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.
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.
Spectrum Center and the Heads over Heels drag troupe hosted an event called Virtual Drag Bingo on Friday, August 28th. Heads over Heels is “an inclusive queer drag and variety show” (IG: @thehohshow) based in Michigan that has been putting on many LGBT fundraisers over the years and Pride Outside events. Members of the troupe -- Zooey Gaychanel (she/her) and Amanduh Décolletage (she/her) -- along with Lorant Peeler (they/them), Program Specialist for Events & Partnerships at the Spectrum Center, hosted the event on zoom.
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.
