In recent years, Colorado has increasingly stood out as a beacon of safety and inclusivity for LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly transgender people. With progressive legislation that fiercely protects the rights and dignity of the queer community, the state has become a haven for those fleeing from areas where their basic human rights are under attack. As the number of LGBTQ+ individuals moving to Colorado continues to rise, one nonprofit organization is stepping up to meet the growing demand for support and resources: Trans Continental Pipeline (TCP).
Founded as a grassroots mutual aid network, TCP recently transitioned into a nonprofit organization to better serve those seeking refuge in Colorado. The organization’s mission is clear: to provide resources and support for LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly transgender people, who are escaping unsafe or unsupportive living situations in other states.
The Executive Director of TCP, Keira Richards, gave Out Front Magazine the chance to ask her about the organization’s objectives, the difficulties transgender people face when relocating to Colorado, and the urgent need for community support.
A Personal Connection to Colorado
Richards, a Colorado native and a graduate of the University of Colorado Denver, brings a deep personal connection to the state and its LGBTQ+ community. Her background as a state government employee, combined with her experiences as a trans woman, has uniquely equipped her to lead TCP. “I feel like a lot of people in Colorado specifically see these attacks in states outside of our community and just feel like their hands are tied. We don’t really have a fight in Colorado, luckily. But we also don’t know how to help people. And so I’m trying to give our community an avenue for outreach, like a way that we can actually physically, tangibly help these people in the states where our rights are being questioned,” Richards explained.
Her passion for the cause led her to leave her government job to dedicate herself full-time to TCP. “I’m really just the organizer. I’m pulling all of these pieces together and making the connections. I am doing this full-time. I quit my job with the government, and this is all I’ve been doing. So I’m sort of in charge, but this is really a community organization,” she added.
The Rising Threat of Anti-LGBTQ+ Legislation
The urgency of TCP’s mission cannot be overstated. Across the United States, anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, particularly targeting transgender individuals, has been on the rise. Richards highlighted the stark reality: “We can only live in a third of the U.S. states without worrying about our basic human dignity.”
This hostile climate has led to a surge in transgender individuals seeking refuge in states like Colorado. However, the journey to safety is often fraught with challenges. Richards recounted the harrowing stories she’s heard from recent transplants: “Talking to these new transplants, I heard horror stories about trying to get to Colorado, like one-way tickets, getting to DIA, and having no idea what to do after that. Moving to Colorado Springs because it looked like it was close to Denver and it was cheaper, and just not doing well with the community down there… Just hearing how getting here at all was awful for these people, I realized that if we could help them get here, if we could create this pipeline from these red states, it would be such a benefit to the queer community. And it would also help grow our queer community.”
Building a Pipeline to Safety
To address these challenges, TCP has developed a four-step program designed to help transgender individuals safely relocate to Colorado. The first step involves providing decision-making resources for those considering the move—where to go, what to expect, and how to plan.
The second step, which Richards emphasized as the most critical, involves funding the actual move. “The biggest barrier to getting here is the cost of the move. To move a studio apartment cross-country is one to two grand, which a lot of people just don’t have to throw at a move. And that’s really where the money is going to come in handy—the transportation resources and temporary housing. We’re trying to build out a temporary housing network,” Richards explained.
TCP is working tirelessly to establish a network of local volunteers, many of whom are transgender, who are willing to offer temporary housing to new arrivals. “We’ve got local volunteers—most of them are trans so far—that have reached out where they got a house; they got empty bedrooms, and we’re working on a matching process right now to get them here,” she said.
The Critical Need for Funding and Community Support
At the heart of TCP’s efforts is the need for funding. Richards was candid about the organization’s current needs: “It’s sort of a cliche answer, but funding more than anything right now. We need the money. These moves are expensive. And, you know, the more money we have, the more we can help these people.”
Richards also stressed the importance of community involvement. Whether it’s joining TCP’s peer network, offering temporary housing, donating, or helping to table at pride events, every bit of support helps. “The more support we have from the community, the easier it’s going to be to get these people out here,” she said.
The stakes are high. According to the Williams Institute, transgender people are over four times more likely than cisgender people to experience violent victimization. The National Library of Medicine reports that major risk factors for transgender individuals include gender-based victimization, discrimination, bullying, violence, and rejection by family, friends, and the community. In this context, the resources provided by TCP are not just helpful—they are life-saving.
A Lifeline for Transgender Americans
The need for TCP’s services has become especially acute for transgender individuals in states like Texas, where recent legislative changes have further eroded their rights. For example, a directive from the Texas Department of Public Safety’s Driver’s License Office recently instructed employees to disregard court orders for sex marker changes, which are currently legal under Texas law. This move has sparked fears that state law enforcement may be compiling a list of transgender individuals—a chilling prospect for those already living in fear.
With these kinds of threats becoming more common, conversations among Texas’s transgender community have increasingly turned to “escape plans.” TCP’s mission is to make those plans a reality for as many people as possible.
“We help queer people get out of the states that don’t really like us and come to Colorado,” Richards said. Since becoming a nonprofit in April, TCP has received nearly 70 applications from people in 23 states. While the organization has temporarily paused new applications until late September, Richards noted that TCP has already relocated between 10 and 15 people, with many of the new arrivals now volunteering for the organization.
A Community Effort
TCP’s success is a testament to the power of community. Richards, along with TCP’s other relocation managers and approximately 80 volunteers, works tirelessly to make the operation run smoothly. The organization is currently setting up a temporary home in Denver, where transgender refugees can stay for a month while they get established. This initiative aims to speed up the relocation process and alleviate the anxiety of finding immediate housing.
Richards summed up the importance of TCP’s work: “Everyone I’ve talked to said that they wouldn’t have been able to do this move without our assistance, which really shows what an impact our program is having. I’m really glad that it’s helping people make these moves that they feel are necessary for their well-being.”
As TCP continues to grow and evolve, one thing remains clear: the need for organizations like TCP has never been greater. Many LGBTQ+ people are migrating due to the hostile environment transgender people encounter in many parts of the country, and many are unable to do so due to the high cost of moving. But with the support of the community and a commitment to helping those in need, TCP is offering a lifeline to those seeking safety and a new start in Colorado.
For those who have the means to contribute, donations to TCP can make a world of difference. With $1,000 in donations, TCP can help up to five people find sanctuary in Colorado. As Richards put it, “We’re a 501(c)(3), so we’re constantly begging for donations, which are going right back to our community to help them in these moves, find housing, or house them temporarily. So any support from all over the country is always super important to us.”
The Bottom Line
In a time when transgender rights are under attack in many parts of the United States, organizations like TCP are essential. They provide not only practical assistance but also hope and a sense of community for those who need it most. As the country continues to grapple with these issues, Colorado, with the help of TCP, stands as a beacon of safety and support for transgender individuals seeking a better life.
For more information about TCP and how you can get involved, visit their website or follow them on Instagram and Facebook. Whether through donations, volunteering, or simply spreading the word, your support can help make a difference in the lives of those who need it most.
