PRIDE VIEW

By Abigail Power (she/her)

While June is a historic time to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community with timely celebrations of watershed moments like the Stonewall Uprising and the passing of same-sex marriage in 2015, this community is something we need to celebrate and support all year long! Whether you are an ally, part of the community, needing resources, or interested in learning more, there are so many wonderful people to teach us how we can all be more inclusive and supportive in our daily lives.

We were honored to visit the Rainbow Resource Center at 1202 H Street (you can’t miss it with the “Big Rainbow Flag”)! The Rainbow Resource Center hopes to give those in need of support a “safe space and a soft place to land”. We learned that there are related issues from food insecurity, houselessness, mental health difficulties, and more stemming from circumstances and treatment towards those not accepted due to their sexuality or gender identity. The incredible staff has created programs such as vaccine clinics, education seminars, counseling, support groups, social events, and a “Free Custom Queer Resource Bags” which are available to those in need. The resource bags are an invaluable, discreet service where someone in need could request the “Green Bag” and receive the “Food Insecurity Bag” with ready to eat/cook bags, CalFresh and food bank information, sanitizer and wipes, snack bars or the “Yellow Bag” for the “Personal Hygiene Bag” with a toothbrush, menstrual products, deodorant, and more to provide immediate and beneficial care for those in need.

There are so many events on their calendar from Bagels for Brains, where the Center takes feedback and input from the community on the most pressing issues and needs in our region, to Queer Cuts, where individuals can get gender-affirming styles for free, to “Let’s Talk Over Coffee” where the Senior community can find support and connect every Thursday, to shopping days where people can “shop” the donation closet for gender-affirming clothing.

The Rainbow Resource Center wants you to know that you are not alone and that there is a place for you to explore your feelings, get the resources you need, and forge ahead with love and pride in your life.

Thank you, Rainbow Resource Center, for all that you do in the community to support the LGBTQIA+ community and to bring awareness to allies that can help make the change.

Interested in learning more?

Visit www.BigRainbowFlag.org

Donate By Following the QR Code Below!

Rainbow Resource Center

209-408-8848

1202 H Street Modesto, CA 95354

The LGBTQ+ Pride Education Conference promotes the empowerment, education and enrichment of the LGBTQ+ culture throughout our community with an emphasis on the life changing impact of higher education.

Saturday June 24 from 8:30 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. MSR located at the West Campus

Don’t Miss the Pride Picnic on June 10th hosted by MoPride in Graceada Park! Enjoy a beautiful Saturday in Graceada Park, shop local LGBTQ+ vendors, let the kids run free with games, and celebrate Pride month with your favorite LGBTQ+ organization and community Central Valley Pride Center – MoPride 209-567-2124

400 12th Street Modesto, CA 95354