Rainbow Rose Center

Opened in May of 2019 as a 100% volunteer-based organization, the Rainbow Rose Center grew out of the family of community-connecting Equality Fest events enjoyed and celebrated in York since the passage of marriage equality in Pennsylvania in 2014. For years, individuals in the community reached out to Equality Fest through emails and Facebook messages looking for information on local resources to improve their daily lives. In 2019, the organization took on the name Rainbow Rose Center and achieved 501(c)3 nonprofit status with the Federal and State government in June 2020.

The Rainbow Rose Center continues to serve the LGBTQIA+ community as a virtual-only resource center. While still hosting virtual support group meetings monthly and answering community questions online, the Rainbow Rose Center continues to promote and advocate for the inclusion of LGBTQIA+ individuals to enhance the diversity of our community and the businesses within. Going forward, the organization will expand its programming to promote the health and well-being of the LGBTQIA+ community, increasing support group offerings, hosting additional educational and advocacy panels, and creating safe celebratory events for the benefit of all.