Feature Tuesday – SPECTRUM
Welcome to this week’s “Feature Tuesday”! This week’s organization is SPECTRUM. See what Kari Barnick, President of SPECTRUM, has to say!
What is the organization’s purpose? SPECTRUM aims to create a safe space for LGBTQIA+1 students to find community, support, and resources. Additionally, SPECTRUM aims to create a more affirming campus by hosting multiple LGBTQIA+ events throughout the semester.
What is the goal of your organization? Our goal is to make MSUM an affirming campus where LGBTQIA+ students can thrive, succeed, and have a place for their voices to be heard.
Can you describe the events SPECTRUM is hosting this week? SPECTRUM is hosting a variety of events for National Coming Out Week in partnership with the Rainbow Dragon Center and Title IX Coordinator including The Naked I Performance and workshop, LGBT social, student coming out stories, trans 101 with Faye Seidler, tye dye, and drag show bingo featuring Harmony Diamond.
What is the basis of your organization’s activity? SPECTRUM’s main activities are weekly meetings, annual events such as Coming Out Week, Rainbow Prom, MBLGTACC2, Lavender Graduation, and community building with Concordia and NDSU.
What do you think students would benefit from by joining your organization? Joining SPECTRUM allows students to find their own voices, advocate for LGBTQIA+ voices and rights, and create change.
What would you say to allies who would like to be supportive but are unsure about how to or if they are welcome or not? Allies who understand their straight, cisgender3 privilege or are willing to learn are always welcome to find a space within SPECTRUM.
How does your organization get active, connected, and involved on campus and within the community? SPECTRUM gets connected by being involved in homecoming, Tri-College events, and collaborating with other diverse student organizations.
Does your organization meet regularly? If so, when and where? We hold weekly meetings on Thursdays at 6pm in the Rainbow Dragon Center (Bridges 150). We’d love to see new faces at the meetings!
Does your organization have any social media pages or groups that interested students can access? The social medias SPECTRUM uses are Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and DragonCentral.
Will you have other events throughout the year that will be campus-wide? Hopefully. SPECTRUM plans on revitalizing and leading the student safe zone training sessions.
Who/Where can interested students contact the organization with questions about SPECTRUM? For further questions, feel free to direct message SPECTRUM on any social media platform or email Kari Barnick [barnickka@mnstate.edu] or diversity@mnstate.edu.
Check back on Tuesday to see next “Feature Tuesday” organization!
1 – Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual/Ally, etc.
2 – Midwest Bisexual Lesbian Gay Transgender Ally College Conference
3 – denoting or relating to a person whose self-identity conforms with the gender that corresponds to their biological sex; not transgender