Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project

On October 1, 1971, two young people in love went into the Milwaukee County Courthouse to apply for a marriage license. Unlike the countless couples who came before them, these applicants were denied — because they were both women.

Donna and Manonia refused to take no for an answer. They filed the first marriage equality lawsuit in Wisconsin history, propelled by a bulletproof constitutional defense.

Get the rest of the story from WISN 12 NEWS: tinyurl.com/mkepridemonth26 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Pride is more than a party. It’s a celebration of power, progress, privilege, and endless potential.

We’re excited to join PFLAG Academy on Thursday, June 11 for a deep dive into the history of pride itself!

RSVP now for this FREE webinar. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

The Ultimate LGBTQ+ History and Culture Extravaganza: Recording & Training Toolkit - PFLAG You can quickly leave this website by clicking the “X” in the top right or by pressing the Escape key twice. To browse this site safely, be sure to regularly clear your browser history.

If you weren’t around in 1992 Milwaukee, you might not realize how transformative it was to see real, live gay people — talking about critical community issues — on broadcast TV.

Not as victims. Not as casualties. But as agents of change and progress.

Thank you to Tad Kriofske Mainella for telling the story of The Q***r Program! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Dodging death threats and outing senators: Remembering Milwaukee public access show ‘The Q***r Program’ “We liked to say that the show was ‘by, for, and about Q***rs.’ There was no ‘straight filter’ applied.”

Heading out tonight? Stop by POP — and join us for tonight’s Power in Pride celebration!

While Mr. Dan is presenting a keynote speech to kick off Pride Month, Ms. Legs is hosting an exhibit about Wisconsin’s leading role in LGBTQ civil rights! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

After owner Frank Balistrieri swapped out all his go-go girls for female impersonators in 1969, Misty Dawn (1945-?) became the breakout star of the Ad Lib Nightclub (323 W. Wells St.)

“The crowd was a sexually charged mess of h***y sailors, clueless straight men, and sw***er couples who came to see a sexy floor show… and in-the-know gay men who knew this was really just a drag show,” said Jamie G**s, former performer. “Those girls made good money for the Ad Lib, and the Ad Lib took very good care of those girls.”

As a fully transitioned transwoman, Misty was the one and only real girl in the Ad Lib line-up. When she was arrested in 1970 for “violations,” Misty fought back hard — and filed the first transgender rights lawsuit in Milwaukee history.

There was no legal precedent for gender identity at the time — which the Balistrieris used to their advantage. The suit called attention to rules that ONLY applied to people assigned female at birth. Since Misty was not, the rules did not apply to her — unless of course, the city was willing to legally acknowledge that Misty was a woman.

It was a gamble — and even the Balistrieris were surprised to win.

Misty’s victory forced the city to recognize transgender identity for the first time. It also caused the elimination of Prohibition Era ordinances that discriminated against ALL females (employees and customers) in nightlife. Misty continued performing in Milwaukee until 1976. Her final whereabouts remain unknown.

Thank you to WISN 12 NEWS for partnering with us to share the stories of Wisconsin LGBTQ history! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

We were honored to join last night’s Pride Reception with Governor Tony Evers!

Board member Dan Terrio and community advisors Blake Opal-Wahoske, Bernie Hoes, and Dana Johnson represented the Project at this meaningful annual event. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Eldon Murray was right.
About everything.
🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Eldon Murray (1930-2007) was one of the founding members of the Gay People’s Union in Milwaukee in the 1970s. He later published GPU News, one of the first gay magazines in the country. Murray also helped open the oldest sexual health clinic in the state, which still operates today on Brady Street. https://tinyurl.com/4rbwrxfy

WISN 12 is partnering with the Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project to highlight notable figures during Pride Month.

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