5 LGBTQ+ Resources Worth Checking Out In NoCo
Moving somewhere new as an LGBTQ+ person can be scary. You never know if you’ll be accepted with open arms or chased out of town. Luckily, with a little research it’s becoming easier and easier to find a place that will celebrate everyone for who they are.
When I moved to Fort Collins, I didn’t think much about it (since I was still in the closet), but after a few years I realized how lucky I was to live somewhere with so many resources — but you have to dig to find them.
Forming a community of people helped me find my identity and come to accept myself in every way.
I’ll make this easy for you and highlight the 5 LGBTQ+ resources in Northern Colorado I wish I’d known about sooner.
1. Online Groups
I’ll be honest… going out to meet people in person and having a face-to-face conversation usually feels like the last thing I want to do… like ever (introvert gang for the win!)
Luckily, I can sit at home in my sweatpants and still be connected to the queer scene in NoCo. Using online communities and Facebook groups (I promise I’m not a boomer, it really does work), anyone can make friends, find things to do, or share a well-aimed GIF of the Fab Five. There’s no lack of Facebook groups specific to NoCo.
According to their Facebook page, NOCO Eclectic focuses on creating a “transgender, intersex, and gender-redefining network.” They host workshops and provide informational links to navigating issues that are specific to the gender-queer community.
Fort Collins LGBTQ Social Alliance is dedicated to sharing events. They post about everything from Colorado Name Change Project to local drag events.
You can find online resources for everything in NoCo. Pride Guide Colorado has forums dedicated to collecting LGBTQ+ friendly services, like wedding planning, real estate, shopping, and more!
2. NOCO Equality
NOCO Equality is an organization dedicated to collecting resources to build community, find quality healthcare, and a lot more.
Their website hosts the most comprehensive event calendar that can help you find something to do in an LGBTQ+ dedicated space.
There is also a massive library of resources on their website. You can find articles meant to help you understand yourself and your identities, how to educate loved ones, and pretty much anything else.
If you’re a teen looking for community in the LGBTQ+ space, they have you covered with content specifically targeted to you.
3. Meetup
Meetup is a website that helps you — drumroll please — meet up with people (shocker). You can find almost any community on Meetup, and the LGBTQ+ one is no different.
Go to their LGBTQ Groups in Fort Collins collection to find pages that correlate with your identities. If hiking is your thing, they’ve got you covered. Looking for a fun date night? Meetup makes it easy.
They also have specialized groups for trans people, social hours, and gay seniors. For people looking for a face-to-face way to get involved in the community, this is your first step.
4. Healthcare
Dwight might believe that healthcare isn’t a necessity, but there are several groups in NoCo that believe everyone has a right to quality healthcare.
HIV
Healthcare can be more intimidating for the LGBTQ+ community. Luckily, NoCo has providers who specialize in treating queer clients.
The NOCO Aids Project is covered under the Affordable Care Act and is dedicated to helping as many patients as possible. They provide free educational information on their website.
After becoming a client, patients have access to testing, case management, counseling, syringe exchanges and a lot more. They’re goal is to make HIV treatments as easy and supported as possible.
If you’re not impacted by HIV, but still want to get involved you can volunteer by helping direct patients, working in their in-house food bank, and more.
Trans Care
Colorado State University students also have access to trans healthcare resources through the university. These providers are dedicated to honoring chosen names and pronouns, and respecting patient’s gender identity while still providing quality healthcare.
CSU also has medical professionals and counselors who specialize in working with trans, non-binary, agender, and gender-queer clients. Many of these professionals are a part of the LGBTQ+ community themselves.
According to their website, the CSU Health Network offers medical consultations, initiation of hormone therapy and ongoing care, mental health consultations, surgical referrals, individual counseling, and support groups to gender-queer clients.
5. Events
Pride
It wouldn’t be the LGBTQ+ community without Pride! NOCO Equality hosts an annual pride parade every year. This is an incredible way to have a fun day out (pun intended), meet some people, and fly your rainbow flag.
There’s also Boulder Pridefest and Denver Pride — both less than 2 hours away!
Drag Shows
Fort Collins is home to Northern Colorado’s biggest drag show! This is a super fun, high energy, and positive event featuring beloved local drag queens like Jessica L’Whor.
Attendants can usually expect a cameo from nationally recognized queens and RuPaul’s Drag Race contenders like Gia Gunn and Peppermint.
No matter how you choose to identify, NoCo has something for you. I consider it to be the most LGBTQ+ friendly place I’ve ever lived. It’s a unique feeling to walk around with your partner without the looming anxiety of being judged or hurt, but I’ve found that in Fort Collins.
