Ma Jaya has always been a fearlessly outspoken and unapologetic gay activist. Even before the beginning of the AIDS plague, Kashi has actively supported the gay community, never hesitating to embrace those who society sees as different and promoting openness and honesty about being gay. Following her lead, Kashi residents formed Kashi Rainbow to provide, “a safe haven where Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender youth and adults can heal the wounds of homophobia, develop a full awareness and appreciation of their sexual identity and grow beyond labels to the place where the soul has no gender and self-love abounds.”

At Kashi and at the sister ashrams & centers around the country, there is a growing group of gays and lesbians known as "Kashi Rainbow". The Kashi Rainbow goal is to share the unique, non-judgmental perspective of Kashi Ashram, where gays & lesbians - and anyone in between - can feel safe and comfortable to be themselves.

Kashi is truly a vacation from hate!

Ma and her gay Acharyas: (left to right)

Acharyas Rudra Das (Florida), Shiva (LA) and Durga Das (NYC)

Kashi Rainbow is an active member of the National Religious Leadership Roundtable, a project of the National Gay & Lesbian Taskforce. The NRLR meets twice a year in different cities around the country, supporting interfaith glbt groups and issues that affect our communities. Representatives from Kashi Rainbow make educational presentations in colleges and schools about diversity and acceptance and are available upon request. Kashi Rainbow also holds open meetings at most of the intensives retreats given by Ma Jaya.

Activities that Kashi Rainbow has organized:

• GLBT darshan with Ma Jaya, with national live audio hook ups, 2/04
• Kashi Rainbow Discovery Day, 6/02
• National Coming Out Day celebration, 10/2001