During 2022, The Center’s Transgender Program served a total of 1,374 individuals through a variety of regular support groups and special events throughout the year. The program facilitated nine ongoing support groups, two of which were introduced in 2022. Classic events from before the pandemic returned this year. The Queer Author Expo had 58 attendees, and our Transgender Day of Remembrance event welcomed 70 individuals. The Transgender Program also collaborated with the Denver Department of Economic Development and Opportunity to host an Entrepreneurship Class, the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence for a Day of Hope event, and with Melissa Chatwell for a workshop titled Fashion and Self.
Our team also worked hard to connect with other organizations in the community to build awareness and provide training opportunities. The program participated in 15 speaking engagements throughout the year, including:
- A panel discussion on transgender and gender diverse experiences with the Colorado Attorney General
- An interview about anti-transgender legislation with Colorado Public Radio’s All Things Considered
- A panel discussion entitled “Strength in Visibility: Celebrating International Transgender Day of Visibility” with Alto Pharmacy
- A training on understanding transgender and gender diverse communities for Colorado Public Radio and the Denver Broncos
- A speaking engagement with the Denver Mayor’s LGBTQ Commission
- Providing expertise on the advisory boards for the UCHealth Integrated Transgender Program and the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative
The Transgender Program’s work with the UCHealth Integrated Transgender Program Community Advisory Group led to the development of peer facilitator curriculum for peer support group facilitators. We trained 13 peer facilitators in 2022 and intend to hire a part-time Support Group Administrator in 2023. This new position will provide ongoing support to group facilitators and implement more groups and services based on community need in 2023.
We are often reminded of the lifesaving work we do by community members and their loved ones. We are proud to continue providing our community with spaces where they can be themselves, foster social connections outside of bars and dating apps, and access resources they need to thrive.