Welcome to Mosaic!

We're Champaign-Urbana's Southwest Asian and North African queer alliance.We hope to foster a welcoming, supportive, and private environment where all members of the queer SWANA community can connect, regardless of whether they're out yet.Curious about joining us? Scroll down to learn more

What is Mosaic?

Mosaic is a group by and for LGBTQ+ people from the MENA region. We are based in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, and we are a Registered Student Organization at UIUC. Our meetings and events function range from hangouts and support groups to panels and performances. Join us for games, music, arts and crafts, movies, academic discussions, casual conversations, and delicious tea and coffee!

Use our sign-up sheet to get email updates, or go back to explore our website.

Get in touch!

Mosaic is a community endeavor, and we want to hear from you!Feel free to use an anonymous email if you'd like to preserve your privacy. The contact sheet does not require you to use your name or give us an email address.

Calendar

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still join Mosaic if I'm...

...not Arab?
Absolutely! Mosaic is for LGBTQ+ people from the MENA region. This includs Turkey, Iran, the Caucasus region, and more, as well as ethnic minorities such as Kurds, Assyrians, Circassians, and Amazigh. We also welcome people that are not from MENA....still questioning my sexual orientation / gender identity?
Yes! Mosaic might be a good place to get support from people who understand how your ethnic and cultural background might impact your identity and experiences....not Muslim?
Also yes! Mosaic is not oriented towards any specific faith tradition, and everyone is welcome. We welcome people from any religion, including those that are atheists or unaffiliated.

I'm not publicly out, and I'm worried for my reputation or safety if I come to Mosaic. What should I do?

Unfortunately, we cannot make sure that no one ever finds out you've attended Mosaic. However, we have a privacy policy in place to ensure everyone's safety. You can find a link to our community guidelines on the home page. Please reach out if you have further concerns.

How do I get involved?

There's a sign-up sheet below, as well as a contact form you can use to voice concerns and ask questions. If you'd like to help out at Mosaic, use the contact form to let us know (navigate to the "Get in touch" page on the home screen).

Community Guidelines

Please take a moment to learn how we can best support each other by following some simple rules.Note: This is a living document. As the needs of the community change, so will our guidelines. If you would like to propose changes to our guidelines, please contact us.

  • Do not photograph, video, or record anyone at Mosaic without asking first. If you want to take pictures, please make sure they don’t include anyone who hasn’t agreed to be photographed.

  • Do not publicly share the names or identities of Mosaic attendees. Before telling anyone about an attendee, ensure that the attendee in question is OK with being identified.

  • Do not pressure attendees to come out or out them against their will.

  • Remember that MENA includes a wide variety of different cultures. Don’t exclude attendees based on their background.

  • Remember that not everyone speaks your language. While speaking our native languages is highly encouraged at Mosaic, don’t exclude people from your conversations by suddenly switching to a language they don’t understand.

Reading List

Mosaic's reading list is a collaborative, living collection of work by queer MENA authors. Anyone can add a book or article that they've enjoyed.If you'd like to participate, navigate to the reading list (link below), click "View Only," then request access. Feel free to use an anonymous email address to maintain your privacy.