Thanksgiving is a holiday traditionally associated with family bonding, but what happens to the people who don’t have anywhere to spend it?
The Ohio University LGBT Center is hosting its fourth annual “Rainbow Thanksgiving” on Thursday for people who are unable to go home during the break. Director of the LGBT Center delfin bautista, who uses they/them pronouns and the lowercase spelling of their name, created the event understanding some people might not have a place to spend Thanksgiving.
“It’s an opportunity for people to come together, especially for those who don’t have anywhere to go,” bautista said.
People who would like to attend are encouraged to help cook the meal, eat the meal, play games and clean up afterward. The main purpose of the event is to get people to come together and celebrate Thursday’s holiday with whatever it means to them.
bautista created the event mindful of the fact that specifically for LGBT students, going home for holidays can be a difficult task. Four years ago, the LGBT Center wanted to offer an alternative so that if students couldn’t afford to go home or didn’t feel safe to go home, they could have some place to go.
Though the event started as a safe haven for LGBT students struggling to return home for the holidays, the planners of the event realized that there are many other people who simply don’t have anywhere to go on Thanksgiving.
The first year, the event was hosted on campus in one of the residence halls. The second year, the United Campus Ministry offered to co-sponsor the event to make it larger for both the campus and the people of Athens. The partnership has continued ever since, along with extra support from the alumni association.
“This event is about reclaiming family as a group of folks coming together to celebrate being together and being themselves,” bautista said. “It’s about being in good company, laughing over cooking bloopers, enjoying conversations while serving food, playing games and just being a community.”
Students are impressed and excited with the creation of Rainbow Thanksgiving, as it gives a great safe place for people to spend a holiday that is oriented in family values.
Laney Smith, a sophomore studying communications, was really happy that the event was created for OU.
“I think it’s a really good option for people who don’t feel comfortable going home to their families,” Smith said. “It really shows the importance of Bobcat family and how the university and the LGBT Center are making its students feel welcome and a part of the community.”
Morgan Korn, a senior studying biological sciences pre-med, is proud of the work the LGBT Center put into this event.
“It’s a great opportunity, especially for those who live out of state and don’t have a way to get home to still be around friends and family,” Korn said.
Thanksgiving is traditionally regarded as a family event. However, family does not always mean the family is biologically related. The LGBT Center has spent four years creating a safe space for people who need a family on Thanksgiving and a place where they can be happy and give thanks.
“Many groups host Thanksgiving suppers before Thursday, but it got me thinking about what happens on Thursday and wanting to provide a space for people to turn to,” bautista said. “It’s exciting and inspiring to give thanks for being ourselves in affirming company.”
