The Rainbow Coffeehouse celebrated its reopening Tuesday night after a semester-long hiatus.

The coffeehouse, a program sponsored by the Office for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Concerns, held a reception in celebration of its reopening at the Etc. Coffeehouse at the Wesley Foundation, 1203 W. Green St. in Urbana. The Etc. Coffeehouse houses the Rainbow Coffeehouse program.

The entire queer community — students, faculty, staff and the greater Champaign-Urbana community — as well as their supporters were invited to socialize and obtain information about campus and community LGBT organizations and programs.

Lisa Murphy, a University alumna, began the Rainbow Coffeehouse a few years ago because she felt the LGBT community needed a place to go to socialize and feel safe, said to Jorja Jamison, a graduate student.

Jamison, a member of Queer Grads, recalled how she felt when she came to the University three years ago.

"I remember I wanted to connect with the LGBT community, and this seemed like the perfect place to do just that," she said.

When Jamison became familiar with the coffeehouse, Mario Crifo was its manager.

"Mario was really great. He had all sorts of energy," she said.

But with no one designated to run the coffeehouse this fall, the weekly event was temporarily put on hold.

"The Rainbow Coffeehouse was always a popular social event, but it closed due to the lack of volunteers and lack of management," said Curt McKay, co-director of the Office for LGBT Concerns. "Then, a few weeks ago, a few representatives from some LGBT groups on campus met to discuss the possibility of reopening the coffeehouse."

It was decided at that meeting that every Tuesday a different LGBT organization would host the coffeehouse, and the Office for LGBT Concerns would manage it.

Paul Poteat, an employee at the Office for LGBT Concerns, and first-year doctoral student at the University, said everyone was welcome at the coffeehouse.

"That's the thing we really love about it — it encompasses everyone," Jamison said. "It is not just for undergrads or grad students. Everyone is welcome."

Students who frequent the coffeehouse said it provides a relaxed environment for students to study or get together with others.

"The Rainbow Coffeehouse provides a place once a week for queers and their (friends) to hang out somewhere that's not a bar," McKay said.

Pat Morey, co-director of the Office for LGBT Concerns, agreed.

"It's a place for good conversation and good treats," she said.

In the past, the Rainbow Coffeehouse sponsored a wide variety of programs, including folk singers and a panel with LGBT faculty members discussing their research, McKay said.

McKay and Morey have high hopes for the future of the Rainbow Coffeehouse, and hope to host such programs in the upcoming year.

PRIDE, a registered student organization dedicated to awareness of alternative lifestyles, is scheduled to sponsor the Rainbow Coffeehouse next Tuesday from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Breakout Box: If you are interested in volunteering to work at the Rainbow Coffeehouse, please contact:

The Office for LGBT Concerns

Room 322A, Illini Union

1401 W. Green St.

Urbana, IL 61801

(217) 244-8863