$3,895 raised by 30 donors
78% complete
$5,000 Goal
Born of resistance, the Mile High Freedom Bands has spent 42 years committing itself to creating powerful moments of joy, resilience, connection and hope. Moments that, for those in the LGBTQ+ community and their allies, can be life changing. Your contributions help create these moments.
In the Mile High Freedom Bands, we believe music has the power to inspire, connect, and unite people from all walks of life. As a vibrant, inclusive organization, we provide a safe and empowering space for LGBTQ+ musicians and allies to share their passion for music and create meaningful connections.
Your support helps us bring powerful performances, innovative programs, and a message of hope and unity to our community. Together, we can ensure MHFB continues to be a beacon of joy, empowerment, and belonging for all.
Celebrating Carnival with MHFB Swing“There were times when I wasn’t really content with being alive anymore, and if I hadn’t had the friends and community of MHFB come into my life when it did, I wouldn’t have known what to do,” said MHFB member Erin.
Erin is one of MHFB’s nearly 250 currently active members, and represents a sentiment felt across the organization’s performers, volunteers and audiences — MHFB’s dedication to providing connection through music leaves a lasting impact on its vast family.
“I was in a bad spot right after coming out, but MHFB became the community I needed, and I’ve been with the band ever since,” Erin said.
Our first performance at the gay rodeoThe band got its start as a small group of gay musicians with a dream to create a place where people of all backgrounds could make music and build lasting connections together.
At our 35 year anniversary, Robert F. Brown, founder of the Mile High Freedom Bands said, "So, this crazy idea I had to start a gay band in Denver 34 years ago (and then directed for 10 years) became one of the best things i ever did in my life. And NOW,...100 members?!?! 100? Really? I remember when we were thrilled to have 32. Could not be more proud of YOU Mile High Freedom Band. You are obviously doing it right."
Eight years later, and we are still growing, with more members, more ensembles, more venues, more audience, and more Visibility than ever before! Today, MHFB sports 11 ensembles that play almost 50 shows per year. Your donations enable this impressive growth.
Your gifts...
🎓 Fund member scholarships
🎷 Support loaner instruments
🥁 Host youth at band camp
🎭 Secure performance venues
☘️🏳️🌈 March at St. Patrick’s Day, Denver Pride, and more
MHFB Corps at Denver Pride 2025
The band has continued to bring people together over four decades, celebrating diversity and creating lasting connections.
“With MHFB you’ll find your friends and you’ll find your niche,” Erin said. “Whether you want to just play and have fun or be more challenged, we’re open to all of that.”
The band welcomes performers of all skill levels from the LGBTQ+ community and its allies, and has built a family centered around resilience and hope in the face of overwhelming odds.
“With the current political climate, I think it’s important to keep in touch and keep in community,” Erin said. “I was never, ever happy before coming out — and MHFB gave me the support to really bloom into who I want to be.”
You can support MHFB, its members, and its mission
The Mile High Freedom Bands are committed to making positive contributions to the LGBTQ+ community and allies through musical events and activities that engage, excite, educate, and entertain audiences while supporting performers of all abilities.
In April 1984, local Denver musician Robert Brown had a vision: to create a space where people of all backgrounds could make music, educate the community, and build lifelong friendships. From that dream, the Denver Gay and Lesbian Community Band was born. Not long after, the group rebranded as the Mile High Freedom Band (MHFB), embracing a name that resonated with their mission of inclusivity and celebration.
Our story began with a bang—our inaugural performance took place at the 1984 Denver Gay Rodeo, followed by ten performances that first season. The following year, MHFB made a bold public debut in the 1985 Denver St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Our presence as an openly LGBTQ+ band turned heads, earning media attention and ruffling some feathers with parade organizers. Despite being relegated to the back of the parade in subsequent years, we marched on—literally and figuratively—with pride and resilience.
Over the decades, MHFB has faced monumental challenges, from the AIDS crisis and discriminatory legislation to hate crimes targeting LGBTQ+ people. Yet through it all, we’ve remained steadfast in our mission, continuing to perform in concerts, parades, and community events. Along the way, we’ve grown stronger, hosting national conferences, expanding our programs, and breaking new ground.
The mid-2000s marked a new era for MHFB. With the launch of MHFB Swing, the creation of beloved annual events like Spooktacular! Spooktacular! and Melodies of Pride, and surging member participation, the organization flourished. In 2018, we expanded once more with MHFB Youth, welcoming students into our family and awarding over $4,500 in scholarships to LGBTQ+ youth in just three years.
Then came 2020. The COVID-19 pandemic brought challenges the likes of which the arts community had never seen. Undaunted, MHFB pivoted to virtual performances, creatively adapting to keep the music alive. Our 37th season unfolded entirely online, reaching global audiences and drawing some of our largest crowds ever. The determination of our members ensured not a single event was canceled, proving once again that MHFB is a force to be reckoned with.
As we move forward from our 40th anniversary, the Mile High Freedom Bands is thriving like never before. With nearly 250 members, 45+ performances each season, and a growing roster of programs—including MHFB Youth and MHFB Strings—we are stronger, louder, and more vibrant than ever. Every concert, parade, and event is a testament to our unwavering commitment to making a positive impact on the LGBTQ+ community and allies.
We’re proud of our past, energized by our present, and excited for the future. Together, we’ll continue to engage, excite, educate, and entertain—one note at a time.
Organization name
Mile High Freedom Bands
other names
MHFB
1984
Tax id (EIN)
84-1236292
Category
Arts, Culture & Humanities, Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy
Organization Size
Small Organization
Address
216 S Grant StDenver County, CO, US