About St. Norbert College Rainbow Alliance

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Identity Statement

Rainbow Alliance is an educational group dedicated to the support and acceptance of LGBTQQIA (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, and asexual) individuals at St. Norbert college and in the local and larger communities. We affirm the value and dignity of all people, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. We support their rights and the abolishment of discrimination, bigotry, and hate. All students are encouraged to participate in Rainbow Alliance and to show their support for diversity, acceptance, and equality for all.

Organizational Details

Rainbow Alliance is a recognized student organization at St. Norbert College, maintained by dedicated students since the group's official recognition on December 5, 1997.  More information on Rainbow Alliance history is available.

Our organization tends to consist of 5-15 core student members who attend our regular meetings and participate in event planning and other activities.  These members are supported by a large list of supporters on our email discussion list who offer connections, ideas, and valuable reflections to the group.  In turn, our programs are attended by our members, email list supporters, and a wider group of campus community members working for equality and inclusion.

Rainbow Alliance programming reaches out to the entire campus and anywhere from five to over 400 campus community members per program have participated in the past.  We continually strive to improve the breadth and quality of our programming, as well as the level of student engagement and involvement throughout the process.  We put on a wide range of educational, awareness, and social programs throughout the year, reaching out both to the campus at large as well as specific constituencies, groups, and departments with more targeted programming.  When combined, Rainbow Alliance members put in well over 1000 hours of work each academic year on event planning and preparation.  Our planning processes are based on models of intentional learning and service experiences to best achieve our goals and address the needs of the campus community and our wider community.

Rainbow Alliance and Rainbow Alliance-planned events have won several awards on campus, documented in our organization history, and our expanding range of programs and opportunities have served as models for other campus groups.

Rainbow Alliance meetings are a safe space for all people, and our members represent the spectrum of the continuum of sexual orientations and gender identities and expressions.  We draw strength from our diversity, and respect each participant and their right to privacy and self-identification. Rainbow Alliance meetings are a strict "no outing" environment - you will never be required or coerced into disclosing your identification (LGBTQ or straight).

No dues are paid by members, in order to encourage involvement, and new members are welcome to get involved at any time. Our programming and services are funded by the Student Activity Fund, private donations, and contributions of time, expertise, and materials by our members and supporters.

Talking and Writing About Rainbow Alliance

When mentioning Rainbow Alliance, especially in a print or electronic medium, you are encouraged to use one of the full form names (" Rainbow Alliance" or " St. Norbert College Rainbow Alliance") rather than an abbreviation such as "Rainbow."  This helps us promote an accurate image of the group as an alliance of people across identity lines, rather than as a group for or by those sharing a specific sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or another factor.

Use of our identity statement ( above) is encouraged, as it represents a consensus on our shared identity as an organization.

As a student organization at St. Norbert College, the College's Office of Communications is the first point of contact for press inquiries.  Other contact info can be found on the Officers page or the  Email and Lists page. We encourage you to engage us in conversation!

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