Rainbow Refuge

02/03/2026

🚨WARNING: It has come to our attention that a study by the name of AYAGDOS or the Adolescent and Young Adult Gender Dysphoria Outcome Study is actively attempting to recruit trans young adults and families with trans children in their study. This study is NOT affiliated with or endorsed by Northwestern University's Impact Institute.

The researchers involved in this study are well know for anti-trans rhetoric in their work. There is a fear that any information gathered by these individuals could be used to undermine youth and young adult's access to gender affirming care. 🚨

11/07/2025

Chappell Roan isn’t just talking about change — she’s funding it. The breakout pop star has unveiled the Midwest Princess Project, a new initiative providing vital support and resources to vulnerable Trans youth across the United States.

Announcing the project on Instagram, Roan told fans she was “so excited” to finally share the news, describing it as “an organisation created to provide support and needed resources for Trans youth and LGBTQ+ communities.”

The singer revealed that more than $400,000 has already been raised through her Visions of Damsels & Other Dangerous Things pop-up shows. Every dollar, she promised, will go straight to grassroots groups working with Trans youth — with only minimal fees covering transaction and management costs.

Beneficiaries so far include the Ali Forney Center and The LGBT Center in New York; the Trans Wellness Center and TransLatin@ Coalition in Los Angeles; and The GLO Center and The Center Project in Missouri — all cities that hosted Roan’s recent pop-up run. Each ticket sold contributed $1 to the fund, turning her shows into both a celebration and a statement of solidarity.

06/14/2025

The Constitution is clear: The government can’t promote religion.

05/28/2025

Here's why we don't want cops at pride.
Seattle, WA.

03/21/2025

Today!

Rainbow Refuge is hosting a screening of Welcome to Chechnya, a documentary depicting the story of activists risking their lives to work against the anti-LGBTQ policies in Russia's republic of Chechyna. $5 suggested donation, which goes to supporting our clients' relocation expenses. Bring yourself and a friend!

03/11/2025

Rainbow Refuge is hosting a screening of Welcome to Chechnya, a documentary depicting the story of activists risking their lives to work against the anti-LGBTQ policies in Russia's republic of Chechyna. $5 suggested donation, which goes to supporting our clients' relocation expenses. Bring yourself and a friend!

03/10/2025

Rainbow Refuge is hosting Welcome to Chechnya, a documentary depicting the story of activists risking their lives to work against the anti-LGBTQ policies in Russia's republic of Chechyna. $5 suggested donation, which goes to supporting our clients' relocation expenses. Bring yourself and a friend!

01/28/2025

If you're local, we'd love to see you there!

12/15/2024

Greetings!

We are reaching out to let you guys know we are undergoing some changes.

This page will soon be renamed and dedicated fully to Rainbow Refuge, our project of helping Transgender individuals move to Carbondale and the local area from oppressive states.

C.A.R.E. still exists, focused on fostering community through assembly. The assembly is currently meeting on the first and third Wednesdays of each month at Rainbow Cafe at 6pm. Their organizers will be starting new social media pages to facilitate outreach and connection for those meetings.

As Rainbow Refuge, we have been progressing forward and are committed to our mission despite what may come. The work is still being done, and lives are being helped. We look forward to announcing some developments here soon, and continuing to make connections and relationships of resilience that can overcome.

I hope your days are merry and bright.

10/23/2024

Earlier this year, we commissioned art pieces from Southern Illinois artists to represent our vision of safety, community, love, and support for LGBTQIA2S+ people coming to and living in this area. We are thrilled to share the first of these works of art: “Peace and Love” by the incredibly talented Kaye O'Malley ☮️💟

08/07/2024

Coming up this Friday — it’s free❣️

🏳️‍⚧️The Southern Illinois Transgender Resource Fair is nearly here!! 🏳️‍⚧️ Come by THIS FRIDAY, on August 9th for our biannual FREE event - no RSVP required!

More info at... https://fb.me/e/6vRfpBGMd

We'll have TONS of community partners offering a range of fantastic services like voter registration, legal name and gender marker changes, binders, haircuts, HRT, Narcan, Plan B, and more!

Some of those partners include:
CARE - Carbondale Assembly for Radical Equity
SOIL Sisters - The Dirtiest Hoes of the Sacred Heartland
Choices: Center for Reproductive Health
Planned Parenthood of Illinois
SIUC Clinical Center
League of Women Voters of Jackson County
Carbondale Tool Library
E. Claire Beauty
The Community Action Place, Inc.
GRIS- Golden Rainbows of Illinois South
Pride in Action, Southern IL
SIU LGBTQ Resource Center
Metro Trans Umbrella Group
The UP Center of Champaign County
Shawnee Health
Jackson County Health Department - Illinois
Centerstone
Arrowleaf
The Stress & Trauma Treatment Center
Carbondale Unitarian Fellowship
SIU Medicine Center for Rural Health and Social Service Development
Survivor Empowerment Center
The Center for Empowerment and Justice
Carbondale Warming Center