Kev Murphy

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.