The Rainbow Family of Living Light (commonly shortened to the Rainbow Family) is a loosely affiliated group of individuals committed to principles of non-violence and egalitarianism. They put on events known as Rainbow Gatherings.
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The Rainbow Family was founded in 1968 as an extension of the Human Be-In in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park. Since 1972, the Family has been holding their annual Gatherings in National Forests during the first week of July each year. Regional Gatherings are also held throughout the year in the United States, as are national and regional gatherings in dozens of other countries. These Gatherings are non-commercial, and all who wish to attend peacefully are welcome to participate. There are no leaders, and traditionally the Gatherings last for a week in length, with the primary focus being on the Fourth of July in the U.S., when attendees pray, meditate, and/or observe silence in a group effort to focus on World Peace. Thus, the name Rainbow Family of Living Light. Most gatherings elsewhere in the world last a month from new moon to new moon, with the full moon being the peak celebration. Rainbow Gatherings emphasize welcoming people of all races, religions, ethnicities, and social status, with the common thread being a spiritual focus towards peace, love, and unity.
Those who attend Rainbow Gatherings come from all walks of life, and work together on a variety of goals, among which are intentional communities, ecology, spirituality, and an expanded tolerance for others. Attendees refer to one another as Rainbows, or often as Brother or Sister to help reinforce the emphasis upon their belief system that all people are not only related as part of the human race, but as members of a family, and should thus be given the respect deserved in such a relationship. Group Councils, the only form of government, are held regularly, with attendance being open to all interested parties and decisions being reached through consensus. Further, money is never exchanged at Rainbow Gatherings. Instead, everything that you need is free, and anything you want can be obtained in barter - usually at Trade Circle. Someone holding a magic hat walks around (usually with others playing musical instruments and singing) and collects donations to buy supplies for main supply. As the peaceful and egalitarian practices of the Rainbow Family often set it apart from the many cultures outside of each gathering, the area within has become known to participants as "Rainbowland" for the duration of each event. In critical contrast to this, the world outside of gatherings is referred to as "Babylon."
The imbibing of alcohol (often viewed as a substance that encourages violence and disharmony) is highly frowned upon within Rainbowland. Thus, at U.S. gatherings, drinking is most often limited to the first camp, known as "A Camp," found just past the main entrance of each gathering. However, other recreational drugs are tolerated within the main camp.
The organization is a loose international affiliation of individuals who have a common goal of trying to achieve peace and love on Earth. Those who participate in, or sympathize with, the activities of this group sometimes refer to the group simply as the "Family." Rainbow Family participants make the claim that their group is the "largest non-organization of non-members in the world." In addition to referring to itself as a non-organization, the group's "non-members" also even playfully call the group a "disorganization." There are no official leaders or structure, no official spokespersons, and no formalized membership. Strictly speaking, the only goals are set by each individual, as no individual can claim to represent all Rainbows in word or deed. Also contained within the domain of Rainbow Family philosophy are the ideals of creating an intentional community, showing respect for indigenous peoples and culture, practicing ecology and environmentalism, embodying spirituality and conscious evolution, and practicing non-commercialism.[1]
All Rainbow Gatherings are held with an open invitation to people of all walks of life, and of all beliefs, to share experiences, love, dance, music, food, and learning.
The Rainbow Family is most widely known for its large annual American Gatherings (i.e. U.S. "Nationals" or "Annuals") which are held on U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (or "B.L.M.") land. These U.S. Annual Gatherings usually attract between 10,000 and 25,000 participants.
In addition to these larger U.S. Annuals, the Rainbow Family also holds Gatherings throughout the year in dozens of other countries. "World Gatherings" are also held from time to time in various countries. Other Rainbow Family activities include regional Gatherings (or Regionals) and retreats. There are also small, local activities such as local drum circles, potlucks, music related events, and campouts.
The Forest Service Incident Management team cost federal taxpayers $750,000 in 2006, and the team handled the Gathering in Colorado that year and other large events in National Forests. By comparison, the Burning Man festival, unconnected to the Rainbow Family, is a commercial venture that operates each year in the Black Rock Desert of Nevada, pays the Bureau of Land Management $750,000 for a permit, and recoups the cost by charging attendees between $210 and $360 .[2] Controversies over the Rainbow Family's 1987 Gathering are discussed in the book Judge Dave and the Rainbow People.
The environmental impact of the Rainbow Family is often significant; easily overwhelming the meager resources available at most National Forest campgrounds. Members of the Rainbow Family have previously used nearby medical facilities and have left significant bills unpaid, as well as costing local animal control agencies who treated parvovirus amongst the dogs at the Rainbow Gathering in 2006.[3] Though the Rainbow Family removes its trash after a gathering, the Forest Service has criticized their cleanup efforts as being only "cosmetic" and "not rehabilitation by any stretch of the imagination." Cleanup crews have had to bury compost piles and cover fire pits.
In July 2011 a woman, Marie Hanson, went missing in Washington State after attending a Rainbow Gathering event. [4] The local Sheriff's office reportedly refused to use tracking dogs at the site, stating they were not sure a crime had taken place. [5] In October 2011, human remains and jewelry were found near the woman's campsite. [6]
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