Wheaton Wire

Issue date: 9/17/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Annie Laurie Malarkey ’09

Over fifty students, faculty, staff and alums gathered at the Lyon's Den last Thursday for the LGBT Students and Allies Dessert. The annual event, hosted by the Safe Zone Committee in conjunction with the Alliance, served to connect current Wheaton Students with LGBTQA (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and allies) alums. "This is more people than we've ever had," said Alliance Publicity Chair Lindsay Van Clief. "It's great to have faculty and staff here," Van Clief added, saying it leant an aura of authenticity to the event.

Previously the dessert was held at former Dean of Students Sue Alexander's house. In lieu of Dean Sue's presence, Interim Dean of Students Dean Jack Kuszaj expressed the administrations' commitment to the LGBTQA (LGBTQ and Allies) community. "You can expect the same level of support and advocacy you've experience in previous years," Kuszaj said before the floor was turned over to an open mic. Kuszaj also emphasized the importance of continuing alumni-student connections.

The dessert is the first of several events planned throughout the year around the LGBTQA community. Homecoming weekend in October will feature a much larger number of alums as will a potluck dinner taking place in the spring.
The move to the Lyon's was facilitated by the Alliance, the Safe Zone Committee and the Spectrum House in an effort to expand on the long standing tradition.

The Den was a fitting place to have the dessert in part because the role it played before Wheaton went coed. It used to be that the gay members of the all women student body would meet secretly in the upstairs of the Den. The gatherings were even protected by a password.

This is Spectrum Houses first year in existence. The residents of Spectrum house, as the name implies, come from all parts of the sexuality spectrum. "The reason for Spectrum [House] is because it takes a spectrum of sexuality and people to fill it," said Annisha Romney '09. "It's a place [to come to] if you have any questions or if you want to be around people of the LGBTQA community."

Co-House President Zach Haney '11 echoed this sentiment in saying the house is an effort "to attract people who might now feel comfortable going to an alliance meeting."

All members of the house have to complete Wheaton's Safe Zone training. "There's a Safe Zone program, but the house is a literal safe zone," said Nora Räsänen '11, Spectrum House's other Co-President and the Alliance Treasurer. "Anyone can come in here and ask for help."

As part of the requirements for theme houses, Spectrum must hold at least one event dedicated to outreach related to their theme. However, as part of their agreement with their staff sponser Nadia Omar, the residents of Spectrum House will each hold an individual event including open forums for discussion and movie nights.

Spectrum House is located at 26/28 Taunton Ave and Alliance meetings are held every Thursday night at 7:00 in the New Yellow Parlor in Balfour Hood.

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