Rainbow Alley
Rainbow Alley is a drop-in center for GLBTQ young people in Denver, Colorado. It is administered by the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of Colorado and provides health services, counseling and referral, youth-lead events and activities to young people aged 12 to 21.
History
The center was founded on June 4, 1998. Its mission was to provide support and facilities for GLBTQ young people, their families and their allies in an environment free from discrimination, hate, drugs, tobacco and alcohol. The center describes its belief in empowerment, teamwork and respecting individuality to achieve its mission.
Facilities
The center has a medical clinic, computer lab, library, kitchen, dance floor, games facilities, and open hang-out space.
The center offers resources on employment and training, education, housing, health, drugs, and safe sex. Staff and trained volunteers at the center consult on family conflict, dating relationships and independent living.
Programs
Support and Discussion Groups
Discussion groups administered by the center address drug and alcohol use, HIV and AIDS, coming out, suicide prevention, personal safety, and difficulties at school.
Speaker's Bureau
Center users can volunteer for training to speak in schools, churches and professional agencies about their experience as GLBT youth.
Annual Events
Youth, staff and volunteers at Rainbow Alley run two annual events, Gaybutante Ball (a coming out ritual borrowed from the debutante ball tradition) and Queer Prom (allowing members to attend a prom with their choice of date, without fear of harassment or discrimination).
Activities
The center offers a weekly dinner, movie nights, art activities, talent shows, open mic nights, dances, drag shows and outings to events including baseball games and the theater.
Membership and management
All Rainbow Alley activities are created and run by youth participants, supervised by and in partnership with trained adults, who in turn train youth leaders in peer-based support.
Center users can become members on completion of two classes on GLBTQ terminology, homophobia, and myths and assumptions about the GLBTQ community. Membership status allows users to volunteer at the center and to participate in monthly field trips, quarterly sleep-over/lock-ins, and an annual camping trip.
Youth Leadership Council
The center's monthly calendar of events, activities and fundraisers is designed by the Youth Leadership Council (YLC), a group of Rainbow Alley Members who wish to become leaders at the center and in the greater GLBTQ community. The YLC serves also as the center's Justice Council, dealing with incidents of rule-breaking at the center. YLC members are trained to participate in Speakers Bureau and in the center's Street Outreach Team.
Paid Peer Staff
Volunteer youth staff at the center are responsible for greeting program participants, entering census data and maintaining the facility. Peer staff are trained to deliver education on safe sex, HIV prevention, and smoking avoidance.