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.

"Black Nite Brawl," by Jeremy Novy

Save the date for an all-star spectacular on Sunday, December 1

Enjoy some of the best drag performances in Milwaukee, learn about the rich history of our building, and support Wisconsin's first and only LGBTQ historic marker -- all in one action-packed afternoon!

On August 5, 2024, the Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project dedicated the Black Nite Brawl memorial at St. Paul and Plankinton Avenues. The memorial was Wisconsin's 616th historic marker, but the only one honoring LGBTQ history. The Black Nite Brawl was also the first Wisconsin marker honoring a transgender citizen, Josie Carter.

While design, production, installation and dedication costs were covered by the Pomeroy Foundation, the community is responsible for ongoing care and maintenance. And now, the community has stepped forward!

Bill Wardlow, owner of Fluid and community advisor for the Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project, has launched a $5,000 fundraising campaign to protect and preserve the monument for future generations.

"It's never been more important for our history to be seen," said Wardlow. "And right now, our history and heritage is at tremendous risk."

On Sunday, December 1, Fluid hosts 80 Years of Gay, honoring the longtime LGBTQ heritage of 819 S. 2nd St. Since December 1944, the tavern has been home to eight historic gay bars, more than any other property in Wisconsin. The event features eight decades of drag, performed by Karen Valentine, Dita Von, Shannon Dupree, Shawna Love, Ariah Monet Diamond, Ayesha Voodoo, Taysha Montenegro and Miss Spencer.

All proceeds, including a $10 cover charge, will be donated to the Black Nite Rising Fund. The standing fund covers all future repair, maintenance and replacement costs for the memorial. Additional tax-deductible donations are accepted through the Cream City Foundation website.

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Inspired into action

Wardlow is committed to achieving the $5,000 goal, and is collaborating with other Walker's Point bar operators on additional fundraising options.

He strongly believes that our history should be known, seen, celebrated, and protected.

"I think of the courage it must have taken, during the Second World War, for a man to walk into 819 S. 2nd St and risk his life and livelihood just to be himself for a split second. I think about the generations before me that had it so much worse."

"Those brave men survived in a world that hated them. They made lasting friendships at spaces like this. When their own families threw them away, they found new families in spaces like this."

"There's just something about 819 S. 2nd St. Gay has a way of coming back here. I'm proud to be part of this heritage."

Fundraising progress updates will be shared on social media in the weeks ahead.

The History of 819 S. 2nd St.

The Friendly Bar was opened by Mirko “Mike” Stjepanovic / Stepanovich (1885-1941) and his wife Julia (1894-1980.) They were first-generation Croatian immigrants who raised their family in the apartment above the bar.

The Stepanovichs were part of the neighborhood’s original Slavic community, back when 2nd St. south of National was filled with Eastern European taverns and restaurants.

The Black Nite Rising Fund has set a $5,000 goal.

819 S. 2nd St. has supported gay people for eight decades.

Fluid opened in 1998, carrying forward a long legacy of queer spaces.

Friendly Bar was associated with the Pabst Brewery, which sponsored their matchbooks for years.

After Mike’s death, Julia struggled to run the business. Kostas Peshoff took over from 1941 to 1944, followed by Robert Krumbers from 1944 to 1947, and finally “Paul.” The bar was funded by Milwaukee's Greek nightlife syndicate of the 1940s, which catered to gay business at spots like the Legion Bar, the Old Mill Inn, and (ironically) the original Mint Bar.

When the property became Mint Bar II in 1987, George “Bunny” Opper met old-timers from Madison who'd visited the bar when it was known as “Friendly’s” after World War II.

“They said it was a bunch of cute boys with crew cuts, just sitting on their hands, afraid to talk to each other. A dark, quiet, candle-lit bar with the Andrews Sisters on the juke box. A lot of servicemen hung out there. If you were interested in someone, you’d follow them out. That kind of business was not conducted in the bar. By the time word got out about Friendly's, it was closed. Even living here in Milwaukee, I had never heard of it.”

By 1948, Friendly’s had been renamed Tony’s Tap – not to be confused with the Tony’s Tavern at 412 S. 2nd St, operated by a Slovenian family from 1934 to 2013.

819 S. 2nd St would not be a queer space again until the Decision opened in 1976. The Decision was followed by The Hideaway, The Hustler, and the Mint Bar II. When Bettie Aiello died in 1992, the Mint Bar became BJ's for a year. Next, it was known as Zippers from 1993 to 1997.

Fluid began its ongoing run in July 1998.

Very, very little is known about The Decision, The Hideaway, or The Hustler. If you have information to share, please contact us!