Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project

How a New Documentary Helped Crack a Brutal Cold Case in L.A.’s Gay Porn World The gruesome, unsolved killing was known as the “gay Black Dahlia.” Director Rachel Mason solved it in 'My Brother's Killer,' premiering at SXSW.

Congratulations to Rachel Mason, whose documentary "My Brother's Killer" chronicles the 30-year Billy Newton murder mystery from West Hollywood to Wisconsin and back.

The film debuts this weekend at @sxsw.com ! #BeSeen

Randy Reddemann: building connections beyond the bars since 1976 Forty years after founding GAMMA as a gay men's recreation league, Randy returned to Wisconsin to lead this important social connection for LGBTQ seniors.

Forty years after founding GAMMA as a sports & recreation league, Randy Reddemann returned to lead its next chapter as a connective force for LGBTQ seniors.

Now approaching its 50th anniversary, GAMMA is more essential to our community than ever. #BeSeen🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

STORY: tinyurl.com/gamma2026

This Is It (1968-2025) approved as state historic landmark Wisconsin's second LGBTQ historic marker, honoring the legacy of This Is It owner June Brehm (1917-2010,) will be installed in downtown Milwaukee in summer 2026.

It's been almost a year since we lost This Is It, but the legacy of June Brehm, and the space she built for us all, will never die.

Today, the Wisconsin Historical Society approved a State Historic Marker for this sacred place. #BeSeen 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

PRESS RELEASE: tinyurl.com/thisisit2026

Today is THE BIG SHARE!

We stand with 80 Wisconsin nonprofits committed to a more sustainable, equitable and socially just world.

Like our content?

HELP US OUT on this annual Day of Giving! Your online donations today help us make a bigger impact tomorrow.

LINK: tinyurl.com/bigsharenow26

Thanks to GSAFE, Fair Wisconsin and Community Shares of Wisconsin for an amazing Big Share Live event today!

We were honored to stand united with these folks and discuss the past, present and future of Wisconsin nonprofits. #BeSeen🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

"Beacons of the Bay" documentary debuts January 31 Our multimedia project, made possible by a generous grant from The Canary Fund, will honor the lifetime contributions of eight LGBTQ elders in northeastern Wisconsin.

If you missed our documentary premiere on January 31, now's your chance to see and hear these stories. (2/2)

Our Beacons of the Bay exhibit moves to @uwgb today -- and you're invited to the FREE public reception at 3pm!

Check out our tribute to eight living LGBTQ pioneers who made Green Bay a better place to live, work, play, love, and BE SEEN. (1/2)

INFO: tinyurl.com/bbay2026

"Well-behaved women seldom make history," said a Harvard historian. And SHE was damn right!

March is Women's History Month -- and we want to say THANK YOU to all women who have made Wisconsin history -- and who have created a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient community for all. #BeSeen 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Lady Symone: life as a proud trans woman Step into the glittering and resilient world of Symone Wright, widely known as performer Lady Symone, who has been making Wisconsin LGBTQ history for decades.

Growing up in Milwaukee, Symone Wright found her true self within the vibrant queer spaces of the 1980s. Today, she stands proud as both a celebrated drag pageant titleholder and a dedicated nurse. #BeSeen 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈

STORY: tinyurl.com/symone26

After five decades, local entertainer Diane "Legs" Gregory celebrates retirement Singer. Dancer. Actress. Sargeant. Bartender. Fundraiser. Activist. Icon. Since the early 1970s, Diane Gregory has played many roles in Milwaukee, both onstage and offstage.

Get to know Diane even better with this feature story from @onmilwaukee.bsky.social !

onmilwaukee.com/articles/dia...

Congratulations to our board member, Diane Gregory, who will be honored for five decades of community service at Milwaukee Bucks Pride Night on Sunday, March 15! #BeSeen 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Join us (and other local LGBTQ leaders) at Milwaukee Bucks Pride Night! TICKETS: tinyurl.com/buckspride26

From Macri Park to Ginger’s, All the Gay Bars That Have Closed in the Last Year They play a crucial role in the LGBTQ+ community, and they're disappearing.

We haven't forgotten about you, This Is It. 🥰

Trust us on that. #BeSeen

An entire generation of AIDS survivors is now struggling with a hidden epidemic - LGBTQ Nation Tez Anderson didn't understand why he was experiencing extreme stress, isolation, and nightmares until he realized he has AIDS Survivor Syndrome.

We talk a lot about the lives lost to AIDS.

It's time to start talking about the survivors. #BeSeen

Following the incredible Beacons of the Bay: experience, we are bringing the program to Milwaukee with Beacons of Brew City!

This June, we will celebrate eight living LGBTQ changemakers for their lifetime of service to our local community, history, and heritage.

STAY TUNED! #BeSeen 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

The Big Share is only TWO WEEKS AWAY!

Learn more: www.thebigshare.org/organization...

Congratulations to ALL who walked -- and those who won categories -- at Saturday's MKE KIKI ALLIANCE Mini Ball !

The looks were fierce and fabulous! We were proud to support this historic moment in Milwaukee Black excellence.

#BeSeen🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈

WISCONSIN LGBTQ LEADERS: we're diving deep into Org histories this spring -- and we need your help!

Review your listing at our website: tinyurl.com/unstoppablewi

Is your listing complete and correct?

Contact us at info@wislgbthistory.com today! #BeSeen

Court shutss down "nakedly hateful" law banning LGBTQ+ student clubs - LGBTQ Nation Republicans who supported the legislation claimed LGBTQ+-supportive clubs are “sexualizing” children.

Good.

Not just for these kids —
But for the future of Texas, America, and the world. #BeSeen🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Since Free Mom Hugs Inc. began in 2018, the Wisconsin chapter has grown to 700+ volunteers and counting.

Learn how Free Mom Hugs Wisconsin is standing up against hate and changing the world -- one hug at a time. #BeSeen 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

STORY: tinyurl.com/freemom26

@freemomhugsinc.bsky.social

We are proud to sponsor the Realness category as part of our ongoing commitment to elevate and celebrate diverse queer experiences throughout the state.

And, in this world, we could ALL use some realness! (2/2)

MILWAUKEE: tonight is the NIGHT!

Join host Baylee Davenport, Indirah Da DJ, and an all-star cast of local superstars at The Sugar Maple for the Black History Month celebration of the year. #BeSeen 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

(1/2)

Invisible No More: Black Gay Leaders Are Not Supplemental In honor of Black History Month, this essay centers the foundational role of Black LGBTQIA+ architects in shaping this nation and challenges Wisconsin to finally tell the whole truth.

We thank Ritchie T. Martin of the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center for his continuous, relentless, bolder-than-bold community leadership. #BeSeen

Garth Zimmermann: coming out at 50 After coming out, Garth found a life partner, took a stand for LGBTQ students, and reached his full potential personally and professionally.

Sometimes the most important lessons we teach aren’t in the curriculum. A story about honesty, courage, faith, and the moment one teacher chose authenticity so a student wouldn’t feel alone. ❤️🏳️‍🌈

Read Garth's story here: ourliveswisconsin.com/article/gart...

We're hard at work planning our 2026 Summer to Be Seen Tour -- and you never know where we might pop up!

LOCAL PRIDE ORGANIZERS: please take our Annual Survey, so we can include YOUR event in our summer planning! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

LINK: tinyurl.com/pridesurvey26

Check out the beautiful faces of our Beacons of the Bay: now on display at Soul purpose in Green Bay!

We are so thankful to Soul Purpose for hosting the exhibit, now through March 1, so these inspiring stories can #BeSeen in northeastern Wisconsin!

THANK YOU! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ @soulpurposegb.bsky.social

Winter Thaw Auction supports Lesbian Visibility Week 2026 We're proud to partner with the Lesbian Visibility Week Milwaukee Committee to celebrate the heritage of LGBTQ women and nonbinary people April 20-26, 2026.

Lesbian Visibility Week is coming April 20-26 -- and our local LVW Milwaukee team is planning a historic week to remember!

Help them turn up the heat -- with a bid at the Winter Thaw Auction, running now through Feb. 28. All proceeds support LVW MKE 2026!

INFO: tinyurl.com/winterthaw26

Fire and Ice: Remembering the long-lost Hotel Washington Twenty-five years after a fire burned the Hotel Washington (a hub of queer nightlife and community) to the ground, nothing remains at the former site to mark its existence. But [...]

STORY: ourliveswisconsin.com/article/24807/

Thirty.
Years.
Ago.
Today.

We remember. 💔

If our history isnt protected and preserved, it can disappear in a single unexpected moment.

We are proud to announce that our Archives & Collections team is partnering with Castaways MC this spring to digitize nearly 50 years of organizational records. #BeSeen🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️