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.

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.

Join us on Sunday, July 11 at the shelter at Underwood Park in Normal for a day of great food, games, raffles and conversation at our annual “Family Reunion” Picnic.

Our event will kick off with lunch at noon.  Read more »

Was your June so busy that you didn’t have an opportunity to participate in many of the annual pride events scheduled in central Illinois and the larger, nearby metro areas? Never, fear, the coming months will provide you with many additional opportunities to enjoy that summer fun that the LGBT community is so famous for. Read more »

The organizing committee for the Oct. 7-10 Your Normal LGBT Film Festival continues to work toward making the inaugural festival a big success. There are many aspects of the festival planning that seem daunting but our committee is confident that this will be the first of many festivals to come. Read more »

The Open Worship Church of Hope, Bloomington/Normal’s newest LGBT-affirmative place of worship, is sponsoring a GAAAP Rally at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 17 at the church, 1702 W. College Ave., Suite A-2, in Normal. Read more »

The Bistro, 316 N. Main St. in downtown Bloomington, is planning a July full of fun events ranging from bingo to karaoke to a talent night.

The month kicks off with Read more »

The McLean County AIDS Task Force AIDS Walk/Run on May 15 raised more than $1,700 for client services at the task force.

The task force fundraising committee would like to thank everyone who participated, sponsored a walker/runner, and donated items.

The task force will continue its fundraising with future events including an Artists Against AIDS fundraiser and the annual Dining Out with Friends fundraiser. For more information contact the task force at 309-827-2437 or check out the task force web site at www.mcatf.org.