OUR STORY
Spectrum Resource Center was established in 2021 by founder, Dallas Martinez. Dallas was inspired by the numerous LGBTQ+ centers that provided them with refuge, support, and community along their life journey from coming out as a lesbian at 14 in Texas, living as a masculine butch lesbian in several cities, including Dallas, Denver, and Phoenix, to transitioning to trans masc. Throughout high school, college, and law school they benefitted from the resources that these community spaces provided. Dallas envisioned a place where they could one day take qualities and facets from these resource centers and share them with their new community in Seattle, Washington.
In 2020, the COVID 19 pandemic shut down community centers and safe spaces for LGBTQ+ folx across the nation, and globe. Even coffeeshops, movie theaters, bookstores, and nightclubs were no longer options to meet with friends and experience representation through media. It was during this time in quarantine that Dallas decided to form SRC and give members of the LGBTQ+ community of all ages another option to find camaraderie, representation, and seek support.
MISSION
Spectrum Resource Center’s mission is to serve the LGBTQIA2S+ community with an intentional emphasis on cultivating intergenerational and intersectional spaces and experiences, as well as providing education and awareness for allies.
VISION
This non-profit community effort will provide education, outreach, enrichment programming, and resources for members of our intergenerational and intersectional LGBTQIA2S+ community remotely and in-person. Our community members will always have a space or experience to be a part of that is representative and inclusive of themselves.
PURPOSE
There are a variety of barriers and risks that disproportionately affects those that identify and/or are perceived to be on the LGBTQIA2S+ spectrum. Spectrum Resource Center was founded to address the past and ongoing oppression and traumas that impact our intergenerational and intersectional LGBTQIA2S+ community as a whole and individually. Our purpose is to provide harm reducing activities and experiences that generate peace and joy in an effort to produce a sense of justice.
VALUES
Respect
Action with Intention
Integrity
Inclusiveness
Equity in Practice
Evolve
Elevate