New Volunteer Opportunity

Be part of Rainbow History’s renewed effort to document and visualize important dates and events is the area’s LGBTQ history with our Timelines Project.

Who We Are

Rainbow History Project’s mission is to collect, preserve and promote the history and culture of the LGBTQ community of metropolitan Washington, D.C. We are an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization and membership is free.

Our Archives

Our collection of nearly 2,000 items is accessible to anyone interested in LGBTQ history. The collection media includes physical, digital, video and photographs, plus oral histories and other sound files.

Our Events

Join us throughout the year for informative in-person and virtual events about important topics and issues in our community’s history. We host presentations, informal talks, walking tours and more.

News Updates

April 18, 2023

Diedre Gray hired as director of RHP Trans History Initiative

Rainbow History Project has hired Diedre Gray (she/her) as director of its Trans History […]

March 1, 2023

A lesbian life not to be missed

One of the leaders in the Washington-area arts and social justice communities, Jill Strachan, […]

February 3, 2023

“Here Because We’re Queer” documents an early radical group and adds to RHP’s archives

 Rainbow History Project’s mission is to collect, preserve and promote the history and culture […]

January 27, 2023

Paid opportunity: Trans History Initiative coordinator

Through a grant from the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ Affairs, RHP is hiring a […]

Donate an item to our collection

Rainbow History Project continually collects materials to ensure that the history of the D.C. area’s LGBTQ community is documented and can be shared with future generations. Your materials are important and RHP is interested!