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Guest post

Sharing Spaces: Jamie’s Experience of the 2SLGBTQ+ Youth Group (18-25)

Hi! My name is Jamie and I’m a Social Service Worker student from Conestoga College and I’m
doing my placement at Spectrum this semester. For transparency, I’m a white neurodivergent
pansexual transgender guy who has a special passion for supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ folks with
mental illnesses and who may be homeless or have experienced homelessness at some point in their life. I have personal and professional experience with service navigation and I’m very
knowledgeable about 2SLGBTQIA+ issues and tenant rights. My goal during my placement is to
attend as many of the groups/events Spectrum offers and share my experiences while
attending these groups, as well as the experiences of other folks who attend and have willingly
answered questions that I have asked them.

As a part of attending these groups, I have written a series of journal entries that discuss my own thoughts of the spaces, combined with the answers I received from other attendees. Today, I’ll be talking about my experience at Spectrum on the Spectrum, which is a group for people who are on the Autism spectrum and identify as 2SLGBTQIA+.

2SLGBTQ+ Youth Group (18-25)

Attending the 2SLGBTQ+ youth group for the first time was a great experience for me.
Compared to the other groups Spectrum has to offer, this one was a bit different. I found it to
be more structured and almost therapeutic as it offered peer support on heavier topics brought up by participants, rather than being a purely socializing group. There were also coloured cards (red, yellow, and orange) that helped determine the boundaries and needs of group members when certain topics came up. Red means the topic is off the table for the rest of the meeting, yellow means slow down/talk quieter, and orange means pause for instances when someone has an immediate question, needs help understanding a term, etc. There were also of course snacks and drinks like most, if not all, Spectrum groups offer. These were all things that helped me feel comfortable in this space and made it feel more welcoming; some participants I interviewed also shared a similar sentiment.

One participant stated, “This group offers us a sense of belonging by showing us that others
have problems and not leaving us feeling alone”. They added, “This group makes us feel better
normally because it allows us to get what is bothering us off our mind by expressing it to
others”. When asked what they would like people to know who are considering attending this
group they said “I would let others who are planning on attending this group to know that the
group is most helpful when you express what is wrong and that no matter what you’re going
through the facilitators are willing to help you”. This particular participant said that they have
attended this group between 15 and 20 times and plans to continue coming back!

Over the course of the next few months, I’ll be sharing my other experiences of Spectrum Groups.

If you’re interested in attending any future Spectrum groups, make sure to check out the events calendar (ourspectrum.com/events) or follow us on social media.

Thanks for reading!

Jamie

A colourful banner in shades of purple, pink, and yellow.

Guest post, Uncategorized

Sharing Spaces: Jamie’s Experience of Spectrum on the Spectrum

Spectrum on the Spectrum

I have attended Spectrum on the Spectrum before my placement, but this time was particularly amazing. The environment was very welcoming and everyone was very friendly. There were drinks and snacks that were offered, as well as fidget toys and paper/markers for those who were non-speaking but still wanted to communicate. I spent the majority of the meeting talking with a group of three other people and I felt like I made a great connection with them. Some regular attendees of this group mentioned that this is the most people they have ever seen attend in the past which is great that word is getting out there that such an amazing group is running at Spectrum. I do, however, wish that the group ran more often as it currently runs only once a month. Hopefully, that is something Spectrum will be able to do in the future.

One attendee that I had the pleasure of interviewing said “This specific group allows me to
make other LGBTQ+ friends without worrying that I’ll act too awkwardly” and that “the
meetings for Spectrum on the Spectrum are relaxing and give me a sense of community”. When asked what would you like for people to know who are considering attending this group they said “It was a bit scary to visit, but everyone at Spectrum is really welcoming. If you’ve
considered visiting, it’s definitely worthwhile to try.

Over the course of the next few months, I’ll be sharing my other experiences of Spectrum Groups.

If you’re interested in attending any future Spectrum groups, make sure to check out the events calendar (ourspectrum.com/events) or follow us on social media.

Thanks for reading!

Jamie

SPECTRUM News

Remembering Randy Farrell

Randy Farrell smiling in a park holding a rainbow umbrella

We recently lost a member of the Spectrum Family. Former board member, Randy Farrell, passed away on March 19, 2025. Randy was a founding member of Spectrum and served on our board from December 12, 2013 – June 14, 2020.

There will be a Big Gay Party (as he requested) community memorial for Randy on Tuesday April 1st from 6:30pm-8:30pm at Grand River Recreation Complex, 600 Heritage Drive, Kitchener. All are welcome.

Randy was a graduate of Waterloo Lutheran University and worked at the Waterloo Region District School Board as Supervisor of IT Support but it is for his legacy of community service and advocacy for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in Waterloo Region that we’d like to remember him today.

Randy was instrumental in Spectrum’s programs for older adults. He was a member of our Aging with Pride committee which worked to provide important 2SLGBTQIA+ cultural competency training to local senior-serving organizations, including the Village at Winston Park, where he lived his last years. He also worked as a member of the Breaking the Silence on Hidden Violence group which, aligned with the Crime Prevention Council, studied queerphobia in our community and worked to bring an end to it.

Randy also volunteered with Beyond the Rainbow, the Waterloo Wellington Trauma Services Initiative, the Canadian Hearing Society, Hospice Waterloo Region, and National Service Dogs. Randy was the chair of the Mayor’s Advisory Council for Kitchener Seniors (MACKS), and a member of the Waterloo Region Rainbow Community Council.

In the 2015 tri-Pride Community Awards, Randy received the OUTstanding Individual award. For many years he supported the work of the tri-Pride festival, including by running silent auctions to raise funds.
In 2019, Randy was named Kitchener’s senior of the year. Mayor Berry Vrbanovic said, “His efforts and ongoing support for the Rainbow community in Kitchener and beyond promotes inclusivity and helps foster a greater sense of belonging for all residents in our city.”

You can hear from Randy in his own words in Melissa Sky’s 2014 documentary, Rainbow Reflections.

You can also read this 2017 interview with CBC in which Randy discusses the importance of dedicated 2SLGBTQIA+ spaces.

Randy was always highly visible with his glowing smile and jean jacket covered with 2SLGBTQIA+ buttons and pins. Randy donated the jacket to the Grand River Rainbow Historical Project and it is now in the collection at Kitchener Public Library’s Grace Schmidt Room.

Cartoon drawing of the progress pride flag

Statements, Uncategorized

A Message from Spectrum’s ED, Suzie Taka

If you are in crisis and need help:

Call Here 24/7 at 1.844.437.3247 for 24/7 support.
9-8-8 is a national hotline that you can call or text for support
Youthline provides queer peer support for folks 29 and under

Dear Community,

When writing for the public, you’re often advised to aim for a fifth-grade level to ensure clarity. As a parent—whose oldest child is in kindergarten—I’ve come to deeply value the importance of simplicity. I often find myself breaking down complex issues into language my small children can understand. I tell them we recycle because we love the earth and want to care for it, we are kind and friendly to our neighbors because we want to make everyone feel like they belong, and we stand up when we see someone being hurt because everyone deserves to feel safe and valued.

But this task becomes especially challenging when the world feels like it’s at its most horrible, hateful, and hopeless.

I can’t reduce the reality of a world filled with bigotry and harm to a simple tale of superheroes and villains, because that’s not what’s happening. The world isn’t binary. It’s not about one person, one side, or one moment. I struggle to find an analogy for ideologies fueled by an incomprehensible quest to deny the lived truths of so many people we love—people like us, our friends, and our family.

Like so many, at SPECTRUM, we have been processing the events of this week, grappling with worry about what comes next. Finding the right words is difficult, so I’ve been focusing on the things I know to be true:

Two-Spirit, queer, trans, non-binary, and other diverse people have always existed.
We will continue to exist.
The world is not binary. It is, in fact, a spectrum.

These truths guide me. They remind me of the immense privilege I have each day to advocate for and connect with people here in Waterloo Region who are part of SPECTRUM’s programs and the broader community. I hear their stories about the profound impact of peer support, safe spaces, recreation programs, youth initiatives, and more.

Currently, SPECTRUM runs 72 programs a month:

12 community social groups
29 peer support groups
10 youth and family programs
22 sports and recreation programs

We do this with no annualized government funding, relying on grants and community donations (and if you aren’t a monthly donor, but could be, maybe this is the time to become one). We do this with shoestring budgets but exponential passion, because there is a strong and constant need for belonging in a world that often tries to tear us apart.

You cannot legislate away queerness—but you can create immense harm by trying to. Being 2SLGBTQIA+ is normal and natural; humans have never and will never fit into socially constructed boxes that are in direct opposition to who we are. The struggles faced by so many in our community are not because of who they are, but because of the world they exist in.

I have been the Executive Director for exactly three months now. I have not taken a single moment of this work for granted, thanks to the incredible people I work with who remind me daily that it is a gift to be here, working together.

If you have never been or haven’t been in awhile, please know that Spectrum’s peer support groups and other programs are a space to share any and all challenges, including debriefing about the state of the world - community is here waiting for you.

Sometimes, I bring my children to the office, and they get to experience this magical little world where everyone belongs—where everyone can come as they are and be celebrated. I don’t shield them from the realities of the outside world, but I am endlessly grateful that we have this space in our community. It is a place where we welcome everyone to gather, live, and create moments in time where everyone belongs.

With love and solidarity,

Suzie Taka

Executive Director

Spectrum Waterloo Region’s Rainbow Community Space

A group of about 20 folks are standing in a gym in athletic wear, all holding pickleball paddles and smiling at the camera. This is an image from our Multi-Sport Program!

Awareness, Research, SPECTRUM News, Uncategorized

2SLGBTQIA+ Inclusion in Sports – Sports Canada Research Project

Over the last few years, Spectrum introduced Multi-Sport Drop-In and Rainbow Diversity Training. These programs help to enhance well-being for 2SLGBTQIA+ people here in Waterloo Region. After a pilot trial of Multi-Sport, we enlisted Wilfrid Laurier University to help study its effectiveness. This research was made possible with generous funding from Sport Canada. We also want to thank the researchers from the Lyle S. Hallman Faculty of Social Work at Wilfrid Laurier.

This evaluation was created to show the impact these programs make on our community. It was also created to find ways to improve upon them moving forward. We would like to thank Dr. Michael Woodford and his team at Wilfrid Laurier for their excellent work in creating this report. We are pleased to be able to share these details with the community.

A picture of several folks underneath a brightly coloured parachute inside of a gym. They're all smiling at the camera.

Multi-Sport Evaluation

Multi-Sport Drop-In is a space for 2SLGBTQIA+ people to participate in physical activity. We received evaluations from 210 participants over 87 sessions.

The evaluation helped us to understand the reasons that people attended these programs. Most people answered that they wanted to spend more time with other 2SLGBTQIA+ folks. They also noted how beneficial it was that these programs were run free of cost. For many people, it wasn’t just to be physically active; it was about connection.

Overall, participants’ mental health improved from participating in these programs. They were able to become more comfortable with participating and learning different sports. The program made people feel safe and included with other participants.

The study also identified some potential ideas for improving the program. We now know to continue balancing competition and inclusivity. The program would also benefit from having more under-recognized communities take part. This would also help to diversify the space even more for all participants. Lastly, feedback also made suggestions on how to market our program to folks who are new to programs like this. We hope to use some of these findings to help ease new attendees’ worries in coming out to join us.

RDT Evaluation

Rainbow Diversity Training aims to teach folks more about the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. It focuses on increasing knowledge and allyship. Our team worked to train community centre staff on working with 2SLGBTQIA+ people.

The evaluation showed that correct answers about gender-inclusive language nearly doubled. However, we also noticed that knowledge about community resources remained low.

We learned that the sections on mental health and language changes were very helpful. Attendees said the training helped them to understand the struggles within the community. They felt more compassionate towards folks within the community as well.

The recommendations we received was to have more consistent training. Teaching more about how to handle resistance would be helpful for public-facing staff. There was also a need for more about religious and cultural sensitivity. We are planning on implementing all of the recommendations into the training sessions this coming year.

–

For ease, we’ve created three different versions of the report. The full report goes into detail about the research and methodology. We have two shorter reports that discuss the findings and recommendations more succinctly. Thank you again to Sport Canada for making this research possible. We also would like to thank the folks at Wilfrid Laurier for doing such incredible work. We look forward to using our participants’ feedback to help improve our programs in 2025. We look forward to seeing you at the 2SLGBTQIA+ Multi-Sport Drop-In soon! Visit this micro-site to learn all about the program.

Spectrum 2SLGBTQ+ Sport Program Evaluation_FINALJAN7-2025 (1)Download

RDT Evaluation_Shortened Download

Multi-Sport Evaluation_Shortened Download

Events

Lace Up and Unite: A Successful 2SLGBTQ+ Community Skate

“It felt so natural, like how a family skate should feel.” -Volunteer

To close out 2024 – 49 community members wobbled, glided, twirled, and built community during the first ever Spectrum 2SLGBTQ+ Free Skate at Don McLaren Arena in Kitchener.

The atmosphere was electric, filled with laughter, friendship, and the joy of skating.

This event wasn’t just about skating; it was about bringing our vibrant 2SLGBTQ+ community together and celebrating the importance of queer and trans representation in the Waterloo Region.

We’re incredibly grateful to everyone who made this event possible, from our generous sponsors to the enthusiastic participation of our community members.

An attendee outside the Don McLaren Arena

A heartfelt thank you to the City of Kitchener for their invaluable support in renting the entire Don McLaren Arena for our exclusive use. Your generosity ensured a safe and inclusive space for all attendees. The City of Kitchener continues to go above and beyond supporting members of our community.

Hot Chocolate, Tea, and TimBits offered at the event

We also extend our deepest gratitude to Clean & Tidy for their kind and generous donation of delicious hot chocolate, tea, and snacks to keep our skaters warm and cozy.

Thanks to our volunteers Maya, Ang, and JP for leading a Learn to Skate workshop. At the very basis of our Sports program is giving the 2SLGBTQIA+ community an opportunity to try things they may not have been able to at a different times in their lives – these volunteers helped improve skills and build confidence for the 17 participants who joined them.

“It was so helpful to know I was getting on the rink with others that were also learning to skate” -Learn to Skate Participant

Thanks to our staff, Troy, Baz, Dakota, Jesse, Rye, and Suzie, for their work organizing, facilitating, and doing all the important things behind the scenes at Spectrum.

A special thanks to DJ DIVAA from One Big Gay Disco, who kept the energy high with fantastic music all evening.

Events like these are incredibly important for fostering a strong and supportive 2SLGBTQ+ community. They provide a safe and welcoming space for individuals to connect, build friendships, and celebrate their identities.

“I made two new friends at this event. I’ve met others like me. I am so happy!” -Participant

Thank you again to everyone who made this event a memorable one. We look forward to many more community events in the future where we can continue to lace up and unite as a vibrant and inclusive community.If you would like to help make more events like this possible, consider becoming a volunteer or donating to Spectrum.

Events

Updating the Spectrum Calendar

We have heard the community discussing how the Spectrum Events Calendar can be difficult to navigate. We’ve implemented some updates to help make identifying events easier! Now, you can filter between Spectrum and Community events, so that it is clearer which events Spectrum is actively running. You can also identify where Spectrum is hosting the event – at our location, at another location, part of our Youth Under the Rainbow programming, or as part of our Multi-Sport program.

We hope these changes help make seeing what events interest you most easier to discover!

Check out the new calendar here: https://ourspectrum.com/events/

Events

Celebration of Chosen Family

Join us on December 25 for a celebration of chosen family, featuring food, games, and meaningful connections. Whether you come on your own or bring a friend, our doors will be open from 12 PM to 3 PM, offering warm food and even warmer company. We recognize that the holidays can be a challenging time for many in the 2SLGBTQ+ community who may not be able to spend this season with their families. Let’s come together to create a space of support, and belonging.

If you haven’t been to Spectrum before, this video will help you find us.

Events

Trans Day of Remembrance 2024

On November 20th from 6:30 – 8:30 PM, Spectrum will be hosting a candlelight vigil at Waterloo Town Square (75 King St. S.), to honor transgender lives lost. This event is open to the public. Please read more about the event below.

Agenda

6:30: Candle lighting / settling in the space

6:40: Welcoming drum song / thanksgiving address from Willow River Centre

6:50: Land Acknowledgement

6:55: Introduction / moment of silence

7:00 – 8:00: Main Speakers

8:00 – 8:25: Open microphone for the public to honor their loved ones

8:25 – 8:30: Closing / second moment of silence

Keep in mind this agenda is fluid, and depending on the length of speakers the evening may end earlier than 8:30 PM.

Location

Parking: There is a lot of parking options around Waterloo Public Square. The closest parking lots are on Caroline St., behind the LCBO. There is also a parking lot on the corner of Caroline St. and Erb St.

Public Transit: If you’re taking the bus, the #5 bus will take you directly to King / Waterloo Public Square. If you’re taking the light rail, there is a stop called Waterloo Public Square Station.

Accessibility: Public square is a wheelchair accessible spot. It also offers stone steps that will allow people to sit if needed. However, we do suggest bringing a towel, blanket, or pillow, as the stone can sometimes be cold or uncomfortable for long periods.

Bathrooms: There are gendered bathrooms inside of the Shops behind the Public Square. The Starbucks down King St. has a gender neutral bathroom, and there is the public outdoor bathroom which is fully accessible and gender neutral on King St./William St.

Outdoor Location: This event will only be called off if there is a severe weather advisory. While there will be tents for the resource tables and speakers, we suggest to come dressed for the weather. Be sure to dress warmly, as the nights are getting colder. The mall should be open, so you can step inside to warm up should you need to!

Resources: Candles will be provided all evening for this event. If you have a lighter, bring it along to speed up the process, but lighters will also be provided. We will also be serving warm drinks and baked goods, but you’re welcome to bring more, especially if you have dietary restrictions. Both OK2BME, ACCKWA, Spectrum, and SHORE Centre will have resource tables for you to learn more about mental health and peer support resources.

Things to Consider

Trigger Warning: Remembrance often goes hand-in-hand with current and real struggles we face. Please be aware that we may engage in topics that may be upsetting for some attendees, including discussions of violence and suicide. While we will have some peer support and mental health resources available, these can only provide a certain level of care. We suggest bringing a support person(s) or not attending if you think it would be too difficult to partake in the evening.

Fire Safety: This ceremony will have real candles and fire involved, so please be cautious with how you’re using your candle. Make sure to leave a lot of space with the people around you, and fully blow out your candle before disposing of it or taking it home with you. We will have a fire extinguisher on-site, but we hope not to have to use it if we’re all cautious of how we’re using our space. If you’re particularly adverse to fire, we will try to have a section for people with electric and other light sources to keep things relatively separate.

For any questions about the event, reach out at: info@ourspectrum.com

SPECTRUM News

A Message from our Outgoing ED, Scott Williams

My Spectrum journey began in 2013 when Jim Parrott reached out to me to ask if I would be interested in volunteering with Waterloo Region’s new Rainbow Community Space. I said “yes” and I became Spectrum’s volunteer librarian before joining the Board of Directors in 2014-2015. I was deeply grateful to become one of Spectrum’s first paid employees at the end of 2020 when we received a large capacity-building grant that would change our trajectory as an organization.

Four years later, we now have five full-time employees and approximately 40 part-time casual employees. We have grown from a small, volunteer-run organization to what our auditors call a “going concern” with paid staff and a governance Board. In fact, Spectrum is one of very few 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations in Southern Ontario to have paid staff. I consider this a huge success and I love that we have grown enough to start being an employer of choice for 2SLGBTQIA+ people in Waterloo Region.

In terms of programs, our 2019 annual report highlighted five peer support and discussion groups. We now have 13 such groups that hold about 25 meetings each month. In 2019, we had three social/recreational programs. We now have 15, with about 50 sessions each month. We started tracking numbers of program participants in 2022 and those numbers have more than doubled from 3,188 to 6,810. We’re now having a larger positive impact on more 2SLGBTQIA+ people in our community than ever before.

With respect to budget, in 2020 we had revenue of $48,210. This was largely from municipal grants which were the backbone of our operations for a decade. Our latest audited financials show a revenue of $606,565. We have built a successful fundraising program and individuals and businesses have seen the impact of our work and helped us to increase our capacity through their generous donations. We have also diversified our grant revenue. We now apply for and receive funding from all levels of government as well as a variety of private and family foundations, and our partners at Waterloo Region Community Foundation (WRCF). WRCF also holds our Rainbow Community Fund – an endowment fund that will help Spectrum be financially stable into the future.

These numbers are only one way to measure our impact and success. I think a more important measure is the feedback and comments from our program participants and personnel. I always say that the “Why” of Spectrum is belonging. Belonging is at the heart of everything we do. Our programs are places where 2SLGBTQIA+ people can build community and chosen family – and they do! The wordcloud below is made up of feedback from participants about what they feel are the best parts of our programs.

I’m so grateful to have had the opportunity to steward Spectrum these past few years. It’s truly been an honour to lead a 2SLGBTQIA+ organization when there are so few of them in Ontario. It’s also been a privilege to receive feedback from our participants and community members about the impact Spectrum has had on their lives. I’m so proud to have built the amazing staff team we have now. This is a wonderful group of community leaders who are making a positive difference in Waterloo Region every day.

I’d like to thank everyone in the Spectrum Family for their dedication and work. I’d also like to thank all of our community partners for their generous support of the organization and of me. We could not have accomplished all we have without working as the tremendous team we are.

I’m confident that Spectrum is in good hands with Suzie Taka as our next ED and I look forward to seeing what’s next for this organization that I love.

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