Revere High School Students have revived a discrimination-free club and look to promote social change in the school environment and encourage acceptance.

Revere High School’s revamped club, SPECTRUM, promotes a safe environment for students of all diversities, especially those who affiliate with the LGBTQIA+ community. The club has asked Revere Middle School librarian Kathy Harris to advise the club and its activities.

Seniors Breanna Greenfield and Jillian Godding approached Harris and requested to bring back the Gay-Straight Alliance at Revere High School. The current club members made the executive decision to rename the club SPECTRUM. The club was first started back in 2008 but in recent years has not been active due to lack of student involvement. Greenfield shared why she wanted to kick-start SPECTRUM, and some issues the club wishes to address.

“I wanted to create a safe place for students. Also [I want] to raise awareness for equality and tolerance. There is still discrimination against LGBTQIA+ even though marriage is legal,” Greenfield said.

Godding also discussed why she felt the need to restart the Gay-Straight Alliance at the school.

“I remember in my freshman year wishing there was a club like SPECTRUM, and throughout my years in high school I always talked about making one, so [Greenfield] agreed to help do it with me and provide a safe place where everyone can feel welcome. I wanted to provide a place where freshman to seniors . . . come and feel welcome and be accepted no matter what their sexual identity or preference,” Godding said.

Greenfield discussed what she personally thinks SPECTRUM will bring to the school.

“[SPECTRUM will bring] diversity and tolerability, and help kids have more of an understanding and a secure feeling,” Greenfield said.

Harris has been an LGBTQIA+ rights activist since 1971. Harris explained what her concern is with students.

“Kids are my first concern and their issues. One of them is teen suicide. They are bullied and the thought of it is awful,” Harris said.

Harris shared what she thinks SPECTRUM can do for the Revere community.

“[SPECTRUM will] heighten awareness of the problems that exist in terms of equal treatment for all students, most of all to find allies and good support. It does not matter how you identify, the doors are open for people that have the same views,” Harris said.

Senior Jacob Zimmerman has been one of the students assisting in the initiatives of SPECTRUM. He shared what SPECTRUM will bring to the classrooms at the high school.

“SPECTRUM plans to create a safe environment for all questioning or self-identifying students at Revere. We are going to request of teachers to designate their rooms as ‘safe zones’ that will function as an accepting, safe environment for students. These rooms would also contain resource information for students in need of guidance. We especially want to focus on spreading ideas of acceptance to the parents of Revere students. I could not imagine life without the immense support my parents give me, and I want the same for all other students at Revere,” Zimmerman said.

SPECTRUM plans on meeting every other week on Fridays; the meetings will be held after school in room 200.