Online Rainbow Hub looks to connect people across P.E.I.'s LGBTQ spectrum

A new online resourcehas been launched on P.E.I. called the Rainbow Hub with the slogan of "Spreading Pride, Island Wide".

It was put together through co-operation between PEERS Alliance, Pride P.E.I. and the P.E.I. Transgender Network.

The Rainbow Hub has a list of programs and services around theLGBTQ communityon the Island, including online resources and a community calendar where peoplecan promote upcoming events.

There will also be aninteractive discussion board another way that folks canget connected and create community online.

So to have this digital space in lieuof a physical space for now, it provides folks with theopportunity to find a community, to connect. Brittany Jakubiec, PEERS Alliance

"I think it's really important for folks to feel like you're a part of a community to feel like you belong,"said Brittany Jakubiec, executive director with PEERS Alliance.

"Your sense of belonging to whichever community and all of the communities you belong to is a reallyimportant part of your personal identity and how you feel about yourself."

Intentionally launching aroundP.E.I.'s Pride Week, the timing of the online hub is also helpful for those trying to connect while staying apart during the global pandemic.

"Pride P.E.I. has been doing such a tremendous job of adapting their Pride festival to our current world conditions and are doing a lot of things online and withZoom and live streaming and it's been this amazing learning experience," Jakubiec said.

"So to have the Rainbow Hub come out during this time as well just provides folks with yet another opportunity to find community online and to engage online."

The project was made possible from funding through Canadian Heritage.That money meant two people could be hired for community outreach, to find out what was needed and how to put it all together.

They also worked on a feasibility study on having a permanent physical space for people to meet up and connect.

Jakubiec said they are still looking for community partners and options on how that could come together.

But for now, and during the public health restrictions on social gathering, the Rainbow Hub's existence meansconnections canstill be made.

"So to have this digital space in lieuof a physical space for now, it provides folks with theopportunity to find a community, to connect," Jakubiec said.

"To find the information that they might be looking for, or programs or services that might be interesting to them."

More from CBC P.E.I.