"Rainbow Alliance"?
The designation Rainbow Alliance was selected by the founders of the group.  Though similar organizations at other campuses may be known as GSAs (Gay-Straight Alliances), we feel that the use of the term "rainbow" is more encompassing of our broader mission and goals.  All students are welcome and encouraged to attend meetings and events, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Use of the rainbow flag by the gay community began in 1978 when it first appeared in the San Francisco Gay and Lesbian Freedom Day Parade. The flag originally had eight stripes, but the present-day flag has six stripes and is officially recognized by the International Congress of Flag Makers. Today the rainbow flag symbolizes the diversity of the LGBTQ and Ally community. The rainbow flag also serves to provide a more gender and orientation neutral form of symbolism, whereas pink triangles, a mainstay of the LGBT movement, are really symbols that deal with the male homosexual. The pink triangle was a symbol that branded prisoners in Nazi Germany as being gay men. Lesbians and those with other sexual orientations and gender identities had other symbols to bear.

Did you know that the colors of the Rainbow Flag also have meaning?

Terminology 

Using the appropriate words with a commonly-understood meaning helps individuals and groups to communicate effectively.  Many people are confused about the proper terms to use when discussing LGBTQ issues, and what these terms mean.  Some of the following information is adapted from the GLSEN Safe Space program, used with permission. (If that program looks interesting to you, check out our Safe Zone Ally Training Program, which shares content and is adapted for the needs of a college audience!)

• LGBTQ: This commonly-used acronym stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning.  It generalizes a group of individuals and issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity.  Sometimes, you may see the "Q" omitted: that means the discussion has less immediate significance to a questioning individual, but may apply if they identify themselves with one of the other terms.  You may also see the order of the "L" and the "G" switched in other sources: Rainbow Alliance has standardized on the LGBTQ order for a variety of reasons.
• Sexual Identity: This is how we perceive and what we call ourselves. Such labels include "lesbian," "gay," "bisexual," "bi," "queer," "questioning," "heterosexual," "straight," and others. Sexual Identity evolves through a developmental process that varies depending on the individual. Our sexual behavior and how we define ourselves (identity) can be chosen. Though some people claim their sexual orientation is also a choice, for others this does not seem to be the case.
• Sexual Orientation: This is determined by our sexual and emotional attractions. Categories of sexual orientation include homosexuals — gay, lesbian — attracted to some members of the same sex; bisexuals, attracted to some members of more than one sex; and heterosexuals, attracted to some members of another sex. Orientation is influenced by a variety of factors, including genetics and hormones, as well as unknown environmental factors. Though the origins of sexuality are not completely understood, it is generally believed to be established before the age of five.
• Gay: A term given to males who are attracted sexually and emotionally to some other males.
• Lesbian: A term given to females who are attracted sexually and emotionally to some other females.
• Bisexual: A term given to people who are attracted sexually and emotionally to some males and females.
• Transgender: A broad term for all people who do not match society’s expectations regarding gender, including transsexuals and crossdressers.
• Questioning: People who are in the process of figuring out their sexual orientation or gender identity.
• Transsexual: Individuals who do not identify with their birth-assigned genders and sometimes alter their bodies surgically and/or hormonally. The Transition (formerly called "sex change") is a complicated, multi-step process that may take years and may include, but is not limited to, Sex Reassignment Surgery.
• Straight Ally: Any non-LGBT person who supports and stands up for the rights of LGBT people.
• Homophobia: Refers to a fear or hatred of homosexuality, especially in others, but also in oneself (internalized homophobia).
• Heterosexism: Bias against non-heterosexuals based on a belief in the superiority of heterosexuality. Heterosexism does not imply the same fear and hatred as homophobia. It can describe seemingly innocent statements, such as "She’d drive any man wild" based on the assumption that heterosexuality is the norm.