Grinnell Rainbow Connection
Fall 2026
Veritas et Arcus Iris
A Note from Rainbow Alumni Leadership:
Happy LGBTQIA+ History Month!
October marks the start of LGBTQIA+ History Month, and this year I am celebrating the people, communities, and movements that have helped shape our history. We hope you celebrate with us this month at one of our upcoming events: National Coming Out Day Virtual Storytelling Event on Sunday, October 11th (RSVP here!) and our Annual Ren-Gay-Vous events happening across the country.
I’d also like to invite you all to join our Steering Committee. We’re searching for volunteers who are willing to lend their voice and ideas for an hour or two each month. Committees include fundraising, networking & storytelling, and communications. We’d love to have your help in shaping what comes next for the Grinnell Rainbow Alumni!
If you’re interested in attending or getting involved, please feel free to reach out to me directly at carlyjerome@gmail.com or to Sarah Smith-Benanti at smithben@grinnell.edu.
I hope to see you at one of our upcoming events and at our next steering committee!
In solidarity,
Carly Jerome ’11 (carlyjerome@gmail.com)
Chair, Grinnell Rainbow Alumni
On behalf of the entire Steering Committee
Ren-Gay-Vous Have Returned for LGBTQIA+ History Month.
Three years of Ren- Gay- Vous, and we’re still bringing the queer Grinnell magic! 🌈✨ Here’s to another year of LGBTQ+ alumni, good vibes, great memories, and finding our people.
Join us in the Twin Cities on Oct. 7, Newton, IA on Oct. 10, Chicago on Oct. 15, Seattle on Oct. 24, or DC on Oct. 25.
If you are interested in hosting one next year, please reach out to Sarah Smith-Benanti at smithben@grinnell.edu.
Upcoming Event:
National Coming Out Day virtual storytelling evening, hosted by Javon Garcia ‘14 and Morell Old ‘22.
Register Here!
Save the Date:
QPOC would like to extend the invitation to the 20th Anniversary Drag Show on Saturday, November 21st, to the entire Rainbow Alumni Network. We want to ensure alumni are aware as early as possible to account for travel. We would be so grateful to have alumni there.
Multicultural Reunion will return to Grinnell College in mid-November 2027. We will share the theme and keep you posted as programming comes together.
Campus Updates:
The Stonewall Resource Center is celebrating LGBTQIA+ History Month with Wear Your Pride Days, based on the Gilbert Baker Pride Flag. Below is a graphic showing the days to wear each color along with the meaning of the original pride flag color stripes. On the following days in October wear: first = Hot Pink: Sex, second = Red: Life, fifth = Orange: Healing, ninth = Yellow: Sunlight, twelfth = Green: Nature, sixteenth = Teal: Magic / Art, twenty-sixth = Indigo: Harmony, and thirtieth = Violet: Spirit
Big Gay BBQ Returns For Second Year
The 2nd annual Big Gay BBQ was held during welcome week. Student enjoyed hot dogs and watermelon while hanging out and playing yard games with each other and queer faculty and staff on the lawn outside of the Stonewall Resource Center (SRC)
What You Can Do Right Now
Looking for ways to get involved with Rainbow Alumni and help Grinnell? Here are a few suggestions:
- Forward this email to a friend! Know someone who should get this newsletter and join the Rainbow Alumni? Forward it to them to help us spread the word.
- Volunteer! Have some fun and make new friends with Grinnellians from across the decades! Take the volunteer survey here. Committees looking for participants include Networking and Storytelling; Communications; and Fundraising.
- Donate to support students! We have three endowed funds to grow. Use the pull-down menu to select the fund of your choice.
- Come to our next event. National Coming Out Day virtual storytelling on October 11.
- Sign up to be a mentor. MentorGrinnell LGBTQIA+ Community registration.
- Build community. Join the conversation on Discord.
- Check out our LinkedIn page: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14483590/
- Did a friend forward this email to you? Sign up as a member of the Grinnell Rainbow Alumni by submitting your email address here.
One thought on “Fall 2026 Rainbow Connection Newsletter”
I appreciate the need for additional volunteers. I’m not taking on other roles right now, as I am currently president of the Oklahoma City Prime Timers. There are chapters throughout the USA and some international chapters. It’s a social group for mature gay or bi men and those who enjoy our company. Just wanted mature gay or bi Grinnell Alumni to be aware of the organization, if you’re seeking some fun social activities.