The Advocacy Council for Human Rights

(see flyer)

A forum on the discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” military policy will be at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 31 in the Community Room at the Normal Public Library, 206 W. College Ave.

The event, a collaboration between the Advocacy Council and the Human Rights Campaign, will feature speakers and GLB military personnel who have served under the discriminatory policy. A question and answer period will follow the presentation. Read more »

On October 7-10 the Advocacy Council for Human Rights in association with the Normal Theater will host Your Normal LGBT Film Festival. Our mission is to “create a showcase for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender stories and arts to entertain, inspire and grow the number of central Illinois fans and champions.”

A project of this magnitude requires support from our local LGBT and allied communities. With that in mind, we are seeking sponsors to help defray festival costs and ensure that we secure the best LGBT film entertainment possible!

Each sponsorship level is named for the color of one of the stripes in the rainbow flag which has become the symbol of the LGBT Community. The sponsor levels include:

• Red – $25.00
• Orange – $50.00
• Yellow – $100.00
• Green – $250.00
• Blue – $500.00
• Lavender – $1,000.00

Your sponsorship shows support for the local LGBT community and your name will appear in the program booklet where it will be seen by the members of this community and its allies that are expected to attend the festival (sponsors can also donate anonymously).

Your donation to our sponsor program is fully tax-deductible will help us not only this year but as we begin planning for next year’s festival too.

For more information please see the sponsorship form.  Your support of this event is vital and much appreciated.

The first-ever pride festival in Champaign/Urbana will be from 4 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 20 at Lincoln Square Mall in downtown Urbana.

The festival will feature local artists, vendors, community organizations, entertainment and games for the kids.

An after-party for adults 19+ years of age will follow at 88 Broadway, 142 Lincoln Square in Urbana.

For more information contact Caroline Nappo at cnappo2@illinois.edu.

The Coalition of Rainbow Alliances (CORAL) and its Rainbow Flag Corps will once again participate in the Illinois State Fair Twilight Parade on Thursday, Aug. 12 in Springfield.

 The corps has participated in the parade for several years and has garnered applause and a parade award over the years.

 In a related item, CORAL is sponsoring an ice cream social at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 28 at the home of Buff and Jerry, 2810 S. State St. in Springfield. Tickets are $10 (available at the door).

 CORAL is a not-for-profit volunteer group that facilitates networking for Central Illinois Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgendered communities, their families, friends, and interest groups that support them.

Freshman Congresswoman Debbie Halvorson, whose district includes a good portion of Bloomington/Normal, is in a tough re-election campaign against opponent Adam Kinzinger.

Debbie addressed the local LGBT community in the fall of 2008 and stated her support for issues that are important to us. Read more »

Despite overcast and threatening skies more than 55 LGBT people and their allies attended the ACHR Family Reunion Picnic on Sunday, July 11 at Normal’s Underwood Park. Read more »

The Bistro, 316 N. Main St. in downtown Bloomington, has a slate of events designed to keep you cool during the hot August nights.

The month kicks off with First Fridays on Friday, Aug. 6. Drop by beginning at 5 p.m. for free appetizers provided by our community’s newest GLBTA church, the Open Worship Church of Hope.

Friday, Aug. 13 is NOT an unlucky day if you head to the Bistro for the Monthly Hot Spot featuring Mahogany Knight and her troupe of talented performers who will take the stage at 11 p.m.

The Bistro swings open its doors each Thursday night for Bingo and Karaoke beginning at 9 p.m.

The month wraps up with a talent show on Friday, Aug. 27 featuring a $200 prize to the winner.

Some of these events include a cover charge but many don’t. For more information stop by the bar; call them at 309-829-2278; or check out the Bistro Facebook page.

The site for the Central Illinois Bi Women social group has moved to Facebook.  A public-facing page is available to introduce yourself and contact the administrator for access to the private site.  You must have a Facebook account and be signed in to see either page.  If you have any questions or would like to join the group, please send an e-mail to cibw_fb@hotmail.com or info@achr-il.com.

By Gene Naden

I have routinely hidden my own bisexuality and fought against it for my entire life because it carries an even greater stigma than simple homosexuality. Consider this real bedroom conversation, a moment of post-coital spontaneity on the man’s part:

 Shelly says to her man (I know him very well), “So, tell me about the lovers you had out in California.”

 “Some of them were men,” the man replies.

 “Oh, uh, OK. Let’s get some breakfast.”

 In the ensuing days she no longer wants sex. Read more »

Hopefully the remodeling of our office is nearing completion. We are no longer boarded up and the new windows are in place. There is still interior work to be done, so we do not have a firm date for reopening. We are looking towards being able to have the office open again in early fall. At this time we are not planning to have regular office hours when we do open but will be available for special events and groups. Read more »