Programs
Throughout the year, the Center coordinates social, educational and cultural programs on a variety of significant topics. Annual programming efforts include participation in National Coming Out Day, coordination of Spring Pride Week, and collaboration on a variety of heritage months and awareness weeks. To view our upcoming programs, please refer to our Events Calendar.
From passionate students to nationally known guest speakers to dedicated staff and faculty members, the Spectrum Center seeks to incorporate diverse ideas and participation in all of our programming. Many programs are designed collaboratively, a process which is exemplary of the interconnected nature of movements for social justice.
Our coalitions extend to student groups and University departments as well as to the surrounding community and even to other Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender campus resource centers in the state of Michigan and around the country. It is through such community building efforts by staff, interns, and volunteers that the Spectrum Center maintains a varied events calendar and incorporates wide selections of participants.
The programs and services offered by the Spectrum Center are open to all, including students, staff, faculty, community members, allies, and parents of students.
A weekly events calendar, which also includes information about group meetings, job opportunities, and housing openings, is available by subscribing to our email Newsletter.
Ongoing/Recurring Programs
Below is a list of various ongoing programs that are coordinated by the Spectrum Center.
Ally Training
In March 2005, the University of Michigan joined more than 140 other colleges and universities by implementing an Ally Training Program through the Spectrum Center. The purpose of having the Ally Training Program is to promote a campus community in which everyone is treated with respect and dignity.
Ally Program participants attend an eight-hour training (spread over two days) designed to strengthen their ability to serve as allies to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer students, staff, and faculty at the University of Michigan. After completion of the training, participants can display the Ally logo as a way to let others know that they support the right of lgbt people at the University of Michigan to fair and equal treatment. The logo also lets others know that they can turn to these individuals for support or information about lgbt people and issues.
For information on upcoming trainings, refer to: For Allies
Celebrate Bisexuality Day
Celebrate Bisexuality Day, observed annually nationwide on September 23, is a day of celebration, awareness, and visibility for the bisexual community. The Spectrum Center recognizes this important day with an inspiring event.
Coming-Out Group
Each year, the Spectrum Center offers two coming-out groups: one in the fall semester, and another in the winter semester. This is a closed and confidential ten-week discussion and support group which helps participants explore a variety of coming-out issues. It is intended for people who are questioning their sexuality and/or people in the early stages of their coming-out process. Topics include exploring same-sex attractions, issues of self-esteem, and coming out to self, friends and family, as well as other topics related to these issues. People of all genders and ages are welcome. Free and open to the public. Capacity of 12 people per group.
To sign up for the group or request more information, please contact Kevin Correa at kcorrea@umich.edu or 763-4186.
Gender Explorers
A social and support group for transgender, transsexual, genderqueer, and TG-questioning people and those who transgress gender binaries. This safe, open, and affirming space includes discussion and fellowship. Trans-friendly family, friends, and significant others are also welcome.
This group meets the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month in the Spectrum Center. To participate and to learn more, email PJ at pajeho@umich.edu.
HIV Testing
Every Monday from September-April, a counselor from HARC, the HIV/AIDS Resource Center, is at the Spectrum Center from 6-8 pm offering free and anonymous HIV testing. The Spectrum Center is a welcoming and safe space for all seeking testing. For more information on HARC and testing, call 800.578.2300, 734.572.9355, or visit them on the web at http://harc.ldmi.net/eo_testing.html.
Lavender Graduation
In 1995, Ronni Sanlo, then the Director of the University of Michigan's Spectrum Center, designed the first Lavender Graduation, a commencement event specifically for LGBT students and their allies. Lavender Graduation has since become an annual ceremony conducted on numerous campuses to honor lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and ally students and to acknowledge their achievements and contributions to the University. Graduating students, including undergraduates, graduates, and professional students, are invited to take part in Lavender Graduation, which occurs each year in conjunction with university-wide commencement events.
LGBT & Friends Faculty/Staff Social Hour
Join the staff of the Spectrum Center for LGBT and Friends Staff/Faculty Social Hour! We meet at local restaurants from 5:15 to 6:30 pm once a month for food, drinks and socializing. A great way to meet your colleagues! Location varies. For information on where the group will meet next, contact Kevin Correa at kcorrea@umich.edu or 734 763-4186.
National Coming Out Week
On Oct. 11, 1987, half a million people participated in the March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights. Now, every October 11, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender people and allies participate in National Coming Out Day events across the country. The Spectrum Center extends coming out events to a week-long celebration, which includes a rally (typically held in the DIAG), among other inspiring events.
See also: National Coming Out Day
Pride Week
During the winter semester, student groups work collaboratively to plan events for Pride Week. The Spectrum Center helps to coordinate events, which are developed and implemented by numerous LGBT-related campus groups. Pride Week is a unique programming effort in that it is intended to foster connections across academic class standing, departmental affiliations, and multiple identities. Thus, the result of Pride Week is the potential for authentic visibility for all aspects of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender communities.
Speakers Bureau
The Speakers Bureau is one of the oldest and most popular of our programs. Our goal is to educate people on the current realities and personal histories of those who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, related identities and/or Ally. Through personal story-telling, speakers share their experiences and growth, thereby promoting knowledge, compassion, and understanding about LGBTQ identities, issues and concerns.
In our traditional format, 4-5 speakers each share their personal stories, "putting a face" on our communities and illustrating how our lives and experiences are diverse, complex, and richer than portrayed in mainstream media. The Q&A component of our panels encourage broader, deeper dialogues about sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and possibilities for a better world.
Request a Speakers Bureau panel today!
Training for the Speakers Bureau occurs at the beginning of each semester. We are always looking for more LGBTQ students and community members, as well as heterosexual allies, to join our fabulous Bureau. If you would like to become a speaker, please contact Lauren Sherry at lasherry@umich.edu for more information, an application and/or training dates.
Transgender Day of Remembrance
TDOR publicly mourns and honors the lives of those who might otherwise be forgotten and raises public awareness of violence against people who transgress the normative boundaries of gender identity or expression.
