During National LGBTQIA+ Health Awareness Week, One Colorado uplifts queer, trans, and intersex affirming healthcare and advocacy across Colorado. Explore our guide below and bookmark this page – we’ll update it annually with  statewide resources.

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What is National LGBTQIA+ Health Awareness Week? 

National LGBTQIA+ Health Awareness Week takes place annually in the third week of March. This initiative focuses on enhancing accessible, affirming, and inclusive healthcare for LGBTQ+ communities, highlighting the significance of collective action towards healthcare equity. National LGBTQ Health Awareness Week was established in 2003 by the National Coalition for LGBTQ Health, a leading organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community through advocacy, education, and research.

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Rural

Colorado is proud of the strides we have made to protect LGBTQ+ Coloradans and steps we have made towards LGBTQ+ health equity. However we are well aware that there are still vast differences in equity and access for LGBTQ+ community members who live in the metro area versus those who live in rural parts of the state. Many rural Coloradans do not have access to LGBTQ+ competent providers and are driving far distances to meet their healthcare needs. Additionally, it is easier to feel isolated and disconnected from the community if you are not seeing yourself represented. We encourage individuals to check out these rural LGBTQIA+ organizations in order to connect with their local community and to increase their network and build local advocacy power!

Southern Colorado

• Four Corners Rainbow Youth Center exists to build a brave, anti-racist, anti-oppressive, non-judgmental, and visible space and community for Two Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual (2SLGBTQIA+) youth, families and allies in Southwest Colorado.
• Southern Colorado Equality Alliance (SCEA)  exists to bring LGBTQ and ally communities in Pueblo, CO together through education, advocacy and empowerment for support and inclusion.
• 4StarDurango, serves the Four Corners region’s Transgender, Gender Expansive, and Intersex population and their families via support, information and networking.
• San Luis Valley Pride SLV Pride is a grassroots community collective of LGBTQ+ residents of the San Luis Valley and our allies.  We represent a multitude of backgrounds and experiences supporting each other and our community through education, advocacy and friendship. Also has suggested community resources on their website. 

Northern Colorado

• PFLAG Greeley meets regularly in the Greeley area and is dedicated to supporting, educating, and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and those who love them​.
• Yampa Valley Pride works to increase the visibility of the LGBTQIA2S+ community in the Yampa Valley through hosting an annual Pride event. 

Western Slope

• Mountain Pride is devoted to establishing supportive, safe spaces enhancing family acceptance, and understanding by providing education resources, and programs.
• Aspen Out  also known as the Roaring Fork Gay & Lesbian Community Fund, provides support and services to the diverse LGBTQ+ population of the valley. 
• Ark Valley Pride offers a number of community organizations sharing information, resources, activities, and fun! 
• Colorado West Pride is the largest pride organization on the Western Slope of Colorado, hosting multiple events throughout the year, including a pride festival.
• Community Equity Coalition catalyzes a more positive future for the Chaffee County community by raising awareness and mobilizing around equity issues including racism, class, and gender/sexuality.
• Pikes Peak Pride is a community event expected to gather thousands of visitors together from across the state and Pikes Peak Region into downtown Colorado Springs. There will be two full days of vendor booths, food trucks, beer garden and high energy entertainment to include a fabulous parade on Sunday.
• Delta County Pride Delta  is a not for profit organization whose purpose is to enrich the lives of those who identify as LGBTQ+ and to aid in a safer environment

National

• Movement Advancement Project (MAP) is an independent, nonprofit think tank. We work to create a thriving, inclusive, and equitable America where all people have a fair chance to pursue health and happiness, earn a living, take care of the ones they love, be safe in their communities, and participate in civic life.
• How to Find and Choose an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Provider – supportive guide with tips and resources on finding a LGBTQ+ supportive healthcare provider.  

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Immigrants

As Warsan Shire said in her poem, Home, “no one leaves home unless home is the mouth of a shark”. Unfortunately unsafe homes are becoming the reality for more and more LGBTQ+ individuals who are finding themselves seeking a new home in Colorado. Once the process of accessing much needed healthcare can be overwhelming. 

Colorado

• Servicios de la Raza is a non-profit with the mission to provide, and advocate for culturally responsive, essential health and human services and opportunities to all Colorado communities in need.
• Omnisalud is a new insurance program in Colorado that provides insurance coverage options for people in Colorado and does not ask for documentation status.  The only info required to apply is name, address, and income. Gender affirming services are covered as Essential Health Benefits for Omnisalud. 

National

• Film Unsettled: Seeking Refuge in America  UNSETTLED is a feature-length documentary revealing the untold stories of LGTBQ+ refugees and asylum seekers who have fled persecution. 
• Immigration Equality provides free legal services to LGBTQ and HIV-positive asylum seekers. Each year, we connect over 750 individuals with pro bono attorneys, and our staff trains and works with those lawyers to help their clients.
• Migrant Care Coalition / Coalición de Apoyo a Migrantes (on Instagram)

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Older Adults

Older adults face issues of mistreatment by health care, homophobia, transphobia, ageism, social isolation and lack of resources. Despite paving the way for LGBTQ+ rights, older adults are often not given the appreciation or recognition as the elders that have built our community to what it is today. As there is still much that needs to be done, we must strive to expand access to LGBTQ+ inclusive housing, gender affirming care, and services that promote healthy aging. One Colorado partners with SAGE, the national advocacy and services organization for LGBTQ+ elders, to stay informed on issues affecting LGBTQ+ older adults and ensure that legislation is inclusive of all community members regardless of age.  

Colorado

• The Center on Colfax’s West of 50 offers support groups, activities, classes, and a place for community for our LGBTQIA+ older adults. They offer multiple gender identity and sexual orientation support groups for LGBTQ+ older adults.
• The article titled “To Access Assisted Living or Elder Care, Some LGBTQIA+ Older Adults Go Back Into the Closet” from Collective Colorado highlights the fears older LGBTQIA+ adults have of being discriminated against in retirement homes. Fear of being refused care or mistreatment by staff at assisted living and nursing homes. The article highlights the story of a local Coloradan at Porter Place who hasn’t disclosed her sexuality due to fear of mistreatment and abuse. Nursing homes in the state have no signage stating LGBTQ+ inclusivity nor policies in place to protect LGBTQ+ residents. 
• “A Secret Love,” is a 2020 documentary film directed by Chris Bolan and produced by Ryan Murphy, tells the remarkable story of Terry Donahue and Pat Henschel, who kept their decades-long love a secret. It’s a touching movie about love, commitment, and the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ couples and the journey of coming out later in life. Currently available on Netflix
• Colorado Coalition on the Homeless (LGTBQ+ Resource) – “Opportunity Starts at Home” one sheet.  
• Project Visibility:  The Project Visibility documentary and accompanying training was created in 2004 by the Boulder County Area Agency on Aging in response to the fear expressed by Rainbow Elders (LGBTQ+/50+) that they would need to retreat back in the closet in order to access assisted living or nursing home care. This new version of the documentary (completed in 2022, and released in 2023) features Rainbow Elders (LGBTQ+/50+) living and experiencing life in Boulder and surrounding counties in Colorado.

National

• The  Long-Term Care Equality Index (LEI) is the first national benchmarking tool for LGBTQ+ inclusion in senior housing and long-term care communities. They aim to promote equitable and inclusive care for LGBTQ+  older adults in residential long-term care and senior housing. The LEI is conducting a biennial survey to evaluate long-term care communities based on the equity and inclusion of their LGBTQ+ residents and patients.  The survey's goals include ensuring nondiscrimination protection, training for LGBTQ+ Resident Centered Care, fostering inclusive workplaces, and progressing towards inclusive LGBTQ+ services and support.
• The National Resource Center on LGBTQ+ Aging, a SAGE program, is the country's first technical assistance resource center focused on improving the quality of services and supports offered to LGBTQ+ older adults, families and caregivers. They work to increase accessibility to aging and disability services to LGBTQ+ older adults, their families, and caregivers. They also work to create and spread information, educational resources, and technical assistance regarding LGBTQ+ aging, develop training related to LGBTQ+ cultural competence to providers of aging and disability services, and improve collaboration with other minority aging resource centers and the ACL network.
• The “How to Be an Ally to Transgender Older Adults” handout is an educational resource created by FORGE and the National Resource Center on LGBT Aging about better supporting and uplifting transgender older adults. They also highlight issues faced by transgender older adults, from medical care to intersectionality. They also make great suggestions to better the lives of transgender older adults with support groups and celebrative events that encourage queer joy and a sense of community. 

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BIPOC

In addition to the healthcare barriers faced by all LGBTQIA+ Coloradans, BIPOC individuals face additional challenges due to intersectional systems of oppression and bias. For example, according to the Human Rights Campaign, a disproportionate amount of LGBTQIA+ BIPOC individuals are under or misdiagnosed by health providers when compared to their peers, which can lead to gaps in care and/or additional barriers to treatment. We recommend following and learning from these great QTBIPOC organizations: 

Colorado

• YouthSeen works with our communities and stands as a leader in their local Colorado area, and beyond, for establishing partnerships with groups who specifically tailor their resources, education and outreach to our youth and young BIPoC + LGBTQIA+ community. 
• Fortaleza Familiar  is dedicated to the wellness of Indigenous Chicanx Latinx Lesbian Gay Bi Queer Trans Two-Spirit young people and their families in Colorado. 
• Soul 2 Soul Sisters work is based in a reproductive justice framework all towards actualizing Black healing and Black liberation. Soul 2 Soul Sisters was founded by two Black clergy Women, Rev. Tawana Angela Davis, Ph.D. and Rev. Dr. Dawn Riley Duval in Denver, Colorado. Soul 2 Soul Sisters provides sacred space for Black Women, femmes, and gender expansive beings to rest, be, share, and develop and implement plans for peace, power, healing, and liberation.
• Poetry 719 is a community poetry organization in Colorado Springs that fosters and supports the freedom of expression through the written and spoken word. They focus on uplifting and celebrating voices of marginalized communities and people of color. As a Black run organization, they aim to create safe, inclusive, and accessible events.
• Inside Out Youth Services’ Melanin Magiq is an exclusive space for LGBTQIA+ Youth of Color to speak about their experiences around identity, culture, racism, oppression, and violence and an opportunity to share their stories

National

• Center for Black Equity is an LGBTQ+ network dedicated to improving health and wellness opportunities, economic empowerment, and equal rights while promoting individual and collective work, responsibility, and self-determination; includes Information about Black LGBTQ+ Pride, blog/podcast directory, and additional resources.
• INDIGiQUEER works to enhance the visibility of Queer/Trans, Black, Indigenous & People of Color (QTBIPOC) through radically inclusive spaces, skill development, and networking in order to protect, maintain and amplify our communities. 
• National Queer & Trans Therapists of Color Network is a directory of QTPOC mental healthcare providers.
• Gender inclusive Black Birthing Guide is a gender inclusive birthing guide for Black community produced by Soul2Soul Sisters.
• Resources for Black Parents, Family Members and Caregivers of Black Transgender, Non-Binary and Gender-Expansive Youth is a resource list developed by the Human Rights Campaign. 
• Therapist of Color Collaborative states, “ALL of our therapists are professionals of color that deliver responsive, sensitive, and trauma-informed services to our community.  We do so with compassion and we’re on a mission to advance racial equity for mental health services.”

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Trans

Already in 2024, transgender, non-binary, and gender-expansive folks across the country have faced an astonishing number of anti-trans pieces of legislation. Many of these bills target transgender and non-binary youths’ autonomy in accessing gender affirming-care, playing sports at school, being affirmed and protected in their identities, and more. One Colorado is proud to work diligently to protect and expand the rights of transgender, non-binary, and gender-expansive youth and adults for an improved quality of life. We’ve collected a sampling below of some affirming and accessible care and support resources for transgender, non-binary, and gender-expansive Coloradans.

Online Events

• One Colorado & NCTE Instagram Live (Recording) – March 21, 2024 at 3pm MST / 5pm EST
• Trans Day of Visibility & Action with National LGBT and Colorado LGBT Chambers of Commerce – March 27, 2024 at  12pm MST / 2pm EST

Colorado

• Transformative Freedom Fund supports transgender Coloradans by removing financial barriers to transition related healthcare. Applications for funding are currently open through April 1, 2024.
• Transgender Center of the Rockies offers holistic mental health services for members of Colorado’s transgender and gender expansive community.
• The Center on Colfax  Transgender Program provides  a welcoming, affirming program for transgender and gender diverse individuals. We offer weekly and monthly social and support groups, events, and opportunities to connect with our community.
• Queer Asterisk empowers and nurtures the diverse ways of being that queer people embody by providing accessible counseling, education and community programs that uplift queer, trans and gender expansive lives.
• TRUE Center  provide a family-centered model of care that supports transgender and gender-diverse children and adolescents. This model is a best-practice standard of care grounded in scientific evidence.
• Use One Colorado’s  Insurance Coverage for Gender Affirming Care.

National

• Plume provides gender-affirming care directly from your smartphone. Membership with Plume includes everything you need to start, continue, and maintain your gender-affirming hormone treatment.
• Folx connects you  with medical providers who get you. Get quality, affirming support on your time from the comfort of your home.
• Trans Dudes with Lady Cancer Documentary is “a short film documenting the journey of two transmasculine people, their families, and their communities, as they navigate breast cancer and ovarian cancer within the medical system.”

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Disabled 

According to an analysis done by the HRC 1 in 3 LGBTQ+ adults self-reported having a disability and more than half of transgender adults reported having a disability. It’s clear that many in our community carry intersectional identities within the disability and LGBTQ+ communities, and our communities have a long history of working together to defend and fight for our rights (to learn more about this we strongly recommend the documentary “Crip Camp” available to stream on Netflix). Understanding the importance of this intersection One Colorado continues to partner with and learn from local disability organizations such as Colorado Cross Disability Coalition and Phamaly. We are also continually working to improve accessibility of our community events to ensure all community members feel supported and able to engage. 

Colorado

• The Center on Colfax’s Disability Peer Support Group is a hybrid peer support group for individuals who have a disability and identify as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. This is a drop in space that provides conversation, social support, and resource sharing. This group is free to attend.
• Trans Center of the Rockies’ Trans Chronic Illness and Disability Support Group social support group for transgender and gender expansive adults living with chronic illness and disabilities. 
• Trans Center of the Rockies’ Trans Neurodivergent Support Group is a social support group for neurodiverse transgender and gender expansive adults. 

National

• Read the 10 Principles of Disability Justice to learn  the 10 principles of disability justice, and how they could inform your advocacy.
• Autistic Women and Nonbinary Network provides community support, and resources for Autistic women, girls, transfeminine and transmasculine nonbinary people, trans people of all genders, two spirit people, and all people of marginalized genders or of no gender. AWN is committed to recognizing and celebrating diversity and the many intersectional experiences in our community
• Queer ASL is composed of a group of Deaf 2SLGBTQIA+ instructors across Canada and USA, four level classes (101 – 104), and is held fully online during the pandemic with the goal of offering both online and in-person classes eventually.
• Autistic Self Advocacy Org has great accessibility guides located here! 

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Youth

LGBTQ+ Youth today are facing an unprecedented number of legislative attacks, resulting in increasing hate crimes and reported bullying. This climate is taking a toll on youths physical and mental well-being. However, recent data from the Trevor Project shows us that safe and affirming individuals and school environments can positively support the mental health of LGBTQ+ youth who might be facing such challenges. One Colorado advocates for school policy change, supporting statewide GSA involvement, and providing training and resources to schools to foster safe and inclusive environments for LGBTQ+ youth.

Colorado

• This issue brief, Minors' Medical Records and Consent to Care,  provides an overview of minors’s medical care and consent rights based on Colorado laws.
• Rainbow Ally at  The Center on Colfax, is an affirming environment for LGBTQ youth (ages 10-17) and their allies. For those in the Denver area Rainbow Ally offers drop in programming from 4-7pm every Wednesday and Thursday.
• The Queer Dance Project in  Lakewood, CO is stepping up to provide classical ballet and dance training for the LGBTQ+ community. QDP recognizes the reality the trans and queer community faces in dance studios. QDP provides a compassionate, gender affirming environment to learn dance.
• i Am Clinic serves the LGBTQ+ community and their family members, and offers individual, couples, and family counseling. They specialize in sexuality, trans identity, parents of LGBTQ+ children, anger management, anxiety/depression, and trauma therapy. (Telehealth appointments available.)
• I Matter  is a public behavioral health program funded by the Colorado Department of Human Services Office of Behavioral Health. I Matter provides up to 6 free counseling sessions for every youth in Colorado.In May 2023, the Colorado State Legislature renewed I Matter so it can provide free therapy for youth through June 30, 2024.

National

• The Trevor Project: 2023 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ Young People provides annual insights on the current state of the mental health of youth across the United states. The Trevor Project is the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention nonprofit organization for LGBTQ+ young people providing information & support to LGBTQ+ 
young people 24/7, all year round. 
• Coming out to your Parents is a resource from Strong Family Alliance, a non-profit organization focused on supporting parents of children in the LGBTQ+ community. Strong Family Alliance gives parents accurate information, insights, ways to keep their child safe and healthy, and encouragement to lead with love and solve problems over time. They provided this guide with additional resources for parents to better understand and support their youth.
• Q Chat Space aims to help LGBTQ+ and questioning teens ages 13-19 find community and connect with peers in a supportive environment that encourages them to feel pride in their identity and increases their mental well-being, all of which is too often missing from their lives. These goals are achieved through providing live, chat-based discussion groups, facilitated by experienced staff and volunteers from youth programs at LGBTQ+ centers across the United States. 

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Public health

We believe that homophobia, transphobia, and racism are all public health emergencies and One Colorado works closely with our state’s public health department and community based organizations to advocate for inclusive, non-stigmatizing, and accessible public health services. We have advocated for access to HIV prevention and treatment medications, inclusive language and vaccine criteria for mpox, and more! Here are some resources to learn more or find communities related to HIV, STIs, mpox, and harm reduction in Colorado!

Colorado

• The Prism Community Collective Provider Directory is designed to connect you with inclusive mental and physical healthcare professionals, in the Colorado Springs area, who prioritize LGBTQ+ individuals and their unique needs.
• Colorado Health Network provides locations across the state and serves individuals living with HIV by providing a broad spectrum of holistic support services including medical and oral health care, case management, behavioral health services,  housing assistance, nutrition services, and emergency financial assistance.
• The“Just Say Know” Harm Reduction Peer Support Group at the Center on Colfax is a non-judgmental and supportive discussion space for LGBTQ+ young adults who engage in drug use, are curious about their relationship with drugs, or are a part of environments where drug use is occurring.
• HIV PrEP & PEP information and  testing access 
• Syphilis information and testing access – learn the symptoms and how to stay safe.
• Mpox information and vaccine access – The mpox vaccine, Jynneos, is a 2-dose series. If you already received 1 dose, it’s never too late to get your second dose to add that additional protection! 

National

• Three Months (2022) film is a “coming-of-age film about Caleb, a South Florida teen. On the eve of his high school graduation, everything changes when he's exposed to HIV. While he waits three months for his results, he finds love in the most unlikely of places.”
• Gay and Sober aims to create a safe space for LGBTQ+ people to gather in-person and online for health & wellness, educational recovery programming, and fun social activities.
• How HIV impacts LGTBQ+ people is a resource developed by the Human Rights Campaign.

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Intersex

Folks with intersex traits make up at least 2% of our population, however the health and wellness of our intersex community has long been pushed aside in favor of forcing bodies into a biological binary that doesn’t exist. The fight for intersex health is innately tied to the fight for trans rights, reproductive rights, and bodily autonomy.  Colorado was the first U.S. state to issue an intersex birth certificate, however we have limited intersex-specific local and state resources. One Colorado has been partnering with intersex activists and national organizations to advocate in areas such as: 

• Ensuring representation of intersex folks in statewide data collection, 
• Opposing non-consensual and non-medically necessary surgeries for intersex babies, and
• Uplifting community work and advocates for intersex rights and autonomy.

Learn more about intersex health by checking out the resources below:

• Action Alert: Let the White House know that we want them to release their report on intersex health! In June 2022, President Biden made a commitment to the LGBTQIA+ community in his Pride Month Executive Order to develop and issue a report on practices for advancing health equity for intersex individuals. Since last summer, the Department of Health and Human Services has completed the report on intersex health, but has not yet released it as promised. 
• Kind Clinic in Austin, Texas, became the first healthcare clinic in the country specializing in healthcare for  intersex adults. Just as for queer and trans folks, many intersex folks have specific and individualized healthcare needs and Colorado needs to do better in supporting the health of intersex folks.
• Human Rights Campaign’s “Understanding the Intersex Community” is a resource that highlights what intersex is, the issues of non-consensual surgeries and procedures, and bias. 
• Inverse Cowgirl, by Alicia Roth Weigel, is a personal memoir written by an intersex advocate about  growing up intersex to coming out to the Texas State Legislature. Alicia’s journey is one of  fighting back against hate and educating the public on intersex issues. 
• Nobody Needs To Know, by Pidgeon Pagonis, is a story of identity, family secrets, and the healing tells the journey of growing up in not knowing one’s true identity due to secrets and misinformation. Pigeon tells the journey of healing and discovery that can come from being their true self. 
• Every Body (2023) is a documentary that explores the lives of three intersex advocates as they tell their personal stories. The film highlights the history of intersex surgeries and the challenges faced by the community.
• The Trevor Project’s report on Intersex Youth Mental Health
• interACT’s Advocates for Intersex Youth program focuses on ending unnecessary intersex surgeries on intersex children. They also educate the public, medical providers and policymakers about intersex individuals. As well as, advocate for the right to self determination and bodily autonomy.   Follow at @interact_adv 
• Intersex Justice Project works to end invasive and unnecessary surgeries on intersex youth by empowering intersex People of Color as change-makers.  Follow at @intersexjusticeproject 

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