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You are at:Home»Community»Frankie Grande’s ‘Rainbowthon’ Returns for a Second Year on June 3

Frankie Grande’s ‘Rainbowthon’ Returns for a Second Year on June 3

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By on May 20, 2021 Community

Frankie J. Grande has always been extremely focused and goal-oriented. The current focus of the Broadway dancer, actor, singer, producer, television host, and social media personality is something very close to his heart: the second annual Rainbowthon, a virtual concert benefitting the Los Angeles LGBT Center on Thursday, June 3.

Last year, with the help of some famous friends, Grande raised $55,000 in one night to support Center programs and services impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I would love to beat last year’s total,” Grande tells LGBT News Now.“Every year I do something, I always try to go bigger. I hope to raise $100,000 one year!”

Grande has been a regular participant in AIDS/LifeCycle, the seven-day, 545-mile bike journey from San Francisco to Los Angeles which raises millions for San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the HIV/AIDS-related services of the Center.

Rainbowthon was born out of Grande’s strong desire to do something after the ride was canceled and to produce a virtual event because of the pandemic. This year’s AIDS/LifeCycle was also canceled, and a new charity event TogetheRide was launched to give participants an opportunity to set their own riding pace and time commitment goals..

“It’s our second year not riding, and that was such a huge part of my year,” he explains. “So, Rainbowthon is my way of keeping it close to heart. Even though I won’t be on a bike, I will be giving all my love and energy for one week in June—it’s really exciting!”

Grande, who has performed on Broadway in Rock of Ages and Mamma Mia!, will host a star-studded line-up that includes JoJo Siwa; Jewel; Alexandra Billings; MacDoesIt; Chaunté Wayans; Gizzle; Jasmine Davis; Shoshana Bean; Alyson Stoner; Laith Ashley; Rayvon Owen, R.K. Russell & Corey O’Brien; Kenton Chen; and Shea Diamond—just to name a few.

“This year we’ll have the opportunity to do a lot more live appearances than we did last year,” Grande shares. “I’ll be hosting live at the Center and will be able to perform live. I’ll be dancing, singing and hosting—a triple threat!”

Grande, who spoke on behalf of AIDS/LifeCycle at the Center’s 50th Anniversary Hearts of Gold concert at The Greek Theatre in 2019, says he gets constant reassurance from the public that his efforts to support the Center are well worth it.

“Every time I mention the Center, someone tells me how the organization has helped them, whether it’s getting an HIV test, seeing a mental health specialist, or simply finding their community,” he shares. “They are like, ‘Oh my God, I love the Center! They helped me.’ I am immensely grateful for the Center and cannot wait to bring more laughs and smiles to you—and raise more critical funds for this amazing organization. Let’s start Pride month by doing some good!”

Grande was a contestant on the reality show Big Brother in 2014 followed by the U.K. reality show Celebrity Big Brother in 2016. He has more than two million followers on Instagram, one million on Twitter, and more than 450,000 subscribers on YouTube.

Rainbowthon begins at 6 pm P.T. on Thursday, June 3. Watch the livestream at rainbowthon.org

 

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LGBT News Now is a publication of the Los Angeles LGBT Center. Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2019, the Center is the largest LGBT organization in the world, dedicated to building a world where LGBT thrive as healthy, equal, and complete members of society. Learn more at lalgbtcenter.org.

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🌈Great news! #California Gov. Gavin Newsom sign 🌈Great news! #California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law 9 bills this weekend that will help ensure the safety and dignity of the #LGBTQ+ community through measures addressing inclusive school climates, gender-affirming business licensing, and public accommodations. This is a moment to take action, click the link in bio to urge Gov. Newsom to sign AB1645 🗣️
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“Queer people are told to minimize everything. W “Queer people are told to minimize everything. We’re told to be the friend or the supporting character. But drag makes us think, what if I’m the main character?” asked #TrixieMattel in her speech at last year’s #ModelsofPride, the world’s largest free conference for #LGBTQ+ youth. “I want you guys to know that you are all the main character.”

The “RuPaul’s Drag Race” champ accepted the event’s Model of Pride award, celebrating her epic career spanning entertainment, music, cosmetics—and even commercial renovation, with the hotel makeover series “Trixie Motel” for Discovery—at a time when drag was becoming a growing target for the far-right. 

This year, the drag bans have evolved into an anti-LGBTQ assault on California schools, but Models of Pride is back on October 14th with keynote speakers like #DylanMulvaney and #HayleyKiyoko to create the safe, empowering space our students need right now. You can register at the #linkinbio, or head to modelsofpride.org for more info.
Closing out #BiVisibilityWeek with a banger. (Did Closing out #BiVisibilityWeek with a banger. (Did YOU know the B in Cardi B was for #Bisexual?) Remember you are valid, you owe nobody an explanation, and you’re loved. 🩷💜💙
Happy #BiVisibilityDay! Today we’re giving love Happy #BiVisibilityDay! Today we’re giving love to and celebrating the B in LGBTQ. Bi Visibility Day was created to recognize and celebrate the Bi+ community including the need to reduce stigma of the identity. Bisexuality is beautiful and bi folks deserve love, support and acceptance. How are you celebrating Bi Visibility Day? Drop your 🩷💜💙’s in the comments 

🎥 @kimhoyos
🚨#Breaking: The United States is facing a short 🚨#Breaking: The United States is facing a shortage of injectable penicillin, which is the usual medication used for treating #syphilis. Fortunately, #DoxyPEP has been proven to effectively lower the risk of sexually transmitted infections, such as syphilis, by as much as 87%. For more information, swipe to view our FAQs on DoxyPEP or visit the link in our bio.
We are excited to announce recording artist #Hayle We are excited to announce recording artist #HayleyKiyoko (@hayleykiyoko), AKA #LesbianJesus, as this year’s double headliner and honoree at our #ModelsofPride youth summit! She joins keynote speaker and Model of Pride Award recipient #DylanMulvaney and social media star @RubasWorld, who will serve as the event’s host on October 14.

At a time when LGBTQ+ education is under attack, Models of Pride lifts love, acceptance, and queer joy for LGBTQ+ youth and allies. For more info and registration, visit modelsofpride.org. 

#ModelsofPride #LGBTQYouth  #LoveAndAcceptance
Join us for #Queerceañera on Friday, Sept. 29th! Join us for #Queerceañera on Friday, Sept. 29th! 

Hosted by RuPaul's #DragRace Season 15 alum, @EsTitties, Queerce is a vivid cultural summit and community cotillion rooted in unbridled celebration. This year’s honorees RuPaul’s #DragRaceMéxico host @allaboutvalentina and actress/recording artist @MissBenny sitting down together in a candid keynote conversation. 

But wait, there’s more! The post-program reception features tropical cocktails and live performances by #LA’s own Latin dance phenomenon @Queerchata. RSVP now at our #linkinbio #LatinxHeritageMonth
We are thrilled to announce superstar and host of We are thrilled to announce superstar and host of #DragRaceMexico #Valentina as an honoree and keynote speaker at the Center’s first-ever #Queerceañera! Join us in celebrating the vibrancy of LA's LGBTQ+ Latinx community on Friday, Sept. 29 in Hollywood.

There’s more! The post program reception features tropical cocktails and live performances curated by LA’s own Latin dance phenomenon @Queerchata. RSVP now at our #linkinbio #LatinxHeritageMonth
“You don’t necessarily have to be from a ranch “You don’t necessarily have to be from a ranch to be a cowboy.” Every spring in Zacatecas, Mexico, men from across North America don their finest cowboy attire for a private gathering of gay vaqueros. The weekend-long convention is a celebration of Mexican culture where attendees are free to embrace their authentic selves. “[Mexican culture] is ours, too,” one attendee told the Los Angeles Times.

Founded nearly 20 years ago by bar owner Mariano Escobar, the event features live music, dancing, and a contest for “rostro vaquero”—the official face of the convention and a nod to Mexican festivals where women are crowned “princesses” or “queens.” This year, the title went to Eros Herrera, a police officer who recently opened a homeless shelter and soup kitchen serving the #LGBTQ+ community in San Luis Potosi.

“When I’m on the street, I’m very discreet,” Daniel Renteria, an agave farmer who traveled an hour and a half to attend, told the Times. “Having to hide yourself is hard. Events like this one unite us.” Read more at the #linkinbio.

Happy #LatinxHeritageMonth—stay tuned for more coverage on this page over the next few weeks.

📷 Gary Coronado via @latimes
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