‘GrasseRoots’ Literary Magazine Celebrates SUNY Canton Pride

SUNY Canton’s annual “GrasseRoots” literary magazine celebrates the college’s thriving LGBTQ+ community.

The month of April is designated as Campus Pride Month and is the start of festivals and national celebratory gatherings happening across the United States honoring LGBTQ+ culture.

Funded by a SUNY Canton College Foundation Campus Enhancement Grant awarded to SPECTRUM, the college’s LGBTQ+ student club, organizers solicited stories, poetry, creative non-fiction, digital artwork, and animations that reflect the individuality and character of the students, staff, faculty, and alumni.

“Over the past year, SPECTRUM has collected and curated submissions to create the labor of love we now present to you in this special issue,” said GrasseRoots editor and Associate Professor Melissa E. Lee, who teaches English at the college. “I’m thrilled with the variety of creative works that were submitted, and I’m equally thrilled that so many different people from the SUNY Canton community contributed to this effort.”

Lee, who has been the primary faculty advisor for the SPECTRUM club for the past 14 years, compiled thoughts from allies who had interactions with the LGBTQ+ community in line with the college’s motto, “Everyone is Welcome Here,” in the digital magazine’s non-fiction section. It stands alongside more than 20 other creative works aligned around the central themes of acceptance and personal experience.