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Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project @wislgbtqhistory.bsky.social · 11h

John Erickson graduated from Ripon HIgh School in 2004. Guided by personal responsibility, he found purpose and power in community service.

Twenty years later, he was a guest of honor at the Ripon Pride Rally -- and the mayor of West Hollywood.

Here's his story: tinyurl.com/erickson25

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Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project @wislgbtqhistory.bsky.social · 14h

NEXT WEEK!

Join us at Green Bay's Lion's Mouth Bookstore as we welcome author Erik Piepenburg back to Green Bay!

Erik will be speaking with the magnificent Martha Marvel about the role of Napalese Lounge & Grille and other LGBTQ restaurants in shaping our culture and community.

#BeSeen🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Wisconsin readers get a taste of "Dining Out"

Author Erik Piepenburg brings his book tour to Green Bay and Madison this October -- and you're invited!

www.wislgbthistory.com

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Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project @wislgbtqhistory.bsky.social · 15h

"When tyranny becomes law, rebellion becomes duty."
#BeSeen 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Wisconsin unveils a beautiful set of rainbow crosswalks as other states backtrack - GayCities

"To anyone who sees these rainbows as a 'divisive' or 'political' symbol, we ask 'who made them political — and WHY?'”

www.gaycities.com

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Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project @wislgbtqhistory.bsky.social · 16h

Throughout October, we are celebrating our Beacons of the Bay: eight living elders who have made Green Bay a better place to live, work, play, and love.

STORY: tinyurl.com/beaconlola

Mistruss Lola: celebrating 55 years of drag and defiance

One of Wisconsin's oldest and longest-performing drag queen shares her story

tinyurl.com

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Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project @wislgbtqhistory.bsky.social · 16h

"I attended the first Pride parade in the nation. I was there -- for the first time out in public as ME -- on June 27, 1970. Not in a club, not on a stage. Out in the street."

Today, on this day of days, we honor Lola Zak, whose life has been a lesson in righteous defiance. #BeSeen 🏳️‍🌈🏳 (1/2)

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Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project @wislgbtqhistory.bsky.social · 1d

Shout out to John D'Emilio and Gerber Hart of Chicago!

#BeSeen 🏳️‍🌈�

Chicago LGBTQ+ historian explains pivotal moments that shaped the community

In Chicago, LGBTQ+ historian John D'Emilio has been writing and researching about the community for five decades.

abc7chicago.com

Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project @wislgbtqhistory.bsky.social · 1d

LGBT History Month has been celebrated every October since 1984.

Meet Rodney Wilson, the devoted educator who made it all possible! #BeSeen 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

The Place Where LGBT History Month Began | I Am St. Louis

YouTube video by Nine PBS

youtu.be

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Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project @wislgbtqhistory.bsky.social · 2d

She's nearly 80 years old -- and she's still walking in four-inch heels!

Meet Champagne Beige, whose stunning six-decade drag career propelled her from La Crosse to Las Vegas and beyond.

Here's her story: tinyurl.com/champagne25

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Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project @wislgbtqhistory.bsky.social · 2d

On #SpiritDay we stand against bullying -- and support every LGBTQ youth's right to safely #BeSeen. 💜

INFO: glaad.org/spiritday

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Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project @wislgbtqhistory.bsky.social · 2d

Heading to Open House Chicago this weekend?

Explore LGBTQ history at two very special local sites! #BeSeen

Open House Chicago to feature Center on Halsted, Gerber/Hart for first time - Windy City Times

Open House Chicago is offering a look inside two of Chicago’s major LGBTQ+ organizations this year, giving participants a chance to learn more about the city’s queer community and history. The Gerber/...

windycitytimes.com

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Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project @wislgbtqhistory.bsky.social · 2d

They sure do.

And rightly so. #BeSeen 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Milwaukee’s Rainbow Crosswalks Defy National Backlash

As cities nationwide move to erase street murals, Milwaukee has installed two new rainbow crosswalks in defiance.

www.metroweekly.com

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Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project @wislgbtqhistory.bsky.social · 2d

It’s getting chilly out there, Wisconsin…

Time to fill your mug with some Rainbow Roast, now available from Luna Coffee! Customize your online order for home delivery — and a portion of the proceeds will support the Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project.

INFO: tinyurl.com/rainbowroast25

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Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project @wislgbtqhistory.bsky.social · 3d

Thank you to the NBC OUT writers and editors who helped the stories of our communities #BeSeen!

We are VERY sad to see you go.

Breaking: NBC lays off teams of journalists focused on marginalized communities, ending NBC Out & NBC BLK

NBC News has fired journalists who reported on Black, Latino, Asian and LGBTQ+ communities.

www.advocate.com

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Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project @wislgbtqhistory.bsky.social · 3d

This month, we're celebrating eight living LGBTQ elders who have made northeastern Wisconsin a better place to live, work, play and love.

Join us in celebrating our Beacons of the Bay! #BeSeen 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

STORY: www.wislgbthistory.com/news/beacons...

Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project @wislgbtqhistory.bsky.social · 3d

Score one for inclusive, authentic, and increasingly diverse local history!

#BeSeen 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Perseverance recognized: Milwaukee Chinese Laundry Era commemorated with historical marker

A historical marker was installed at the YWCA on King Drive to honor the former site of a Chinese laundry and the importance of the trade between the late 1800s and 1980s.

www.jsonline.com

Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project @wislgbtqhistory.bsky.social · 4d

Have you ever heard of UW-Madison’s Haresfoot Club — bringing drag to Wisconsin stages since 1899?

#BeSeen🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

How the era of 'men were men' birthed America's first drag superstars

In the 1910s and 1920s, drag musicals were just as popular as football on college campuses and in male-only social clubs, writes historian Andrew Erdman.

www.advocate.com

Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project @wislgbtqhistory.bsky.social · 4d

#BeSeen🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project @wislgbtqhistory.bsky.social · 4d

We’ve met the survivors.
We’ve heard their stories.
We’ve seen their scars.

We’ve seen and heard enough.
BAN CONVERSION THERAPY in Wisconsin. Forever. #BeSeen 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

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Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project @wislgbtqhistory.bsky.social · 4d

On the *SAME DAY* we brought the rainbows home, South Beach, FL demolished theirs -- and Texas ordered five cities to do the same.

To our donors, we say THANK YOU: it's never been more important to #BeSeen -- and YOU made that possible in Wisconsin.

STORY: www.wislgbthistory.com/news/thank-y...

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Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project @wislgbtqhistory.bsky.social · 4d

A new history podcast?
Starring Hugh Ryan and PEPPERMINT?
SIGN. US. UP. ❤️

podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/q... podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/q...

Queer 101

Education Podcast · Hosted by LGBTQ+ activist and world-renowned entertainer Miss Peppermint, alongside celebrated queer historian and author Hugh Ryan, this podcast is your weekly deep dive into the ...

podcasts.apple.com

Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project @wislgbtqhistory.bsky.social · 4d

It's LGBTQ History Month -- and our friends at the Milwaukee Public Museum are taking us Beyond Binaries!

Take a 45-minute guided tour of gender expression, including Wisconsin Two Spirit identity, throughout history.

Tours are $10 -- but they're selling fast! TICKETS: tinyurl.com/beyondbinari...

Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project @wislgbtqhistory.bsky.social · 4d

Are you following @gaybarchives ?

What are you waiting for? #BeSeen 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

GayBarchives keeps our history on the record — and our memories alive - News Is Out

Art Smith’s GayBarchives project is preserving the history of LGBTQ+ bars worldwide, keeping the stories and spaces that built queer community alive.

newsisout.com

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Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project @wislgbtqhistory.bsky.social · 4d

Throughout October, we are celebrating our Beacons of the Bay: eight living elders who have made Green Bay a better place to live, work, play, and love.

Today, we honor Joseph Ray Torres, who shares his journey as a Two Spirit educator and advocate. #BeSeen 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

STORY: tinyurl.com/beacontorres

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Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project @wislgbtqhistory.bsky.social · 5d

Over 90% of anti-LGBTQ bills never succeed in becoming laws.

But these bills do succeed in doing something equally harmful: scaring LGBTQ people into becoming unseen. #BeSeen🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Survey finds LGBTQ+ adults have taken steps to become less visible given political climate

Even though 92% of anti-LGBTQ bills don't become law, survey respondents said they still do harm.

www.jsonline.com

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Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project @wislgbtqhistory.bsky.social · 5d

Like the summer, like the winter, like the rain and snow, Two Spirit people have always been part of Wisconsin — and always will be.

Today, we honor Two Spirit heritage — and the heritage of all Indigenous people who’ve ever lived on these lands. #BeSeen

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