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

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

30 years ago-- 1978-- Milwaukee made national news when Bruce Edgar, an 18-year-old freshman at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, was denied employment at the Playboy Club in Lake Geneva. Exercising his rights under the Civil Rights Act of 1974, Mr. Edgar sought not a position as a bartender or bus boy, but instead the coveted role of Playboy bunny. When the Playboy Club refused to hire him for the position, the Wisconsin Civil Liberties Union – and its executive director, Eunice Edgar (Bruce’s mother) – threatened the Playboy Club with a sexual discrimination lawsuit.

20 years ago-- 1988-- On April 25, YP (Your Place) hosted the “Second Annual Fearsome Foursome Baby Bull Birthday Party.” Described as a “country western extravaganza,” this Milwaukee AIDS Project fundraiser featured a covered wagon cowgirl drag review, a “butch puppy” western dress contest, a Patsy Cline look-alike contest, an Old West buffet, an outdoor campfire with S’mores roasting, and special guest appearances by Mr. and Miss Gay Wisconsin. Performers included Doris Delago, Charlotte Lorraine, Mandi McCall, Nikki Cole, Rochelle Ciucci, Margo Muckraker and Karen Valentine.

Remembered as the first gay bar in town with a landscaped outdoor patio, YP was one of the neighborhood’s most popular small dance clubs throughout the 1970s and 1980s. When it closed in 1989 after 24 years, YP was one of Milwaukee’s longest operating gay bars in business. Thanks to its lasting popularity, the bar’s lifetime was extended by 5 years when new ownership reopened the bar and kept it running until 1994. Club Paradise Gentleman’s Club has operated at this site ever since.

15 years ago-- 1993-- On April 25, LGBT Milwaukee was mobilized and ready for the 1993 March on Washington (MOW) for Lesbian, Gay & Bi Equal Rights and Liberation. Armed with a platform demanding massive funding for AIDS research, education, and patient care, as well as other civil liberties for LGBT Americans, Milwaukeeans boarded cross-country bus and train caravans to the nation’s capital.

Since the previous march was scheduled for a Sunday, media outlets dismissed the protest as a “social event” and provided only minimal coverage. However, the power of the 1993 March on Washington could not be ignored, and attracted not only national but international attention when an estimated one million protestors showed up for the rally. MOW attendance more than doubled the population of the District of Columbia, with hotel rooms, flights and rental cars completely sold out between April 21 and 25. The event was so successful that it has been called the greatest display of gay power and unity in the gay rights movement, and according to some sources, it was also the largest civil rights demonstration to occur in American history.

10 years ago-- 1998-- LaCage announced a $750,000 remodeling project that promised the restoration of the building’s original 1887 façade, the removal of exterior lead paint, the creation of a second-floor performance space, the installation of new lighting and sound systems, the opening of an upscale basement restaurant, and numerous other improvements to existing bar and dance spaces. Since opening in 1983, the building had already seen numerous renovations and expansions, but this project was expected to totally reinvent the 111-year old property for the next century. Initially, the owners reported that the cabaret space would open in June 1998. The Wisconsin Light credited La Cage for creating both “exciting architecture” and a “new, badly needed space for live performances.” (The second floor performance area remains unfinished today.)

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.