SXU Spectrum Alliance is hosting a fundraising initiative the week of April 4th, 2019.
Sunday, April 7th, members of the Spectrum Alliance were called, being informed that volunteers were being sought out to assist the team with selling pins.
According to Spectrum, “Proceeds will benefit future Spectrum Alliance meetings and events and the LGBT Youth Center Center on Halsted downtown.”
The email included a time sheet for availability for volunteering.
Emma Farina, Vice President of SXU Spectrum Alliance, spoke on behalf of the club to elaborate on the fundraiser. Farina shared that the pins were a creation by John Calaunan, President of SXU Spectrum Alliance.
“He’s very talented. He’s a Graphic Design and a Computer Science major. They’re derived from other pride-oriented designs, but he made the ones we’ll be using.”
Farina also mentioned that while the sale will proceed, availability is limited to a few hours every day. Farina shared the significance of the timing of the sales.
“This week on April 12th is the Day of Silence.”
According to GLSEN.org, “GLSEN’s Day of Silence… is a student-led national event where folks take a vow of silence to highlight the silencing and erasure of LGBTQ people at school.”
Farin continued, “Although I don’t see a lot of people planning on participating this year, I know a lot of people who have done it in the past. I think it’s harder to participate in a more professional setting. You’re expected to participate and talk in class. Setting aside even a couple hours would be totally significant when you can. Even if you’re talking about LGBT topics and the violence that occurs would be an impactful way to participate.”
Farina expressed optimism for the events Spectrum had planned for the duration of the semester.
“Last semester, we had a tie-dyeing event that went over really well. Unfortunately, we hadn’t purchased as many supplies as we needed, so we’re hosting it again this semester.”
The current date set for this event is April 25th.
“This time we’ll buy more shirts. It’s really fun and it’s nice…”
Farina shared the sentiment that visibility of pride is an important resource at SXU. “I think that having visual representation for people who may not always be at outwardly queer is something we really consider.
“We’ve also designed an SXU Ally Pin. There had been previous designs of it, and people really want those, which is super cool. Being a queer person and seeing a professor with [the pin] on their bulletin board saying it’s a safe space for them is really important. It’s a way to visually broadcast that the community is accepting, loving, and a place you can go if you need space.”
Farina shared that many people have been waiting tensely for sales.
“Everybody’s really excited! There had been SXU Ally pins in the past, but that was it, and even then, it was 3 or 4 years. Nobody really has them anymore, and those that do don’t wanna get rid of it.”
While wishing for the best, Farina shares that SXU Spectrum hadn’t set any goals in terms of sales.
“It’d be nice to sell 100, but it’s nothing that we’ve talked about as an organization. Although if we sold 100 pins, that’d be about $100 that would get to go to the LGBT Youth Center, and that’d be really awesome.”
Farina also shares that anyone seeking a pin that’s unable to attend sales can conact Spectrum via SXUSpectrum@gmail.com.
“Even If you’re looking for a design we don’t have, we’d love to provide them.”
The pins will actually be made and circulated all on campus.
“There’s a pin maker in the Student Organization Center that’s available to RSO’s, so we’re making them ourselves…For SXU, by Spectrum.”
Farina encourages anyone who wants to get involved with SXU Spectrum to join using theDen, Twitter, or Instagram.
“We’re always sending out updates, so it’s easy to know what we’re up to.”
In regards to the future of SXU Spectrum Alliance, Farina said, “Only the President and Vice President roles have been confirmed.
“Secretary and Treasurer are open and the application is available on theDen…In terms of events, we’re 100% going to do the Drag Show again.
“That was really popular. I think [queer people] have raised a lot of awareness that we exist. so I’m looking forward to that coming.”
SXU Spectrum Alliance will be selling pins at the Dining Hall located at the Warde Center from April 10th – 12th, approximately from 11am to 1pm. Premade pins will be sold at the cost of $2 for 1, or $3 for 2. Customized pins will be sort at a rate of $3 per individual.
Eric Perez
News Reporter
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