The Double Rainbow Lab fosters collaboration and mentorship, enabling students to acquire the skills needed to conduct high-quality and social justice-oriented research . Our LGBTQ+, gender, and neurodiverse research team is led by Dr. Meredith Maroney - a queer researcher who studies the intersectional experiences of autism, LGBQ, and gender diversity - in partnership with many students, volunteers, and community members.

Neurodivergent

Any individual whose neurological configuration differs from the norm

(such as autism or ADHD)

Autism Spectrum

Autism is a lifelong neurological difference that affects all aspects of a person's life. It is identified by differences in social communication and interaction and restrictive and repetitive behaviours, actions, or interests. Each individual with autism has unique strengths and support needs, which may change throughout their life.

LGBTQ+

LGBTQ+ is an abbreviation for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, intersex, asexual, and more. These terms are used to describe a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity, and includes many labels beyond the ones we have listed here.

Intersectionality

The interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, gender, and class, which creates overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination and disadvantage (Crenshaw, 1990).

Our

Mission


  • Explore the often understudied intersectional experiences of autistic gender and sexual minorities
  • Examine the relationship between stigma and mental health for LGBTQ+ people
  • Develop interventions that promote well-being and coping
  • Make recommendations for culturally responsive mental health and health care
  • Engage in meaningful community-based research 




Our Vision

The Double Rainbow Lab is passionately dedicated to fostering equality, respect, and diversity within the scientific community and beyond. Our vision is to bridge research, practice, and advocacy to make a profound and meaningful impact on the lives of the individuals we serve, particularly those within the LGBTQ+, autism, and LGBTQ+ autistic communities.

Collaboration

We believe that partnerships are crucial to our mission of promoting the health and well-being of our community. We work with autistic, LGBTQ+ and community partners and co-researchers using various methods and collaborations to ensure their voices are heard and respected throughout the research process. We aim to make our research findings accessible and impactful in academic and public settings.

Diversity

The Double Rainbow Lab is an inclusive space that welcomes individuals with different abilities, races, religions, genders, sexual orientations, and neurodivergences. Our team members come from a variety of backgrounds, and we focus our research on understudied subgroups within the autism and LGBTQ+ communities.  Our mission is to amplify marginalized voices through a intersectional lens  to foster pride, empowerment, and acceptance.

Education

The Double Rainbow Lab is dedicated to advancing education, particularly for health care providers. We aim to provide educational opportunities that foster understanding and acceptance of diverse identities, with a focus on the LGBTQ+ and autism communities. Through collaboration, research, and advocacy, we strive to empower individuals, educators, practitioners, and institutions with the knowledge and tools to create inclusive learning environments and promote the well-being and success of all students.

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