Our Partnership with The Traveling Rainbow Project
By Dylan Pardue
At Cobscook Institute, our vision has always been of a community that respects people and planet, and inspires, supports and sustains people to achieve their greatest potential. One of the ways we embody our vision is to hold a space that fosters respect for all people, because we can only achieve that goal when we are affirmed, loved, and seen for who we really are. That’s why our ongoing partnership with the Traveling Rainbow Project, led by the Downeast Rainbow Alliance (DRA), is crucial for furthering our mission of strengthening personal, community and global well-being.
The Traveling Rainbow Project provides youth and young adults in our community with a creative space for inclusive celebration, leading to positive health and wellness outcomes, increased social support networks, affirming experiences, and leadership experiences for teens and young adults.
““My favorite thing about the Traveling Rainbow is being able to be myself and not be afraid.
Most definitely.” ”
The Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey (MIYHS)¹ shows that 29% of high school students in Maine, about 16,000 or 1 in 4, identify as LGBTQ+ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning +). While the underlying causes of suicide attempts are complex and involve many factors, studies² have shown an increase in attempts among LGBTQ+ people, and MIYHS data shows a four fold increase in risk for LGBTQ+ youth in our community. They can face additional risk factors such as social isolation and low self-esteem that can be caused or worsened by discrimination in their community and family.
Studies² have also shown the vital importance of resilience for LGBTQ+ people, or the ability to adapt from stress and adversity, in protecting against suicide attempts. It should be a priority for our community to help each other develop emotional and psychological well being, especially among LGBTQ+ people. Crucial components include family acceptance and support, connections to people who care, physical and emotional safety, and a positive sense of identity as an LGBTQ+ person.
Drew is an 11th grader in Cobscook Experiential Program, and identifies within the transgender umbrella as genderfluid. When asked if he felt supported and affirmed at school, he said “Yes, definitely by my teachers, and some of my classmates don’t understand a lot of things but they’re always respectful. My teachers are always really cool with anything I might need. While I might get misgendered sometimes, my classmates always correct themselves and ask questions if they don’t understand something, so that’s really nice. I think everybody here is super supportive even when they don’t understand things and they’re always willing to learn.” He said that while he has friends who have faced discrimination for being who they are, he hasn’t, saying “I have a pretty loving and understanding community.”
““Sometimes people don’t understand everything, and the important thing is when they put in the effort to try.””
At Cobscook Institute, we believe that it is our collective responsibility as individuals, families and institutions to support LGBTQ+ people, and to promote a culture that welcomes, affirms and supports all people for who they are. For people who don’t identify as LGBTQ+, this is called allyship, and it is a crucial factor in improving mental health for our community members, and enabling all of us to achieve our greatest potential. At Cobscook Institute and Downeast Rainbow Alliance, this includes programs and practices that serve the unique needs of LGBTQ+ youth and promote allyship. DRA’s Traveling Rainbow Project is a free mobile and online community center that provides resources, programs and support to LGBTQ+ youth, and promotes allyship in schools and communities. The Cobscook campus hosts one of the Traveling Rainbow Project’s lending libraries, with books available to program participants, staff, and visitors alike.
““This is like my heaven, I need this in my life.” ”
Cobscook Institute strives to be a welcoming, respectful and affirming community learning center for all, and we’re proud to be part of The Traveling Rainbow Project to improve the mental health outcomes for LGBTQ2IA+ people in our region. To learn more about The Project, visit downeastrainbowalliance.com.
If you or someone you know needs support for mental health, suicidal thoughts or substance abuse call, text or chat:
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988 | 988lifeline.org
BlackLine: 1-800-604-5841 | callblackline.com
Trans Lifeline: 1-877-565-8860 | translifeline.org
Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386 | trevorproject.org.
¹ Maine Department of Health and Human Services, and Maine Department of Education. 2021. “LGBT Student Health, High school-level data from the 2021 Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey.” Maine Integrated Youth Health Survey. https://www.maine.gov/miyhs/sites/default/files/2021_Reports/Detailed_Reports/HS/Maine%20High%20School%20Detailed%20Tables.pdf (October 2022).
² Movement Advancement Project, Johnson Family Foundation, and American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. August 2017. “Talking About Suicide & LGBT Populations.” 2nd edition. MAP’s Talking About LGBT Issues Series. https://www.lgbtmap.org/talking-about-suicide-and-lgbt-populations (August 2022).