Rochester Rainbow Union

Rochester Rainbow Union Rochester's oldest LGBTQ+ Resource Center and Library
To donate: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YCU9FH9HFJ2UG

Mission Statement
The Out Alliance uplifts and supports all members of the greater Rochester rainbow community through inclusive and equitable outreach, education, and collaboration. Vision Statement
To create lasting and ever-evolving change for all members of the greater Rochester rainbow community at any stage of the coming out process with mindfulness of their well-being. To donate: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=YCU9FH9HFJ2UG

We’re honored to be a beneficiary of Elton John Impact Awards – celebrating the changemakers who are redefining culture ...
05/28/2026

We’re honored to be a beneficiary of Elton John Impact Awards – celebrating the changemakers who are redefining culture and uplifting the LGBTQ+ community. 🌈

Because of this support and visibility from The Elton John Impact Awards, and The Looking Out Foundation, Rochester Rainbow Union is able to build the Lilac Library, offer our gender-expansive clothing closet, offer free community meeting space, and much more!

This year’s honorees – including Jonathan Bailey, Laverne Cox, Melissa Etheridge, Billie Jean King, Orville Peck and Chappell Roan – have driven change, shaped culture and made a positive impact on society.

05/22/2026

Harvey Milk's legacy is honored every May 22 as Harvey Milk Day. Here's a little bit about exactly who the iconic advocate for LGBTQ+ rights was.

Correction: Poster should say Sunday June 28th!Happy Friday Rochester Rainbow friends and family!Its final official, the...
05/22/2026

Correction: Poster should say Sunday June 28th!

Happy Friday Rochester Rainbow friends and family!

Its final official, the Empty Closet launches June 28th! The team of writers and creators led by Evan Bobrow have labored for close to a year interviewing leaders like Stanley Martin, documenting history, writing columns, laying out designs, and building upon the legacy of this piece of Rochester’s literary cultural LGBTQ+ history!

Join us that Sunday from 2-4 pm to pick up your copy and listen to speakers talking about the creation process and the history of the EC! We’ll start right at 2 with some proclamations and celebrations from local leaders of Rochester honoring this day! The Rainbow Union and Lilac Library will also host their Open House at the same time. You can view some of the archived physical collections of the Empty Closet in our collection 😊

Thank you to Genesee Valley Council on the Arts for their support of the Empty Closet! And thank you to those who have stewarded the Empty Closet throughout its history like Susan Jordan!

We look forward to celebrating this publication in community with you all!

Yours in Pride,

Andrew Moran
President
[email protected]

Happy Friday Rochester Rainbow Union friends and family! I hope you’re soaking in the Vitamin D today!First, I want to t...
05/15/2026

Happy Friday Rochester Rainbow Union friends and family! I hope you’re soaking in the Vitamin D today!

First, I want to talk briefly about succession planning. I’ve been in this role for 4 years, and while I’m not leaving quite yet, the board is beginning early discussions around passing the baton. I love the work I’m able to do for the community, but I also want the organization to grow with new generations of leaders holding different perspectives, approaches, and viewpoints (I wouldn’t complain about having more free time as well haha). I believe any community-serving organization needs transparency and community involvement; our succession plans will require these as well. We will keep you updated as these initial discussions evolve into strategies and action items.

Now, an exciting announcement for June’s Q***r Art Club; Spotted Rabbit is holding a mental health day at the Rainbow Union! Stop in Sunday June 7th from 2-4 pm and tie-dye tote bags (materials provided) or bring something meaningful of your own to transform! Join others in connection and gentle restoration as we slow down, create alongside others, and be held in community!

We’re deep in Pride planning season! Our events and marketing committee is hard at work:
• Preparing for our “Annual Open House and Volunteer Thank You” on June 28th! This year it will also be part of the official Empty Closet launch event!
• Planning a Pride month comedy special
• Creating our first restaurant-based fundraiser, “Eat Out Rochester,” with more information coming soon!
• Organizing a special Gallery Q show to benefit another local non-profit
• Scheduling all our Pride month tabling and volunteer experiences!
We hope to see you at many of these events!

Finally, a couple more board announcements. This week we elected board members Moe Connell as Vice-President and Jimmy Paulino as Secretary. Jimmy is taking over the secretary position from Moe as she becomes our first RRU Vice-President.

Yours in Pride,

Andrew Moran
President
[email protected]

P.S. Don’t forget about our Quarterly Community Council Meeting on Monday!

05/15/2026

As we begin Mental Health Awareness Week this week (May 11-17), we’re honoring the many ways care and healing can look. It can be conversation, rest...and color, creativity, and belonging.💛

In that spirit, we'd like to announce June’s Q***r Art Club theme: Mental Health Day, in honor of Pride Month. We will have a free tie-dye gathering, mental health and relationship supports, and a little something-something for your closet too!

🗓 Sunday, June 7 | 2–4pm (no registration required; drop in anytime!)

📍 Rochester Rainbow Union | 50 Prince Street, Rochester, NY

The happenings:✨

🎨June’s Q***r Art Club project: Tie-Dye
A relaxed tie-dye gathering where you can create, connect, and just be yourself. We’ll have free tote bags available to tie-dye, or bring your own item to transform! All dye materials provided. Gloves and wipes will also be on hand.

💜Relationship & Gender-Affirming Support
Patrick DiFlorio, LCSW & Erin Davis, MHC Intern from Rochester Center for S*xual Wellness will also join us to share information about:
• S*x therapy & relationship therapy
• Gender-affirming letters
• LGBTQIAP+ group
• Mental health resources & support

👚Fresh Out of the Closet With Rochester Rainbow Union
• FREE clothing closet T-shirts
• Rochester Rainbow Union shirts available for purchase

Join us for a colorful afternoon of creativity, community, and mental health connection! This is a low-pressure, welcoming space...come hang out, make art, meet community members, and learn about supportive resources available locally. Come as you are.💜

🎨Every hue of you is welcome.

***rArtClub +

We're partnering with South East Area Coalition for a clean-up day at the AIDS Memorial Garden! Join community on May 23...
05/11/2026

We're partnering with South East Area Coalition for a clean-up day at the AIDS Memorial Garden! Join community on May 23rd at 3 pm!

Save the date for our annual open house on June 28th (the anniversary of our official re-opening as well as Stonewall)! ...
05/07/2026

Save the date for our annual open house on June 28th (the anniversary of our official re-opening as well as Stonewall)! Our dedicated events committee is still finalizing details, so stay tuned for updates!

Yours in Pride,

Andrew Moran
President

P.S. I'm travelling for work so this counts as your weekly update 😎

Address

50 Prince Street
Rochester, NY
14607

Opening Hours

Wednesday 6pm - 8pm
Sunday 2pm - 4pm

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