About us
Rainbow Fit Club started in August 2024 as a very real attempt by elle to trick their self into getting outside and spending time with other people. What began as a simple weekly walk of one or two people has grown into a genuinely sweet, welcoming community of folks who are looking to meet new friends, move their bodies in low-pressure ways, and have a regular time to show up—together.
We center and prioritize LGBTQ+ folks, especially trans and gender-nonconforming people, while welcoming anyone who identifies as LGBTQ+ or loves someone who does. There are no credentials to check—if you feel aligned with that intention, you belong here.
Most weeks, we meet for an easy Saturday morning walk at Tower Grove Park. Occasionally, we try something a little different, and we hope to continue growing our opportunities to connect and move together in new ways as we head into 2026. Think hikes, yoga, "catch club," etc.
This isn’t about fitness goals, competition, or “keeping up.” It’s about showing up as you are, getting some fresh air, and spending time with people who get it.
elle is late-in-life diagnosed neurodivergent and lives with chronic health conditions (ask me, I'm happy to overshare!), and over time we’ve naturally gathered a fairly neurospicy/neurodiverse crew—so asking for what you need is welcome here.
If something would help you feel more comfortable or supported, let us know and we’ll do our best to accommodate.
Low-pressure, family-friendly, and just for fun.
Featured event
Walk for Mental Health @ NAMIWalks
As many of you know, I started Rainbow Fit Club as a way to trick myself into getting out of the house, moving my body, and connecting with others in an effort to support my mental health. Supporting National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) is therefore a natural fit!
NAMIWalks St. Louis brings the community together to raise awareness around mental health, reduce stigma, and support resources for people navigating mental health challenges. Mental health is an important part of overall wellness, and creating spaces where we can move, connect, and support one another is a big part of what Rainbow Fit Club is about.
To register for the walk and join the Rainbow Fit Club walking team, click here. (Registration with NAMIWalks is required to participate, whether you do it in advance online or at the walk)
You’re welcome to join our walking team whether or not you fundraise. Donations to support NAMI are always appreciated, but they are not required to participate. The most important thing is showing up and walking together.
We’ll gather as a group and walk together, and I’ll put together something fun for our team to wear (details TBD - I'll contact anyone registered with our team on the NAMIWalks site!). Folks are also encouraged to come in rainbow-inspired outfits if you’d like to lean into the spirit of Rainbow Fit Club.
Event details:
- Registration opens at 8:00 AM (skip the line by registering online in advance)
- Opening ceremony at 9:00 AM
- Walk begins at 9:30 AM
- Route options: 1 mile or 2 miles
The walk is family-friendly and accessible — strollers, wagons, and dogs on leash are welcome.
Rainbow Fit Club will also have a booth in the Community/Resource Village, so even if you’re not walking, you can stop by, say hello, and learn more about our group.
Upcoming events
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LGBTQ+ Walking History Tour
Chinese Pavilion, 3834 Main Dr,, Saint Louis, MO, USTake a walk down (queer) memory lane in Tower Grove Park with Steven Brawley of the STL LGBT History Project!
So much of LGBTQ+ history happened in secret, or has been recorded in history by those who wish to minimize it. One of the most powerful ways to combat bigotry is to remember these people and their stories—to remind ourselves and each other that we have always existed, and always will.
We’ll meet at the Chinese Pavilion, where we’ll gather with Steven and get oriented for the walk. From there, we’ll explore the history of “cruising” in the park and the arrests that took place during the criminalization of homosexuality—an important and often overlooked part of local queer history. We’ll also talk about Mass on the Grass, held right here in Tower Grove Park, as well as the many LGBTQ+ sports leagues that have had roots at the park.
Next, we’ll visit the statue of Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, a Prussian military officer whose expertise helped train the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, and who is widely understood by historians to have been a gay man. We'll learn about women's safe houses that formerly existed on Botanical Ave.
Our journey continues toward the corner of Arsenal and Grand, where we’ll remember LGBTQ+ bars and businesses of days past—like Mor or Les Bar, Cheap TRX, Richard’s Bar, and more — while also celebrating spaces that continue to serve the LGBTQ+ community today, like Mokabe's Coffeehouse.
We’ll end back at the Chinese Pavilion (reserved for us all day!). Stick around afterward for a casual picnic—bring your own treats or grab something delicious from the Tower Grove Farmers Market (which runs from 8a-12:30p).
Details:
- Meeting Location: 11am Chinese Pavilion, Tower Grove Park
- Walking Route: Approximately 1.5 miles on paved paths, with breaks in the walk to discuss history
- What to Bring: Water, comfortable shoes, picnic items if you plan to stay. Friendly pets are welcome if kept on leash.
About the Project:
In 2007, Steven Louis Brawley began publishing a history blog that served as the
beginnings of the award-winning St. Louis LGBT History Project. The Project's mission
is to preserve and promote the diverse and dynamic history of St. Louis’s LGBTQIA+
ancestors. The Project serves as a convenor of area archives, libraries, museums and
educational institutions to enhance their LGBTQIA+ archival holdings and related
community programs. Support this work by making a tax-deductible donation to the project here.About Steven:
Steven Louis Brawley is a philanthropy executive with 35 years of strategic not-for-profit
management experience. He is Chief Operating Officer of Area Resources for
Community and Human Services (ARCHS) in St. Louis and previously held
management posts with BJC HealthCare and Christian Hospital. He is also a noted
public historian. He is the Founder of the St. Louis LGBT History Project, noted for
advancing LGBTQIA+ historical research.
Brawley is the author of Gay and Lesbian St. Louis and a Trustee of the State Historical
Society of Missouri. He is the former board chair of the University of Missouri–St. Louis
Alumni Association and the Crime Victim Center of St. Louis. A sixth-generation
Missourian, he has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri–St. Louis and a
master’s degree from Saint Louis University.34 attendees
Past events
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