Rainbow Reception

Rainbow Reception is the annual welcome back celebration of queer and trans life at UNI, taking place this year at the Maucker Union on Tuesday, August 22, from 5-7 p.m.

All are invited to join us in celebrating LGBTQ+ community at UNI. We especially encourage new students to attend to learn about resources and meet peers.

What happens at Rainbow Reception?

Rainbow Reception is like a mini Pride festival specifically for the UNI community. It's a party! You are welcome to come and go as you please, though a short program will take place partway through the event to introduce some of the key leaders on our campus. Organizations from on and off-campus will be present to share their resources. Staff and faculty will be present to greet students and share their advice. Great food (including vegan and gluten-free options) will be available as light refreshments. There will also be a photo booth so you can kick off the year with a pride-themed photo.

Can I go by myself?

Yes, we would love to have you! Representatives of UNI Proud and Gender & Sexuality Services will be wearing nametags and are happy to talk with you. We will also have a table set aside for a meet-and-greet space. If you are a new student who lives on campus, we would encourage you to connect with your RA who can help to organize a group to attend with you.

What if I have class during this time?

Many professors choose to let their students come late to class or leave a little early to attend the event. Some even bring their whole class to celebrate and support the LGBTQ+ community! If you can't attend this year, but are looking for resources, e-mail us and we'd be happy to provide support. We will also have ongoing programming throughout the year, as will UNI Proud.

Can I have a table at the event for my LGBTQ-inclusive organization?

Yes! Requests for tables will be open until August 4, 2023, and we will confirm with accepted table requests the following week. Due to limited spacing, we will prioritize organizations that are LGBTQ-specific, LGBTQ-inclusive, or are active collaborators with the LGBTQ+ community. Submit your request here.

Who do I talk to if I have a great idea for this year's Rainbow Reception?

We're always open to suggestions! Contact lgbt@uni.edu if you would like to be involved or have an idea (or song suggestion!) for us.

Can I film, interview, or otherwise document this event for my publication, show, or blog?

Yes and no. This event is open to the public, but we ask that anyone wishing to document the event contact us in advance at lgbt@uni.edu so we can ensure you're prepared for an inclusive experience. As a form of respect, we also ask that no one takes another person's photo and/or names them in a write-up without explicit consent to do so. Our staff is also happy to speak with anyone about the event before, during, or after the event.

What inclusive steps have organizers taken for this event?

Maucker Union is ADA-accessible, has parking spaces near the building, and there is a single-user, all-gender restroom down the hall from our event sapce. Rainbow Reception is a party and we expect at least 350 people to come and go, so it may be loud in the main space. There will be options for quiet conversation for those that need a break from the excitement. There will also be a photographer present, but if you don't want your photo taken at the event, we will have a specifically colored name tag to identify those who don't want their face shown in the photos we release after the event. The photos will be on our Facebook page and will be accessible to those that want to save their memories from the event. For specific accessibility-related accommodations, please e-mail us at lgbt@uni.edu prior to the event.

Who should I contact if I have a different question?

Please e-mail lgbt@uni.edu.

Reserve your table

Join us for Rainbow Reception August 22 from 5-7 PM in the Maucker Union.

If your organization would like to host an informational booth at the Fall 2023 Rainbow Reception, please fill out this form by August 4.

Logistics

Organizations will be asked to set up by 4:45 PM in Maucker Union, but can begin arriving at 4 PM
Organizations will be offered a 6 foot table and a chair by default, unless otherwise noted
Creative displays are encouraged and can be considered as well
Food and beverages will be provided at the event

Due to a limited amount of space, we will be prioritizing organizations that work directly with inclusion initiatives or resources impacting our LGBTQ+ students. Selected booths will be notified of acceptance no later than August 10. If we are not able to offer you a table, we would still encourage attendance for those that wish to celebrate our community to start the school year off on the right note.

For specific questions, please e-mail lgbt@uni.edu

Rainbow Reception

Reserve your table

Logistics

Request a Table for Rainbow Reception 2023