Queer Coalition at Illinois State University

09/08/2026

Just a few weeks left until applications for this year’s Acorn Equality Fund scholarships close!

📢 Reminder: The 2026 Acorn Equality Fund Scholarship Window is now OPEN!

The Acorn Equality Fund is officially accepting applications for our 2026 scholarship cycle. This year, we are offering awards ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 to help students from downstate Illinois reach their academic, advocacy, and leadership goals.

📅 Key Details
* Application Deadline: September 25, 2026
* Award Amounts: $2,000 to $5,000

🗺️ Who is Eligible?
To qualify, applicants must meet the following criteria:

* Academic Plans: You must currently attend, or plan to attend, an accredited post-secondary educational institution.

* Eligible Counties: You must hold permanent residency in the downstate Illinois service area. This includes all Illinois counties except Cook, DuPage, Grundy, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will.

📲 Ready to Apply?
Don't wait until the last minute, start your application today!

Let’s invest in your future. Apply today and share this post with a student who should apply! 🌟

09/07/2026

The September Gaymers' Night is coming up soon! Check out the dates for the rest of the Gaymers' Nights for 2026. It's a great time that's made possible by the community, once a month at 7:00pm. Come play games, hang out, and meet some new friends here at Red Raccoon Games!

08/31/2026

QC member and School of Music at Illinois State University faculty member Dr. Anne McNamara will give a trumpet recital next Friday, September 11 at 7:30 p.m. in Kemp Recital Hall, including the debut of “Proof of Identity,” a piece that Dr. McNamara commissioned from trans composer Eris DeJarnett. “Proof of Identity” is meant to raise awareness about the struggles of the q***r community, especially around mental health. Prior to the performance, a brief PowerPoint presentation will be shown including statistics about q***r mental health with QR codes to prompt people to seek out resources and/or donate to Trans Lifeline or the Trevor Project.

08/29/2026

Your Normal LGBTQ Film Festival returns to the Normal Theatre after a several-year hiatus with a screening of the acclaimed 2017 coming-of-age drama Pariah this Sunday

08/25/2026

The Q***ring Horror series continues Tuesday night at the Normal Theatre!

"28 days, 6 hours, 42 minutes, 12 seconds. That...is when the world will end." - Frank

DONNIE DARKO
Tomorrow Night! Aug. 25 at 7:00 p.m.
normaltheater.com

During the presidential election of 1988, a teenager named Donnie Darko (Jake Gyllenhaal) sleepwalks out of his house one night and sees a giant, demonic-looking rabbit named Frank (James Duval), who tells him the world will end in 28 days. When Donnie returns home, he finds that a jet engine has crashed into his bedroom. Is Donnie living in a parallel universe, is he suffering from mental illness - or will the world really end? R / 114 min.

This is the latest entry in our on-going Q***ring Horror series, presented in partnership with Illinois State University's Department of Psychology, Department of Educational Administration and Foundations, and the ISU Q***r Coalition. Q***rness and LGBTQ+ individuals have been represented in horror films since the early years of cinema. This series highlights films throughout horror history that have been discussed within the context of q***r representation, both the positive and the negative, providing an opportunity for community discussion on the ways in which films can represent and shape our understanding of ourselves and each other.

08/20/2026

🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ Come bowling with us as we welcome in the new semester! 🍕 Pizza will be provided. We'll be at the Redbird Game Complex (formerly the Bowling and Billiards Center) from 5-7 on August 27; hope to see you there!

Register here: https://illinoisstate.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_41MY5Z0WQGl3AO2

08/14/2026

Join us tomorrow for Gaymer’s Night at Red Raccoon!

Gaymers' Night is this Saturday, August 15th, kicking off at 7:00pm!

Join other LGBTQ+ gaming fans once a month on Saturday for a night full of games, food, and fun! You are welcome to bring your own games to play or play any we have in our game library.

We are happy to teach games and other activities may be organized by fellow attendees. Sponsored by our friends at Prairie Pride Coalition, Donny B's Popcorn, Grove Street Bakery, and Illinois State University's Q***r Coalition!

07/29/2026

You’re not alone.

If you have questions or need support, Illinois Pride Connect is here to help.

We offer:
💡 Free, confidential help
🤝 Connections to affirming services
🏳️‍🌈 Help with name changes, discrimination concerns, healthcare access, and more

Legal Hotline Hours: Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

📞 855-805-9200

💻 www.ilprideconnect.org

07/26/2026

Thank you all for joining us at Bloomington-Normal Pridefest!! We loved seeing your beautiful faces.