive, community-centered space for queer and trans people of color to connect and share resources.
- Details: Join CUQTBIPOC for their adult show-and-tell! Share a casual 5-minute presentation on any topic and make bracelets! Niche interests and crafty vibes are encouraged. No presentation required to attend. Mask required.
- RSVP Link: Linktr.ee/cuqtbipoc