Colorado Springs LGBTQ+ Oral History Project

Interview with Tom Shepard for the Colorado Springs LGBTQ+ Oral History Project, conducted by University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS) students, led by Dr. Tre Wentling.

Interview with Kathy Bard for the Colorado Springs LGBTQ+ Oral History Project, conducted by University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS) students, led by Dr. Tre Wentling.

Interview with Rev Julia McKay for the Colorado Springs LGBTQ+ Oral History Project, conducted by University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS) students, led by Dr. Tre Wentling.

Interview with Ajay Resha for the Colorado Springs LGBTQ+ Oral History Project, conducted by University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS) students, led by Dr. Tre Wentling.

Interview with Nancy-Josephine Leah Morris for the Colorado Springs LGBTQ+ Oral History Project, conducted by University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS) students, led by Dr. Tre Wentling.

Interview with Eliot for the Colorado Springs LGBTQ+ Oral History Project, conducted by University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS) students, led by Dr. Tre Wentling.

Interview with Jerome Carter for the Colorado Springs LGBTQ+ Oral History Project, conducted by University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS) students, led by Dr. Tre Wentling.

Kai Hong is the owner of the beloved queer haven that is Sunday Barber Co North and South. She is also a musician and dog parent extraordinaire. In this interview she talks to CC students Max Blair Houston, Millie Mancini and Jane Watson about navigating Colorado Springs as a young queer business owner. Season 6 is directed by Dr. Rushaan Kumar, faculty in the Feminist and Gender Studies Departmen...

Born in Michigan, Shawna Rae Kemppainen has lived in Colorado Springs for over 20 years. They have been a longterm leader and an integral part of several queer non-profit organizations in the Springs. In this interview with CC students Michaela Ocko, Lev Sugerman-Brozan and Walker Thompson, they discuss their experiences advocating for housing for queer youth, and share their insights about non-pr...

DMINQ is a Colorado based musical artist, entrepreneur, and activist. His arts and entertainment production company and recording studio named ART MATTERS PRODUCTIONS is the only queer owned business in Rocky Ford. In this interview with CC students Chloe Agenor and Meridian Mensch, he discusses his experience growing up in the church, dating in Colorado Springs, mental wellness, and his work upli...

Susan Peiffer is a renowned poet, writer, and educator who has mentored several queer artists and poets in the Springs. They were named the 5th Pikes Peak Poet Laureate, and have a long track record as a youth advocate and organizer. In this interview she talks to CC students Riley Diehl and Phebe O'Connor. Season 6 of the COS LGBTQ+ Oral History Project is directed by Dr. Rushaan Kumar, Colorado...

Darolyn Stewart, who identifies as "Black first, and then queer", has been a tireless advocate for youth in Colorado Springs. Her work spans across several groups, non-profits, and educational institutions from Safe @ Schools Coalition at the K-12 level, to Inside Out Youth Services, and now to her current position teaching undergraduate students at Pueblo Community College. Learn about...

As author, gender affirming therapist, blogger, podcast host, LGBTQ+ community health equity liaison and much more, Dara Hoffman has been transforming trans and nonbinary mental health in the Springs for several years. In this episode, they share some personal reflections about their work and life in the Springs with CC students Sophia Murphy, Andrew Hoffman, and Kylee Lynn. Season Coordinator: Ky...

June Berry worked at the Pikes Peak Library District until recently, and is a phenomenal labor organizer and activist. Berry shares stories of surviving the medical system and DIYing her own trans healthcare. In a full circle moment for this Project, Berry shout outs several of this Project's featured queer and trans narrators for their role in shaping her experience of Colorado Springs over t...

Interview with Ari Carlin for the Colorado Springs LGBTQ+ Oral History Project, conducted by University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS) students, led by Dr. Tre Wentling.

Interview with Daemon LaVey for the Colorado Springs LGBTQ+ Oral History Project, conducted by University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS) students, led by Dr. Tre Wentling.

Interview with Taylor Salazar for the Colorado Springs LGBTQ+ Oral History Project, conducted by University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS) students, led by Dr. Tre Wentling.

Interview with Avalon Manly for the Colorado Springs LGBTQ+ Oral History Project, conducted by University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS) students, led by Dr. Tre Wentling.

Interview with Colleen McElvogue for the Colorado Springs LGBTQ+ Oral History Project, conducted by University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS) students, led by Dr. Tre Wentling.

Interview with Jesse Perez for the Colorado Springs LGBTQ+ Oral History Project, conducted by University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS) students, led by Dr. Tre Wentling.

Interview with Victoria Lipscomb for the Colorado Springs LGBTQ+ Oral History Project, conducted by University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS) students, led by Dr. Tre Wentling.

Interview with Joshua Jiron for the Colorado Springs LGBTQ+ Oral History Project, conducted by University of Colorado, Colorado Springs (UCCS) students, led by Dr. Tre Wentling.

Diane Hansen (she/her) has lived in Colorado Springs since 1982 and witnessed the voting cycle of Amendment II initiative in 1992. After a career in the military, she worked as a courier for 19 years and is now with Centura at Penrose Hospital. Interviewers:  CC Students Kylie Haney and Flor Vargas. Season 4 of the COS LGBTQ+ Oral History Project is directed by Dr. Rushaan Kumar, Colorado College,...

Alekx Schneebeck (they/them) was born and raised in Colorado Springs. They work as a case manager with TESSA, an organization that empowers survivors of partner and sexual violence. They are especially engaged in thinking through what trauma-informed care can look like in the Springs. Interviewers: CC Students Ella Fritz and Adrian Larkspur. Season 4 of the COS LGBTQ+ Oral History Project is direc...

Goddess Tyescha (they/them/Goddess) has lived in Colorado Springs for seven years. They are an organizer who cares about liberation for all, with an emphasis on QTPOC liberation. They have worked in numerous advocacy positions in the Springs. Interviewers: CC Students Judson Thomas and Mikenna Grotto. Season 4 of the COS LGBTQ+ Oral History Project is directed by Dr. Rushaan Kumar, Colorado Colleg...