This project represents a year-long, collaborative effort to capture the needs,
aspirations, and challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community in the Kansas City
metropolitan area. Rooted in the belief that data has the power to drive meaningful
change, this work aims to dispel false narratives, foster a shared understanding, and
highlight key issues impacting our community.

The significance of this project extends beyond data collection. Our findings are more
than numbers, words, and statistics; they represent the lived experiences of thousands
of individuals and serve as a collective call for action.

To every person, organization, and community member who placed their trust in us and
openly shared their experiences – some of the most personal and difficult experiences
associated with your LGBTQ+ identity – we extend our deepest gratitude. Our research
team was blown away by the outpouring of support. While we would have loved to
acknowledge each and every one of you by name, we instead send our collective
appreciation. Your voices, stories, and perspectives have been instrumental in shaping
this report and deepening our understanding of the community’s needs. Together, we
laid a foundation for understanding the fundamental needs of our community.

We would like to thank Dr. Viviana Grieco, who translated the Spanish version of the needs assessment survey.

We also want to recognize the mental health professionals and community advocates
who played a crucial role in co-facilitating focus groups and community conversations:

• Nyla Foster
• Jacob Germain
• Michaela Puryear
• Celia Ruiz