At LGBTQ Syracuse, we believe that community is about more than gathering together, it’s about showing up for one another. That’s why we’re excited to introduce Rainbow Strides, our new community walking initiative dedicated to supporting meaningful causes while building friendships, promoting wellness, and making a positive impact throughout Central New York.
More Than a Walking Group
Rainbow Strides is a chance for LGBTQ+ individuals, allies, families, and friends to come together with a shared purpose. Whether you’re an experienced walker or simply looking for a welcoming way to become more involved in the community, Rainbow Strides is for you.
Our motto says it all: Walk Proud. Give Back.
Every walk is an opportunity to support organizations making a difference while representing the values of compassion, inclusion, and service that define LGBTQ Syracuse.
Walking Together. Making a Difference.
This fall, we’re kicking off Rainbow Strides by participating in three meaningful community walks.
When choosing our first events, one of our priorities was making sure everyone could participate. Each of these walks is free to register, making it possible for anyone who wants to join us to take part, regardless of their financial situation. By removing the cost of participation, we hope Rainbow Strides can be an inclusive opportunity for everyone to come together, give back, and make a difference.
Please note that while registration is free, these events are also important fundraisers for the organizations they support. Participants are encouraged, but never required, to make a personal donation or share their fundraising page with friends and family who would like to contribute to the cause.
💙 September 12 – Autism Walk
Join us in East Syracuse as we walk in support of autistic individuals, their families, caregivers, and advocates while helping raise awareness, understanding, and inclusion.
💚 October 10 – Suicide Prevention Walk
Mental health affects every community, including our own. Together we’ll walk to honor loved ones, support survivors, reduce stigma, and remind others that no one has to face life’s challenges alone.
💜 November 8 – Walk to End Alzheimer’s
We’ll wrap up our fall season by joining thousands of people across the country in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease and supporting those living with dementia and the families who care for them.
Why We Walk
Rainbow Strides isn’t about endorsing organizations—it’s about supporting people.
Our mission is to bring our community together to participate in events that promote hope, awareness, compassion, and service. We recognize that every cause has its own history and every community has diverse perspectives. What unites us is our commitment to showing up for one another.
Whether we’re walking for autism awareness, suicide prevention, Alzheimer’s research, or future causes, our focus remains the same: building a stronger, more connected community through kindness and action.
Some people can give financially. Others can give their time, their energy, and their presence. Rainbow Strides celebrates every way people choose to make a difference.
About Our Participation in the Autism Speaks Walk
We’ve heard from members of our community who have shared concerns about Autism Speaks. We appreciate those perspectives and recognize that opinions about the organization vary within the autistic community.
Rainbow Strides exists to bring people together in support of important causes and to build community through service. Our decision to participate reflects our desire to support autistic individuals and their families—not an endorsement of every position or action of any single organization.
One of the reasons this event was selected is that it is free to participate, helping us fulfill our goal of making Rainbow Strides accessible to everyone in our community. We believe removing financial barriers allows more people to walk together in support of these causes.
We remain committed to listening, learning, and engaging respectfully with our community as Rainbow Strides continues to grow.
If there are local organizations or future events you believe align with our mission, we’d love to hear your suggestions. Rainbow Strides is a community initiative, and we want it to reflect the voices and values of the people who walk beside us.
Building Community One Step at a Time
One of the best parts of walking together is the opportunity to connect.
Whether you’re attending your first LGBTQ Syracuse event or you’ve been involved for years, Rainbow Strides offers a relaxed and welcoming environment to meet new people, strengthen friendships, enjoy the outdoors, and support causes that matter.
We hope these first three walks are only the beginning. As Rainbow Strides grows, we’ll continue participating in walks and community events that reflect our mission of inclusion, compassion, and service. We also hope to partner with additional local organizations and welcome ideas from our members about causes they’d like to support.
Join Rainbow Strides
We invite everyone to lace up their walking shoes and join us as we launch this exciting new initiative.
Together, we can support important causes, strengthen our community, and demonstrate that small acts of kindness, taken one step at a time, can make a lasting impact.
Upcoming Walks
📅 September 12 – Autism Walk
📍 East Syracuse
🕘 9:00 AM – Noon
📅 October 10 – Suicide Prevention Walk
📍 Long Branch Park
🕥 10:45 AM
📅 November 8 – Walk to End Alzheimer’s
📍 Onondaga Community College
🕚 11:00 AM
Registration is required for each event. Visit linktr.ee/lgbtqsyracuse for registration information and event details.
Walk Proud. Give Back.
Walking Together. Making a Difference.
We can’t wait to take the first step with you. 🌈👟
