Kev Murphy · Voices of Illinois · University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library

Title: Kev Murphy
Date(s): 04/04/2026
Interviewee(s): Kev Murphy See all items with this value
Interviewer(s): Bella Schott See all items with this value
Interviewer Position: Student in GWS 467: Locating Queer Culture.
Summary: Kev Murphy discusses queer campus life at the University of Illinois. Kev and their roommates and friends founded GayBar, a house show venue on the Urbana side of campus, to establish a safe space for LGBTQ+ students to go out and meet each other. They hosted DJ events and community parties, like sapphic night and drag night. The venue was very popular on campus, as lines wrapped around the street and capacity was frequently reached. The venue ran as a house show from 2023 until 2025. Kev is still involved in the community and continues GayBar as a traveling queer space, partnering with Gallery Art Bar in Urbana and Amy’s Place in Champaign. Kev also talks about their experience with RSOs on campus, their interest in the house show scene, and their work as a community member.
Language: English
Subject(s): community building See all items with this value; gaybar See all items with this value; house shows See all items with this value; queer See all items with this value; queer students See all items with this value
Related Resources: "GayBar Hosts Valuable Safe Space for Queer Community," The Daily Illini; Social Movements at Illinois: LGBTQ+ Rights