Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project, Inc.

Independent. Inspired. Relentless. And stronger than ever.

Founded by Don Schwamb, the Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project seeks to reconnect Wisconsin with its past and inspire its future. We are independent, not-for-profit, self-funded, and entirely managed by volunteers. The Project is led by our Board of Directors and our Community Advisors, a statewide resource network of 20 diverse hometown heroes.

Since 1994, the Project has become the state’s largest digital collection of historical LGBTQ media The project provides independent consulting, walking tours, presentations, publications, media support, and research services. We produce the award-winning BeSeen podcast in collaboration with Radio Milwaukee. After ten years of researching the Black Nite Brawl, a pre-Stonewall queer uprising, we achieved civic commemoration in 2021 and official historic landmark status in 2022.

We dedicate our work to Louis Stimac (1941-1994,) gay rights activist and founding member of Gay People's Union, who is considered to be Wisconsin's first true LGBTQ historian.

The Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project Inc. is a sponsored project of the Cream City Foundation Inc., and accepts tax-exempt donations through the Foundation as our 501c3 fiscal agent.

• The Black Nite Uprising Memorial
• BeSeen Podcast
• Milwaukee Drag: Seven Generations of Glamour
• LGBT Milwaukee
• Meet our Team

• Don Schwamb
  Founder and Webmaster

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