"Hearts for History" celebrates love and acceptance

We live in darkening times. But instead of cursing the darkness, we choose to light a candle -- and lead with our hearts!

Throughout February, we're celebrating the transformative power of love and acceptance with our Hearts for History fundraiser.  This is your opportunity to honor a loved one in your life -- living or departed -- or a historic figure who has inspired you to be your best self in life.

How does it work?

• Visit a participating bar (including Fluid, Woody's, This Is it, Walker's Pint, Harbor Room, Y-Not II, Fat Daddy's, La Cage, POP, DIX, Shamrock, FIVE Nightclub and more to be announced.)
  
• Purchase a heart -- red ($1) or gold ($5) -- and dedicate it to your special someone with a custom message.
  
• Share a photo of your heart on social media with hashtag #BeSeen, so we can spread some love with the world.
  
• Hang your hearts high on the bar display -- for the world to see!

Hearts will be sold at participating locations through Friday, February 28.  All proceeds benefit the History Project's mission to ensure our history and heritage can always be seen in Wisconsin.  Your dollars will support the ongoing care and maintenance of the Black Nite Rising Monument.

Make a tax-deductible online donation

Bill Wardlow, a History Project advisor and owner of Fluid Bar, sees this fundraiser as a personal mission.

"I'm very concerned about the rise of hate in our nation, and how this will affect us all in the years to come," said Bill. "Times like these can make us all feel so powerless, but they also strengthen us, focus us, and remind us of what's at stake here.  If we don't want our history erased, we need to protect our history."

"Nobody is coming to save us but us."

Karen Valentine, local drag personality and philanthropist, lent her voice to the campaign to support Bill's message.  

"Together, we overcame the fight for gay rights in Wisconsin. Together, we overcame the AIDS crisis in Wisconsin.  Together, we have overcome the worst of the worst of times. And together, we will overcome this era too -- with the power of love."

Buy your Heart for History at Fluid, This is It, La Cage, Fat Daddy's, Harbor Room, Woody's, Walker's Pint, Y-Not II, DIX, POP, Shamrock, FIVE, and other locations throughout Wisconsin.

Questions? Contact us to learn more!