about queer asterisk
our story
In 2014, while studying Somatic Counseling Psychology at Naropa University, Sorin Thomas and two other graduate students envisioned Queer Asterisk. Their idea was to create a different kind of mental health organization; rooted in social justice advocacy, devoted to compassionate counseling and education, and run entirely by queer and transgender professionals.
While we are fortunate to have had many queer and transgender community resources available in Colorado for years, there was yet to exist a mental health organization where the structure and leadership was informed by queer and trans lived experience.
“The vision I hold for myself, this organization, and everyone we touch is to be brilliant; to claim and reclaim, if we have to, our gifts as queer and trans folks and to bring those gifts into the world. Though we will continue to learn and grow throughout our lifetimes, at a certain point we must allow ourselves to be ‘good enough’ and stop letting fear hold us back from putting forth something truly amazing.” -Sorin Thomas (Executive Director)
“A revolution of the heart is emerging and we are witnessing a profound shift in our worldview. Categorization and conformity no longer serve the well-being of individuals with complex and intersecting identities or communities that are expanding the collective consciousness. A brave new culture that embraces ambiguity, vulnerability, and authenticity is taking form; and Queer Asterisk is at the forefront of this inspiring movement.” Diane Israel (Board Chair)
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our vision
We envision a vibrant community that embraces authentic expression and transformation, where individuals with dynamic and intersecting identities can thrive.
our team
Nervous about receiving therapy or counseling? All of our Therapists, Counselors, and Peer Mentors are queer and trans too!
Sorin Thomas
Founding & Executive Director, Supervisor, Counselor
Sorin L. Thomas, MA, LPC, LAC, CGP (xe, xyr, xem), Founding and Executive Director of Queer Asterisk Therapeutic Services, is a queer and transgender Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Addictions Counselor, and Certified Group Psychotherapist with over a decade of professional experience in the field of psychology serving queer and transgender individuals and their families. Sorin has a Masters in Somatic Counseling Psychology from Naropa University and post-graduate experience in wilderness therapy, addiction recovery, adolescent and adult residential treatment, community based services, emergency psychiatric services, and hospital settings. In addition to offering queer-affirming counseling and clinical supervision, Sorin offers consultation and diversity, equity, and inclusivity trainings through a queer lens to mental health organizations, addiction recovery centers, social service agencies, hosptials, and schools.
Brett Adamek (Freeda Be)
Creative Director, Supervisor, Counselor
Chris Aguilar Garcia
Chris Aguilar Garcia is a Queer Chicanx writer and editor from Thornton, Colorado with an extensive career in community minded organizations. He holds a BA from Antioch University Los Angeles in Liberal Studies with a minor in Queer Studies. As Director of Operations, Chris oversees the day-to-day operations of the organization. As Program Manager at Point Foundation, the National LGBTQ Scholarship Fund, he managed a suite of leadership conferences, a grant-funded internship program, and roles with the alumni and mentoring committees. Additional positions included Concierge at Anythink Libraries, Office Manager at GLAAD, and assistant to Independent Spirit and Emmy award-winning producer Andrea Sperling. Chris loves music, dancing, reading, Frida Kahlo, Madonna, and Almodóvar. A longtime fan and scholar of Prince, he is currently writing a book on the Queerness of Prince.
RP Whitmore-Bard
RP Whitmore-Bard (Program Director) is a queer/trans psychoanalytic psychotherapist and group facilitator. RP earned their Master’s degree in Contemplative Psychotherapy & Buddhist Psychology at Naropa University, and has been involved at Queer Asterisk since its founding in 2016. RP is passionate about creating supportive environments for people to connect authentically with themselves and others. They have worked as a direct care provider with many social services agencies, including Jewish Family Services, Safe Passage Domestic Violence Services, Eating Recovery Center, and Denver County Human Services. As a grandchild of Holocaust survivors, and a person in recovery, RP believes that being in touch with legacies of personal and ancestral suffering is a powerful tool for waking up to the transformative healing potential of every moment. RP grew up in New York City, Southern California and Chicago, and loves listening to music, dancing, and spending time in nature.
Rafi Daugherty
Ray Lewey
Counselor
Ray is a contemplative psychotherapist, working with queer and trans folks around issues of identity, spiritual growth, and personal transformation. In addition to being a therapist, Ray also works as a meditation instructor for Naropa University, co-leads a local mindfulness group for teens, and creates accessible and practical guided meditations. It was through meditation practice that Ray came in to their trans identity, and this liberating process is the motivation for their work.
Danny Sturtevant
Counselor
Danny Sturtevant is a licensed professional counselor candidate and a graduate of the University of Northern Colorado where he obtained his masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. In addition to working with adults, Danny has a passion for working with youth and adolescents using a variety of play therapy based approaches. Danny has experience working in community mental health, family systems, integrated care, youth groups, and individual therapy. He has completed training in couples counseling, play therapy, and mindfulness-based practices and works with a variety of presenting concerns. Danny uses a collaborative approach when working with clients, integrating a number of theories and methods with an underlying client-centered perspective to best fit a client’s needs.
Steven Haden
Intern
In addition to his work for Queer Asterisk, Steven is a co-founder of Envision:You, a behavioral health initiative in Colorado addressing the disproportionate burden, disparity in care, and poor outcomes that queer individuals encounter every day. Steven is also a mental health counselor with the Mental Health Center of Denver. Trained to provide trauma-informed care, he understands and considers the pervasive nature of trauma and promotes environments of healing and recovery. Steven also focuses on providing strengths-based therapy, a type of positive psychotherapy focused more on internal strengths and resourcefulness, and less on weaknesses, failures and shortcomings. Finally, he utilizes cognitive behavioral therapy to help address depression, anxiety and substance use disorders. Steven received his BA from CU-Boulder, MBA from New York University, and is currently pursuing his Master of Social Work with Simmons University. He is a Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner and Colorado Peer and Family Specialist.
Steven lives in Denver with his rambunctious and loving yellow lab Rigby and is an outdoor enthusiast.
Eric Hansen
Intern
Eric is a counselor in training from Regis University who specializes in non-traditional relationships, queer communities, and identity development. Eric’s practice is holistic and integrative, person-centered and strengths-based, focusing on self-determination and empowerment. We will collaborate on developing stronger relationships and creating a personal mythology. Some areas I offer support around include navigating non-monogamy, exploring kink, and connecting with romantic identity. I offer a trained perspective, practical skills, and a safe, welcoming space to work through challenging feelings, thoughts, and experiences. Whatever your reasons are for seeking therapy, you are welcome here.
Heather Newhouse
Peer Mentor
Heather is a sex educator at Vibrant, a body safe sex toy company, and is available to support consent and boundary communication, pleasure-positive sex education, and embodiment practices.
Diane Israel
Board Chair
Diane Israel brings her wisdom, compassion and awake heart to the Queer Asterisk board and is a renowned psychotherapist and professor at Naropa University. Diane inspires authentic relationship in all aspects of life and recognizes the importance of vulnerability inherent in being human. Diane helped found the Transpersonal Counseling Program at Naropa University and been involved with developing heart-centered organizations for many years. She is passionate about creating awake queer community and is inspired by Queer Asterisk’s mission and service to the whole.
Robyn Chauvin, MA, LPC
Board Member
Robyn identifies as a queer transwoman and has been part of the queer community in the Boulder/Denver area since 2001, at which time she served on the Board of Directors for Out Boulder. She has lectured on topics related to gender identity at Naropa University, Regis, and DU. Robyn currently teaches Applied Existential Psychotherapy at the Boulder Psychotherapy Institute, and is a psychotherapist in private practice. Passionate about music, gardening, hiking, cooking, and friendships, Robyn also loves engaging in long philosophical discussions. She is excited to use her skills and experience to support the Queer Asterisk mission and vision!.
Anne Marie DiGiacomo
Board Member
Anne Marie DiGiacomo, MSW, LCSW is a Co-Owner of Windhorse Community Services in Boulder, CO. She is presently Co-Admission Administrator and a Senior Clinician. Anne Marie received her MSW from the University of Denver. She spent the first 18 years of her career working in both community mental health and nonprofit settings with children, adolescents and families. In 1996, she relocated to Northampton, MA and began her work with Windhorse Associates. Ms. DiGiacomo served as the Clinical Director from 2001-05 as well as the interim Co-Executive Director from 2002-03. She returned to WCS, Inc. in 2006 as a senior clinician, and became Director of Admissions in fall 2007. From 2011-2019, she was a Windhorse Co-Director/Owner, retiring as a Director in March, 2019. Anne Marie was an adjunct faculty member from 2006-2013 for the MA contemplative Psychology Program at Naropa University and has co-authored a book chapter describing the Windhorse approach
Shira Barchilon Frank
Board Member
Shira brings over 15 years of work in politics, social change, and fundraising to the board of Queer Asterisk. She currently serves as Co-Founder of Maiden, a company devoted to building a more intelligent economy by launching the first industry-backed lab for universal blockchain education and research. Shira spent seven years as a Deputy Director for J Street—the single-largest pro-Israel PAC in the US—working to transform the way Congress and the Executive branch engage in the Middle East and to promote the creation of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. During Shira’s tenure, J Street partnered with the Obama Administration to successfully push the Iran-Nuclear deal through Congress and prevent a war with Iran. Shira holds a degree in Government and Political Theory from Smith College. She hails from the Redwood Coast of Arcata, CA and after spending eight years in our nation’s capital, she recently found her heart back in the wild west. Out as Queer since age 12, Shira identifies as female, as well as passionately Jewish. As a Transfeminist, she believes that transcending gender binaries is at the core of all transformational social change. As a board member, Shira hopes to support Queer Asterisk’s growth through radically increased financial resources.
"When I founded this organization, I wanted to create a sense of home for everyone who knows the pain of looking and not finding themselves reflected in community."
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