News

October 25, 2023

This fall, Spectrum Center fully launched its free, one-hour webcourse for the University of Michigan community, following a successful year-long pilot. Students, faculty, and staff can register for and take Introduction to LGBTQIA2S+ Communities and Identities on Canvas.

October 23, 2023

“I want us together to consider the rootedness of desire as an embodied and affective force that sometimes overtly and sometimes subtly directs our thoughts and behaviors,” Dr. D-L Stewart said. “We might consider desire to be a vector... it has direction, it has movement, it takes us somewhere.”

October 17, 2023

Angie Freeman, Spectrum Center's program manager for events and partnerships, delivered a keynote at "Queer Resilience: Breaking Boundaries," a day-long conference on October 10, 2023 at the University of North Dakota. The conference focused on LGBTQ+ issues in higher education.

October 16, 2023

Are you graduating in December 2023? If so, come pick up a graduation tassel and cord at Spectrum Center. We still want to celebrate you!

October 13, 2023

The University of Michigan's vice provost for equity & inclusion and chief diversity officer has publicly affirmed the right of students, faculty, and staff to use campus restrooms, locker rooms, and changing rooms that are consistent with their gender identity.

September 29, 2023

Spectrum Center and groups across campus are delighted to share an exciting slate of October programming at the University of Michigan in honor and celebration of LGBT History Month. Events include a Kiki ballroom-inspired kickoff, drag show with Monét X Change, Michigan Athletics Pride Games, talk by Dr. D-L Stewart, workshops, screenings, and more!

July 3, 2023

In a recent segment of WEMU's Washtenaw United, Spectrum Center director Jesse Beal talked with David Fair about institutional progress, ongoing work, and centering students in everything we do.

June 28, 2023

In an article from HRMorning, a human resources trade publication, Spectrum Center's Angie Freeman offered advice to writer Alison Roller on how HR professionals—and anyone—can contribute to a safe and inclusive workplace for LGBTQIA2S+ people. 

June 20, 2023

This spring, four University of Michigan Spectrum Center staff were elected to serve important roles within the Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals. Jesse Beal, Angie Freeman, Lorant Peeler, and Des Velázquez will be officially seated this July, marking the first time four successful candidates have come from the same institution.

June 12, 2023

Spectrum Center is thrilled to welcome Tristan “TK” Morton as associate director. Ze joins the center having most recently served as director of the LGBTQIA Resource Center at the University of California, Davis.

April 12, 2023

"He built authentic connections. Howard could throw the best party on earth, but he could also talk to you about what really mattered," Spectrum Center director Jesse Beal told Concentrate. "His loss is so incredibly heavy on my heart. He was our champion. He was larger than life."

February 25, 2023

Giving Blueday is the University of Michigan’s annual day of giving—where friends, alumni, and colleagues around the world support what they love most about U-M. Giving to the Spectrum Center this Giving Blueday, March 15, sustains and builds on our commitment to new leadership opportunities for U-M students and to provide funding for the programming that matters to them. 

February 13, 2023

Howard Bragman (AB ‘78), a long-time friend and supporter of the Spectrum Center, passed away on Saturday evening, February 11, 2023.

January 2, 2023

Following a competitive national search, Jesse Beal has been chosen to lead the University of Michigan's Spectrum Center as its director. Beal, formerly the associate director of the center, had served as interim director following the promotion of Will Sherry to be Student Life's director of strategic initiatives. Their role was made permanent on December 1, 2022.

September 13, 2022

U-M has been named a “Best of the Best” university for building an inclusive, welcoming and safe environment for LGBTQ+ students, faculty and staff.

May 1, 2022

You’re invited to join the Spectrum Center for the Jim Toy Celebration of Liberation, happening Friday, May 20 at 7:00 p.m. at the Michigan Theater. This event is an opportunity for community and friends to come together to honor Jim Toy, who passed away on New Year’s Day. Jim was co-founder of the Spectrum Center, and his legacy has been felt deeply across campus.

January 3, 2022

Spectrum Center co-founder and U-M alumnus Jim Toy, MSW ‘81, passed away over the weekend at the age of 91. Toy was known as an outspoken activist and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, and worked to establish the Human Sexuality Office in 1971, which later became the Spectrum Center. 

December 3, 2021

Jesse Beal (they/them) has joined the Spectrum Center as associate director. Prior to arriving at the University of Michigan, they served as the director of The Gender and Sexuality Campus Center at Michigan State University. They bring over a decade of experience leading student-facing affinity-based resource centers at Amherst College, Brandeis University, Suffolk University, and MSU.

November 18, 2021Spectrum Center awards two scholarships each year, and we'd like to introduce you to this year's recipients.

October 15, 2021While the oral history project provides agency to marginalized communities, it also preserves an accurate record of their lived experiences.