Gender illusion and homosocial culture often signified queer space. Such gender imbalance, with large numbers of same-sex gaming, entertainment, drinking, and sexuality, is called homosocialty. Denver had seven men to every woman until the late 19th century. Yet, early “dirt and sod bars” were highly masculine spaces. The work of Terry Mangan and Stan Oliner in particular, as well as recent collaborations between the Colorado LGBTQ History project and History Colorado, have helped to uncover a history that was purposely hidden, and uses the built environment to inform our comprehension of Denver’s queer community, its mores, rules, and values, as well as the struggles and triumphs within the community.ĭenver queer spaces were noted as early as Oscar Wilde’s 1882 visit to the Queen City of the Plains, the earliest accounts were at places like Soapy Smith’s Palace Theater, Moses Home, or Capitol Gardens on Larimer Street, which featured “female impersonators.” These were spaces of gender illusion. The stories of LGBTQ places and people have proliferated in the past forty years due to the efforts of community members, community organizations, and local historians. Queer Spaces in Denver 1870-1980 David Duffield, Guest Contributor
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