Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project
@wislgbtqhistory.bsky.social
Independent. Inspired. Relentless.
Since 1994, we've been reconnecting Wisconsin with its past to inspire a more inclusive future. We're all-volunteer, non-profit, and community-first. E: [email protected]. #BeSeen
http://www.wislgbthistory.com
Since 1994, we've been reconnecting Wisconsin with its past to inspire a more inclusive future. We're all-volunteer, non-profit, and community-first. E: [email protected]. #BeSeen
http://www.wislgbthistory.com
"When you fight the good fight, you’ll always win every battle – even if that battle is with yourself.”
Over the years, Patrick has survived enough crisis, loss, and sorrow to fill eight lives. He has redefined resilience in the face of tremendous personal challenge.
(1/2)
Over the years, Patrick has survived enough crisis, loss, and sorrow to fill eight lives. He has redefined resilience in the face of tremendous personal challenge.
(1/2)
November 26, 2025 at 5:35 PM
"When you fight the good fight, you’ll always win every battle – even if that battle is with yourself.”
Over the years, Patrick has survived enough crisis, loss, and sorrow to fill eight lives. He has redefined resilience in the face of tremendous personal challenge.
(1/2)
Over the years, Patrick has survived enough crisis, loss, and sorrow to fill eight lives. He has redefined resilience in the face of tremendous personal challenge.
(1/2)
Within ten years, AIDS ended thousands of Wisconsin lives far too soon.
Monday is World AIDS Day -- and this year, we are partnering with Vivent Health - Wisconsin to gather, share, and celebrate the unforgettable people we lost to HIV/AIDS. (1/2)
Monday is World AIDS Day -- and this year, we are partnering with Vivent Health - Wisconsin to gather, share, and celebrate the unforgettable people we lost to HIV/AIDS. (1/2)
November 25, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Within ten years, AIDS ended thousands of Wisconsin lives far too soon.
Monday is World AIDS Day -- and this year, we are partnering with Vivent Health - Wisconsin to gather, share, and celebrate the unforgettable people we lost to HIV/AIDS. (1/2)
Monday is World AIDS Day -- and this year, we are partnering with Vivent Health - Wisconsin to gather, share, and celebrate the unforgettable people we lost to HIV/AIDS. (1/2)
Growing up in north central Wisconsin, Debbie McCarty was always warned: “Whatever you do, don’t go to The Lark or The Pit.” That's where the gay people were, after all.
So, that's exactly what she did. (1/2)
So, that's exactly what she did. (1/2)
November 25, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Growing up in north central Wisconsin, Debbie McCarty was always warned: “Whatever you do, don’t go to The Lark or The Pit.” That's where the gay people were, after all.
So, that's exactly what she did. (1/2)
So, that's exactly what she did. (1/2)
As a child growing up in north central Wisconsin, Chasity dreamed of seeing the world. Since embracing her Two Spirit truth, she has soared higher and farther than she ever imagined possible. #BeSeen 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈
STORY: tinyurl.com/chasity25
STORY: tinyurl.com/chasity25
November 25, 2025 at 12:22 AM
As a child growing up in north central Wisconsin, Chasity dreamed of seeing the world. Since embracing her Two Spirit truth, she has soared higher and farther than she ever imagined possible. #BeSeen 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈
STORY: tinyurl.com/chasity25
STORY: tinyurl.com/chasity25
Congratulations Chicago!
#BeSeen🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
#BeSeen🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Chicagoans gather at Rainbow Crosswalk to affirm community visibility - Windy City Times
On Nov. 20, Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR), Equality Illinois held a press conference at the Rainbow Crosswalk on Farragut Ave. and Clark St. adjacent to Women and Children First bookstore in C...
windycitytimes.com
November 22, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Congratulations Chicago!
#BeSeen🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
#BeSeen🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Only four years after Stonewall, an 18-year-old woman took over her family business in downtown Wausau. Little did she know she was creating Wisconsin LGBTQ history.
Over 50 years later, The Pit (1973-1982) is still remembered as a groundbreaking regional destination.
(1/2)
Over 50 years later, The Pit (1973-1982) is still remembered as a groundbreaking regional destination.
(1/2)
November 21, 2025 at 12:49 PM
Only four years after Stonewall, an 18-year-old woman took over her family business in downtown Wausau. Little did she know she was creating Wisconsin LGBTQ history.
Over 50 years later, The Pit (1973-1982) is still remembered as a groundbreaking regional destination.
(1/2)
Over 50 years later, The Pit (1973-1982) is still remembered as a groundbreaking regional destination.
(1/2)
They lit the torches of gay liberation.
They fought for the freedoms we enjoy today.
They built the world we now live in.
So why are so many LGBTQ seniors forgotten and unseen as they age? #BeSeen🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
They fought for the freedoms we enjoy today.
They built the world we now live in.
So why are so many LGBTQ seniors forgotten and unseen as they age? #BeSeen🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Older LGBTQ+ People Need Your Support and Advocacy - ASA Generations
As programming is slashed and anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric ramps up, we must fight to preserve this population’s hard-earned rights.
generations.asaging.org
November 21, 2025 at 12:07 AM
They lit the torches of gay liberation.
They fought for the freedoms we enjoy today.
They built the world we now live in.
So why are so many LGBTQ seniors forgotten and unseen as they age? #BeSeen🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
They fought for the freedoms we enjoy today.
They built the world we now live in.
So why are so many LGBTQ seniors forgotten and unseen as they age? #BeSeen🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
We honor and uplift Two Spirit voices throughout Wisconsin.
Today, Michael shares his story of navigating Native oppression, reclaiming his cultural and sexual identities, and championing positive change for the tribal and Two Spirit communities. #BeSeen 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
STORY: tinyurl.com/waupoose25
Today, Michael shares his story of navigating Native oppression, reclaiming his cultural and sexual identities, and championing positive change for the tribal and Two Spirit communities. #BeSeen 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
STORY: tinyurl.com/waupoose25
Michael Waupoose: accepting sacred responsibilities in a divided world
Michael shares his story of navigating Native oppression, reclaiming his cultural and sexual identities, and championing positive change for the tribal and Two-Spirit communities.
tinyurl.com
November 17, 2025 at 9:38 PM
We honor and uplift Two Spirit voices throughout Wisconsin.
Today, Michael shares his story of navigating Native oppression, reclaiming his cultural and sexual identities, and championing positive change for the tribal and Two Spirit communities. #BeSeen 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
STORY: tinyurl.com/waupoose25
Today, Michael shares his story of navigating Native oppression, reclaiming his cultural and sexual identities, and championing positive change for the tribal and Two Spirit communities. #BeSeen 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
STORY: tinyurl.com/waupoose25
We had an amazing, incredible, award-winning night at the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber Business Awards! Check out the FULL PHOTO GALLERY from Our Lives Media.
#BeSeen 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
ourliveswisconsin.com/galleries/ga...
#BeSeen 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
ourliveswisconsin.com/galleries/ga...
November 17, 2025 at 8:44 PM
We had an amazing, incredible, award-winning night at the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber Business Awards! Check out the FULL PHOTO GALLERY from Our Lives Media.
#BeSeen 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
ourliveswisconsin.com/galleries/ga...
#BeSeen 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
ourliveswisconsin.com/galleries/ga...
We were thankful to be a finalist for the first-ever national grant supporting place-based LGBTQ history.
Although we weren't selected for funding, we are very excited to see who WAS -- and what they do with this historic support!
INFO: savingplaces.org/stories/lgbt...
@savingplaces.bsky.social
Although we weren't selected for funding, we are very excited to see who WAS -- and what they do with this historic support!
INFO: savingplaces.org/stories/lgbt...
@savingplaces.bsky.social
November 17, 2025 at 8:12 PM
We were thankful to be a finalist for the first-ever national grant supporting place-based LGBTQ history.
Although we weren't selected for funding, we are very excited to see who WAS -- and what they do with this historic support!
INFO: savingplaces.org/stories/lgbt...
@savingplaces.bsky.social
Although we weren't selected for funding, we are very excited to see who WAS -- and what they do with this historic support!
INFO: savingplaces.org/stories/lgbt...
@savingplaces.bsky.social
We are proud to uplift Wisconsin's Two Spirit heritage -- a heritage older and more complex than we will ever truly know.
Learn more about the Two Spirit experience -- and why this legacy is only now being reclaimed -- in this powerful film by PBS Wisconsin. #BeSeen 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
@pbswisconsin.bsky.social
Learn more about the Two Spirit experience -- and why this legacy is only now being reclaimed -- in this powerful film by PBS Wisconsin. #BeSeen 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
@pbswisconsin.bsky.social
Wisconsin Pride | Two-Spirit
Two-Spirit is a term today encompassing many Indigenous beliefs about gender identity.
www.pbs.org
November 17, 2025 at 8:04 PM
We are proud to uplift Wisconsin's Two Spirit heritage -- a heritage older and more complex than we will ever truly know.
Learn more about the Two Spirit experience -- and why this legacy is only now being reclaimed -- in this powerful film by PBS Wisconsin. #BeSeen 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
@pbswisconsin.bsky.social
Learn more about the Two Spirit experience -- and why this legacy is only now being reclaimed -- in this powerful film by PBS Wisconsin. #BeSeen 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
@pbswisconsin.bsky.social
Overheard in Milwaukee: "we didn't know you had a podcast!"
Oh baby. We sure do! And it's mighty good... in fact, it won a Milwaukee Press Club Award!
Take a listen today at @npr.org :
www.npr.org/podcasts/110...
Oh baby. We sure do! And it's mighty good... in fact, it won a Milwaukee Press Club Award!
Take a listen today at @npr.org :
www.npr.org/podcasts/110...
November 17, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Overheard in Milwaukee: "we didn't know you had a podcast!"
Oh baby. We sure do! And it's mighty good... in fact, it won a Milwaukee Press Club Award!
Take a listen today at @npr.org :
www.npr.org/podcasts/110...
Oh baby. We sure do! And it's mighty good... in fact, it won a Milwaukee Press Club Award!
Take a listen today at @npr.org :
www.npr.org/podcasts/110...
As a respected Two Spirit elder, mentor, and survivor, Jim is living proof of the connective power of heritage and culture.
After overcoming a childhood scarred and scorched by tremendous loss, Jim found his calling as the keeper of his people's history. #BeSeen🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
STORY: tinyurl.com/larock25
After overcoming a childhood scarred and scorched by tremendous loss, Jim found his calling as the keeper of his people's history. #BeSeen🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
STORY: tinyurl.com/larock25
November 16, 2025 at 7:44 PM
As a respected Two Spirit elder, mentor, and survivor, Jim is living proof of the connective power of heritage and culture.
After overcoming a childhood scarred and scorched by tremendous loss, Jim found his calling as the keeper of his people's history. #BeSeen🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
STORY: tinyurl.com/larock25
After overcoming a childhood scarred and scorched by tremendous loss, Jim found his calling as the keeper of his people's history. #BeSeen🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
STORY: tinyurl.com/larock25
Long before there WAS a Boystown, the epicenter of Chicago queer community was located at Wells and Division.
In his latest book, author Owen Keehnen celebrates the long-lost heritage of yesterday's Old Town. #BeSeen🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
In his latest book, author Owen Keehnen celebrates the long-lost heritage of yesterday's Old Town. #BeSeen🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
BOOKS Local historian Owen Keehnen talks ‘70s and ‘80s queer nightlife in ‘Gay Chicago Memories: 1300 N. Wells’ - Windy City Times
Some Chicagoans may think that queer nightlife started in the city’s Northalsted (formerly Boystown) neighborhood. However, in the ‘70s and ‘80s, it was the Old Town block of 1300 N. Wells St. that wa...
windycitytimes.com
November 14, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Long before there WAS a Boystown, the epicenter of Chicago queer community was located at Wells and Division.
In his latest book, author Owen Keehnen celebrates the long-lost heritage of yesterday's Old Town. #BeSeen🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
In his latest book, author Owen Keehnen celebrates the long-lost heritage of yesterday's Old Town. #BeSeen🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
We are SO proud to be named 2025 Nonprofit of the Year by the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce.
THANK YOU for your thoughtful consideration -- and thank you to our community for your relentless support! #BeSeen 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
PRESS RELEASE: conta.cc/4paEpE4
THANK YOU for your thoughtful consideration -- and thank you to our community for your relentless support! #BeSeen 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
PRESS RELEASE: conta.cc/4paEpE4
November 14, 2025 at 6:32 PM
We are SO proud to be named 2025 Nonprofit of the Year by the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce.
THANK YOU for your thoughtful consideration -- and thank you to our community for your relentless support! #BeSeen 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
PRESS RELEASE: conta.cc/4paEpE4
THANK YOU for your thoughtful consideration -- and thank you to our community for your relentless support! #BeSeen 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
PRESS RELEASE: conta.cc/4paEpE4
BIG NEWS! Please join us in welcoming Dan Terrio to our Board of Directors. In his new role, Dan will oversee fundraising, donor engagement, and partnership development.
Thank you, Dan, for stepping up to BE SEEN!
MORE: bit.ly/terrio25%F0%...
Thank you, Dan, for stepping up to BE SEEN!
MORE: bit.ly/terrio25%F0%...
November 12, 2025 at 4:37 PM
BIG NEWS! Please join us in welcoming Dan Terrio to our Board of Directors. In his new role, Dan will oversee fundraising, donor engagement, and partnership development.
Thank you, Dan, for stepping up to BE SEEN!
MORE: bit.ly/terrio25%F0%...
Thank you, Dan, for stepping up to BE SEEN!
MORE: bit.ly/terrio25%F0%...
Save the dates for Lesbian Visibility Week 2026!
We were proud to meet with Lesbian Visibility Week MKE and The Curve Foundation tonight to start planning meaningful, memorable, and intentional experiences for April 20-26.
Together, we are truly unstoppable. #BeSeen 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
We were proud to meet with Lesbian Visibility Week MKE and The Curve Foundation tonight to start planning meaningful, memorable, and intentional experiences for April 20-26.
Together, we are truly unstoppable. #BeSeen 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
November 12, 2025 at 2:25 AM
Save the dates for Lesbian Visibility Week 2026!
We were proud to meet with Lesbian Visibility Week MKE and The Curve Foundation tonight to start planning meaningful, memorable, and intentional experiences for April 20-26.
Together, we are truly unstoppable. #BeSeen 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
We were proud to meet with Lesbian Visibility Week MKE and The Curve Foundation tonight to start planning meaningful, memorable, and intentional experiences for April 20-26.
Together, we are truly unstoppable. #BeSeen 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
All good road trips must come to an end!
SATURDAY: join us at Wisconsin Leather Pride, the LAST stop of the 2025 Summer to Be Seen Tour. We'll be doing pop-up interviews with leather community elders and newcomers -- and we'd love to learn from you!
#BeSeen 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
SATURDAY: join us at Wisconsin Leather Pride, the LAST stop of the 2025 Summer to Be Seen Tour. We'll be doing pop-up interviews with leather community elders and newcomers -- and we'd love to learn from you!
#BeSeen 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
November 10, 2025 at 11:28 PM
All good road trips must come to an end!
SATURDAY: join us at Wisconsin Leather Pride, the LAST stop of the 2025 Summer to Be Seen Tour. We'll be doing pop-up interviews with leather community elders and newcomers -- and we'd love to learn from you!
#BeSeen 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
SATURDAY: join us at Wisconsin Leather Pride, the LAST stop of the 2025 Summer to Be Seen Tour. We'll be doing pop-up interviews with leather community elders and newcomers -- and we'd love to learn from you!
#BeSeen 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
"It's never too late to live a damn good life."
his weekend, Wisconsin said goodbye to an original Silver Star. For over 50 years, "Papa Joe" Mallien (1935-2025) was an icon of Midwest motorcycle clubs, Wisconsin leather community, and Green Bay nightlife.
MORE: tinyurl.com/papajoe25
his weekend, Wisconsin said goodbye to an original Silver Star. For over 50 years, "Papa Joe" Mallien (1935-2025) was an icon of Midwest motorcycle clubs, Wisconsin leather community, and Green Bay nightlife.
MORE: tinyurl.com/papajoe25
November 9, 2025 at 11:30 PM
"It's never too late to live a damn good life."
his weekend, Wisconsin said goodbye to an original Silver Star. For over 50 years, "Papa Joe" Mallien (1935-2025) was an icon of Midwest motorcycle clubs, Wisconsin leather community, and Green Bay nightlife.
MORE: tinyurl.com/papajoe25
his weekend, Wisconsin said goodbye to an original Silver Star. For over 50 years, "Papa Joe" Mallien (1935-2025) was an icon of Midwest motorcycle clubs, Wisconsin leather community, and Green Bay nightlife.
MORE: tinyurl.com/papajoe25
We are proud to support and sponsor the 2025 TDOR Celebration Week of ACTION. This critical series of events strives to create a strategic response to anti-trans violence anchored in action, change, and justice.
BE THE CHANGE. #BeSeen🏳️⚧️
JOIN US: tinyurl.com/tdormke25
BE THE CHANGE. #BeSeen🏳️⚧️
JOIN US: tinyurl.com/tdormke25
November 9, 2025 at 8:14 PM
We are proud to support and sponsor the 2025 TDOR Celebration Week of ACTION. This critical series of events strives to create a strategic response to anti-trans violence anchored in action, change, and justice.
BE THE CHANGE. #BeSeen🏳️⚧️
JOIN US: tinyurl.com/tdormke25
BE THE CHANGE. #BeSeen🏳️⚧️
JOIN US: tinyurl.com/tdormke25
We are especially proud to be named the 2025 Nonprofit Organization of the Year by the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce!
Join us Thursday, Nov. 13 at the Milwaukee Public Museum -- where we'll raise a toast to our all-volunteer team! #BeSeen
INFO: www.wislgbthistory.com/news/nonprof...
Join us Thursday, Nov. 13 at the Milwaukee Public Museum -- where we'll raise a toast to our all-volunteer team! #BeSeen
INFO: www.wislgbthistory.com/news/nonprof...
November 7, 2025 at 12:04 AM
We are especially proud to be named the 2025 Nonprofit Organization of the Year by the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce!
Join us Thursday, Nov. 13 at the Milwaukee Public Museum -- where we'll raise a toast to our all-volunteer team! #BeSeen
INFO: www.wislgbthistory.com/news/nonprof...
Join us Thursday, Nov. 13 at the Milwaukee Public Museum -- where we'll raise a toast to our all-volunteer team! #BeSeen
INFO: www.wislgbthistory.com/news/nonprof...
If you lived through the AIDS Crisis, you know that it was an unforgettable moment in time.
On World AIDS Day, we are partnering with Vivent Health to elevate and celebrate the stories of Wisconsin lives lost to HIV/AIDS since 1982. Share yours today!
INFO: www.wislgbthistory.com/news/honorin...
On World AIDS Day, we are partnering with Vivent Health to elevate and celebrate the stories of Wisconsin lives lost to HIV/AIDS since 1982. Share yours today!
INFO: www.wislgbthistory.com/news/honorin...
November 6, 2025 at 11:39 PM
If you lived through the AIDS Crisis, you know that it was an unforgettable moment in time.
On World AIDS Day, we are partnering with Vivent Health to elevate and celebrate the stories of Wisconsin lives lost to HIV/AIDS since 1982. Share yours today!
INFO: www.wislgbthistory.com/news/honorin...
On World AIDS Day, we are partnering with Vivent Health to elevate and celebrate the stories of Wisconsin lives lost to HIV/AIDS since 1982. Share yours today!
INFO: www.wislgbthistory.com/news/honorin...
We believe in gratitude. As an all-volunteer, non-profit, community-first organization, we can never say thank you enough.
We'd like to say a VERY special THANK YOU to Milwaukee Pride Parade for their generous donation -- the single largest donation we've ever received. Wow! (1/2)
We'd like to say a VERY special THANK YOU to Milwaukee Pride Parade for their generous donation -- the single largest donation we've ever received. Wow! (1/2)
Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project
Independent. Inspired. Relentless.
For over 30 years, we've been reconnecting Wisconsin with hidden history and lost heritage. Our volunteers document, preserve, celebrate and elevate the lived expe...
www.wislgbthistory.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:42 PM
We believe in gratitude. As an all-volunteer, non-profit, community-first organization, we can never say thank you enough.
We'd like to say a VERY special THANK YOU to Milwaukee Pride Parade for their generous donation -- the single largest donation we've ever received. Wow! (1/2)
We'd like to say a VERY special THANK YOU to Milwaukee Pride Parade for their generous donation -- the single largest donation we've ever received. Wow! (1/2)
As Rochester loses its “Gay Cheers,” America loses a 50-year-old LGBTQ landmark. #BeSeen🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Rochester's 'Gay Cheers' bids adieu after 50 years of community and camaraderie
The Avenue Pub, a beloved gay bar on Monroe Avenue, is closing its doors Monday after 50 years, leaving patrons to reminisce about its storied past.
13wham.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:50 AM
As Rochester loses its “Gay Cheers,” America loses a 50-year-old LGBTQ landmark. #BeSeen🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️