2023-24
MESSAGE from the DIRECTOR
After several years of change and transition, we’re grateful for the opportunities greater stability brought this year for Spectrum Center. We began and ended the year fully staffed–clearing the high hurdles of the past few. Our core programs grew and new programs and services were implemented.
This was certainly a year of stabilization, but it was also a year of investment. We invested in our staff team through continued professional development opportunities including trainings on LGBTQIA2S+ mental health, conference attendance and presentations, and our year-long engagement with Dr. D-L Stewart, our scholar practitioner in residence. We upgraded our support services and wellness role to meet the needs of today’s students and to plan for future needs. We worked closely with Student Life Development to secure new funding streams for innovative programs and support services, including the Trans Belonging Fund. We also invested in our relationships with campus partners, including DEI implementation leads and staff across the university.
Even amid our growth as a center, this year was tremendously difficult for so many people in our community. Students shared their fear and concerns about the
rise in anti-LGBTQIA2S+ legislation. Many students were greatly impacted by the violence in Gaza and some were moved to protest. There was much discord and unrest on our campus in the past year. I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge this fact. This year took a toll on many of us. In spite of all of this, we held true to our mission and continued to show up for all of our students.
As we look ahead, our focus in the coming year will be queer and trans joy and liberation for a better future. We look forward to building this future with you.
In gratitude, Jesse
Founded in 1971, SPECTRUM
CENTER
is the first campus-based gender and sexuality center. Through education, research, and community building, the center works to enhance campus experiences, increase students’ sense of belonging, and help students thrive.
We are dedicated to serving and supporting members of the University of Michigan’s LGBTQIA2S+ communities and strive to create a campus where people of all sexualities and genders are welcome, included, and valued. Our center is a “home away from home,” where students can find friends, get support, and learn more about themselves and others.
Student learning outcomes
As a result of engaging with Spectrum Center, student will:
• Be able to cultivate a sense of joy for themselves and their communities.
• Make friends and build meaningful social connections within and across differences.
• Understand their identity and positionality in relationship to power, privilege, and oppression, specifically related to gender and sexuality.
• Understand how to access resources and services related to basic needs, gender, and sexuality, within the Spectrum Center, across campus, and locally.
• Identify their role(s) in LGBTQ+ inclusivity and liberation.
• Build resiliency and skill to navigate anti-LGBTQ+ oppression.
Mission
Vision
We lead the University of Michigan in co-creating a just, equitable, and inclusive community for people of all genders and sexualities.
The center envisions an inclusive campus community free of discrimination in all forms where social justice inspires community engagement and equity.
Values
COURAGEOUS LOVE
We lead with vulnerability, rooted in the knowledge that telling the truth is an act of love, and that loving queer and trans communities is transformational. At the heart of our work is courageous action and unwavering love for our communities.
JUSTICE
We center the voices and experiences of people with marginalized identities in an effort to build a more just and equitable campus community. We engage an intersectional framework, operating in solidarity with marginalized communities to dismantle structures of oppression in our work.
BELONGING
We work to build an equitable and inclusive campus that centers students, values their experiences and identities, and ensures every individual feels connected, known, and supported.
JOY
We understand that laughter, fun, and joy are forms of healing and resistance. We model and celebrate joy in the face of adversity.
COMMUNITY
We believe that community, solidarity, and relationships are critical to liberation. We build community through the sharing of our experiences and knowledge, in support of our collective dreaming and visioning for a better future.
LEADERSHIP
We understand the responsibility we have been entrusted with to steward our nation’s first gender and sexuality center and to continue to innovate and elevate LGBTQIA2S+ work in higher education on our campus and within the field.
It was a busy and exciting year for engagement.
We hosted 94 unique programs, workshops, and student organization collaborations. We engaged with over 6,924 people over the academic year through programs, workshops, and interactions in our physical space.
We have strengthened relationships with many existing campus partners and developed new relationships with 11 units across campus. Additionally, we were able to provide financial support and co-sponsorship for seven programs and initiatives, including Latinx Heritage Month, Black History Month, the Midwest Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Students Union (MAASU) conference, and the DISCO Network Summit.
7 co-sponsored events
6,924 engagements
3 fall student welcomes
94 unique events & programs
11 new partners
Partnerships
Thank you to everyone who worked with us throughout the 2023–2024 academic year. We are excited to continue to grow our partnerships in the coming academic year.
U-M DEPARTMENT AND CENTERS
Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs
Trotter Multicultural Center
U-M Athletics
Adventure Leadership
Financial Aid
University Health Services and CAPS now University Health & Counseling
Duderstadt Center
University Health and Well-Being ServicesMHealthy
Wolverine Support Network
Kidney Epidemiology and Cost Center
ECRT
Center for Community Involvement
Undergraduate Admissions
Kidney Epidemiology and Cost Center
Michigan Housing
Gender Inclusive Living Experience
Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center
University Career Center
Pierpont Commons
Office of Diversity Equity and Inclusion
Gender Comprehension Services
University of Michigan Museum of Art Ginsberg Center
Maize and Blue Cupboard
Michigan Dining
Center for Global and Intercultural Study
Office of New Student Programs
Dean of Students
LGBTQ+ Alumni Association
Services for Students with Disabilities
The Program on Intergroup Relations
ACADEMIC DEPARTMENTS/ SCHOOLS/ COLLEGES
Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design
Rackham Graduate School
School of Music, Theatre, and Dance
School of Education
School of Nursing - Office of Health Equity and Inclusion
Digital Studies Institute
Michigan Neuroscience Institute
Michigan Research and Design Scholars
College of EngineeringComputer-Aided Engineering Network
School of Dentistry
Michigan Medicine
Center for the Study of Higher and Postsecondary Education
School of Social Work
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
Lavender Council OUTlaws
OUT in Business
Midwest Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Students Union
Notably Black and Gay Central Student Government
Not Even Really Drama Students
Students of Color at Rackham
WARP
Asexual/aromantic student group
COMMUNITY
Washtenaw Community College
Jim Toy Community Center
Ann Arbor Film Festival
Washtenaw County
Vivent (formerly Unified)
Ann Arbor Public Library
Center leadership
This year, we grew our existing programs, developed new programs and initiatives, and strengthened relationships with LGBTQIA2S+ U-M students, faculty, and staff. We brought several keynote speakers to share their knowledge, experiences, and joy to the U-M community; presented workshops and trainings across campus; and centered joy amid challenging times for our students.
We understand queer and trans joy as a form of resistance in a world that is impacting LGBTQIA2S+ students, faculty, and staff daily. We’re grateful for all the support we have received this year and are proud to show what Spectrum Center can offer.
Anti-racism
SpARC
An internal group of professional and student staff made important strides this year. SpARC—Spectrum Center Anti-Racism Collaborative (SpARC)—supports accountability and forward motion of dismantling whiteness and enacting anti-racism in our practices, policies and procedures. Led by our new associate director Tristan Morton, we grew SpARC’s footprint, realigning the internal working group’s priorities and building its membership. This positions us well in the coming year to develop and begin implementing specific principles and action items to strive to be an anti-racist space, centering the most marginalized within our communities.
Practitioner in residence
For the first time, Spectrum Center welcomed a practitioner in residence to focus on the long term development of our staff, students, and the U-M community. Through a year-long commitment, we worked hands-on with Dr. D-L Stewart—an leading higher education scholar and practitioner and chair of the Higher Education Department at the University of Denver’s Morgridge College of Education. Together we increased our understanding of racism and our skills related to racial justice in service of our students. Stewart’s residency also included a review of key center curricula, materials, and resources, supporting future growth and near term improvements.
We were able to have 6 separate professional development engagements with Dr. Stewart with our professional staff and student staff, as well as campus
partners from Trotter Multicultural Center and Multi-Ethnic Student Affairs (MESA). We centered the importance of racial justice work, considered how we can best support each other, and ways in which we must continue on our anti-racism journeys.
Dr. Stewart was our keynote speaker for LGBT History Month with his talk, “The Politics of Desire in Higher Education,” where over 40 students, faculty, and staff were in attendance. The talk was cosponsored by Trotter Multicultural Center; Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; Rackham Graduate School; Center for Campus Involvement; MESA; Institute for Research on Women and Gender; Center for the Study of Higher and Postsecondary Education; National Center for Institutional Diversity; Marsal School of Education; and LSA Women’s and Gender Studies.
Dr. Stewart provided us with valuable resources, skills, and perspectives on how we enact our commitment to anti-racism
within a gender and sexuality. They helped us improve our website and our educational programs and offerings, including our Introduction for LGBTQIA2S+ communities webcourse. With the conclusion of Dr. Stewart’s time as our practitionerin-residence concluded, we begin the challenging work of enacting the vision we dreamt up together. Our commitment to serving students and communities at the margins of the margins remains steadfast.
QTBIPOC research
Spectrum Center is committed to advancing anti-racism within each dimension of our work. Last year we launched the “Centering QTBIPOC Student Experiences” research study to understand the experiences of queer and trans students of color, specifically their perceptions of Spectrum Center and how this shapes their engagement with our programs and services.
This year, the project continued and included focus groups for MiddleEastern and North African (MENA) students and graduate students of color. Des Velázquez and Jesse Beal presented the preliminary findings of this project at several conferences, including the Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE) conference and MBLGTACC. Velázquez, Beal, and Dr. Rosie Perez from the U-M School of Education authored a book chapter on
these findings which was published in early 2024.
In fall 2024, we will host one final focus group with Indigenous & Native students. Beal will present on the project at the Association for the Study of Higher
Consultation
Throughout the year, Spectrum Center provides consultation and support for various members of the campus community. The director and associate director meet provide guidance and share best practices for staff and faculty seeking support to build their own capacity and develop inclusive and equitable processes, practices, and policies for LGBTQIA2S+ communities.
During the 2023–2024 academic year, our leadership provided over 96 hours of consultation for faculty and staff.
Education (ASHE) conference. This project continues to strongly influence how we approach our work in Spectrum Center. The lessons from the study have made an indelible mark on our staff team and we are better for it.
Frequently requested consultation topics include:
• Demographic collection on gender, sex, and sexuality
• Creating gender inclusive learning spaces
• Assistance with gender-inclusive policy development
• Support for gender inclusive facilities (e.g. restrooms, locker rooms)
DEI 2.0
In October 2023, the university unveiled DEI 2.0, our second institution-wide diversity, equity, and inclusion five-year strategic plan. In an effort to advance LGBTQIA2S+ equity across the university, Spectrum Center pursued two strategic goals.
First, we strengthened our relationships with the Office of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (ODEI) and the DEI implementation leads. We increased collaboration and partnership on events and advocacy efforts with ODEI. Our director presented twice for the DEI leads on gender-inclusive demographic collection and enacting LGBTQIA2S+ equity. They also issued an invitation to all DEI leads and their teams to meet and discuss potential support and collaboration. Jesse has met with ten teams thus far, and the meetings are ongoing.
Second, in collaboration with ODEI and Student Life leadership, we developed an action item for the Student Life DEI 2.0 Plan. We are responsible for creating a multi-campus working group to develop a plan for an ecosystem scan of the
experiences of LGBTQIA2S+ students, faculty, staff, and alumnx. This year, we began work on the LGBTQIA2S+ task force and convened the leadership team, chaired by our director and supported by a new graduate student project manager, Arushi Rana. This team is comprised of faculty, staff, students, and alumnx who possess expertise in LGBTQIA2S+ equity, inclusion, and belonging through their personal, professional, and scholarly experiences.
Through this project, we seek to create a clear and collective understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by LGBTQIA2S+ stakeholders, including students, staff, faculty, and alumnx. We aim to identify areas for improvement and implement strategic actions to enhance LGBTQIA2S+ experiences, fostering a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment across our campuses. Our ultimate objective is to not only improve the lives of LGBTQIA2S+ individuals within our community but also to serve as a model for other institutions nationwide. We aspire to continue our legacy of leading the field and setting the standard for LGBTQIA2S+ equity, inclusion, and belonging.
Development
With an incredible community of supporters and key partnership with Student Life Development, we were able to continue to raise funds for new initiatives and critical needs.
Trans Belonging Fund
In 25 days, 43 Spectrum Center friends collectively gave $20,095—and we had to raise our goal three times—as the center launched a new fund to help transgender students belong and succeed. Together with a lead gift of $50,000 from Marchell and Jeffrey Willian, the fund will get underway with a total commitment of over $70,000
A crowdfunding campaign kicked off on November 6, following the announcement of the Willians’ gift, and ran for the duration of November, Transgender Awareness Month. It continued to attract support through the very last day.
Howard Bragman Coming Out Fund
Howard Bragman (AB ‘78), our longtime friend and supporter, passed away on Saturday, February 11, 2023.
His legacy lives on, in part, through his gift to Spectrum Center. Howard had a distinguished career in public relations and was generous with his time and success, advising the Spectrum Center over the years and, in 2021, pledging $1 million, the center’s largest gift ever. With this gift, Howard made much of the critical essential needs work that Spectrum Center is able to do today possible.
“He was a giant and the fiercest of advocates, dedicating himself to making it possible for LGBTQIA2S+ folks to live as they truly are,” said Jesse Beal, director of Spectrum Center. “Our work and university are transformed—and the world is better today—because Howard was in it. His electric spirit, generosity, and impact will continue to live on in all of us.”
Giving Blueday
On March 13, University of Michigan marked its annual day of giving—where friends, alumni, and colleagues around the world support what they love most about U-M. Donors to Spectrum Center came together on Giving Blueday to invest in our students’ wellbeing, success, and Forty-one donors collectively gave $3,410 to the Trans Belonging Fund, Howard Bragman Coming Out Fund, Spectrum Center General Gifts Fund, and our Emergency Fund.
Enhancing support services and wellness
This year we elevated our support services and wellness portfolio by re-imagining and reclassifying an existing program specialist role as the support services and wellness advocate. The role was expanded to include case management, health liaison work, and resource navigation, aligning this with prevailing models of service at peer institutions including the University of CaliforniaDavis, University of California - San Diego, and Michigan State University. We were delighted to name Spencer Hall as the support services and wellness advocate, effective June 1, 2024.
Update on CAS review
We made critical progress in our multi-year CAS review action plan, kicked off in 2022 by a self-study team and implemented by staff starting in 2023.
Components of the action plan that were completed or advanced significantly included:
• Our mission, vision, and values review, which resulted in the creation of new mission, vision, and values statements.
• Our strategic planning process, which included our mission, vision, and values review, as well as beginning the development of a five-year plan for Spectrum Center.
• Continued updates to our website to increase navigability.
• The growth of our essential needs and wellness program.
• Development of programming and support services for QTBIPOC students.
• Re-establishing and growing SpARC.
• Improvement of center-wide assessment practices.
Center history project and interactive timeline
Doctoral student (now graduate) Ana Popovic worked with Jesse Beal to uncover more of U-M’s queer history from the late 1960s to the present, ultimately curating the findings into a public resource. The resulting timeline surfaces 75 snapshots spanning seven decades, divided into five distinct, color-coded chapters. Together, they highlight major shifts and developments in LGBTQ+ activism, advocacy, and policy at U-M. Popovic began conducting research and informational interviews in fall 2023 through an internship funded by Rackham Graduate School. She completed the digital timeline in 2024 when Spectrum Center invited her back as a graduate assistant.
Digital engagement
Spectrum Center Digest is our newsletter for students and the University of Michigan community. It’s one of our core communications channels.
The formerly monthly publication, which ran September through April, transitioned this year to bi-weekly during the fall and winter terms, and newly introduced monthly summer editions in summer 2024. This extended its reach to 21 editions throughout the academic year. Our contact list remains healthy, and our campaigns exceed industry averages. Our 53% open rate exceeds higher education industry benchmarks of 28-42%, as does our 5.6% click rate (compared to 1% industry average).
53% open rate
AVERAGE 5.6% click rate
AVERAGE
Student involvement
Partnership with student orgs
We interact with student organizations in many ways, including through project grants, program cosponsorships, welcome programs collaborations, and facilitating connection. They are critical partners— some of them have included Warp; Notably Black and Gay; Lavender Council; Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics; and Not Even Really Drama Students
Programming Board
Spectrum Center’s Programming Board is a volunteer leadership opportunity for graduate and undergraduate students. The group conceptualized and designed their own events, and also supported Spectrum Center signature events and theme weeks such as LGBT History Month, Trans Awareness Month, Lavender Graduation and Pride Month. Highlights include:
• Hall-o-Queer
• Winter Welcome Back Brunch
• Crafting Community - LEGO building and bracelet making
• Queer Art Showcase “Coloring in the Blanks”
• Pride Prom “Written in the Stars”
This year, we created two lead positions and provided a stipend for each. Student leaders devote a lot of time to critical identity-based work and offering this stipend increased overall retention and engagement. The ideas curated by Programming Board help us understand the needs and culture of the current student body. These student leaders are fabulous, so full of ideas, and genuinely aspire to lead the charge with inclusive programming for our campus.
FreshSpectives
When students feel connected to campus and their similarly identified peers, they are more likely to thrive. FreshSpectives is dedicated to creating space for firstyear and transfer students to build community, learn about campus resources, and develop a sense of belonging. Throughout the last academic year, we met on a biweekly basis and did icebreakers and activities that centered on community. Some of the resources students learned about were things that center mental health, career services, how to create a four-year academic plan, identity-based resources, how to email professors, queer spaces in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, and tutoring and academic resources.
MBLGTACC
We led a delegation of seven undergraduate and two graduate students at the Midwest Bisexual Lesbian Gay Transgender Asexual College Conference in Lexington, Kentucky. Four students were members of the Programming Board, supporting their commitment to leadership and networking.
Scholarships
Spectrum Center was able to create two new scholarships for U-M students—the Jack Huizenga Scholarships and the Spectrum Center Fund. The additions allowed us to award more scholarships than in previous years. We were able to award $58,000 from the Jack Huizenga Scholarship to 13 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Each student received between $4,000-$5,000 each. An additional undergraduate received $5,000 from the Spectrum Center Fund, established by Chris Kolb. Together with our two existing scholarships—the John D. Evans Foundation Scholarship (est. 2019) and the Chris Armstrong Scholarship (est. 2011)—we were awarded 16 students a total of $80,000 in scholarships this year.
Artwork
We strive to make our center feel warm, welcoming, and like a home to our students. This year we continued our initiative to showcase student artwork, adding two pieces:
• Catch These Trans Hands by Ezra Lungerich
• K’uychi by Nicolás Gutiérrez-Riera
89% of participants in SC programs deepened and broadened their understanding of concepts of gender and sexuality.
90% of participants said that their involvement with Spectrum Center strengthened their sense of belonging at U-M
91% of participants said that their experience with Spectrum Center improved their advocacy and community building skills
Drag as Resistance Conversation and performance
Our approach
For the 2023-2024 academic year, we identified four programmatic pillars: Enacting Justice, Equity, and Liberation; Building and Celebrating Community; Education, Transformation, and Capacity Building; and Well-being, Belonging, and Success.
Each pillar guides our events and programs to align best to not only our mission, vision, and values, but to make sure we are providing the best possible programming for our campus communities. These get revised every year to ensure that these pillars still align with the work we do. This year we changed one pillar ‘Wellness, Belonging, & Success’ to ‘Well-Being, Belonging, & Success’ to have consistent language across campus, but to have a broader reach while developing holistic programs and events.
ENACTING JUSTICE, EQUITY, & LIBERATION
BUILDING & CELEBRATING COMMUNITY
EDUCATION, TRANSFORMATION, & CAPACITY BUILDING
WELL-BEING, BELONGING, & SUCCESS
Events and partnerships
Spectrum Center hosts events and engages partners and stakeholders throughout the year. These collaborations are critical to our student-centered mission.
48 events total AY 23-24
6 Programming Board events AY 23-24
76 tabling engagements AY 23-24
QTBIPOC highlights
During their residency with Spectrum Center, Stewart also delivered the LGBT History Month keynote at UMMA.
Trans Awareness Month keynoter lea robinson uses storytelling as a form of art to share his lived experience.
Welcome programs
QTBIPOC Welcome
750+ attended our Welcome to Michigan anchor program, featuring yard games, performances, food, and resources.
With MESA and Trotter, we brought together queer and trans students of color to celebrate joy and togetherness.
We jointly hosted this series with MESA, bringing a small group of QTBIPOC students together over a meal and conversation.
Students gathered for “Love and Pride”—a MESA/Spectrum joint celebration of Latinx Heritage Month and LGBT History Month.
QTBIPOC Kickbacks Graduate Student Mixer
A welcome event in the fall for graduate students to mix and mingle with cohorts from different disciplines.
We helped warmly greet students and prepare them to tackle a new semester at brunch.
D-L Stewart Pride Outside
Amor y Orgullo Welcome Back Brunch
lea robinson
LGBT History Month and Transgender Awareness Month
LGBT History Month, in October, is an annual month-long observance in honor of LGBTQ individuals and communities that contributed to the advancement of LGBTQ rights. Transgender Awareness Month, in November, is an annual month-long observance focused on education, awareness, and celebrating the trans community. Three of our events included:
Let’s Have a Ball
The audience was immersed in the show at our LGBT History Month kickoff, emulating the Kiki Ballroom scene and teaching attendees about ballroom culture.
Monét X Change
Attendees filled Necto for a conversation and performance with Monét X Change, moderated by Larry La Fountain-Stokes.
Trans Day of Remembrance Banquet
The community gathered for a meal and remarks to honor transgender and nonbinary people whose lives were taken by anti-trans violence in the past year.
“I enjoyed meeting new people.”
“Getting to speak with others.” WHAT STUDENTS ENJOYED MOST
“The community.”
Pride Month
U-M’s Pride Month—held annually in April—is a time dedicated to celebrating and commemorating lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender, queer, asexual, intersex, and two-spirit people and communities at the University of Michigan.
Lavender Graduation
We celebrated and recognized 197 graduates— our largest class ever—at Lavender Graduation, our celebration for U-M’s LGBTQIA2S+ graduates. Gabe Javier delivered special remarks.
Pride Prom
A night of queer astrology—“Written in the Stars”— brought students together to celebrate themselves and their community with funky jams, mocktails, a selfie station, and tarot card reading.
Queer Art Showcase
The kickoff to Pride Month showcased 12 queer artists’ artwork in several different mediums including paintings, poetry, jewelry, photography, storytelling, and performance.
“I liked the opportunity to find community with people like me!”
“The sense of community and getting to do things with other queer people.” WHAT STUDENTS ENJOYED MOST
Education and training
Our educational programs are a core part of our mission. Through them, we hope to shift campus culture and create more inclusive, equitable, and just spaces for all members of the U-M community.
39 workshops requested AY 23-24
25 workshops delivered AY 23-24
794 attendees AY 23-24
Introductory webcourse
Introduction to LGBTQIA2S+ Identities and Communities webcourse is a free, self-paced, one-hour educational training available to all U-M students, staff, and faculty, which launched in October 2022.
The 2023-2024 academic year was the first full year of the webcourse following that pilot. We saw an increase of 47% in participation, and 95% of participants reported that they increased their understanding of LGBTQIA2S+ vocabulary and terminology.
“The
course was pretty comprehensive regarding the basics of LGBTQIA2S+ communities and identities. The biggest takeaway for me is the emphasis that I should mirror the person I’m talking to.”
PARTICIPANT
95% increased understanding of LGBTQIA2S+ vocabulary and terminology
704 webcourse registrants AY 23-24
47% increase in participation in the web course over prior year
Pronouns 101
A 2-hour workshop on the basics of pronouns and their usage. Participants will have the chance to practice using different sets of pronouns and work on bystander intervention skills. We saw an increase of 44% in participation and 93% of participants reported that this workshop deepened their understanding of pronouns.
597
Pronouns 101 participants
“[The most valuable component of the workshop was] dispelling my own belief that pronouns and gender identity ‘match.’”
PARTICIPANT
Towards Solidarity: Allyhood in Action
A 6-hour workshop that aims to deepen our U-M community’s understanding of, and ability to engage with, LGBTQIA2S+ allyship. In Towards Solidarity, we move beyond basic conceptualizations of allyship and challenge participants to center liberation as they show up actively for LGBTQIA2S+ communities. 95% of participants agreed that this workshop increased their knowledge of allyship.
“I
14
TS participants
thoroughly appreciated the acknowledgement that allyship involves taking inventory of your identities/values. This shapes so much of how we show up and how we interact with people and systems. Lean into the discomfort! Question it! Loved the accountability.”
PARTICIPANT
PROGRAMS
Support services and wellness
Spectrum Center provides a variety of support services for the U-M community, including mentorship, groups, project grants, HIV/STI testing, and more. We also provide referrals to resources outside of the center. Our goal is to ensure students have the support they need to thrive on campus.
Project grants
Spectrum Center offers project grants to both individual students and student organizations who seek to implement projects that improve the experiences and climate of LGBTQIA2S+ communities. This year, we awarded $3,500, for a total of 7 projects:
• Take Back the Night by University Students Against Rape
• Wondaland by Brianna Fox
• Pride In Mechanical Engineering by ME DEI Alliance
• Express Yourself: A Vibrant Celebration of Intersecting Identities by Students of Color of Rackham
• Community Garden by R.C. Players
• Sinner City by Not Even Really Drama Students
7 projects AY 23-24
$3.5K awarded AY 23-24
Essential needs
We strive to work thoughtfully and intentionally in our approaches to essential needs. We continued several basic needs initiatives within our office such as emergency food, hygiene items, and warmth items. This year, our hygiene items continued to expand as we had 11 generous colleagues who donated a wide variety of basic needs items for our students, such as hair and body care products, warmth items, make-up, period products, and more. Students regularly expressed gratitude to staff for access to the most basic items, often naming the impact of inflation as an issue of personal concern.
We complemented our efforts with programming, including through our Chef Demo, held in collaboration with Maize and Blue Cupboard. Students picked up food items at the university cupboard ahead of time; then, after picking up items and learning about the cupboard as a resource, participants gathered virtually in community, following the lead of an MDining chef to cook a meal together.
Our once-a-semester clothing closet offered students gender-affirming clothing and products in a space that was safe and free—two critical accessibility criteria. The closet offered a wide variety of sizes, accessories, make-up products, and shoes, thanks to the generosity of several donors.
Navigating genderaffirming care
Spectrum Center curated and coordinated a number of gender-affirming products, resources, and events over the last year. This approach is rooted in making space accessible through safety and support, and contributes to positive mental health impacts for our trans and gender nonconforming students.
• Safe binding and tucking workshops
• Cosmetics products
• Binders, gaffs, and trans tape
Name Change Clinic
Spectrum Center collaborates with U-M Outlaws and Jim Toy Community Center’s
OutReach team to host an annual name change clinic, which is a workshop aimed at demystifying the process of getting one’s name changed in the state of Michigan. The Name Change Clinic is open to anyone in the state of Michigan looking to change their legal name, though some information is specific to Washtenaw County.
Passport Clinic
Spectrum collaborates with the Office of Global Activities within the School of Social Work, the Center for Global and Cultural Study office, and the Washtenaw County office to host an annual Passport clinic. This program is intended to support students in updating their gender marker and legal name and is open to anyone who is a resident of Washtenaw County who is looking to update their passport or become a first-time passport holder.
Roadmap to Gender Affirming Surgery and Care
Over the last academic year, our office piloted a new program similar to that of the Passport Clinic and Name Change Clinic, that centers healthcare called the Roadmap to Gender Affirming Surgery and Care. This program disentangles the multi-step process of starting hormone replacement therapy and/or undergoing gender-affirming surgery. This program focused on university resources and was held in collaboration with the office of the Comprehensive Gender Services Program at Michigan Medicine, the Counseling and Psychological Services office, the student health insurance office, and University Health Services. It also highlighted similar steps outside of the university systems.
Sexual health and wellness
Pop-Up Wellness
It was clear that students hungered for a moment to breathe, remove themselves from the pressure of finals, and engage in self-care. Students were lined up down the hallway, eager to take a well-deserved break from studying to care for themselves through wellness activities, emoji pillow stuffing, arts and crafts, and a resource fair. Relaxing music, coffee bar, popcorn station, free fanny packs, and food provided students with a mental break to rejuvenate and ease the stress and anxiety of finals.
Sexual health
Spectrum Center hosted drop-in HIV/STI testing services every week throughout the fall and winter semesters, and on an appointment basis during the spring/ summer term. Across the entire academic year, our partner Vivent Health tested 154 students. We expanded reach further with take-home HIV tests, which we began offering on a pilot basis in the winter semester. We continued to make critical
154 students tested
safer sex supplies available—including condoms, dental dams, and lube—in our space, and we created intentional sexual health programming that centered consent, communication, dating, and queer relationships.
We also recognize that sexual desire and romantic attraction fall on a spectrum. 2023-24 initiatives centering asexuality and aromanticism included three events during Asexuality Awareness Week (93 attendees total), four events for Aromantic Awareness Week (86 attendees), and an event for International Asexuality Day (24 attendees).
Recognition and service Awards
and recognition
JESSE BEAL
Petey Peterson Service Award presented by the Commission of Sexual and Gender Identities within ACPA
TRISTAN MORTON
Dr. Sheeltresse McCoy Advocacy Award presented by the Commission of Sexual and Gender Identities within ACPA
In the news
CENTER /// Shabelski, A. (2024, June 27). “The History of the Spectrum Center.” The Michigan Daily
CENTER /// Pfost, N. (2024, June 27). “Spectrum Center’s new interactive timeline spotlights U-M and national LGBTQIA2S+ movements.” Spectrum Center.
CENTER /// Pfost, N. (2024, April 16). “Spectrum Center announces 2024 award winners.” Spectrum Center.
CENTER /// Adamczeski, R. (2024, April 8). “‘Written in the Stars:’ University of Michigan hosts ‘Pride Prom’ for LGBTQ+ students.” Advocate
CENTER /// Ferlita, G. (2024, April 8). “University of Michigan hosts Pride Prom, and over 100 LGBTQ+ students attend.” PinkNews
CENTER /// Sowers, Z. (2024, April 7). “Michigan students dance the night away at Spectrum Center Pride Prom.”
The Michigan Daily
ANGIE FREEMAN
Promising New Professional Award presented by the Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Professionals
Black Excellence Award presented by the School of Social Work DEI Office
CENTER /// Shabelski, A. (2024, April 3). “Pride Month at UMich kicks off with Queer Art Showcase.” The Michigan Daily
BEAL AND MORTON /// Pfost, N. (2024, April 1). “Beal and Morton receive ACPA awards.” Spectrum Center.
CENTER /// Wilder, L. (2024, March 31). “Poet Hieu Minh Nguyen speaks on his intersectional identities.” The Michigan Daily.
CENTER /// Pfost, N. (2024, March 18). “Spectrum Center, MESA, Rackham, Engineering announce Pride Month.” Spectrum Center.
BEAL /// Pfost, N. (2023, December 4). “$70K committed to Trans Belonging Fund in successful launch.” Spectrum Center.
MORTON /// Tisch, A. and E. Sun. (2023, November 21). “Community members gather for Trans Day of Remembrance in the Michigan Union.” The Michigan Daily.
MORTON AND STEWART /// Sargent, N. (2023, October 23). “University of Denver professor D-L Stewart talks politics of
desire in higher education.” The Michigan Daily.
FREEMAN /// Criswell, W. (2023, October 17). “UND-hosted conference breaks boundaries.” UND Today.
Conference presentations and public speaking
BEAL, J. , Christiaens, R., and Oliveira, K. (2024). The state of QT diversity work in higher education: A community keynote. Keynote Address, Pre-Convention Workshop: Imagining LGBTQIA2S+ Justice and Equity in Higher Education, ACPA Convention.
BEAL, J. , and Freeman, C. (2024). Organizational challenges to QT justice work in higher education. Keynote Address, Pre-Convention Workshop: Imagining LGBTQIA2S+ Justice and Equity in Higher Education, ACPA Convention.
BEAL, J. , Beemyn, G., Christiaens, Cohen, S. S., Hinesley, C., and Velazquez, D. (2024). Promising policies and practices for supporting trans and nonbinary students. Concurrent Session, ACPA Convention.
BEAL, J. , Christiaens, Herridge, A., Newsome, N. and Oliveira, K. (2024). The state of the field for LGBTQIA2S+ resource center practitioners. Concurrent Session, ACPA Convention.
Velazquez, D. and BEAL, J. (2023). Reclaiming imagination: Exploring QTBIPOC students’ perceptions of and hopes for UM’s Spectrum Center. Works in Progress Session, Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE) Conference.
Velazquez, D. and BEAL, J. (2023). Reclaiming Imagination: Exploring QTSOC Perceptions of and Hopes for UM’s Spectrum Center. Workshop, Midwest Bisexual Lesbian Gay Transgender Asexual College Conference (MBLGTACC).
BEAL, J. , Gonzalez-Siegel, V. A., and Oliveira, K. (2023). So, What Now?: Moving Research
into Practice. Keynote Panel, LGBTQIA2S+ Higher Education Research Symposium, Michigan State University.
Velazquez, D. and BEAL, J. (2023). Reclaiming imagination: Exploring QTBIPOC students’ perceptions of and hopes for UM’s Spectrum Center. Concurrent Session, LGBTQIA2S+ Higher Education Research Symposium, Michigan State University.
Velazquez, D. and BEAL, J. (2023). Reclaiming imagination: Exploring QTBIPOC students’ perceptions of and hopes for UM’s Spectrum Center. Concurrent Session, Student Life Research Symposium, University of Michigan.
BEAL, J. (2023). Pronouns 101. Workshop, Michigan ACE Women’s Network Annual Conference.
HALL, S. , Lee, J., MORTON, T. , & Sherry, W. (2024) Crafting Spaces of Belonging: Lessons from a Gender and Sexuality Center. Workshop. Multicultural Design And Inclusive Spaces Summit.
HALL, S. , (2024) TransForming Reproductive Health. Workshop. Sex Week.
FREEMAN, A. , & HALL, S ., (2024). Mapping Out the REST of Your Day. University of Michigan. Student Life Professional Development Conference.
Institutional service and leadership
JESSE BEAL
• Queer and Trans Task Force, chair
• Coordinated Campus Response Team, member
• Organizational Structure Work Group
• LGBTQ Health Advisory Committee, member
• Sex and Gender Working Group, member
• Student Life Research Symposium Planning Team, member
• Campus Climate Support Ad Hoc Team, member
• Wellbeing Collective, member
• Student Life Assembly, member
• Student Life Strategy, member
• SAPAC Assistant Director of Prevention Search Committee, member
ANGIE FREEMAN
• Welcome to Michigan Committee, member
• Student Life LEAD Program, member
• Trotter Distinguished Leader Series, member
• Student Life Connect, member
SPENCER HALL
• Well-Being Network, member
• LGBTQ+ Health Advisory Committee, member
TRISTAN MORTON
• IGR Advisory Committee, member
• Student Life Assembly, member
• Rackham Graduate School Academic Program Manager for DEI Search Committee, member
• Welcome to Michigan Committee, member
NICK PFOST
• MaizeXBlue (U-M Marketing and Communications Summit), planning team
• Student Life Connect, member
• Student Life Marketing & Communications community of practice, member
• Student Life Social Media community of practice, member
Professional service
JESSE BEAL
• Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals, director of community and advocacy
• Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals, member
• American College Personnel Association (ACPA), member
• Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE), member
SPENCER HALL
• Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals, member
ANGIE FREEMAN
• Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals, Yellow Region representative and QTBIPOC affinity group co-facilitator
• ACPA, member
ELI GONZALEZ
• National Association of Social Workers, member
• KnewJoy, board member
• Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals, member
TRISTAN MORTON
• Midwest Institute for Sexuality and Gender Diversity, director of community and accountability
• Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals, member
• ACPA, member
NICK PFOST
• Midwest Institute for Sexuality and Gender Diversity, director of communications and marketing
• Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals, member
Publications and ongoing research
BEAL, J . (2024). A place for us: Exploring gender and sexuality resource centers within the postsecondary orgscape.” In Prieto, K. & Herridge, A. (Eds.), LGBTQIA students in higher education: Approaches to student identity and policy. DOI: 10.4018/979-8-3693-2853-8
Velázquez, D., BEAL, J ., & Perez, R. (2024). Reclaiming imagination: Exploring QTBIPOC students’ perceptions of and hopes for UM’s Spectrum Center. In Prieto, K. & Herridge, A. (Eds.),
Perspectives on transforming higher education and the LGBTQIA student experience. DOI: 10.4018/978-1-6684-9914-6
BEAL, J. , Christiaens, R., Herridge, A., Newsome, N., & Oliveira, K. A. (2024). The 2024 Member Needs Assessment Report. The Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals.
Hurse, D., Grogan, J., KamelElSayed, S., Taylor, T.A.H., Williams, T., FREEMAN, A.,
Kemp, K. (2023). In-person to online transition increased access and geographical diversity in oakland university william beaumont school of medicine high school outreach programs. Journal of STEM Outreach.
BEAL // The Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals. (2024). Promising Practices for Supporting TGQ Students, Faculty, and Staff in Postsecondary Education.
The work ahead
Lavender Graduation
Michigan Photography
Advocacy, consultation, and culture change
Launching the Queer and Trans Task Force: The Queer and Trans (QT) Task Force is a part of the DEI 2.0 plan. They will identify areas for improvement and implement strategic actions to enhance LGBTQIA2S+ experiences, fostering a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for all members of our university and across our three campuses in Flint, Dearborn, and Ann Arbor.
Expanding original research and scholarship: As scholarpractitioners who lead the first gender and sexuality center, we understand our unique position to shape the field and produce scholarship and research that supports practitioners. In this next year, we will continue our QTBIPOC research project, encourage staff to publish and present on original research, launch our Big 10 Benchmarking project, and develop a centerwide research team to lead our efforts in this area.
Leadership
Re-imagine the SpARC program and plan for the future of racial justice work in Spectrum Center: Following our year of engagement with Dr. D-L Stewart, SpARC will continue to forward our commitment to racial justice through professional development activities and inclusive operations.
Onboard the newly re-designed support services and wellness role: In June 2024, Spencer Hall moved into a newly created role, the support services and wellness advocate. During the 2024-2025 academic year, center leadership will work with Hall to develop the role in services of students.
Education and capacity building
Launching our Capacity Building Toolkit pilot program”: This toolkit is a guide for U-M faculty and staff to assess in their culture, address issues and concerns, and make proactive changes.
Developing microlearning opportunities focused on skill development: With our partners in Organizational Learning, Spectrum Center will design unique and sustainable learning opportunities for U-M community members to learn about queer and trans communities that fit into any schedule.
Continuing to deliver excellent workshops: Assessment shows that our existing workshops and education programs are highly effective and equip U-M community members with the skills they need to work toward a more welcoming campus.
Visibility and engagement
Increasing graduate student engagement: We understand our graduate students have different needs and want to be included in programming that is customizable to them. Graduate students have expressed their desires and we are here to create more community and bonding opportunities for them.
Increasing volunteer opportunities: 69 volunteers supported our initiatives last year and we receive requests for volunteer opportunities often. We plan to develop more volunteer opportunities and formalize the process by which volunteers can get involved.
Growing our relationships with queer and trans student organizations: Our relationships with our students are central to our work. We plan to deepen our relationships through programming together, providing funding opportunities, and supporting their initiatives.
Developing new alumnx outreach opportunities: We have strengthened our relationship with the Alumni Association and want to engage our LGBTQIA2S+ alum. Currently, we have been provided donor support from alumni, but we also want to include them in social and networking events and more!
Bringing back “Pop Up Pride” stations: With our goal to be more visible across campus, we plan to reignite our pop-up pride stations in various areas around campus including Trotter Multicultural Center, Residence Halls, and North Campus.
Programs and events
Developing cross-campus committees to lead LGBT History Month and Pride Month planning: We hope to increase opportunities for faculty, staff, and students to participate in the planning of these month-long engagements to create a feeling of community and create new pathways for leadership and crossgenerational connections.
Elevating the work of Spectrum Center Programming Board: Next year, we plan to increase the number of student presenters at MBLGTACC, improve retention of members, empower the graduate coordinator to lead, and enhance the organizational structure and scaffolding.
Launching our newly re-developed Q’munnity Q’nnections program: Q’mmunity Q’nnections (formerly CenterSpace) creates space for people with similar identities to gain support and empowerment from one another while building a community and collective resources.
Introducing new programs related to dating, safer sex, and relationships: Using an intersectional lens, we will develop and implement programming to support the dating lives of our students. This will include queer and trans inclusive sex education and much more!
Acknowledgements
Professional staff
Jesse Beal
they/them
Director
Elizabeth González
she/they
Program Manager, Education & Training
Uriel Light they/them
Office Coordinator
Angie Freeman they/them
Program Manager, Events & Partnerships
Spencer Hall he/him
Support Services & Wellness Advocate
Tristan Morton ze/zir
Associate Director
Nick Pfost he/they
Communications Strategist
Jamy Lee they/any
Avery Thompson she/they
Hayden Atkins he/they
Student staff Programming Board
Anna Pohlman she/her
Yuan Fang she/they
Richie Gerring he/they
Jordan Rhym she/her
Thea Bultman they/she/he
Macie Richardson they/them
Amira Martin she/her
Arushi Rana she/her
Kayla Gonzalez she/her/ella
Spectrum Center Programming Board is a volunteer leadership opportunity and student-lead/ run organization sponsored by the Spectrum Center. The goal is to provide U-M students the opportunity to develop and organize events that are LGBTQIA2S+ focused. While supporting major Spectrum Center events, the board also hosts their own unique programs.
Kyla Kralapp she/her
Daniel Chavez he/him
Noemie Durand she/they
Ihaa Mohan any
Talia PearsonSaenz they/she
Rye Roberts he/him
Jack Faulkner he/him
Jamy Lee they/any
Dominique Baeta she/they
Trey Droste
Julia Marku
Michael Catrambone
Libby Neifert
Marissa Witte
Sophia Morehouse
Xinyi Ge
Elizabeth
Zoie Tuinstra
Em Laffey
Spectrum Center Advisory Board
Chris Armstrong
Eric Borsum
John Evans
Erik Hyman
Ron Hartwig
Judith Levy
Malinda Matney
Steve Wozencraft