Illinois Eagle (https://illinoiseagle.com/tag/bloomington/)
BLOOMINGTON — Illinois State University alumni Dave Bentlin and Barb Dallinger will speaking about the LGBTQ+ Support Fund on Friday, Sept. 6, at the Bone Student Center.
BLOOMINGTON — B’N Trans – Community, a group representing transgender people in the Bloomington/Normal area, has changed it’s name to Trans Ascension: A Gender Evolved Community. The group announced its new name and logo in a Facebook post on Monday.
From the post:
Our new logo and name is finally here. I am glad to welcome all of you to Trans Ascension! Mr. DeLong, of Osborn & DeLong, approached me recently about the branding of B’N Trans – Community. He offered his services as penance for how he had previously treated a trans colleague many years prior.
BLOOMINGTON — The Bistro in Bloomington will be holding its Pridefest on Saturday, July 27. From the Facebook event:
The Bistro is proud to bring you the 2nd annual Pridefest Block Party in downtown Bloomington! We’re blocking off the street again to celebrate 26 years of pride at the Bistro, and to bring you the best outdoor drag event you’ve ever experienced (in central Illinois). This year we will be joined by Healthy in a Hurry and Dead Wood Barbecue for your convenient party food needs. We will be serving cocktails in the bar, and beer on the street!
BLOOMINGTON — Illinois Prairie Community Foundation is seeking nominations for its 2019 Philanthropist(s) of the Year. An individual, couple or family will be honored at the Community Foundation’s Celebrating Local Philanthropy Luncheon at the Radisson Hotel & Conference Center in Normal on Nov. 14, 2019. Nominees must reside in McLean, DeWitt, Livingston or Logan counties.
The criteria are outstanding civic responsibility as demonstrated by contributions of financial resources and voluntary commitment of time, willingness to serve in leadership roles, and providing vision and the ability to involve others in philanthropic activity. Nominations should describe in 250 words or less why the nominee deserves this recognition.
BLOOMINGTON — The Stonewall Democrats of McLean County have changed their name to Stonewall Democrats of Illinois to reflect their statewide efforts. The Stonewall Democrats are an organization of LGBTQ activists within the Democrat Party. The group made the announcement in a Facebook post on Thursday:
Stonewall Democrats of McLean County is…….transitioning! This page is now called Stonewall Democrats of Illinois! We are joining forces with LGBT Democrats from across Illinois to build a statewide Stonewall Democrats!
BLOOMINGTON — Pride month in Bloomington kicked off with a rally celebrating the 50th anniversary of Stonewall. The Stonewall Democrats of McLean County organized the rally at the McLean County Museum of History on Saturday, June 1.
While celebrating the advances since Stonewall in 1969, it also protested recent attacks by the Trump administration against the transgender community and remembered the attack on Orlando’s Pulse nightclub. Speakers included local clergy, activists and out LGBTQ politicians. All photos courtesy of Stonewall Democrats of McLean County
BLOOMINGTON – Illinois Prairie Community Foundation is seeking nominations for its 2019 Philanthropist(s) of the Year. An individual, couple or family will be honored at the Community Foundation’s Celebrating Local Philanthropy Luncheon at the Radisson Hotel & Conference Center in Normal on Nov. 14, 2019. Nominees must reside in McLean, DeWitt, Livingston or Logan counties.
The criteria are outstanding civic responsibility as demonstrated by contributions of financial resources and voluntary commitment of time, willingness to serve in leadership roles, and providing vision and the ability to involve others in philanthropic activity. Nominations should describe in 250 words or less why the nominee deserves this recognition.
BLOOMINGTON — The Stonewall Democrats of McLean County are holding a Pride kick-off at the McClean County Museum of History on Saturday, June 1. From the Facebook event:
On the 50th Anniversary year of Stonewall, the fight for LGBTQ equality and safety is as important as ever. We are confronting the Trans military service ban, hate crimes against LGBTQ people, especially homicides of Trans women, and attacks on our legal rights. Don we now our gay apparel, bring some noisemakers and kick off Pride month! We will honor the veterans of Stonewall, who stood up and fought back, and pay our respects to those we lost at Pulse Orlando three years ago, by rallying and marching and carrying on the LGBT movement for justice and peace.
BLOOMINGTON — The Illinois Prairie Community Foundation announced Tuesday that it had awarded $140,613 in grants to non-profits in McLean, DeWitt, Livingston and Logan counties. Receiving 42 General Grants totaling $56,756 for programs in the fields of education, environment, health and wellness and youth were:
Best Buddies – $1,000 for “Best Buddies Leadership Program” to develop leadership skills
in students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) through school friendship program and ambassador program. Bloomington-Normal Mulberry School – $1,200 for “#MulberryArts: Fine Arts Education” to support and enhance the arts education opportunities for Pre-K through 2nd grade students through field trips and classroom projects. Boys & Girls Club of Bloomington-Normal & West Bloomington Active Gardens – $1,000 for “Young Gardeners Internship and Grow Your Garden” to cultivate curiosity and build knowledge about environmental stewardship and healthy eating through hands-on gardening activities. Boys & Girls Club of Livingston County – $1,000 for “Connecting Teens and Building Self-Esteem Through Mentoring” to provide rural youth with opioid/substance use and misuse with support from mentors who are living healthy, drug-free lifestyles.