Bring back Icons!

"I've never been interested in being invisible and erased." -Laverne Cox

Since Icons first opened its doors in 2020, it has quickly become not only a staple within the queer community of Colorado Springs but an essential part of the fabric of downtown. Through the tragedies our community has faced like the mass shooting at Club Q or the celebration of bringing back Pikes Peak Pride every summer, Icons has been there and provided a safe space for our peers and allies, strengthening our city's identity and relationship with the queer community. We've seen a lot in our short 3 years but we never dreamed the Icons family would be displaced, leaving an uncertain fate for our uniquely queer space downtown.

On December 4th a neighboring business caught fire, leaving several business closed during their busiest season, 14 of our employees out of work during the holidays, many in the community feeling as if their home was taken away from them and a city regressing to the days of zero, that's right, zero gay bars downtown. As a Colorado Springs native, that doesn't sit well with me. That's not the Colorado Springs we've come to love. That's not the Colorado Springs that this frustrated young gay artist had hoped for back when he was coming out in the 90s. Yet, here we are. Again. After months of uncertainty, we were told we won't be able to return to our beloved space.

The Icons team has an unbelievable opportunity to reopen in a new location, close to our original home, and ensure that we will thrive on our own terms. But it is far from cheap. This would require support like we've never seen and a build out of 300 thousand dollars or more. We cannot do this on our own, but this is bigger than us. This will take an army of support.

We've been left with 2 choices:

Allow the past three years of entertainment, queer empowerment, smiles, tears, laughter and applause be a pleasant memory. A moment in time for our city. OR...

You can join us in making this the biggest Phoenix rising from the ashes moment our city has ever seen!

I sincerely hope you'll chose to make the next chapter in our journey a successful one that will ensure Icons will be around for many more years to come. Either way, know that you are loved and we cherish every moment we've had together.

-The family of Icons

"If you see someone without a smile, lend 'em yours!" -Dolly