The Rainbow Resource Centre in Winnipeg celebrated its 50th anniversary [1] with a gala and fundraiser held at the RBC Convention Centre.

As Canada’s longest-serving 2SLGBTQ+ community centre, the organization serves as a critical hub for advocacy and support services in Manitoba. The milestone underscores the center's persistence in providing resources for a marginalized population over five decades.

The anniversary event, which took place on Saturday, June 10, 2023 [2], focused on the organization's history of service and the need for continued funding to sustain its various programs. Program manager Alice Charles said the center plays a role in supporting the community [3].

The gala served as both a commemoration of the past and a strategic effort to raise funds for ongoing operations. These funds support the center's mission to provide a safe and inclusive space for 2SLGBTQ+ individuals across the region.

Financial support for the center's specialized initiatives has come from various partners over the years. For example, the RBC Foundation previously provided a $10,000 [4] donation to the Youth Educating Against Homophobia (YEAH) program to help combat discrimination in schools.

The center continues to operate as a primary resource for advocacy, offering a range of programs designed to empower the 2SLGBTQ+ community. By marking 50 years of service, the organization emphasizes the evolution of queer rights and visibility in Winnipeg and beyond.

“Canada’s longest-serving 2SLGBTQ+ community centre”

The longevity of the Rainbow Resource Centre reflects the institutionalization of 2SLGBTQ+ support systems in Canada. Moving from grassroots activism to a structured community center allows for more sustainable funding and a consistent point of access for healthcare, legal, and social resources, illustrating the shift from temporary crisis intervention to permanent community infrastructure.