The Gay Community Center of Colorado
1436 Lafayette St. | 14th Avenue & Lafayette Street | Cheesman Park Neighborhood
Following victory at Denver City Council to reduce harassment of gay men by Denver Police, momentum for gay liberation was growing in Denver. These historic wins were a step in the right direction, but they did little to solve the larger problems within the community. In the mid-1970s, the vast majority of Denver’s gays and lesbians were in the closet, fearful of being exposed to their families, employers, neighbors, and friends. Alcoholism, drug addiction, low self-esteem, and suicide were the ugly byproducts of gay shame.
By the fall of 1975, Gerald Gerash noted that the community had achieved major victories, but an institution was needed to serve the needs of the gay and lesbian community. "I believed it was time to create our own institution to take care of our own and to empower the powerless" noted Gerash. By the end of 1976, bylaws had been created for the Gay Community Center of Colorado. The fledgling organization moved into 1436 Lafayette.
Phil Nash, one of The Center’s first volunteers and first salaried coordinator, recalled “From day one, The Center’s main service was helping people come out. They called. They dropped in – often after walking by the building a dozen times to build up the courage. They read books in the library. They volunteered. They started new activities. The Center ran 12 hours a day, six days a week on ‘coming out energy.’” As the organization grew to be more inclusive, the name was changed to the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of Colorado, eventually becoming The Center on Colfax of today.