Greetings, Fanshawe, it's good to be back! If you're an old familiar like me, welcome back, hope you're looking forward to the year as much as I am; if you're a new student, I hope you take time to explore all the opportunities this school has to offer and find ways to make your years here memorable.

Myself, I practically live in the college. I have to say I have a lot of pride in this school, particularly in some of the things I've had the chance to do here and will be doing again this year, like the school club I run, Spectrum Fanshawe.

For those of you who have never heard of Spectrum, let me introduce you. Spectrum is an LGBTQ2+ group (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Questioning, Two Spirited and Allies). We've been on campus for three years running so far I was President during Spectrum's second year, and I'm proud to lead our fourth year now.

Over the years, Spectrum has been a safe and positive space for gay students to meet and hang out, and to talk about issues that affect us; it has provided support and referral services, advice and advocacy. We've held fundraisers for community groups, doing the AIDS Walk for Life for three years in a row, a Toy Drive in second year, we've hosted pub nights and coffee-houses, and you can count on seeing things like that happening again this year on campus.

That's part of what we do, but here's the thing ... this club is about YOU and YOUR needs as a student, and it can be whatever you want to make of it, so I'm sending out a call for you to join up. Whether you're gay or straight and gay positive, whether you're looking to make friends and meet interesting people or get involved on a deeper level, we have something to offer to you.

Remember, we've got Pride here at Fanshawe — join us and help us show it!

For more information about the group and meetings, email spectrumfanshawe@gmail.com.