Dr. Worthen created The Welcoming Project in 2011 to encourage local businesses, organizations, churches/congregations, and healthcare providers across the globe to display rainbow “All Are Welcome” signs for the purpose of making LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer) individuals and allies feel welcomed as patrons. She described her motivations for developing The Welcoming Project in an interview with The Gayly. To date, nearly 1500 places are displaying these signs throughout the world (see The Gayly). The Welcoming Project also offers annual scholarships to LGBTQ activists across the globe.
