Emergency Protest for Trans Rights - Denver, Colorado - Friday April 03 2026
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Hi Hello. My name is Travis Vowell. I am a photographer and essayist.
I am a Denverite, from Denver, Colorado.
I like to take photos and to report on current events. I type an essay of what I saw. I want to contribute to the historical record of the inter-webs. I want to show what it is like now, in 2026.
So I read about this protest event on Reddit, r/denverprotests. u/catracha1990 posted an image showing an “Emergency Rally: Protest Trump’s Attacks on Queer and Trans People! Colorado State Capital Fri. April 3 @6pm”.
(I know that this is inconsequential; But please include the year in your image/post. Your post will be contributed to the never-forgetting archive of history that is the inter-web.
You may know what year it is now, but the next next generation of historians will not.)
So I drove down, I parked in my regular spot and headed down to the Colorado State Capital. Uh… only $5 in parking fees this time.
So,
On Friday, April 04 2026:
About 40 or so demonstrators gathered on the west steps of the Colorado State Capital Building in Denver, Colorado, to protest in support of transgender persons rights following the US Supreme Court's 8-to-1 opinion striking down the Colorado State’s ban on Conversion Therapy.
Conversion therapy is the practice of attempting to alter a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
Conversion therapy typically targets LGBT children.
There is no scientific evidence that Conversion Therapy works to change an individual's gender identity or sexual orientation.
However, many religious and right-wing groups continue to promote the practice.
Licensed experts in Mental health, Social Work, and Pediatric Psychology, say that affirming and supportive care is the most effective approach to promoting the well-being of LGBTQ+ youths and adults.
At about 6:00 PM MDT:
The event started with several speakers, standing upon the west steps of the State Capital Building, declaring the ongoing injustices done to the trans community.
They denounced the actions of President Trump and Colorado State Governor Jared Polis.
The speakers rallied the 40+ attendees to stand together, and then to march in unison east.
A pick-up truck containing a loud speaker led the march, with its passengers leading the crowd in chants.
Chants included pro LGBT sentiments, demanding equality and free access to Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) healthcare for trans persons.
Banners reading “Protect Trans Kids” and “Queers Bash Back - Stonewall was a riot” followed shortly behind the truck.
Many protesters carried Transgender Pride Flags.
The march twisted east and south-east around The Colorado State Capitol building, lasting a little over 30 minutes.
The group made its way back to the south side of the Colorado State Capital Building.
Several speakers gave closing thoughts to the crowd on the west steps.
The crowd dispersed with no police involvement, with the last of the participants leaving at about 7:50pm.
Local advocacy groups, including the Denver Students for a Democratic Society (SDS).
and members of the Denver Coalition Against Trump (DCAT) , explained that this protest is part of a broader multi-issue progressive effort.
Organizers linked transgender rights to immigrant rights, healthcare access, and solidarity with the Palestinian people during an ongoing genocide.
The organizers emphasized the need for community engagement and continued activism to counter policies and court decisions that threaten LGBT protections.
Casey, an organizer with Denver Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), helped organize the event with the Denver Coalition Against Trump (DCAT) after the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Colorado's ban on Conversion Therapy.
Casey, who identifies as a Black Trans Woman emphasizes the importance of trans people, especially black trans women, being at the forefront of the fight for their rights.
“(The Trump administration) is trying to ban us from sports, from bathrooms, and tries to erase our existence. And we're out here to say today that…, we're going to fight back, and that it is especially important [that] trans people to fight back… We need to be fighting for our liberation” - Casey
Casey explains that the overturning of Colorado's ban on conversion therapy by the Supreme Court is a significant setback for LGBT persons.
She describes conversion therapy as scientifically disproven and harmful, increasing mental health issues and suicidality among trans people.
“Conversion therapy is terrible. It's scientifically disproven. It doesn't work.”- Casey
“I would tell (Governor Polis) to fight back against Trump… To stop collaborating with Trump, because he tries to act like he's on the people's side, but he's not.”
- Casey
Another organizer of the event, Alfredo Carbajal with the Aurora Unidos Community Services Organization (CSO) also spoke against the injustices facing the immigrant and LGBT communities.
The Aurora Unidos CSO is involved in fighting for legalization for all and Chicano liberation.The organization aims to allow people to stay, work, and contribute to their communities culturally and economically, inside the United States.
“I think Conversion Therapy is torture. I think it was implemented to force [queer people], who are discovering who they are, to force them back into the Cis normative, heteronormative sexuality or gender.”
- Alfredo
Alfredo was born in San Antonio Texas, but has lived and organized in Aurora, Colorado for most of his life.
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If you would like to know more about these organizations, you can see here:
Aurora Unidos CSO:
https://www.instagram.com/aurora_unidos_cso/
https://auroraunidoscso.org/
Freedom Road Socialist Organization:
https://www.instagram.com/freedomroadorg/
The Denver Coalition Against Trump:
https://www.instagram.com/dencat.co/
Denver Students for a Democratic Society:
https://www.instagram.com/sds_denver/
https://sites.google.com/view/denversds/home?authuser=0
OK thanks everyone.
Thanks for reading.
Special thanks to Casey and Alfredo for giving me an interview. Thanks to all the organizers and participants and marshalls and medics.
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All photos and words and content are copyright by me: Travis R Vowell© 2026 TRVowell Photo © Travis Vowell Photography 2026 Denver, Colorado April 2026
Copyright © Travis Ryan Vowell (Travis Vowell) · TRVowell Photo, Denver, Colorado. All rights reserved. Unless otherwise credited, all photographs and original essays on this page were created by Travis Ryan Vowell and are owned by him. Reproduction, republication, or commercial use requires prior written permission, except as permitted by law. Copyright © travis@trvowellphoto.com - Copyright © Travis R Vowell - Copyright © TRVowell Photo - Denver, Colorado, USA, Earth