Spectrum Center

05/03/2026

For some students, returning home can bring up anxieties and worries, especially if they feel they have to hide parts of who they are—so, Danny Silva (MM '26) recently spoke with University of Michigan staff who are parents of q***r and trans students to learn what meaningful support actually looks like and how parents can make home safe, affirming, and welcoming.

Keep reading: https://spectrumcenter.umich.edu/article/supporting-your-wolverine-tips-families-lgbtq-students (Photo by U-M Social)

04/29/2026

"Students are doing incredibly exciting work across the university!” said undergraduate Jonah Baum. “There are so many cool things happening every day. These projects are the lifeblood of the university, and supporting these projects means the world."

Find out about how small project grants become powerful catalysts: https://spectrumcenter.umich.edu/article/small-mighty-project-grants-become-powerful-catalysts

04/20/2026

04/07/2026

👏👏👏 Six graduating University of Michigan students—Jacob Lydick, Chelle Jones, Ayesha A. Hakim, Ryan Hires, Norah Murphy, and Jack Faulkner—are being recognized by Spectrum Center at Lavender Graduation later this month for their outstanding contributions to campus.

Keep reading: https://spectrumcenter.umich.edu/article/six-u-m-students-receive-lav-grad-awards

03/18/2026

Help sustain Lavender Graduation at the University of Michigan at a time when similar events are being canceled elsewhere.

Lavender Graduation is a joyful recognition of who our graduating students are, what they’ve experienced and overcome, and how they’ve made U-M a more welcoming place for people of all genders and sexualities.

Since 1995, U-M’s Lav Grad has inspired over 500 colleges and universities across the United States to create their own ceremonies. But right now, across the country, events like this are being canceled. To keep this tradition strong at U‑M, we need your help.

Will you please join us? Make a gift now (https://myumi.ch/JP74V) and share this post.

03/16/2026

Happening TODAY at 4PM!

Human Rights and LGBTQ Love: Art and Fiction as Resistance

Where: Weiser Hall 1010

Cosponsors:

University of Michigan African Studies Center
U-M Department of Afroamerican and African Studies
Spectrum Center
Women's and Gender Studies Department

03/10/2026

📢 University of Michigan, University of Michigan-Flint, and University of Michigan-Dearborn faculty and staff: Add your voice to the Q***r & Trans Task Force's LGBTQIA2S+ focus groups!

Your perspectives and ideas will help inform future decisionmaking across all three campuses. Regular and temporary staff 18+ are eligible to participate.

Sign up now: https://myumi.ch/A1pnn

02/09/2026

Registration is now open for graduating University of Michigan students to be part of this year's Lavender Class—secure your spot and your special regalia: https://spectrumcenter.umich.edu/lavgrad

Lavender Graduation celebrates and honors LGBTQIA2S+ graduates and allies of all genders and sexualities at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. Established by Ronni Sanlo in 1995, the inaugural Lavender Graduation at the University of Michigan was the first graduation celebration of its kind anywhere. Since then, it has inspired over 500 other schools to do the same.

01/30/2026

LET’S GO, ANGIE! Catch their TEDx talk on YouTube and at spectrumcenter.umich.edu

01/27/2026

A University of Michigan Marsal Family School of Education seminar, “LGBTQ+ in Higher Education,” is quietly becoming one of U-M's most timely and impactful graduate offerings.

Led by Spectrum Center director Jesse Beal, it goes beyond the basics, equipping aspiring higher education leaders with skills, tools, and community to make real and lasting change.

Take an inside look: https://spectrumcenter.umich.edu/article/inside-marsal-course-lgbtq-higher-education