We all come from different backgrounds, but together we LGBTQ+ people make a proud family that has been involved in the battle for equal rights for nearly five decades. We at the Rainbow Center want to work for you and with you to make everyone equal. We want to create more safe spaces, dismantle bullying in our schools, and make education, equal housing, LGBTQ+ healthcare, and a safe public environment our top priorities.
LIST OF ISSUES
EDUCATION
Promoting mainstream education about lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) issues is wholly important in settings from the classroom to the board room. We support the full inclusion of people who are disadvantaged because of their sexual orientation, sexual identity and their expression. By identifying and sharing educational resources, we can enhance the lives of both LGBTQ folks and our allies.
HOUSING
The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits housing discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, and familial status (i.e., presence of children under the age of 18 in the household or pregnancy). The Fair Housing Act does not specifically include sexual orientation and gender identity as prohibited bases. However, discrimination against a lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) person may be covered by the Fair Housing Act if it is based on non-conformity with gender stereotypes.
HEALTHCARE
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals often face challenges and barriers to accessing needed health services and, as a result, can experience worse health outcomes. These challenges can include stigma, discrimination, violence, and rejection by families and communities, as well as other barriers, such as inequality in the workplace and health insurance sectors, the provision of substandard care, and outright denial of care because of an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
While sexual and gender minorities have many of the same health concerns as the general population, they experience certain health challenges at higher rates, and also face several unique health challenges. In particular, research suggests that some subgroups of the LGBT community have more chronic conditions as well as higher prevalence and earlier onset of disabilities than heterosexuals. Other major health concerns include HIV/AIDS, mental illness, substance use, and sexual and physical violence. In addition to the higher rates of illness and health challenges, some LGBT individuals are more likely to experience challenges obtaining care. Barriers include gaps in coverage, cost-related hurdles, and poor treatment from health care providers.
SAFE ENVIRONMENTS
A "safe space" is a place or environment in which a person or category of people can feel confident that they will not be exposed to discrimination, harassment, or any other emotional or physical harm. It is critical to establish safe environments in primary, secondary, and even post-secondary school settings in order to provide a network of support and understanding. Our hope is that with education and patience, we can help make every place a safe place.
DIVERSITY
Not only does our signature rainbow represent myriad gender identities and sexualities, but it is also reflective of the variations in ethnicity, color, religion, age, disability, marital status, and citizenship. We truly are a multicolored, multifaceted community. Diversity and inclusion are paramount to foster a more creative, innovative, and compassionate society.