Colorado Springs LGBTQ+ Oral History Project

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 uplifting queer BIPOC artists.

Season 6 is directed by Dr. Rushaan Kumar, faculty in the Feminist and Gender Studies Department at Colorado College, in collaboration with students in his class, "LGBTQ Social Movements in the US", Spring 2024.

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 College, in collaboration with students in his class titled “LGBTQ Social Movements in the US”, taught in Spring 2024.

Photo credit: Broken Glass Photography

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 her life and work in this interview with CC students Aden Berry, Mia Smith and Sarah Buchman.

Season Coordinator: Kylie Haney, Colorado College '24. Season 6 is directed by Dr. Rushaan Kumar, faculty in the Feminist and Gender Studies Department at Colorado College, in collaboration with students in his class, "LGBTQ Social Movements in the US", Spring 2024.

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: Kylie Haney, Colorado College '24. Season 6 is directed by Dr. Rushaan Kumar, faculty in the Feminist and Gender Studies Department at Colorado College, in collaboration with students in his class, "LGBTQ Social Movements in the US", Spring 2024.

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 the years.

Interviewers: CC students EmRhys Jenkins and Lennea Gregg. Season 6 of the COS LGBTQ+ Oral History Project is directed by Dr. Rushaan Kumar, Colorado College, in collaboration with students in his class titled “LGBTQ Social Movements in the US”, taught in Spring 2024.

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.

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