40 Years of The Denver Principles:

A Battle Cry for Surviving and Thriving with HIV/AIDS

Denver played a pivotal role in early AIDS activism as the site where a group of people living with AIDS came together and wrote The Denver Principles, a revolutionary declaration that demanded respect, dignity, and autonomy for people living with HIV.

In honor of this history, we are holding a series of events in Denver on June 11th and 12th, as well as an art exhibition for the month of June.

All events are free of charge and open to the public—we ask that you RSVP below.
June 12 educational and celebratory happenings will be hybrid & live streamed, all other events are in-person.
We will have ASL and Spanish language interpreters available.

We are celebrating alongside national organizations who are hosting an in-person Congressional briefing and awards reception in our nation's capital on June 14 to honor The Denver Principles and recognize the outstanding achievements of individuals and organizations in the HIV/AIDS field. More details on those events are pending.

Press coverage:

The Body - “Remembering The Denver Principles, 40 Years Later” by Mathew Rodriguez

National Geographic (online)/Economic Hardship Reporting Project - “How the ‘Magna Carta of AIDS Activism’ Sparked a Revolution” by Miles Griffis

Schedule of Events

(all times are Mountain Standard Time, and are subject to change—more details below)

Sunday, June 11

10 am - 1 pm: Drag brunch at The Corner Office (inside The Curtis Hotel) unfortunately the performer had to cancel

12:00 pm - 1:30 pm: Denver LGBTQ+ history walking tour to The Grove at Commons Park (meet at The Curtis lobby)

Monday, June 12

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm: The History and Context of The Denver Principles--a panel discussion (at The Curtis)

4:00 pm - 6:00 pm: The Impact and Legacy of The Denver Principles--a panel discussion (at The Curtis)

6:00 pm - 9:00 pm: 40th Anniversary Celebration of The Denver Principles (at The Curtis)

Friday, June 16

4:00 - 7:00 pm: Reception for ‘Eyes Wide Shut: Visual Meditations on the Plague’ (The McNichols Building)
—show is up from June 1 - June 29, so please visit even if you can’t make the reception!

Location Information

The Curtis Hotel

1405 Curtis St
Denver CO 80202
303-571-0300

Former site of The Executive Tower Inn, where The Denver Principles were written and presented in 1983.

The Curtis is generously sponsoring our event, and we are so grateful to be celebrating WITH them.

Events at this site include:

-Drag Brunch and History walk (starting/ending point)
-Panel Discussions
-40th Anniversary Celebrations

All other Denver events are within walking distance of the hotel.
Parking is available in the attached parking garage (rates apply)

If you need a room for the weekend’s events for Sunday or Monday night, we do have discounted rooms available. Please call the hotel directly to book, and make sure to mention that you are attending the celebration events to receive the special rate.

The Corner Office

1401 Curtis St
Denver CO 80202
303-825-6500

Located inside The Curtis Hotel.

Events at this site:
-Drag Brunch on Sunday, June 12

Reservations can be made via their website.

Event Details

Sunday, June 11
Drag Brunch 10 am - 3 pm

Hosted by The Corner Office at The Curtis Hotel, enjoy a hearty brunch while enjoying some entertainment by Denver’s QWEENS.

Denver LGBTQ+ Walking Tour — time TBD, early afternoon

Join local LGBTQ+ historian David Duffield on a walking history tour about local LGBTQ+ history. We will meet at The Curtis Hotel and walk about 15 minutes to The Grove at Commons Park, Denver's own AIDS memorial. David will lead the walk, alongside members of the groups who founded and care for The Grove.

We estimate the walk will last around 1.5 hours, but may be longer (or potentially shorter). Please check the forecast, as CO is known for sudden rain in the afternoon.

Monday, June 12 (hybrid & livestream)

The History and Context of The Denver Principles--a panel discussion
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm**

This panel will cover the background history of HIV/AIDS up to 1983 and include a detailed account of the creation of the Denver Principles. The focus of this panel will align with Community/PWA Empowerment and Human Rights. The topics will look at the roots of racism and colonialism behind HIV as well as within western medicine. We will conclude with a look at queer healthcare, early responses to the virus, and a detailed view of the Denver Principles in June of 1983.

Moderated by David Duffield, historian for the Center on Colfax, founder and coordinator of the Colorado LGBTQ History Project, and a Denver Public Schools teacher.

Speakers to include:
Richard Berkowitz, activist and author living in NYC. He is the last surviving co-author of the "Denver Principles." He also co-authored 'How to Have Sex in an Epidemic,' the first guide to safer sex.

Michael Helquist, AIDS/HIV journalist, 1983 and currently an author, historian and activist in San Francisco.

Phil Nash, who reported on the 1983 health conference where The Denver Principles were first presented. and others

Dr. Benjamin Young, Senior Global Medical Director for Viiv Health, and former Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care, where he coordinated evidence-based medical and human rights policies with the United Nations and the World Health Organization.

The Impact and Legacy of The Denver Principles--a panel discussion
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm**

This panel will cover the impact and significance of the Denver Principles from 1983 to the present. The focus of this panel will align with the community and global response to HIV within Diverse Voices, primarily the black, brown, and non-white communities. We will discuss the significance of the Denver Principles for people with AIDS/HIV. We will conclude with an impact overview of the Denver Principles, how it relates to our current pandemic, and a call to action for future commemoration.

Moderated by Barb Cardell (they/them), educator, activist, and advocate living in Boulder, Colorado, engaged in local, statewide, national and global HIV issues and Program Director for the Positive Women's Network.

Ben Young (he/him)
MD, PhD, FIDSA
Head, Global Medical Directors at ViiV Healthcare

Robert Riester (he/him)
Colorado Health Network Client Services Manager
Denver Part A Planning Council
CHAC HRSA Advisory Board

Cecilia Chung (she/her)
San Francisco Human Rights Commission
Senior Director of Strategic Projects of Trangender Law Center
Sero Project Board Chairperson
Global Network of People Living with HIV co-chair

Waheedah Shabazz-El (she/her)
Director of Community Engagement for the Reunion Project
Founding member of Positive Women's Network-USA (PWN-USA)
Steering Committee member US HIV Caucus

Cris Sardina (she/her)
Director Desiree Alliance

**Times are flexible, and panels may end early. We wanted to provide enough time to cover the dense amount of history and its broad legacy, so panels may be from 90-120 minutes. We have plenty of activities planned (see below) if these discussions end early, and plenty of time in the evening to continue the conversation.*

40th Anniversary Celebration of The Denver Principles
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Join us as we honor the celebrate 40 years of The Denver Principles—those who wrote the document, its ongoing global impact, and the space that Denver, and what is now The Curtis Hotel, provided as a crossroads for early HIV/AIDS activists. Our MC for the evening will be Calvin Gipson, a recent appointee to the Denver HIV Resources Planning Council.

Our evening reception will include heavy appetizers, courtesy of Sage Hospitality (also celebrating a 40th anniversary!). All attendees will also receive two drink tickets; cash bar after that.

Tono Productions will be spinning tunes, local drag queens Venus Victrola and Dr. Zackarina Jenny-Hoe will be performing, and we will have a short presentation about our pursuit of a National Landmark.

Continuing in the footsteps of the numerous grassroots, DIY efforts to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS, we will be providing numerous activities for all in-person attendees:

—Make a mini flag
We’ve got the materials, you bring the message. Make your own flag to bring the action home with you. This activity is supported
by an EDI Mini Grant through Denver Arts & Venues as part of the larger TDP Flagpole Project.

—Button/pin making station
Denver Public Library is bringing their button presses so we can make our own pins! Choose from a variety of designs, or make
your own. All materials provided.

—Postcards from The Denver Principles
Decorate a postcard inspired by TDP, share your reflections on the importance of TDP’s legacy, and bring it home. If it ends up
in your mailbox, on its way to a your representative, that’s up to you!

In addition to all this FUN, we will have resource tables with lots of information from local, state, and national organizations working across HIV, public health, education, housing assistance, mental health support, etc., etc., etc. If you are attending and have something to share, please bring it! The tables are open to all. Just remember, this is an all-ages event, so please plan accordingly.

And did I mention the SWAG?? We’ve got T-shirts (contact INDYINK for your next event!), stickers, mini TDP manifestos for all attendees, and who knows what else our amazing community organizations may bring along. Here’s a sneak peek:

Health and Safety

There will be community members joining us who have a variety of health challenges and compromised immune systems. Out of an abundance of caution, we ask that you stay home if you aren’t feeling well or have recently been around someone newly diagnosed with COVID.

Community members may choose to wear masks and we support individuals in protecting themselves to the extent they feel necessary. We will also have masks and COVID tests on site. The meeting/reception space is a large ballroom with glass door panels that open onto an attached patio. These will be open for maximum ventilation. For up-to-date information on COVID in Colorado, please visit the Colorado Department of Health website.

We also acknowledge that this subject matter is difficult and includes trauma. We are working to have some mental health providers available during the event to support any needs that arise. At minimum, we will have resources available for anyone who needs support after the event.

Eyes Wide Shut - Visual Meditations on the Plague

On view at The McNichols Civic Building from June 1 - June 29, 2023. Open daily from 8 am to 5 pm.
(the McNichols is about a 15 minute walk SE of The Curtis in Civic Center Park)

Curated by Mark Brasuell

In Memoriam:
Roger Beltrami
Wes Kennedy
John Haeseler

Show Statement:

In honor of the 40th anniversary of this momentous declaration, we present “Eyes Wide Shut – Visual Meditations on the Plague,” an art exhibit exploring how some saw the plague of AIDS and decided to do nothing about it, and those who instead stepped forward to bring the epidemic into the light. Through a new perspective, we gain insight into our role in history (including violence and protests), and move through discovery, despite pain and loss along the way. Ultimately, this journey brings us to hope and transcendence.

The exhibit raises thought-provoking questions pertaining to the AIDS epidemic, such as "What do we do?" and "What did we do?" and “What should we do?” while chronicling the tragic history of AIDS and its impact on America. 

The exhibition begins by exploring artists who have represented the gay community since the start of the epidemic. Some works do not explicitly reference AIDS and HIV, but leave a haunting imprint of that time and space. The exhibit also includes current works from contemporary artists exploring related themes such as loss, erotica and the impact of social media. 

Our Partners

This event is a collaboration among a large group of local, state, and national orgs and people living with HIV. It would NOT have been possible without the contributions and resources that this network provides.

Many, many thanks to our generous hosts, The Curtis Hotel, who have provided the space, A/V support, food, beverages, and their amazing PR/marketing team. They have been incredible to work with, and eager to be involved and support this event and community. HUGE shout-out to Lizzie Raudenbush for all your coordination and infectious enthusiasm. She makes the magic happen! A/V provided by Encore, and the food & bev by Sage Hospitality.

A (likely non-exhaustive) list of organizations who have directly contributed to this event:

Colorado Organizations and Individuals Responding to HIV/AIDS

Colorado Health Network

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Positive Women’s Network (CO chapter)

Servicios de la Raza

5280 Fast Track Cities

The Center on Colfax

Denver Public Health

Denver Health

Denver HIV Resources Planning Council

Denver HIV Resources

The Denver Public Library

Denver Arts & Venues

The Empowerment Program

Ink Lounge

is.press

PWN USA and PWN CO

Michael Best Strategies

Out Boulder

One Colorado

PPRM

Boulder County Aids Project

Vivent Health

And our national coalition:

The National Minority AIDS Council

Ribbon3

U.S PLHIV Caucus

If you would like to support our event financially to help cover our costs, you can do so through CORA.
Donations can be received digitally via credit card here, PLEASE make sure to add “CORA” to the ‘special instructions’ line.
Checks may be sent to:
CORA
c/o Colorado Health Network
6260 E Colfax Ave.
Denver, CO 80220

You can also support our amazing drag performers via the following links:

Dr Zackarina’s Venmo as well as loads of resources here.

Support Venus Victrola’s top surgery via gofundme, and many other fundraisers for gender affirming care via faer Instagram.

More history on The Denver Principles

You can read and download the document here.

Michael Callen, a person living with AIDS, shared his experience as a person diagnosed with AIDS during a speech presented to the New York Congressional Delegation in May 1983. Hon. Geraldine A. Ferraro was so moved by his words, that she read them on the floor of the House on May 18, 1983, thus entering them into the Congressional Records. His first-hand account details much of the context behind the need for The Denver Principles, why they were written—much of which is sadly still pertinent today.

The Denver Principles’ writers were a coalition of activist gay men from both San Francisco and New York City, who were diagnosed with AIDS. Frustrated with the lack of clear information and expertise available about their illness, they decided to meet in Denver at the Fifth National Lesbian/Gay Health Conference, held from June 9-12, 1983. The conference was “held in conjunction with the 2nd National Forum on AIDS, and a medical symposium sponsored by the Gay-oriented American Association of Physicians for Human Rights. The concurrent events marked the largest gathering to date of Gay health professionals and others working on AIDS.” (source)

Bobbi Campbell, one of the first people to be diagnosed with AIDS in the US, Dan Turner, and Bobby Reynolds came from SF after holding the first AIDS candlelight march, led by the “Fighting For Our Lives” banner which became the motto for the AIDS movement. They were the founding members of the SF AIDS Foundation. Richard Berkowitz and Michael Callen, founders of Gay Men with AIDS, and outspoken proponents of safe sex (they co-wrote How to Have Sex in an Epidemic, the first instance of safe sex education), traveled from New York City along with Artie Felson, Matthew Sarner, Phil Lanzaratta, Bill Burke, Bob Cecchi, Tom Nasrallah,. They were joined by “Gar Traynor from Los Angeles, someone named Elbert from Kansas City, and another PWA from Denver whose name has been lost to history.” (source) Some in this group went on to found People With AIDS (PWA) organizations (coalitions) that year, later becoming the National Association of People With AIDS in 1987.

These men met at the Executive Tower Inn, now the Curtis Hotel Denver located at 1405 Curtis St in downtown Denver, to share their experiences combating stigma and advocating on behalf of other people living with and at risk for HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). This discussion led to drafting the Denver Principles, which they presented at the end of the conference. The delegation from San Francisco brought the “Fighting for our Lives” banner, which they held as the group stormed the stage prior to keynote speaker Ginny Apuzzo. Each of the 11 men read a portion of the document to the crowd.

From The Washington Blade, June 17, 1983, p 11, (archived here):
The presence of the men with AIDS helped to keep the focus of the conference sharply on AIDS. The dramatic highlight of the
weekend came Sunday when 11 of the men made a formal presentation to the group, just before [Virginia] Apuzzo’s closing
speech.

Standing behind a large, four foot by 20 foot banner inscribed with the words “Fighting for Our Lives,” the men talked of their experiences together that weekend, noting that the most important part was the chance to be with so many other people with AIDS, an opportunity one man described as “an amazing, uplifting experience.”

“I have a bond with these men that I can share with no one else,” said Bobbi Campbell of San Francisco, who added that the men had participated in “a group hug” the night before “that went on for 20 minutes.”

Another person with AIDS, Bill Burke of New York, told the Gay health professionals that “coming out was one tribute to the magnificence of the human spirit” and that now “we (those with AIDS) have an even bigger challenge.”

“One message we can leave with you,” Burke said, referring to the efforts of AIDS patients themselves and others to respond to the AIDS crisis, “is that something very positive can come out of all this suffering.”

Following the remarks, the people with AIDS took turns reading from a 17 point statement of the rights and responsibilities of all those touched by the AIDS epidemic.

The AIDS presentation concluded with a powerful “guided visualization” by Bob Reynolds, a person with AIDS from San Francisco. Speaking in a slow, barely controlled tones (sic), Reynolds asked those present to close their eyes and to fantasize that the love beating within them was reaching out first to quell their pain and then to join with the love of the others in the room before finally flowing outside to encompass all those—including the government—who deal with AIDS. By the time Reynolds brought his fantasy to an end, there were few, if any, with dry eyes in the room.

From Michael Cullen and Dan Turner, writing for Body Positive Magazine:
There wasn't a dry eye in the house, as a Washington Blade account of the event noted. Keynote speaker Ginny Apuzzo had to
wait 10 minutes to permit the audience to recompose itself before proceeding. The theme of the Second National AIDS
conference had been "Health Pioneering in the Eighties." Ginny, faced with the daunting task of following our emotionally
devastating presentation, opined that if those health care providers in attendance were the health care pioneers, then those of us
with AIDS were truly the trailblazers.

It has been stated over and over again, in many interviews, articles, books, etc., since 1983, that this document has been foundational to codifying into law rights to health privacy, non-discriminatory practices, and information disclosure from which everyone now benefits. In the midst of another, ongoing, international health crisis, and eroding of rights to bodily autonomy and health privacy, it is timely to revisit not only this document and its statements, but also the collaborative leadership and self-empowerment this group of gay men demonstrate, alongside a diverse group of women, people of color, and anti-capitalist activists.