Hi downtown,
For this week's blog, I wanted to channel my love for history, and thought there was no better way to do so than visiting the one and only Museum of Boulder. As you may know, June is Pride Month, and the Museum of Boulder is once again honoring the LGBTQIA+ community. Just a few blocks north of Pearl Street (on Broadway), there is a vibrant and moving Pride exhibit called Bending the Arc that highlights stories of resilience, love, and advocacy. The museum has dedicated a part of its gallery space into a tribute to queer history and culture, featuring community-sourced artifacts, local voices, and interactive activities.
The exhibit blends education with emotion for all ages. One of the most striking features includes a timeline showcasing Boulder’s LGBTQIA+ milestones, emphasizing the city’s legacy of inclusivity and activism against Amendment Two. Alongside historic newspaper clippings and protest memorabilia, visitors can view personal items donated by community members, each telling a story of courage and pride. Some artifacts I found unique were the display of Amendment Two protest pins and a few of the anti-LGBTQIA+ posters that people used to put on the doorsteps of thousands of Denver homes.
While I was there, I found the video testimonies the most entertaining. I felt like I was given a walk through on how the queer community battled against Amendment Two (protection of individual rights). As a current CU student, it was also inspiring to see how CU was involved in the transformation of LGBTQIA+ rights in Boulder. In the mid-1980s, CU student Kat Morgan learned about how Boulder’s Human Rights Ordinance did not include protections from discrimination based on sexual orientation. She and a few of her friends organized a campaign, collecting the signatures required for the approval of Ballot Measure 1. In the 1987 election, thanks in large part to these efforts and Equal Protection Coalition (EPC) fundraising, it became illegal to discriminate in the areas of employment, housing, and public accommodations based on a person’s sexual orientation. In 2008, the same rights were afforded to all Coloradans with the passage of the Colorado Anti-discrimination Act.
Whether you’re a longtime Boulder resident or visiting for the first time, this exhibit is a must-see during Pride Month. It’s a call to remember, to honor, and to celebrate all the ways the LGBTQIA+ community continues to shape Boulder’s spirit. The Exhibit will be on display through the end of September, so I encourage you to stop by if you have time! Happy Pride Month!
Till next time,
Wylie