Central Illinois

Restaurant list announced for ‘Dinner with Friends’ fundraiser

By , Publisher/blogger |

PEORIA — Central Illinois Friends, an HIV/AIDS service organization in Central Illinois, has released the restaurant list for their annual “Dinner with Friends” fundraiser. Throughout September, people will eat at different restaurants with a portion of the bills going to support services for people living with HIV in the area. The restaurants are:

Wednesday, Sept. 4 – 6p-9p Country BBQ
Thursday, Sept. 5 – 6p-9p Ulrich’s Rebellion Room
Friday, Sept.

Central Illinois

Peoria holds first River City Pride

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PEORIA — Peoria had its first River City Pride this past weekend. 

The event was held at the city’s Glen Oak Park Amphitheatre and had family activities, vendors and entertainers. 

Peoria Proud organized the event and are working on more events in the future. 

Photos by Regev Nystrom

Central Illinois

Inter-Faith Peoria Pride Celebration set for Aug. 3

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PEORIA — The Interfaith Alliance of Central Illinois will be holding a Pride celebration in Peoria to open that city’s events. From the Facebook event:
Join us from 11am-11:30am for an inter-faith service to open the River City Pride Festival in Peoria. We will celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community through song, dance, and an inter-faith blessing remembering the many who have advocated for the lives and rights of the LGBTQIA+ community. If you are apart of a faith community and would like to also volunteer at the Affirming Faith Communities Vendor Booth passing out bottles of water with rainbow minute maid mixers and literature– you are also welcome to participate! Lastly, we will be partnering with Free Mom Hugs to provide hugs and high fives.

Central Illinois

River City Pride opens nominations for Pride Community Awards

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PEORIA — River City Pride, organizers of Peoria’s Pride celebrations, has opened nominations for the Pride Community Awards. From their Facebook post:

NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN! Please take a minute to nominate your favorite LBGBTQ+ businesses, leaders, volunteers, arts and entertainers for the 2019 RCPride Awards! Award nominations will be accepted through July 21st at Midnight! Recipients will be voted upon by the members of One Voice and presented at the festival on August 3rd.

Central Illinois

Former GOP Rep. Schock caught at another gay bar by British tabloid

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MEXICO CITY — Former U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock (R-Peoria) is in the news again partying at a gay bar, this time in Mexico City’s red light district. He’s previously been seen making out with guys at Coachella and hitting on others in West Hollywood. He’s never come out and has a record of anti-LGBTQ House votes. British tabloid Daily Mail got video of Schock dancing at Boy Bar in Mexico City and of him stuffing cash down a go-go dancer’s briefs. News site LGBTQ Nation has reported that there have been rumors that Schock was gay, despite getting a 0 score from the Human Rights Campaign.

Central Illinois

Expressing Yourself On & Off Stage at Lit. On Fire this Friday

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PEORIA — Lit. On Fire Used Books is hosting Expressing Yourself On & Off Stage this Friday, June 21. From the Facebook event:
Join us on Friday, June 21st at 6 pm right here at Lit. on Fire Used Books for a free, all ages class that will help you kick start your persona as you explore gender and its many facets of expression! Whether you are interested in performing Burlesque, Drag, or simply blurring the lines of the gender binary in your daily life, we will have some basic instructions on a wide array of topics to help you gain the tools and confidence to be authentically YOU!

Central Illinois

Former Rep. Aaron Schock may be running again

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PEORIA —  Aaron Schock, Peoria’s former representative to the U.S. House, may be running for his old seat. LGBTQ Nation, which has been tracking Schock’s activities since he resigned from his seat years ago, noted that he has just filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission. The filing for “Schock for Congress” is a statement of organization. The address for the campaign is a P.O. Box in Peoria with the office being sought is the 18th district in Illinois, his old district now held by Darin LaHood, a fellow Republican. Schock is listed as treasurer and the date for the filing is June 7, 2019.

Central Illinois

River City Pride in Peoria looking for volunteers, donations

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PEORIA — River City Pride, Peoria’s Pride celebration, is looking for people to help make the inaugural event a success. The even is looking for volunteers to operate the festival. Rolls to be filled include:

 

Set up/Tear down Assistants – directing vendors, blocking off vendor spaces, taking down the water station and grounds pick-up. Greeters – directing people to the entry way and passing out pride guides/or cards that tells people how to connect to the welcome guide online. Also provide crowd control.