The Drake Rainbow Union was founded in 1993 under the name BGLAD (Bisexual, Gay & Lesbian Alliance at Drake) by Chris Souders, then a senior at Drake. Before BGLAD was founded, the only resource for Drake's GLTB community was DUAL - Drake University Alternative Lifestyles. DUAL was on the verge of extinction in 1993 due to lack of interest from students and lack of support from the Drake administration. BLAD took Drake's bisexual, gay and lesbian community in a new direction. They received funding and facilities from Drake.

BGLAD sponsored speakers, dances and events. In their very first year, they put together Drake's first gay pride week, which featured nationally renowned speakers and talent. As of 1996, BLAD has two co-presidents (one male and one female when possible), a social chair, a publicity chair, and a secretary/treasurer. The group held meetings at least three times every month. One meeting was dedicated to a social activity (like watching a movie), another to Safe Zone issues, and the third for programming.

At some point between 1996 and 2004, BGLAD changed its name to Rainbow Union, which encompasses more of the GLBTQIA community.

Awards

As an organization, Rainbow Union has won a number of awards over the years for exceptional programming.
The awards are:

2001-2002 Outstanding Educational Program of the Year Award
for Closets are for Clothes: Coming Out Week

2002-2003 Outstanding Educational Program of the Year Award
for Operation: Marrow

2003-2004 Outstanding Diversity Program of the Year Award
for Coming Out Week 2003: 10% Is Not Enough

2007-2008 Top Organization: Rainbow Union

2007-2008 Best Social Event: Back to School Diversity Block Party hosted by Rainbow Union, Coalition of Black Students, LFL, SASA, MASA, and Students for Women’s Issues