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Opened and owned by Dean Dayton and his mother Vera, the Blue Lite was a Sheboygan fixture for many years, and the go-to place for the area surrounding Sheboygan as well as a near-mandatory stop for guys driving between Green Bay and Milwaukee for gay bar stops. It held great parties and was always a fun time for dancing or shows.

According to one of the last owners, Melissa, Blue Lite was named because in Nazi Germany it was illegal to be gay and generally frowned upon, so anyone operating a 'gay bar' would display a blue light when they knew there was no Nazi in the bar; thus a 'blue lite' signaled a safe space for its patrons.

The Blue Lite was, according to their Facebook page in 2020, "providing a safe fun environment for gay people since 1992", while on Yelp the listing read "We have been in business since 1992 providing our customers with a safe and fun experience. Primarily gay, but welcoming and friendly for all.".

In February-March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, and the bar (along with millions of other bars, restaurants and other businesses around the world) was temporarily forced to close in March 2020 to reduce the spread of the disease. When it reopened around July 2020, legal capacity was temporarily greatly reduced and customers had to remain seated with social distancing and face mask use by staff and customers enforced. Through the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years holidays, crowds were essentially banned and (like all bars) the ambiance was subdued.

COVID restrictions were gradually reduced, and around June 1, 2021, mask use by those vaccinated was often lifted (at the discretion of management) and capacity limits raised back to pre-pandemic levels. Blue Lite had survived the pandemic-- but many bars and restaurants across the country had been forced to close permanently, having been unable to sustain a year or more of no or greatly reduced business. Even such national gay bar landmarks as The Stonewall and Julius' in New York City had nearly gone under. The bar landscape was drastically changed.

Blue Lite's end came suddenly. The bar's website, "thebluelite.com", had gone blank some time earlier. The bar's Facebook page had the intro posted as "Sheboygan's most historic LGBTQ+ bar/nightclub. Founded in 1992. Dedicated to providing a safe and fun environment for the LGBTQ+ community for over 30 years." But on August 8, 2024, the bar posted the following on their page:

With joy we announce that after 32 years this weekend will be Blue Lite's last. When Dean and Vera opened in 1992 gay people needed a place to be gay. Now LGBT+ people are welcomed across the city of Sheboygan and no longer need Blue Lite. We extend warm thanks to everyone who has been part of Blue Lite's family and hope to see many of you this weekend. We open at 7 today through Sunday. With Love, Hans and Melissa

Hans (a gay man) and Melissa (a trans woman) were the last owners, having taken over from Jonathan Meins and David Paul Black, who had inherited the bar after original owner Dean Dayton's death in 2014.

Barely a month before, the bar had touted the "First ever Open Mic" session on June 23, saying "Open Mic Rocked yesterday. Thank you Mike Bucholtz and all the musicians who came to play:) Sunday, July 21 we'll do it again. Look for us on the third Sunday of the month after that." And just a week before, Milwaukee's "Hamburger Mary's" bar/ restaurant had closed (ostensibly looking to find a new location). But LGBTQ bars and restaurants had been gradually closing around the country, many for a similar reason: as more mainstream businesses welcomed LGBTQ people, LGBTQ-only businesses seemed less needed.

What will the future look like for gay bars?

(A posting on the Blue Lite's Facebook page on August 13 read: "Thank you everyone who came in to say goodbye to Blue Lite last weekend. We are in the process of rebranding and will reopen soon as a live music venue with bands, open mics, karaoke, and curated music selections. We will remain a safe and affirming space for the LGBT+ community." Reports are the location will have new owners and a new name as a live music venue, and while LGBTQ welcoming, will not be an LGBTQ space per-se.)

Recollections: The following are recollections of others who have been kind enough to submit their personal memories to the webmaster. You are welcome to do the same!

Dean & Vera were wonderful human beings and I have some fond memories at this establishment. It was an honor to be your Miss Gay Lakeshore Wisconsin USofA 2008 (Bryanna Banx on Facebook)

I only lived in Sheboygan a short time, but during a very pivotal time in my life. I was living alone for the first time, starting a real job, turning 21, and coming to terms with being gay. The Blue Lite was there for me. I was lost but found my people there. The staff and patrons were overly welcoming and a great sounding board. I even met my first partner there. There is still a place for safe spaces for us to come together. (Matthew W. on Facebook)

I have lots of wonderful memories of Blue Lite. I remember being freshly 21 and having been excited to go to the openly gay bar in town for a long time. I'm glad I got to go one last time and see the place at least. Thank you Blue Lite, not only for the memories and community that you've helped build but for also the safe space you gave to us and every other LGBT+ person who came to stop by. We will miss you (Phoenix T. on Facebook)

This is so sad! This was only one bar in town that you knew of as a safe place for LGBT+. The people I met at this bar were so fun and ready to party. I thank God that the few friends that were gay had a place to go and be safe to meet more people like them. This is a sad day in Sheboygan if you ask me. (Shelley R. on Facebook)

Wow, sad to hear this & let me say Thank you to the Blue lite for the wonderful memories & opportunities & the Most Beautiful Dressing room for the Queens. (Art FG. H. on Facebook)

Still crying..a flood of memories. Moving back here in 1996, Blue Lite being a part of carefree dancing, love, safe zone, mirrors, pool table, photo shoots, feather boas, boys and girls. Drag originale, flashing lights, and the best jukebox in town. People that loved vs. the other world. I'm gonna miss this place. (Ame S. on Facebook)

So sad, but I'm glad u kept my cousin Dean and my aunt Vera's legacy go as far as u could, from the bottom of my heart a great big thank you for keeping this part of their legacy. (Kay Flo F. on Facebook)

Sorry to hear this -- Blue is still important in this community! Some of my best memories and friendships happened here. (Ashleigh E. on Facebook)

Pretty sure that allllllll of Sheboygan County still very much needs BLUE LITE to remain a safe gay space. Let’s hope that someone steps up to the plate!! (Ben B. on Facebook)

Main island bar, c2020 (from public web sites)	'Steppin Out' article (In Step vol 10 issue 4, Feb. 1993)	Dance floor, c2020 (from public web sites)
Early advertisement, 1992 (In Step vol 9 issue 21, Oct 1992)	'Steppin Out' article (In Step vol 10 issue 4, Feb 1993)	Advertisement, 1994 (Quest vol 1 issue 5, March 1994)

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