On Aug. 12, Rainbow Labs brought a crowd of youth, mentors, and community supporters together at BMO Stadium for an unforgettable night, watching LAFC face off against Liga MX club Querétaro F.C. in a Leagues Cup Phase One clash.
The energy on the pitch matched the enthusiasm in the stands. It was an absolute nailbiter of a match, a tightly contested 1-1 draw in regulation that pushed everyone right to the edge of their seats. By the time the sides stepped up for the penalty shootout, fans were on their feet, jumping and screaming with every shot. LAFC ultimately clinched a tense 5-3 victory on spot-kicks, capstone to an electric evening.
Yet the action on the pitch served as a backdrop for a larger cause. Before kickoff, leadership from Rainbow Labs gathered guests to express appreciation for the community support powering their ongoing youth initiatives.
A Powerful Voice At Half Time
At half time, leaders spoke candidly about their mission to expand safe spaces in athletics, emphasizing the progress being made toward welcoming queer supporters in stadium culture. The moment peaked when a teenager enrolled in Rainbow Labs stepped up to speak.
Addressing the crowd, the teen explained that participating in these after-school programs was the first time they felt safe and truly seen as a queer adolescent. They shared how having access to understanding adult mentors granted them the space to flourish, shine, and express themselves without reservation. Hearing a young person speak with that degree of clarity inside a major stadium left a quiet, profound impact on everyone nearby.
Born From Lived Experience
Co-founders Jacob Toups and Luis Vasquez launched Rainbow Labs in 2020 specifically to tackle the isolation many queer teens face. Growing up in their respective home communities, both founders encountered persistent bullying and a stark lack of supportive peer networks. Neither found an affirming LGBTQ+ group until much later in adulthood.
Determined to change that timeline for the next generation, Toups and Vasquez established Rainbow Labs so youth can connect with peers and adult role models much earlier in life, gaining confidence to navigate their futures.
Confronting An American Crisis
The urgency behind their mission is rooted in sobering data:
- In California public schools, roughly 10% of students, representing over 600,000 youth, identify as Queer or Gender Non-Conforming (QGNC).
- Within the juvenile justice system, that figure rises to 15%, or approximately 13,000 young people.
- Over the past year, 39% of QGNC youth seriously considered suicide, and they remain five times more likely to attempt suicide than straight peers.
Despite this alarming reality, out of more than 5,000 youth mentoring programs across the United States, only five focus explicitly on QGNC youth. Rainbow Labs exists to close that massive shortfall.
How The Programs Work
Rainbow Labs designs trauma-informed, research-backed after-school programs, offered in-person across Los Angeles and through online platforms. Their initiatives center around key areas tailored to teen interests:
- Storytelling Lab: Youth share personal experiences, lead creative projects, and shape community initiatives.
- Sports Lab: Inclusive clinics and team activities where kids build physical confidence alongside supportive mentors.
- Leadership Lab: Running from October through June, youth advise staff and board members on program design, outreach, and advocacy.
- Innovation & Policy Labs: Pathways exploring STEM fields and civics, helping teens influence local policy alongside coalition partners.
Through these tailored offerings, participants repeatedly report improved self-esteem, stronger interpersonal bonds, and renewed optimism for their adult lives.
Building A National Presence
Supported by their board, advisory team, staff, and youth leaders, Rainbow Labs is working toward a long-term vision: ensuring every Queer and Gender Non-Conforming young person in the country has free access to an affirming mentor.
To support mentorship initiatives for LGBTQ+ youth, click here to learn more and donate to Rainbow Labs.
