u/ObviousCarrot2075

Sorry if this is the wrong sub, but I'm not sure where else to go (if there's a better community to ask this question, please point me in that direction). I've lived in CO for 20 years, and I currently live in Evergreen. I'm a parent to a young child, and yesterday I was subject to a horrendous amount of hate speech and bullying in my community while standing up for some extremely transphobic comments and actions. Group leaders did absolutely nothing about it despite claiming they provide a safe space. I'm still shook and feeling very traumatized and betrayed by my neighborhood community. It was the last straw in a series of things going on up here (related to LGBTQIA+ issues and not).

I'm looking to move. I've never felt like Evergreen was home (been here about 5 years), and I'm just so freakin' exhausted having to code-switch, encounter performative allyship, deal with people who are stuck 20 years behind and want to brush everything under the rug, and generally feel unsafe for me and my family.

Prior to this, I lived in Denver for 15 years. I do not want to move back to Denver or the surrounding areas. Boulder/Golden do not interest me either. Our family is extremely into outdoor sports and wants to stay further west than where we currently are. I'm wondering if anyone here has lived in any other mountain towns that have some community/real allyship? I am completely aware that rural CO can be extremely conservative, but I'm really not interested in living in a city, but rather in a smaller town. Essentially looking for a pocket.

Let's pretend for a quick second that budget doesn't matter (just for the sake of having a starting point). Has anyone here lived or spent significant time in a mountain town in or around CO that is left-leaning and has some queer representation/support? I understand I won't get everything, but Evergreen 100% is not it. Evergreen claims to be more left-leaning, but boots on the ground is a bit different (if you know, you know). A few places I have on my list to look into include Salida/BV, Dillion/Frisco/Breck, Glenwood Springs/Carbondale, or Durango. But I'm really open to ideas here. I'm feeling extremely stuck and just need a place to start. Doesn't have to be Colorado, but easy access to hiking, climbing, and camping (bonus points for weekend access to the American Southwest), good schools, and a town feel are what I'm after.

Thanks, friends.

Today I found out that a couple of boys in my daughter’s class asked her to lift up her skirt and pull down her pants and show them her underwear.

My daughter was extremely upset, said no, ran to the other side of the room, and the teachers immediately intervened. Parents of the children who did it were called and it’s being dealt with. I didn‘t do pickup today so I don’t have all the details yet, but I will. We have always thought our school does a great job handling tough issues, so this isn’t about their response

I get that ‘exploring’ is a thing at this age, but that doesn’t change how enraged/violated I feel about the incident. She’s 4 and I just hurt that she has to undergo this kind of thing so young. As a victim of molestation as a child myself I’m a bit gutted over the incident.

I’ve talked to her. Got her story. Told her that’s not okay for them to do that. She responded correctly. And we talked about what is and isn’t ok, how to find help if this happens, body autonomy, and privacy.

But I would love to have any advice for resources you have found helpful for having these discussions because I think it should be an ongoing conversation and an umbrella topic to learn over time.

I’ve seen ads on socials (before this incident) about cards and things for discussion but I’m not sure if they are really helpful/appropriate or something that can grow as she grows. Has anyone used these?

Are there other resources you trust that have activities, conversation starters/guidance? Books we can read together? Anything would be appreciated. my parents literally ignored me, gas lit me, and told me I was making stuff up, even at a young age when a babysitter molested me so I just want to do better and have conversations that are age appropriate. Thanks!

My favorite dive spots are all in the Indian Ocean or the South Pacific so I’m looking for some recommendations. We only have 7 full days including travel so that would be tough to pull off from Colorado in the US. ETA: looking at Jan-march timeframe.

My partner and I have the opportunity to go on a (rare) kid-free trip and we wanted to get our AOW. We are looking for recommendations for a dive-based getaway. Open to all budgets at the moment. We’d love a place that has good to great diving and also a chill vibe or beautiful town area/nice resort for some RnR. I don’t drink so something besides just a bar scene would be nice.

I dove my first wreck this past spring in the Seychelles and freakin’ loved it. We love a variety of life, from the vibrant nudi to diving with the seals in South Africa. A place with some variety - I’m a sucker for good color displays and wrecks (going to be one of my specialties for AOW). Dolphins are a creature I wouldn’t mind a chance encounter with but not required.

We’ve been to Roatan, Belize (not as a diver went to Caye Caulker and overall it was so-so but we just snorkeled).

We were looking at Bonaire, but the flights look horrendous for us so we are trying to investigate all potential options.

Thanks and happy bubbles!