Rainbow Resource Center

Over the past couple of weeks at the University of Wyoming, several harmful incidents affecting UW’s LGBTQIAP2S+ community occurred at queer-specific campus events and in the Wyoming Union. These incidents, within three days of each other, included alarming behavior that disrupted those campus events, and a student in the trans community was targeted and publicly harassed by an individual tabling in the Wyoming Union. The Rainbow Resource Center (RRC) located in the Wyoming Union became a central hub on campus where crisis management and support outreach were offered in the moment and in the days after. The RRC is a critical resource to the queer and trans community at UW, and the services offered are vital to student success, safety, and belonging. 

All funds raised through this campaign will go towards supporting the RRC and the queer and trans community at UW.

Mission of the Rainbow Resource Center:  

“The Rainbow Resource Center serves as a resource for the students, faculty, and staff of the University of Wyoming, as well as for members of the Laramie, and Wyoming community. Our goal is to provide a safe and supportive place for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex, asexual, two-spirit, and queer individuals and their families and friends. The RRC welcomes all regardless of sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religion, age, gender, or affiliation with the University."

Services Provided in the Rainbow Resource Center: 

1. LGBTQIAP2S+ Resources & Support: Resources in the Rainbow Resource Center include informational LGBTQIAP2S+ brochures, LGBTQIAP2S+ stickers, pronoun buttons, LGBTQIAP2S+ pride identity flags, queer and trans-focused books, and more. Multicultural Affairs Queer Program Advisor Wolfgang (they/them) office is down the hall from the Rainbow Resource Center and is available for drop-in advising appointments for UW LGBTQIAP2S+ community members.

2. Meeting Space for UW LGBTQIAP2S+ student organizations 

3. Computer Lab & Study Area: During regular weekly business hours each semester (Monday-Friday, 8 am-5 pm) the Rainbow Resource Center is open for students to access computers, and printing. 

4. MA Queer-Specific Programming 

• LGBTQIAP2S+ Student Circle: The goal of the LGBTQIAP2S+ Student Circle is to provide an affirming space, support for well-being and a sense of belonging, and development for LGBTQIA2S+ students in a rural college setting. Each week, students meet up for a meal and community-building circles that support identity development with opportunities to make connections with peers 
• Gender Affirming Series: From Multicultural Affairs and Wyoming Equality, the Gender Affirming Series connects Wyoming’s queer community to gender-affirming resources. Each month, guest speaker(s) are invited to speak on gender-affirming topics.  
• Celebrating Identity-Based Holidays: Throughout the year there are special awareness days and/or days dedicated to identities within the LGBTQIAP2S+ community. On these days, the Rainbow Resource Center celebrates by providing both baked goods decorated in the identity pride colors and informational resources on that specific LGBTQIAP2S+ identity. 

Upcoming Projects for the Rainbow Resource Center (RRC):  

Multicultural Affairs utilizes the RRC discretionary fund on specific items for the RRC to directly benefit and support UW LGBTQIAP2S+ members.  Listed below are some of the more common ways funds are used for the Rainbow Resource Center and/or upcoming projects the Rainbow Resource Center is looking into funding.  

• Restocking and/or Updating of Resources  
• Updating Technology 
• Queer Library 
• Gender Affirming Closet