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October is LGBT History Month!
This guide will help you to identify and connect with resources that can help you explore your identity, manage your mental and physical health, build a strong and supportive community or help a friend.
Gender identity and sexuality have become increasingly nuanced. It’s important to remember that you don’t have to label your gender or sexuality for it to be valid. If you’re curious about your gender or sexuality and want support exploring these areas of your life, there are resources that can help. Here are a couple to check out.
Bring Your Own Gender (BYOG) is a social support group for students who are transgender, nonbinary, gender-questioning and gender-creative. This ongoing group provides a safe and welcoming space for students to explore their gender identity and meet other students with similar experiences.
Let’s Talk Sex and Gender provides free and confidential consultations with a CAPS counselor. Drop-in sessions are available weekly and are intended for queer and questioning students. Individuals are welcome to discuss sexuality and gender with a safe confidential ally from CAPS. This is a great space to discuss topics related to exploration of identities, coming out, dysphoria, transitioning, referrals, microaggressions and more.
While many students may face mental health concerns during their time in college, students in the LGBTQ+ community often face additional social pressures, challenges and barriers that can adversely impact their mental health. The good news is that you don’t have to navigate life’s challenges on your own. Here are a few resources on campus that can help you manage your mental health and feel supported at CU.
Let’s Talk Sex and Gender provides free and confidential consultations with a CAPS counselor. Drop-in sessions are available weekly and are intended for queer and questioning students. Individuals are welcome to discuss sexuality and gender with a safe confidential ally from CAPS. This is a great space to discuss topics related to exploration of identities, coming out, dysphoria, transitioning, referrals, microaggressions and more.
This therapy group welcomes CU students of all ages and backgrounds who identify as cross-gendered, transgender, gender-variant and gender-queer to a supportive space. This group focuses on encouraging personal development, creating and utilizing workable coping skills and providing acceptance of each person’s unique journey.
Pride in Recovery is a weekly virtual, student-led recovery meeting for LGBTQ+ individuals that discusses the intersection of identity and recovery from a variety of behaviors, including substance use, disordered eating, self-harm and more. 
This therapy group aims to create a safe space for students who identify within the transgender and nonbinary community to feel supported, learn positive and healthy coping skills and regain a sense of power and strength that may have been challenged by previous trauma.
CAPS is committed to creating an environment where all students feel seen and welcome. Navigating issues of identity-based trauma, discrimination, stereotypes and oppression can be difficult to do on our own. CAPS is a valuable resource for those who are seeking support pertaining to identity, allyship and education.
OVA provides free and confidential support, advocacy, and short-term trauma-focused counseling to students who have experienced a traumatic, disturbing or disruptive event. OVA is skilled in working with LGBTQ-specific needs, especially around experiences of gender based abuse/violence, discrimination and experiences of bias.
Thriving Campus is a free service that can help you connect with community providers based on your interests, needs and insurance plan. 
Sexual orientation and gender filters are available on the site to help students connect with mental health providers who have a shared identity.
All CU Boulder students can access AcademicLiveCare, a telehealth platform that allows you to schedule and attend mental health appointments 24/7 from a smartphone, computer or other mobile device. Appointments are free for all CU Boulder students.
All CU Boulder students can access the WellTrack app for free using their IdentiKey login. It’s designed to help you better understand your mental health and provide you with the help you need in the moment. It can also help you connect to crisis support services with the tap of a button.
It’s normal to feel anxious about going to the doctor, especially if you’re not sure if a healthcare provider will accept or respect your identity. Luckily, at CU Boulder, our Medical Services team provides gender-affirming care from using your preferred name and pronouns to providing LGBTQ-specific services. That’s why Medical Services has been recognized as a Top Performer for LGBTQ Health Care by the Human Rights Campaign for the past three years. 
CU Boulder Health and Wellness Services provides comprehensive care for transgender and non-binary students through their interdisciplinary TransCare team. Providers on this team help coordinate services, processes and resources across Health and Wellness departments, including Medical Services, Counseling and Psychiatric Services, the Office of Victim Assistance and more.
If you’re interested in starting or continuing hormone therapy, the Medical Services team has experienced providers trained in counseling students about their medical options and are able to prescribe and manage gender affirming hormone therapy.
Medical Services offers testing and treatment for sexual and reproductive health concerns, including birth control, STI testing, sexual health education, evaluations and more. They can also provide prescriptions for medications like Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention.
If you are interested in exploring options, need physical exams or letters of support to obtain surgical procedures, Medical Services is able to provide this once you have established care with one of our providers on the gender affirming care team. If you have undergone gender-affirming surgery, these team members can also provide postoperative care and coordinate with your surgical teams to address specific needs.
The Anthem Gold Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) provides benefits and coverage related to transgender care services, including surgery. The Administrative Services team is also available to answer questions related to benefits, coverage, in-network providers and more. Students with private insurance can also access LGTBQ+ care at Medical Services through their own insurance plan or with the use of BuffCare.
Finding a supportive academic and social community where you feel safe, welcome and accepted is an important part of navigating college. Having a support system in place at CU can also help if you don’t have the support you need at home. Here are a few ways to get involved with LGBTQ+ communities on campus (allies are also welcome). 
The CU Boulder Pride Office offers space and programming where LGBTQ+ students can come together to feel safe and supported. Staff provide one-on-one consultations to students regarding any challenges or questions they have around their LGBTQ+ identities.
The Rec Center provides inclusive programming, including activities and events specifically for LGBTQ+ students and allies. All Inclusive Rec events are free with a Buff OneCard or guest pass. 
The Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA) is a student organization that works to create a campus environment that embraces all students, regardless of their gender identity or sexual orientation. The GSA hosts a variety of on-campus events and meetings, including the annual GSA Drag Show and Queer Formal.
Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (oSTEM) provides networking opportunities, professional development, social events and a safe space for LGBTQ+ STEM students at CU Boulder. Whether it’s DIY sundae bars, bath bombs, wearable technology or queer-e-oke nights, oSTEM does it all! Meetings consist of a mix of community, social, academic and professional development events. Their doors are open to all members of the CU Boulder community. 
Spectrum is the first living learning community on CU’s campus with a long history and commitment to supporting LGBTQIA students and their allies. Since 2001, this LLC has focused on community dialogue, allyship and identity development for gender inclusivity and sexual expression. Through this LLC, students focus on equity, equality and acceptance for LGBTQIA communities, and secure a deeper perspective of inclusion and equity, social justice and identity formation and development.
Bring Your Own Gender (BYOG) is a social support group for students who are transgender, nonbinary, gender-questioning and gender-creative. This ongoing group provides a safe and welcoming space for students to explore their gender identity and meet other students with similar experiences.
Queer and Trans People of Color (QTPOC) is a social group for students of color who identify as LGBTQ+. The group provides a space where community members can come together to share their unique experiences and find connection with each other.
Gender-inclusive and gender neutral restrooms are available across campus, including at Wardenburg Health Center, the Recreation Center, the UMC and the Center for Community (C4C).
If you are looking for on-campus housing, off-campus housing or emergency shelter options, there are a number of resources available to help you find the right housing fit.
The Basic Needs Center is a campus care collective, connecting you to essential resources when you need them most. As a virtual and physical hub of services, the BNC collaborates with on-campus and community partners to get you the support you need. They provide education on navigating local and national resources in addition to helping support students in emergency situations.
CISC provides programs, resources and events to support underrepresented student identities, including LGBTQ+ individuals. Their office can help you foster community, engage in leadership opportunities and connect with support services at CU Boulder
The Speech, Language and Hearing Clinic (SLHC) at CU Boulder offers voice training for trans individuals. This program is available on a sliding-scale. You do not need to be receiving hormone therapy to utilize their services. For more information, call 303-492-3066.
Scholarships, financial aid and assistance funds are available to LGBTQ+ students through a variety of CU Boulder programs. 
Explore your options for seeking confidential support, reporting concerns and learning skills for helping others. If something seems off, it probably is—don’t ignore it.
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