The Route: Happy Pride!

Jun 10

THE ROUTE

June 2025

Welcome to the June edition of The Route, your monthly update from Rainbow Routes filled with queer joy, global connection, and updates from our growing community. As we step into Pride Month, we’re especially grateful for the power of visibility, celebration, and solidarity across borders. Happy Pride to all!

Updates

This month, Rainbow Routes made its debut at a major conference – and what better place than NAFSA 2025? For those who might not know, NAFSA: Association of International Educators hosts the largest gathering of global education professionals in the world, bringing together thousands of leaders committed to advancing international education. Being part of this incredible community was a huge milestone for us and a fantastic opportunity to share our mission with the field.

While Rainbow Routes is the only provider dedicated to study away programming for LGBTQ+ students, there is a growing community working to make study abroad more accessible and inclusive, and that was clear at NAFSA 2025. A highlight was joining Rainbow SIG’s walking tour of Hillcrest, San Diego’s historic gayborhood. Rainbow SIG is a special interest group within NAFSA that brings together education professionals committed to LGBTQ+ inclusion in international education. We’re longtime fans of their work, and it was such a joy to see them bringing queer history and community into the heart of the conference. They also hosted a lively reception at Rich’s, a beloved local gay nightclub known for its vibrant drag shows and welcoming vibe.

We had amazing conversations with potential partners and left energized by the enthusiastic response Rainbow Routes is receiving from the field. There’s so much in the works, and we can’t wait to share more soon!

Celebrate Pride with Us!

As we honor Pride Month, we invite you to join us in uplifting queer voices and global connections through our programs. If you’re thinking about making a donation to honor Pride, we hope you’ll consider supporting Rainbow Routes! Your contribution will directly help us build welcoming, transformative experiences for queer students worldwide. Even small amounts make a big difference at this early stage: Donate here!

If a financial gift isn’t possible right now, there are still many ways to get involved:

📣 Spread the Word: Know someone who might want to donate or get involved? Forward them this email!
🔗 Follow us on LinkedIn: Help us grow our network and reach more supporters.
🤝 Partner with Us: If your organization or community wants to collaborate, let’s talk!

Queer History Spotlight: Berlin

This month, we’re shining a light on Berlin, a city with well-documented queer history that continues to inspire and lead today. Known as one of the world’s earliest centers of LGBTQ+ activism, Berlin was home to the groundbreaking Institut für Sexualwissenschaft (Institute for Sexual Science) founded by Magnus Hirschfeld in 1919, a pioneer in sexual rights and research.

Berlin also hosted Der Eigene, the first known gay magazine, dating back to 1896. Despite periods of repression, including during the Nazi era, the city has long been a refuge and creative haven for queer communities, artists, and activists. Today, Berlin stands as a global beacon for LGBTQ+ culture and rights, celebrated annually with Christopher Street Day (CSD), one of Europe’s largest Pride events. While the main CSD parade happens in July, the city buzzes with Pride-related activities throughout June.

Berlin is also close to our hearts at Rainbow Routes; our founder studied abroad in the city, and one of our board members now calls it home. It’s a place where history, resilience, and vibrant queer life come together, reflecting the spirit of connection and community we strive to build.

Sparking Queer Joy: News & Resources

With what can feel like a constant flow of bad news these days, we’re making space to celebrate moments of joy alongside resources for our community:

🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ Salt Lake City and Boise Adopt Official Pride Flags: The cities approved several new flags after Utah and Idaho passed laws barring unofficial flags from being displayed on government property.
🎤 LGBTQ+ Eurovision Stars Rocked the Stage: Eurovision remains a platform for queer talent, with performers bringing unforgettable energy and visibility to the LGBTQ+ community across Europe.
🇧🇷 Brazil Grants Gender-Neutral IDs: Brazil’s court decision to allow gender-neutral IDs marks a major win for transgender rights and sets a powerful precedent in Latin America.
🍼 Italy Rules Both Mothers Can Be on Birth Certificates: Italy’s Constitutional Court ruled that both mothers in a same-sex couple can be listed as parents on their child’s birth certificate.