Due to ongoing circumstances with the COVID-19 virus, the University of Michigan is taking additional precautions to ensure the safety of our students and staff by closing the center. Although the physical space is closed, our dedicated team is continuing to serve students virtually between 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (EDT), Monday through Friday. In addition, Spectrum Center is hosting virtual drop-in hours. Sign up for an appointment slot here.
My name is Smitty (they/them/theirs), and I am the Writer/Photographer Student Lead for the IGR, MESA, and Spectrum Center units here at the University of Michigan. On April 30th, Spectrum Center held their annual Lavender Graduation (LavGrad) online. LavGrad is a ceremony that was created by Ronni Sanlo (she/her/hers) in 1995 at the University that celebrates LGBTQ+ graduate students and their achievements. Over the past 25 years, LavGrad has expanded to other institutions -- more than 500 colleges, universities, and even high schools -- across the country.
Alyson Grigsby (they/them) is a fourth-year LSA student at the University of Michigan. They are a Political Science major and Japanese Language & Culture minor. Though they are graduating this year, they will be returning to the university next year to pursue a master’s degree in the Transcultural Studies Program. I chatted with them virtually about their time and leadership at the university - including being the co-chair of the Coalition for Queer and Trans People of Color - as well as their recent participation to MBLGTACC 2020, the Midwest Bisexual Lesbian Gay Transgender Asexual College Conference.
Carmelita Perrien Naccarato discusses the importance for the LGBTQ community over winter break, when many may face difficulties at home or not have a home to return to.
LaVelle Ridley (she/her/hers), a Ph.D. candidate for English and Women’s Studies, has known she wanted to pursue graduate school since her sophomore year of her undergraduate program. She has worked tirelessly since then to bring her to the University of Michigan, where she is pursuing her dream of becoming a Women’s Studies professor and completing her dissertation on black literary, feminist, and queer studies
Una conversación con River Coello, un/a artista multidisciplinario/a cuir/qüeer y trans de Guayaquil, Ecuador viviendo en Chicago, Illinois.
