Rainbow Center Welcomes Alumni with Open Arms

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UConn Foundation

2 min read

Rainbow CenterOne of the best parts of Huskies Forever Weekend is that alumni and friends have the chance to share their passion for UConn together. In this spirit of community, the Rainbow Center’s newly formed LGBTQIAA+ group invites those coming to Huskies Forever Weekend to meet and get to know this growing and welcoming part of #UConnNation.

Just ask Emma Blandford, one of the LGBTQIAA+ alumni group’s leaders. Blandford hopes the group’s gathering, occurring the Sunday of HFW at the Rainbow Center, will help alumni, students and friends engage with the UConn’s LGBTQIAA+ community in a fun and open environment.

Curious what they have in store? Blandford lays the scene for what guests can expect at the event:

“A couple of our alumni have volunteered to be table hosts, so visitors won’t just come in, have an awkward snack and stand in the corner because they don’t know anyone. These table hosts are very open, warm and accepting people. I know coming into a room of strangers can be very intimidating, especially around a topic everyone seems to be talking about. So with table hosts and planned discussions, we hope to break the ice and get folks feeling comfortable quickly.”

Although new to UConn, the LGBTQIAA+ alumni group has big goals to spread its outreach—not just in Storrs, but nationally and through social media. The hope, as Blandford details, is to grow a nationwide support network where members of the UConn LGBTQIAA+ alumni network can find safe, comfortable spaces to develop connections:

“We want to offer a space where we can create professional, social and educational connections for the LGBTQIAA+ community,” she says. “There are many folks who feel isolated and may not necessarily know where to start to identify with a community who they feel a part of. This can provide them with that opportunity and provide a community where they feel safe and comfortable, or just find friends who can relate.”

So if you’re planning on attending Huskies Forever Weekend, plan a stop at the LGBTQIAA+ Alumni Gathering to meet Emma and get involved.

To learn more or register for the event,  call the Rainbow Center at 860.486.5821.

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