Dr. Terry Boughner was editor and co-owner of the Wisconsin Light newspaper from its founding in 1987 until 1998. Boughner also authored a book, "Out Of All Time- a gay and lesbian history" in 1988, 50 stories of gay leaders and historical figures, published by Alyson Publications. Boughner also contributed a regular segment on Tri-Cable Tonight, a gay cable program in Milwaukee from 1987-1989, which also featured vignettes of gay historical people and events.

The following is from Terry's obituary, written by Bill Serpe of SAGE, and Terry's partner Jerry Johnson:

Terry Boughner passed away early in the morning on January 31, 2007. The son of Daniel Boughner and Marion Wirsing, he was born Daniel Terry Spence Boughner on August 28, 1940. Terry would have been 67 this year. He is survived by his partner of 20 years, Jerry Johnson and one brother in Philadelphia, PA.

Terry was born and raised in McKeesport, PA. He went on to attend Geneva College in Beaver Falls, PA where he earned a B.A. in History. At the Catholic University of America in Washington D.C. Terry earned an M.A. in History, primarily concentrating on Western Hemisphere Studies and then a PhD. writing his dissertation on ­­George Read and the Founding of the Delaware State. He then went on to become a Professor at La Roche College in Pittsburgh, PA where he taught history from 1969 to 1983. During that time he chaired the Social Sciences Division and the History Department, and was president of the Faculty senate for two separate terms. The ‘Teacher of the Year’ award was presented to Terry several years in a row as he was deeply beloved by his students, many of whom he still had contact with the Christmas before his death.

The relationship between him and Jerry Johnson started when Terry responded to an ad that Jerry had placed in the “Advocate.” They corresponded for about two years, as often as everyday, and then in June of 1986 Terry ventured to Milwaukee on the train to see his friend. After three days he got back on the train, went to Pittsburgh, packed his belongings and returned to Milwaukee on July 3, 1986. “Ter’ and “Jer” started their committed relationship that day that lasted more than 20 years.

In 1987 they began publishing the “Wisconsin Light” newspaper, a publication for the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community. The newspaper began in controversy when they could not find anyone who would print a ‘Gay’ publication. Once one was found the ‘Light’ continued to provide cutting edge news and commentary to the LGBT community for 11 years.
Terry was an accomplished writer and was considered an expert on the Gay Holocaust in Germany during World War II. He wrote a series of articles on this subject that were published in the “Gay Community News” in Hawaii. In 1988 the Alyson Press published Out of All Time; a Gay and Lesbian History by Terry that had started out as a 24 part series in the GLCVOICE in Minneapolis, MN. The series was called “Our Story: 5,000 years of gay and lesbian history. The Lambda Rising Book Report stated that the book was “A creditable, entertaining source of the sort of information which has been left out of most history books.”

Five novels written by Terry have yet to be published. Terry felt that by publishing them they would no longer belong to him and he would not be able to change them. He also wrote hundreds of short stories as well as gay articles that were primarily historical in content. A play, “All Loves Excelling” was produced by Off the Wall Production in July of 2000 at the New Circlestage Theatre in Milwaukee.

In 1999 Terry was given a Lifetime Achievement Award from PrideFest for all of his volunteer work and creating and writing the Wisconsin Light newspaper.

In the dedication to his Book ­­­Out of All Time terry wrote; To my beloved spouse, Jerry Johnson, whose love and faith have led me to understand gay love out of all time. Terry will be sadly missed by Jerry and many dear and loving friends.

A Memorial Service for Terry Boughner will be held on February 17, 2007 starting at 11:00 a.m. at the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center, 315 W. Court Street. In lieu of flowers donations are suggested to the Terry Boughner Interment Fund.

After Terry's death, a biographical panel was created by the Milwaukee LGBT History Project, and was featured in a display first appearing at PrideFest 2007. The text from that display is as follows:

Dr. Terry Boughner, co-founder and editor of The Wisconsin Light newspaper, passed away on January 31, 2007. Terry Boughner was an accomplished writer and spent his life researching, teaching, recording, and documenting Gay history. Terry was born and raised in McKeesport, PA. A high school valedictorian from a class of over 900, Dr. Boughner went on to attend Geneva College in Beaver Falls, PA where he earned a B.A. in history. At Catholic University of America, in Washington D.C. Dr. Boughner earned a M.A. in History, concentrating on Western Hemisphere Studies and then a Ph.D., writing his dissertation on George Read and the Founding of the Delaware State. He became a Professor at La Roche College in Pittsburgh, PA where he taught history from 1969 to 1983. During that time he chaired the Social Sciences Division and the History Department and was president of the Faculty senate for two separate terms. The “Teacher of the Year” award was presented to Terry several years in a row as he was deeply beloved by his students, some of whom he still had contact with the Christmas before his death.

Jerry Johnson, co-founder of the Wisconsin Light, was his life partner of 20 years. The relationship between him and Jerry started when Terry responded to an ad that Jerry had placed in the Advocate. They corresponded for about two years, as often as everyday, and then in June of 1986 Terry ventured to Milwaukee on the train to see his friend. After three days he got back on the train, went to Pittsburgh, packed his belongings and returned to Milwaukee on July 3, 1986. “Ter” and “Jer” started their 20-plus year committed relationship that day.

In 1987 they founded The Wisconsin Light newspaper, a publication for the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgender (LGBT) community. The newspaper began in controversy when they could not find anyone who would print a “Gay” publication. Once one was found The Wisconsin Light continued to provide cutting edge news and commentary to the LGBT community for 11 years.

Terry was an accomplished writer and was considered an expert on the German Gay Holocaust of World War II. Making 8 trips to Germany, Terry interviewed over 20 Gay survivors of the German concentration camps. He wrote a 26 part series of articles on this subject that was published in The Gay Community News in Hawaii and in The Wisconsin Light. In 1988 the Alyson Press published OUT OF ALL TIME: a Gay and Lesbian History by Terry which had started out as a 24 part series in the GLCVOICE in Minneapolis, MN. The series was called “Our Story: 5,000 years of gay and lesbian history.” The Lambda Rising Book Report stated that the book was “a creditable, entertaining source of the sort of information which has been left out of most history books.” Terry also wrote for Madison’s OUT newspaper, covering the Milwaukee LGBT scene and WISCONSIN INSTEP magazine. He also wrote a column entitled “View from Brewer’s Hill” for QUEST magazine. From 1987-1989 Dr. Boughner did a segment, GayStory, for Tri-Cable Tonight, A Milwaukee Gay cable show, highlighting Gays in history.

Five novels written by Terry have yet to be published. Terry felt that by publishing them they would no longer belong to him and he would not be able to change them. He also wrote hundreds of unpublished short stories as well as Gay articles that were primarily historical in content. A play, All Loves Excelling was produced by Off the Wall Production in July of 2000 at the New Circlestage Theatre in Milwaukee.

In 1999 Terry was given a Lifetime Achievement Award from PrideFest for all of his volunteer work and creating and writing The Wisconsin Light newspaper. Also, in 1990 Dr. Boughner and Johnson received the Certificate of Merit from the Lambda Rights Network – a Milwaukee organization supporting LGBT causes and political action. In 1993, Dr. Boughner was awarded the Community Service award from Madison’s Gay men’s organization, Frontiers.

Sources: www.mkelgbthist.org, QLife vol.3 Issue 3