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Out Boulder County grants offer LGBTQ+ community help during Pride month

“We have this revitalized sense of urgency, and a lot of hope even though everything can be scary. But in the face of adversity, these communities show incredible resilience.”

Six months after the first reported case of COVID-19 in the United States, protocols and restrictions remain in place to stave off more direct spread of a global pandemic. Socio-economic ramifications have yet to be fully revealed even as local businesses start to reopen with social distancing measures. Marginalized communities such as LGBT+ and BIPOC are less likely to have access to adequate health care coverage and are more likely to struggle with residential and income security pre-pandemic.

Out Boulder County, Boulder County’s LGBT+ community organization, issued direct financial relief to individuals as aid during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a first for the organization, a supplemental aid in addition to the network of support that the nonprofit continues to engage with even as restrictions on in-person gatherings continue. Surveys were created and then issued in March, and then again in April, to determine need-based allocations of funds.

Of the 65 grant applications submitted over the course of 36 hours, 44 grants were issued to eligible individuals in Boulder, Larimer, Broomfield and Weld counties. The maximum grant available to any individual was $800, though more than half of the applicants requested less than that total amount. A total of $24,811.50 was issued as direct relief, made possible by grant money Out Boulder County applied for to facilitate positive action.

“It wasn’t intended as a replacement of steady income,” said Education and Program Manager Michal Duffy (they/them) “but something to help them to get by for a short time.”

The outreach program was developed and implemented in a period of less than four weeks, including a sub-committee to assist with the surveys and interview process, make grant decisions and develop follow-up procedures. Work is still being done to evaluate the effectiveness of the program, as well as securing funding for another round of direct relief grants, if necessary. The sub-committee was comprised of transgender and PoC members, adding to the perspectives necessary to assess community needs.

Beyond the ability to offer direct financial support to members of the community for the first time, Out Boulder County has continued to offer its support and networking groups in a digital and virtual capacity. Thanks to its small, efficient and collaborative team, Out Boulder County has been able to continue its work of outreach within the community.

Though some individuals have had difficulties getting engaged in the new virtual space, response has generally been positive according to Duffy. “People have still been signing up to volunteer. We’ve been staying focused on the work, and it's been helpful to be able to more directly engage the community in making decisions.”

June is recognized as Pride Month, which in years past has included dozens of in-person gatherings to support the LGBT+ community, all leading up to the Pride week celebrations. Due to restrictions on in-person gatherings during the pandemic, these events have all shifted to a virtual space. Though unable to have a march for Pride, Out Boulder County has announced a motorcade at 9:30 a.m. June 17 to show community presence while maintaining healthy social distancing measures.

Duffy spoke with warmth and admiration as they reflected on the LGBT+ community during these interesting times. “We have this revitalized sense of urgency, and a lot of hope even though everything can be scary. But in the face of adversity, these communities show incredible resilience.”

For more information on the emergency grants, events and volunteer opportunities, visit outboulder.org.