Spectrum @spectrumljcds - Tumblr Blog

We’re Back!

Hi Spectrum Friends,

We’re going to start using this blog more in the upcoming school year! My name is Pip Lewis (’20) and I’ll be an admin along with Pierre Cozic (’20) and Gabi Grasso (’20). Stay tuned!

#spectrum #glsen #ljcds

hello again— syd; thank you for answering my question about the ace spectrum, it gave me a little more clarity about where i stand and reminded me that it’s okay to be unlabeled. best of luck in college!! ✨

you are so welcome!! so nice to hear back from you 😊 i’m glad to help and definitely feel free to reach out again! ❤️❤️❤️

#anon

i think i might be gray-sexual or demi? maybe? i'm so confused and i have no idea how i figure these things out...

hey! this is syd comin atcha from college! i think that figuring out whether you experience sexual attraction or to what degree you experience sexual attraction can be very difficult in high school simply because everyone develops at a different pace. Even if your friends are starting to have sex or have been having sex for a long time, you personally may not be ready yet. This could mean a) that you simply are developing slower in that regard or that b) you may be on the asexuality spectrum. If it is option B, then you can figure out whether you are gray or demi or ace or whatever fits you. You may not really know whether it’s option A or B for some time.

For demisexuality specifically, it can be difficult to determine whether you are demi or whether you simply prefer to know someone more before you have sex with them. I can’t offer you any simple way to figure this out, but in the end what really matters is that you use terms that you are comfortable with. If putting the demisexual label on yourself makes you more comfortable and helps you understand yourself, then fine! But there is no pressure to label yourself at all if you don’t want to, perhaps especially for the grayer aspects of sexual attraction.

I’m at college, so you can’t come talk to me in person, but you can feel free to reach out to me here anytime! I would also encourage you to go the Spectrum if you do not already or to reach out to our Spectrum leaders (Amy and Sean!)

#anon

When do you come out?

Whenever you are ready! Coming out is a very personal process, and there isn’t any one universally perfect way to do it. There isn’t anything inherently better about coming out early on in life either; if it feels like the right time for you and you are safe, then go for it! If you are feeling apprehensive, maybe come out to just a couple people at first to test the waters. Good luck! ❤❤❤❤❤❤

#anon

How big does being LGBTQ have to be in your personality? For some people, it takes up a large chunk of their life, but for others it's just something small, like liking a certain type of music.

You are exactly right – it really differs for everyone! Everyone’s LGBTQ+ experience is different. For some of us, it is a huge, defining chunk of our personality, but for others it is just another aspect of us, like our favorite color. To answer your question, there is no “right” way to be queer, so that aspect of you can be as big or as small a part of your personality if you would like. I hope that this answered your question – feel free to ask another question or to come in to Spectrum to discuss this! ❤

#anon

Do you think there will ever be a Civil Rights movement for the LGBTQ+ community?

I believe that the LGBTQ+ equivalent of a Civil Rights movement is happening right now. People have been fighting for LGBTQ+ rights for hundreds of years, and there have been several iconic times throughout this fight, from the decriminalization of sodomy to Stonewall to Harvey Milk’s election to the legalization of same-sex marriage. We are a part of that fight. Here’s a cool archive of lots of different events/people/etc. in LGBTQ+ history (I especially like the “Social Sciences and History” tab). Thank you for the interesting ask!

#anon

Have a good day, I know you've been getting a bunch of negative comments through here, so here's a good one! Luv!

Thank you! ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ We appreciate the love!

#anon

I feel pressure sometimes to say that I'm queer or questioning. I don't know what my sexuality is for sure (who can, really) but I'm pretty sure its straight leaning. How do I accept this and be confident in my sexuality around my (mostly queer) friends? I'm worried they will treat me in the same way they are treated by homophobes, or look at me less openness. I understand there's no "straight oppression" on the basis of sexuality, but I still feel pressured sometimes.

Hi! Thank you for the ask! It’s important to remember that your sexuality is a fluid aspect of your life, and it is important to remember that anywhere that you fall on the spectrum is completely acceptable. If your friends are really your friends, they should be accept you irrespective of your sexuality. It’s not so much an issue of oppression as an issue of how nice your friends are. If it’s any consolation I (Syd, a lesbian) have some straight friends! Thank you for your openness, and I appreciate the level of introspection you have achieved in order to have the awareness to ask this question. Let us know if you have any other questions or if this answer did not help you out ❤

#anon

if I don't care whether my gender is he or she or they, and I'd be happy being any/all of them, what label would I fall into?

Just based on this to me it sound like you might be nonbinary! Gender can be pretty complicated, though, so I’m gonna link you to some resources about gender/pronouns/etc. so you can do some more research on your own! Good luck!! Don’t hesitate to ask any other questions you might have or let us know if you want any more resources ♥♥♥♥♥

Here’s a general overview of gender as a spectrum/gender identity: https://www.dropbox.com/s/t7u3f6pzyoqzd0u/Understanding%20Gender_112514.pdf?dl=0

This article is good about what it means to be nonbinary (it has some good stuff about pronouns in there as well): https://www.bustle.com/articles/74316-12-questions-about-non-binary-gender-identity-youve-been-afraid-to-ask-and-real-answers

#anon

List of Trusted Adults on Campus [Updated]

- Ms. Hirschy – [email protected]

- Ms. Bravo – [email protected]

- Ms. Stewart – [email protected]

- Dr. Fine – [email protected]

- Mr. Shulman – [email protected]

- Mr. Uyeda – [email protected]

- Mr. Cameron – [email protected]

- Ms. Felton – [email protected]

- Mr. Norland – [email protected]

- Ms. Gheewala – [email protected]