The hot summer heat and the vibrant hues of the flowers lining the entrance set the perfect scene at the pumpkin patch in Johnson City on September 22. Families and friends gathered to celebrate the season that was to come. People came to roast marshmallows and spend time in each other’s company. The Rainbow Cafe, a beloved local organization, brought their unique charm and mission to the community. Benito Goff informed, “Rainbow Cafe LGBTQ Center is a safe, affirming place for LGBTQIA+ to meet, connect, and find each other – as well as various resources, services, and tools to live happy, healthy lives. Southern Illinois can be a scary place to exist as a queer person, especially outside of Carbondale, which is why RC has grown since it was originally established by local queer-friendly churches in 2000.”
Rainbow Cafe has long been a cornerstone for the LGBTQIA+ community, offering a safe and accepting space for people to gather. It hosts various youth groups tailored to different age ranges, including Arc for ages 9-13, Drop-In for ages 13-18, and Elevate for ages 18-25. The cafe primarily serves as a social hub where individuals can hang out, enjoy snacks, laugh, and listen to music. Additionally, it occasionally holds educational sessions, debates, and gaming activities, including Kahoot with prizes. The venue also provides essential items like condoms and Plan B to encourage safe sex practices. Rainbow Cafe is dedicated to fostering a safe, loving, and inclusive environment for all.“…it’s helped me get closer to a lot of my friends… helped me meet a lot of new people and it really opened my eyes to a lot of things… made me learn to be a lot more accepting. It’s actually helping my mom be a lot more accepting. The more that I went to rc and explained to her the details of my friend’s identity the more she became more accepting,” Nicholas Hansford said, teaching others the way to be a great person.
The kids were told not to eat the corn in the maze, but did they listen? They had all the fun and resources to help them on their path to a brighter future. Any future events? Dawn Bassett said, “Talk to staff about this.”
