COLORADO, USA — Individuals who identify as LGBTQ+ often struggle to find spaces within society where they feel safe and accepted — this is especially true in communities where intolerance has been the catalyst for violence against those who share their identity.
Colorado's LGBTQ+ communities know this pain all too well.
As we approach one year since the Club Q shooting, it can be hard to navigate how we react. Grief can feel lonely and overwhelming. However, it is important to remember you are not alone: there are people who want to help.
Below is a variety of resources, from mental health services to organizations tailored to LGBTQ+ communities, where individuals can get access to comprehensive care whenever they need it.
Mental health services and hotlines
Colorado's 988 hotline is there for whoever is experiencing an urgent mental health crisis, or even if they want someone to talk to when they're feeling sad or lonely.
LGBTQ+ folks can say they are part of this community when they reach out to 988 to be directed to a care specialist tailored to their needs.
The Trevor Project works to help lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning people who are struggling with mental health issues and suicidal ideation.
This organization offers 24/7 support via phone, text and online messaging.
The LGBT National Help Center is a nonprofit organization that offers peer support to members of the LGBTQ+ community from volunteers who also identify under that umbrella.
Volunteers also provide information, resources and online programs.
Their website lists several hotlines tailored to specific LGBTQ+ groups, including:
- LGBT National Hotline: 888-843-4564
- LGBT National Youth Talkline: 800-246-7743
- LGBT National Coming Out Support Hotline: 888-688-5428
Trans Lifeline provides transgender people with support from fellow trans folks. Aside from emotional support services, this organization also helps individuals find resources and financial help.
The Steve Fund works to help foster the mental wellbeing of young communities of color throughout the nation.
Any young person of color who is experiencing a mental health crisis can text the word "STEVE" to 741741 to get help and guidance from a trained counselor.
Colorado Crisis Services offers individuals with immediate help via phone, through text messaging and at walk-in centers.
- Their phone number is 1-844-493-8255.
- You can text the word "TALK" to 38255.
- View the list of walk-in centers.
This organization provides free mental health screenings in English and Spanish that allow people to see whether they could be suffering from a mental health condition.
The organization also has a list of resources for immediate help and a service locator, among other things.
Colorado-based organizations
There are many organizations that provide services that target spheres beyond mental health where LGBTQ+ folks can get the the support they deserve.
Since it opened in 1976, The Center on Colfax has grown to become the Rocky Mountain region's largest LGBTQ+ community center.
Recently, it started offering free culturally inclusive mental healthcare services for people needing support.
“The reason we started the program is in response to a lot of different needs,” said Rex Fuller, CEO. “We have done some pretty extensive community surveys where we found that 75% of the LGBTQ community had had some kind of mental health struggle or depression during the last year.”
He said events like the Club Q shooting, legislative attacks, and another stressors have put a lot of pressure and anxiety on the local LGBTQ community.
You can sign up for 12 free counseling sessions on their website, as well as find support groups or inclusive healthcare providers.
The Center's mission is to "engage, empower, enrich, and advance" members of the LGBTQ+ community by creating inclusive events and ensuring that people have access to the resources they need, including medical, housing, financial, and family-related services.
The Center also offers programs tailored specifically for communities of color.
You can find The Center's full resource directory here.
The Transgender Center of the Rockies provides holistic mental health and gender-affirming services for Colorado's transgender, non-binary and gender expansive individuals.
Their services include social-emotional support, substance use treatment, and group and individual counseling.
The organization also serves Colorado's queer youth. Their NXT Queer Youth program helps teens and young adults express themselves and foster healthy relationships with themselves and others.
Based in Fort Collins, Northern Colorado Equality aims to empower the LGBTQ+ community through offering support groups and other activities.
The organization's website also has a list of resources, including services for transgender and non-binary folks and Colorado's queer youth.
Boulder's OASOS provides programs and services that serve all people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, intersex and asexual.
OASOS stands for Open and Affirming Sexual Orientation and gender identity Support.
Their website also has a list of resources, both located in Boulder as well as across the state.
Denver Health's LGBTQ+ Health Services offers individuals a wide variety of health services with open and affirming care.
Patient navigators for the LGBTQ+ services ensure that individuals are partnered with providers that care for LGBTQ+ folks and understand their needs.
Services include sexual health services, hormone replacement therapy and mental health services.
At Children's Hospital Colorado, the TRUE Center for Gender Diversity works to support children, teenagers and young adults as they navigate their unique gender expressions.
The center provides comprehensive care to patients and their families, including gender counseling, hormone therapy, providing puberty-blocking medicines, therapy referrals and nutrition services.
The Colorado Name Change Project helps individuals through their name-changing process through outlining necessary steps, resources and advice.
Planned Parenthood of the Rockies provides LGBTQ+ members with compassionate care. Their wide range of essential healthcare services includes sexual health testing, treatment and gender-affirming care.
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