Queer Futures reflects on successful first year, looks toward possible expansion

Queer Futures is celebrating one year of providing safe spaces and support to the Steamboat Springs LGBTQ+ community this month, and leadership is excited about what the next year will hold.

“Our first year exceeded my expectations,” said Chelsie Holmes, Queer Futures program director. “It was an experimental year. We worked to figure out what the community wants and needs from our program.”

Of Queer Futures’ successes, Holmes stated that the most surprising and impactful success was found in the volunteer program, which not only helped Queer Futures operate throughout the year but also provided a space for socializing and community-building.

According to Holmes, about 47 people dedicated over 1,400 hours of volunteer work to Queer Futures in 2024.

“People don’t want to just be given something, they want to be a part of something,” said Holmes. “The volunteer program has grown into something very special.”

Queer Futures also helped make history in Routt County this year by coordinating with the District Attorney’s Office to implement a restorative justice program for the man who threatened a drag show earlier this year.

The restorative justice program is designed to force the offender, John Clark, to see the impact of the crimes committed through community voices rather than simply facing jail time.

Queer Futures will host a community education workshop and potluck on Jan. 12, which will aim to help the community better understand what a restorative justice program is and what the process will look like.

“Restorative justice is very flexible,” said Holmes. “It’s hard for people to know what they need from restorative justice if they don’t know what’s possible.”

The event will be held both virtually and in person at the Queer Futures Resource Center and will be open to the public for those 18 and older.

After the first step toward community education is taken, Queer Futures will then work with those most closely impacted by the threats through a closed community conference.

The conference will determine how the restorative justice program should move forward in working with Clark.

“There will be a separate practitioner working with (Clark),” added Holmes. “We will also have all the practitioners involved collaborate based on the communication they’ve received from all parties.”

In the next year, Queer Futures also hopes to expand beyond Steamboat Springs. According to Holmes, the program wants to be involved in Craig, Oak Creek and Hayden and have a bigger presence in Routt County schools.

Holmes also noted that Queer Futures is placing focus on community training in hopes of providing safe and affirming spaces for LGBTQ+ members through community partners and youth organizations.

In June, Queer Futures plans on hosting a roundtable and conducting focus groups to help better identify community needs and measure progress.

Holmes added that LGBTQ+ people have specific needs that were rarely met before Queer Futures’ existence. After a year of work, Holmes now sees people relying on the program as a resource.

“Whether someone isn’t accepted at home, is unsure of their identity, needs a therapist or healthcare provider, or is experiencing homelessness, they have someone who’s looking out for them now,” said Holmes.

To learn more about upcoming events, visit QueerFuturesCo.org/The-Center.