Upcoming Events
Past Events
Kukuly Uriarte - Oct. 18, 2008Gypsy jazz singer and guitarist Kukuly Uriarte returned to Spectrum Cafe, bringing her international perspective and unique musical talent, along with the rest of the Johnson Swingtet.
Fall 2008 Kickoff and Reunion
The second Spectrum of August was a very special one. A half dozen former Spectrum patrons took time off to attend the reunion, including TJ, who came all the way from Winston-Salem, N.C.
AND four new youth attended as well, for a total of over 20 youth.
Candlelight Vigil
Some 35 people gathered in downtown Knoxville on a rainy Friday evening, Feb. 29, 2008, in memory of Lawrence King, the 15-year-old student who was shot and killed by a fellow student in class in Oxnard, CA, on Feb. 12. Lawrence's classmates report that Lawrence was killed because of his gender expression.
For more information, see the Website of the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN).
New Year's Eve Party
Spectrum held its annual New Year's Eve Party and had a great time!
July 25, 2006
Teens Lead Rally and March
Led by the courage and determination of teenagers, over 200 people rallied, held hands and marched along the streets of downtown Knoxville July 25 in support of the right of same-sex couples to hold hands in public without fear of harassment or intimidation.
The idea for the demonstration stemmed from an incident in which two Spectrum teens, Jake Green and Conrad Honicker, were harassed and threatened because they dared to hold hands on a stroll through Tyson Park earlier this year. With the support of their peers, they agreed to make a very public and symbolic statement asserting their basic rights as human beings.
"We're here gathered today to not only assert our right to hold hands, but to exist freely without any hostility, harassment, or violence," Conrad stated at the rally. "I stand here with you, proud to be here, and eager to say we have had enough hate, we have had enough prejudice, and we have had enough animosity towards the Queer community."
Other speakers were Rev. Chris Buice of TVUUC, Rev. Bob Galloway of Metropolitan Community Church, and Rev. John Gill of Church of the Savior, along with representatives from the Highlander Center in Jefferson County, the Community House Cooperative in Newport, and PFLAG (Parents, Family and Friends of Lesbians and Gays).
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"I would like to invite you to join hands with a friend or partner of the same gender," Conrad said at the end of the rally. "Remember every couple who has been judged, harassed and hurt, for doing exactly what you will be doing. Think of them and know that by doing this you are making an unbelievably powerful statement."
Same-sex teen couples holding hands were then surrounded by same-sex adult couples holding hands in a silent and extremely moving display of human dignity and communal solidarity. This was followed by a three-block march, mostly on Gay Street, that ended the historic gathering.
And make no mistake - it WAS historic: the first teen-led gay rights demonstration in the history of Knoxville and East Tennessee.
April 15, 2006
Discussion centered on how to respond to an incident that occurred in Tyson Park on April 5, when two teen boys (& Spectrum members) were harassed and physically threatened on a walk through the park. They were holding hands, a simple expression of affection that caused two groups of people in the park to call them names. The teens felt physically threatend by two men from one group who started following them. Fortunately the two teens were able to leave the park without incident. Hetereosexual teen couples can hold hands without fear of being harmed or verbally abused. The Spectrum teens want the same acceptance for same-sex teen couples.
March 18, 2006
We watched the movie "Ma Vie en Rose," a film about a young French boy who has difficulty convincing his family that he is really a girl. A very poignant story that raises some very basic issues regarding gender and gender orientation.
March 4, 2006
Rick Sawyer led a discussion about "coming out" -- coming out of the closet to tell family, friends and others that one is gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender.
A Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Rick is the Adult Corrections Coordinator at Helen Ross McNabb Center, where he has been in mental health work for 20 years. He is an active member of PFLAG (Parents Family & Friends of Lesbians and Gays), and he is the facilitator for the Gay Men's Support Group, which meets on Monday nights at TVUUC, 2931 Kingston Pike.
New Years Eve Party
Spectrum is having a New Years party! On New Years Eve at 8pm - 12:30 at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church. Donations will be taken at the door...please bring food to share. Wear a costume and/or a mask if you want to. View the flyer Here
October 1
A committed gay couple -- Robert, a college professor, and John, an attorney -- will talk about their experiences when they came out to their friends and families, along with work issues, marriage and gay rights.
November 5
Andrea, a bisexual and a 2000 graduate of a Knox County high school, will speak about her transition from a conservative high school to a liberal college and beyond. She will speak about confusion and stereotypes surrounding bisexuals as well as the importance of being part of a LGBT community.