Tucson Queerstory’s mission is clear: to collect, preserve, exhibit and celebrate the diverse stories that make up the queer community in Southern Arizona. (Tucson queerstory/submitted)
The vibrant tapestry of the city’s LGBTQ+ history has been woven together as Tucson Queerstory.
The project goes beyond an “organization.” It’s more of a movement, a memory keeper and a celebration of identity. Recently, it established its nonprofit and incorporation status.
Founded in 2019 by a passionate group of community leaders, including Chris Jones, Natalie Perry, Randy Pease, Shawn Graby and Rick Morey-Wolfe, Tucson Queerstory emerged from a shared desire to preserve the voices and experiences of Tucson’s LGBTQ+ residents.
“History has always been a thing for me,” Morey-Wolfe said. “I’m 52. I’ve lived through a lot — a lot of changes and protests and all the work we’ve done. Now young people are having to step up again. That’s why we are here.”
Their mission is clear: to collect, preserve, exhibit and celebrate the diverse stories that make up the queer community in Southern Arizona.
The project is a living chronicle — an active archive of personal narratives, photographs, videos and blog entries that reflect the struggles, triumphs, and everyday lives of LGBTQ+ individuals.
From tales of coming out in conservative households to memories of drag shows that lit up Downtown Tucson, each story is a thread in the rich fabric of queer history.
Tucson Queerstory recently completed its incorporation and nonprofit status. According to Pease, Tucson Queerstory’s mission is vital.
“As president of Tucson Queerstory, I am deeply committed to our mission to collect, preserve, exhibit, celebrate, and to make our history accessible to the public,” Pease said.
One of the organization’s projects is the TQS Story Blog, where contributors share deeply personal reflections. These stories are raw, real, and often revelatory. They speak of love found and lost, of activism born from pain, and of joy discovered in community. The blog is a digital campfire, where voices echo across generations and remind readers that they are not alone.
TQS also honors the legacy of The Observer, a publication once run by Bob Ellis and Gary Clark, who documented LGBTQ+ life in Tucson for decades.
Founded in 2019, Tucson Queerstory emerged from a shared desire to preserve the voices and experiences of Tucson’s LGBTQ+ residents. (tucson queerstory/submitted)
Recognition has followed. TQS has been awarded the Dennis & Judy Shepard Family Values Award and the Steven Hall Award from the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation — testaments to its impact and integrity. But accolades are not the goal. The real reward lies in the connections forged, the histories reclaimed, and the young people who find courage in the stories of those who came before them, according to the statement.
“I invite each of you to share with us your story, a piece of Tucson’s LGBTQ+ history. I’m excited to lead our organization in this next chapter. Each day proves that history is made every day.
“They proudly archive and display this history with the purpose of educating people.”
Tucson Queerstory has received recognition and awards for its community work. The executive board has been formed. This information can be found at tucsonqueerstory.org.
Tucson Queerstory’s social media accounts are a wealth of information and is full of nostalgia and history. TQS is excited for upcoming events to fundraise and display their work thus far.