Champaign above average in state and nation for LGBT friendliness

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via The News-Gazette

CHAMPAIGN — When it comes to LGBT-friendly laws and policies, there’s no central Illinois city more welcoming than Champaign.

But with a score of 78 (out of 100), it still has a ways to go before it’s in the same league as Chicago (perfect score).

Champaign fared better than the average municipality statewide (72) and nationwide (56) in a study done by a national equality interest group, which released results Thursday.

Read full story here: http://www.news-gazette.com/news/local/2015-12-18/champaign-above-average-state-and-nation-lgbt-friendliness.html

Holiday Happy Hour at Guido’s Bar & Grill on December 17th

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EQIL

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Please join us in this season of inclusion by attending the Holiday Happy Hour at Guido’s Bar & Grill (2 East Main St., Champaign) on December 17th.

This is an opportunity to mingle with folks in the community. There will be a cash bar and light shacks, provided by the Up Center of Champaign County! Equality Illinois is excited to partner with the Up Center on this social event. A $5 donation is suggested. We look forward to seeing you there!

RSVP here: http://tinyurl.com/Season-of-Inclusion-CU

Contact me at mfogliano@eqil.org with questions. Thank you!

Best Regards,
Marcus Fogliano

Call for Papers and Presentations: 4th Annual LGBT Research Symposium

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CALL FOR PAPERS AND PRESENTATIONS 2016

Recentering LGBT studies: Emerging conversations in the field
4th Annual LGBT Research Symposium: An Interdisciplinary Symposium on LGBT Research in the Social Sciences

Date: May 19 – 20, 2016
Location: I Hotel and Conference Center, 1900 S 1st St, Champaign, IL 61820
Submission Deadline: February 1, 2016

Cost: A $30 registration fee will include the methodological workshops and networking event on May 19, and the full day of presentations, breakfast and lunch on May 20. Registration details to follow.

JuanBattleKeynote Speaker: Juan Battle, PhD, The City University of New York Dr. Juan Battle is a professor of Sociology, Public Health and Urban Education at the City University of New York. Dr. Battle’s research focuses on race, sexuality and social justice. Currently, Dr. Battle is leading the Social Justice Sexuality initiative, which aims to capture the experiences of LGBT people of color in America through exploration of sociopolitical themes (see http://socialjusticesexuality
.com/). We look forward to hearing Dr. Battle’s perspective on cultivating social justice for underrepresented individuals within LGBT studies, the current and future priorities of LGBT studies – substantively and methodologically.

Program: Our theme for 2016 is Recentering LGBT studies. This year’s program builds upon the success of the past three LGBT Research Symposiums that provided researchers with an opportunity to present their own challenges, opportunities, and lessons learned while conducting social science research with LGBT populations.

This year’s symposium will begin with methodological workshops, a networking event, and poster presentations on May 19. The pre-symposium events will offer attendees technical skills, as well as continue to develop a network of LGBTQ scholars and professionals. The program for Friday, May 20, 2016 will include the keynote address and a variety of break-out sessions each including 3-4 panel speakers.

Jessica Fish is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Population Research Center at the University of Texas at Austin. Her research focuses on sexual minority mental health and alcohol use and how between- and within-group differences elucidate risk for this population. Her workshop will focus on finding and using large datasets in LGBTQ+ research.

Ramona Oswald is a professor of Human Development and Family Studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Her research examines contextual influences on LGBTQ individuals and families, particularly in non-metropolitan areas. Her workshop will focus on innovative recruitment strategies and working with qualitative data.

Call for Proposals: Proposals for presentation at the symposium should fall into one or more of the following themes:

  • Original research with LGBT populations
  • Original research highlighting underrepresented populations within LGBT studies
  • Conceptual, theoretical, and/or methodological issues associated with LGBT research
  • Incorporating LGBT research in practice settings

The Outstanding Student Paper Award: Students with accepted presentations will have the opportunity to apply for the Outstanding Student Paper Award by April 1, 2016. Financial support for student presenters may be available as funds allow.

Request for Proposals details: Proposals should be submitted online at: https://illinois.edu/fb/sec/4609350 and limited to 750 words. Submissions from students are especially encouraged. Proposals may be submitted in the form of paper presentations, panel discussions, or posters. Accepted paper presentations will be formed into panel discussions based on similar topics. Panel discussions consist of four presenters and last 80 minutes. All presenters will be asked to confirm their attendance by March 1, 2016.

Notification of acceptance: February 15, 2016.

The final program will be posted on our website (http://lgbtresearch.weebly.com/) by March 18, 2016.

Planning Committee: Faculty: Ramona Oswald, PhD, Department of Human and Community Development Graduate Students: Elizabeth Holman, MS, LSW, Department of Human Development & Family Studies; Shawn N. Mendez, MS, Department of Human Development & Family Studies; Jasmine Routon, MA, Department of Human Development & Family Studies; Jacob Goffnett, MSW, School of Social Work

For more information, please contact: lgbtresearch.uiuc@gmail.com

Out at Lunch – 12/04 at Beckman Cafe

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Out at Lunch
Friday, December 4th 12-1pm
Beckman Cafe (405 N. Mathews Ave, Urbana)
RSVP requested by 12/4 to dmbrown4@illinois.edu

“Out at Lunch,” happens once a semester for Ally Network members. Every December and May we choose to be “out” as allies together in a part of campus that traditionally has less visibility when it comes to LGBTQ awareness. This will be a casual social event, and there will be no formal presentation or discussion at this meeting.

Bring your lunch, or purchase it at the cafe! Supported by the Ally Network Training Committee. For questions and to RSVP, email Dawn Brown at dmbrown4@illinois.edu.

out_at_lunch_flyer

Meeting Notes: 11/12/2015 General Meeting

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OUT at Illinois
General Meeting
Thursday, November 12th
5:30pm, Illini Union Rm. 213

AGENDA:

  • Welcome, Introductions, and Fellowship
    • New faces in the room, small crowd.
  • Programming and Budget Ideas
    • Consider a speaker. Possibly in collaboration with Black History Month and with BFAPA (Black Faculty and Academic Professional Alliance)
    • Monthly social to have, at least, appetizers sponsored at different locations.
    • Lots of programs and activities happening, maybe develop an online calendar?
    • It would be nice to create some kind of mentorship programming model
    • Pronoun buttons are possibly being ordered, but it would be nice to have some kind of “OUT at Illinois” sticker, button, or other signifier that is not a t-shirt.
  • Meeting Locations
    • The SDRP is available
    • Champaign and Urbana Public Libraries (to be in the community)
    • Possibly the Career Center
  • Leadership Opportunities/Positions
    • By-laws need to be created – Will likely convene early next semester to draft these.
    • Formal “officer” roles will also need to be in place: President, Secretary, Treasurer and other Charis, as needed.
    • BFAPA has Faculty & AP Chairs, Professional Development, Community Engagement, and Social Engagement.
      • Nathan can assist with Treasurer and developing by-laws
      • Susan can assist with creating a MeetUp group or other social/community engagement opportunities.
    • IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN GETTING MORE INVOLVED, PLEASE LET US KNOW!
  • Digital Resources
    • We have a pretty active listserv, and the Wiki Page.
    • Are going to be make sure information goes across lots of media that might be missed via email and Wiki
      • Website created to archive shared information, go.illinois.edu/OUT
      • Creating a Facebook page too! Coming soon….
    • Open Floor
      • Beyond Visibility Luncheon, 12/08 at 11:30am Alice Campbell Alumni Center
      • Working to expand gender-inclusive bathroom signage on campus. Knowing any places that might qualify?
      • There is a Housing-wide LGBT group for students, you can contact Nathan Runnels for more information.

2016 Midwest Crossroads NAGVA Tournament in Champaign, IL

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NAVGAhttps://www.facebook.com/events/554158414739186/
Welcome to the second NAGVA* Tournament in Champaign-Urbana! Located in Central Illinois, between Chicago, St Louis and Indianapolis, The Midwest Crossroads Tournament will provide players with a great time both on and off court! Tournament runs April 23-24, 2016 with B, BB and A divisions! Registration party is on Friday, April 22.
This year, matches will be held at Leonhard Recreation Center and Parkland College.

Please bookmark the tournament page (http://www.unitingpride.org/#!mc/c16cr). We will update this site with information about hotel, registration party, and entertainment!

Interested in volunteering? Sign up here: tinyurl.com/mctvolunteers

This tournament benefits The UP Center of Champaign County.

*NAGVA: North American Gay Volleyball Association (www.nagva.org)

Beyond Visibility | LGBTQ Employee Luncheon 12.08.2015

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logo

The Chancellor and Provost Committee on LGBTQ Concerns will be hosting “Beyond Visibility”, a lunch and discussion for all LGBTQ employees (academic professional, civil service, faculty, graduate workers, etc.) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The theme of this event is to discuss the intersectionality of some of the most pressing issues affecting our campus and beyond. Specifically, we hope to engage the LGBTQ community and their role and involvement regarding the State of Illinois’ budget crisis, campus leadership transitions, and recent events at the University of Missouri, Yale University, our campus, and much more.

The luncheon will be held on Tuesday, December 8th from 11:30am-1:00pm in the Alice Campbell Alumni Center.

In its fourth iteration, the Beyond Visibility luncheon brings together more than 60 participants across all campus units. As an LGBTQ employee at Illinois, your presence and input is needed and critical inform our committee’s work and assist in making Illinois a more inclusive community.

The Chancellor’s Committee on LGBTQ Concerns is comprised of a group of faculty, staff, and students that is charged by the Chancellor and Provost to provide advice and leadership on LGBTQ issues for the campus community. The committee is asked to address the needs of faculty, staff, and students of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities to help create an inclusive climate that fosters community building and networking across campus.

If you are an LGBTQ employee and would like to attend, please confirm your attendance below by Thursday, December 3rd at 3:45pm.

 RSVP: go.illinois.edu/BeyondVisibility

We look forward to your attendance, 

Chris Mayo, Chair
College of Education

Alejandro Gómez, Vice-Chair
Counseling Center

 

White House Announces Support for Equality Act

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http://www.hrc.org/blog/entry/white-house-announces-support-for-equality-act

Today, HRC reacted to news that the Obama Administration has endorsed the Equality Act.

“The unfortunate reality is that, while LGBT Americans can legally get married, millions remain at risk of being fired or denied services for who they are or who they love because the majority of states still lack explicit, comprehensive non-discrimination protections,” said HRC President Chad Griffin. “By endorsing the Equality Act, the White House sent a strong message that it’s time to put the politics of discrimination behind us once and for all. Now it’s time for Congress to act. Everyone should be able to live free from fear of discrimination and have a fair chance to earn a living and provide for their families, including people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender.”

HRC polling has found strong bipartisan support for the Equality Act. A majority of Americans support extending non-discrimination protections to LGBT Americans. By an impressive 78 percent to 16 percent, voters support protecting LGBT people from discrimination, including a 64 percent majority of Republicans.

The Equality Act has also received strong, early support from some of America’s top companies, which joined the Human Rights Campaign in announcing support of the Equality Act since it was introduced in July — including Apple, Dow Chemical Company, IBM, General Mills, Levi Strauss & Co, Microsoft, Orbitz, Symantec and Target.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdJWx6ONy2w

November Meeting – 11/12 at 5:30pm, Illini Union

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Greetings, 

Thank you to all who were able to join us at our social last month at Radio Maria, it was a great turn out. We’ve had some great LGBTQ programming and events in/around campus recently. But, I wanted to make sure that we also had time to meet as a group. Below you will find my agenda for the evening, but I welcome others to bring other items as they see fit. 

I look forward to seeing everyone next week. 

-Manuel

AGENDA:

  • Welcome, Introductions, and Fellowship
  • Programming and Budget Ideas
  • Meeting Locations
  • Leadership Opportunities/Positions
  • Digital Resources
  • Open Floor

http://illinois.edu/emailer/newsletter/83788.html

2016 Point Foundation Scholarship Open to Undocumented LGBTQ Students

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http://mydocumentedlife.org/2015/11/03/2016-point-foundation-scholarship-open-to-undocumented-lgbtq-students/
“Point’s application process is open to all college students regardless of citizenship. Undocumented students are eligible and will be reviewed as international students.”