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This Month in the History of Gay and Lesbian life in Wisconsin--
Month by Month, Year by Year
This Month in Wisconsin LGBT History: November 2007
by Don Schwamb
35 years ago-- 1972--
GPU/ Gay People's Union, receives it papers of incorporation from the state.
A gay man, and member of the GPU, is fired for being gay by the State of Wisconsin, and files a lawsuit.
20 years ago-- 1987--
The Army announced that, following her latest court victory, Miriam Ben-Shalom would be promoted to sergeant's rank and given a small amount of back pay. (This was not to be the last word however, this case carried on for many years after.)
New Hope MCC/ Metropolitan Community Church (Milw.) celebrates their first anniversary.
A Milwaukee mayoral candidate forum for the gay and lesbian community is broadcast on cable channel 14 by Milw Gay/Lesbian Cable Network.
A special isolated laboratory to study the AIDS virus is set up at the Milwaukee County Medical Complex.
The Holiday Invitational Tournament/ HIT holds their 9th bowling tournament in Milwaukee.
1101 West bar in Appleton celebrates 7th anniversary
15 years ago-- 1992--
The 1992 Elections mark great strides for gays and lesbians: Bill Clinton elected President, pledging to eliminate the gay ban in the military (yeah, right); four liberal women are elected to Congress; and locally, Tammy Baldwin is elected to the State Assembly (the first openly lesbian or gay official in Gay Rights State), while underdog Russ Feingold is elected as US Senator-- all on the Democratic ticket.
After a meeting with Queer Scouts, the United Way- Milwaukee agreed to hold an information gathering meeting with local Boy Scout councils to inquire on their policy toward gays. Queer Scouts calls the move "more foot-dragging" by the United Way in resisting pulling funding the Boy Scouts because of their gay discrimination practices.
The first local weekly program for gays and lesbians, Brand New Queer Program, tapes its first show for Warner cable channel 47.
The MLGPC/ Milw. Lesbian Gay Price Committee, announces dates for 1993 celebration, and holds logo contest for "Forward in Pride".
A March on Washington organizational meeting is held in Milwaukee at 3B's Bar.
Two bartenders at Napalese Lounge in Green Bay, Monty Jensen and Julie Becks, foil a robbery of the bar shortly after closing, scuffling with the 20 year old thief and holding him until police arrived.
The Pageant held on Nov 8 is a record breaker, with over 300 people attending for dinner, 11 contestents for Miss Gay Wis and 7 for the title of Mr Gay Wis. BeBe Douglas (hosted by Zas) and Mark Hemmerlein took the titles.
Rascals Bar in Appleton has grand opening week (Rascals is still open, very popular for Friday fishfry too!)
10 years ago: 1997--
Sunday Gay Nights are being held at The Red Corvette on S. KK Ave. Within a few years however, The Park Avenue will take over the Sunday "gay night" business with a bar called Sundays (currently in Milwaukee, "Pump" is the Sunday-only gay venue).
The Castaways motorcycle group celebrate their 19th anniversary.
Angels of Hope MCC/ Metropolitan Community Church in Green Bay dedicates a new church.
Robert Ambelang, known as Grandpa Condom for his and his wife's longtime volunteer service to the BESTD clinic, dies at age 84.
Both Milwaukee Eagle and Woody's Bar open. (Woody's continues to be very popular for Badger and Packer games.)
See relevant articles related to the above, and do your own exploring, in issues of the following periodicals that appeared 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 years ago:
Note: Keep in mind that relevant news may appear in issues previous to or after the month of interest: earlier issues may have advertisements or announcements of upcoming events, and later issues may carry actual photos or more extensive coverage of events that occurred after publication deadlines.
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