Queer Denver Unveils Free Backpack Program

To meet Briggs (they/them), the founder of Queer Denver (QD), is to be met with a force of nature within the local queer community. Founded in January 2023, QD expresses a dedication to uplifting the voices of queer youth in Denver. Acknowledging and providing representation to marginalized communities, QD focuses on intersectionality inside the queer community in Denver.

During a conversation at Denver Pride this past June, the passion, selflessness, and dedication of Briggs and volunteers working with QD is palpable. Elaborating on the struggle of finding a balance between working their full time job and running QD, Briggs expresses the importance of serving the LGBTQ community and understanding the variety of experiences each individual has despite being part of the queer community. Acknowledging that historically, the LGBTQ community has excluded or otherwise ignored people of color, youth, people with disabilities, women, and even transgender people, Briggs has set out on a mission to bridge the gap with the work they do within the community.

“I love doing this work. Here’s the thing; I would love for somebody else to pay me for this work and not have it come out of grant money or funding or anything like that. If I do this full time, I absolutely would. If, let’s say, tomorrow somebody comes to me and says, ‘Hey, I will pay your rent and food for a year if you do this full time,’ I will be up 8 to 5 every day working on new events, getting donations, and getting things for queer and trans youth,” says Briggs.

Identifying the extreme need for this outreach, Briggs works tirelessly alongside their associate Kaylin and volunteers to raise funds and relevant donations through community outreach, with 100% of the profits going back to the community. With this particular mission in mind, QD’s current initiative is to provide free backpacks to queer youth in Denver for back to school. While other organizations may also be actively promoting similar back to school book bag programs, what makes QD unique is the types of items that are provided in backpacks for queer youth.

“If someone says, ‘Hey, I need school supplies. I don’t need a binder, but I need a new pair of shoes,’ give me your size, and I will get you some shoes. That’s something I want to do all year round as kind of like a free shop for queer and trans youth where I can put the call out (for those who) need something; we will buy it for you and get it to you,” says Briggs.

Currently, QD is actively collecting donations in the form of back-to-school items and financial sponsors and contributions to fill free backpacks with necessary items that are specifically relevant to queer and trans youth. Some of these bags will include gender-affirming shapewear such as binders and also safe sex and drug safety and education items based on the needs and the specific requests of the intended recipient.

Those who wish to get involved can do so by visiting the Queer Denver website and submitting a donation or inquiring into other ways to show support.

Featured image credit Level 11 Content