Michail is a historian, author, reporter and communications professional. Since earning his masters in communications and history at UW, Michail has worked in the History Project for the past 15 years, writing numerous articles for various outlets, two books on LGBT history, "LGBT Milwaukee" and "A History of Milwaukee Drag: Seven Generations of Glamour" (working on a third), and for ten years was communications director for Milwaukee Pride (Pridefest).
Don has held leadership roles or other roles in numerous Milwaukee LGBT organizations, notably as president of CCF, president of GAMMA, first vice president of ARCW, and roles in Milw LGBT Community Center, BESTD Clinic, and others. He is also a building preservationist. Don founded the History Project in 1994 as a personal hobby, creating the website in 1997, originally as the 'Milwaukee LGBT History Project'. Don has always embraced collaboration and working with others to preserve and disseminate factual information about Wisconsin’s LGBTQ community without charge to the public.
B.J. Daniels has a long history with the LGBTQ community. For over 40 years their name has been synonymous with the best in drag entertainment in Wisconsin. The winner of numerous citations, as well as civic awards over the years, they are also the co/author of "A History of Milwaukee Drag: Seven Generations of Glamour" available wherever books are sold.
B.J. is proud to be a board member of the nationally recognized Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project as they dedicate themselves to preserving and recording the stories from our state wide community.
Diane, known by many simply as 'Legs', was a pioneering and popular member of Milwaukee's women's community: as a stage performer, as a bartender, as a sports team member, as an activist and fundraiser, from the 1970s to the 2020's. She was involved with some of the most well known LGBT bars of that 50-plus-year period, including The original Factory, D.K.'s and Kathy's Nut Hut.
A native of SE Wisconsin, her passion areas include: LGBTQIA2S+ community outreach, programming and history. She enjoys volunteering, presenting on LGBTQIA2S+ topics and building community partnerships. She has a Master’s Degree in Student Personnel Administration, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design/Illustration. Nicole and her wife have a lot of animals that they lovingly call: “the zoo.” There are 8 animals in total - four cats and four dogs.
We envision ourselves to be an open project and a central repository for the findings of any LGBTQ historians interested in sharing their knowledge. As such we have formed an Advisory Panel of people from around the state and beyond who would help promote and provide information on Wisconsin’s LGBTQ history. We continue to actively look for people to broaden our exposure and share more stories and experiences.
Members of this Panel are welcome to submit information on any aspect of people, places, events, or organizations that are part of the LGBTQ tapestry in the state, with full credit going to participants on those pages to which they contribute.
Stephanie's contribution to LGBTQ progress includes decades of service as a liaison to the Milwaukee Police Department (MPD). Her expertise and advocacy extends to serving with the Lesbian Alliance of Metro Milwaukee (LAMM), Human Rights League (HRL), and the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center.
Nate is a media professional committed to amplifying the state’s LGBTQ+ history. He partnered with the History Project on ‘Be Seen’, a two season podcast exploring the notable people and milestones in Wisconsin’s queer history, and is currently the senior digital editor at Wisconsin Public Radio in Madison.
Patrick is an assistant professor of journalism and Director of Student Media at Marquette University. He focuses much of his time analyzing news literacy, journalism practice, and journalism education, with a focus on LGBTQ knowledge production and representation in journalism and trust in news.
Ty has been involved with multiple LGBTQ community organizations over the years, including Gay People's Union, Black & White Men Together, and SSBL. Over the years, Ty has DJ'd in Milwaukee, Madison, and abroad.
Amy has a passion for fostering inclusive communities, advocating for visibility, equality, and empowerment within the LGBTQ community. Through Bi+ Pride Milwaukee, she strives to celebrate the diverse spectrum of identities within the bisexual, pansexual and non-monosexual communities.
Víctor is Professor of History and Race, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at UW-La Crosse, where he also serves as Faculty Fellow for Diversity and Inclusion in the College of Arts, Social Sciences, and Humanities. His research and publications focus on U.S. and Mexican LGBTQ+ history.
Cass Marie has been a part of the drag entertainment industry and LGBTQ+ community for over thirty years. Being both transgender and HIV positive, she advocates for others, whether it be adults or youth. Having overcome addiction herself, she has been able to live a healthier lifestyle for over 20 years.
Mark has been making Wisconsin LGBTQ history for decades. He formerly owned Za's Video Bar and the Historic West Theatre, as well as publishing QUEST Magazine for 25 years. He has served with Rainbow Over Wisconsin, and currently owns the Tarlton Theatre and ‘At the Tracks’ LGBTQ bar in Green Bay.
Audrey is a host, producer, and reporter for Lake Effect on WUWM 89.7 FM - Milwaukee's NPR. She especially enjoys covering topics that involve history, the LGBTQ community, and film. Audrey is also co-executive producer of ‘Live at Lake Effect’, a filmed music series.
Steve is the lead archivist at the Milwaukee County Historical Society, assisting researchers, processing collections, managing interns and volunteers and property management. He has previously volunteered with the Wauwatosa Historical Society and Marquette University.
Dan is one of the founding members of Kenosha Pride where he now serves as president. Dan works as the Business Manager for Holton Street Clinic in Milwaukee. He graduated from Carthage College with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Sociology, and Criminal Justice, and is a legal observer for the ACLU of Wis.
Ulysses is an independent scholar with a passion for LGBTQ history. In his ongoing project “Transgender Ancestors,” he traces the lives and family histories of gender nonconforming people from the 1840s to 1940s. A lifelong Minnesotan, he fell in love with Wisconsin’s LGBTQ history while working on his project.
Justis is an LGBTQ advocate who has served the Northeastern Wisconsin queer community in roles with N.E.W. Pride (formerly Pride Alive), Bay Area Council on Gender Diversity, and the 12-state LGBTQ Equity Challenge. He also co-led the creation of Green Bay's first outdoor LGBTQ Mural at Napalese Lounge.
Dan is a member of the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians in Northcentral Wisconsin and grew up on an Indian Reservation. He is an accomplished, award-winning National and TED Certified motivational speaker and trainer, and currently works as the Diversity and Inclusion Manager for Milwaukee County.
Tiffany currently serves the City of Milwaukee's Department of Employee Relations. Tiffany is a founding member of The Hive, the city's LGBTQ employee resource group, and was the keynote speaker at our National LGBT History Month ceremony at Milwaukee City Hall in October 2023.
Moving to Milwaukee in the mid-1980s, Bill was drawn to the sports leagues, especially softball and the gay tennis league. While evolving from bartender to bar owner of Fluid bar, he continues to advocate on for gay marriage, LGBT inclusivity, and fundraise for countless causes that affect our community.
Kristen works in digital preservation and community and indigenous archives, including the Madison LGBTQ+ Archive and the LGBTQ+ Religious Archives Network. She is co-author of the book ‘We Will Always Be Here: A Guide for Exploring and Understanding LGBTQ+ Activism in Wisconsin’.
Ricardo has served in an advisory capacity on several local community based organization initiatives throughout Wisconsin. In his daily work, Ricardo works for the Milwaukee County Office of Equity, building capacity for community outreach and engagement, developing standard practices and frameworks.
Kathy has worked as an activist, advocate and community organizer focused on anti-racism, working in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Previously with Harmony Café, the Appleton Mayor’s Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator, and Diverse & Resilient, she now works independently.
(Deceased): Tempest Heat was a staple in the Wisconsin Drag community for over 15 years. Tempest was an advocate and community supporter for years before becoming a performer. Tempest joined us as a Community Advisor with a depth of knowledge not only about the Wisconsin drag community, but specifically, the black LGBTQ community. He unfortunately passed away Jan. 2, 2024.
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