The Spectrum Club is a group of more than 20 LGBTQ+ students and their allies who come together to support each other and spend time together.
“Spectrum Club was made to create a space for those who do not feel safe, or need a place to call their family,” said Ms. Capul, Spectrum club’s adviser.
Every other Wednesday, the club meets in room 332 after school at 2:30. The Spectrum Club is a space for people who do not feel safe or need somewhere to talk about issues and spend time together. Most meetings start with students introducing each other and saying what pronouns they prefer.
“We have a Spectrum Club to make the school a more welcoming place and for students to feel accepted for being themselves,” said Vice President Kit Galipeau. “Without members, we have no club.”
Students also attend LGBTQ+ workshops to get input from others and to voice their own opinions. Members of the club sell ribbons and hand out stickers to help with the funding of the club.
Spectrum also hosts movie nights and meetings with the middle school’s equivalent club Purple Bridges. They also set up tables in front of the large cafeteria to inform students on LGBTQ+ related topics.
Spectrum has Twitter account where students can access information on the LGBTQ+ community and other related issues.
According to Teen Vogue, it’s important to host educational lessons on the LGBTQ+ community because “it’s not enough to tell students that they will be accepted for who they are. We must show them, in the literature we read, in the language we use, and in the way we invest our resources, that we are a deeply connected society made up of different voices and perspectives that all deserve to be seen, heard, and respected.”
Spectrum’s president, Christine Staley, works with GLSEN, the Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network. GLSEN’s job is to ensure that LGBTQ students can learn and grow in a school environment free from bullying and harassment. GLSEN hosts events where people in the LGBTQ+ community can meet up and talk.
According to GLSEN, “Research indicates that GSAs (Gender and Sexuality Alliances) improve school climate, individual well-being and educational outcomes for LGBTQ youth.”