Nick Ota-Wang

Guest Blog Contributor

Nick Ota-Wang (He/Him/His) is a Master of Arts (MA) student studying LGBT US History at the University of Colorado Denver. Ota-Wang’s research focuses primarily on Colorado and Denver LGBT History. Prior to his studies at CU Denver, Ota-Wang earned a Master of Arts (MA) in Higher Education with a concentration in College Student Development from the University of Denver. Ota-Wang's undergraduate is in History from Colorado State University. Ota-Wang is a proud born, raised and educated Coloradoan, proud member of the LGBT community, with the belief that everyone deserves to live their true authentic self.

Nick Ota-Wang
Nick Ota-Wang

Written by Nick Ota-Wang

  • Pride Flag

    The Queen City

    PRIDE Month is an annual celebration for members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) community. The LGBTQ+ community has always had a presence in Denver and Colorado. During the mid-twentieth century, people in the LGBTQ+ community lived in a world that did not accept who they were as individuals. These individuals experienced constant fear of exposure. They feared the police because of police brutality, harassment, and arrest. They feared the media because their names, addresses, and jobs would be published in the newspaper if they were arrested by the police. They feared the loss of friends, family, jobs, housing, and livelihood if they were exposed as being LGBTQ+. These fears, for many in the community, still exist and are experienced today.