Pride Guide 2019 by Shepherd Express

PRIDE GUIDE

LGBTQ Progress Awards 2019

For the fifth year, the Shepherd Express LGBTQ Progress Awards honors people and organizations that have worked and taken risks to improve conditions for LGBTQ people in Wisconsin. Past winners have been active in many areas of life—from health issues to politics and from culture and sports—and have included Mark Behar, Tanya Atkinson, Carmen Murguia, Plymouth Church and the Saturday Softball Beer League. This year’s annual Progress Awards dinner and ceremony will be held on Thursday, Aug. 8, at Renaissance Place, 1451 N. Prospect Ave. Tickets can be reserved by visiting the events section at shepherdexpress.com. The Cream City Foundation is this year’s presenting sponsor.

COURTESY OF CREAM CITY FOUNDATION

ACTIVISM

Bill Meunier: PrideFest Founder Raised in a Milwaukee bluecollar, union family, Meunier grew up with a sense for political activism. As an out gay man Bill Meunier in a time of police raids on gay bars and rampant homophobia, he was among the first Milwaukeeans to join the struggle for LGBTQ equality. In the 1970s, along with other community firebrands, he organized the nascent community’s pride events. Then, in 1979, a friend suggested he attend the Gay and Lesbian March on Washington, D.C. Buses for a Milwaukee LGBTQ contingent were organized. Setting off, when the bus drivers realized who their passengers were, they wouldn’t continue the trip once they reached Chicago. New drivers took over. En route, restaurants refused to serve them. In Washington, as Meunier explains, “I realized I was suddenly among more than 75,000 people just like me. I felt the oppression lift, and I wanted others to have that feeling, too. I understood things could be different.” Meunier returned to D.C. for the second march on Washington in 1987. On the return bus ride, he organized the first Milwaukee Pride Committee, and PrideFest was born. Each year, it grew exponentially. Meunier promised skeptics he’d bring the PrideFest to Henry W. Meier Festival Park. Despite obstacles and opposition from all quarters, in 1996, he did. But Meunier is more than PrideFest’s founder. In Wisconsin Light’s 2000 millennial issue, he was named “Man of the Century” for his significant contributions to every major LGBTQ cause and campaign in Milwaukee and in Wisconsin. In 2018, taking advantage of the right he helped achieve, he married his partner, Carl. —Paul Masterson

PHILANTHROPY

Cream City Foundation

“This award really speaks to the number of true philanthropists and the generosity of our community over decades,” says Cream City Foundation president and CEO Brett Blomme. “Milwaukee is a very generous city, and members of the LGBTQ community are extra-generous with their time, talent and resources. This organization was founded in the heart of the AIDS epidemic by a group of individuals who said that, if we pool our resources, we’ll be able to make a bigger difference. We started with $500 in seed money and have grown over the last 36 years to giving almost $2 million to the community.” The focus is on three programs. The LGBTQ+ Scholarship Program provides ﬁnancial assistance to college and postgraduate students with track records of activism and a demonstrated willingness to use their educations to advance equality. “It speaks to the future of the movement,” Blomme says. The Impact Grant Program provides resources to partnered initia2 | JUNE 6, 2019

Brett Blomme

tives between LGBTQ and allied service providers. A current project pairs Pathﬁnders with the Milwaukee LGBT Chamber of Commerce to provide career planning and job training to homeless youth. The Convening Program brings together donors, activists, educational and political leaders to discuss current challenges and ways to progress. “Because we ‘ve had progress in some respects—marriage equality, LGBTQ folks raising families, HIV-AIDS breakthroughs, although there’s still much work to do there—that doesn’t mean there aren’t still many obstacles facing the community,” Blomme says. “What we do is deﬁne those and focus on them.” —John Schneider

ARTS AND CULTURE

Mrs. Fun

In their 31 years as the band Mrs. Fun, keyboardist Connie Grauer and percussionist Kim Zick have never been closeted. Nor have they made a point of being lesbian, much less tried to capitalize on it. “We’re very honored to receive the LGBTQ Progress Award in Arts and Culture, and we’re very grateful for the support of the LGBTQ community,” Grauer says. “We’ve had support from many different communities. We just let our music represent us. What people know about us is whatever they think. Our representation is the two of us up there on stage playing really complicated, hard music. The listener can take what they’d like from it. We just released a new recording in the fall. It’s called Truth. I think it’s the best body of music I’ve ever written and that we’ve ever played. And that’s why we’re artists, right? To continue improving? We don’t spend a lot of time out of that.” As a composer in residence for the city, Grauer teaches composition to groups aged 6 to 96. For 20 years, Mrs. Fun has worked in the Arts and Community Education (ACE) program in city schools. “I’m hoping, just by being there playing, that we’re helping to advance equality. That’s what we always

hope, as artists, that we impact people by performing. When we stop talking about everything and just be, it will be a better world. I think we’re heading in that direction as a cast of humans. I’m hopeful we’ll continue to.” —John Schneider

HEALTH AND HIV AWARENESS

Christopher Fons: ACT UP Activist A quote by Doug Nelson, then executive director of the Milwaukee AIDS Project (MAP), cited on Milwaukee’s LGBTQ History website, sums up the life of Christopher Fons. “Christopher was the conscience of the AIDS community. Christopher created and defined AIDS activism in Milwaukee and made it work. He inspired hundreds of people to join the ranks of AIDS activism, and his leadership made a real difference.” Fons, HIV positive in the era before effective treatment became available, co-founded the Milwaukee Chapter of ACT UP. Created in New York City in March 1987, ACT UP (AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power) harnessed and focused the energy of the LGBTQ community in its fight to force national and local government entities to respond to the AIDS epidemic. In 1989, Fons mobilized ACT UP Milwaukee. Casting itself as “a diverse group of individuals united in anger and compassion and committed to direct action to end the AIDS crisis,” ACT UP’s mission spanned the spectrum, from fighting for victims’ rights and access to care, to boycotts and demonstrations against corporations as well as those government agencies that failed to address the crisis. In 1991, Milwaukee police detained Fons and others for distributing safe-sex literature at area schools. He famously marched to City Hall, wheeling his IV bag, leading an ACT UP protest in response to Milwaukee’s lack of action in the cryptosporidium outbreak of 1993 that killed numerous AIDS victims. Christopher Fons died of AIDS on Feb. 21, 1995. He was 27. —Paul Masterson

BUSINESS

This Is It!

In June 1968, a year before the Stonewall Riots, June Brehm opened This Is It! at its current location on East Wells Street. Today, it ranks among the country’s longest-operating gay bars. Upon its 50th anniversary in 2018, the Milwaukee County Historical Society recognized This is It! for its “welcoming environment.” That environment, reminiscent of a 1970s rec room, hasn’t changed over its half-century history. Therein lies the enduring charm that has offered the city’s LGBTQ community a continuing living legacy. June’s son, Joe, took over in 1981 and engaged in community life beyond the “lounge,” as he would call it. He assisted the editors of Wisconsin Light, the city’s ﬁrst real LGBTQ newspaper, supported PrideFest’s History Project display and, over the dire years of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, provided comfort to patrons mourning the loss of friends. He also endured the inevitable harassment and vandalism that came with the territory. For that, This Is It! remained without signage until 2010 when, reﬂecting its own contribution to LGBTQ equality, the bar’s façade was painted in rainbow colors. When Joe Brehm died in April 2016, his manager, George Schneider, took ownership, promising to continue the bar’s mission. Today, This Is It! retains its classic welcoming atmosphere but, aside from increasing its visibility, has modernized and expanded, doubling the area of the bar. In commemoration of its important civic history, Milwaukee installed a rainbow crosswalk nearby. —Paul Masterson Pride Guide continued on page 4 > SHEPHERD EXPRESS

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> Pride Guide continued from page 2

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The Holiday Invitational Tournament (HIT), the world’s longest-running LGBTQ bowling tournament, celebrated its 40th anniversary last year. Sadly, it would be its last. It all began in 1978, when Milwaukee’s various LGBTQ bowling leagues organized a very special tournament. Scheduled over Thanksgiving weekend, it provided an escape from a lonely holiday in those dark days when many players who embraced their liberation found themselves ostracized at traditional family gatherings. The first HIT took place in 1979. It grew each year thereafter, expanding from a regional to national and, eventually, international tournament, hosting teams from as far away as New Zealand and Australia. Within two years of the first HIT, Milwaukee would be among the six founding cities of the International Gay Bowling Organization (IGBO). Today, that organization boasts 250 leagues with 8,000 members in five countries. But to the world, Milwaukee’s HIT would forever remain “the grand-daddy of gay bowling tournaments.” HIT stressed fun and camaraderie but, in the 1980s, its mission took on a significant fundraising role in fight against HIV/AIDS. Over the years, hundreds of attendees would raise tens of thousands of dollars for local health organizations to assist HIV/AIDS victims. The announcement of HIT’s end brought a great outpouring of gratitude from its many supporters. They expressed thanks to its board and volunteers for the welcoming hospitality, lifelong memories and fellowship they created and for their role in contributing to the sport and in making Milwaukee a part of the international LGBTQ community. —Paul Masterson

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Brenda Coley and Sandra Jones

co-executive director of Milwaukee Water Commons, spent 10 years in HIV prevention work at the Medical College of Wisconsin and 10 more for the public health agency Diverse and Resilient where, among many services, she facilitated a leadership development program for lesbian and bisexual women. She also served on the board and worked as interim director of Milwaukee’s LGBT Community Center. At age 15, Jones marched to free Angela Davis. Years later, with a well-earned Ph.D. in English, she joined the faculty at UW-Milwaukee as an uncloseted bisexual, opening a door for other LGBTQ teachers at the university who were, as she puts it, “bumping into each other in the closet.” When they bought their house on Brewers Hill, Jones made a point of telling the neighbors they were partners, not sisters or cousins or best friends. “We were not going to spend all this money on a house and then turn it into a closet,” she says. “We both identify as bisexual,” Coley says. “People have a lot of misconceptions about that. It’s not about not being able to make up your mind. It’s who you are. You can be involved with a person regardless of their gender identity. I always say I’m attracted to a person’s personality.” “When I met Brenda, there was an immediate connection. She’s my soulmate,” Jones agrees. —John Schneider

ment of the 16th Street Community Health Center. “We’re out there advocating for people living with HIV or who are at risk,” he explains. “We’re very visible in the LGBTQ community, especially the Latinx LGBTQ community. Wisconsin is considered to have a low HIV rate in the country, and the numbers have been stable or falling except in the Latinx community. We organize community events and go out to the bars. We provide free testing for HIV, any STDs, Hepatitis C, gonorrhea and syphilis. We have a PrEP clinic, and we help people navigate the system when it comes to insurance and accessibility for people who only speak Spanish. We have also been successful in helping undocumented people to receive PrEP.” Valdez is also an immigration rights activist. Although has father was born in the U.S., Valdez, himself, was undocumented until the age of 20 due to the combined circumstances of his birth on the border and a broken immigration system. He grew up undocumented in Milwaukee. At age 17, ineligible for in-state tuition or financial assistance and wanting a college education, he joined Voces de la Frontera’s Youth Empowerment Struggle (YES) and marched, protested and organized for passage of the Dream Act. He was also the first in that group to come out as queer. He then led the group “to spotlight the fact that there are undocumented queer people still in the shadows.” That work continues. —John Schneider

YOUTH ACTIVISM

Brenda Coley and Sandra Jones

Pedro Perez Valdez

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Milwaukee PrideFest’s Entertainment Offers Something for Everyone

ilwaukee PrideFest is America’s biggest LGBTQ festival with permanent festival grounds—Henry W. Meier Festival Park (more colloquially known as the Summerfest Grounds)—operated entirely by volunteers. After several years in Juneau Park (where, as a 20-something, I attended my first pride celebrations in the early-’90s), PrideFest moved to its current location in 1996. Now boasting permanent stages, exhibit buildings and vendor pavilions, it has evolved into a nationally recognized LGBTQ festival. From the start, Milwaukee PrideFest drew extraordinary talent from all genres of popular entertainment to Brew City. Its current entertainment venues include a Children and Family Stage, Dance Pavilion, Miller Lite Mainstage, Rainbow Stage and the The Wom!nz Spot Lounge and Café. PrideFest describes the latter as “a dual-stage performance area” intended “to empower and showcase female-identified and non-binary artists and performance groups from a variety of art forms from within and outside of the LGBTQ community.” What follows are some of the many highlights of a variegated lineup of local, national and international performers coming to Milwaukee for PrideFest 2019. A comprehensive list can be found at pridefest.com.

GREYSON CHANCE Thursday, June 6, 9 p.m. Dance Pavilion As PrideFest queries on the webpage: “How many other artists drew 14 million views to their debut singles on YouTube—not to mention roughly 100 million views on their YouTube page? And performed multiple times on ‘Ellen’ and other national TV outlets? And headlined in Beijing, Hong Kong, Singapore, Manila and elsewhere in the Far East—twice? All before he was 17 years old?” They’re speaking of the uniquely gifted singer-songwriter-instrumentalist Greyson Chance. He combines awareness and irresolution with a sensitivity many older artists haven’t as yet managed to achieve.

::BY JOHN JAHN

ATHEISTS AND AIRPLANES Friday, June 7, 8:30 p.m. The Wom!nz Spot Lounge and Café

This indie garage rock band based in Milwaukee comprises Emily “Knieval” (vocals, guitar, bass); “Calamity” Jen (vocals, guitar, bass); and Beth “Leppard” (drums). The band’s ethos combines the influences of classic, punk and alternative rock, blues, lo-fi, grunge, dark humor and existentialist philosophy, thus creating music that’s part noise, part Friedrich Nietzsche.

DRAGAPALOOZA Friday, June 7, 10 p.m. Miller Lite Mainstage What’s an LGBTQ pride celebration without a drag show? You needn’t wonder; PrideFest has a show that is truly fit for a queen! Dragapalooza is a live musical concert featuring the cast of international celebrity drag queens singing live with a world-class band, led by Grammy-nominated producer Chris Cox. Cox has a discography of more than 600 productions, remixes, mix compilations and a string of more than 50 number-one Billboard Dance Club hits. The variety show-rock concert line-up features BibleGirl666, a “spitfire headline-maker known for making a name for herself through the power of social media and her global business empire dragqueenmerch.com,” PrideFest announces. She’s toured extensively throughout the U.S., as well as Australia, Brazil, Canada and Great Britain, drawing inspiration from her love of pop culture. Also performing is singer Rhea Litré, a lover of the nightlife of West Hollywood and former contestant on “American Idol.” There’s also Trixie Mattel (stage name of Brian Michael Firkus), an American singer, actor, drag queen and recognized “Skinny Legend.” Trixie is the winner of the third season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars.” Long before she held court as a finalist on season seven of “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” Ginger Minj reigned as “The Comedy Queen of The South” from her home base of Orlando, Fla. The self-described “nicest bitch you’ll ever meet” cites legendary comediennes Carol Burnett and

Lucille Ball as her idols. Minj appears as well, along with Coco Montrese from Miami, who’s performed across the country, held the title of Miss Gay America and was in the top-five of both “RuPaul’s Drag Race” (season five) and “All Stars” (season three).

KIM PETRAS Saturday, June 8, 10:30 p.m. Miller Lite Mainstage Petras’ brand of escapism remains rooted in her great capacity for empathy. Knowing herself from the age of two, she notably began transitioning with female hormone therapy following her 12th birthday, before receiving gender-reassignment surgery four years later and making worldwide headlines. Her bravery, quietly and subconsciously, punctuates her music. “I have unique experiences and have had unique experiences, because I am transgender,” Petras explains. “Those experiences 100% go into my music. Being the outcast and being bullied makes you work harder in life. I had to fight for everything. At the same time, I’m just a girl going through heartbreak. It feels the same way to me as any other girl would feel about it. “For a moment, I’d love for listeners to forget reality and have fun when they listen to me,” she says. “They don’t have to think about anything negative. I hope they blast it in the cars or when they’re getting ready and want to feel fabulous. I hope it’s a soundtrack to their lives.” That works as a summary of all the music, dance and celebration at Milwaukee PrideFest. Members of the LGBTQ community, and those who know, love, support and call them friend, sibling or parent, have a lot to face in today’s world. We’ve made great strides in terms of acceptance and personal freedom, but in a country led by a race-bating, sexist, lying, homophobic demagogue, it’s easy to lose heart. PrideFest and its entertainment lineup, all-told, surely helps us, for four glorious latespring days, “forget reality and have fun.”

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::RUTHIE’SSOCIALCALENDAR June 5—Pride Night and Tailgate with the Brewers at Miller Park (1 Brewers Way): You don’t have to play left field to be out at the ballpark! The Milwaukee Gay Sports Network, Milwaukee Brewers and Aurora Health Care host this party at the ballpark. Your ticket gets you entrance to the 4 p.m. tailgate, 6:40 p.m. game and a Brewers Pride baseball hat. Search “Pride Night” at eventbrite.com for ticket packages. June 5—Ani DiFranco at The Pabst Theater (144 E. Wells St.): The feminist icon breezes into Brew City with this 8 p.m. concert. Her latest tour includes Diane Patterson as the opening act, so nab your seat via pabsttheater.org today. June 6—Big Gay 5K Run/Walk at Veterans Park (1010 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive): Start your pride weekend off on the right step—literally! This annual run/walk opens with registration at 5 p.m. with the step off at 6:30 p.m. Enjoy some fresh air, meet new friends and celebrate pride with a healthy change-of-pace event. See milwaukeegaysports.com for more information. June 6-9—PrideFest Milwaukee at the Summerfest Grounds (200 N. Harbor Drive): Get ready for fun, Milwaukee! PrideFest is here! Don’t miss the shows, dancing, drinks, food, shopping and more during this incredible four-day event. Swing by pridefest. com for stage lineups, schedules and more. June 7—Pants-Off Dance-Off at Cactus Club (2496 S. Wentworth Ave.): Strip down to your undies and hit the dance floor with this pride edition of the popular dance party. The insanity starts at 9 p.m. and runs until bar close. June 8—Bicycle Ride with Pride and Rally at Company Brewing (735 E. Center St.): Everyone likes a good, long ride during pride. This third-annual bike ride starts at 9:30 a.m. outside the brewery and hits the road up to the Harley-Davidson Museum. Along the way, riders will learn about historical landmarks and points of interest to the LGBTQ community. The ride is free, but bikers are encouraged to register at eventbrite.com.

Loud and Proud

t’s here! It’s here! The biggest, baddest, craziest, coolest, funniest, funkiest fest of the year is upon us. It’s PrideFest—the granddaddy of all pride celebrations—and you’re invited! If you haven’t been to PrideFest in a few years, make this the year to return and see what you’ve been missing. Can’t make it to the Summerfest grounds to take in the fest? No worry! There are lots of other pride-related events around town to customize pride weekend to your liking. In addition to the events listed in my social calendar below, swing by your favorite bar, nightclub, LGBTQ bookstore or community center and celebrate pride your way. Consider volunteering for an LGBTQ organization or host a party for friends who share your view of what it means to be proud. Regardless of how you want to ring in pride month, be safe, sane and make good choices— and have fun! I’ll be back next week with answers for local help-seekers, but until then, stay loud and proud, Milwaukee! 8 | JUNE 6, 2019

June 8—Ride with Pride Motorcycle Run at the Harley-Davidson Museum (400 W. Canal St.): Believe it or not, one of the world’s largest motorcycle runs honoring the LGBTQ community occurs in Milwaukee! Hit your hog and meet at 10 a.m. at the museum. The ride departs at 11 a.m. and ventures through numerous neighborhoods and the lakefront before arriving at PrideFest. The ride is free; no registration is necessary. June 8—20th Anniversary Party at Bay Street Tattoo Co. (322 E Bay St.): Pride week is the perfect time to get some new ink. Stop by the popular tattoo parlor and piercing studio from noon to 8 p.m., because the team is celebrating the shop’s birthday! Check out the specials, raffles, giveaways and more, ultimately benefiting the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center. June 9—Pre-Pride-Parade Brunch at Hamburger Mary’s (730 S. Fifth St.): Belly up to the all-you-can-eat buffet before walking down to the parade with this 10 a.m. brunch. Take in one of two drag shows by The Brunchettes (11 a.m. and 1 p.m.) and make this a pride Sunday to remember! Call 414-488-2555 for reservations. June 9—Milwaukee Pride Parade at South Second Street: Having become quite the celebration all its own, the city’s pride parade is an afternoon of fun that can’t be missed. Step off is at 2 p.m., with numerous bars and establishments along South Second Street hosting sidewalk parade parties. Haven’t been to the parade in a while? Check it out! You won’t believe what you’re missing! See prideparademke.org for more. June 9—Fat Dix Pride Block Party at DIX (739 S. First St.): When the parade passes by, the block party revs up with beer pods, entertainment, dancing and more. Don’t miss the 4 p.m. variety show featuring Lady Gaga impersonator Judas Joe Manson and check out the 5 p.m. night of music hosted by the legendary Jaymes Mansfield. June 9—Trixie Mattel at This Is It! (418 E. Wells St.): Local girl gone big time, Trixie Mattel struts her sultry (and silly) self back home for a pride week performance. Check out the hilarious songstress and all-star drag diva for free ($30 meet-and-greet tickets are available at thisisitbar.ticketleap.com), when she hits the stage with a bevy of local beauties. Ask Ruthie a question or share your events with her at dearruthie@shepex.com. Follow her on Instagram @ruthiekeester and Facebook at Dear Ruthie. Season one of her reality drag competition, “Camp Wannakiki” is currently available on YouTube. Comment at shepherdexpress.com. n

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DAILY REFLUX AND DENTAL CARE Dear Dr. Murphy,

I saw your ask a dentist posting and have a question. I have constant reflux and have vomited daily for years (not selfinduced but due to another condition and med.) Mostly it is straight food and I never taste acidity compared to my acid reflux which happens once a week. I know it must have acid in it however since it came from my stomach. The problem aside from that is that I recently had a tooth break in my rear and the dentist showed that it was simply due to decay. I was in so much shock I did not share with him these details but he did give me a special fluoride toothpaste to use to counteract any acidity. What else should I be doing? Is a tooth breaking due to decay normal at 34? I feel like it is definitely not. I brush every or every other night. Is there a special rinse that I could gargle every time this happens? Sometimes it is up to 3 times a day. I have 8 veneers and don’t know how it will affect them. Let me know and thank you in advance.

-Reader

Be free to be

Dear Reader,

First, let me say that I can’t even imagine how difficult it would be to deal with daily vomiting; I’m so sorry to hear you are going through that! Secondly, you are right to be concerned about your teeth. Vomit contains acids that are very damaging to tooth enamel; this damage can take the form of erosion, where the tooth structure appears smooth and worn away, or it can cause an increase in tooth decay and fracture—as you experienced. Tooth decay can happen at all ages. However, it is important to determine the cause and then try to make modifications to prevent future cavities from forming. For example, if a person drinks sugary drinks and never flosses than it is reasonable to presume that is the source of their tooth decay; prevention would require a healthier diet and improved oral hygiene. In your case, the logical culprit is gastric acid from daily vomiting. Without knowing the specifics of your medical condition, I will assume that options to stop your vomiting have been thoroughly exhausted and that it is likely to continue in the future. There ARE some steps that you can take to help protect your enamel from damage. The first suggestions I have are things that all of should be doing... brushing once in the morning and once at night, flossing daily, limiting refined carbohydrates in our diets and seeing a dentist twice per year for cleanings and exams. In addition to “regular maintenance” you should also consider other ways to help neutralize the acid in your mouth. After vomiting, rinse with water; or better yet, water with baking soda. You might also consider a

fluoride rinse and/or prescription fluoride toothpaste, like the one your dentist prescribed. Resist the urge to brush immediately after you throw up, this further spreads the acid around your mouth and, while the acid remains, the bristles of the toothbrush can actually cause more damage to the enamel. Wait at least one hour after vomiting before brushing your teeth. To answer your question regarding veneers, typically veneers are made of porcelain which is not damaged by acid. That having been said, the portion of the tooth where it meets the veneer can still suffer from both erosion and decay. All of the previously mentioned strategies will also help to protect these areas. Unfortunately, keeping your mouth healthy is going to require more effort and diligence than many of us have to expend. I hope this helps! Thank you for writing!

-Dr. Stephanie Murphy

MEET DR. MURPHY Dr. Murphy was drawn to the hands-on field of dentistry for its artistic and aesthetic elements. She worked as a dental associate in the North Shore for five years, then established her own practice in 2010. A committed support staff aids her in providing quality, comprehensive oral health care to people of all ages, from toddlers to senior citizens. Submit your questions at drmurphy@stephaniemurphydds.com

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Celebrating Pride, Continuing the Struggle ::BY PAUL MASTERSON

s we open PrideFest 2019 in celebration of LGBTQ identity, we must also reﬂect on our continuing struggle and our martyrs. On Sunday morning of Milwaukee’s Pride Parade, June 12, 2016, we learned of the Pulse Nightclub massacre in Orlando, Fla. Forty-nine LGBTQ patrons were shot to death by a religious zealot. Then our grief was deﬁled by the anti-Muslim rhetoric by a then Republican presidential candidate. The fallen, he said, were victims of a “hateful foreign ideology.” In fact, the hate is domestic as well. As if to remind us of the daily threat to LGBTQ rights and equality, we have the case of high school senior Nat Werth. The Sheboygan

Have a Ball!

Lutheran High School (SLHS) valedictorian was unable to deliver his commencement address because of its LGBTQ-positive content and its criticism of biblical treatment of homosexuality. When the SLHS administrators saw a draft of Werth’s speech, they refused to let him deliver it. Werth offered to amend the text, but that compromise was met with outright refusal to let him speak at all. Not unlike the Pulse killer, SLHS leaders sought to exercise irrational dogma to silence a voice of intelligence and reason. Never mind Christ’s admonishment of such distain, “What you do unto the least of mine, you do unto me.” It actually reminded me of a friend who was cast out of Milwaukee’s Trinity Lutheran Church for being gay. (That’s the one that burned…if I were a believer, I might see a connection.) Speaking of divine providence, as if to add insult and rich irony to injury, a certain Catholic Bishop Thomas Tobin of Providence, R.I., known for his protection of sex offender priests, greeted Pride Month with a tweet imploring Catholics not to participate in LGBTQ events, adding: “They are especially harmful to children.” Speaking of head-shaking irony, our regime just offered a congratulatory, albeit insincere, Pride Month tweet in which it cited solidarity with LGBTQs in countries where they face oppression and “even” execution.

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Those presumably include U.S. ally Saudi Arabia that just beheaded five gay men and also, by virtue of a presidential end-run around congressional objections, received billions in U.S. military aid. Meanwhile, on the home front, among other anti-LGBTQ attacks (92 by some accounts), the regime has denied the trans community military service, opposed the Equality Act and endorsed religious-based objections as legitimate cause for discrimination against LGBTQs—whether that means refusal to bake a cake or provide life-saving medical care. Anyway, good fortune comes from misfortune, as they say. In Werth’s case, the SLHS gay-bashing created a firestorm and a celebrity. The story immediately made national news, with Werth receiving an outpouring of support from various quarters, including U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin and Northeastern University (also a Lutheran institution, but an enlightened one), where Werth intends to continue his education. A GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for his tuition has also been opened on his behalf. The reason we celebrate Pride Month is not only to commemorate our rejection of oppression but also to encourage our unrelenting activism. Nat Werth’s resistance embodies Stonewall’s legacy. His act of defiance, although seemingly thwarted, should inspire our continued rebellion.

JUNE

7&8

GET HALF OFF AT LAZY SUSAN MKE GO HERE: THESHEPSTORE.COM SHEPHERD EXPRESS

MI CASA ES SU CASA AT THE ORIGINAL BOTANAS!

Every Thursday 5:30-8:30pm enjoy the Mariachi band on the patio!

TACO TUESDAY SPECIALS est ofe B Milwauke

015 2010- 2E R

816 S. 5th Street | Milwaukee, WI 53204 414-672-3755 | botanasrestaurant.com

WINN

Best Mexican

I’m With Her JULY 12

Lyle Lovett

Some of Door County’s Best Stargazing Happens Indoors Amos Lee

June

July continued

September continued

21 GREG BROWN 8 p.m. 29 GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA 8 p.m.

26 JAKE SHIMABUKURO 8 p.m. 30 RISING APPALACHIA 8 p.m.

21 28

July

August

October

3 8 12 13 16 19 22

CLASSIC ALBUMS LIVE: QUEEN – “A NIGHT AT THE OPERA” 8 p.m. ALEJANDRO ESCOVEDO WITH PAT MACDONALD 8 p.m. I’M WITH HER with YOLA 8 p.m. AMOS LEE with MUTLU 8 p.m. ROSANNE CASH 8 p.m. LYLE LOVETT & HIS LARGE BAND 8 p.m. THE RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS BILL MEDLEY & BUCKY HEARD 8 p.m.

SHEMEKIA COPELAND & RANKY TANKY 7 p.m. WADE FERNANDEZ & BILL MILLER 7 p.m.

5 BIG MOUTH & THE POWER TOOL HORNS with 1 TUSK: THE WORLD’S #1 TRIBUTE TO FLEETWOOD MAC 8 p.m. WOODY MANKOWSKI 7 p.m. 6–24 PENINSULA MUSIC FESTIVAL** 13 LOVE LETTERS WITH MEREDITH BAXTER & 11 SQUIRREL NUT ZIPPERS 8 p.m. MICHAEL GROSS 7 p.m. 29 MAVIS STAPLES 8 p.m. 20 MANITOWOC MINUTE & THE SPECIAL CONSENSUS 7 p.m.

September 6 9 14

COMEDIAN, TOM PAPA 7 p.m. CHOIR! CHOIR! CHOIR! 7 p.m. CATHY GRIER & THE TROUBLEMAKERS 7 p.m.

25 THIRD COAST PERCUSSION: PADDLE TO THE SEA 7 p.m.

WWW.DCAUDITORIUM.ORG | 3926 HWY 42, FISH CREEK | 920.868.2728 PRIDE GUIDE 2019

Mavis Staples

Squirrel Nut Zippers

J U N E 6 , 2 0 1 9 | 11

PRIDE GUIDE

PHIL VASSAR

SUNDAY, JULY 21

KC AND THE ND SUNSHIN,EJUBLYA20 SATURDAY

THE BEST OF ITALY ON MILWAUKEE’S LAKEFRONT - JULY 19-21, 2019

The Go-to Site for Everything Cannabis

Chris Jensen PHOTO BY LAUREN MILLER

Wear Your Pride with C3 Designs

Off the Cuff with C3 Designs owner Chris Jensen ::BY DEAR RUTHIE

hris Jensen, owner of C3 Designs jewelry (2110 10th Ave., South Milwaukee), celebrates pride every day of the year. “When I opened C3 Designs 15 years ago, I wanted to make sure to welcome the gay community I was a part of,” says Jensen who maintains a section of pride-related pieces at the front of his store all year long. “It is very important to our staff that, whoever you are, you feel comfortable shopping in our store,” he adds.

presented by cream city foundation

THURSDAY, AUGUST 8 • 5:30 - 8pm RENAISSANCE PLACE 309 N. Water St. MKE, WI

Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin, Inc.

You’re the official Pridefest jeweler, creating the medals Pridefest annually awards to supporters of the LGBTQ community? C3 Designs has rented a booth on the Pridefest grounds for the past 15 years. We specialize in one-of-a-kind handcrafted designs and making customized pieces for our clientele. I design and handcraft the jewelry we sell, working in gold and silver with every sort of gemstone found in the earth. You recently won a first-place CASE Award sponsored by the Jewelers of America. The winning earrings, made of sterling silver and 14K yellow gold accented with bezel set rainbow topaz cabochon, London Blue Topaz and diamonds, helped put Milwaukee jewelry artists on the national map. For me, as a jewelry designer, it is the equivalent of winning an Oscar. This win also qualifies me for the international competition held in Hong Kong in 2021. We celebrated our win with a party at my store where we rolled out the red carpet and had food and drinks for our friends, family and our extended family—the clients who have shopped with us over the years. Word-of-mouth recommendations and returning clientele are necessities to C3 Designs, but building relationships with customers is truly the business’ key to success. My philosophy is to treat our clients like family. We create treasured heirlooms for some of the most important occasions in [their] lives. I have been fortunate enough to design jewelry for multiple generations of people in the same family. We know our clients’ kids, parents, grandkids, cousins and so on. After 15 years, one of your successes was creating an inviting environment. Our store has a very relaxed atmosphere. My husband and I adopted four kids, and the little ones are often at the store, adding to our family friendly environment. Gay, straight, yellow or purple, you’re family at C3 Designs.”

for more info: shepherdexpress.com/shepherdevents 12 | J U N E 6 , 2 0 1 9

For more information, visit C3designs.rocks. SHEPHERD EXPRESS

SPRING GREEN, WI

We think outside the bag! FOOD • BEDDING • TOYS • CBD OIL • LITTER

SHOP ONLINE OR IN STORE

Earn Free Food

2019 SEASON

JUNE 8 - NOVEMBER 17

Large selection and low prices on natural pet food Freesupples. Same DayFREE Local delivery online orders over $49.00 and Same day delivery available.* —See website for details— *See store for details

PURCHASE BY JUNE 7 FOR 20% OFF EVERY SINGLE TICKET

5835 W BLUEMOUND RD. | MILWAUKEE, WI 53213 | 414.444.4110

AMERICANPLAYERS.ORG | BOX OFFICE 608-588-2361

M/W: 10AM-7PM | TUE: 10AM-8PM | THU/F/SAT: 10AM-6PM | SUN: 11AM-4PM

5835 W. Bluemound Rd. | www.milwaukeepetfood.com

YOU’RE INVITED!

S MMER SOCIAL SUMMER July 23rd, 2019 6pm to 8pm SOUTH SHORE TERRACE

2900 South Shore Drive Milwaukee, Wisconsin

CREAMCITYFOUNDATION.ORG/SUMMERSOCIAL PRIDE GUIDE 2019

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JUNE 15, 2019

happy

GlENdaLE, Wi | BAyShoRE toWn CEnTer

Wishing all of Milwaukee an incredible Pride Month!

www.gwenmooreforcongress.com P a i d

f o r

b y

G w e n

M o o r e

f o r

C o n g r e s s

WIsConSInBeErLovERsFesT.cOM Visit our booth at Milwaukee Pridefest!

We’ll be offering free classes: FRIDAY JUNE 7 5 pm: Ins & Outs of Strap-On Play 7 pm: Ask the Sexpert 9 pm: Sounds Hot! Urethral Play

Check our web site for all of The Tool Shed’s Pride happenings!

SATURDAY JUNE 8 1 pm: Backdoor Basics 3 pm: All Around the Vulva 5 pm: Letting Your Kink Flag Fly 7 pm: 5 Myths About Polyamory 9 pm: Hitting the Sweet Spot

BODY-SAFE SEX TOYS & QUALITY GEAR. Lubes, books, underwear, kinky implements, & more!

THE TOOL SHED: AN EROTIC BOUTIQUE VISIT US at 2427 N Murray Ave, Milwaukee Mon–Sat noon–8pm, Sun noon–5pm

Order online at www.toolshedtoys.com 14 | J U N E 6 , 2 0 1 9

SHEPHERD EXPRESS

milwaukeedowntown.com | 414-220-4700

Home to one of the Midwest’s largest Pride festivals, Downtown Milwaukee is no stranger to civic pride. Sure, we take pride in our friendliness, safety, cleanliness and sports teams, but more importantly, we take pride in our people—the people who add vibrancy to our landscape with their talents and passions. It’s why we’re proud to celebrate aB our LGBTQ friends and neighbors. Because a united community makes our true colors shine. Pride in your city means pride in yourself. MKE Downtown Milwaukee your home.

PRIDE GUIDE 2019

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SHEPHERD EXPRESS