Pride Guide 2017

Pg. 6 This Year’s LGBTQ Progress Award Winners

Pg. 14 Dear Ruthie Pg. 16 Paul Masterson

ALAN GRABOWSKI MIKE HILLER

PRIDEFEST CELEBRATES 30 YEARS

F

::BY ROB HULLUM

rom June 9-11 Henry W. Maier Festival Park will host the 30th Milwaukee PrideFest. The festival has deep roots in Milwaukee, dating back to the late 1980s when the Milwaukee Lesbian/Gay Pride Committee hosted a weeklong celebration that included a formal ball and film festival.

PrideFest has come a long way since then. With stints at Juneau Park, then Veterans Park, it grew to add entertainment, food and, in 1995, become the first Pride event to host a fireworks display. It is now the largest LGBTQ festival with permanent festival grounds in the nation. To add to that, the entire festival is volunteerrun, without a single paid employee.

This year’s festival begins with opening ceremonies at the Milwaukee Dance Pavilion. LGBTQ activist Jim Obergefell, whose 2015 Supreme Court case made strides for marriage equality, will be the keynote speaker.

Speaking of the famous Dance Pavilion, this year’s headliners include Milwaukee DJ Chomper, the Grammy-nominated Chris Cox, and a special set from Joe Gauthreaux and DJ Grind, who are collaborating on a series of summer festivals under the name Gauthreaux & Grind. Other Milwaukee DJ’s such as DJ ROZZ and DJ HME will be spinning additional sets. The Dance Pavilion will also host drag shows hosted by Trannika Rex, Dixie Lynn Cartwright, B.J. Daniels and Chanel D’Vine.

This year’s music stage includes a number of notable local acts including: AUTOMatic, Abby Jeanne, NO/NO, Rio Turbo, The Fatty Acids, Tigernite and more. Comedian, actor, writer and internet celebrity Randy Rainbow will host the weekend’s festivities.

COURTESY OF PRIDEFEST

THIS YEAR’S PRIDEFEST MAIN STAGE HEADLINERS ARE: Friday, June 9: Betty Who: Sydney, Australia-born pop singer Betty Who will kick off the festival on June 9 at the Miller Mainstage. Her second studio album, The Valley, features the singles “Some Kinda Wonderful” and a cover of Donna Lewis’“I Love You Always Forever.” Her upbeat, stadium-ready synth pop will be sure to get crowds dancing and set the festival off on the right foot.

Saturday, June 10: Steve Grand: Singer-songwriter Steve Grand will take the stage on Saturday night, returning to PrideFest after a headlining performance in 2014. Grand has built an impressive career channeling the resources available to him in the digital age. He had the #3 most funded music project in Kickstarter history for his debut album All-American Boy, and has amassed millions of YouTube views with his mostly self-funded music videos.

Saturday, June 10: 10,000 Maniacs: As a pioneer of alternative rock, 10,000 Maniacs has remained relevant throughout a three-decade career that has seen their musical styles vary and lineups change. With hits like “These Are Days” and “Candy Everybody Wants,” their performance is sure to get the nostalgia going.

Sunday, June 11: Todrick Hall: Since rising to prominence on the ninth season of “American Idol,” Todrick Hall has made his mark on platforms ranging from Broadway to “RuPaul’s Drag Race” and his own MTV docu-series “Todrick.” Coming off of his Broadway run as Lola in Kinky Boot, Hall will take his “Straight Outta Oz Tour” to PrideFest to close out the weekend.

Tickets are on sale now at pridefest.com/tickets.

PrideFest

2 | JUNE 8, 2017

SHEPHERD EXPRESS

ASKTHEDENTIST:: SPONSORED CONTENT / BY DR. MURPHY

ORALLY SPEAKING Dear Dr. Murphy, Is oral sex good or bad for one’s teeth?

-Mouth Matters Dear Mouth Matters, In most situations, oral sex should not have an adverse effect on your teeth. Both semen and vaginal fluids do contain acids and sugars, the substances that contribute to the creation of cavities; however, it is unlikely these would remain in your mouth long enough for tooth decay to be a concern. The one possible source of damage would be a partner’s genital piercings, which might be able chip or break your teeth.

A bigger concern for safe participation in oral sex is the rise in sexually transmitted diseases and the link between human papilloma virus (HPV) and oropharyngeal (throat) cancer. HPV can be spread from person to person during oral sex. Most of the time, HPV is harmless and often resolves on its own. The virus has, however, been

linked to multiple types of cancer. We most often think of cervical cancer and HPV. New cases of throat cancer, especially in men, are on the rise and will soon outnumber those of cervical cancer. Many of these cases are directly related to HPV infection. This has resulted in an effort to make sure that both young men and young women receive the HPV vaccine.

There are several ways to reduce your risk of contracting HPV: • Limit your number of sexual partners and practice safe oral sex using condoms or dental dams. However, condoms and dams are not 100% effective against transmission of HPV because the virus can live on other areas of the body.

• Vaccinate. Between the ages of 9-26, a vaccine can prevent HPV infection.

• Visit your dentist. Dentists are often the first to notice problems with the mouth, throat and tonsils.

-Dr. Murphy

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THIRD ANNUAL ‘SHEPHERD EXPRESS’ LGBTQ PROGRESS AWARDS Honoring Milwaukeeans who have made a difference

D

espite political upsets during the last year, progress on all LGBTQ issues continues. For the third year, the Shepherd Express honors community leaders who have made a difference in the lives of the city’s gay, lesbian and trans residents with the LGBTQ Progress Awards.

Milwaukee’s LGBTQ community has made amazing progress since PrideFest debuted 30 years ago. During those years, the Shepherd Express has always stood with the community and fought for their right to live and express themselves without harassment or prejudice. With this year’s LGBTQ Progress Awards, the Shepherd celebrates a diverse group of individuals, living and deceased, who worked in the public spotlight on behalf of the community.

There are many more heroes who will be recognized for their contributions in the coming years. Meanwhile, join us for the LGBTQ Progress Awards Ceremony on Thursday, Aug. 10, from 5:30-8 p.m. at Hot Water & Wherehouse Night Club, 818 S. Water St. Louis G. Fortis Publisher PROGRESS continued on page 6 > SHEPHERD EXPRESS

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LGBTQ PROGRESS AWARDS

Cathy Arney

PROGRESS IN SERVICES FOR TRAUMATIZED LGBTQ YOUTH AND ADULTS Cathy Arney

Cathy Arney was one of the first psychotherapists in Milwaukee to focus on serving lesbian women, a service she provided on a sliding fee scale during two decades of private practice. During that time, she became director of counseling for the Counseling Center of Milwaukee, the parent organization of today’s Pathfinders, where she is currently vice president of community services.

“Where I feel really useful at Pathfinders,” she said, “is in the program I developed, wrote grants for and got funded that works with youth 25 and under who’ve experienced sexual exploitation. We say ‘sexual exploitation’ instead of ‘human trafficking’ because it takes in a lot more than your typical pimp and prostitute. We work with runaway homeless youths—one of the most vulnerable populations being sexual exploited. The other vulnerable populations are youth who’ve been sexually abused prior to being trafficked and our LGBTQ population. They’re vulnerable because they’re often kicked out of their houses when they come out to their families and because, especially for trans women, there’s so much difficulty getting a job. Having to do sex work in order to survive is also part of sexual exploitation.”

A licensed clinician, Arney also provides evaluations for homeless youth, the majority LGBTQ, to qualify for public housing. “Being homeless alone becomes a mental illness, because,” she said, “how do you live out there without coming unraveled?” She’s also proud of a leadership development group for lesbian and bisexual women she co-facilitated at Diverse & Resilient for four years in which women set goals for themselves and work for greater involvement as leaders in the LGBTQ community.”

—John Schneider

6 | JUNE 8, 2017

Lloyd Barbee

LGBTQ PROGRESS IN ACTIVISM Lloyd Barbee

In 1967, two years before Stonewall, Milwaukee State Rep. Lloyd Barbee, an African American, introduced legislation to decriminalize homosexuality.

His next act for LGBTQ equality was in 1971 when he introduced a bill to protect gays and lesbians from job discrimination—in the midst of the national civil rights battle. Then, as now, Milwaukee was a bastion of segregation. Barbee, an NAACP activist, is well known for his challenges to institutionalized racism and, particularly, his confrontations with the Milwaukee Public School system over integration. Still, this did not distract Barbee from the cause for LGBTQ rights. Although unsuccessful, Barbee’s revolutionary resolve cracked the system and would inspire LGBTQ lawmakers and their allies who, three years later, would pursue Barbee’s cause and eventually succeed in changing the laws.

But why did Lloyd Barbee fight for LGBTQ rights?

It was, after all, 1967—the year of Milwaukee’s racial tensions that culminated in civil unrest. There was much to do on that front alone. Besides, even Martin Luther King Jr. distanced himself from the issue of LGBTQ rights. But Barbee wasn’t impaired by the myopia of identity politics or intimidated by the homophobia of his peers. As a true progressive, he understood the power of coalitions. It’s no coincidence that today’s adversaries of social justice subscribe to a divide-andconquer strategy. For Barbee, equality for all wasn’t merely a political expedient but a moral imperative, and he knew only inclusion and unity for a common cause could affect change.

—Paul Masterson

BESTD

LGBTQ PROGRESS IN HEALTH AND HIV AWARENESS

BESTD

Five years after Stonewall, Milwaukee’s burgeoning gay bar scene—and the liberated men it attracted—produced an unforeseen side effect: the sudden increase of sexually transmitted diseases. However, the necessary health care resources to address the situation were lacking.

Then, in 1974, certain individuals responded to that need and, in collaboration with the Milwaukee Health Department and the Wisconsin Division of Health, created the Gay People’s Union Venereal Disease Examination Center. Staffed entirely by volunteers, it was the city’s first health care facility to specifically serve Milwaukee’s LGBTQ community. Initially located in proximity to the Third Ward bar scene, its mission was to test and educate as well as offer no-fee treatment of STDs to the gay population.

In 1982, the clinic relocated to Brady Street, changing its name to Brady Street STD Clinic—popularly known as BESTD. But soon, the facility would face an even more formidable challenge as a new and deadly disease began infecting gay men. Facing reluctant official response, the LGBTQ community confronted the AIDS outbreak of the mid-’80s with its own specific and immediate action: BESTD formed MAP—Milwaukee AIDS Project.

In turn, MAP evolved into AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin (ARCW). Today, ARCW is recognized as being among the nation’s leading institutions in the continuing HIV/AIDS struggle. Meanwhile, more than four decades later, BESTD continues its original mission—its core of dedicated volunteers providing sensitive, accessible and free health services, as well as on- and off-site STD and HIV testing, in Milwaukee and throughout Wisconsin.

—Paul Masterson SHEPHERD EXPRESS

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LGBTQ PROGRESS AWARDS

i hate BLOG BY DAVID LUHRSSEN Mark Bucher

LGBTQ PROGRESS IN ARTS AND CULTURE Mark Bucher, Artistic Director of the Boulevard Theatre

When asked about the future at the end of his 31st season with Boulevard Theatre, Mark Bucher said, “How about surviving? With a half-dozen theater companies closing in the last few years, just lasting is quite an accomplishment!”

Mark Bucher’s goal back in 1986 was, as he described it, “to work on a level of literary quality.” The Boulevard Theatre may have been the first Milwaukee company to perform William Shakespeare’s obscure Pericles, Prince of Tyre and the last to stage anything by Jean-Baptiste Molière. He was also an early pioneer in Bay View’s renewal when he opened a theater space on Kinnickinnic Avenue. “The Bay View of 1987 was not the Bay View of today,” he recalled. “It was prostitutes, drug houses, urban blight.”

After Bucher closed the Bay View venue in 2013, Boulevard became a nomad, albeit one with a special oasis at the East Side’s Plymouth Church. “It’s challenging, because it’s not a traditional theater space, but our creativity has vanquished all problems,” he said. “Plymouth Church is very friendly to the LGBTQ sector of Milwaukee. It’s a true community and a social resource.”

LGBTQ programming has long been part of Boulevard’s mission. Bucher cited his production of Lillian Hellman’s indictment of homophobia, The Children’s Hour, performed by a mixture of puppeteers and live actors, and Richard Kramer’s Theatre District, “a fabulous show that dealt with gay marriage before gay marriage was gay marriage,” as Bucher put it.

Bucher is also proud of the actors and directors who worked at Boulevard early in their careers, including David Flores, Suzan Fete, Pamela Brown and Jonathan West.

—David Luhrssen

8 | JUNE 8, 2017

Plymouth Church

LGBTQ STRUGGLE FOR EQUALITY Plymouth Church

Located on the city’s Upper East Side since 1841 and part of the United Church of Christ, Plymouth Church has long been a bulwark of Milwaukee’s faith community.

Then, in 1991, it decided to become an Open and Affirming Congregation (ONA), publically welcoming lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people into “the full life and leadership of the congregation.” And, while seemingly a natural progress for a Christian church, the challenge was to commit to an LGBTQ-friendly interpretation of fellowship that was then still widely rejected by other mainstream churches. For many, it remains so today.

So, by recognizing the faith needs of Milwaukee’s LGBTQ community, Plymouth Church insisted on pursuing the notion of a “Still Speaking” church—one which evolves, guided by the goal of social justice and the realization that the highest Christian value is love, and its expression can only be fulfilled through equality.

To that end, Plymouth Church Pastor Andrew Warner continues to reach out to the LGBTQ community and include it in all aspects of his congregation. Over the years, Plymouth Church has partnered with various LGBTQ organizations, including SAGE, Equality Wisconsin and the City of Festivals Men’s Chorus. It has also hosted a community Thanksgiving dinner and other events.

In the ecumenical spirit, Plymouth Church also hosts an affirming and LGBTQ-friendly Jewish congregation.

These simple acts of Christian virtue serve not only to embrace LGBTQs, but also to engage the non-LGBTQ community in the lives of others to promote a common bond of love.

—Paul Masterson

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JUNE 8, 2017 | 9

LGBTQ PROGRESS AWARDS PROGRESS IN PHILANTHROPY

Jack H. Smith

Jack H. Smith

Carl M. Szatmary

For years one of the top sales leaders of Shorewest Reality, Jack H. Smith has been a major donor to Milwaukee LGBTQ programs and organizations since, as he put it, “before the Community Center was initially established. I believed in Neil Albrecht’s vision for the center, so I helped with that.” Smith is a founding donor of Men’s Voices Milwaukee, a long-time angel to the Milwaukee LGBT Film Festival, ARCW and a great many organizations and causes that have served the community.

He credits his dad, the late Wayne Smith.

“He used to volunteer a lot. That was his way of giving back. He was always very

LGBTQ PROGRESS IN BUSINESS Carl M. Szatmary

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generous with his time. He was nothing but kind. My time is limited, but I’m blessed with the ability to write a check.”

When asked if it has taken courage, he told a story. “I was the first real estate agent to put my picture in an ad for my profession in a gay newspaper. That was not well received by the company I worked for back then. They called me into the office and handed me the newspaper and had me read the personals to them and explain what they meant, just to shame me.

“The whole thing is, I value the LGBT community; I’m part of the LGBT community, and I’m happy to support the community at large as much as possible. I think it is incumbent upon everyone in the community to give back in some way, shape or form. I’m happy I can donate. If it means something, if it makes sense, I do it.”

—John Schneider

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When Carl M. Szatmary worked for Webster’s Books in the early ’90s, the East Side store’s popular LGBTQ section expanded under his care. Hoping Milwaukee might welcome a specifically LGBTQ bookstore, he took the risk in 1993 to open one at 2710 N. Murray Ave. A month later, he added a café.

Today, Outwords Books, Gifts and Coffee offers an impressive selection of good current books, magazines, cards and rainbow gifts and a counter serving coffee drinks and bakery.

“I never had trouble,” he says. “We had a stray bullet hole in one of the windows once, but other than that, no. We get a lot of college kids, still today, who come and look around to see what kind of store it is.

Sometimes that’s OK, and sometimes they’d giggle and run off, but sometimes that group of giggling kids included somebody who came back subsequently on their own.

We used to stay open quite late. We’d have people who came to hang out and have coffee, but the community has changed from 1993 to now.”

He’s proud that Outwords Book Group, founded in January 1994, continues to meet, and that a newer women’s book group is active. “The things I find most rewarding? First, I’m dependent now upon a roster of regular customers—people who’ve been shopping here since the early days—who have gone, in most cases, from being merely customers to being friends.

And the other is how many people will come up to me and say that this is the first gay place they ever went.”

—John Schneider

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ASK RUTHIE | UPCOMING EVENTS | PAUL MASTERSON

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A

s the late, great Prince once sang, “Let’s go crazy, let’s get nuts.” Why? It’s time for Milwaukee PrideFest, that’s why! The booze, the boys, the bands, the booze…I can’t wait to hit the lakefront pavement this year! The fest runs June 9-11 at the Summerfest grounds, and you don’t want to miss it. In fact, you can celebrate with me during the Miss BJ Daniels Revue at the Dance Pavilion at 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 10. It’s going to be a blast!

While there sure is a lot of craziness to be had during PrideFest, there are also plenty of opportunities to listen and learn.

Don’t get me wrong. I like to party as much as the next girl, but I also plan to hit the marketplace, the comedy shows, the Wom!nz Spot Café, the PrideFit area and, of course, the History Building. There’s a lot more to do than drink and party at PrideFest, so this year, why not truly explore the grounds and carve out a PrideFest that’s ideal for you?

I know what you’re thinking. “But Ruthie, we have a long way to go to reach the LGBTQ equality we seek.” I understand and agree with you. I mean, one day we’re celebrating the Marriage Equality Act, and the next day everyone is up in arms over who uses which bathroom! I get it, my friends; however, let’s make this week a celebration of how far we’ve come as a community. Let’s make this a time to acknowledge the dedication others have shown to improving our community. Let’s make this PrideFest one of love, laughter and learning. Let’s make this a PrideFest to remember!

June 9: Pride Kickoff Retro Style at Center on Halsted (3656 N. Halsted St., Chicago): Spice up the week with this ladies-only version of “The Dating Game.” Presented by By Women for Women, the 6-10 p.m. night includes a $40 door charge with access to the live game show, retro cocktails and more during the ultimate girls’ night out.

June 9, 10 & 11: Milwaukee PrideFest at the Summerfest Grounds (200 N. Harbor Drive): It’s here! It’s time to get your pride on during the biggest, busiest, brassiest, most beautiful bash of the year! From Friday afternoon’s opening ceremony to the last note played at the dance pavilion on Sunday night, PrideFest is the place to be. Swing by pridefest.com for a complete lineup of entertainers, ticket information and other useful tidbits.

For instance, did you know you get free admission on Friday from 2:30-4:30 p.m.? No? Well, see the website before you hit the fest to discover more about such specials. I’ll see you there! (Buy me a drink.)

June 11: Pre-Pride Parade Show at Fluid (819 S. Second St.): Some of the city’s favorite drag queens hit the streets during this 1 p.m. pre-parade party. Don’t miss the change-of-pace show with a huge outdoor bar, drink specials and ideal parade-watching spots.

Comedy queen Lizzie Bordeaux hosts. (If you see me there, buy me a drink.)

June 11: Milwaukee Pride Parade (Second and Greenfield to Second and E. Oregon streets): You can’t have a pride celebration without a pride parade, and Milwaukee has an incredible one!

Grab a lawn chair or set your keester on a curb and get ready for one helluva show. This year’s parade, themed “The Pulse of Pride Still Beats,” promises all the floats, marchers, kings, queens, flag wavers, bead throwers and partygoers you’ve come to expect.

The overall parade experience gets bigger and better every year, so see what’s in store at prideparademke.org. Step off is at 2 p.m. with bars up and down the route offering pre-parade parties, shows and more. See the website for FAQs. See you at the parade!

Watch for me (and buy me a drink)!

Want to share an event with Ruthie? Need her advice on a situation? Email dearruthie@shepex.com. Be sure to follow her Facebook (Ruthie Keester) and Twitter (@DearRuthie).

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PrideFest’s 30th Anniversary

::BY PAUL MASTERSON

T

his coming weekend Milwaukee’s LGBTQ community celebrates its 30th PrideFest. For many, the weekend party has always been part of their experience as LGBTQs. In fact, one can venture to say the majority of the event’s 33,000+ attendees probably are unfamiliar with a time when there was no PrideFest. But, three decades ago, the original members of Milwaukee Lesbian/ Gay Pride Committee (MLGPC) dedicated themselves to creating a demonstration of LGBTQ presence and power that would endure until today.

Milwaukee did have several community celebrations before PrideFest. Beginning in 1971, there were a number of small parades, balls and picnics. Then, inspired by the 1987 March on Washington, the nascent MLGPC staged the original PrideFest the following September.

Christened “Rightfully Proud. Milwaukee ’88 Lesbian/Gay Celebration,” it ran for two weeks and consisted of concerts, cabarets, religious services, sports events, balls and picnics held

throughout the city. Attendance was estimated at 750.

But it wasn’t simply an act of putting on a show. Bill Meunier, recognized as the event’s founder, reflected on those times. “People don’t understand how difficult it was to pursue the fight for LGBT rights. Activists were courageous. They lost jobs and they lost family,” Meunier said.

The committee’s next event, the First Annual Pride Parade and Rally, took place the next year in June. It coordinated Milwaukee with the national celebration of the 20th anniversary of Stonewall under the banner “Stonewall 20: A Generation of Pride.” The parade stepped off at First and Washington and made its way up Second Street to City Hall and from there to Cathedral Square. Mayor John Norquist presented the organizers with an official proclamation.

The document concluded with the words “We are proud of who you are.” In response, religious conservatives threatened a recall of both the mayor and the county executive.

The Pride Parade and Rally counted 1,000

participants. From there it would continue to expand exponentially, changing venues to accommodate the swelling numbers and range of attractions. Soon it included multiple stages, the History Tent and even a car show. In 1995, a fireworks display, appropriately called “Light Up the Sky with Pride,” became part of the program, the first of its kind in the nation. Attendance had now grown to nearly 10,000.

The following year, PrideFest made a historical move to Henry W. Maier Festival Park.

Again, that change of venue was not without its opposition. Some felt the integration into the lakefront festival lineup meant losing identity.

Others believed it would establish the acceptance and recognition of the LGBTQ community in Milwaukee’s fabric of cultural diversity.

Over the past three decades of PrideFest, there have been dozens of board members and thousands of production volunteers who made it all possible. Some names, like Miriam Ben Shalom, Scott Gunkel, Tim Talsky and Sue Cook are familiar. Meunier would serve for 10 years and was instrumental in bringing PrideFest to its current location. Others, like partners Sheldon Schur and Rick Finger, organized the Pride Parade. Schur, Finger, Talsky and others are gone now but have made their mark on the advance of LGBTQ equality in Milwaukee.

They all should continue to be thanked and never forgotten.

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