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MCC Daily Tribune

SUNY SPECTRUM Conference to Feature Leading Figures in LGBTQIA+ Fight for Equality

Registration Now Open to the Public, Educators & Free for Students – Register Here

State University of New York has announced the program for its groundbreaking SPECTRUM Conference, which will discuss and address issues impacting the LGBTQIA+ community on campuses and across the country. It will take place September 15 and 16 in person at SUNY's Global Center in Manhattan. SPECTRUM is open to the public, educators, and is free for all SUNY students.

The conference will feature groundbreaking figures in the fields of sports, fashion, and law, including:

  • Schuyler Bailar (he/him), the first transgender athlete to compete in any sport on an NCAA Division 1 men's team.
  • Matt Berstein (he/they), is a creator and social media influencer with a confrontational approach using logic and humor.
  • Amber Briggle (she/they), is an activist, speaker, writer, and mother of a transgender child whose family has made headlines for being subjected to attacks from the Texas state attorney general.

Additionally, the two-day conference will feature an array of experts discussing how campuses can become more inclusive and supportive, institutions can provide queer-allied emotional care, among several other topics. Members of the Presidents Panel are: 

  • Marion Terenzio, SUNY Cobleskill
  • Berenecea Eanes, CUNY York College 
  • Frances Bronet, Pratt Institute
  • Belinda Miles, SUNY Westchester Community College
  • Milly Pena, SUNY Purchase

Sandra Perez, executive director of NYC Pride, will serve as moderator.

Individuals can register at this link here. The program for SPECTRUM is available here.

"The LGBTQIA+ community is diverse and dynamic, the struggles these students encounter are unique and, as leaders in higher education, SUNY is committed to continually fostering a more inclusive campus community. That has never been more urgent than now when, sadly, there are attempts being taken across this country to roll back equality and protections we fought so hard to achieve," said SUNY Interim Chancellor Deborah F. Stanley. "We are here to send a message to every LGBTQIA+ individual that New York welcomes you, SUNY welcomes you, and we will do all we can to guide positive change on college campuses."

The full news release is available on SUNY's website.

Hency Yuen-Eng
Community Relations
09/02/2022