More Articles | WI LGBTQ History Project

News Articles:

November 22, 2024

Celebrate "80 Years of Gay" at Fluid Milwaukee

We're raising money to protect Wisconsin's first LGBTQ historic marker -- at an address that has been a queer destination for eight decades.

August 19, 2024

Visit "Gayborhoods that are Gone!"

We're proud to partner with Historic Milwaukee to bring back this fan-favorite walking tour.

August 12, 2024

Don Schwamb retires from History Project leadership

After three decades of service, our founder passes the torch to the next generation.

August 05, 2024

We've heard your concerns

Together, we will create a more just, equitable, and compassionate society where everyone is free to live authentically and without fear.

June 05, 2024

Wisconsin dedicates first LGBTQ historic landmark

The Black Nite Brawl was Wisconsin's first LGBTQ uprising -- eight years before Stonewall -- and triggered a social awakening that changed history forever.

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Blog Articles:

November 16, 2024

Goldie Adams: never take freedom for granted

After forty plus years of drag performances, Goldie shares her colorful story for the first time.

October 30, 2024

Barb Coyle: a lifetime of music, community and love

For nearly 20 years, Barb's weekly radio show broke local barriers for women's music.

October 28, 2024

Honey LaBronx: an unstoppable force for social change

After a lifetime of self-acceptance, resilience, and activism, Ben made his childhood dreams come true in New York City.

October 27, 2024

Jeremy Novy: making queer history in the streets

Jeremy's koi fish have decorated Milwaukee streets since 2006. Now he's bringing LGBTQ history alive worldwide.

October 10, 2024

Marlo Rhodes: being seen for six decades

Trans youth of the 1960s weren't welcome at home or safe on the streets. Now 80, Marlo Rhodes shares her stories of survival.

October 09, 2024

Barbara Hayden: the nights belonged to us

Nearly seventy years after taking a summer job that changed her life forever, Barbara reflects on what the LGBTQ community has gained -- and lost -- since 1956.

October 08, 2024

Liberace: the spark that made Milwaukee spectacular

One can only imagine what the most visible and vocal gay man of the 20th century could have achieved – if only he had been allowed to be himself.

October 06, 2024

Frank Blunt: legendary boss of the Bad Lands

He smoked, drank, gambled, hustled, and womanized like no other man in Milwaukee. And, one fateful day in 1893, Milwaukee learned why.

October 05, 2024

Francis Dubois / Frances Outcault: a queer second chance at life

This “female husband” found a way to still be Frank -- even after they were outed and made to live as a woman.

October 04, 2024

Chef Gregory Leon: serving life's greatest moments

Chef Gregory León, nationally recognized owner of Milwaukee’s Amilinda restaurant, serves flavors from Spain and Portugal with a side of social responsibility.

October 03, 2024

Evanna Breedlove: a lifetime of love and magic

Over thirty years after moving to New York City, Evanna reflects on growing up Black and trans in the dance clubs and drag cabarets of Wisconsin.

October 02, 2024

Georgia Henry: conquering fear and hate with love

For twenty-five years, Georgia has helped countless LGBTQ people and their families feel safe and supported through PFLAG Wisconsin.

October 01, 2024

George Schneider: we are not going backwards

From teenage runaway to beverage boss, George has lived a lifetime of community service and action.

September 28, 2024

Blaise Keller: there's no right or wrong way to be who you are

For a long time, Blaise knew he was bisexual, but he lacked the language and the confidence to express himself.

September 27, 2024

Michelle Guzman: never shy away from who you are

For years, Michelle struggled with impostor syndrome. How could she be bisexual if she was married to a man?

September 23, 2024

Mark Neufang: let yourself be you

The first time Mark came out, he came out as bisexual. Decades later, he realized he was right the first time.

September 19, 2024

Victor Raymond: show the world who we are

After five decades of bisexual activism, Victor still has miles to go before he sleeps.

September 17, 2024

Sarah Wallisch: restoring the B in LGBT

Sarah couldn't find the bisexual community she was looking for, so she decided to create it.

September 17, 2024

JoCasta Zamarippa: the world needs bisexual heroes

She was told a bisexual could never win an election. Now, she's leading change at City Hall.

September 16, 2024

Grace Moone: my life as a bi beacon

For years, Grace struggled to fully claim her identity, due to the erasure she witnessed -- even within LGBTQ spaces.

September 16, 2024

Melissa Faliveno: piecing together the puzzle

Melissa didn't really perceive herself as being queer, but looking back, she could see the puzzle pieces were always there.

September 06, 2024

Liza Kessler: a lifetime of ambitious activism

Liza's journey inspired her to create, protect, and grow the community she needed when she was younger.

September 05, 2024

Travis Lynch: building community, compassion, and respect

He grew up without roles models or representation. Now, as a bisexual Black entertainer, he's creating both for our community.

August 28, 2024

Dave Wolz: from first-time customer to legacy owner

"Big Gay Dave" was a fixture of the Milwaukee gay scene, but it took him a while to actually come out.

August 07, 2024

Peter Burgelis: seizing his seat at the table

“LGBTQ is a big umbrella. As a cis white male, I have a lot of privilege that others under that umbrella don’t.”

July 25, 2024

Jack Feria: a champion for queer cinema

Helping LGBTQ people feel seen on the silver screen for over a decade.

July 19, 2024

Francesca Wilson: bringing innovation to nightlife

A world traveler returns to her hometown with a mission to bring an inclusive, international sensibility to queer Milwaukee nightlife.

June 17, 2024

Pam Mehnert and Lisa Malmarowski: consciously coupled

"Never date someone you work with" is fairly common advice. Meet two women who've defied it.

June 17, 2024

Shannon Dupree: breaking barriers to be seen

She was told to "stay in her lane." Instead, she chose to break all the rules -- and became a drag legend.

May 29, 2024

In Memoriam: Markie Anna Wenzel

When attracting unwanted attention because of her appearance, Markie would always say with grace, “well, that’s just the way God made me.”

April 29, 2024

Brenda Coley: building a healthier, stronger, louder community

"We have a real struggle now, and I don't think people fully understand what we're up against."

April 27, 2024

Brenda Hanus: the power of finding your people

When you're questioning everything about yourself, a supportive and welcoming community means the world.

April 26, 2024

DJ Shawna: dare to be the difference

Growing up without visible LGBTQ role models, Shawna Nicols wants to be the person she needed when she was younger.

April 12, 2024

Andy Bagnall: this is who I was meant to be

At the height of Milwaukee's AIDS crisis, this community caregiver found his calling.

April 12, 2024

Les Petites Bon Bons: the surprise in your Cracker Jacks

Skyrocketing from Milwaukee's South Shore to the Sunset Strip of the '70s, Les Petites Bon Bons became artists in residence in the glitter rock scene, court jesters for rock and roll royalty, and masterful manipulators of mass media.

March 31, 2024

Candi Stratton: confronting the hidden dangers of body work

After life-changing surgery, Candi speaks out against the medical black market and the cultural pressures trans women face.

March 29, 2024

Debi Vance and Cindy Olsheske: the dynamic duo

Together nearly 45 years, the couple has defined LGBTQ community involvement for decades.

March 25, 2024

Jerry Dreva: shattering the status quo

Jerry Dreva was a brilliant artist who never owned a gallery. His canvas was the life around him.

March 23, 2024

Eric Wynn: my life as a Club 219 girl

Erica Stevens was one of Milwaukee's most electrifying drag superstars of the early '80s -- until she walked away at the height of her fame.

March 01, 2024

Nik Santilli: rewriting the rules of gender expression

For most of the 20th century, gender expansive people lived in fear of sexual harassment under the mythical "three piece rule." In 1971, the Santilli case changed everything.

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