The Colorado Springs Pride Center

"The Pikes Peak Gay & Lesbian Community Center (PPGLCC) was founded in 1979 as a chapter of the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Colorado. It's the second oldest LGBTQ+ center in Colorado. It became an independent organization in 1981 and later evolved into the Colorado Springs Pride Center—one of the oldest LGBT community centers in the United States. For 37 years, the Pride Center provided vital assistance, advocacy, and support programs to individuals across the Pikes Peak region.

1980s

From the 1980s to the 1990s, the Colorado Springs Pride Center released a regular publication, titled GAYSPEAK. It's services also included support groups and a helpline.

The Lambda Resource Center

The community center opened the Lambda Resource Center on January 22, 1984 at 729 1/2 W Colorado Ave. It was its first building, which housed the library, offices for the board of directors and the helpline. KOAA and KRDO came and filmed the occasion. ^[3][4]

^[4:1]

By May 1985, the center moved to 1809 Depaul. The president at this time was Joe Brady. Richard Skorman hosted a benefit showing of the film "The Times of Harvey Milk" on May 2, 1985 at Poor Richards to benefit the community center.^[5]

For some time, the center did not have a location. According to a letter from the editor in the June 1988 issue of GAYSPEAK, Michelle Abdill mentions that there used to be a concrete center, but there was not one any longer, and she says "Risk finding out just why we don't have a physical Center anymore (did you know there used to be?)" Tim Sanders, Treasurer, cites financial difficulties later in the same issue when addressing community frustrations around there not being a physical space. The president, Ed Sells, later says that the center might be moving into a new space later in the issue, saying that a local business person made arrangements to sublease some space, but that this will only be possible with community support. ^[6]

In the July 1988 issue of GAYSPEAK, the center announced that they moved into 313 N. Tejon Suites 15 and 16 on a month to month basis, pending community support. ^[7]

However, by the February-March 1989 issue of Gayspeak, the center announced that they were closing the physical location due to lack of use, but would continue publishing Gayspeak and running the Helpline. ^[8]

In the 1980's, they organized an annual Gay Pride Week, to commemorate the June 27, 1969 rebellion at the Stonewall Inn. The organization formerly organized the annual Pikes Peak Pridefest event, which, starting in 2004, included a tradition of a mass same sex wedding/commitment ceremony.

Members of the Community Center in the 80's

• Pikes Peak Metropolitan Community Church
• Dignity Colorado Springs
• Imperial Court of Southern Colorado
• Network PSN
• Maranatha
• The Exit
• The Source

^[9]

1990s

• In the June 1990 issue of Gayspeak, secretary Kevin Conboy explains why the Center was reticent to host any youth-specific spaces, for fear of legal ramifications, protecting the organization and any youth the organization would potentially serve.^[10] It's worth nothing that Inside Out Youth Services would open later that year.
• Won "Most Beautiful" float in the Denver Pride Parade on June 24th, 1990. The float was designed by David 'G, Rick Brown, and Ed Sells. The truck was provided by Joe Brady. Due to a personal family emergency, the photo wasn't included in the July issue of Gayspeak, but the photo was shared in local bars and maybe a future issue of Gayspeak.^[11]

2000s

In 2002, the organization's building burned down due to arson. In 2007, they moved into 2508 E Bijou St., next to the Bijou Bar and Grill. The space was much larger than their former Tejon location. Over 20 social and support groups would meet at the center, including Men 4 Men, Women 4 Women, a hiking group, an addition recovery group, and a Lesbian Singles group.^[12]

They also did advocacy work to combat discrimination and work in coalition with local progressive and LGBTQ+ organizations.

The organization started an Annual Community Awards Dinner in 2001.

Ryan Acker became the organization's Executive Director in 2009.

2010's

The Colorado Springs Pride Center closed its doors in 2015.

Pikes Peak Pride Center Collection

The community center donated a great deal of their printed materials to the Pikes Peak Library District Special Collections, including issues of GAYSPEAK and Organizations/Ground Zero News. These contributions have been instrumental to preserving the history of the local queer community.

"This collection covers a wide range of topics, including Amendment 2, same-sex marriage, hate crimes, HIV/AIDS, local news, and legal cases. Materials such as news releases, newspaper clippings, and scrapbooks document both the triumphs and challenges faced by the community. As a nonprofit, the Pride Center served as a crucial platform for marginalized voices in the region. In 2014 alone, more than 8,400 people contacted the organization for help and guidance. The Colorado Springs Pride Center closed its doors in January 2015. " - PPLD Digital Collections

Key Dates

• January 22, 1984: The Pikes Peak Gay Community Center opens the Lambda Resource Center 729 1/2 W Colorado Ave. It was its first building, which housed the library, offices for the board of directors and the helpline.

Questions

• What happened to the PPGLCC's physical center that left them without one in 1988?
• Any photos of the float that took first place at the Colorado Springs St. Patrick's Day Parade?
• Any photos of the 1990 Denver Pride Parade winning float?
• Is there KOAA or KRDO footage from the Lambda Resource Center opening on January 22, 1984?
• Find and speak to Dennis Lujan and Deb Contreras, members of the Center's Community History Committee in 1992.

References