After a first round of unofficial gatherings, Cook Inclusive is gearing up for the grand opening of its new Queer Resource Space in New Castle on March 8. It will serve as a hub for community activities, health and gender affirmation resources, and as a place where folks can gather and feel welcome, safe and validated in their identities. The address is currently being withheld for security purposes.
Ashley Stahl, executive director of Cook Inclusive and PFLAG of The Roaring Fork Valley, saw an impressive turnout of members of the queer community at one of the early gatherings, which took place the weekend before Donald Trump’s inauguration. This included members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community, including parents of queer children, sharing support, especially in light of the Trump Administration which has already begun to implement executive orders targeting queer communities and specifically transgender individuals.
“It was cool to have everyone attending be so comfortable and happy,” Stahl told The Sopris Sun. “Several of us got pretty emotional over being able to have a space like this at a time like this. We could have been spending the day home scared and worrying about what might happen. Instead, we were able to come out, forget about it for a little bit and have a good time. It was very meaningful. It gives me so much hope for what this space can be for people.”
The space was made possible by a generous donation from the Colorado Health Foundation and became an idea when Cook Inclusive founder and former director Kaleb Cook spoke at an event for the foundation and they recognized a lack of safe spaces for the LGBTQ+ community downvalley, between New Castle and Parachute.
“Where it all started was knowing we needed a space, and then letting it evolve,” Stahl stated. “Many questions we still ask ourselves as we get set up include what we need in this space. What could we use the space for? What’s going to help the community the most? By no means do we have all the answers yet, but I think, especially in our first year, we will learn many of those answers,”
She continued, “We have some ideas. We will start testing the waters and seeing what people best respond to.” Stahl hopes the space can be a resource hub where LGBTQ+ community members and allies can come without fear of judgment. She’d like for condoms and Narcan to be available and is currently working on finding funding for free mental health resources.
Stahl has been working with several organizations in and around the Valley, including PFLAG, which will host monthly support groups in the space and cosponsor a monthly intergenerational family dinner. Additionally, High Rockies Harm Reduction will work closely with Cook Inclusive to provide information and resources for those living with addiction.
Regarding the importance of safe spaces, Stahl said that with shared trauma present within LGBTQ+ communities, safe spaces serve as a pseudo-family unit for many people. In opening this space, Stahl hopes to open doors and arms to anyone looking for a place to belong.
“It’s very rare to meet someone who is LGBTQ+, and especially someone who is trans or gender non-conforming, who has access to a completely affirming and safe extended family. I think most of us would consider ourselves lucky to have some family that supports us. It’s something a lot of people miss out on. It’s something that causes people a lot of stress in their lives when they have to go back home for the holidays, and giving people the opportunity to have a supportive family feeling is a big deal,” she expressed.
Stahl looks forward to showing the Town of New Castle that they are providing a community asset. “We’re going to have free activities and events, and those aren’t going to be only for the queer community. Some of them will be, but most of our programming will be open to anyone and everyone,” she stated.
For more information or to stay in the loop on Cook Inclusive’s community efforts, visit www.cookinclusive.org