The Kids are Alright: Queer Youth Nonprofits
Stigma, marginalization, and lack of social support are some of the leading causes for isolation and feelings of inadequacy in LGBTQ+ youth. Studies conducted in 2022 show that compared to their peers, LGBTQ+ young people are more than four times as likely to attempts suicide, and within the U.S., over 1.8 million youth ranging from ages 13-24 seriously consider suicide each year. Every 45 seconds, at least one person attempts. And these impacts can be felt differently across different social groups and identities. The Minority Stress model identifies that queer youth are uniquely targeted by prejudice and discrimination which uniquely manifests in creating stressors and negatively impacts mental health. Even more so, due to systematic oppression of BIPOC groups, queer youth within these positions show an increased disparity.
Queer Youth Resources
In many of these situations, even the approval or support of one adult figure significantly lower rates of suicide by at least 5% if not more. And with the inclusion of social support groups, likelihood of suicide drops dramatically. When queer youth can have their pronouns accepted, be able to change legal documentation, and have gender affirming care, mental health, and quality of life for these people dramatically increase. Creating spaces of inclusivity, activity, and advocacy allow for youth across all social groups to thrive and discover themselves without judgment.
We need spaces for these students to be able to discover themselves while staying safe. And in most cases, these spaces come from non-profit organizations who are facing a tremendous amount of backlash. It is this reason that now, more than ever, sustaining these organizations and promoting their availability is needed now more than ever. In this story, we’ll delve into some of the resources and organizations available within Colorado to help support queer youth while being a non-profit.
The Trevor Project
The Trevor Project started in 1998 with the goal to end suicide among queer and questioning youth. The Trevor Project’s method of creating a 24/7 suicide hotline, conducting research, educating the public, and creating advocacy and peer support groups has shown to have tremendous success in supporting queer youth. In their 2022 Annual Report, the organization determined that their approaches are working due to their multiple-tiered approach. Due to having hotlines which include calls, texts, and online chats, they have contacted over 263 thousand youth with crisis counselors.
But the Trevor Project doesn’t just focus on the U.S. Though they cannot host hotlines and political movements internationally, they have created a digital peer-group space called TrevorSpace. It is an online platform where queer youth typically aged 13-24 can find a social network and peer support. This method of community allows for many different people to have the ability and freedom to seek support, no matter their background.
Within the U.S., the Trevor Project also hosts events ranging from political advocacy to online educational workshops for allies and educators. Currently, their method for education has also allowed them to be the first in the nation to partner with the NY Department of Education. They work with a variety of counselors, faith leaders, and youth-serving adults to educate on how to create safe and inclusive spaces for queer youth. On a larger scale, the non-profit has seen a larger impact through their work in helping create bans on conversion therapy in over 54 cities while securing “988” as the three-digit code for the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline and government allocation of funding for LGBTQ-specialized services on the call line.
The Trevor Project’s online and interdisciplinary approach to giving support to queer youth progresses LGBTQIA+ voices, support, and rights across many different fields with many different peoples. Not only do many youth describe their testimonials on how the Trevor Project has helped them, but show that finding an online community of support can dramatically positively impact how youth view themselves.
Other people and organizations are also starting to see the Trevor project’s impact. In their annual report, the non-profit shows that a little over 50% of their revenue comes from individual philanthropy, and another 40% comes from corporate partnerships. As an organization, the Trevor Project maintains an open dialogue over their financial reporting, usage of funds, programs given, and partnerships they are making. Their values of creating open and honest communications with all people is followed throughout their organization.
If you need to connect with a crisis counselor, you can reach them by calling 1-866-488-7386, texting 678-678, or chatting with them online via chat.trvr.org. The Trevor Space is also a great way to meet other people in your situation who can give you support and people to talk to. No matter where you are please know that you always have online support.
PFLAG Denver
Compared to the Trevor Project’s mission, PFLAG focuses on political activism and community engagement. PFLAG originally began in 1972 when Jeanne Manford marched with her son Morty in New York City’s third Christopher Street Liberation Day parade, carrying a sign which said, “PARENTS of Gays: UNITE in SUPORT of our CHILDREN.” From her courageous actions, other parents of queer youth found a way to express their support like they had longed to do. After this, across the nation, community groups popped up in support of queer youth with the mission of “Leading with Love.”
Locally, Denver has their own branch of PFLAG which was founded in February 1980 by 35 parents who wanted to find ways to support their children. These dedicated individuals gave LGBTQIA+ support when need was high, resources were scattered, and avenues to connect were significantly more challenging than they were today. Together they formed a collective that answered thousands of letters and kept personal phone numbers “staffed” 24/7 to be available to community members in crisis. For 13 straight years, the Denver chapter hosted a monthly HIV/AIDS Support Group during a time when the nation systematically ignored those afflicted. Today PLAG Denver carries on many of these historical traditions using support groups and networks.
Every month, PFLAG hosts at least three to four different support groups ranging from peer-to-peer support groups, support groups for significant others whose partners are queer, and a group who discusses current issues impacting the LGBTQIA+ community. PFLAG also updates a “Community Resources” page to help people who have relocated to Colorado. They highlight organizations doing work locally for the specific type of support that is needed by LGBTQIA+ groups and their allies. These groups range from ONE Colorado, Envision: YOU, Fortaleza Familiar, and The Center on Colfax.
This organization also hosts educational and outreach events. Their most recent iterations are part of the Connect Grow Learn Series, and they are trying to bring critical conversations to the forefront of the Denver community. These events involve PFLAG members and non-members, people from the LGBTQIA+ community, and allies to create a network of support and building understanding between different social groups. Most recently, on October 1st, PFLAG Denver and Denver Public School’s LGBTQ Equity Officer came together to discuss how to support queer youth and advocate for their child’s educational journey. They also discussed how adults and mentors can provide support to LGBTQIA+ youth both inside and outside of educational settings.
Furthermore, to support queer youth, PFLAG Denver offers the ConnectYOUTH program where LGBTQIA+ youth and their families can come together to have unique and fun experiences. They have held events at Meow Wolf, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, and the Center for Visual Art at Metro State. These experiences allow for youth and families alike to meet others with similar experiences and find communities and support groups internally. Additionally, every year, PFLAG releases scholarship and micro-grant programs every year.
Scholarships reward outstanding LGBTQIA+ students and allies who are pushing towards a more inclusive world through action and recipients can provide financial awards up to $2,500. The GSA micro-grants are smaller awards of up to $500 which allows for staff and teachers within the Denver Public School system to apply for funds to create safe and inclusive spaces within the school system. Through the support of allies, families, and queer youth alike, PFLAG Denver hopes to create communities that foster an equitable, inclusive world where every LGBTQ+ person is safe, celebrated, empowered, and loved.
The Matthew Shepard Foundation
On the other end of the spectrum, The Matthew Shepard Foundation was created with the mission of amplifying the story of Matthew Shepard to inspire individuals, organizations, and communities to embrace the dignity and equality of all people.
Matthew Shepard was a 21-year-old gay college student attending University of Wyoming who was brutally murdered in 1998 by two men. Aaron McKinney and Russel Henderson were both convicted of homicide and hate crime charges and are currently serving two lifetime sentences in Wyoming prison. Matthew’s murder brought attention from national and international communities on hate crimes and the prevalence of LGBTQ+ hate within communities. As a result, in 2009, The Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act was signed into law which expanded federal hate crime protections to include gender, sexual orientation, and disability.
As a foundation, this nonprofit seeks to eliminate LGBTQ+ hate crimes while creating spaces to foster queer youth acceptance. They document legacy works in Matthew’s memory, host speaking engagements, and have created a website titled Matthew’s Place.
Matthew’s Place is a platform for publicizing stories by and from queer youth. Their blog provides a variety of topics ranging from resources to culture and activism. No matter what, there is content for your interests and writers are youth who are involved within the Matthew Shepard Foundation. They also have platforms on Instagram, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter) where you can get involved with these communities.
Prism Community Collective
The Prism Community Collective is a queer nonprofit that has recently opened in Colorado Springs. After the tragic events at Club Q in November 2022. In response, the Prism Collective came together to offer support and dismantle barriers, increase visibility, and build connection to ensure that those impacted by the Club Q tragedy, including our greater LGBTQIA+ community, can live celebrated and liberated lives.
The organization’s focus is on providing knowledge of gender-affirming healthcare and providing pride and wellness learning services for healthcare and the LGBTQIA+ community. Prism offers a Healthcare Directory where people can input the type of healthcare they are looking for with their insurance provider and see what providers are available in El Paso County. All providers within the directory were required to fill out an online form with the relevant information needed to create a profile. Each provider also signs a statement where they must affirm their commitment to equality for LGBTQIA+ clients and patients. Ultimately, while all applications were reviewed to ensure provider’s commitment to cultural awareness and competency, it is up to individuals to contact providers directly to determine and assess their comfort and safety.
While small, the Prism Community is creating spaces where the LGBTQIA+ community can contact and find the healthcare they need to live fulfilled lives.
YouthSeen
YouthSeen is a Colorado nonprofit which seeks to give support to LGBTQ+ communities and create empowered individuals who can access nonjudgmental and unbiased treatment in every aspect of their lives. They encourage the creative creation of a community that celebrates everyone’s worth, diverse characteristics, and dignity. Particularly in Colorado, they seek to empower marginalized LGBTQ+ communities such as BIPoC members.
They offer youth and caregiver support groups, youth camp and community connection, counseling, case management, and gender-affirming care. During summers YouthSeen provides CampSeen, a camp where LGBTQ+ students and kids can come together in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains South of Denver. The camp is free from electronics like cell phones and communication devices, which allows for campers to focus on interacting with one another. Costs for the camp can be covered by applying to scholarships, and it is a great way to build community for queer youth.
YouthSeen also provides case management for queer people who are struggling with everything from medical and mental health to housing instability. They also have a list of resources specifically for providers of color which allows for BIPoC+ youth to find people that have similar backgrounds and experiences.
Black Pride Colorado started from YouthSeen’s initiative to celebrate, liberate, and engage the Black LGBTQ+ community by building resilience, honor, and preserving Black history and culture. They host weekly and monthly events within the Metro Area and have many ways to get involved and volunteer for the organization. Most recently, they hosted the Annual Black Fantasy Ball at Mile High Stadium where there were performance events, fashion competitions, and areas to hang out.
The Center on Colfax
The Center on Colfax began in 1976 and has become on of the largest LGBTQ+ community centers within the Rocky Mountain region. They are primarily focused on creating spaces and making resources available for all LGBTQ+ groups to engage, empower, enrich, and advance the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community of Colorado. Some of their programs include the “LGBTQ History Project” which aims to document and preserve LGBTQ history by saving queer literature in a library and recording oral stories. They also aim to create a community for all ages ranging from the youth social groups to their “West of 50” program. Other services that they provide range from HIV/STI screenings to insurance/fingerprinting help to Disability and Transgender Programs. They have a spot for anybody interested in being a part of the queer community and want to create inclusive spaces where everyone can feel supported and comfortable.
As an organization, The Center on Colfax relies primarily on the individual and community donations and anything they earn during Denver’s PrideFest. The money they raise goes into sustaining the physical community spaces, preparing for the next Denver PrideFest, and most importantly, going into community support programs. Over 11% of their annual budget is spent on queer youth and senior programs such as Rainbow Alley and Saga.
Rainbow Alley is aimed towards queer youth ranging from ages 10-17 and their allies to find support and acceptance. They mainly focus on creating seasonal programs such as their most recent “Monster Bash” and have weekly events and virtual meeting spaces. They offer game nights with Dungeons and Dragons, offer cooking classes, and have “drop-in” times from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. every Wednesday and Thursday where LGBTQIA+ you can come together and meet others. Every first meeting of the month, program organizers set up an introduction and activity for those who are new to get introduced to the program.
Saga is aimed toward queer youth ranging from ages 18-24 and promotes the development, wellbeing, personal preservation, and empowerment of LGBTQ+ young adults. They provide more resources towards developing career goals and choices, developing professional life skills, and creating educational workshops. They have large events such as going to film screenings and hosting the “Femme Underground” music event. They also focus on the experiences of young adults such as their recurring “JustSayNo” support groups where attendants can discuss new situations with drugs/alcohol, the party & play scene, and other relationship issues. They also have “drop-in” hours from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Tuesdays. If you’d like to get involved virtually, they also have a Discord that you can join!
The Center also has tons of programming unrelated to age such as the Denver PrideFest which happens annually every summer (typically around June). Denver Pride will be happening this June 28 and 29, 2025. Every year, they host the Pride Parade and the PRIDE 5K, and they also have sponsor and vendor tables and other resources for getting involved with Denver and Colorado’s queer community.
Inside Out Youth Services
Inside Out Youth Services (IOYS) is a non-profit that started in 1990 focusing on queer youth and their allies within Colorado Springs and the wider El Paso County. Founder Regina Dipatova recognized that lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, asexual, queer, questioning, and two-spirit youth in the Tava (Pikes Peak) region are at highest risk in their peer group for various health-related problems, including drug and alcohol abuse, school drop-out, physical abuse, sexual abuse, homelessness, and suicide. Throughout the years, IOYS has expanded their reach, but still mostly focuses their work in El Paso County. Their main goal is to promote the development, wellbeing, personal preservation, and empowerment of LGBTQ+ young adults.
IOYS hold annual events such as their Youth Pride and Queer Prom at which ages from 13-24 can come together to eat food, watch entertainment such as drag performances, and meet new people in a sober environment. They also provide youth art showcases and have weekly drop-in hours from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. More specific social groups include a TransParenting group and Recreational Nights. You can learn more about what programs they have available through joining IOYS!
For adults who are interested in how to support queer youth and young adults, they also host trainings and panels where schools, organizations, businesses, and other people can learn more about the community and learn how to prevent suicide and become a trusted adult for queer youth to go to. They have resources ranging from mental health, support groups, physical health, school-related resources, and infographic guides for questioning youth and their allies.
Rainbow Youth Center
The Rainbow Youth Center (RYC) originally started when queer youth at Durango High School, reached out to guidance counselors and school-based mental health providers about wanting a support group and community inside and outside of school. In September 2015, the doors opened for RYC with 18 youth who initially participated. Over the years, they have expanded to host over five programs each week with eight to 20 youth attending and have increased their support for transgender and nonbinary youth. The organization’s goal is to build a brave, anti-racist, anti-oppressive, non-judgemental, and visible space and community for Two Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual (2SLGBTQIA+) youth, families and allies in Southwest Colorado.
They currently have programs such as Rainbow Youth Rising, a place to drop-in and meet peers; Tea Time, a weekly meeting to give support, advice, and be in-community with other gender expansive folx from middle to high school ages; Pride Creates, and art group who meets weekly; two Dungeons and Dragons Campaigns; and a young adult support group. They also hold monthly events such as bowling, ice skating, camping, movie nights, Halloween Lockin’s, and New Years Lockin’s with various age ranges for different events.
RYC also holds various training and counseling services such as giving support for gender affirming care, mentorship programs, mental health support, and free, individual counseling. Specifically within Southwest Colorado which consists of mainly rural areas, RYC is a needed and fantastic resource for those within La Plata County and elsewhere.
Transgender Center of the Rockies
The Transgender Center of the Rockies (TCR) is an organization who focuses on providing holistic, gender-affirming services to support transgender, nonbinary, and gender-expansive individuals in Colorado. TCR is an offshoot of Mile High Behavioral Healthcare, an organization which has tried to empower individuals to shape healthy, viable, complete lives since 1960. Their care service under supported communities such as veterans, women, single-parent families, people with HIV, and LGBTQIA+ communities.
TCR specifically focuses on supporting transgender and gender-expansive individuals who need healthcare and social support. They offer services such as counseling, group and individual therapy, case management, PrEP navigation, and medication assisted treatment. If you are looking into providers and are unsure if they provide support, you can contact them for healthcare providers and letters of support for World Professional Association of Transgender Health Standard of Care (WPATH-SOC).
In addition, they provide social support groups ranging from Young Adult Group (ages 18-30), Trans Masc and Femme Groups, Trans Chronic Illness & Disability Group, and a Trans Neurodivergence Group. These groups all meet every other week either in-person or virtually.
They also hold programs such as Matha’s Closet, a one-stop shop for free gender-affirming clothing and products donated from the surrounding community, and the NXT Queer Youth Program which connects queer and transgender teens and young adults struggling with mental health and substance use issues to affordable, affirming professionals. The NXT Program also includes a library covering a variety of topics including nonfiction, young adult fiction, critical theory, and graphic novels on topics such as queer, trans, and social justice literature.
All of these organizations are placing the needs of queer youth in the center of their organization and are offering support in diverse ways. Each one of these organizations plays a role in providing ways for queer youth to be supported, both when questioning and after coming out. Each one of them started working to bridge a gap in the community. These organizations always need more donations and volunteer support. Please reach out if you would like to get involved in any of these organizations and promote support for queer youth in Colorado!
Featured photo courtesy of Charlotte Piper
