Kaleidoscope - Serving Brethren and Mennonite Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Allied Youth, Young Adults, and their Families

Two recent Mennonite college graduates founded The College Network (TCN) in 1996 with the help of the Brethren Mennonite Council for Lesbian and Gay Concerns (BMC). Recently, TCN has changed its name to Kaleidoscope to broaden its scope of inclusivity, while maintaining a focus on students.

Kaleidoscope is a supportive and resource-sharing network for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT), questioning and allied people on peace church campuses, but includes those in high school, young people in general, and those young in spirit. Kaleidoscope provides opportunities to make connections, receive support, and be active in local communities. Faculty, alumni, and supportive individuals are also involved within the church and beyond. Ways Kaleidoscope provides support for students on campuses and young adults include:

• Establishing educational programs for residence life staff and interested individuals.
• Keeping the lines of communication open between faculty, staff, students, and alumni.
• Connecting students, young people and recent alumni via its email listserv, K-Scope.
• Increasing youth and young adult presence at BMC gatherings and retreats by offering scholarships.

Coming Out Strong Blog

The Coming Out Strong blog is sponsored by the Kaleidoscope program of BMC and is focused on the perspectives of youth and young adults who identify with the BMC community (Brethren or Mennonite related and lgbtqa). The blog includes commentary and news on a range of topics that relate to BMC. Some of these will include: lgbtq issues, language, homophobia, the church, Mennonites, Brethren, politics, culture, faith, being young, privilege, current events, school, theology, humor, coming out, stories, and family.

If you are interested contributing some of your thoughts to the blog, please contact Kaleidoscope Coordinator Carrie Fry-Miller at kaleidoscope@bmclgbt.org.

What is K-Scope?

K-Scope is an electronic forum where LGBT and supportive individuals gather. K-Scope is a support group, a place to find answers to questions about campus organizing, a spiritual release, a place to just “hang out” and maybe discover what is important to today’s LGBT-supportive young people.

To sign up for K-Scope, send a message to K-Scope-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Resources

The Kaleidoscope LGBT Continuum of Care: From Brethren and Mennonite Colleges and Universities

Resource Packet
A collection of resources for individuals on Brethren and Mennonite campuses on issues as they relate to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people.

Safe Zone Packet
Safe Zone Training materials help allies learn more about the lgbtq community and how they can become more supportive. They were created with Brethren and Mennonite College and University campuses in mind but are flexible for other settings. Please contact Brethren Mennonite Council for LGBT Interests if you are interested in leading or hosting a training in your area.

Student and Alumni Groups

BMC’s Kaleidoscope Program is very pleased to announce the creation of college and university student and alumni list serve groups for all Mennonite and Brethren colleges, universities, and seminaries. Lgbt and supportive students, faculty, staff, administration and alumni are welcome to join these Yahoo groups to connect with others related to these colleges. For example, alumni can use these groups to meet up with others at homecoming weekend or reunions, and students can use these groups to tell alumni what is happening on campus for networking and advocacy. The stated purposes of the groups are:

1. Increase the visibility of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender alumni, faculty, staff and students.
2. Improve the lgbt student experience by connecting with alumni and creating professional and social network opportunities.
3. Communicate events of interest to the lgbta community.
4. Provide opportunities to share information and resources to encourage advocacy on behalf of lgbt alumni and students.
5. Increase support of lgbt interests on campus, support the activities of lgbt and lgbta campus groups, and help effect positive change in campus policy and programming.

Use these links to get to the sites to join the group from your college, university, or seminary and to start making engaging connections:

• Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary
• Bethany Theological Seminary
• Bethel College
• Bluffton College
• Bridgewater College
• Canadian Mennonite University
• Conrad Grebel University College
• Eastern Mennonite Seminary
• Eastern Mennonite University
• Elizabethtown College
• Goshen College
• Hesston College
• Juniata College
• Manchester College
• McPherson College
• University of La Verne