In this episode, Robin celebrates PRIDE month by showcasing a very special group of young people from a Los Angeles-based non-profit organization called RAINBOW LABS. Rainbow Labs creates a series of after-school programming (both in-person and online), seeking to mentor and support underserved Queer and Gender Non-Conforming (QGNC) youth ages 12-18. The idea of Rainbow Labs, launched in 2020, was to address the unique challenges faced by queer and gender nonconforming youth. The content of the labs are designed by QGNC youth for QGNC youth, led by a team of mentors who are trained in trauma-informed care, cultural competency, and youth development. Rainbows Labs is essentially a safe space to explore identity, life skills and empower QGNC to participate in real-world applications.  The Mission of Rainbow Labs is to embolden Queer and Gender Nonconforming youth to discover, curate and experiment with the elements of a fulfilled life through community building and the lived experiences of mentors. Their Vision is a world in which all Queer and Gender Nonconforming Youth see themselves as co-creators of an equitable, and progressive society.

In this episode, you will learn…

• The importance of youth having queer representation to meet, know and work with; as well as the importance of LGBTQIA+ just being kids, and not always having to be “on” as advocates protesting or picketing.
• Why we, as newly queer youth and queer adults, want and need to be recognized and accepted as queer in all of our respective communities.
• Why acceptance from our loved ones and close friends is critical to us.
• How damaging and harmful it can be when we’re told by family members, parents, siblings, that, “it’s ok to be queer, but just don’t tell anyone, keep it to yourself.
• The similarities and the differences that BOTH of our generations face in the challenges of coming out and living our authentic selves.
• Queer youth coming-out to their parents; and queer moms coming-out to their (queer) children.
• What does QGNC stand for? Queer & Gender Nonconforming.
• The Women Loving Women (Virtual) Speaker Summit is on Saturday, June 25th at 3pm EST. Sign up using this Calendly link: https://calendly.com/womenlovingwomen/women-loving-women-speaker-summit-2  

Links to resources:

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STAY TUNED: A NEW PAID MEMBERSHIP WLW COMMUNITY:

Robin is launching a new, safe ‘n secure Community for all women who love women in Circle.so. This new paid membership community will be officially launching during PRIDE Month - June 2022. Stay tuned for more details.

RAINBOW LABS:

www.rainbowlabs.org

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