Preserving Kansas City's Queer History: "Open to the Public" Lecture with Stuart Hinds

Image: Stuart Hinds

History is often thought of as something behind us, but Stuart Hinds reminds us that it is also something we actively choose to preserve.

As Pride Month came to a close, the Kansas City Artists Coalition welcomed Stuart back for another installment of our "Open to the Public" Lecture Series, where he shared stories from decades of documenting Kansas City's LGBTQ+ history. If you weren't able to join us in person, the full recording is now available—and we hope you'll take the opportunity to experience it.

Drawing from years of archival work, oral histories, and personal relationships within the community, Stuart offers a perspective that goes beyond dates and milestones. He illustrates how history is built through everyday lives, local advocacy, and the people who quietly shape a city's identity over time.

Throughout the lecture, Stuart reflects on the importance of preserving stories before they're lost. Archives become more than collections of photographs and documents—they become spaces where memory, identity, and community are protected for future generations. His work serves as a reminder that understanding where we've been helps us better understand where we are today.

This is exactly what the Kansas City Artists Coalition's "Open to the Public" Lecture Series is designed to do—bring together artists, educators, historians, and community leaders to share knowledge, spark conversation, and create opportunities for learning that are accessible to everyone. Whether the topic is art, history, food, wellness, or creative practice, each lecture invites us to look more closely at the people, ideas, and experiences that shape our community.

Stuart's lecture is a thoughtful reminder that preserving history is an act of care. Every photograph, every recorded conversation, and every remembered story helps ensure that the people and movements who shaped Kansas City continue to have a place in its future.

Watch the full recording and join the conversation. The stories that shape our city deserve to be remembered—and shared.