Don Collier

Don Collier was a Chicano writer, multi-issue activist, self-described "effeminist and former female impersonator," and one of the founders of the Lambda Services Bureau. [1] [2]
Don Collier and Drag
While Don Collier was later anti-drag, there was a time where he was also a part of the local drag scene. In his dialogue with Causha Lee, Empress IV and female impersonator, he talks about his time doing drag in the mid-1960's, which included shows in Colorado Springs at the Rathskellar and The Purple Cow.

He graduated from University of Colorado, Colorado Springs in December, 1975, alongside Dorothy Bell. At UCCS, he was the feature editor of the University publication MONTAGE, a tabloid. [3]
He wrote under the name Don Collier, as well as Dawn Collier, when he wrote for Out Front. [1:1] He also penned many a letter to the editor.
Notable articles to this research
- Outfront Interviews Lambda: Don Collier interviews the Lambda Services Bureau.
- Feminism vs. Female Impersonation, A dialogue with Causha: Dawn Collier interviews Causha Lee. In the interview, Dawn mentions early drag shows in Colorado Springs at The Purple Cow and the Rathskellar.
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Questions
References
Collier, Dawn. “Feminism vs. Female Impersonation.” OUT FRONT, with Causha, II, no. 15, 17 Mar. 1978, p. 19, https://www.coloradohistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=OTF19780317-01.2.32. ↩︎ ↩︎
Donaciano Martinez. “Replies to Nico’s Questions.” Received by Nico Wilkinson, 20 Feb. 2026. ↩︎
“Montage vII, N18.” 8 Mar. 1974, UCCS Archives, UCCS Archives Collection CS:84/001, https://archives.mountainscholar.org/digital/collection/p17393coll15/id/2100/rec/11. ↩︎