The following is a constantly-evolving list of mostly local* (in the Grand Junction, Mesa County, Grand Valley, Western Slope, Western Colorado area), as well as some not-so-local-but-still-quite-useful, LGBTQ+ affirming providers, resources, establishments, groups and services that I'm aware of. To be affirming means to have awareness of LGBTQ+ concerns and histories, to be consistently increasing knowledge around LGBTQ+ matters, to be skilled in working with LGBTQ+ folks, and to take action for and with members of the LGBTQ+ community (aka to advocate for/with). Please note that I likely haven't received direct care from any of the professionals listed below. This means that I can't guarantee that the professionals' services are legitimately affirming based on my own experience - I can only base this information on what the professionals proclaim and what clients have told me. If you have an experience with any of the professionals listed below that feels less than affirming, please let me know and I will reach out to them to discuss the concerns and may ultimately remove them from this list. If you know of any resources that should be added to the list, please also let me know. You may contact me by phone at (970) 235-1136 or by email at megan@desertsandllc.com.
*Local resources will be marked with an asterisk.

LGBTQ+ Youth

*BAM! Business Art Mentorship Youth Program
"Empowering teens in underserved areas of Western Colorado, through art & business mentorship." BAM is an inclusive and safe local space for LGBTQ+ youth.

Scarleteen
"Sex ed for the real world. Inclusive, comprehensive, supportive sexuality and relationships info for teens and emerging adults."

Queer Kid Stuff
"An LGBTQ+ and social justice webseries for kids. They explain queer topics through a vlog-style conversation with young viewers focused on love and family. The short videos are a tool for parents, teachers, and LGBTQ+ adults to help them explain these words and ideas to young children in their lives, recommended for all ages."

Educational Resources

How to Support Your Non-Binary Family Member
A useful handbook by Alyssa Giannini (they/them), who also created a page full of Nonbinary Educational Resources

TransIntimate
"TransIntimate teaches people to get close to trans people beyond pronouns and bathrooms. We mentor parents, partners, family and friends, and work with schools, businesses and organizations to create more inclusive environments. We do not use shame and blame in our teaching, but instead use questions and stories to be in deep conversation with each other."

Affirming Providers

*Megan Sand, LCSW
Desert Sand Counseling & Consulting
Queer-identifying psychotherapist specializing in LGBTQ+ support
(970) 235-1136
640 Grand Ave, Grand Junction, Co 81501
RMHP/UHC Medicaid accepted, and self-pay.

*Identity Insights Counseling
"LGBTQ+ affirming counselors and psychiatric providers based in Grand Junction and serving Coloradans across the state via telehealth"
(970) 433-4635
1212 Bookcliff Ave STE 3, Grand Junction, CO 81501
Accepts a variety of insurance plans (including Medicaid), as well as self-pay with sliding scale options when available

*Harmony HRT
"Medical clinic operated by a board-certified family physician, specializing in hormone replacement therapy"
(970) 639-2677
456 Kokopelli Dr, Fruita, CO 81521

*Kathleen M. Wilson, DNP, B.C.
LGBTQ+ Primary Care Provider

*Joshua D. Pearson, DO
Affirming OBGYN
(970) 245-1168
2525 North 8th Street Suite 202, Grand Junction, CO 81501

Groups

*Queer Junction  Instagram page
🌈 Connecting GJ’s LGBTQIA+ community
✨Queer events, safe spaces, and resources
🫱🏻‍🫲🏿Inclusive for all
👏 Anti-Racist intersectional values

*Grand Junction Queer & Ally Connection
Private Facebook group with resources, events, and community connection for Grand Valley locals

*Loving Beyond Understanding
"Social support and connection every day for all ages & intersections, a place to get away and get resourced near campus, free shopping for clothing and gender-affirming gear, LGBTQ+ specialized resource navigation, free harm reduction supplies & testing, LGBTQ+ meetings & events."
(970) 314-7121
howdy@lovingbeyondunderstanding.org

Services

*Morbid Babe Beauty
"At Morbid Babe Beauty, we are committed to providing specialized services in a welcoming environment where LGBTQ individuals, women, and people with disabilities can feel truly seen and valued. Our hair salon is a safe space for radical self-love and authentic self-expression."
(970) 234-2587
morbidbabebeauty@proton.me
1059 Main St., Grand Junction, CO 81504

*Follow the Saenz
Affirming hair salon
(970) 270-3366
117 N. 6th Street, Grand Junction, CO, United States, Colorado

*Handy Angie's Cleaning and Handywoman services / Reyes Moto Werkz
Specializing in home cleans and Airbnb turnover cleans; home and motorcycle repairs.
(970) 424-7076

*Rainbow Closet - Grand Junction & Rural Mobile Rainbow Closet
Free thrift clothing and gender-affirming gear, and private personal style consultations.
Usually open Saturdays 3:30pm-7:30pm, and/or by  appointment.
For location/info/appointments, contact Marcela - (714) 360-9233, aayon69@yahoo.com.

Xude Yoga
Affirming yoga videos accessible online. "Xude Yoga is committed to creating inclusive yoga practices that are affirming and accessible."

Microgrants/Mutual Aid/Funding

Trans Lifeline Gender-Affirming Hair Removal Microgrants
Provides funding for electrolysis, laser hair removal, or other forms of permanent hair removal.

Colorado Name Change Project Microgrant
Funding to offset the costs of: Required FBI/CBI Background Checks, Court Filing Fee, Colorado Driver’s License or State ID, Colorado Birth Certificate, Passport, Immigration Documents, Tribal IDs

Legal

Colorado Name Change Project
"Here, you will find information and forms on how to update your name and gender marker in the State of Colorado.  Our goal is to help you better understand and navigate the process of changing your name and/or your gender marker.  We have automated the forms needed for an Adult and Minor Name Changes in Colorado and are working on form packages for your Gender Marker Change."

Entertainment

Please note that I do not fully endorse 100% of statements made or beliefs expressed in the following sources of entertainment. I do find them to be entertaining, useful, and often educational, however there may be triggering, offensive, and/or explicit material.

Nevada by Imogen Binnie - Novel
"One of the most beloved cult novels of our time and a landmark of trans literature, Imogen Binnie’s Nevada is a blistering, heartfelt, and evergreen coming-of-age story, and a punk-smeared excavation of marginalized life under capitalism. Guided by an instantly memorable, terminally self-aware protagonist... Nevada is the great American road novel flipped on its head for a new generation."

Gender Reveal - Podcast
"The Gender Reveal podcast explores the vast diversity of trans experiences through interviews with a wide array of trans, nonbinary and two-spirit people. Created by journalist and educator Tuck Woodstock, the show also serves as a free educational tool for anyone seeking to learn more about gender."

She/Her/Hers - Band
"She/Her/Hers is the creative project of songwriter Emma Grrrl, beginning in 2015 as a vessel to discuss her coming out as a transgender woman." Many of my clients have found the songs Gender Is Boring and Nvr Pass to be very relatable.

K!MMORTAL - Musical (and other media) Artist
"Kimmortal is a queer non-binary filipinx multi-hyphenate artist born in Vancouver, BC. Combining their passion for hip hop, visual art, theatre, spoken word, ancestral wisdom, and liberation, Kimmortal strives to build worlds that make queer and diasporic weird kids feel like they belong."