Denver’s Blair Caldwell Library Preserves Black LGBTQ History

On February 11, Denver Public Library: Blair Caldwell African American Research Library (BCAARL) held an event called Unpacking the North Star – Black LGBTQ History in Colorado to unveil first looks at Black LGBTQ history in Colorado.

The event was a combined effort between the BCAARL, YouthSeen, and Black Pride by Dr. Shanti Zaid (he/him), Dr. Tara Jae (they/them), and David Duffield (he/him) to “build Black LGBTQ relationships around preserving history and also community and mental health.” David Duffield of Colorado LGBTQ History Project points out “… We want to point out that there is a gap in the discussion around Black LGBTQ people, there are much higher rates of mental health issues, and really the goal is community space and the impetus to repair both in terms of cultural repair and mental health repair.” Acknowledging and honoring those who are in the intersections between being a Black person and being a queer person is how we create the most inclusive spaces for each other. We know that Black people and queer people have always existed, and this event shows us that both have roots here and deserve to be honored.

Inside the Blair Caldwell Library there are three levels : The first is a full service library with public computers, individual reading areas, and meeting rooms of varying sizes. The second level contains the collection archives filled with primary sources including photographs and oral histories. The third level is home to the The Western Legacies Museum and Charles R. Cousins Gallery. While this building is dedicated to highlighting and preserving Black/African American history and contributions to Colorado and the West, Duffield says, “It’s also the first time, likely, we’ve seen history dedicated specifically to the Black, LGBTQ experience in Colorado.” Duffield plans to make a synthesized exhibit containing his own essay and pieces from “The Words We Teach” contest to build around the history.

Amidst all the attacks from the current administration and its white supremacist followers, it’s nice to see that our community has not given up. There are people dedicated to the preservation of our histories and sharing that knowledge with us to be educated and emboldened by. We are here, we have been here, and we will continue to be here. Support your libraries and learn something new. Sharing these stories is how we persevere.