Just Say No to “Gay Marriage”
Those who accept evil without protesting against it are really cooperating with it. —Martin Luther King, Jr. Many people in the United States, it seems, may not have been exposed to, and so don’t...
View ArticleLocal Youth Talk Gay Marriage
On November 30, 2010, the Illinois Senate passed SB 1716, “Illinois Religious Freedom and Protection and Civil Union Act.” This law will grant legal recognition of same-sex couples. Governor Quinn has...
View ArticleMarriage vs. Civil Unions in the State of Illinois
It’s important we distinguish between the civil unions and marriage. Though many religious institutions in the area provide same-sex couples with recognition before God and their friends and neighbors,...
View ArticleIllinois Civil Unions: A Step forward, But Still Only A Step
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” —Lao-tzu, Chinese philosopher (604 BC–531 BC) On December 1, 2010, the Illinois Senate passed SB 1716 (the Illinois Religious Freedom...
View Article“A Side of Prejudice with That?”
When you walk into a fast food restaurant and place your order, there are many things that you expect to get: food, a drink, some napkins, a couple of packets of ketchup and salt. At most places, that...
View ArticleOn Civil Unions with Kevin and Brandon Bowersox-Johnson
Residents in Illinois now have the opportunity to apply for and be joined in a civil union, which recognizes a legal commitment between two adults who wish to have the same rights and privileges...
View ArticleScreening of “This is My Journey” Documentary
Community Premiere: “This is My Journey” by director Kate Brickman Tues, Sept 6 at 5:30 pm; Doors open 5 p; documentary 5:30-6:30 pm Q&A with Kate Brickman and documentary subject 6:30-7:30 pm Art...
View ArticleFrances Friedman’s Passing; A Deep Loss to This Community
On February 28, this community lost a woman who made enormous contributions to the quality of life of so many in Champaign-Urbana. Originally from Chicago’s West Side, Frances came to Champaign-Urbana...
View ArticleJason Collins
“I’m a 34 year old NBA center. I’m black. And I’m gay.” With these simple words, Jason Collins made history as the first actively playing out athlete in the NBA, NHL, MLB or NFL. The overwhelming...
View ArticleTransgender Justice and Prisons
Onni Gust (Onni Gust is originally from London, UK, where she took part in social justice activism and education, particularly on LGBT rights and racism. Onni arrived in Champaign-Urbana in August 2013...
View ArticleHow Lawmakers Are Exploiting Public Fear After Orlando to Push More Police...
To date, the Orlando Police Department has disclosed no definitive evidence that its military-style weaponry protected public safety the morning of the horrific massacre at the LGBTQ Pulse club’s Latin...
View ArticleOrlando Shooter Was A Product of US Hyper-Masculinity
Like so many others, I’ve been at a loss trying to make sense of the heinous act of anti-queer mass murder in Orlando. The following are some of my scattered thoughts on the topic, some of which I...
View ArticleTaking Applications for “Open Scene,” IMC’s Youth Media Project
The Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center (UCIMC) and the City of Urbana are happy to launch Open Scene, a project to reimagine downtown Urbana through arts-based dialogues led by youth. Open Scene...
View ArticleRadicalize Your Love: Consent Culture Not Toxic Masculinity
I made it a project of mine this year to construct a sort of pedagogy, or theory, of radical love. And people have directed me to all kinds of resources that are really great and radical. My friend...
View ArticleDemands for a Transformed University
On September 9, 2016, a “Rally for a Transformed University” was held at the alma mater on UIUC campus. It corresponded with the release of a list of demands. Led by Black Students For Revolution, the...
View Article“A Side of Prejudice with That?”
When you walk into a fast food restaurant and place your order, there are many things that you expect to get: food, a drink, some napkins, a couple of packets of ketchup and salt. At most places, that...
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