"When Goldie Adams says, 'follow me, kid," you do what you're told!"
"Always stand up for who you are and advocate for your rights and the rights of your community. Get involved and help others."
These wise words come from Chad Bowman, also known as "Packer Chad," a longtime mover and shaker in the LGBTQ scene of his birthplace, Milwaukee.
Chad always knew he was different, but it was in eighth grade that he realized he was gay.
He has Native American heritage from the Stockbridge Munsee band of Mohicans, with ancestors hailing from upstate New York, which has always influenced his understanding of himself and others.
"In my culture, we refer to ourselves as 'Two-Spirits,' embodying both masculine and feminine energies. I've been fortunate to be fully accepted by my family and friends in the tribe."
Moving and shaking
Bowman's first time exploring the downtown gay scene was on a sweltering summer night in 1983. He was 16 years old and curious.
"I tried to get into the original Factory Disco, but owner Chuck Cicirello and Tiny, the burly doorman, wouldn't let me in. They knew I was using my brother's ID."
Suddenly, drag queen Goldie Adams and her friend Areeba strolled by and asked him why he was outside. After he explained the ID and recognized how young and in need of a friend he was, Goldie said, 'Follow me, kid.' They took him in, and he had a blast.
"When I came out, there were 21 gay and lesbian bars, but that number has dwindled to just 7. The rise of the internet and cell phones changed the Milwaukee bar scene. Those venues used to serve as our version of Facebook and Instagram."
In Chad's estimation, people went to bars for three reasons: to meet friends, get drunk, or hook up—often all three. The gay culture in the 1980s was more of a special club that was open 7 nights a week.
When he wasn't going out enjoying Milwaukee nightlife, he also took pride in fulfilling his childhood dream of becoming a professional wrestler. This dream was something many doubted he could achieve.
" I started training in a boxing ring at UCC when I was sixteen. I initially performed as a Native American character named Billy Bold Eagle, then switched to a flamboyant heel, Fabulous Fabian. I enjoyed five great years in wrestling but eventually quit, realizing that I was too small, and that the industry favored larger, more imposing wrestlers."
Bowman was named the Midwest Wrestling Association (MWA) Rookie of the Year in 1985 and won the light-heavyweight championship on three occasions. He still has the championship belt as a memento of that chapter of his life and says there were no regrets when he stepped away from the mat. He knew his outgoing personality and work ethic would provide many amazing opportunities in the future.
That sense of self would prove valuable as the next few years became more tumultuous.
During that time in professional wrestling, during the AIDS epidemic, he was openly gay, and nobody in the business cared. They were supportive and respectful, often overprotective of him. So, his simple existence helped to bridge understanding with the straight world.
In the razzle-dazzle of the bar scene, Chad formed lifelong alliances with those he met.
"I had great friends who loved me for who I was, like Goldie Adams, Mandy McCall, and Lana St. James, as well as Al Thomas from the Triangle."
He found a fantastic support group in the SSBL gay softball league and the vibrant social scene at the time. In 1988, he took a bartending job at the Triangle Bar.
"It was a fun time at that bar. Al (Thomas) was always generous and did much for the people he served."
The toughest times for him came when he suddenly started losing friends to AIDS, often referred to as "the gay cancer" at the time.
"It was a challenging era for our community, and there was a lot of violence against gay individuals after bar hours. Many victims avoided reporting to the authorities, knowing that the police would likely not help."
The rise of Chastity Belt
Using his wrestling and bartending as a base for theatrics, he began performing drag in 1989. The legendary drag queen and professional grouch Doris Delago made him a dress for the "Rona's Around the World" show at the famous M&M Club. He performed "Harper Valley PTA," and this is where his comedic character, Chastity Belt, was born. Charlotte Lorraine and Boo Boo at the M&M Club would often call the young performer, "Belt me in the lamb chops!"
As a comedy performer in drag, he states, "I don't foresee 'Vegas-style' shows making a comeback, like the ones at La Cage or Club 219."
"Today, performers often clash, with everyone wanting to take the lead role, in contrast to the past when they collaborated to create spectacular shows. I miss those times."
One of his favorite drag elders, campy queen Ronnie Marks (RIP), epitomized this type of comedy and significantly influenced his Chastity Belt character. Appearing on the WISN-TV Channel 12 show "Milwaukee's Talking" with drag superstar Rona (Ron Thaite,) alongside the talents of Mimi Marks and Miss B.J. Daniels is one of his fondest memories.
Chad notes that drag has transformed into a more cabaret style over the years, moving away from traditional "female impersonation." While he acknowledges that the younger generation is incredibly creative and brings amazing costumes, he also feels that the overkill of drag has taken a toll.
"Once you've seen one drag performance, you've seen them all today. The classic performers from the golden era of drag had more distinct styles and images, in my opinion."
His past reveals a well-lived life that included performing in drag shows, playing softball with the gay softball league, and socializing at many LGBTQ bars that flourished in Milwaukee during his youth. The yearly ritual of getting dressed up for the Mr. and Miss Gay Wisconsin "Pageant" at the Marc Plaza was an annual highlight for him until the contest ended its decades-old run.
"I also cherished participating in fundraising events like 'Possum Queen' for ARCW and MAPFEST."
You may have seen him marching in the Milwaukee Pride Parade recently, donning his version of Two-Spirit symbolism reflected in his heritage. You can't miss him in these colorful costumes.
"I miss the camaraderie we had in our community; we were incredibly tight knit." he laments.
Chad Bowman attended Milwaukee Tech, MATC, and Truman College, where he studied Communications.
He works in the service industry and has a background in professional wrestling.
He also raises money for local charities at Clementine's Tavern, where he bartends, and other venues.
The concept for this web site was envisioned by Don Schwamb in 2003. Over the next 15 years, he was the sole researcher, programmer and primary contributor.
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The concept for this web site was envisioned by Don Schwamb in 2003, and over the next 15 years, he was the sole researcher, programmer and primary contributor, bearing all costs for hosting the web site personally.
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