Across Rainbows Co-founder: “Being Different Is What Makes Us All Beautiful”

Nicholas Cousin, co-founder of the Across Rainbows community, talks with myGwork about their work in supporting the LGBTQ+ community and the importance of claiming your sense of self.

Image Credit: Nicholas Cousin

Could you tell us a little bit about your charity and the work that you do?

We (my mother Luciana and I) created Across Rainbows out of a desire to transform the LGBTQ+ community; We believe that by nurturing and cultivating our LGBTQ+ identity, relationships and purpose, we can better navigate the world—and our role in it—with resilience and creativity. Our aim is to Redefine Queer Identity. We do this through workshops, community projects, and media. Our workshops focus on identity and how we, as queer people, can reframe our understanding of what it means to be LGBTQ+ - to go from surviving to thriving.

Community projects involve creating unapologetically queer spaces, such as, our lovely Bar/Cafe in Brighton: Arcobaleno. Our venue prioritizes intersectionality, openness, and nonconformity — an intergenerational hub designed to bridge the gaps and foster a genuine sense of community.

Recently we launched our street safety project called Back Off. Back UP. which is aimed at combating rising hate crime, by having venues pledge to be a safe space. We have launched our app, available to download on Apple & Android. This app will show you where safe venues are within Brighton & Hove. We are looking to expand across the country within the next few years.

Our media section is focused on curating content that is targeted towards LGBTQ+ people and that is engaging, entertaining, and enlightening. We host a whole range of events to entertain and inspire—from drag nights to live music, poetry and book launches, art and fashion shows—with particular focus on platforming Brighton’s local queer and wonderful performers and creatives.

One of our most successful is: ‘Sex Education’ with international drag icon, Lydia L'Scabies. It is an immersive drag school experience, where we reclaim our lost queer sex education. We are expanding our media section next year. So please look out for some high-quality entertaining content. Or if you know anyone who wants to get involved, please get in touch!

Image Credit: Nicholas Cousin

What advice do you have for those who want to support LGBTQ+ rights?

At this current moment, there is a lot that someone can do to support the LGBTQ+ community and our rights. Hate crime is on the rise and local queer bars are being closed. It is important now more than ever for the community and allies to come together. Firstly, it would be to support local queer business.

A lot of LGBTQ+ bars are straight owned or owned by corporations profiteering off of the community. It is important to know where you spend your money and does it actually go to the community. Secondly, volunteer with local organizations and not national organizations. For example, in Brighton we have a lovely organization