From Isolation to Empowerment: Empower Tennessee’s Rainbow Crew Embraces Diversity

By Lauren Means

Driving change for individuals with disabilities, Empower Tennessee has stood as a pillar of support since its establishment in 1992. Empower Tennessee is part of the independent living movement, which officially kicked off in 1972 when the first Center for Independent Living was founded by disability activists in Berkeley, California. These centers were created to offer peer support and role modeling. They are run and controlled by people with disabilities. Currently, Empower Tennessee is co-housed with the Tennessee Disability Coalition and a few other disability organizations in East Nashville.

For Dan Dumont (he/they/she), licensed clinical social worker and mental health therapist, the journey with Empower Tennessee began in September 2022 through a grant that allows Empower Tennessee to focus on disability and mental health. They were able to develop different initiatives with this grant.

Among those initiatives is the Empowered Rainbow Crew, a groundbreaking program designed to bridge the gap for LGBTQ+ individuals with disabilities. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by this community, this therapy group was launched in June 2023 to provide much-needed support. In a state where LGBTQ+-affirming mental health providers are scarce, and where disability inclusion within LGBTQ+ communities is often lacking, the Rainbow Crew has emerged as a lifeline.

Dumont, who leads the Empowered Rainbow Crew, noted the struggles faced by LGBTQ+ individuals with disabilities are multi-faceted. Invisible conditions such as chronic pain, anxiety, autism, and post-traumatic stress disorder often go unnoticed or misunderstood. “In the LGBTQ+ community, these disabilities are pretty common, but that doesn’t mean we’re good at talking about them or offering emotional or practical support to one another. There’s also run-of-the-mill discrimination against people with visible disabilities, because LGBTQ+ people can be just as patronizing or ableist as anyone else, and may feel awkward around someone who is a wheelchair user, or speaks differently,” explained Dumont. 

Discrimination within the LGBTQ+ community itself, coupled with the societal association of disabilities and chronic health conditions with aging, makes it hard for LGBTQ+ young people to find community and date. “Things like being in a loud crowded space, staying out late, and even going to a Pride event that’s outdoors on a hot day — a lot of typical places where LGBTQ+ people connect — are not always very accessible for people with disabilities,” said Dumont. 

Empower Tennessee aims to fill the gaps in the support system. Recognizing that the disability community, in general, is underserved, Dumont and the team strive to make their programs accessible. The Rainbow Crew, with its free, online-only sessions, limited participants, and a focus on privacy, seeks to address potential barriers and create a safe space for open discussions.

The long-term vision is one of connection, understanding, and empowerment. The isolation that often plagues LGBTQ+ individuals with disabilities can be alleviated through groups like the Empowered Rainbow Crew. Dumont said, “There are a lot of things that get in the way of connecting with others, finding people who can relate, and developing that ‘chosen family’ of close friends that many people long for. I envision Empowered Rainbow Crew being one way that people can connect, have good experiences of getting to know people better, and take steps towards healthier relationships.”

He also noted that when we get bullied, excluded, and discriminated against, it can be hard to keep trying and putting yourself out there. “It’s natural that we start to anticipate these problems, which increases anxiety. If this group can help someone feel hopeful, feel understood, and feel a sense of belonging, then that is a meaningful contribution in my view,” Dumont said. By fostering a sense of belonging and providing a platform for shared experiences, the program aspires to contribute to the long-term well-being of its participants.

Anyone aged 18 and above, identifying as LGBTQ+ with a disability, is welcome to join the monthly group. For those aged 18-28, a weekly therapy group is available. Disabilities can be self-diagnosed, with no formal assessment required, as Empower Tennessee broadly defines disability to encompass a spectrum of conditions.

To participate, individuals can reach out to Dan Dumont via email at [email protected] or by phone at 615-236-6362. An intake meeting over Zoom ensures a personalized connection before joining the group. 

Empower Tennessee encourages not only participation but also invites individuals to explore various peer support groups and consider opportunities to contribute as Board Members, volunteers, or Outreach Committee Members. “We’re a small organization, more than half of us are LGBTQ+ and all of us are LGBTQ+ affirming. Please come learn more about us, we would love to meet you and build community with you,” stated Dumont. 

To learn more about Empower Tennessee, visit https://empowertennessee.org/.