Ember Rieder was just weeks into her transition when she walked into The Center on Colfax's Trans Femme Support Group for the first time — nervous about whether she'd truly belong.
"But my experience was just being embraced and loved right from the start," she recalled. "And now I go almost every week because of the community I've established from the group."
The Trans Femme Support Group is The Center's most-attended, among more than a dozen offered — and for Ember, it's become a rare space where she doesn't have to perform.
"So much of being trans is putting on a mask for the world and not being able to show who you really are," she said. "And when I'm here, I can just take that mask off and not have to hide or explain anything."
Group members have leaned on each other as Colorado faces two anti-trans ballot measures and the federal government continues to embrace anti-trans rhetoric and policy. Knowing she'll be surrounded by support every Thursday makes the hard days a little easier.
"The existence of these groups is so vital because we take care of each other when it feels like the world is attacking us," she said.