Wisconsin has a long and rich history of advocacy when it comes to LGBTQ rights, dating back well before the Stonewall Riots in 1969 spurred national activism for the queer community.
But much of the state’s history is not well-known to its residents, despite Wisconsin being a place of many “firsts” for LGBTQ individuals.
Wisconsin was the first to pass anti-discrimination legislation for the LGBTQ community, as well as the first state to elect three openly LGBTQ representatives to Congress.
While these facts only scratch the surface, here are 11 things you might not have known about Wisconsin’s LGBTQ community and its history.
1. LGBTQ recorded history in Wisconsin dates to an arrest in 1894
One of the earliest records of the LGBTQ community in Wisconsin is from Black River Falls in 1894.
Frank Blunt was arrested and jailed for one year after stealing $175 from a Milwaukee business. During his arrest, it was made known he had previously identified as a woman and was married to a woman named Gertrude Field.
Similar cases are recorded around Wisconsin, including Ralph Kerwinieo, who had “lived as a man for 13 years.” Kerwinieo was arrested for his sexual identity in 1914, and forced to wear women’s clothes or face jail time.
However, before European colonization, Indigenous tribes in Wisconsin were widely accepting of LGBTQ peoples, often referred to as “two-spirit” peoples. A 1953 study on Ho-Chunk sexuality found that the tribe had a longstanding culture of acceptance of queer individuals, who actually held many in positions of honor.
2. Before Harvey Milk, James Yeadon was elected to public office
James Yeadon became the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in Wisconsin.
In 1976, he beat 13 other candidates in a special election for Madison’s 8th Aldermanic District. Yeadon came out publicly as gay the next day, and in April 1977, he won re-election.
Seven months later, famed gay-rights activist Harvey Milk was elected to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors. While Milk was the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California, Yeadon and several others made history across the nation before Milk came into office.
3. Wisconsin was the first state to pass LGBTQ anti-discrimination laws
Wisconsin became the first state in the nation to pass a nondiscrimination law based on sexual orientation, in 1982.
AB70 was originally introduced in 1971 by Milwaukee Assemblyman Lloyd Barbee. When his term ended in 1977, the fight continued with State Rep. David Clarenbach and activist Leon Rouse. They were able to garner support from religious leaders to get the bill passed, but the law did not cover discrimination regarding sexual identity.
This made Wisconsin the only state where the law explicitly prohibited discrimination based only on sexual orientation, but allowed for discrimination based on sexual identity.
Transgender people are still seeking protection from discrimination in housing and employment almost 40 years later.
4. Milwaukee had its own version of Stonewall, eight years earlier
In 1961, four inebriated servicemen decided to check out Milwaukee’s most popular gay bar, on a dare. That was the beginning of a violent night for the Black Nite bar.
After the four harassed patrons, the four were quickly kicked out by gender-nonconforming customer Josie Carter. The servicemen soon returned with a dozen friends, intent on seeking revenge for their humiliation. What they found instead was a bar full of 75 customers ready to defend the bar.
The brawl caused more than $2,000 in damages (about $18,000 today). Although the four servicemen were arrested, charges were later dropped.
The brawl was among the worst local police had ever seen, according to the Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project, earning it the nickname “Milwaukee’s Stonewall” — even though it happened eight years before those infamous riots.
Currently, the Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project is raising donations to install a historical marker at the site of the bar. Sixty years later, the Milwaukee County executive has formally recognized that night as a historic event.
5. Emmanuel UCC was the first open and affirming church in Waukesha County
Emmanuel United Church of Christ in Oconomowoc was the first open and affirming church in Waukesha County.
The church publicly welcomed the LGBTQ community to join as full members in 2006. It also established a Pflag chapter, a support group for parents, families and allies of lesbians and gays.
Open and Affirming, OAN refers to a coalition of the United Church of Christ who have publicly declared to be open and supportive to LGBTQ individuals in all parts of its ministry. The coalition’s movement began in 1972 and has grown to more than 1,500 OAN churches and ministries with over 350,000 members in the United States. There are 26 OAN churches in Wisconsin.
6. This Is It, one of Milwaukee’s beloved gay bars, is one of the oldest in the country
This Is It, nestled in the heart of Milwaukee’s downtown on East Wells Street, is one of the top 10 oldest gay bars in the nation and the oldest LGBTQ bar in Wisconsin. Despite being surrounded by office buildings and other restaurants, it’s known to customers as their “neighborhood bar.”
Founded in 1968, original owner June Brehm wanted her LGBTQ friends and gay son, Joe Brehm, to have a safe place to enjoy themselves. According to current co-owner George Schneider, she worked hard to ensure everyone in the community could feel safe and not experience discrimination.
Joe took over the business after June’s death in 2010. His business partner, Schneider, became sole owner after Joe’s death in 2016. It was announced earlier this year that Trixie Mattel, Season 3 winner of “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars,” joined Schneider as co-owner of the bar.
7. Wisconsin was the first state to have three openly LGBTQ elected officials
Wisconsin was the first state in the nation to elect three openly gay members of the U.S. Congress.
The three members are Rep. Steve C. Gunderson, 1981-97; Rep. Tammy Baldwin, 1999-2013; and Rep. Mark Pocan 2013-present.
Pocan is also the first LGBTQ member of Congress to replace another LGBTQ member of Congress. He replaced Tammy Baldwin in 2013 when she became a U.S. senator.
8. Steve C. Gunderson was outed on the house floor — then reelected
Steve C. Gunderson was the first openly gay member of the Republican Party to be reelected to Congress after being unwillingly outed.
In 1994, while debating on the house floor, fellow Republican Bob Dornan of California outed Gunderson in an attempt to shame him in the eyes of the public. Dornan would later tell several newspapers it was his “duty” to “expose … and destroy” queer Republicans such as Gunderson.
Despite this, and the GOP’s traditional opposition to gay rights, Gunderson was re-elected that same year. He served in the House of Representatives from 1980-97 representing Wisconsin’s 3rd District.
While in Congress, Gunderson also served as the House Republican chief deputy whip from 1989-93. He is credited for his anti-discrimination work and fostering acceptance of LGBTQ individuals while in office.
9. Milwaukee had infamous ‘drag queen wars’
Drag shows continue to be a place of expression and entertainment for the LGBTQ community, and Wisconsin is no exception.
Club Two-Nineteen (now Club 219) was the top space for these shows in Milwaukee during the mid-1980s and regularly sold out. Other bars started to take notice, and Milwaukee local George Prentice decided to start his own drag show at his club LaCage.
Only six blocks separated the two venues, and competition became fierce. According to legendary drag performer B.J. Daniels, owners of Club Two-Nineteen would pay drag queens and kings to not perform at other bars.
This strategy resulted in the performers not only being exclusive but becoming more elaborate in their stage performances.
10. Milwaukee has been dubbed an ‘underappreciated gay Mecca’
LGBTQ magazine “The Advocate” shone a spotlight on Milwaukee in 2016.
The magazine, established in 1967, is the oldest and largest LGBTQ-centered publication in the country. When it reviewed the book “LGBT Milwaukee” by historian and Oak Creek native Michail Takach, Milwaukee got a major shoutout as “the most underappreciated gay Mecca in the U.S.”
“People wouldn’t expect Milwaukee to have a long and colorful LGBTQ history, dating back nearly 100 years, but here’s the proof,” said Takach, referencing his book.
11. Nationally acclaimed GPU started right here in Wisconsin
In 1971, students at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee founded the Gay Peoples Union (GPU). It soon rose to become the most prominent gay rights organization in Milwaukee and later published a news outlet called GPU News, which gained national recognition.
The group’s purpose was to help educate the community about gays, lesbians and other members of the LGBTQ community. Some of the group’s accomplishments include:
- Producing the first gay and lesbian scripted program in the nation called Gay Perspective.
- From 1971-81, publishing a monthly magazine centered on gay issues.
- Establishing Milwaukee’s first gay and lesbian community center.
- Opening the first gay health clinic, which later became BESTD Clinic.
Contact Victoria Magee at (414) 223-5368 or vmagee@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @VictoriaMagee20.
Samantha Hendrickson can be reached at 414-223-5383 or shendrickson@jrn.com. Follow her on Twitter at @samanthajhendr.
