Written by Dru Ahlborg, Bullying Recovery Resource Center
As Pride Month blooms across Colorado, it’s a time not just for celebration but also for reflection. The Trevor Project’s 2024 U.S. Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ+ Young People shines a critical light on the experiences of LGBTQ+ youth in Colorado—based on responses from 450 young Coloradans aged 13–24. I strongly urge you to read the report to learn more about what our LGBTQ+ youth are facing. These insights remind us that Pride belongs not just on banners and stages, but also in how we protect and uplift young vulnerable members of our community. As vibrant rainbows fill our streets this June, Pride Month reminds us of both joy and journey. While celebration is essential, so too is reflection on tougher realities. According to The Trevor Project’s 2024 survey, Colorado’s LGBTQ+ youth continue to face deeply troubling challenges—statistics that underscore the urgency of our commitment to supporting them.
One of the starkest findings: 26% of LGBTQ+ young people in Colorado were physically threatened or harmed in the last year due to their sexual orientation or gender identity. That means more than one in four youth endured violence purely for being who they are. These harrowing experiences not only threaten physical safety, but also erode trust and wellbeing.
Beyond physical harm, 61% of LGBTQ+ youth in Colorado reported facing discrimination—in school, work, home, or community settings—just within the past year alone. That’s nearly two in three youth navigating prejudice in their daily lives. From microaggressions to overt exclusion, these acts of discrimination chip away at self-esteem, belonging, and safety.
The impact of these hostile experiences is profound. Research consistently shows that exposure to violence and discrimination greatly heightens the risk of mental health struggles, including anxiety, depression, self-harm, and suicidal ideation. In Colorado, these statistics are more than numbers—they represent real young lives at risk and real pain that our community must address. As LGBTQ+ advocate and youth mentor Darnell Moore once said, “When we uplift our most marginalized youth, we create a world where everyone has the chance to thrive.”
Yet evidence also shows that affirming environments reverse these risks. In the survey, LGBTQ+ young people in Colorado say where they live is accepting of LGBTQ+ people, including 79% of transgender and nonbinary young people. Here are the top 5 actions that Colorado LGBTQ+ young people have identified to best show support and acceptance:
1. Trusting that I know who I am (92%)
2. Not supporting politicians that advocate for anti-LGBTQ+ legislation (81%)
3. Standing up for me (81%)
4. Respecting my pronouns (63%)
5. Looking up things about LGBTQ+ identities on their own to better understand
As one BRRC parent put it, “Every young person deserves to feel safe being exactly who they are. The difference it makes when someone truly sees them is immeasurable.”
Pride is more than color—it’s courage. By facing these Colorado-specific truths, and by acting with intention, BRRC can help transform Pride from symbolic celebration into concrete support. Let’s ensure that every LGBTQ+ young person in Colorado feels safe, seen, and celebrated.
“When we show up, speak up, and stand up for LGBTQ+ youth, we do more than affirm identities—we save lives.”
– Alphonso David, civil rights lawyer and advocate
