Making Rainbow Friends
When it comes to personalities, Mensans aren’t any different from the rest of the population. You have people who are extroverted or introverted, funny or serious, highly-motivated or lethargic, analytic or impulsive, spendthrifts or parsimonious, people who are open to new ideas and people who are traditionalists, and people who say smart things and, yes, some who say dumb things. (When Mensans are wrong, they can be really wrong!)
What sets Mensans apart is that they tend to discern patterns and information more rapidly than average.
What unites Mensans with the rest of humanity is the need for love and acceptance, both giving and receiving. Mensans have Mensan and non-Mensan family members and friends alike. The Rainbow SIG is a time-tested way to
expand your circle of friends.
If you are at all curious about the Rainbow SIG, that’s a good sign. We invite you to contact us at rainbow@chicago.us.mensa.org or come to one of our events or both. (There are no tests or dues for affiliate membership.) Afterall, can anybody
have too many friends?
Contributing to the
Rainbow Community
Most Rainbow Mensans want to make the world a better place for the Rainbow community and they are willing to use their intelligence to do just that. The
Rainbow SIG focuses its efforts in three areas:
- fundraising for the Rainbow Railroad,
- promoting visibility by participating in the Pride Parade every year and
- pushing for scholarships for LGBTQ+ persons and research into intelligence
— through contributions to the Mensa Education and Research Foundation
(MERF).
Born this Way: Affirming Pride in Who We Are
Whether you are talking about sexual orientation/gender identity or a gifted intellect, why shouldn’t you feel pride in who you are. From the very first time they were developed, IQ tests were never meant to be seen as a limiting factor. You have unlimited potential regardless of your IQ and the same goes for sexual orientation and gender identity. The Rainbow SIG embraces these attributes and invites you to do the same.
A Little About Us
What is the Rainbow SIG? We are a group of proud, caring and intelligent people who share similar identities and have unique personalities, values and accomplishments. We are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer with a few Allies thrown in for good measure. Our numbers have included a member of the Chicago LGBTQ Hall of Fame, successful contestants on Jeopardy and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, an Ironman Triathlete, a member who traveled to 125 foreign countries, and many more.
Testimonials
“I’ve literally never had a more welcoming and supportive introductory experience to a group than my first Pride Parade through this organization. And this I say as a straight, cis, white privileged weirdo; if anyone should be suspect in this this group, it’s me. You guys rock!”
“I joined MENSA® and the Rainbow SIG in 1982. I’m active to this day because I’ve never found a group where we can discuss travel to foreign countries, real estate investing, music, theater, wine and food and certainly every aspect of living as an LGBTQ in Chicago in 2019 with such an intelligent, informed and amusing membership.”
“What started out as a visit to Chicago and a stimulating cultural exchange comparing and contrasting our countries has turned into an enduring friendship between my partner Anna and me and members of the Rainbow SIG. I highly recommend MENSA® and the S.I.G.H.T. program. [MENSA®’s international and domestic traveler’s program].”
“Through Rainbow SIG’s national connections, I am friends with another Mensan from Providence, Rhode Island, and together we competed in the Marathon in the 2019 Gay Games in Paris, France. It was exhilarating participating with 10,000 other LGBTQ athletes from around the world.”
“The stock market and real estate investors in the Rainbow SIG frequently exchange ideas. One member shared an idea which I implemented in an apartment building my spouse and I own. It increased our cash flow by 20% for a capital improvement with only a nominal cost. Strategizing is a hallmark of our discussions and it often has direct benefits.”
“It’s in the nature of friendships that some are short-term, some are medium-term and some are long-term. I have found all three in the Rainbow SIG. I even met my husband in the Rainbow SIG.”
Become a Member
Everyone is invited to become a Affiliate Member of the Rainbow SIG by filling out the membership form below. In addition, for those who are interested in joining MENSA®, there are five ways of joining.
None of your information will be shared with third parties.
