Let's Have a Kiki: Rainbow Reflections Exhibit Opening

• Event Date: Sunday, June 8, 2025
• Time: 2:00 pm–4:00 pm (CDT)
• Location: Spurlock Museum, 600 S. Gregory St., Urbana, IL

• Special Event
• Exhibit-Related tag

Join us on Sunday, June 8th 2–4pm for a gathering—a "kiki"—with exhibit curator, Dale Mize. Attendees will enjoy discussion about the artifacts and belongings chosen for this exhibit, the methodology behind the collection, and the relevance to LGBTQ+ existence past, present, and future. Light refreshments will be served.

About the Exhibit

"Rainbow Reflections" is an intimate exhibit offering a glimpse into the rich and complex history of LGBTQ+ life, activism, and culture. While no single exhibit can capture the full scope of queer history, this space invites reflection, recognition, and connection. It seeks to honor those who have fought for change, those who live their truth every day, and the generations continuing to imagine and build a more inclusive future. This exhibit opens in June and will run through Fall 2025.

We respectfully adopt kiki as a term meaning “social gathering” that emerged from Black queer ballroom cultures in New York City. Known for its fun, laid-back, gossip-filled atmosphere, a kiki is also a support network that provides food, shelter, HIV advocacy and awareness, and an avenue for self-affirming performance expression for queer and trans youth living in the streets.

This program is generously supported by the Carden-Temple LGBTQ+ Impact Fund. AIDS quilt panels included in this exhibit are on loan courtesy of the Greater Community AIDS Project (GCAP).