Category Archives: LGBTQIA+

TransMontana: Preserving the Journey of Bobbie Zenker

This Pride Month, the American Heritage Center highlights the Roberta R. “Bobbie” Zenker papers, an important addition to our collection documenting varied experiences in the American West. Acquired in March 2023, this collection provides researchers with valuable primary source material … Continue reading

Posted in Legal History, LGBTQIA+, Montana History, Transgender people, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

“Two Pull Better Than One”: The Love Story of Grace and Agnes

In the early days of Wyoming statehood, when Laramie was still finding its footing as a frontier town, two extraordinary women found each other. Grace Raymond Hebard and Agnes Wergeland would go on to become pivotal figures in the University … Continue reading

Posted in LGBTQIA+, Queer history, Uncategorized, women's history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Empowering Narratives: Celebrating LGBTQ+ History with the Award-Winning American Heritage Center and Gregory Hinton

Preserving and celebrating diverse narratives is crucial to understanding our shared history and fostering inclusivity in society. In a remarkable collaboration the American Heritage Center at along with playwright and producer Gregory Hinton, have been recognized for exceptional work in … Continue reading

Posted in announcements, Archival preservation, LGBT, LGBTQIA+, Out West in the Rockies, Uncategorized, Western history, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Donald Vining Diaries – A Fifty Year Chronicle of a Gay Man’s Life

June is Pride Month, an opportune time to highlight the unique diaries of Donald Vining. Vining was a diarist from the very beginning. At the age of eight, he began documenting his day-to-day activities. He wrote one line, largely practical … Continue reading

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A Cowboy State Tour of “A Sissy in Wyoming”

Larry Goodwin was a man’s man in almost every respect – Vietnam War veteran, former rodeo cowboy, power plant operator, and aircraft mechanic. And he had the build of a linebacker. But one characteristic separated Goodwin from most other men … Continue reading

Posted in LGBT, LGBTQIA+, Uncategorized, Under-documented communities, Wyoming history | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Opening Chutes and Closets – Gay Rodeo

The chute flies open and out comes a bucking bronc, with a rugged cowboy astraddle, trying their best to stay mounted – this iconic image is associated with rodeos across the West. And since 1975, a similar scene has played … Continue reading

Posted in Agricultural history, LGBTQIA+, Out West in the Rockies, Rodeo history, Sports and Recreation, Uncategorized, Under-documented communities, Western history | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Celebrating LGBTQ Pride: The S.J. Moffat Collection

While Pride celebrations have changed to accommodate pandemic restrictions in June 2020, we are highlighting the AHC’s “Out West in the Rockies” LGBT collections. “Out West in the Rockies” seeks to preserve and highlight narratives of LGBTQ people and communities … Continue reading

Posted in Biography and profiles, LGBTQIA+, Out West in the Rockies, Transgender people, Uncategorized, Under-documented communities | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Transitioning to Her True Self: S.J. Moffat’s Story

Shannon Moffat, born Samuel Johnston Moffat and known professionally as S. J. Moffat, transitioned in her 50s and had a long and storied career in her 82 years. She was born on August 23, 1927 in a small suburb of Pittsburgh. … Continue reading

Posted in Authors and literature, Biography and profiles, Collection donor, LGBTQIA+, Shepard Symposium on Social Justice, Transgender people, Uncategorized, Under-documented communities | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Drag Queen Bingo, a Laramie tradition

Drag Queen Bingo evolved from a small function to become one of the most anticipated annual events in Laramie. The event began as the official after-party for the annual Wyoming AIDS Walk. It was hosted by The Stilletos, Laramie’s very own … Continue reading

Posted in Community Stories, LGBT, LGBTQIA+, Out West in the Rockies, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

A Very Short History of Drag Queens in Laramie, Wyoming – Part One

The history of drag performance in Laramie can be traced to the Cowboy Saloon on October 22, 2005. On that day Laramie’s homegrown drag troupe, the Stilettos, took the stage and entertained Laramie audiences for the first time. Although drag … Continue reading

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