Albion Rainbow Connection (ARC) was founded in 2012 by a few passionate Albion College students who found a gap in the Albion community when it came to LGBTQIA+ representation. It was needed to build a “safe space in places, minds, and hearts”* for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual, and expanding identities (LGBTQIA+).
This overarching goal of creating a safe space in Albion for the LGBTQIA+ community is to provide support and safety to all members of the community. ARC is here to share with the whole Albion community that everyone should be accepted and welcomed, and that holds true with the group too. Anyone is welcome to be a part of ARC whether you are in the LGBTQIA+ community or an ally.
Since it’s formation, Salem United Church of Christ, an Open and Affirming church, has graciously been the hosting location for all meetings, potlucks, and other events. Over the years, ARC has gained visibility through participation in countless community events like the Festival of the Forks and Albion’s Big Read Parade. In 2015 ARC helped Albion City Council write a non-discrimination ordinance to protect sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression rights in the Albion community. This ordinance passed unanimously.
Now, ARC is in the rebuilding phase as Covid-19 and the changing Albion population, has affected the membership of ARC. If you are interested in joining, ARC meets at 6:30PM on the 2nd Monday of every month, at Salem UCC. If you are interested in staying connected with ARC via Facebook requests can be made to their private Facebook page “Albion Rainbow Connection” by connecting with Janice Best or Loree Grinnell. You can also message them through the “Equality Albion” Facebook group. ARC is currently gearing up to plan Albion Pride 2024 for October. This event will celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community while allowing college students to participate who may not be able to go to Pride in other communities.
Albion Rainbow Connection Mission Statements**:
- We strive to create safe spaces for Gender and Sexual Minorities (GSM) and their allies in physical locations throughout the city of Albion.
- We strive to educate ourselves, our community, and our city about issues relevant to the GSM community and its intersections with race, ethnicity, belief system, national origin, ability, age, and socioeconomic status.
- We strive to promote care and respect for our city, our community, our peers, and ourselves.
*ARC’s slogan
**Provided by Janice Best.