Barack and roll: A local group of young LGBTA professionals and students who are supporting presidential candidate Barack Obama is forming. See http://my.barackobama.com/page/group/LGBTAYoungProsStudentsforObama.
Barack and roll, part 2: The LGBT religious organization Sankofa Way is encouraging individuals to sign an online petition urging U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., to take action against the pending anti-gay law in Nigeria. See www.gopetition.com/petitions/nigerian-gay-lesbian-bisexual-transgender-oppression.html .
'Bliss' thing: Bliss and W Lakeshore are teaming up to find the first BlissGuy, a muscular stud 'who puts the 'man' in manicure,' as a press release stated. The contest will take place Wed., June 6, 6-8 p.m., at the W Hotel, 644 N. Lake Shore. RSVP to ChiHappenings.RSVP@WHotels.com .
Issues and answers: On Thurs., June 7, at 6:30 p.m. at Test Positive Aware Network ( TPAN ) , 5537 N. Broadway, AIDS Foundation of Chicago and TPAN will hold a workshop so individuals can ensure that 2008 candidates address HIV/AIDS issues. For more information and to RSVP, e-mail jterlikowski@aidschicago.org .
Getting started: A launch party for Coming OUT to Berwyn will take place Thurs., June 7, at Sevilla's Tapas, 6543 W. Cermak, Berwyn, at 9 p.m. Call 708-749-7700.
Rights NOW: The CNOW Reproductive Rights Team will meet Thurs., June 7, at 6:30 p.m. at the Borders Books and Music, 755 W. North. Contact Stephanie Bell, the CNOW Reproductive Rights team leader, at cnowvolunteers@gmail.com .
The next George Lucas: Student Films Across America will take place Sat., June 9, at Lakeshore Theater, 3175 N. Broadway, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10. See www.sfaa07.com .com.
Wild Oates: Joyce Carol Oates, author of The Gravedigger's Daughter, will engage in conversation Ann Marie Lipinski, senior vice president and editor for the Chicago Tribune, on Sun., June 10, at Harold Washington Library, 400 S. State, at 1:30 p.m. as part of the Chicago Tribune Printers Row Book Fair, held June 9-10. To register for the free tickets, see www.printersrowbookfair.org .
Free to 'B': The Chicago Area Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce is hosting a B2B networking get-together on Tues., June 12, 7-9 a.m., at Center on Halsted, 3656 N. Halsted, the event's permanent home. Register at www.glchamber.org .