Denver Lavender Hill Unveiling Queer History at Quality Hill Park

Denver Lavender Hill Cultural District recently partnered with Denver Parks and Recreation and Denver Park Trust to kick off Pride Month with a very memorable start. On June 1, Lavender Hill was able to bring to life a temporary art exhibit highlighting the importance of queer history in Denver.

This exhibit gave new life to what it truly means to celebrate the resilience, creativity, and diversity within the local queer community. It underlined the unique experiences and important history that surround underrepresented stories in our community. The exhibit provided a memorable way to spotlight the vibrant and often overlooked contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals. The exhibit aimed to provide a deeper insight into the community with the help of The Center on Colfax’s Colorado LGBTQ+ History Project. However, the project is part of a larger, upcoming project named “Reimagine Cap Hill Parks” which is sure to gather lots of attention as the journey to represent queer history lives on!

After all, the heart of Lavender Hill emphasizes visibility and representation, based on Lavender Hill’s goal to ignite an even more queer-inclusive environment in Denver’s community; it was successful through this public art installation. It highlighted significant moments of LGBTQ+ history in hopes that this exhibit inspires empathy, understanding, and solidarity as we strive towards a more inclusive and equitable future. These events hold significance as they initiate the preservation and celebration of the queer community’s legacy for future generations.

For those of you who haven’t already heard of Lavender Hill, it is a queer cultural district designated in Denver that celebrates and promotes the history, identity, and contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals and communities. This district will serve as a spirited hub where queer people of all backgrounds can live, work, socialize, and express themselves freely.

Denver Park Trust also participated in this installation, which was held at Quality Hill Park. The park reopened to the public after a period of closure for restoration. As a result, the restoration of Quality Hill included transformations to native landscapes, such as native grass and native plants, to attract local pollinators. Denver Park Trust is passionate about enhancing existing parks by adding new public green spaces in sustainable ways. Additionally, DPT had the opportunity to get some fresh feedback from the community on what they would like to see in the park’s near future as it continues to evolve.

Photoso courtesy of Lavender Hill District