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is the statewide behavioral health crisis response system offering mental health, substance use or emotional crisis help.
provides mental health, behavioral health, and crisis services.
provides LGBTQ+ teens in distress with the peer-positive human connection that they are too often missing.
is a program of the state of Colorado that connects young people with three free therapy sessions.
is the local chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, hosting peer-led support groups of all kinds
is a medically-monitored detox, acute care, and outpatient care for clients with substance use disorder.
is a crisis hotline, chat rooms, and resources for LGBTQIA2+ young people and the adults who support them.
Child Community Services offers LGBTQIA2+ support group for young people ages 10 -17.
Willow Creek Wellness offers LGBTQIA2+ support group for young people ages 7+.
SMYAL offers virtual support groups for gender-diverse children, ages 6-14
Learn about testing and treatment for HIV/AIDS.
is a program offering free sexual health services including telehealth visits, medication, and STI screening to anyone under the age of 24 in Colorado.
For over a decade, the State of Adolescent Sexual Health (SASH) report has provided a summary of up-to-date statistics on the sexual health of young people and a brief snapshot of how Colorado’s progress compares to national trends over time.
offers support for tobacco (vaping, smoking, chewing, etc.) cessasion in the LGBTQIA2+ community of Colorado.
Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance of Colorado Springs offers support groups for LGBTQIA2+ adults, ages 18+, living with mental illness.
NAMI Colorado Springs offers a peer-led support group for LGBTQIA2+ adults.
If you want your school, faith organization, community, or other service or business to be a safe space for LGBTQIA2+ people, here is a comprehensive resource on how to create such a space: Creating Safer Spaces for LGBTQ youth
The National LGBTQIA+ Health Education Center+ has published a Guide on Human Trafficking for health care providers to increase their awareness of and responsiveness to LGBTQIA+ youth experiencing human trafficking.Are you working with (or hoping to work with) foster care agencies or other children’s residential providers and caregivers? Are you advocating for them to better serve LGBTQ+ youth? The California Dept. of Social Services has shared this “Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity & Expression Resource Guide for Children’s Residential Providers and Caregivers” that might be of use to you in your work with these youth serving professionals.
Other Resources
Debunk the myths and get the facts about what gender-affirming care looks like.
Learn about cyberbullying and how to address it.
is a Facebook group for families/caregivers/guardians of LGBTQIA2+ individuals in the Tava (Pikes Peak) region.
How to do your part to prevent substance use in young people.
How to talk to your kids about healthy relationships.
is a resource and advocacy group for allies of LGBTQIA2+ people.
is Inside Out’s support, resource, and advocacy group for parents/guardians of transgender and gender-diverse children of any age.
offers resources for LGBTQIA2+ students, educators, and allies in schools.
has services for LGBTQ+ asylum seekers, refugees and other immigrants, LGBTQ+ Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) communities, the transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) community, LGBTQ+ youth and their caregivers, and more LGBTQ+ communities.
is an MMAA program dedicated to military families with LGBTQ youth. MilPride is committed to ensuring no matter where you are stationed, you and your family never feel alone. MilPride is designed to be a resource and support network helping these modern military families navigate the unique challenges of military service.
is an LGBTQIA+ advocacy group in Southern rural Colorado (more specifically Salida), which hosts the Ark Valley Pride parade and festival.
is a Colorado-based, statewide group supporting all gender-expansive children and their families. TYES is dedicated to helping parents support their gender-expansive children, and to help families find the information, resources, and the understanding that they need. They can be reached at (719) 291-2507.
is a group of LGBTQIA2+ young people under age 25 who work to create the best possible world for the next generation.
empowers LGBTQI youth and their families to access appropriate care in all areas of their lives. “We encourage the creative creation of a community that celebrates everyone’s worth, diverse characteristics and dignity.”
From crisis lines to reading recommendations, this resource list is here to answer questions and provide support while you navigate new or changing understandings of your child’s identity and experience.
is the only comprehensive care center in the Rocky Mountain region specifically set up for gender-diverse children, adolescents and young adults.
As you mature into an amazing young adult, you will age out of Inside Out’s youth focus. Once you turn 25 if you want to stay involved with Inside Out, you are encouraged to pursue an internship, which can also be great preparation for a job, or a great project for academic credit, and a valuable resource if you are applying for scholarships. You will be able to apply as a volunteer facilitator once you are 25 years old AND have been out of IOYS programs for at least a year. What to do in the meantime? There are some links below that we think are great starting points for young adults wishing to stay active and connected in Colorado Springs’ LGBTQIA2+ community.
The LGBT Resource Center @ MOSAIC is based at UCCS
Keep Colorado Springs Queer organizes a monthly Queer Open Mic night of poetry, art, music, and creative goodness
United Court of the Pikes Peak Empire, the oldest LGBTQ organization in Southern Colorado, conducts charitable and public service projects and events to benefit legitimate charities, and provides social and charitable activities for the benefit of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community.
Colorado Springs Queer Friends is a meet-up group as well as a private group on Facebook where you can connect with other LGBTQ+ people in the community.
Club Q is a local LGBTQ-friendly place to go for some nightlife! 18+ only.
ICONS is a local LGBTQ+ owned restaurant and piano bar in downtown COS.
One Colorado is an amazing statewide LGBTQ+ advocacy organization that can help with legal questions and needs, job openings, and all manner of concerns!
NAMI Colorado Springs has a wealth of resources for mental health and wellness.
Suicide Prevention Collaborative of El Paso County is a network of organizations working to end suicide.
Inside Out is the sole LGBTQIA2+ youth services center in Colorado Springs, yet there are other needs we may not be able to fulfill! Check back as we compile further resources for health, wellness, support, and other services that can enhance your life and build your future. And don’t hesitate to reach out to our team for specific resource requests!
Inside Out is a tobacco- and vape-free organization, as well as a drug/alcohol sober space. One of our safe/brave space rules is “sober up before you show up.” We are committed to preparing young LGBTQIA2+ people with healthy coping skills to prevent drug, alcohol, and tobacco use and abuse, while also connecting youth with resources for curbing risky substance use. Here are some helpful resources in our community:
LGBTQ+ Tobacco Free: Get support in the process of quitting the use of tobacco and/or nicotine. All support systems are trained to help you as best as possible in quitting the use of tobacco or nicotine.
Springs Recovery Connection has an LGBTQIA2+ 12-step recovery group.
Diversus Health (formerly Aspen Pointe) has a great number of programs for drug/alcohol recovery.
Partnership to End Addiction resources for families of LGBTQ+ people
Here are the policies that Inside Out has enacted around our tobacco/vape free space:
Due to the LGBTQIA2+ community having been historically targeted by the tobacco industry and higher rates of trauma, oppression and discrimination, LGBTQIA2+ people face drastically higher rates of tobacco and e-cigarette use compared to their heterosexual/cisgender counterparts. IOYS works to support the health and wellbeing of our community by promoting a tobacco and vape-free environment. Smoking and secondhand smoke are known to cause serious lung diseases, heart disease, and many kinds of cancer. E-cigarettes are also a threat to the LGBTQIA2+ community as the adverse health consequences continue to come to light. IOYS recognizes the hazards caused by tobacco use and exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke. This policy covers the smoking of any tobacco product, the use of oral tobacco products (spit/chew tobacco), and e-cigarettes. This policy applies to IOYS members, volunteers, vendors, and participants. IOYS recognizes the 2019 update of the Colorado clean indoor air act and prohibits smoking and vaping indoors and within 25 feet of entrances, operable windows, and ventilation systems of buildings utilized by our organization.
No use of tobacco products is permitted within any venues IOYS utilizes for groups, meetings, or events, except in designated areas when available, located at least 25 feet outside the building. Smoking, vaping or chewing tobacco/nicotine shall be permitted only in designated tobacco use areas (DTA) when available and located at least 25 feet outside the building entrance, operable windows, and ventilation systems of enclosed areas, and 50 feet from open-air event areas to prevent tobacco smoke or vapor from entering those areas. Materials used for smoking, chewing, or vaping, including cigarette butts and matches, used within the DTA, will be extinguished and disposed of only in appropriate containers.
Are you working with (or hoping to work with) foster care agencies or other children’s residential providers and caregivers? Are you advocating for them to better serve LGBTQ+ youth? The California Dept. of Social Services has shared this “Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity & Expression Resource Guide for Children’s Residential Providers and Caregivers” that might be of use to you in your work with these youth serving professionals.
At Inside Out Youth Services, we are dedicated to providing quality programs and services to LGBTQIA2+ youth in Colorado Springs and the surrounding counties. Our wide range of offerings includes support groups, mentoring opportunities, educational workshops, and social activities, designed to meet the unique needs of LGBTQIA2+ youth and young adults at all stages of their journey.
At Inside Out Youth Services, we are dedicated to providing quality programs and services to LGBTQIA2+ youth in Colorado Springs and the surrounding counties. Our wide range of offerings includes support groups, mentoring opportunities, educational workshops, and social activities, designed to meet the unique needs of LGBTQIA2+ youth and young adults at all stages of their journey.
719-328-1056
223 N Wahsatch Ave, Suite 101
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
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