In 1969, the Stonewall Uprising sparked a generational outcry for equal opportunity, visibility and advocacy for the LGBTQ+ community. Five years later, Denver celebrated its first Pride on June 29, 1974. This year, the city is hosting its 50th annual commemoration. A lot has changed since those early morning hours in New York which provoked a movement, creating a community for millions.
“I think that as we’ve seen legislative advances to try and challenge the progress that has been made, I think people are realizing that there’s just a lot more work to be done,” said Rex Fuller, CEO of the Center on Colfax.
Over the past decade, there have been many triumphs for the LGBTQ+ community but in turn, considerable backlash as well. The ACLU is currently tracking 522 anti-LGBTQ bills proposed just this year alone in 41 states. Many have ultimately been defeated, but 39 have already passed into law regarding topics like adoption by LGBTQ+ couples, defining sex and gender, forced outing in schools, bathroom bans and age restrictions on gender-affirming care. Many states and school boards have also restricted access to media in schools that discuss LGBTQ+ themes. More than ever, Pride events have become more than just a parade. Fuller said they’re a chance to bring attention to these laws.
“We have to remember that our movement was born in protest. So I think we have to make sure that we’re making room for the voices of protest, which is not always easy,” Fuller said.
Denver’s first Pride celebration arose from the Denver Police Department’s mistreatment of gay men organized by the Gay Coalition of Denver and billed as a “Gay-In.”
“Police [were] harassing gay men in gay bars,” Fuller said. “There was a big protest at the city council, which was successful and changed a lot of those laws and spurred a lot of community activism.”
The Center on Colfax opened in 1976 because, despite major achievements, gays and lesbians needed an institution to serve their needs. The founding members of GCD merged with other advocacy groups, forming the Unity organization. To this day, the Center’s mission is to engage, enrich, empower and advance the LGBTQ+ community of Colorado.
The Center took over organizing the Pride parade in Downtown Denver back in 1990. Fuller went to his first Pride in 1989 and recounted how small the event was.
“[It was] the 20th anniversary of Stonewall, and that was the first Pride event I went to, and it was very tiny. There were maybe 100 people there,” Fuller said.
Fuller is an early organizer of PrideFest, working behind the scenes since the ‘90s. Faced with many obstacles in managing such a large event, he notes that learning how to cope is the only way to stay sane.
“You know, when you’re planning for a festival for a half a million people, you have to understand a lot of logistics and a lot of safety protocols and a lot of other moving parts,” Fuller said.
This daunting task may seem like too much for many, but Fuller’s passion to keep coming back year after year is to help others connect with the community.
“We always have to remember that it’s always somebody’s first pride. There’s always somebody who’s gonna come through that gate, and it’s the first time they’ve been out about their true selves,” Fuller said. “We need to remember that we’re here to be there to make a welcoming space for people. Knowing that we’re succeeding in that is very fulfilling for me.”
Pam Hertzler, 67, is a part of the generation that fought for the rights of individuals in the community. Hertzler was married and had three children with a man then came out as a lesbian at 33 years old. After coming out, Hentzler faced myriad obstacles trying to navigate living as an out gay individual.
“I had to go to the Supreme Court of Wyoming to be able to see my children strictly for the reason that I was in love with a woman. Can you imagine that right now?” Hertzler said.
Hertzler is a member of the West of 50 club, a group led by the Center on Colfax for older community members. She noted that this is her first step to becoming more engaged with LGBTQIA+ individuals in her area.
“I want to give back to the community,” Hertzler said. “I have to stick my foot in first, that’s the hardest part though. The hardest part is getting into the cold water.”
Hertzler moved to Denver 12 years ago and has worked as a behavioral health nurse for over 20 years. She works with many young individuals struggling with coming to terms with their identity. She claims the courage these young individuals display every day makes her want to help others.
“I kinda remember that journey. It was different for me, and I had different issues, but it’s why I want to give back and be a part of the community,” Hertzler said.
Jessica L’Whor, one of the Mile High city’s most beloved drag queens, will also be celebrating this month in Denver. L’Whor has lived in Colorado for most of her adult life. As a beloved member of the Denver community, the queen has booked 92 events throughout the month of June, noting she only had one day off. While staying busy, making time to celebrate the community is a top priority for her.
“Everyone deserves 100%,” L’Whor said. “My mindset is that it’s about the people I’m signed up to entertain. I turn on 100% energy, everyone deserves that experience,” L’Whor said.
Drag has served as a safe space for queer expression and art for generations. But in recent years, the practice has become a flash point for the anti-LGBTQ religious right. Despite popular opinion, several states across America have begun attacking drag by legislative means. Tennessee and Montana have passed laws outright restricting drag, while Texas, North Dakota, Florida and Arkansas now have laws about “adult” performances that could be used to regulate drag shows. Though these laws have been deemed unenforceable due to their unconstitutionality, the drag community is under attack but L’Whor believes Colorado is a bright spot.
“Colorado Drag is very welcoming to new artists, different styles of performance, and encouraging,” L’Whor said.
Pride allows queens and all those within the community to be seen and heard through their own artistic expression, free of the confines of heteronormative beliefs. With the drag community being questioned on their legal right to perform, Pride is a showing of solidarity among queer folks as well as an outlet for creativity.
This year, PrideFest is expected to draw half a million attendees to the parade and festival. Festivities kick off June 22 with the 5K, followed by two days of nonstop activities. The annual parade steps off near Cheesman Park on June 23 at 9:30 a.m. and ends at Civic Center Park for live performances, food, drinks and vendors.