TAKE NOTICE that the Annual General Meeting of the Members of SPECTRUM Waterloo Region’s Rainbow Community Space (“SPECTRUM”) will be held on October 29, 2024 at 7pm at Libro Credit Union (165 King St W, Kitchener, ON N2G 1A7) for the following purposes :
Spectrum is pleased to announce that we have received funding under the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program for our Aging with Pride program.
This federal grants and contributions program supports projects that are led or inspired by seniors who are making a difference in the lives of others in their communities.
The funds will be used to help us create a 2SLGBTQIA+ Friendly Visiting program in which 2SLGBTQIA+ volunteers will visit 2SLGBTQIA+ seniors to help ensure they stay connected to the local rainbow community.
Thank you to the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program for the funding support provided to Spectrum. It will make a significant difference in the lives of seniors in our community.
For more information, visit New Horizons for Seniors Program – Community-based projects.
If you’re interested in volunteering to be part of this program please check out the listing here.
Spectrum is grateful to be receiving a grant from the Waterloo Region Community Fund and the Janice and Robert Deutschmann Family Fund held at Waterloo Region Community Foundation.
With these funds, Spectrum will provide five 2SLGBTQIA+ peer support and discussion groups to help participants connect with each other and create a sense of belonging and well-being. The funds will allow us to pay the co-facilitators of these groups for their important work.
Ace & Aro Space is an existing group for people who identify as asexual and/or aromantic. Ace and Aro people are often invisible in both 2SLGBTQIA+ spaces and mainstream spaces because of the assumption that all people experience attraction. This has become an important group for Spectrum, giving Ace and Aro folks a place to belong and call their own.
Spectrum on the Spectrum is an existing group for people who identify as queer and trans and autistic. This was developed over the course of a year in partnership with Waterloo Region Family Network. We conducted community conversations and research which revealed a need for this group because such a high number of queer and trans people also identify as neurodiverse and sometimes struggle to participate in our regular peer support groups.
Bi & Pan Space is an existing group for people who are bisexual or pansexual. Bi and Pan people often experience erasure in both 2SLGBTQIA+ spaces and mainstream spaces. Especially if they are in a hetero-presenting relationship, bi and pan folks tend to be seen as “not queer enough” for 2SLGBTQIA+ spaces but “not straight enough” for mainstream spaces. This group started this year after many requests.
The Queer Women group is a new group for anyone who identifies as a woman and queer. Often, women do not feel completely comfortable in groups with men or masculine folks and they have been requesting a space of their own. This will be the first Spectrum program exclusively for women.
The Fabulous 40s groups is also new. We have a group for young adults aged 25-40, and a group for older adults aged 50+, but people in their 40s have not been
well-served. We have received frequent requests for a group like this.
Find the job postings for these co-facilitator positions on our employment page.
Special thanks to Waterloo Region Community Foundation and their Fundholders for their support of 2SLGBTQIA+ programs in our community.
We are pleased to share our new Rainbow Newcomers Toolkit! This is a guide to help 2SLGBTQIA+ newcomers with settling in Waterloo Region. This project began with Rhea Bhat (she/her), a Psychology major at Wilfrid Laurier University. Rhea received a Menich Award which allowed her to work with a not-for profit of her choice. It has taken a full year to develop and design this toolkit. That included a great deal of research and also getting feedback from our Rainbow Newcomers Connect team, and partners at COMPASS Refugee Centre and the City of Cambridge.
Rhea Shares:
The Rainbow Newcomers Toolkit is something I will always hold dear as a Brown, queer woman and an international student who had to settle down in Canada with no knowledge of various processes.
Working on the toolkit allowed me to learn more about the Waterloo Region Community and the various essential supports offered to newcomers on a multitude of topics. For newcomers, it is always a challenge to figure out where to start and how to navigate through the multiple resources available. I wanted to make this daunting process easier on newcomers by creating a one-stop guide that could help them start this process, along with contacts to resources within the community.
I chose to work with Spectrum and aimed the toolkit at 2SLGBTQIA+ newcomers because it can take time to explore and find their community, especially for those of us who have moved from unsafe environments. This experience has not only helped me develop invaluable skills but has also helped me realize that I would like to continue working with newcomers to Canada in any capacity that I can.
Thank you, Spectrum, for an experience I will always cherish!
We’re thrilled to share the news of an amazing event held on May 18th, 2024! Pickleball of Waterloo Wellington Region (POWWR), a local organization, hosted a player clinic and tournament in support of Spectrum. It was a fantastic day filled with friendly competition, community spirit, and of course, raising awareness for the 2SLGBTQ+ community.
The morning kicked off with a two-hour clinic led by skilled POWWR coaches. A total of 56 participants eagerly learned and honed their skills, creating a positive and inclusive atmosphere.
In the afternoon, things got competitive! POWWR volunteers transformed the space into a tournament zone, with matches happening across 12 gyms. A whopping 63 individuals battled it out on the court, showcasing their athleticism and sportsmanship.
But the true victory lies beyond the scoreboards. The event was a resounding success, raising almost $6,000 in support of Spectrum’s vital work in the Waterloo Region. We are incredibly grateful to POWWR for their dedication and generosity.
A heartfelt thank you goes out to all the POWWR volunteers who went above and beyond to make this event possible. Their hard work and enthusiasm created a welcoming and fun environment for everyone involved.
A huge thank you to our prize sponsors who helped elevate the experience for our participants:
We also extend our deepest gratitude to our event sponsors:
This event would not be possible without the incredible support of the Pickleball of Waterloo Wellington Region (POWWR). Thanks to the generous gift of time from their volunteers, Spectrum benefitted from nearly all the ticket sales. A special shout-out to Fiona, whose vision for the event brought it to life!
We are incredibly grateful to The City of Waterloo’s Reconciliation, Equity, Accessibility, Diversity, and Inclusion (READI) team for generously covering 100% of the rental cost of RIM Park (valued at $2,373.92). Their support demonstrates a strong commitment to fostering inclusivity and diversity within our community.
For a glimpse into the excitement of the day, be sure to check out the CTV News Kitchener coverage. We also had coverage from CBC News and City News.
We at Spectrum are deeply appreciative of POWWR’s and the City of Waterloo’s incredible support. Together, we can continue fostering a vibrant and inclusive community for everyone in Waterloo Region!
Extra thanks to the following individuals for their event support:
Each of these individuals went above and beyond in some way to support our event. While we tried to list everyone, but there were so many people that helped to bring this event together:
Wrap Up
So again, thank you! Whether you shared the event with a friend, attended, or made a donation, we appreciate the impact you made on our community. If you would like to help out in the future with this event, please reach out to our Sports Coordinator: troy@ourspectrum.com
National AccessAbility Week (NAAW) takes place from May 26th to June 1st, 2024. We’d like to take this opportunity to share some of the work Spectrum has done to become more accessible over the past several months.
We’re also pleased to share that the City of Cambridge is hosting a series of webinars on dismantling ableism in the community, healthcare, and education. The webinars will feature presentations from local organizations, service providers and individuals with lived experience. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about best practices and tools on how we can create a welcoming and inclusive community.
For more information and to register, visit Cambridge.ca/accessibility
You can also visit the Canadian Council on Rehabilitation and Work (CCRW) for resources and ideas for observing NAAW in a meaningful way.
Spectrum Waterloo Region’s Rainbow Community Space, is proud to announce the first Pride Pickleball Fundraiser Tournament and Player Clinic in Canada, set to take place on May 18, 2024 at RIM Park in Waterloo.
The Pride Pickleball Fundraiser Tournament and Player Clinic aims to raise awareness and funds in support of Spectrum’s vital programming, which serves, affirms, and supports the well-being of 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals in Waterloo Region.
Here’s the Poster you can share with your friends.
| Time | Event |
| 8:30 AM | Player Clinic Registration Opens |
| 9 AM – 11 AM | Player Clinic |
| 11:30 AM | Tournament Registration Opens |
| 12 – 4:30 | Tournament |
If you can’t make it, please cancel your ticket so that we can fill your spot from our waitlist. If you need to cancel the day of the tournament, please email troy@ourspectrum.com
This event would not be possible without the support of Pickleball of Waterloo Wellington Region (POWWR). With the gift of time from their volunteers, SPECTRUM is able to benefit from nearly all the ticket sales.
The City of Waterloo’s Reconciliation, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (READI) team has generously agreed to cover 100% of the rental cost of RIM Park (valued over $2,500), demonstrating their commitment to fostering inclusivity and diversity within the community.
Each Prize Sponsor donated $100 in the form of a donation to Spectrum or through a donation of services/products with a value of $100. Again, with their support we’ve been able to raise more money for the program.
Thank you:
The Transmasc Peer Support Group has returned to its regular schedule — the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month from 7-9pm!
The full schedule of Trans Peer Support Groups is:
-Transgender Peer Support Group – 1st and 3rd Thursday and 2nd and 4th Monday
-Transmasc Peer Support Group – 1st and 3rd Monday
-Beyond the Binary – 4th Tuesday of the month
-Cambridge Trans Peer Support Group – biweekly on Thursdays
Be sure to check the Rainbow Community Calendar for the most up to date details on all of Spectrum’s programs and other 2SLGBTQIA+ events across the region!
A special thanks to the volunteers who make these groups possible!
Born May 10, 1961
Andrea Jenkins is an American politician, writer and poet who made US history by being the first openly Black trans woman to be elected to public office in 2018. Andrea was born in 1961, in Chicago and spent her childhood living in lower-income working class communities with her single mother. From a young age, Andrea was heavily involved in arts, often writing and creating poems and other spoken word pieces.
Andrea came out as gay in her 20s, and began to transition in her 30s. She returned to college attending Metropolitan State University, to finish her bachelor’s degree. Following that, she earned two masters degrees, one in Creative Writing and one in Community Based Economic Development. Her political career started shortly after, when she worked as a vocational counselor for the Hennepin County Government.
In 2005, Jenkins worked as a political aide to Elizabeth Glidden, and earned a fellowship focusing on trans issues. She successfully established the Transgender Issues Group in 2014, and organized a council summit to highlight the struggles and issues trans folks face in Minnesota. In 2016, after Elizabeth Glidden decided not to run for re-election, Andrea Jenkins announced her campaign, with the slogan “Leadership. Access. Equity.” The following year, she successfully won with over 70% of the votes.
In her other endeavours, Andrea has participated in the Trans Lives Matter movement, and was the grand marshal of Twin Cities Pride Parade. In 2020, in honor of the 50th anniversary of the first Pride parade, she was named one of 50 heroes leading the nation towards equality, acceptance, and dignity.
Currently, Jenkins is a performance artist and poet, and lives with her partner of eight years. Her contributions and representation as a trans woman in politics have paved the way for many other folks to become more involved in the political landscape.
Born in Chicago in the 1940s, Miss Major is a trans activist and icon well known for her outspoken activism towards trans rights and freedoms. As a young child, Miss Major often explored her gender expression, trying on her mothers’ clothes while no one was home, and befriending older drag queens who allowed her to experiment with makeup and dressing in drag. When Miss Major came out as trans to her family, they struggled accepting her transition and gender identity. At the age of 16, Miss Major graduated from high school and moved into a post-secondary dorm room.
Although she had been out to her close family and friends, she still presented in a traditionally masculine way, resulting in her being placed in a men’s dorm. During this time, Miss Major was outed when one of her roommates found dresses and makeup in her room, leading to her expulsion from the college.
After her expulsion, Miss Major moved to New York in 1962 and began working as a sex worker. While in New York, Miss Major became involved with drag shows, and performed as a showgirl. Within the community, Miss Major was accepted for who she was, and began to feel a sense of belonging. During the Stonewall Riot in 1969, Miss Major played a role in protecting queer community members against the brutality by the police. As an activist, Miss Major has said that although Stonewall was a turning point in the 2LSBGTQ+ rights movement, transgender and queer women of colour had long since been advocating and organizing for the rights and freedoms of the community.
In 1988, Miss Major and her partner moved to San Diego California. She continued working as a drag performer, and started mentoring younger drag performers and trans women, earning her the nickname Mama Major. During the AIDS crisis in the 80s, Miss Major became involved in AIDS activism after losing her partner. Moving to San Francisco in 1995, Miss Major continued her work in HIV/AIDS activism, becoming a health promoter and educator for Tenderloin AIDS Research Center. She developed a mobile outreach centre, where she went into the streets to meet with unhoused folks who needed assistance.
Currently, Miss Major lives in Arkansas with her partner, and has continued her work in activism and advocacy.
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