January 19, 2012
In 1971, two quarter-time employees walked into a closet-sized room in the Michigan Union and taped a simple sign to their door. The sign, scribbled in black sharpie, read “Human Sexuality Office.” Jim Toy and Cindy Gair had no idea that this simple and revolutionary act would be the spark of a 40 year tradition of serving the needs of University of Michigan’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and ally-identified communities. The office has since grown in both staffing and space, and has evolved in its portfolio of program offerings and outreach efforts, but the basic, fundamental, core work of the Center remains constant: to build a community where people can be their most authentic selves and to facilitate the growth of the community through education, outreach, advocacy and resources.
In 2011, the Spectrum Center celebrated this important milestone in its history. In February, the University of Michigan hosted the annual MBLGTACC conference- the largest queer college conference in the country. And in November, the Spectrum Center hosted an "alumni weekend", in which past and present students and friends of the Spectrum Center gathered together to celebrate the past, and plan for an even brighter future.
Workshops:
Barbara Timmer: (Hope) It Gets Better... but when?
David Bohnett: LGBT Politics and Social Activism
Lindsy McLean: Service, Integrity, & Dedication: Being LGBT in American Athletics (Coming Soon!)
Other Media:
David Halperin: Are Homosexuals Still Sick?
SC40 Film History, From the Beginning
Slideshows:
Alumni/Student Connections, Presenations, Rainbow Tailgate
Pictures:
Connections: