Welcome to the website of the Arlington, Massachusetts, LGBTQIA+ Rainbow Commission. Town Meeting established the Commission in 2017, Commission meetings began the following March, and Arlington held its first Pride event in June 2018.

Who we are

The Rainbow Commission is a volunteer group of residents, appointed by the Town, to promote full inclusion of LGBTQIA+ individuals and groups through affirming policies and programs, resources, advocacy and community building. The Town works to have Commission membership be equitable and inclusive. All are welcome to apply. Applicants who can bring experience and knowledge from communities not currently represented on the Commission would help the Commission better represent the wonderful diversity within Arlington’s LGBTQIA+ community. The Commission usually meets on the third Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in hybrid fashion. We are in person at the Arlington Community Center in the second floor Health and Human Services conference room and we are online via Zoom. Visit the town information page for the LGBTQIA+ Rainbow Commission for the most up to date meeting information and to register to attend online.

The best way to get involved with us is by coming to our meetings, our events, or volunteering to work with us. Stay informed by signing up for our newsletter.

Local LGBTQIA+ Events

Please see our recent newsletters for an up-to-date listing of upcoming events. All meetings and events hosted by the Rainbow Commission (not cosponsorships) are open to the public and accessible. Please contact rainbow@town.arlington.ma.us if you need accommodations. We regret that we generally do not provide ASL interpretation or assistive listening devices. We need at least 2 weeks notice to line up an ASL interpreter.

Arlington Queer Market

The Arlington Rainbow Commission will be hosting Town Pride festivities on Sunday, May 31st. And we are thrilled to officially announce that a key event that day will be Arlington’s first ever Queer Market! The Queer Market will run from 12:00pm – 4:00pm inside Arlington Town Hall. We are so excited to center queer-owned vendors – creators, artists, makers, and small businesses – and bring folks together in celebration of this beautiful, diverse, and expansive LGBTQIA+ community.

We are hoping to have about 30-35 vendors – those selling goods – in addition to potentially around 10 spots for tabling – organizations sharing information and resources and not selling goods. We welcome folks from all around the greater Boston area to participate – you do not have to be an Arlington resident! Please continue reading below for information about the two applications. 

Vendor Application – Please submit this application if you are interested in participating as a vendor at the Queer Market – selling any goods.

Tabling Application – Please submit this application if you are interested in tabling at the Queer Market. Tabling is subject to availability based on space capacity and needs. 

The deadline for both applications is April 10th, 2026.