This Month in the History of Gay and Lesbian life in Wisconsin--
Month by Month, Year by Year

This Month in Wisconsin LGBT History: February 2008
by Michail Takach and Don Schwamb

20 years ago-- 1988-- Years before the arrival of the Internet, Manhunt set up a “computer matching service” office at 501 W. Mitchell Street, offering easy, inexpensive and confidential dating-by-mail.

Shadows II offered “top shelf brands at rail prices in a comfortably elegant atmosphere” at 814 South 2nd Street, in a building that now houses the Fifth Ward Pub & Grill. Offering a daily cocktail hour and hors d’ouevres from 5-7pm, Shadows II was briefly known as “the Midwest’s most beautiful gay bar.”

15 years ago-- 1993-- Newly-inaugurated President Bill Clinton was expected to fulfill a major election campaign promise – ending the historic ban against gays and lesbians in the U.S. military – when he issued executive orders forbidding military discharge based solely on sexual orientation. INStep magazine strongly encouraged readers to attend rallies and contact their elected officials to support ending the ban. As the debate raged into the year, Clinton compromised with the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” reforms that are still active today.

The Pivot Club in Appleton hosted a special RuPaul show on February 13, 1993. Tickets were only $4, and Pivot customers received extra discounts for attending the Pivot’s 7th Anniversary Celebration.

A special Mardi Gras Celebration was held at the Mitchell Park Domes on Sunday, February 21 to benefit the 1993 Pride Festival and Parade. Sponsored by the Wisconsin Light and INStep, the Celebration featured a costume contest, the Shoreline Country Dancers, the Cream City Squares, and the 219 Girls. “Let the sequins and feathers fly!”

Arresting 18 men in two days for lewd and lascivious behavior at the Grand Avenue Mall, the Milwaukee Police Department were accused of racism and homophobia while intensifying an undercover sting operation. The public defender stated, “I think that any gay man in Milwaukee who uses the restrooms in Grand Avenue Mall runs the risk of being arrested and charged criminally.”

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.

 

Credits: "This Month in History" concept by Kate Sherry of Q-Life, and Don Schwamb;
Page design and arrangement by Don Schwamb.
Last updated: July-2008.