In 2018, I thought about starting a podcast about gay elders. There was no one I wanted to interview more than our friend Corky Blankenship -- an unexpected fixture in Denver's LGBT community and night life. Corky agreed to share his story. 

The podcast never went anywhere. But I saved the tape.

Corky, the smallest man with the biggest heart, died Feb. 12 from COVID-19. He was 76. 

Hundreds -- if not thousands of LGBT Denverites, past and present -- are missing Corky a lot today. Barely five feet tall, Corky let an immeasurable impression on people's hearts. 

In this unedited interview you'll hear me and Corky discuss his life, which spanned the death of Harvey Milk to marriage equality. We discussed everything from love and sex to dancing -- his favorite activity -- and his former life making wind chimes. 

The third voice you'll hear is Noel Black, a long time radio producer who was helping me with production. 

As I was uploading this track, I looked back at my notes. At one point Corky, discussing his unshakeable sunny disposition told me: "Smiles keep you going." 

Corky maybe gone. But his smile will keep everyone who knew him going for years to come.

Nic Garcia