Together, we can make sure our history will BE SEEN.
Visibility is power. When communities are targeted, their landmarks become powerful spiritual destinations.
LGBTQ historic markers truly serve everyone: they inspire knowledge, understanding, compassion, empathy, and advocacy in unexpected, ongoing and immeasurable ways.
However, there are now over 660 Wisconsin state historic markers, and only one of them - the Black Nite Rising monument - honors the historic contributions of the LGBTQ community.
We must be the change we want to see in Wisconsin.
Our Landmarks Program creates real-world experiental destinations where history is alive, visible, unfiltered, and accessible to all. Our strategic program weaves the fabric of our colorful history into a statewide tapestry of pride.
The Landmarks Program currently includes:
- Black Nite Uprising Historic Marker (401 N. Plankinton, Milwaukee) honoring the first LGBTQ uprising in Wisconsin history;
- Walker's Point Rainbow Crosswalks (801 S. 2nd St, Milwaukee) honoring Jim Dorn, founder of Milwaukee's first gay-owned bar;
- This Is It Historic Marker (418 E. Wells St., Milwaukee) honoring the longest-running gay bar in Wisconsin history. (Coming in 2025)
Additional statewide landmarks will be announced in Q1 2026.
All landmarks are privately funded with no taxpayer investment. We graciously accept tax-exempt donations to support care and maintenance for existing landmarks, as well as design, approval, and installation of new ones. We are an independent non-profit organization organized and operated exclusively for the purposes of education, charitable giving, and public good, as defined in section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code.
Together, we are truly unstoppable.
Contact Us
By E-mail: info@wislgbthistory.com
By Mail:
Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project
315 W. Court St
Milwaukee WI 53212
