Western Illinois

WIU alum creates LGBTQ scholarship

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MACOMB — Molly Holmes, an LGBTQ 2004 Western Illinois University alum, is starting a scholarship for LGBTQ students at the university. According to a WIU press release, Holmes is the director of the Gender and Sexuality Resource Center at Northern Illinois University. In her role as director, she advocates for equity for all genders and sexual identities at NIU and within the surrounding area. As a student at WIU, Holmes was a peer health educator through Beu Health Center, a member of Unity and an assistant complex director in University Housing and Dining Services. “Western was pivotal in my development both as a student and as a professional due in part to mentors who valued me as a person, inclusive of my sexuality and gender,” Holmes said in the press release.

Western Illinois

WIU to move LGBT*QA Resource Center to Multicultural Center

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MACOMB — Western Illinois University announced some changes to student support service office on Thursday. “We have recently seen a marked increase in the University’s retention rates, and we want to continue to build upon those services we provide our students so they continue to be successful at Western,” Vice President for Student Services Ron Williams said in a press release on the WIU website. “With the upcoming retirements of two directors, and other staffing changes, it made sense to begin looking at the student support center and the office both in terms of one-stop shops to provide greater, and more convenient, access to our students. We will also experience significant cost savings with one director overseeing the center and one director overseeing the Office of Student Rights.” The LGBT*QA Resource Center, currently in the University Union, will move to the Multicultural Center (MCC) this summer, and be fully operational by August.

Western Illinois

WIU Black History Month schedule released

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MACOMB — The Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center (GBCC) at Western Illinois University has released the schedule for this year’s Black History Month Celebration, which will be held in conjunction with the 50th anniversary of the GBCC. According to a press release from WIU, this year’s Black History Month schedule includes:

Thursday, Jan. 31 – 6 p.m. in the Multicultural Center
Program Title: Black Family Feud
Presenter: Black Student Summit
Saturday, Feb. 2 – 2 p.m. College of Fine Arts and Communication and the Multicultural Center
Program Title: Taste of Africa
Presenter: African Student Association
Sunday, Feb. 3 – 2 p.m. Western Illinois Museum, 201 S. Lafayette St., Macomb
Title: Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center
Abstract: Poetry reading and historical overview of the Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center with guests reflecting on the founding and its impact
Presenter: Western Illinois University Museum
Monday, Feb.

Western Illinois

LGBTQIA+ scholarship applications now being accepted at Western Illinois University

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MACOMB — Applications are being accepted for the Western Illinois University 2019 Martin Dupuis/Mukti Fund Leadership Award in Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) Communities. The $1,400 award recognizes a student who has provided leadership either for a LGBTQIA+ group and/or in regards to LGBTQIA+ issues. Applicants who meet the leadership criteria must be undergraduate students who will return to WIU for the 2019-2020 academic year. To be considered for this award, students must complete an application, write a short essay, provide a resume and include two letters of reference. The recipient of the award will be selected by the University Committee on Sexual Orientation Gender Identity and Expression (UCOSOGIE).

Western Illinois

WIU Rally for Love pulls in loving crowd

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MACOMB — The Western Illinois University community pulled together to counter an appearance by Westboro Baptist Church this past Sunday. The WIU Rally for Love was to give a counter to the Topeka-based anti-LGBTQ church.Westboro was protesting because WIU was playing Indiana State University in a football game. ISU’s football team has an openly gay member. Tri States Public Radio said that a few hundred came out in the wet and cold weather while Westboro had only six people show up. There were speeches, music and hot chocolate.

Western Illinois

Anti-Westboro protest planned at Western Illinois University this Saturday

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MACOMB — The infamous Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka is planning a trip to western Illinois and the local community is ready for it. The counterprotest is currently planned for Hanson Field’S Q-Lot at Western Illinois University in Macomb with the exact location to be announced closer to the date. It will start at 11 a.m. this Saturday, Nov. 17. WBC will be in another part of the field.

Western Illinois

‘Queer Eye’ is coming to Quincy

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QUINCY — The Netflix show “Queer Eye” will be bringing their makeover skills to Quincy next month. The Quincy Herald-Whig reported Friday that the Quincy Public Schools Music Director Kathi Dooley will be the recipient of the makeover artists. From the Herald-Whig:

Filming will take place Oct. 8-11, Superintendent Roy Webb said, and will include renovations to a classroom at QHS and a makeover of Dooley. “The show’s fun, and it’s going to be fun for the entire community, for anybody who knows Kathi and knows our School District,” Webb said.

Western Illinois

Center on Halsted to host 5th Annual National LGBTQ Health Conference

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CHICAGO – The Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing at Northwestern University and The Sexual Orientation and Gender Institute at Center on Halsted are pleased to host the fifth annual National LGBTQ Health Conference: Bridging Research and Practice. This is the nation’s only research conference that brings together scientists, public health professionals, and healthcare providers to improve the health and wellbeing of lesbian, gay bisexual, transgender and queer populations. With national sponsors including the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities and the Centers for Disease Control, the conference will focus on creating a dialogue between researchers and practitioners by integrating research findings and clinical application into each panel or symposium. The conference also fosters professional development and networking opportunities. This year’s conference themes are HIV/AIDS; Sexually Transmitted Diseases; Adolescent Health; Violence and Trauma; Suicide and Mental Health; and Intersections of Race/Ethnicity and LGBTQ Health.

Western Illinois

Chicago Power Exchange Roundtable: Passion and Play, Feb. 18

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CHICAGO — Chicago Power Exchange Roundtable is a discussion and social group for everyone 18 and over who is involved in, exploring, or curious about power exchange relationships. This includes M/s, D/s, Sir/ boy, and Trainer relationships, as well as any other relationships that defy labels but incorporate consensual power exchange. Attendees do not need to be actively in a relationship to attend, and all levels of experience (including none!) are welcome. Our topic for February is… “Passion & Play in Power Exchange”

Power exchange relationships are rich opportunities to satisfy our needs, both serious and fun.