Press

Thanks to the ACT Grant program, Rainbow Labs has partnered with the San Gabriel Valley LGBTQ+ Center to serve SGV youth by creating the LGBTQ+ Youth Advocacy Coalition.

Rainbow Labs honored VINCINT and Ashlee Marie Preston at its inaugural Violet Visionary Awards, celebrating LGBTQ+ leadership and mentorship. Hosted by Nina West, the event featured ballroom performances and launched the Dream Builder Lab, a new monthly giving program supporting Queer and Gender Nonconforming youth across Los Angeles.

The Guardian featured Rainbow Labs as a leading example of creating fun, affirming spaces where trans and non-binary youth can explore sports, build confidence, and connect with community.

Feature story by Nikki Kay of Spectrum News 1, Los Angeles. As a nonprofit, Rainbow Labs creates a space to connect queer and gender-nonconforming youth with mentors and community.

Rainbow Labs is filling that gap—creating safe, affirming spaces for queer and gender non-conforming youth across L.A., with a focus on Latinx teens. From storytelling labs to field trips at NFL Studios, their programs build confidence, community, and cultural connection.

Read the full story by Chelsea Hylton in De Los via the Los Angeles Times.

Rainbow Labs was featured by Liberty Hill for creating safe, affirming spaces for queer youth and leading conversations around mental health, connection, and community healing.

LAFC and BMO US welcomed Rainbow Labs to last weekend's match. Rainbow Labs provides affirming mentoring programs to Queer and Gender Nonconforming youth.

Originally posted by LA Football Club on Facebook.

The LA Clippers hosted Rainbow Labs youth and mentors at the Kia Forum to launch One Bold Summer—an 8-week, free mentoring program for Queer and Gender Nonconforming youth ages 12–18.

Originally posted by the LA Clippers on June 15, 2023.

Beyond Sport interviewed Rainbow Labs’ Luis Vasquez about using sports to build inclusive, empowering spaces where queer youth can connect, grow, and lead—one practice, one game at a time.

During Pride Night 2023, the LA Galaxy donated $17,434 to Rainbow Labs and Covenant House in support of LGBTQ+ youth. The donation was tied to match attendance at Dignity Health Sports Park.

Originally posted by AEG on June 2, 2023.

Rainbow Labs was awarded a planning grant from AmeriCorps to expand its mentorship programs for queer and gender non-conforming youth. The grant is part of a $7.4 million investment in evidence-based community solutions.

Originally posted by Philanthropy News Digest on February 12, 2023.

The Lakers Youth Foundation teamed up with Rainbow Labs to host the Lakers LGBTQ+ Tee-Off, a Pride Month event celebrating Queer and Gender Nonconforming youth. As a community partner, Rainbow Labs empowers youth through mentorship and community building rooted in lived experience and self-expression.

Co-Founders of Rainbow Labs, Jacob Toups and Luis Vasquez, were selected as the Rams' fourth "pLAymaker" honorees and surprised with a $5,000 check from The Los Angeles Rams Foundation.

Jacob Toups joins Stories Behind to talk about creating spaces of belonging for LGBTQ+ youth, the power of intersectionality, and reclaiming the word “queer.”