Start seeing rainbows!

On Thursday, July 31, the City of Milwaukee Paint the Pavement program approved our application for rainbow crosswalks at the intersection of 2nd and National in Walker's Point.

The project, which will be entirely privately funded by donors, sponsors, and grants, will be installed in October to honor National LGBT History Month. As part of our new LGBTQ Landmarks program, the crosswalks will be maintained by the History Project in partnership with local business owners.

Partnering with renowned street artist Jeremy Novy and Crowley Construction, the new crosswalks will honor the changemakers who've been creating safe spaces for our community for over eight decades.

• The Friendly Bar, Walker's Point's first known "gay bar," opened at 819 S. 2nd St. in December 1944 to welcome returning WWII servicemen seeking same.
• Nite Beat (901 W. National Ave.) opened in 1959 as the first known lesbian bar.
• Your Place (813 S. 1st St.,) opened in summer 1965 by Jim Dorn, Jerry Stinson, and Dorn's parents, was the first gay bar in Milwaukee owned by a gay couple.

Today, Walker's Point is home to the city's seven surviving queer spaces, as well as a thriving collection of diverse businesses.

"These crosswalks are a symbol of inclusion," said Bill Wardlow, community advisor to the History Project and owner/operator of Fluid Bar (819 S. 2nd St.) "They will send a message of safety and belonging to those who live here and those visiting from all over the world. They are a reminder that here in Walker's Point, you are home."

We've set up a special Bring the Rainbows Home Fund to subsidize installation costs and ongoing maintenance. Make your tax-deductible donation online (via PayPal, Venmo, credit or debit card) or by mail at the address below:

Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project
Bring The Rainbows Home Fund
315 W Court St
Milwaukee WI 53212

"Our crosswalks honor the long, colorful history of Walker's Point, and those pioneers who created and held space for us for so long," said Dave Wolz, owner/operator of La Cage (801 S. 2nd St.) "We carry forward historic legacies that started long before us, and a strong, visible, and vocal neighborhood ensures they will continue long after us."

"We should all take pride in being seen at this very, very important time."

Watch for additional updates as the installation timeline is finalized.

Questions? Contact us.