It's Pride month, and today I'm bringing you a story about a trans and queer haven in southern Colorado. It's an alpaca ranch founded by a group of trans people who wanted to create a little utopia where they could thrive away from persistent discrimination and hostility they faced as trans people out in the world. While they just want to live their lives and exist, they aren’t willing to hide in order to be left alone, and unfortunately, just being who they are, where they are has led to some backlash that threatens their safe haven.

Connect on Facebook or at the Failed Utopia website.

Links & Resources

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741 741

Domestic Violence Helpline: 1-800-799-7233

VictimConnect, a referral helpline for victims of crime: 1-855-484-2846

For veterans, Make The Connection

• Trans Lifeline:

US (877) 565-8860

Canada (877) 330-6366

• LGBT National Hotline: (888) 843-4564
• Tenacious Unicorn Ranch website
• 9NEWS’ video Tenacious Unicorn Ranch a safe haven for trans community – and 180 alpaca
• ADL’s write-up on the Three Percenters
• HRC’s report An Epidemic of Violence: Fatal Violence Against Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming People In the U.S. in 2020

Written and produced by Anna Roberts

Burning palm tree artwork by Perry Vasquez

Intro music by Elliot Middleton