TheRainBowNavy: Sailing Towards LGBTQ Empowerment

Greetings everyone I'm Malcolm. Where do I begin? I am a retired Teacher of visually impaired Junior High through High School Students. Being visually impaired myself I believe I had a bit of a knack for it. I was born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and lived and taught most of my adult life in the City of New Orleans. Being in the Big Easy and being blind was not always that easy but my students often made my days seem easier because their young lives were not always as easy as my younger life. I made it a habit to travel when I could, to experience as much of the world as possible. Now that I am retired I get to travel a little farther and experience cultures for longer periods. Those trips have presented me with many amazing opportunities to embrace and experience other cultures. Some of those experiences have been hard-hitting lessons and more than just subtle reminders, given my few challenges, how fortunate I truly am.

One such visit was the year I spent with my Partner in Manila. The Philippines is truly a remarkable chain of islands. The beauty of the islands and the absolute unrestrained hospitality of the Filipino people are truly an experience to behold and share. The sea views and mountain vistas in such proximity were breathtaking no matter what perspective you held at that moment. Being blind I prefer to walk as much as I can, I miss many things being confined in a car. My partner and I often would walk day and night, to take in the sounds and smells, the energy of the city is palpable. My partner would describe to me the sights to match the smells and sounds we would experience on our daily strolls. We learned much on these walks, what the city had to offer what it still needed to provide and who were the most at risk and more marginalized. One of the most marginalized communities is that of the LGBTQ+ community.

I want to return and in some way contribute in the hope of offering a better future to those who deserve a chance to live a life they may have not thought possible. The challenge was how to develop a project that would not require annual cycles of fundraising and donating only to repeat the process in the following year. And just like that TheRainBowNavy was born, a commercial Not-For-Profit enterprise maximizing the high points of the city's robust entertainment, travel and tourism market to benefit a segment of the population so often overlooked. It's not an unproven social outreach or business model. I'm not trying to reinvent the wheel, just bring a wheel to a new city and community that could benefit from its presence. This will be a one-time ask to establish a perpetual income that the local LGBTQ+ community is the beneficiary of. With a little help from you, we can create something that will keep on giving.

Project Goals:

1: Raise $475,000 to purchase and refurbish TheRainBowNavy yacht.

2: Establish an ongoing revenue stream to support the local LGBTQ+ community.

3: Provide employment and education opportunities to create financial independence for Filipino youth.

4: Strengthen the foundations of the local LGBTQ+ community through enhanced resources and support.

5: Maintain our rewards program with our donors and supporters through discounts on onboard services or nearby local service partners.

Campaign Highlights:

TheRainBowNavy Yacht: Purchase and transform a yacht into a vibrant social hub that caters to international tourists, showcasing the best of Filipino hospitality and LGBTQ+ culture. The yacht will host events, parties, and cultural exchanges, serving as a safe and inclusive space for all. Our transformation will include the installation of renewable energy components which make our boat completely green, off-grid when docked and employ green fuels when in transit.

Sustainable Tourism: Promote responsible and inclusive tourism by offering international visitors the chance to engage with the local LGBTQ+ community and experience the richness of Filipino culture. The proceeds from tourism activities will be dedicated to empowering the local LGBTQ+ community.

Empowering the LGBTQ+ Community: Through the revenue generated by TheRainBowNavy, we will invest in programs and initiatives that provide support, resources, and opportunities to LGBTQ+ individuals. This includes legal services, educational training, and employment assistance, fostering greater inclusivity and economic empowerment through impact grants issued to recipients who will open businesses that directly support the local LGBTQ community.

Education Scholarships: A significant portion of the perpetual income generated will be allocated towards scholarships for Filipino youth from the LGBTQ+ community. By supporting up to six students in our first year, we aim to provide them with the opportunity to attend college and achieve greater financial independence. TheRainBowNavy intends to add six to eight students every year thereafter to broaden our efforts to strengthen the local LGBTQ+ community.

We opted to operate as a Not-For-Profit instead of a non-profit to retain our rights to support political candidates and initiatives that advance and protect the LGBTQ+ community and Transgender Rights. As a Not-For-Profit, we cannot offer a tax credit or tax rebate but with the flexibility of a Not-For-Profit, we can reward donors and supporters with free and discounted onboard products and services or products and services through our local partners.

How You Can Help:

Donate to TheRainBowNavy: Your contribution will go directly towards the purchase and refurbishment of TheRainBowNavy yacht, ensuring a sustainable source of income for the local LGBTQ+ community. Every donation, no matter the size, will make a meaningful impact on the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals in Manila.

Spread Awareness: Share our campaign with your network, both locally and internationally. Help us raise awareness about the challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community in Manila and the opportunities for positive change. Together, we can make a difference.

Volunteer and Collaborate: Join us in organizing events, developing programs, and fostering collaborations. Your skills, expertise, and passion will play a vital role in creating a vibrant and inclusive space on TheRainBowNavy yacht.

Conclusion: By supporting TheRainBowNavy, you will contribute to the transformation of lives within the LGBTQ+ community in Manila. Through sustainable tourism, education scholarships, and community empowerment, we can build a brighter future, where LGBTQ+ individuals have the resources, opportunities, and support they deserve. Join us on this remarkable journey to uplift and strengthen the local LGBTQ+ community, while celebrating the highlights of the Philippines and its incredible people. Together, we can make a lasting impact and create a more inclusive society for all.