Spectrum celebrates annual USD Pride Week

Although USD strives to be a inclusive campus year-round, Spectrum’s pride week allows LGBTQ+ students to advocate for community and diversity.

William Kayser, a junior criminal justice major and the president of Spectrum, said this week is not the national pride week, but is specially declared USD’s pride week by Spectrum.

“Pride week is typically in June, but since we don’t have school, we decided that we would do pride week as close to June as we could, but not to where everyone is completely swamped with finals,” Kayser said. “Pride week has always been very important in our nation, so it’s been nice to have a smaller condensed (celebration) in our smaller community.”

Spectrum held events March 19-23 to celebrate pride week and to promote diversity and inclusion on campus.

Events included creating pronoun nametags, a game night, a “meet the rainbow” event and a talk on transgender and non-binary identities. The events were aimed to advocate for diversity and for acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community on campus.

In an email, Mandie Weinandt, the faculty advisor of Spectrum, said pride week helps create a sense of community and belonging on campus.

“A feeling of belonging is important to all individuals and helps make campus a welcoming space,” Weinandt said.

Olivia Mann, a former member of Spectrum and a member of the LGBTQ+ community at USD, said pride week is important to ensure all students feel at home.

“I think one of the number one benefits (of pride week) is visibility, particularly in a state like South Dakota, where there’s not necessarily a huge LGBTQ+ community and there’s definitely a history of unfriendliness to the LGBTQ+ population,” Mann said. “It’s really important for LGBTQ+ students to see themselves represented and reflected on campus.” 

Weinandt said pride week allows LGBTQ+ students to express themselves.

“Most individuals in the LGBTQ+ community have had experiences where they were not free to express themselves or be who they truly were for fear of non-acceptance, condemnation, or harassment,” Weinandt said. “Pride weeks, months, and events help remind us that we should be proud who we are and that welcome each other’s (individuality).”

Mann said pride week is important for all students on campus, regardless of sexual orientation.

“It’s an opportunity for students who aren’t members of the LGBTQ+ community to learn about that community and learn to practice tolerance and learn about some of the specific issues that that community faces,” Mann said.

Kayser said pride week helps educate students outside the LGBTQ+ community.

“(Pride week) shows how we do have issues and we need allies,” Kayser said “It’s not just us, it’s all of us, it’s the whole university. Although we are different, we are also all the same.”

Weinandt also said pride week allows the LGBTQ+ community an opportunity to welcome allies.

“Pride week provides the opportunity for everyone to understand and learn about the challenges faced by others and celebrate what makes each individual an individual,” Weinandt said. “Our differences should be respected and celebrated!”

Kayser said Spectrum has been on the USD campus for more than 30 years.

“Anyone can join; we are an inclusive to everyone type of group,” Kayser said. “We want to make sure that everyone has a place to come that they feel safe and comfortable interacting with people in… they can feel safe in just being themselves and they don’t have to be someone that they’re actually not.”

Kayser said anyone is welcome to join Spectrum.

“The LGBTQ+ community isn’t just for being gay or trans or anything, it’s about being a loving supporting system for everyone, so everyone can be who they want to be,” Kayser said.

In addition to pride week, Spectrum also celebrates National Coming Out Day in October and hosts drag shows. 

Students who wish to become involved can contact the organization’s email [email protected] or visit the organization’s Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Tumblr.

All meeting times and locations are kept private in the interest of safety for members.