A Utah man has completed an 800-mile trek from Mexico to Utah, raising both funds and awareness for the transgender community along the way.
Kyle Ricco, who lives in Millcreek, began his journey on the Arizona Trail this spring, hiking for 48 days to raise money for Genderbands, a Utah-based nonprofit supporting transgender individuals. As of this article’s publication, his GoFundMe page has reached $2,680 of his $8,000 goal.
For Ricco, the trek was more than a personal challenge. It was about turning a passion for the outdoors into meaningful advocacy. “Everyone, no matter how they identify, should be able to enjoy the outdoors,” he said in an interview with Fox 13 News. His experience highlights how the simple act of walking can carry a powerful message of solidarity and respect.
Ricco’s love for hiking began in earnest a few years ago when he joined an LGBTQ group, Venture Out, to hike a portion of the Appalachian Trail. From there, what started as a 20-mile outing grew into longer and more ambitious adventures. He later tackled the John Muir Trail, covering 250 miles, and set his sights this year on something even bigger.
Documenting his journey on Instagram (@kyle_treks), Ricco shared not just scenic views but also the emotional core of his mission. “I’m also fundraising for Genderbands, which is a local nonprofit in my home state of Utah that serves the transgender community,” he said in a video posted at the start of his trek.
Ricco was motivated, in part, by the struggles faced by a close friend whose gender identity was under scrutiny by the State Department while applying for a passport. “They weren’t sure that they were going to receive a passport that matched their gender identity,” he explained.
This injustice fueled Ricco’s determination to take meaningful action. “I just feel this immense need to support specifically the ‘T’ in our community,” he said. The trek became a moving act of resistance and visibility at a time when transgender rights remain under attack across the United States.
The journey was not without its challenges. Ricco recalled days spent trudging through miles of sagebrush, encounters with rattlesnakes, and the endless desert heat. But he pushed on, reaching mile 800 on May 16. “Instead of kind of sitting around and letting all of this frustration and anger get to us, I wanted to let them know that we welcome trans people in the community here in Utah and that we’re here to stand up for them,” Ricco said.
Now back home, Ricco continues to share his experiences and encourage donations through his GoFundMe page. “I hope you’ll sponsor me, for as little as one cent per mile—eight dollars, you can help make an impact,” he said. His effort is a reminder that small steps add up and that support for the transgender community can come in many forms—even in hundreds of thousands of footsteps through desert trails.
For those who’d like to join Ricco in his mission, you can find his GoFundMe page here. Every dollar helps Genderbands continue to provide vital resources and support for trans people in Utah and beyond.
