SPECTRUM M A G A Z I N E
V O L U M E # 1 I S S U E # 1
MAY 2019 D A S O T A G S A
SPECTRUM STAFF
Editorial Staff Avery Coulombe Blake Molenaar Kate Rogers
Featured Artists
Luca J. Colado Avery Coulombe Kaitlyn Griffin Caitlin Henry Zoe Lathey Angel Lin Sadie Ponicall Star Austin Wong
Sponsor Alexa Caron
PRESENTED BY THE DOUGLAS ANDERSON SCHOOL OF THE ARTS GENDER AND SEXUALITY ALLIANCE
Why a Spectrum? GENDER AND SEXUALITY COMES IN ALL SHAPES, SIZES, AND COLORS
Avery Coulombe 12th Grade
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and may chose to express themselves in a more subtle way. This does not make them any less valid. You cannot make assumptions about someone's gender or sexuality.
The LGBTQIA+ community consists of many different people of a large SPECTRUM of identities and backgrounds. Solidarity is key in keeping us together, and showing those who need support that they are not alone.
H E A R T H Kaitlyn Griffin, 11th Grade
Zoe Lathey, 10th Grade
WARNING: FLAMMABLE I pace peacefully around the perimeter of my house One ancient foot Directly in front of the other Balancing myself as though I’m on a tightrope (yet, without fear) Feeling weightless I wrap the soft cloak tighter around me Laying here does nothing Yet I refuse to let go Of what I know keeps me from falling Back down under the covers of my bed And that warm blanket of false security The blanket I keep wrapped around my arms Carries a label warning me not to let it near fire I do anyway. And for the first time I allow myself to enjoy the last bits of warmth From its spark, (flying out from the flames, pleasantly scorching my skin) Before I sit in the flood of cold air-
"NORMALITY" IS NOT ESSENTIAL There is no true "normal" way to express gender or sexuality, despite what cisheteronormative society pressures us to think. Queer individuals who reject the status quo are perceived as "clownish" for not fitting in. However, it's completely okay to not be "normal. It is important to embrace yourself, regardless of what society tries to force upon you, and do what's best to keep you and your loved ones happy and safe. Avery Coulombe, 12th Grade
The piece is a anniversary gift i made for my datemate that had moved some distance away. The piece was, tragically, the only gift I could give to them, who had extremely homophobic parents. Having a long distance relationship can be hard- especially when it's not a typical heterosexual one. To simply talk or text meant avoiding parents and bending schedules (although it was very much worth the effort). As well as being pansexual, I'm also Asian and my Chinese parents are extremely traditional, which means carrying over the cultural trend of being homophobic. There comes a point with homophobic parents that, as someone in a non-traditional relationship, I wonder if I will have them with me on me wedding day. It makes those thoughts less frightening when I remember someone's always got my back.
WARM FEELINGS ANGEL LIN, 11TH GRADE
LUCA J. COLADO 11th Grade
DYSPHORIA
/ EUPHORIA
AVERY COULOMBE, 12TH GRADE
MANY PEOPLE SEE OUR COMMUNITY AS A BUSINESS, THEY BAIT US AND THEN GIVE US HALF HEARTED PROMOTION. THIS PAINTING REPRESENTS HOW WE HAVE TO TREAD CAREFULLY IN CHOOSING WHAT AND WHO WE WANT REPRESENTING US AS A COMMUNITY AND NOT JUMPING UP AT EVERY FLICKER OF LIGHT THAT GETS SHOWN OUR WAY.
AUSTIN WONG, 12TH GRADE
"MYTHICAL PARTS"
Caitlin Henry, 11th Grade
"Because sometimes you gotta make some parts just as mythical and nonexistent as a mermaid tail."
"I HAVE NOT HEARD ONE WORD FROM HER" SADIE PONICALL, 10TH GRADE THIS COMIC IS BASED OFF THE GREEK POET SAPPHO'S POEM OF THE SAME NAME. SAPPHO WAS LESBIAN POET WHO WROTE MANY, MANY WORKS DECLARING HER LOVE FOR OTHER WOMEN, AND THE WORDS "SAPPHIC" AND "LESBIAN" COME FROM HER. I ADORE LESBIAN HISTORY, EVEN WITH SO MUCH OF IT HAVING BEEN ERASED. MOST OF SAPPHO'S POETRY WAS DESTROYED DUE TO HER CLEAR EXPRESSION OF LESBIAN LOVE, YET WHAT SURVIVES IS WONDERFUL. HER POEMS STILL HAVE A DEEP CONNECTION WITH LESBIANS AND BISEXUAL WOMEN TODAY, AND WILL CONTINUE TO RESONATE FOR YEARS TO COME. THIS COMIC DEDICATED TO HER AND THE INFLUENCE HER WORK HAS HAD ON THE LESBIAN COMMUNITY, AND IS THE FIRST PART OF A SERIES I'M CREATING CALLED "ODE TO SAPPHO".
Support Hotlines
In times of need, it is extremely important to reach out to someone for support, assistance, and guidance. Below are several hotlines that can be useful for these occasions.
The Trevor Project (866) 488-7386
The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender National Hotline
National Suicide Prevention Hotline (800) 273-8255
The LGBT National Youth Talkline (800) 246-7743
(888) 843-4564
Crisis Text Line Text START to 741-741
National AIDS Hotline (800) 342-AIDS (800) 344-7432 (Spanish) (800) 243-7889 (TDD)
Trans Lifeline 877-565-8860
National Runaway Safeline 800-786-2929
SPECIAL THANKS TO JASMYN FOR ALL OF THE SUPPORT
Pride Puffin Star, 1oth Grade
FEATURED ARTISTS: Luca J. Colado Avery Coulombe Kaitlyn Griffin Caitlin Henry Zoe Lathey Angel Lin Sadie Ponicall Star Austin Wong