We are developing a State-wide LGBT Health and Wellness Group to focus advocacy and LGBT health. This group of concerned individuals are developing priorities for LGBT health advocacy including cultural competency training, health services devlopment for clinics and medical providers, a service provider directory, and much more.

We are the receipient of a Women's Foundation of MN planning grant to conduct focus groups with LGBT young adults to explore why these youth have a higher pregnancy rate then heterosexual youth. Utilizing the data from these focus groups, we will partner with MOAPPP, Pro-Choice Resources, and Midwest Health Center for women to develop outreach materials and programming for pregnancy prevention for LGBT youth/young adults.

Through Tobacco-Free Lavender Communities (TLC), we are partnering with a total of 13 organizations to complete a wide variety of health and wellness projects in the LGBT community. we have provided over $130,000 to the community for this work. To see what they are doing, please visit www.MNTLC.org.

Working with TC Pride Board, RHI will sponsor the Living Well Park of the TC Pride festival this year. This area will include many health service organizations who choose to be in a tobacco free area of Pride that focuses on health and wellness. Also in this area, RHI will provide a large entertainment area that will include yoga, Quigong, karaoke, photo booths, hula hoop classes, and lots more.

Rainbow Health Initiative is the lead agency for MN Tobacco-free Lavender Communities.  MNTLC's newly revamped web site has a lot to offer including a recent innovative photo contest, a Pounds 4 Pride with pledge board, media examples, facts and tips, and more.

RHI will be a proud sponsor of all MN pride events this year. In Mankato we are sponsoring the 5k fun run and the family fun area, in Rochester and Fargo we have a teen/young adult area, and in the Twin Cities we have the Living Well Park.

RHI conducted a 2008 health assessment of over 830 self-identified LGBTQ individuals in MN.  Please take our 2009 survey so you can assist us in gathering a more comprehensive health assessment for 2009.