Constellation of Care fundraiser ignites the skies with hope

"Only when it's darkest can you see the stars." - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

On Monday, February 9, the U.S. Department of the Interior removed pride flags from the Stonewall National Monument in New York City under orders of the federal government. These flags had flown proudly for a decade -- since the monument's dediction on June 24, 2016.

This action followed earlier acts of erasure, including the February 2025 removal of over 100 mentions of  transgender ("T") and queer ("Q") identities from federal websites, eliminating the important role of gender-diverse individuals in the Stonewall Uprising and ongoing LGBTQ equality movement.  

New Yorkers considered this an "act of violence" against the city's LGBTQ population, history, and heritage.

"New York is the birthplace of the modern LGBTQ rights movement, and no act of erasure will ever change or silence that history," wrote Mayor Zohran Mamdani. "Our city has a duty not just to honor this legacy, but to live up to it."

The flag was defiantly restored on Thursday, February 12, through the coalition of the Stonewall Inn, local activists, Mayor Mamdani, Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal, U.S. Representative Dan Goldman, Senators Erik Bottcher and Brian Kavanagh, and State Assembly members Deborah Glick and Tony Simone.

However, the fact remains:  our history and heritage is under attack. Symbols of our existence are under attack. 

And these attacks will just keep on coming.

Taking a stand for Wisconsin

While Stonewall is historically significant, it was neither the beginning of our history nor the beginning of our fight for equality.  

In fact, many LGBTQ firsts happened right here in Wisconsin, including the first collective action against homophobia (The Black Nite Brawl of 1961,) the first federal lawsuit for marriage equality (Burkett and Evans, 1971,) and the first state law banning discrimination against gay and lesbian citizens (The Gay Rights Law of 1982.). 

However, LGBTQ history is not taught in Wisconsin schools, rarely taught in Wisconsin faith communities, and is increasingly unspoken even in Wisconsin families.

"Yes, we all have much to be proud about in Wisconsin," said Michail Takach, president of the Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project.  "But pride alone is not enough to protect us.  We can choose to take action to protect our heritage, or we can choose to stand by and watch it gradually disappear."

At the Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project, we embrace our duty to defend our shared legacy.  There are likely many other "Wisconsin firsts" that we don't yet know about.  However, if we allow our history to be erased -- in any way, shape, or form -- we won't move forward with our research.  We'll return to a world where our history cannot be known and our people cannot safely BE SEEN.

Since 1994, we've documented over 550 queer historic sites throughout Wisconsin.  Following the Black Nite Rising Monument of 2024 and the Rainbow Crosswalks of 2025, we've launched a statewide LGBTQ Landmarks Program to continue commemorating our historic spaces, their founders, and the impact these places had on shaping our community.

We have been fortunate to have strong civic support on the state, county, and local level.  On the same day we installed our Rainbow Crosswalks, Florida removed theirs in two cities, and the Governor of Texas ordered six cities to remove theirs as well.  We cannot be complacent or comfortable -- because support can vanish in a single election.

We cannot continue this work without your help.  And that's why we've launched our Spring Fundraiser, the Constellation of Care.

Join the Constellation

Constellation of Care is our annual community-driven fundraising campaign that elevates and celebrates our heritage.

This year's goal is $10,000, which supports four new Historic Markers throughout Wisconsin (Milwaukee, Wausau, Green Bay, and Madison.) The History Project assumes all costs associated with the application, approval, creation, dedication, and maintenance of each marker.

From now through March 31, customers -- at nearly 30 participating businesses throughout Wisconsin -- will have the opportunity to honor an LGBTQ loved one with a "star" in two sizes ($1 - small, $5 - large.). Businesses will display the stars throughout the campaign and report weekly totals to the History Project.

Online donations can be made remotely in any amount, at any time, at our website using a credit card, debit card, PayPal or Venmo.

All donations support the LGBTQ Landmarks program, which funds not only Wisconsin Historic Markers, but rainbow crosswalks, museum exhibits, pop-up memorials, and the preservation and restoration of historic queer spaces (including the ongoing rebirth of the Catherine Foley / Wreck Room Saloon.)   

The Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project is a 501c3 non-profit registered with the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions. As a result, all donations are tax-deductible to the full extent provided by federal law. We recommend speaking to your financial advisors with any specific tax questions.

We thank all participating businesses for being seen -- and for being part of the CONSTELLATION!

Want to get involved?  Any business willing to support the campaign can join us!  Contact project leaders Dan Terrio and Bill Wardlow at info@wislgbthistory.com. 

Questions? Contact us!