Karen Gotzler was recognized by the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors in June 2023.

By the initiative of Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson and Supervisor Peter Burgelis, some forty individuals and organizations were recognized by the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors and presented citations in a special meeting on June 22, 2023. "Today, we recommit Milwaukee County to supporting and uplifting the LGBTQ+ community, celebrating those who make a substantial positive impact on the LGBTQ+ community in Milwaukee County," Supervisor Burgelis stated. "Today we are making up for lost time. We have dozens of people to recognize, not because so much has been done in the past year, but because decades and even years ago, there was little to no recognition of the LGBTQ+ community. I am thankful to work with a Chairperson who enables our County Board to honor these well-deserving individuals."

Recognitions were made in the categories of "Community Leaders and Activists," "Government Leaders," "Business and Cultural Leaders," and "Health and Wellness Leaders". Gotzler's citation (largely self-written) read as follows:

• WHEREAS, Karen Gotzler was the co-founder and co-owner of Midwest Women's Music Distributors from 1979 to 1990, which wholesaled records and cassette tapes of LGBTQ+ performers and other alternative musicians who were unable to access traditional distribution, and was also a co-founder and steering committee member of the National Association of Women's Music and Culture from 1981 to 1987; and
• WHEREAS, Karen Gotzler was a board member of the Human Rights League, a Milwaukee-based LGBTQ+ advocacy organization, co-founder of Action Wisconsin, which later became Fair Wisconsin, the statewide LGBTQ+ advocacy group, and co-founder of the Lesbian Alliance of Metro Milwaukee and its related Education Fund; and
• WHEREAS, Karen Gotzler served as a board member of Cream City Business Alliance and a member of the Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce, demonstrating her dedication to supporting and uplifting the professional endeavors of Milwaukee County's LGBTQ+ community; and
• WHEREAS, Karen Gotzler co-founded the Milwaukee LGBT Community center and was active in various capacities throughout its history, including twice as interim executive director and as executive director from 2014 through 2017; and
• WHEREAS, Karen Gotzler has an extensive professional background in economic development and affordable housing, and currently works as the Director of Asset Management for the Housing Authority of San Buenaventura and as the owner of G Consulting LLC; now, therefore,
• BE IT RESOLVED, the members of the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors, on the motion of Supervisors Sheldon A. Wasserman and Peter Burgelis, along with Supervisors Ryan Clancy, Priscilla E. Coggs-Jones, Caroline Gómez-Tom, Willie, Johnson, Jr. Juan Miguel Martinez, Shawn Rolland, Steven Shea, Liz Sumner, Sequanna Taylor, Steve F. Taylor, Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson do herewith commend Karen Gotzler for her dedicated efforts and contributions to the LGBTQ+ community, and wish her prosperity, happiness, and continued success in all her personal and professional endeavors.