Members of the LGBTQ+ community in Western rural Colorado came together recently to share stories about the complexities of gender identity and their personal journeys toward self-acceptance. Lexi shares a story about grappling with societal expectations, the emotional toll it can take, and the first few steps toward finding community. Caleb shares a story of a bonfire that marked a moment of joy, discovery, and connection for him as a rural queer teenager. Recorded May 2023 at Lithic Bookstore in Fruita.

Thanks to CPR News’ Stina Seig for helping us connect with storytellers. Thanks also to Lithic Press, which has been publishing books of poetry from creators on the Western Slope of Colorado since 2007.

We’re always looking for people interested in sharing their stories onstage, and communities whose experiences and perspectives deserve more attention. Reach out to us: CommunityVoices@cpr.org

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My Story So Far is a Community Audio project of Colorado Public Radio’s Audio Innovations Studio — part of the NPR Network.

Host and producer: Luis Antonio Perez
Producer: Emily Williams
Editor: Jo Erickson
Mixing: Kibwe Cooper
Additional producers: Rebekah Romberg, Erin Jones
Theme music by Daniel Mescher; additional music courtesy Universal Production Music
Cover Art: Maria Juliana Pinzón
Executive producer: Brad Turner
Thanks also to Hart van Denburg, Jodi Gersh, Clara Shelton, Matt Herz, Pedro Lumbrano, Martin Skavish, Kim Nguyen, Rachel Estabrook, Carl Bilek, Ryan Warner, Cayla Montoya-Manzo and Brittany Werges.