List of 10 LGBTQIA+ Organizations in Denver
At Rooted Acorn Counseling, we are always on the lookout for LGBTQ organizations and Queer-inclusive Colorado resources in Denver and beyond the Denver metro. We are aware of the profound impact of explicitly queer-friendly supports and resources. We often learn a lot about our community resources and programs through word of mouth as well as through our colleague connections. We know how important it is to feel welcomed and seen and one of the best ways for us to know we are safe is when we are welcomed with intention. That is why we have gathered our list of organizations in the area that explicitly state their intention is to support the queer community, their loved ones, and families. Some of these are human services organizations and others are doing the important work of advancing equality for our community. These organizations offer general support programs, community building opportunities, transgender support, peer support, as well as social events for all ages. Some of these are advocacy organizations that are advancing equity and equality for LGBTQ+ folks in Colorado. We hope this list is a helpful starting point for your search for support, but by no means is this an exhaustive list of our queer Colorado resources. Many of these are queer-owned or operated, but not all. As with all recommendations and referrals, we hope you check in with yourself to make sure you feel safe and seen by whomever you decide to work with.
As a note, we will use LGBTQ and LGBTQIA+ interchangeably to appease the search engine gods. Our aim, however, is to be inclusive and welcoming of all of our queer community, including our intersex, two-spirit, and asexual family members. We see you. You are welcome here.
10 LGBTQ organizations in Denver
1. Alexander Foundation
The Alexander Foundation provides support to the Colorado LGBTQIA+ community through financial assistance programs, volunteer, and scholarships.
Services provided: Scholarships and financial assistance
Folks served: LGBTQ+ Community
Google rating: 5.0 stars
2. The Center on Colfax
The hub and starting place for all things queer in the Denver metro is at the Center on Colfax. Here you will find upcoming community events, support groups, peer support groups, and other community building resources and education like the Colorado LGBTQ History Project.
Services provided: Resource center, support groups, human services, peer support groups, LGBTQ community upcoming events, education and trainings, job board, library
Folks served: BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ individuals (teens, gay, lesbian, bisexual), LGBTQIA+ teens
Google rating: 3.8 stars
3. Envision : You
Envision:You seeks to improve LGBTQ+ mental health through evidence-based trainings, co-created community programming, advocacy engagement, and public awareness campaigns. At Rooted Acorn Counseling, we rely on Envision:You for up-to-date data on queer mental health trends and the needs of our community.
Services provided: trainings, research, advocacy, public awareness campaigns
Target population: Mental health providers, medical providers, policy stake-holders and legislators
4. Hey Denver
HeyDenver is a non-profit community-based organization that provides Queer-focused free and confidential sexual health services, outreach, and sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing. HeyDenver is an extension of Colorado Health Network, a statewide organization that serves over 5,000 individuals living with HIV. Together, HeyDenver and Colorado Health Network, help educate, support, and empower the community through their work in the gay community.
Services provided: Queer-centered safe and confidential sexual health services including STI and HIV testing.
Target population (e.g. BIPOC LGBTQIA+ individuals, LGBTQIA+ teens, etc.)
Google rating: 4.4 stars
5. Joy As Resistance
Mental health counseling for youth and mentorship.
Services provided: Mentorship, counseling, consultation, professional development, school and non-profit partnerships
Folks served: LGBTQIA+ teens and their families
6. Khesed Wellness
Khesed Wellness is a Queer-founded organization with a focus on LGBTQ+ advocacy, allyship, and affordable mental health resources and counseling.
Services provided: Free and affordable mental health counseling
Folks served: Marginalized and Underinsured folks
7. One Colorado
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.
Services provided: They advocate by lobbying the General Assembly, executive branch, and local governments for safe schools, relationship recognition, transgender equality, and LGBTQ health and human services as well as provides resources, LGBTQ community stories and news.
Folks served: Colorado LGBTQ+ community
Google rating: 4.3 stars
8. PFLAG Denver & Colorado Springs
PFLAG's mission is to provide a more caring, just, and affirming world for LGBTQIA+ people and their families and those who love them.
Services provided: support groups, advocacy, and educational events.
Folks served: LGBTQIA+ people and those who love them. Folks in Colorado Springs and the Pikes peak region. Folks in Denver metro area.
Google rating: 5.0 stars
9. Queer Asterisk
Queer Asterisk empowers and nurtures the diverse ways of being that queer people embody by providing accessible counseling, education and community programs and events that uplift queer, trans and gender expansive lives. It is a queer and trans-informed and led mental health organization
Services provided: Counseling, educational trainings, groups, community programs, and peer mentorship
Folks served: Queer community
Google rating: 5.0 stars
10. Transgender Center of the Rockies
Holistic mental health support services for members of Colorado's transgender, non-binary, and gender expansive community. They provide cost-accessible services with sliding scale fees for individual and group therapy.
Services provided: Counseling, adult and youth therapy groups, case management, prep navigation, support groups, WPATH letters, medication assisted treatment (MAT)
Folks served: Transgender Coloradans, gender expansive folks, questioning youth
Google rating: 3.8 stars
Understanding the importance of LGBTQIA+ organizations
We all want to know that we are accepted and safe when we walk into a business or organization's building. Unfortunately, in our world, we in the queer community are not always safe and not always understood. We deserve to be respected and treated with dignity. We deserve to have professional resources, care, and supports that have training and awareness of our unique needs. That is why it is so important to have LGBTQIA+ organizations in Denver. We need places where we know we will be accepted and cared for without having to explain ourselves or feel invisible.
In our experience
In our clinical experience, and research supports this observation, when our basic needs are met, we feel better and find more fulfillment in life. We all need support at some point of our life, but one of the biggest barriers to accessing resources or supports is the question we all ask in the queer community, "Will I be safe here?" Knowing that an organization is explicitly affirming helps more people reach out to access the support they need.
At Rooted Acorn Counseling, we believe in the power of growing roots in community to build each other up and build a support network for ourselves we can rely on in times of need.
Each of these Colorado groups provides something for the queer community, whether it is facilitating community connection or processing and supportive groups with similar life experiences and identities, when our basic needs are met, our wellbeing increases. It is simple math.
Rooted Acorn Counseling offers therapy services for the LGBTQIA+ community.
At Rooted Acorn Counseling, our counselors provide inclusive and Queer affirming therapy services for individuals and for partners and couples. Our therapists offer mental health care that affirms and honors your identities, and have 20+ years of cumulative experience. We offer individual psychotherapy, couples counseling, therapy for teens, and LGBTQ+ support groups.
Whether you're looking to start therapy for the first time or seeking a new therapist who truly gets it, we invite you to contact us today and take the first step towards reaching your mental health goals. We are here for you, and we are committed to supporting you on your journey towards wellness and healing.
