The Center Supports Coy Mathis and The Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund
The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of Colorado (The Center) is proud to support Coy, her family, and The Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund in doing such amazing work to encourage this school to fully follow the law of this state.
Courtney Gray, Transgender Programs Coordinator at The Center, says “It’s imperative that we allow our youth to go to school in an environment free from discrimination. Forcing someone to use a restroom that doesn’t align with who they are is cruel and a distraction; we need to give our youth the opportunity to learn without distractions or fear of segregation.”
After the school restricted Coy’s access to the appropriate restroom facilities, the Mathis family reached out to the Center’s Legal & Advocacy Program via The Center’s Legal Helpline, and we were able to provide some resources for the Mathis family and brief them on state law. The Center’s Legal Director, Mindy Barton, simply states, “Since 2008 the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act prohibits discrimination against people on the basis of transgender status in places of public accommodation.”
In this situation, the law in the state of Colorado allows Coy access to the girls’ restroom at her school, just like any other female student. We hope that public institutions and schools across Colorado will take this opportunity to review their policies and procedures to ensure that no youth is required to go through this in the future.
“The Center’s Rainbow Alley offers a variety of programs to support youth and their families who may be going through similar issues,” said Cory Barrett, Rainbow Alley Director. “True Colors and Gender Queery are programs which can provide strength for families to know that they are not alone.”
The GLBT Community Center of Colorado has a long history of being involved with legislative and policy changes supporting transgender Coloradans. Many of the cases where we have directly represented clients have been relating to issues of transgender equality.
See Coy's story here:
Resources for Transgender Youth Available at The Center
The Center’s youth services program, Rainbow Alley, provides programming and support for transgender and gender non-conforming youth and their families:
Gender Queery is a program that focuses on the needs of gender non-conforming and transgender identified youth. The program consists of group discussion, support groups, and individual counseling sessions. Furthermore, curriculum, community educational trainings and workshops are offered.
True Colors is the family program for Rainbow Alley focused on younger youth up to age 16 who identify as LGBTQ or may be questioning. There are a number transgender identified and gender non-conforming youth who are engaged in this program. We bring together youth and their families with the focus of providing education, social engagement, and support.
For more information on Gender Queery and True Colors, contact Director of Rainbow Alley and Youth Services, Cory Barrett at 303-951-5212 or at cbarrett@glbtcolorado.org.
Know Your Rights:
For information on transgender terminology, click here.
For information on the rights of transgender and gender nonconforming students, click here.
If you have been discriminated against in Colorado because of your sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, or HIV status, email legal@glbtcolorado.org or call The Center's Legal Helpline at 303-282-6524.