The Rainbow Project is a nonprofit organization located in Northern Ireland. It works to improve the health and wellbeing of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people and their families in Northern Ireland. It is the largest LGBT organization on the island of Ireland, based on the number of staff members. The organization has two main offices, one in Belfast and one in Foyle, Derry.

History

The organization was started in 1994 by Tom McManus with the help of volunteers who were worried about the spread of HIV infection among gay men in Northern Ireland. These volunteers wanted to give information and support to men who have sex with men (MSM) about HIV/AIDS. They did research in the gay and bisexual communities to learn what kind of information and support services were needed.

Because of this research, the project began to share information about HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). They gave out safer sex materials and leaflets at gay clubs and LGBT events, using money donated by GMFA.

At first, the work focused on preventing HIV and STIs. However, it became clear that people using the services also needed help with their general health and mental and emotional well-being. As a result, The Rainbow Project started offering professional counseling to gay and bisexual men, as well as people unsure of their sexual orientation. They also provided help through advocacy for men who faced discrimination or were harmed verbally, physically, or sexually because of their sexual orientation.

Public work

The Rainbow Project has always worked to make sure that the needs of LGBT people are met in services, laws, and social settings. The Rainbow Project worked with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and Amnesty International to organize a large public event in support of equal marriage on June 13, 2015. The event had 20,000 people attending.

The Rainbow Project has worked on many issues that affect people who are LGBT, including adoption, marriage, blood bans, gender recognition, and other social matters.