About LGBTQIA+ Children and Families
- US Department of Education release Civil Rights Statement discussing a school environment that is free from sex discrimination.
- 61% of LGBT students were more likely than their non-LGBT peers to feel unsafe or uncomfortable as a result of their sexual orientation.
- 11-30% of gay and lesbian students and 12-25% of bisexual students missed at least one day of school because of safety concerns.
- 12-28% of LGBT students were threatened or injured on school property from 2001-2009, according to the Youth Risk Behavior Survey
- National PTA’s Statement on Student Gender Identity Guidance
Handouts:
https://www.pta.org/docs/default-source/uploadedfiles/lgbtq-resolution-guidance.pdf
Guide to Being an Ally – https://www.thetrevorproject.org/resources/trevor-support-center/a-guide-to-being-an-ally-to-transgender-and-nonbinary-youth/
Glossary of Terms:
- LGBTQ+: any combination of letters attempting to represent all the identities in the queer community, represents Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Pansexual, Transsexual, Questioning, Intersex, Intergender, Asexual, Ally
- Advocate: a person who actively works to end intolerance, educates others, and supports social equity for a group
- Ally: a straight person who supports queer people
- Androgyny: a gender expression that has elements of both masculinity and femininity
- Asexual: a person who generally does not experience sexual attraction (or very little) to any group of people
- Bigender: a person who fluctuates between traditionally “woman” and “man” gender-based behavior and identities, identifying with both genders
- Binary Gender/Sex: a traditional and outdated view of gender/sex, limiting possibilities to “man” and “woman”
- Biological sex: the physical anatomy and gendered hormones one is born with, generally described as male, female, or intersex, and often confused with gender
- Bisexual: a person who experiences sexual, romantic, physical, and/or spiritual attraction to people of their own gender as well as another gender; often confused for and used in place of “pansexual”
- Cisgender: a description for a person whose gender identity, gender expression, and biological sex all align (e.g., man, masculine, and male)
- Closeted: a person who is keeping their sexuality or gender identity a secret from many (or any) people, and has yet to “come out of the closet”
- Coming Out: the process of revealing your sexuality or gender identity to individuals in your life; often incorrectly thought to be a one-time event, this is a lifelong and sometimes daily process; not to be confused with “outing”
- Cross-dressing: wearing clothing that conflicts with the traditional gender expression of your sex and gender identity (e.g., a man wearing a dress) for any one of many reasons, including relaxation, fun, and sexual gratification; often confused with transsexuality
- Dead Name: the intentional or non-intentional use of the Trans persons birth name; can be considered “outing”
- Drag King: a person who consciously performs “masculinity,” usually in a show or theatre setting, presenting an exaggerated form of masculine expression, often times done by a woman; often confused with “transsexual” or “transvestite”
- Drag Queen: a person who consciously performs “femininity,” usually in a show or theatre setting, presenting an exaggerated form of feminine expression, often times done by a man; often confused with “transsexual” or “transvestite”
- Fluid(ity): generally with another term attached, like gender-fluid or fluid-sexuality, fluid(ity) describes an identity that is a fluctuating mix of the options available (e.g., man and woman, gay and straight); not to be confused with “transitioning”
- FTM/MTF: (Post-op) a person who has undergone medical treatments to change their biological sex (Female To Male, or Male To Female), often times to align it with their gender identity; often confused with “trans-man”/”trans-woman”
- Gender Expression: the external display of gender, through a combination of dress, demeanor, social behavior, and other factors, generally measured on a scale of masculinity and femininity
- Gender Identity: the internal perception of an individual’s gender, and how they label themselves
- Genderless: a person who does not identify with any gender
- Genderqueer: (1) a blanket term used to describe people whose gender falls outside of the gender binary; (2) a person who identifies as both a man and a woman, or as neither a man nor a woman; often used in exchange with “transgender”
- Intersex: a person with a set of sexual anatomy that doesn’t fit within the labels of female or male (e.g., 47,XXY phenotype, uterus, and penis)
- Outing [someone]: when someone reveals another person’s sexuality or gender identity to an individual or group, often without the person’s consent or approval; not to be confused with “coming out”
- Pansexual: a person who experiences sexual, romantic, physical, and/or spiritual attraction for members of all gender identities/expressions
- Questioning: the process of exploring one’s own gender/sexual orientation, investigating influences that may come from their family, religious upbringing, and internal motivations
- Sexual Orientation: the type of sexual, romantic, physical, and/or spiritual attraction one feels for others, often labeled based on the gender relationship between the person and the people they are attracted to; often mistakenly referred to as “sexual preference”
- Sexual Preference: (1) generally when this term is used, it is being mistakenly interchanged with “sexual orientation,” creating an illusion that one has a choice (or “preference”) in who they are attracted to; (2) the types of sexual intercourse, stimulation, and gratification one likes to receive and participate in
- Transgender: a blanket term used to describe all people who are not cisgender; occasionally used as “transgendered” but the “ed” is misleading, as it implies something happened to the person to make them transgender, which is not the case
- Transitioning: a term used to describe the process of moving from one sex/gender to another, sometimes this is done by hormone or surgical treatments
- Transsexual: a person whose gender identity is the binary opposite of their biological sex, who may undergo medical treatments to change their biological sex, often times to align it with their gender identity, or they may live their lives as the opposite sex; often confused with “trans-man”/”trans-woman”
- Transvestite: a person who dresses as the binary opposite gender expression (“cross-dresses”) for any one of many reasons, including relaxation, fun, and sexual gratification; often called a “cross-dresser,” and often confused with “transsexual”
- Trans-man/Trans-woman: (Pre-op) a person who was assigned a female/male sex at birth, but identifies as a man/woman; often confused with “transsexual man/woman” or “FTM/MTF”
- Two-Spirit: a term traditionally used by Native American people to recognize individuals who possess qualities or fulfill roles of both genders
- “Tell”: a subtle/not so subtle give away that “tells” if someone is Transgender
- To “Pass” or “Passing” When a person who is Transgender, “passes” as the gender they identify with
Pronoun Guide:
Additional Resources:
The Center/ Rainbow Alley(kids from 12-21)/Sage of the Rockies(adults 50+)
1301 E. Colfax, Denver, CO 80218 (303) 733-7743
- A nonprofit community center for Colorado’s gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) population.
- Services include:
- GLBT Legal Helpline (legal advice and referrals) at (303) 282-6524
- Rainbow Alley, a drop-in center for GLBT youth, ages 11-21.
- Sage of the Rockies, services for LGBT persons age 50+.
- Transgender Programs and Services, including support groups, events, and activities, and job clubs/ inclusive job fairs
- Individual and group supports for GLBT individuals and individuals questioning their gender and/or sexuality, including individual counseling and group support, addictions support groups, and social groups.
- Terry Mangan Memorial Library lending library, the largest lending library of LGBT texts in the state
- Cyber Center, a safe & free location for GLBT individuals to obtain Internet access, create resumes & presentations, conduct research, & attend computer training classes.
- Hours: Monday-Friday, 10am-8pm
Queer Therapeutic Services
Contact number (720) 507-6161
Boulder – 2027 Broadway Suite E, Boulder, CO 80302
Denver – 1155 Sherman St. Suite 311, Denver, CO 80203
Longmont – 709 3rd Ave., Longmont, CO 80501
Queer Asterisk provides a variety of therapeutic services for LGBTQPIA folx who identify as lesbian, gay, bi, trans, queer/questioning, pan, intersex, agender/asexual or non-conforming and their allies.
Colorado Anti Violence Program
4140 Tejon St, Denver, CO 80211(303) 839-5204
24 Hour Hotline – (888) 557-4441 (English and Spanish)
Formerly the Colorado Anti Violence Program (CAVP), Survivors Organizing for Liberation (SOL) and Buried Seedz of Resistance (BSEEDZ) have engaged the state of Colorado’s queer and trans survivors of violence for over 30 years. From grassroot beginnings as a volunteer collective responding to violence, SOL and BSEEDZ address challenges and systems of oppression facing the LGBTQ community, offering direct survivor support and training opportunities for agencies committed to our people’s liberation from violence.
Colorado LGBTQ Commission
1490 N Lafayette St #304, Denver, CO 80218 (720) 913-8488
Partners with the community to advance social, economic, and political equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people using its unique position within the City and County of Denver.
Purpose Statements
- Advise the Human Rights and Community Partnership’s Executive Director and the Mayor on the critical issues and opportunities facing the LGBTQ community.
- Recommend legislation, policies, programs, procedures, or administrative actions that advance social, economic, and political equality for the LGBTQ community, or oppose those that do not.
- Support efforts to organize, educate, and mobilize the LGBTQ community through coalition building, and coordination with allied individuals, groups, and organizations.
PFLAG, Denver Chapter
1290 N Williams St #1, Denver, CO 80218 (303) 333-0286 (also in Spanish)
- PFLAG (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) supports, education and advocacy to promote the well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender persons.
- Offers telephone helplines, support group meetings, resource referral, and information.
- Telephone Helpline is answered 24 hours a day in both English and Spanish and is staffed by volunteers 12 hours a day. It provides emotional support, information, and referrals – (303) 333- 0286
- See the PFLAG calendar for dates and times of support group meetings.
Fenway Institute Helpline & Peer Listening Line
1 (888) 340-4528 (Helpline); 1 (800) 399-7337 (Peer Listening Line)
- Anonymous and confidential phone lines that offer gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender adults and youths a “safe place” to call for information, referrals, and support regarding issues like coming out, HIV/AIDS, safer sex and relationships, and support locating LGBT groups and services in their local area.
- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Helpline – (Toll-free) 888.340.4528
- Peer Listening Line – (Toll-free) 800.399.PEER
The Denver ELEMENT (Supports Gay, Bi, and Transgender Men)
4242 Delaware St, Denver, CO 80216 (720) 382-5900
- Non-profit organization through mile high behavioral health to promote mental, physical, and social well-being for all gay/bi men
- HIV support/ group “Positive Impact”, “healthy relationships” educational program for HIV positive gay and bi men.
- Free HIV and comprehensive STI testing, check for availability before coming in
One Colorado
1490 N Lafayette St #304, Denver, CO 80218 (303) 396-6170
One Colorado is the state’s leading advocacy organization dedicated to advancing equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) Coloradans and their families. Effectively advocate for LGBTQ Coloradans and their families by lobbying the General Assembly, executive branch, and local governments on issues like safe schools, transgender equality, relationship recognition, and LGBTQ health and human services.
Trans Youth Education & Support of Colorado
(720) 443-7708
A statewide education and advocacy organization that supports transgender and gender expansive youth and their families.
Urban Peak
730 21st Street, Denver, CO 80205 (303) 974-2000
- Non-profit organization to serve youth ages 15-24 experiencing homelessness or at imminent risk of becoming homeless
- Provides assistance and support to become self-sufficient
- Services include: street outreach, a 40-bed shelter for youth, daytime drop-in center, supportive housing, education and employment services, case management, life skills courses, behavioral health evaluations, meals and more
The Trevor Project (suicide prevention for LGBT)
1 (866) 488-7386
- Offers crisis and suicide prevention services for gay and questioning youth, ages 13 – 24.
- Trevor Lifeline – Free, confidential, 24/7 crisis intervention and suicide prevention lifeline for LGBTQ young people (ages 13-24)
- TrevorChat – Free, confidential, secure instant messaging service for LGBTQ youth that provides live help from trained volunteer counselors, open daily from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time
- TrevorText – A free, confidential, secure service in which LGBTQ young people can text a trained Trevor counselor for support and crisis intervention, available Fridays from 2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Mountain Time at (202) 304-1200.
Gender Spectrum
(510) 788-4412
- Gender Spectrum provides education, training, and support to help create a gender sensitive and inclusive environment for children of all ages
- Online support community called “the lounge” for teens, parents, and professionals
- Multiple gender related tools, resources, and research great for educators, families, and schools
- Gender transition plans for schools, statistics, trainings, consultations, etc.
Voz Y Corazon Suicide Prevention Program
4141 E Dickenson Pl, Denver, CO, 80222 (303) 504-6500
- Suicide prevention program through MHCD to provide free, community-based, culturally sensitive, mentoring and suicide prevention service to teens and their families
- Services in Spanish and English
It takes a Village
www.ittakesavillagecolorado.org
1475 Lima Street, Aurora, CO 80010 (303)367-4747
- Providing support, outreach, help finding resources, groups, and HIV prevention/care for Denver metro transgender community
- Groups every Wednesday 4-6pm, and en espanol Mondays 3-5pm at
- Seeking Safety groups for trans people who are struggling with adult or childhood trauma or addiction take place every Tuesday from 1-2:30pm, Lunch provided
- Drop in for one-on-one discussions/sessions on weekdays
Trans Youth Family Allies
PO Box 1471, Holland, MI 49422-1471 (888)-462-8932
- Source for educational information and advocacy for transgender youth.
- Resources target parents, educations, and healthcare practitioners
National Center for Transgender Equality
1133 19th St NW #302, Washington D.C. 20036 (202) 642-4542
- National social justice organization
- Provides general Information (not specifically legal)
Other Transgender Online Resources:
For Veterans
American Military Partner Association
1725 I Street, NW, Suite 300 Washington, D.C. 20006 (202) 695-2672
- Largest national resource and support network for the partners, spouses, families, and allies of America’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) service members and veterans.
- Their mission is “connecting, supporting, honoring, and serving the partners and spouses of America’s LGBT service members and veterans – our nation’s modern military families.”
Social Groups and Organizations
Jeffco Safe Schools Colorado has a new website for our LGBTQIA+ community, with resources and updates that support inclusive curriculum, classrooms, and community: jeffcosafeschools.org
The Mile High Freedom Band
- Charitable organization serving the LGBTQ community in Denver
- Social organization for musicians
- Open to all who respect the diversities in life including the LGBTQ community and allies
The Mile High Gay Guy
- Gay blog with resources, information about upcoming social events
- Sports and recreation information, etc.
Denver LGBT Visitor’s Guide
www.denver.org/about-denver/lgbt
Denver LGBT Healthcare Guild for Gender and Sexual Minorities
www.healthcareguild.com/denver.html
- Not-for-profit organization of licensed mental and medical healthcare professionals
- Links to resources including finding an LGBT aware medical or mental healthcare provider.
National Resources
GLMA Health Professionals Advancing LGBT Equality
Human Rights Campaign (HRC)
Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD)
Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN)
Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals
American Veterans for Equal Rights
Transgender Law Center
WPATH (transgender health)
National LGBT Health Education Center
Educational experiences of trans and non-binary students in Colorado: An event featuring OneColorado student leaders: Hear about the educational experiences of trans and non-binary students in Colorado and listen to these young leader’s ideas regarding policy changes that should be made at the school, district, and state level. This will be a student-focused event, featuring The One Colorado GSA Leadership Council. The One Colorado GSA Leadership Council is composed of high school and college students from across Colorado. The Council facilitates the growth and development of its members as advocates for LGBTQ youth and supports the Colorado GSA Network.