Spectrum Community Space

During the first two Saturdays in October, we’ll be hosting a Sports Volunteer Training at Spectrum. If you’re a current volunteer for Spectrum Sports, or you’re interested in becoming one, we ask you attend one of these two sessions. Both sessions are after our usual sports drop-ins from 6:00 - 7:30 PM. If you have any questions about these sessions, please reach out to Mattie at [email protected]

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), together with LGBTQ+ community partners, is conducting a study that examines decisions surrounding the use of crystal m**h.

The study is for gay, bisexual, q***r, and other men-who-have-sex-with men (MSM), cis or trans, who have 1) used crystal m**h, or 2) thought about using it for the first time but decided not to. Participation involves a confidential online survey, which takes approximately 45 minutes to complete. Compensation will be provided for completing the survey.

To participate, go to: https://www.camh.ca/en/science-and-research/research-connect/ontario-project-on-trends-in-the-initiation-of-crystal-m**h (DM for link, or search 'optic' on the CAHM website)

Spectrum on the Spectrum, a group for Autistic people within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, is back next week on Sunday, October 4. We hope to see you there!

Coming up on Saturdays in October, we're going to be focusing on basketball for our multi-sport drop-ins! The first week of October, we'll be doing a basketball clinic to learn some of the skills and basics of basketball. In the following weeks, we'll be building on those skills. Even if you can't make the clinic, all sessions will still be beginner-friendly! These sessions start on October 3, at the Downtown Kitchener Community Centre.

Rainbow Family Breakfast Club is returning on Saturday, October 3rd!

These drop-in hangouts meet the first Saturday of each month, and the third Sunday of each month at Spectrum. This event is geared to families with children aged 0-12, but all ages are welcome. Youth under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. There is no criteria for participation; anyone who feels their family is part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community is welcome. Families can enjoy breakfast cereal*, toys, and art making together.

Next Sunday is the next Big Q***r Hike! This group meets once a month to do a nature hike somewhere within Waterloo Region. This month, we're meeting at Kiwanis Park on October 4. For full meet-up details and information on the hike, visit: ourspectrum.com/events

Reposted with a date correction: Next week we have a special Spectrum Arts group, our first-ever Art Walk & Social! For this session, we'll be meeting at Spectrum and head out for an hour art-walk around Kitchener at 5:15 PM. We'll return to Spectrum around 6:30 PM, and then do some art and socialize in the space. Join us for the walk, the social, or both!

Next week we have a special Spectrum Arts group, our first-ever Art Walk & Social! For this session, we'll be meeting at Spectrum and head out for an hour art-walk around Kitchener at 5:15 PM. We'll return to Spectrum around 6:30 PM, and then do some art and socialize in the space. Join us for the walk, the social, or both!

Today is Celebrate Bisexuality Day, also known as Bisexual Visibility Day! This is a great day to reach out to the folks in your life who are bisexual and remind them how much they mean to you, and how proud of them you are.

While more folks than ever are identifying as bisexual, interestingly, bisexual erasure is still som**hing that happens often within the 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Erasure can look like: assuming all straight-passing couples aren't q***r, assuming bisexual people are 'on the path' to being fully gay, or assuming bisexual people are less monogamous than anyone else. These are all myths that we are still working to dismantle within our community and beyond. If you notice it in your circles, make sure to shut down and educate so your bisexual friends don't have to!

If you're a bisexual person looking for community, consider coming out to our next Bi & Pan Space, happening October 20 from 7:00 - 9:00 PM at Spectrum. For full info, go to: ourspectrum.com/events

Internationally beloved drag icon Sasha Velour is coming to Kitchener's Centre In The Square on October 4th with her new theatre show, Travesty.

Travesty traces the secret q***r history of a single spot throughout time — A witch burns in a field; a clown builds a theater; an underground gay bar rises up against the police. As Velour embodies different characters through a series of jaw-dropping lip-syncs, she invites you to take part in the cycle of existence, resistance, and camp that IS drag. Part performance art, part history, part call to action, Travesty will have you screaming at the top of your lungs, dancing in the aisles, and inspired to “change the muthaf*ckin’ world!”

Velour is known for her unique fusion of lip sync performance, video art, and storytelling. She is the winner of Season 9 of RuPaul’s Drag Race (2017), the founder and host of New York City’s legendary drag revue NightGowns (since 2015) and has toured two celebrated one-queen theater shows around the world—Smoke & Mirrors (2019-2022), and The Big Reveal (2023-2025).

Tickets available at: https://centreinthesquare.com/event/sasha-velour-travesty/