Trump’s first administration from 2016 to 2020 eroded protections and support for LGBTQ+ and young adults with stances like not supporting the use of a person’s pronouns, banning transgender persons from the military, banning the rainbow flag at U.S. embassies and more.
Today, just over 100 days into Trump 2.0, those policies are back – and support for LGBTQ+ youth is falling heavily to state and local organizations. In Colorado Springs, Inside Out Youth Services (516 W. Colorado Ave.) provides mental health support as well as a welcoming community for 13- to 24-year-old members of the queer community. Even the voicemail greeting for Inside Out is affirming: “We are here to embrace and support all kings, queens and in-betweens.”
Ollie Glessner is Inside Out’s community and advocacy director. I asked them if they think the youngest members of the LGBTQ+ community feel pressure from the federal level.
“Absolutely,” Glessner shared, without pausing. “Unfortunately, because of social media and our 24-hour news cycle, I think young people are more aware than ever that they are being targeted by policies at the federal level.”
I shared how small I feel, in a mostly conservative city, as someone who wants to use the correct pronouns and show support for LGBTQ+ people.
“Affirmation matters at every level,” Glessner said, adding that supporters outside of the LGBTQ+ community don’t have to worry about saying everything perfectly; simply showing respect and making the effort to honor a person’s identity is validating.
While we talked, Glessner shared information from a source called The Trevor Project, which is the leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention nonprofit in the United States and Puerto Rico. Glessner said, “According to The Trevor Project, using a young person’s chosen name or pronoun decreases that individual’s likelihood of committing suicide by 50%. The more times different people use someone’s preferred pronoun, the risk of suicide continues to decrease.”
Every person has a right to exist. – Ollie Glesner
Glessner said honoring an individual’s chosen pronouns isn’t a small act of acceptance, “it is validation that every person has a right to exist.”
In celebration of prom season, Inside Out is hosting Pink Pony Disco on Saturday, May 31, at the Hillside Community Center (925 S. Institute St.) from 6 to 9 p.m. Glessner explained the event is semi-formal, but any attire is welcome as long as the outfit is free from drugs or sexual content.
“My favorite part of the event is the clothing closet and hair and make-up station,” Glessner shared. They emphasized the event will be chaperoned by mental health professionals and will include a photo booth, DJ and drag-show performance.
Additionally, Inside Out Youth Services offers drop-in space Tuesday through Friday from 3 to 9 p.m. Glessner added “LGBTQ are not allowed in every room where decisions are being made,” but they are always welcome at Inside Out.
