Lecture Topic:
In the wake of Stonewall, as LGBTQ+ communities across the country began to emerge from the shadows, one man became the unlikely architect of Utah’s queer public life. Forgotten Leader: Joe Redburn and the Rise of LGBTQ+ Utah tells the story of Joseph Willis Redburn—a pioneering radio host, political firebrand, and the founder of Salt Lake City’s legendary Sun Tavern. Known as the "father of LGBTQ+ Utah," Redburn helped build the early infrastructure of queer community in one of America’s most conservative states.
Through a deep dive into Redburn’s activism, broadcasting career, and audacious creation of queer spaces in the 1970s and ’80s, this lecture not only uncovers the triumphs and heartbreaks of a radical trailblazer but also reveals the fragility of queer institutions and the forgotten fates of our elders. Join us for a powerful conversation about memory, marginalization, and the legacy of those who built our movements—only to be left behind by them.
About the Lecturer:
Randy Hoffman (he/they) is a co-founder and board member of the Mildred Berryman Institute, graduate student of history at the University of Utah, preservationist, and quilter. Randy focuses on social histories, place-making, Queerness, and community-based historical and archival work.
More Information:
Zoom link for remote attendance available: [forthcoming]
🌈 Past lectures can be accessed on our YouTube channel or on the Berryman Lecture Series page.
Posted In: 2025 Lecture Series
Tagged: 2025 Lecture Series