Our History and Mission

Rainbow Rumpus is the world‘s only online literary magazine for children and youth with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) parents. We provide a safe, fun, and empowering place for young people to create and enjoy art, break through isolation, build community, and take action to make the world a better place.

Rainbow Rumpus was conceived in 2005 when publisher Laura Matanah’s daughter found a small photo in the Human Rights Campaign magazine Equality and exclaimed, “Look Mommy! Two moms and twins! Just like us!” A light bulb went off for Ms. Matanah, and Rainbow Rumpus, the world’s only Web-based literary magazine for youth with LGBT parents, was born.

Ms. Matanah quickly sought and received support from author advisory board members Marion Dane Bauer, Nancy Garden, Gregory Maguire, and Jacqueline Woodson, and recruited a group of editorial and web professionals who volunteered to produce the magazine. Rainbow Rumpus is now the most prolific publisher of fiction about LGBT-headed families, producing over 25 new stories each year, along with articles, essays, music and video created by both young people and professional artists.

Rainbow Rumpus won a Dot.Org award for “Awesome Audience Awareness” from the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits in 2007. In 2008 the organization translated that awareness into an added section for teen readers, and received independent 501 (c) status. In 2009, we responded to the requests of young readers and parents, launching a series of books for preschool and elementary aged children which can be downloaded directly from our site. In 2010 Rainbow Rumpus updated its technology and launched a new sister site for teens, Rainbow Riot.

In addition to its online presence, Rainbow Rumpus also provides editorial guidance to emerging writers, arts programming for children and teens, and mentoring for its volunteers. We build connections with other LGBT family and allied organizations to reach parents and allies, including teachers and librarians. Authors and illustrators are paid for their work, and two staff people support more than 25 volunteers who manage our monthly publication. Rainbow Rumpus is visited by over 100 households each day across the globe, with hundreds more on our Facebook page and e-newsletter lists.