New Online Support Hub Empowers Youth from Rainbow Families
Australia’s leading voice for LGBTQ+ families, Rainbow Families Australia, is proud to launch a new online resource in collaboration with Rainbow Families Youth Council (RFYC) thanks to a grant from the Telstra Foundation’s Young and Connected Fund, and the Federal Government’s Stronger Communities Program Grant.
The first support hub of its kind, the Little Rainbows website has been designed for and by young people with LGBTQ+ parents.
The website builds on an earlier resource created by the RFYC in 2023 to help support, connect and empower young people in the Rainbow Families community.
Rainbow Families EO Ashley Scott said, “We are excited to have been able to expand on the earlier work of the Youth Council to create this online resource. It’s a tool that families around the country can use to navigate the different challenges that come with being part of a diverse family,”
“Many LGBTQ+ families don’t live in the inner city and don’t have the opportunity to connect with other rainbow families. Little Rainbows will ensure that no matter where they live, young people with LGBTQ+ parents know they are not alone, and their family is worth celebrating.”
RFYC Coordinator and teacher, Geoffrey Parry-Ewing said the number of rainbow families is on the rise so this resource couldn’t come at a better time. “This is a fantastic resource created by our young people – it allows them to share their stories about their families and lived experiences. It celebrates rainbow families and the wonderful young people who are part of the YAC.”
The 2021 Australia Bureau of Statistics revealed that there are thousands of same-sex couples with children in Australia:
- The 2021 Census counted 78,425 same-sex couples living together in Australia.
- 3% of same-sex couples had children living with them.
Little Rainbows will support young people with LGBTQ+ parents in finding information about managing some of the unique challenges of being part of a diverse family. It will also celebrate many of the wonderful aspects of family life for these young people including:
- The different types of families in the Rainbow Families community
- How to explain your family to friends and other people
- What to do if you are bullied about your family structure
- Joining the Little Rainbows community and connecting with other young people.
"We’re celebrating with the Rainbow Families team on the launch of this important resource for LGBTQ+ parents and their children. A core part of how we work at the Telstra Foundation is to include and amplify the voices of young people so we’re really proud to have supported this new online hub that has been designed for and by young people with LGBTQ+ parents” - Jackie Coates, CEO Telstra Foundation."
“The Little Rainbows website is super important for us to be able to tell our stories and share our experiences. It offers community and social support for kids in rainbow families and helps them to gain a wide range of experiences and skills by interacting with others like them.” – Lars, 15 years (YAC member)
“As I got older, I started dropping my family structure into conversations more frequently. I would say to others, “I’m going to see my dad’s this weekend,” and then I would get a “what??!” back from them”. – Mikayla
**The content for Little Rainbows website was developed in partnership with Western Sydney University’s Young and Resilient Research Centre and the Rainbow Families Youth Council.
About Rainbow Families:
Rainbow Families is a pioneering organisation dedicated to promoting understanding, acceptance, and equality for children of LGBTQ+
parents. Through innovative initiatives and partnerships, Rainbow Families is making strides in creating a more inclusive society.
Media Contact:
Rainbow Families Lisa Minner