Bjorn Nasset, widely known as drag performer 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.

Nasset was interviewed by 'Wisconsin Light' newspaper in January 1997 and shared some of his story as B.J. Daniels. (Read the full article in the images linked below.) An excerpt:

I grew up in a little town call Rockdale. It's near Madison. I grew up on a tobacoe farm. But it was always my destiny, I think, to do something in the theater. I always wanted to play make believe. I'd get up on the back of a tobacco wagon and it would be my stage.

I remembering discovering late movies on Channel 6. My parents would go to bed and I would sneak down and watch. I remember taping '42nd Street' from the TV. I must have been about 9. 'Flying Down to Rio', that was one I really liked. I would play those tapes and act out the numbers. I loved it.

I came (to Milwaukee) in '82 on invitation of Ginger Spice who was forming a show there. She met me- I was Miss Gay Madison at that time—and she said, "Would you like to come to Milwaukee and do shows with us?" I jumped at the idea.

So, when I first came to Milwaukee, they introduced me as B.J. from Madison. That was my name.

It was Rona who gave me B.J. Daniels because it was the early 1980's. Everybody partied a lot and I drank Jack Daniels... Rona decided I should marry the bottle of Jack Daniels. She actually altered a bottle of Jack Daniels and put a "B" on it and crossed out the "ack" and I became B.J. Daniels.

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. B.J. has been widely representing the Project at various events and in interviews since 2018.

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". B.J. Daniels' citation read as follows:

• WHEREAS, B.J. Daniels has a long history with LGBTQ+ pride celebrations in and around Milwaukee, and has been a prominent drag performer since 1977; and
• WHEREAS, B.J. Daniels was discovered by a show director at Milwaukee's Club 219 in 1981, beginning 13 years of performances at the club and a decades long career in Milwaukee, cementing their role as a local drag icon; and
• WHEREAS, B.J. Daniels has been the recipient of numerous citations and civic awards, demonstrating their commitment to supporting and uplifting the LGBTQ+ community, which also made their name synonymous with the best in drag entertainment in both the City of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin; and
• WHEREAS, B.J. Daniels is the co-author of (the book) "A History of Milwaukee Drag; 7 Generations of Glamour", and contributed countless photos, objects, and stories to the book, which preserves valuable LGBTQ+ history for future generations to read and understand; and
• WHEREAS, B.J. Daniels' commitment to preserving and protecting LGBTQ+ history extends to their work with the nationally recognized Wisconsin LGBT History Project, where they proudly serve as a board member; and
• WHEREAS, B.J. Daniels continues to perform as a Milwaukee drag star and tirelessly advocates for LGBTQ+ rights after over 40 years as an advocate and performer, which emphasizes their lifelong passion for improving lives and spreading joy; now, therefore
• BE IT RESOLVED, the members of the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors, on the motion of Supervisor 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, Sheldon A. Wasserman, Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson do herewith commend B.J. Daniels for their dedicated efforts and contributions to the LGBTQ+ community, and wish them prosperity, happiness, and continued success in all their personal and professional endeavors.