What we’re about
Are you looking for new friends with similar values and world views? Hoping to build your LGBTQIA+ community in Connecticut? Then this is the group for you.
Primarily for folks in their 20's and 30's, Building the Rainbow is open to members of any gender, sexuality, and background. We hope to cultivate genuine, supportive friendships with other queer folks through monthly activities, from book crawls to arts and crafts nights and more. Events will take place across Connecticut and highlight small businesses and public spaces that make our state feel like home.
We can't wait to meet you!
Upcoming events
19
First Thursdays at Wadsworth Atheneum
Wadsworth Atheneum, 600 Main Street, Hartford, CT, USABOUT: Enjoy free admission to the Wadsworth Atheneum on the first Thursday of every month. This time, "Celebrate the opening of two new exhibitions with live music, fall-themed cocktails, and drawing in the galleries. Discover Peter Waite: Social Memory, Paintings 1987–2025 with the artist and explore the cultural significance and transitional nature of public spaces. Learn about Gerald Incandela’s distinctive photographic process, which conceptually merges drawing and photography, while he discusses his new exhibition."
Participants are encouraged to register in advance here. Please also make sure you have joined our Discord server and checked in with #free-art-night-november-6 for more details.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
- CHILDREN: Children may be allowed depending on age and temperament. Please reach out to host Rhye to discuss.
- ANIMALS: No pets are allowed at this event.
- ACCESSIBILITY: Accessible Entrance is located at 29 Atheneum Square North. It's accessible to visitors with limited mobility, wheelchairs, and strollers. A limited number of on-street handicap parking spaces, as well as non-handicap but nearby spaces, are available in front of the museum on Main Street, and behind the museum on Prospect Street. If street parking is unavailable, visitors may be dropped off immediately adjacent to the accessible entrance on the corner of Atheneum Square North and Prospect Street.
- FOOD: Limited drinks and snacks will be available for purchase. We suggest you eat something beforehand just in case!
- SUBSTANCES: As always, this is a substance-free event to support our friends in recovery. Please do not plan on purchasing alcoholic beverages of any kind or consuming cannabis in any form. Thanks for understanding!
- PARKING: On-street kiosk parking is available on the streets neighboring the museum. We suggest carpooling if possible.
12 attendees
Fat Babes CT: Fat Liberation Concert with Heather Mae
New Milford, CT, Birch ln, New Milford , CT, USOne of our community values is celebrating bodies of all shapes and sizes. Join us for the first event in our Fat Liberation series, an outdoor house concert with the amazing Heather Mae. Bring your own chair, blanket, and whatever food and beverages you’d like to enjoy during the show. We will have music, s'mores, a fire, and fat love!
Heather Mae will have a tip jar. Donations are not mandatory, but highly encouraged to fund her travel to our concert and support this wonderful artist. __We suggest $10-$20 depending on your own financial situation.
Address will be provided upon RSVP. Given that this event is at a residence, we encourage carpooling to minimize driveway congestion.
As always, we ask that you do not bring or imbibe in substances at our events to support our friends in recovery. Thanks for understanding!
4 attendees
Birthday Board Games
Simsbury, CT, USABOUT: Celebrate regional representative Kell's birthday and play some games with fellow Building the Rainbow members. Please bring your favorite board or card game to share and enjoy with others!
Please make sure you have joined our Discord server to keep an eye on our #birthday-board-games-november-8 channel for more details.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
- CHILDREN: Adults-only event.
- ANIMALS: No pets are allowed at this event. Kell has a dog, and while Opal will be upstairs, this is not a good event for folks with a dog allergy.
- ACCESSIBILITY: Guests will need to be able to manage 1-2 steps and 20-30 feet of walking. There is a stone walkway leading to the front door, which might be difficult to manage for those with mobility aids. The bathroom (on the main level) is small and would not be able to accommodate a wheelchair or walker, but there is a counter to hold onto when getting off the toilet.
- FOOD: Please bring a snack or dish to share. Plates, cups, napkins, and utensils will be provided.
- INTRODUCTIONS: Because this is taking place at Kell's home, we would like to meet folks at least once before in person before they attend this event. If you've gone to a Building the Rainbow event before, you're all set! If you haven't, please plan on attending an event before Saturday, 11/1 or reach out to Abby or Kell directly to find a few minutes to connect.
- SUBSTANCES: Please do not bring or consume any cannabis for this event. Alcohol will not be served by the host, but if folks would like to bring beer, wine, or cocktail provisions, it will be permitted for this event. If you do plan on imbibing, please be respectful of the host's home and other guests, and leave plenty of time to sober up before driving.
11 attendees
Stitch & Bitch
Rhye and Henry’s House, RSVP to Find Out Street,, New Britain, CT, USABOUT: Bring whatever you’re stitching and whatever you need to bitch about. We welcome crochet, knitting, embroidery, cross stitch, leather working, really anything you’re making with your hands and/or fiber. Rhye and Henry have lots of yarn and embroidery stuff to share as well if you want to come and try something out!
Stitching will take place in the living room, which has comfy seating and floor space, as well as a dining room table if you need a table to work at. (There are also a few fold out table trays for living room.)
Please make sure you have joined our Discord server and checked in with #stitch-and-bitch for more details.
GENERAL INFORMATION:
- CHILDREN: Children are not allowed at this event.
- ANIMALS: Animals are not allowed at this event. Rhye and Henry have an old lady baby doggy who is a bit crotchety about people being in her home, so if you are allergic or don't like dogs, this is not a good event for you.
- ACCESSIBILITY: Three steps to get into house, bathroom on first floor. Can provide KN95 masks for folks who chose to mask, will also have an air purifier running. Please at least be up to date with 2024 COVID booster.
- FOOD: Hosts will provide light snacks like charcuterie and probably a dessert. You’re welcome to bring snacks and crafts to share!
- SUBSTANCES: Since this is a privately-hosted event, cannabis can be used with the discretion of the host. There is a designated indoor 420 area for flower, and vapes ok in house. No alcohol is permitted.
- PARKING: Free street parking. Can park in driveway if needed for accessibility.
NOTE: No longer need to RSVP on Partiful!
6 attendees
Past events
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