More Articles | WI LGBTQ History Project

News Articles:

November 28, 2025

The Banji Ball is an electrifying celebration of Black and Brown culture, arts, and fashion in recognition of World AIDS Day.

August 12, 2024

Don Schwamb retires from History Project leadership

After three decades of service, our founder passes the torch to the next generation.

VIEW ALL NEWS

Blog Articles:

December 16, 2025

Pat Cummings: forging a relentless path to progress

Driven by bigger-than-life dreams, Pat Cummings became a relentless activist and accidental historian who blazed a trail from Milwaukee's gayborhood to the front lines of Chicago's AIDS crisis.

December 01, 2025

Unforgettable: Karyn Teufel

Karyn Teufel rose above the noise of fear, ignorance, and stigma to become one of the loudest voices of ACT UP Milwaukee

December 01, 2025

Unforgettable: Tommy Zalewski

Tommy's journey, from small-town Wisconsin to Castro Street, was powered by his family's unconditional love.

December 01, 2025

Unforgettable: Sue Dietz & the Milwaukee AIDS Project

Before testing, treatment, or hope, there was only panic, paranoia and death. But there was also Sue Dietz, a guardian angel fighting on the frontlines of the AIDS Crisis in Milwaukee.

December 01, 2025

Unforgettable: Wayne Benning aka Vanessa Alexandre

Unbound by anything or anyone, Wayne was a whirlwind of wit and wonder who skyrocketed to fame during Milwaukee's golden age of drag.

December 01, 2025

Unforgettable: Jason Doemel

Jason defied childhood harassment, a violent hate crime, and HIV/AIDS to live a creative, resilient, and authentic life.

October 01, 2025

Paul "Cricket" Jacob: from the farm to the front lines of the fight

He knew he was gay. He thought he didn't want to be. After a supportive caregiver cured his doubts, Cricket became an unstoppable force for change.

October 01, 2025

Mike Fitzpatrick: five decades of shaping Wisconsin's future

Since the 1980s, Mike's relentless activism has connected us on the dancefloor, in the media, and in the streets.

July 27, 2025

Buda Mizrahi: finding family on the Ballroom floor

Meet the people who are igniting Milwaukee's Ballroom House scene with passion and heat.

July 26, 2025

Legendary Chad Alain Mikli: celebrating QPOC brilliance

Meet the people who are igniting Milwaukee's Ballroom House scene with passion and heat.

July 25, 2025

Robyn Balmain: "a place where you can conquer anything"

Meet the people who are igniting Milwaukee's Ballroom House scene with passion and heat.

July 24, 2025

Aaleh Hughes: the Statement and the Sanctuary

Meet the people who are igniting Milwaukee's Ballroom House scene with passion and heat.

July 14, 2025

Bringing it to the Ball: celebrating Ballroom House in Milwaukee

Ricardo Wynn (aka Legendary MC Tee-Tee Mizrahi) shares his path to Milwaukee’s vibrant Ballroom culture.

June 30, 2025

Montell Infiniti Ross: five years of power and pride

Frustrated by the silence of local LGBTQ leadership, Montell organized the March with Pride for Black Lives Matter.

October 18, 2024

Kenya Black Dupree: give yourself a chance to live

As a high school sophomore, she was the first out trans girl to attend Milwaukee Public Schools. Decades later, she shares her triumphant story.

October 03, 2024

Evanna Breedlove: a lifetime of love and magic

Over thirty years after moving to New York City, Evanna reflects on growing up Black and trans in the dance clubs and drag cabarets of Wisconsin.

June 17, 2024

Pam Mehnert and Lisa Malmarowski: consciously coupled

"Never date someone you work with" is fairly common advice. Meet two women who've defied it.

June 14, 2024

Sandy Brown: saying 'we're here' since 1976

Even after five decades of award-winning activism, Sandy doesn't feel she's done anything significant. "I'm just persistent -- like a splinter in your shoe."