Date: Tue, 13 Jan 1998 10:30:44 -0600 From: David Barnett Subject: Across the Fruited Plain - Reserve hotel rooms by January 20. ****Conference Hotel Rooms are Saved Only through January 20**** "Across the Fruited Plain" 1998 Midwest Bisexual Lesbian Gay Transgender College Conference Conference organiziers anticipate that over one thousand students will attend the 1998 Midwest Bisexual Lesbian Gay Transgender College Conference February 20 to 22, 1998. The conference will be held on the campus of the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). Student organizers selected "across the fruited plain" as their conference theme. The three keynote speakers are Urvashi Vaid, Leslie Feinberg, and Michelangelo Signorile. The conference features dozens of workshops, panels, and programs, two dances, a Homocore band, folk-singer Melissa Ferrick, A Real Read (lesbigaytrans African-American performance ensemble), a vendor fair, and more. The conference web site offers comprehensive information: http://www.uic.edu/depts/quic/mblgtcc Due to space restrictions, UIC can accommodate a maximum of 1100 people at this conference. Please register early to avoid disappointment. The registration form is available on-line at the web site or by calling the UIC Officew of Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Concerns at 312-413-8619. The cost goes up on February 9. Information on official conference hotels is provided at the end of this message. Please note these hotels will only save these rooms for conference registrants until January 20. After that, they will be released to the general public. In a city the size of Chicago, there will always be a conference or convention happening, so rooms go fast! All rates listed are per night. The American Dental Association convention will be in town at the same time as the MBLGTCC so registrants are strongly encouraged to reserve their rooms now! For those who need to find another registrant to reduce expenses, the conference is providing a roommate matching service. They are also seeking free community housing in Chicago for registrants who cannot otherwise afford to attend (there will be a limited number of these spaces). A limited number of scholarships to cover the registration cost for the conference are still available. High school students are especially encouraged to apply for these scholarships and participate in the conference! Additional scholarships based on financial need are available. Applications will be on a first come, first considered basis with a deadline to submit completed scholarship applications of January 15, 1998 (or call/email/write us and we'll get a form to you). Flying in? American Airlines has been designed as the official airline for the conference. They are offering a 5% discount for conference registrants from their lowest applicable fare. You must make your travel arrangements on American Airlines or American Eagle for the travel period of Feb. 17 - 25 (should you prefer to come early/stay late to see more of Chicago). To get these fares, please call the American Airlines Meeting Services desk at 1-800-433-1790. You will need to give them AN Number 2828UQ to qualify for the discount. Standby is allowed on return flights only for the ticketed date of departure. All excess, oversized, and/or overweight baggage and equipment fees apply. All taxes, fees and charges (such as passenger facility charges or departure taxes) imposed on any portion of one's travel are the passenger's responsibility, regardless of the date of purchase or travel, or any retroactive imposition of such taxes, fees, charges, penalties, and interest. The conference is cosponsored by PRIDE at UIC: Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgendered People Advocating Diversity; The UIC Chancellor's Committee on the Status of Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Issues; the UIC Office of Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Concerns; and the Office of the Chancellor at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Additional information is available from the Office of Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Concerns at (312) 413-8619 or through email by writing to mblgcc98@uic.edu. ********** Official MBLGTCC Conference Hotels ********************** All rates listed are per night. Again, please don't count on these rooms being available after January 20, 1998. Our web site also offers handy tips to keep in mind when you are reserving a room. When calling for rooms, remember to say that you are with the MBLGTCC to get the conference rate. * Closest to Campus Hyatt at University Village (only a few rooms are left - call today!) 625 S. Ashland Ave. Chicago, IL 60607 312-243-7200 or 1-800-233-1234 (reservations) Rates: $89 1-2 guests/$99 3-4 guests This hotel is a mile west of the conference site. Located on the West side of campus, (the conference will be taking place on the East side) it is easy to walk, bus or cab over to the activities. Close enough to hurry back and change clothes or take a nap! The hotel also offers courtesy van service in the neighborhood. Best Western on Michigan Avenue 1100 S. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60605 312-922-2900 Rates: $89 single/$99 double This hotel is located approximately one mile south and a little over a mile east of the UIC campus. Nearby are Columbia College, Roosevelt University and the world famous Art Institute of Chicago. The Fine Arts Theater, right down the street, is a great place to catch art and glbt-friendly movies. The el, buses and cab rides make for a quick trip to campus. Ramada Congress Hotel 520 S. Michigan Avenue Chicago, IL 60605 312-427-3800 or 1-800-715-ROOM(7666) Rates: $99 1-2 people $109 3 people $119 4 people This hotel is located about a mile and a quarter east from the conference and has a restaurant that is open 24 hours. Located near the Art Institute in Downtown Chicago, across the street from Grant Park, within walking distance of the Magnificent Mile, one mile from Soldier Field and within 2 blocks of an el train stop. Parking is $13.00 a day. * Hotels in Lakeview (Boys Town) This is LGBT Central in Chicago -- for those who may be out in the city for activities other than the conference. Please be aware that Chicago establishments card heavily, and being under 21 is cause for non-admittance to all bars serving alcohol. There are plenty of coffee shops, stores and restaurants to keep the under-21 crowd busy, and this neighborhood is really very GLBT-friendly! These hotels are several miles away. Days Inn Lincoln Park-North 644 West Diversey Parkway Chicago, IL 60614 773-525-7010 Flat Rates: $70 one to two guests in one double/$90 one to four guests in 2 double beds This hotel is located at the corner of Diversey, Clark and Broadway around the corner from the popular Century Mall. Guests will get a complimentary continental breakfast. Days Inn is located three blocks from the Diversey Brown Line stop (Ravenswood El). Thirty minutes to campus on public transportation (bus, el) or cab. City Suites 933 W. Belmont Chicago, IL 60657 1-800-CITY 108 773-404-3400 Rates: $89 for one guest, $10 per additional guest up to 4 per room. This hotel is in the heart of Boys Town and is gay owned and operated. Staying here puts you right across the street from Berlin night club and gives you complimentary Ann Sather's cinnamon rolls at breakfast. (Some people think the rolls alone are reason for staying here.) Located at Belmont and Sheffield, a major transportation corner in the city, it takes about 30 minutes to campus by el, bus or cab. ********************************************** David Barnett, Ph.D., Director Office of Gay, Lesbian & Bisexual Concerns 4078 BSB (M/C 369) (voice) 312-413-8619; (FAX) 312 -996-4688 http://www.uic.edu/depts/quic/oglbc/