Assembly Republicans Begin Budget Battle:
“No New Taxes” Claim Likely Spells Trouble For Domestic Partner Benefits
Madison - Following a mid-morning caucus Assembly Republicans took up the 2007-9 state budget here July 10. The decision was announced as Quest went to press following an earlier caucus held late into the evening last Thursday. A July 6 email announced the GOP-led Assembly’s schedule.
  The Assembly version of the state’s biennial budget as previewed has several stark contrasts the the $58 million version passed by the Democrat-controlled Senate on June 26. Likely gone are the new universal health care plan, domestic partner benefits for state workers and construction project funding at the University of Wisconsin added by Senate but passed on a straight party line vote. Also included in the Senate version were a cigarette tax increase, a tax on hospitals, a tax on oil companies, all of which have been decried by Republican legislators. Assembly GOP leaders have promised to pass a budget with “no new taxes” or an expansion of taxpayer burden through the extension of a variety of benefits, among which are BadgerCare and the Senate’s DP proposal.
  The Democrat-backed domestic partner benefit proposal - the item of greatest interest for same-sex couples - expanded Governor Doyle’s original budget proposal of such benefits for the University of Wisconsin system to include all state employees.
  Within hours of the Senate passage UW-Madison Chancellor John D. Wiley congratulated the move. “I want to express appreciation to members of the State Senate, who on Tuesday passed a budget plan that helps address many of the critical issues for higher education in Wisconsin and UW-Madison in particular,” Wiley wrote.
  “The Senate’s support of recruitment and retention funding is an important and welcome step in addressing one of the most serious threats to the quality of our campuses,” Wiley continued. “The funding, along with a competitive pay plan, will particularly assist UW-Madison’s strategic efforts to keep our very best and most productive faculty from being hired away by out-of-state institutions.”
  Wiley may have been  indirectly referring to the late 2006 departure of research “superstar” Rob Carpick. The UW-Madison nanotechnology researcher left for the University of Pennsylvania,  telling the Associated Press last August that he was departing because “it’s problematic to work in an environment where you are not treated equally.” Carpick had brought UW $3.4 million in grants prior to his departure.
  The reaction from the state’s gay activists also was predictably jubilant. The June 28 Fair Wisconsin press release said “thank you to the 18 senators who stood up for countless LGBT families in Wisconsin,” while bragging of nearly11,000 messages generated by the group and it’s Milwaukee partner Center Advocates.
  However both LGBT activist groups were silent about the health care coverage proposals - either the Senate’s universal health care coverage plan or Doyle’s proposed expansion of Medical Assistance programs to include low-income unmarried adults - both of which would positively impact the larger LGBT community in far greater numbers than the DP benefits plan. Other progressive activist groups such as the Wisconsin Council On Children and Families have repeatedly encouraged their supporters to endorse the Doyle initiative in particular since it was proposed last Spring.
  Though the final version of the Assembly budget bill remained unintroduced at Quest’s deadline, it likely will not include any of the Senate benefit proposals. Pundits and party strategists on both sides have characterized the health care and DP benefits items as likely “bargaining chips” in the budget reconciliation process in the Joint Finance Committee that will follow GOP-driven passage of the Assembly version. Given that Doyle’s original  DP benefit proposal was one of the first items both Democrats and Republicans agreed to remove from the Executive budget proposal last April, bodes poorly for their retention in the final budget bill to be hammered out during the dog days of summer.

World & National News:

Poll: Majority Believe Gay People’s Orientation Cannot Change
Atlanta - A majority of Americans believe that gays and lesbians could not change their sexual orientation even if they wanted to, according to results of a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll released June 27. It’s the first time in a CNN poll the majority has held that belief regarding homosexuality.
  56% of about 515 poll respondents said they do not believe sexual orientation can be changed. In 2001, 45% of those responding to a CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll held that belief. In 1998, according to a CNN/Time poll, the number was 36%.
  In addition, 42% of respondents to the current poll said they believe homosexuality results from upbringing and environment, while 39% said they believe it is something a person is born with - a close division that reflects the national debate over the issue. However, those numbers are greatly changed from the 1970s and ‘80s, in which fewer than 20% of Americans said a person is born gay. In a 1977 poll, the number was 13%.
  Ten percent in the latest poll said they believe both factors play a role in someone’s homosexuality. Three percent said neither, and 6% had no opinion. The sampling error for the results is plus or minus 4.5 percentage points.
  In a poll conducted May 4-6 that dealt with other issues regarding homosexuality, participants were asked whether openly gay people should be allowed to serve in the U.S. military, which currently has a “don’t ask-don’t tell” policy on homosexuality. 79% of poll respondents said openly gay people should be allowed to serve in the military. 18% said they should not.
  On the question of gay marriage, 43% of respondents said they would not support same-sex marriage or civil unions, which provide many, if not most, of the same legal protections as marriage. 24% said they supported same-sex marriage, while 27% opted for civil unions. But a majority of poll respondents - 57%- said gay and lesbian couples should have the legal right to adopt children. 40% said they should not. The sampling error for the May poll was plus or minus 3 percentage points.

Porn Flick To Lampoon Air Force “Gay Bomb” Project
Jersey City - A New York area gay porn production company has announced plans to film “Gay Bomb,” an X-rated parody of the recently revived story about the Pentagon’s secret plans to develop a chemical weapon that would arouse enemy combatants to engage in same-sex behavior.
  Last month a blogger at the liberal Huffington Post re-discovered the strange story of the defunct Sunshine Project’s ten-year-old research into the so-called “gay bomb,” originally covered by the gay media (including Quest) in late 2004. Mainstream media picked up on the story, as well as the interest of Dark Alley Media - fresh off the success of its “Gaytonamo,” another politcal porn parody.
  Dark Alley, best known for its fisting and pig play titles, plans a November 2007 shoot - so to speak - for “Gay Bomb.” According to the Dark Alley press release, the film “will take us into the future and the year 2012. George the Second has refused to step down as leader of the “free world,” and the nations of Europe have banded together to fight the new American military dictatorship.”
  “Desperate to fend off its attackers, the US launches the experimental ‘gay bomb,’ designed to make the enemy forces drop their guns and turn fag. But the winds of fate blow in a different direction, and soon America is brought to its knees.”
  Given the “wham-bam-thank-you-man” nature of porn production, “Gay Bomb” likely will be available for 2007 holiday stocking stuffing.

QNU Quickies: Recent Stories Of Note
Here in no particular order is Quest’s take on stories of gay interest since the last issue. A friendly reminder that breaking news is updated daily on the QNU: Quest News Update site online. Visit us at: www.quest-online.com.

Pew Poll Says What? The old saying that there are “lies, damned lies and statistics” was proved true once again with the recently published findings by the Pew Research Center of public attitudes toward gay marriage and adoption. Mainstream press coverage pointed out the three decade rise in acceptance by the general public on the subject. However “Christian” press stories preferred to view only the last three years of the Pew stats as proof that public rejection of same sex marriage and adoption were at an all time high. Isn’t that “cut and paste” method the same one that Christians used on the Bible to make homos an abomination, but not shrimp cocktails?

Top Ex-Gays: “We Lied And We’re Sorry!” Three former leaders of Exodus, the nation’s top “ex-gay ministry” came out again (at least one for the umpteenth time) on June 28 - as ex-ex-gays.  “God’s love and forgiveness does indeed change people,”Ex-Exodus prez Gary Bussee said, joining Jeremy Marks and Darlene Bogle at the podium. Bussee failed to elaborate on what that love changes people into however.  However, the three did apologize for their misspent years in telling fellow gays they’re not okay.
Who’s Your Daddy, PlanetOut? The beleaguered gay media conglomerate PlanetOut, Inc. (Gay.com, The Advocate, Out, RSVP Cruises, etc.) was bailed out July 3 by none other than Microsoft’s Bill Gates, after a quick review of the SEC filing on the $26.2 million dollar deal. Part of the plan appears to be PlanetOut’s future selling off of some of it’s X-rated media projects. Booting the leather boots hopefully will reboot the gay omnimedia group’s bottom line.

Hairspray Hilarity On Set And Off The musical remake of John Water’s camp classic Hairspray is set for the big screen at the end of July with the already-oversized John Travolta donning a fat suit to fit into the role made famous by the late Divine. Long rumored to be one of our tribe (including front-page photos of a same sex smooch in the National Enquirer last year), Travolta reportedly camped around the set encouraging the crew to grope him at will and in any place they liked. “You should have seen everyone on the set. Every woman and every man was feeling my breasts and squeezing my ass,” the Scientology-following former Sweathog said. “I was just a slut...” Such humor did not warm up Washington Blade critic Kevin Naff, who wants a gay boycott of the movie because “Travolta, a prominent Scientologist, has no business reprising an iconic gay role.” Travolta’s retort? “There is nothing gay in this movie!” Except you, ya big ol’ closet queen.

Hot Horny Guy - Can Host - Pvt Me Messages like that in American gay chatrooms sometimes lead to a heavy  session of head. But in their Iraqi counterparts, the session may end in heavy beheading. Members of the violently homophobic Islamist sect the Mahdi Army are using gay chatrooms there to seek out, torture and kill their queer countrymen. Two men who escaped the death squads recently described the entrapment tactic of such online exchanges.

State News:

Madison Pride Update: DIVA! Out, Camp Bingo’s Domino In
Madison - There have been some unexpected but thrilling changes to Madison’s Pride celebration, the MAGIC Weekend.
  Madison drag legend Cass Marie Domino of AIDS Network’s Camp Bingo fame will reprise her role as hostess for Pride Weekend. Lexi Ravyn Productions and Brewcity Bruisers’ Drag diva Alexis M. Rouge will serve as co-hostess.
  Due to a family emergency, DIVA! will not be performing at Pride as previously announced. Madison Pride wishes her and her family well and hopes for the best. Pulsation will instead open Pride weekend on Saturday, July 21.  the Chicago-based group will also perform after the rally on Sunday.
  The Youth and Families stage line up has also been set. The Saturday stage program will feature Milwaukee’s Shoreline Dancers and Pulsation’s protégé, Sammy, a gifted musician at just 11 years old. Sunday’s lineup will include the Dairyland Cowboys and Cowgirls and the magic act of Scott Mickelson and his troupe.
  Sunday will also play host to the Teens Like us Youth Area from 2 - 6 PM.. Teens Like Us is a Madison group for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning and gay-friendly youth. They provide a safe place to meet and discuss issues that affect teens and provide several events during the year. Their section of Pride will include activities, games, prizes, barbeque for teens (tweens and young adults as well) and their families who come. You do not need to be a member of Teens Like Us to participate, just within your tween to teen years and their families.
  Throughout the weekend there will be activities for families as well as entertainment on the Youth and Families stage. Madison Gay Rugby will also be on hand to provide demonstrations, recruitment, and activities in their own area of the Madison Pride grounds.
  DJ Ravyn of Lexi Ravyn Productions will be providing music throughout the weekend. The Lexi Ravyn Dragshow and Cabaret has also been expanded and will include LGBT nightlife entertainers from all over Wisconsin such as: Alexis M. Rouge, Cass Marie Domino, Shannon Dupree, Bryanna Banxs, Janice Colby, Kurtis Ryan, Lulu and Kiki Rodriguez, Christina Chase, Lady Gia, the Eau Claire drag king troupe Kings Corner, Tammy Whynott, Topher Chase, and Desiree Mathews. Each performer will perform only once as they showcase their talents to the Madison crowd.
  The Rally speakers will be announced on the Madison Pride website and Myspace immediately prior to the Pride weekend. Additional updates on Pride happenings at the park and events around town during the weekend will be announced daily on the Madison Pride Myspace page (www.myspace.com/madisonpride) and weekly on the main website at: www.madisonpride.org. 

LGBTQ Equality Champion P. B. Poorman Killed In Highway Accident
19-Year Old “Public Menace” Charged With Vehicular Homicide
Madison - Wisconsin’s gay community is mourning the sudden tragic loss of Paula (P. B.) Poorman, who was killed June 27 in an accident on Interstate Highway 90 near Edgerton.  Poorman died after her vehicle was rear-ended by a 19-year old Mt. Horeb woman and rolled over.
  Samantha J. Young was charged in Dane County court June 29 with 1st degree reckless homicide and homicide by intoxicated use of a motor vehicle. Police allege that Young was drunk, high on cocaine, and driving at about 120 mph when she hit Poorman’s car. Poorman was pronounced dead at the scene.
  In requesting a $20,000 cash bond, Assistant District Attorney Mike Verveer noted this was Young’s third case pending with the court. “This is an outrageous set of facts that you see in the criminal complaint. The defendant is clearly a tremendous threat to our community. She’s in fact a public menace at the age of only 19 years old,” Verveer said.
  A Quest review of Young’s criminal record revealed eighteen charges in the last three years, including the use of false identification and a history of transience in addition to multiple charges of speeding, driving after suspension and other traffic-related charges.
  “Her driving record is absolutely atrocious as well,” Verveer added. “It shows four previous accidents including one with an injury.”
  At the time of her death the 56 year-old Poorman was a faculty member in the psychology department at UW-Whitewater and had just recently received full professorship. She began her tenure on campus in 1996, teaching classes on the psychology of women, abnormal psychology and field training in psychology. Poorman was considered an expert on same-sex domestic violence and had written several pieces on the issue.
  “This is a huge loss to our campus family. Dr. Poorman was a leader not only in her department, but also on campus and in the region,” Interim Chancellor Richard Telfer said in a press release. “In addition to being a caring and effective teacher, P.B. served as a mentor for many undergraduate researchers and coordinated the analysis of the 2005 Campus Climate Study. We send our sympathy to her family and friends. Her colleagues, students and friends on campus will miss her greatly.”
  Mary Pinkerton, dean of the College of Letters and Sciences, added, “P.B. Poorman was a dynamic and original faculty member with a great sense of humor, a deep commitment to diversity and a student-centered approach. Recently promoted to the rank of Professor, P.B. was an active advisor, a supporter of undergraduate research, and a productive scholar. Her scholarly work focuses on underserved populations and issues of powerlessness and power and has resulted in a textbook, numerous conference presentations, and articles on domestic abuse and oppression. On campus and within the UW System, she has been deeply involved in the University Task Force on LGBTQ Issues and the statewide Inclusivity Initiative. She has been a powerful presence in the College of Letters and Sciences and in the department of psychology; her loss will be deeply felt by both colleagues and students.”
  In sharing the news of Poorman’s passing with the online gay community, Eric W. Trekell of the UW-Madison LGBT Campus Center noted that Poorman was “not only a well-loved psychology professor at the UW-Whitewater, but also a highly-regarded member of the UW System Inclusivity Initiative for LGBTQ People and a community activist. As one of the founding members of the Inclusivity Initiative, P. B. became one of the most thoughtful, articulate and assertive advocates for our rights within the UW System. Those of us who have had the privilege of working with P. B. will certainly miss her...”
  Poorman earned her bachelor’s degree from Southern Illinois University, her master’s degree from Mankato State University and her Ph.D. from Colorado State University.
  She is survived by her partner of 19 years, Susan Simmons, both sets of the couple’s parents and numerous siblings, nieces and nephews. Services for Poorman were held July 1 at Cress Funeral Home in Madison. A scholarship has been established in Poorman’s honor. Memorials can be sent to the Poorman fund at the UW-Whitewater Foundation at: UW-Whitewater Foundation, Poorman Scholarship Fund, 800 W. Main St., Whitewater, WI 53190.

OutReach Announces Award Winners
Madison -OutReach has announced that David Clarenbach will be honored with OutReach’s Courage Award for his work on his historic legislation that made Wisconsin the nation’s first “Gay Rights” state.  Clarenbach will be joined by the group’s Man of the Year, Brian Juchems, Program Director of GSA for Safe Schools and Woman of the Year Petrovnia Charles for her outstanding work with OutReach and the Rape Crisis Center.  Leanna Ware will receive the Ally of the Year Award for her work as Civil Rights Bureau Chief, the Madison Gay Hockey Association will be honored as the Organization of the Year and Mark Steward will receive the OutReach Volunteer of the Year award.
  Formal presentation of the awards will be at OutReach’s 15th Annual Awards  Banquet on Friday, July 20 in the Grand Ballroom of Monona Terrace. State Senator Lena Taylor will be the keynote speaker and Susan Siman of WISC-TV will emcee the event.
  Clarenbach’s award reiterates the night’s theme, “25 Years of Gay Rights in Wisconsin: Past, Present and Future.”  The OutReach banquet also falls on the 10th anniversary of Monona Terrace.  Attendees will will have the opportunity to wrap-up their evening on the Rooftop Garden of the facility for a fireworks display.
  Tickets are still available at OutReach. Call 608-255-8582, or stop at the office 600 Williamson St. to purchase.    Tickets cost $60 per person or $110 per pair. OutReach will once again offer a  sliding scale as well as a $25 rate for students and limited income. 
  Meal selections are available for viewing online at the organization’s website at: www.outreachinc.com.
No tickets will be sold at the door.  Reservation deadline is July 13.

Central Wisconsin Pride Draws 600
Stevens Point - Central Wisconsin Pride Committee hosted its third annual community-wide celebration June 16 at Pfiffner Park here. Organizers estimate between 500 to 600 attended the event throughout its ten hour run, a drop in overall numbers from previous years.
  According to organizers, the LGBT community makes up a significant part of the larger geographic community and includes business owners, educators, professionals and students. “Central Wisconsin Pride 2007 was not only a celebration of who we are, but also a celebration of the community and its welcoming and progressive attitudes,” organizers said “The struggle for acceptance for LGBT members, their family and friends has made tremendous strides in central Wisconsin.”
  Performers appearing at the Pfiffner Park band shell included the Story Time Jazz Quartet, acoustic favorites Frogwater and singer/songwriter Leah Jee. Food, beverages, pride T-shirts and other “official” event gear was available throughout the day.
  Missing from the entertainment line-up this year was a drag show. Organizers told Quest that the city of Stevens Point issued this year’s park permit with that restriction due to the performers’ refusal to abide by the language restrictions required of all Pfiffner Park users. The park is surrounded by a densely-populated residential neighborhood and amplified sound carries for blocks. The impersonators had been advised of the restriction prior to their performances over the last two years but chose to ignore the policy. The pride committee was cited for violating the language ordinance following the 2006 drag show.
  Organizers noted that despite the loss of the audience for the drag show, the pride event was as financially successful as last year. A raffle with hourly drawings that featured two airline tickets as a grand prize helped augment food and beverage sales. Winners had to be present to win the grand prize and all smaller prize winners’ tickets were returned to the container for the final drawing.
  The day long festival also provided a venue where non-profit organizations such as ARCW, PFLAG and Fair Wisconsin to offer outreach programs to educate and create awareness throughout central Wisconsin LGBT community.

Greater Milwaukee Foundation Announces $25,000 In LGBT Grants
Milwaukee - The Board of Directors of the Greater Milwaukee Foundation has approved $25,000 in grants to six local nonprofit organizations that serve the city’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) communities. The grants were awarded through the Milwaukee LGBT Funding Partnership, a collaborative fund created by the Cream City Foundation, the Greater Milwaukee Foundation and National Funders for Lesbian and Gay Issues to help encourage giving to LGBT communities in the area.
  “On behalf of the community, the Milwaukee LGBT Funding Partnership was pleased to be able to grant $25,000 as part of our approach of strengthening and supporting valuable programs affecting LGBT individuals,” Jim Marks, Vice President of the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, said in announcing the grants.
  Six local nonprofit organizations received grants, including Children’s Service Society of Wisconsin ($5,000); Cream City Foundation ($4,000); Diverse and Resilient ($5,000); FORGE ($3,000); and the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center ($5,000).
  “The Fund was honored to make grants to nonprofits that provide critical and necessary services to Milwaukee’s LGBT community,” Grants Committee member Len Iaquinta noted. “With the help of our donors, we are able to support a wide range of programs impacting LGBT seniors, LGBT youth in foster care, and transgender communities with a unique LGBT focus.”
“The Fund’s grant committee conducted a thorough evaluation of the proposals, before recommending organizations that are receiving funding,” Executive Director of the Cream City Foundation Executive Director Maria Cadenas added. “Our goal was to support a variety of organizations throughout our community, including collaborative efforts between LGBT and non-LGBT organizations.”
  The Grants Committee was composed of: Neil Albrecht, Maria Cadenas, Chris Doerfler, Jennifer Gryniewicz, Len Iaquinta, Jim Marks, Sernorma Mitchell, Joseph Pabst, and Melissa Nimke.  Funds for the Partnership have been received from several individuals within the Founder’s Circle, the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, the Brico Fund, and the National Lesbian and Gay Community Funding Partnership.
  The mission of the Milwaukee LGBT Funding Partnership is to expand funding of non-AIDS related programs that respond to the needs of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities in Southeastern Wisconsin. The partnership addresses community diversity, health, civil rights protection and the special needs of LGBT youth and older adults. It also increases service collaboration between LGBT groups and traditional community organizations.

Friends Making Friends To Hold Black Tie Ball
Milwaukee - (Editor's Note: Shortly after Quest went to press FMF Prioductions announced the Black Tie Ball had been cancelled.) The recently-founded Friends Making Friends Productions (FMFP) will host a black-tie ball for individuals 25 and older from the LGBT community and their allies on Saturday, July 28 from 6 PM to 1 AM at the Holiday Inn ballroom located at 611 W. Wisconsin Avenue.  The event will include dinner, silent auction, and live entertainment.
  Tickets are $30 for singles and $50 for couples. Tickets may be purchased  lists locations where tickets can be purchased for the event. For more information contact Gerry Howze of FMFP at414-520-7664.
Creating great memories & connections within all the colors of the Rainbow

Making “Sweet Charity” Sweeter -  ARCW Benefits From Ticket Sales
Milwaukee - With new HIV cases up 9%, The Marcus Center for the Performing Arts has decided to take action. The Marcus Center is proud to present Sweet Charity, starring Paige Davis, July 17 - 22. Every time a ticket for this show is purchased using the promo code “ARCW,” the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin will receive $10. Proceeds from the ticket promotion will help fund ARCW’s strategic, statewide prevention initiatives designed to reach 150,000 people at risk for HIV.
  The offer is good for any show at any ticket level during Sweet Charity’s six-day run in Milwaukee. Tickets qualifying for the ARCW promo code donation may be obtained by calling the Marcus Center Box Office toll-free at 888-612-3500 or locally at 414-273-7206.
  Tickets may be ordered securely online by accessing the Ticketmaster link on the ARCW website at: www.arcw.org. Enter “ARCW” in the box requesting “special offer code or password.”

Cream City Chorus Honors Kristen L Weber with Leadership Award
Milwaukee -On Saturday, June 23 Kristen L. Weber, Artistic Director for the Wisconsin Cream City Chorus, was presented with the organization’s highest honor, the Emory Churness Leadership Award. The award was given at the Off-Broadway Theater at the conclusion of the chorus’ final event of the season.
  In her presentation announcement, outgoing President Hilary Giffen credited Weber with most of the vision and a great deal of the drive that led to the chorus memorable and well-received 20th Anniversary Season. “Last spring, a proposal from the Interim Artistic Director was presented at a board meeting. It was for an anniversary concert season of a scale that I had never seen and... has been presented to you this year in all its grand splendor,” Giffen told the audience.
  “The season’s overall vision never wavered,” Giffen continued. “Alumni and members of the community were invited to sing with us, and they came. Chorus members past and present were asked to write songs, and they did. People were asked to share in our 20th year celebration, and they embraced us. The one person who is responsible for it all is tonight’s playwright, Kristen L. Weber.”
  Weber’s award announcement brought a standing ovation. The “In Our Own Words” concert that preceded it was comprised entirely of songs by WCCC members past and present, woven into a single show by Weber herself to tell the story of the group’s rich 20-year history. A cast recording of the concert will go on sale early this fall.
  The Emory Churness Leadership Award itself was created by the WCCC Executive Board in 2005 and awarded to its namesake at the end of his second consecutive term as President. More information about the Wisconsin Cream City Chorus is available online at: www.creamcitychorus.org

Letter To The Editor: PrideFest Rekindled Pride
Dear Editor,
  I was so moved by this year’s Pride Weekend, I felt compelled to  write in and tell someone about it. Just a little history... I  have not been involved in the Gay community for 25 years. I lost too many good friends to AIDS and did not like the direction the  community was heading. We can be terrible to each other at times  and quite frankly I got disgusted.
  A friend of mine talked me into going to Pridefest and the Parade  on Sunday. Against my better judgement I went. I am glad I  did... The parade felt like the old days when there was a common bond between Gay men and lesbian women. After the AIDS scare things got ugly and I have seen a split in the community. The  Parade was wonderful and Pridefest was great too. I re-discovered  what Gay Pride is and I feel the LGBT community is finally heading  in the right direction.
  The parade brought a tear to my eyes as I watched the parade go by. The long pride banner that took up the rear was especially tear jerking. I was so proud. I will be getting more involved in  the future. The only thing I would like to see is a contingent in  the parade that displays all the Milwaukee victims of AIDS  names - kinda like the quilt, but maybe a banner with all their names on it. Anyway I am so proud of the LGBT community in  Milwaukee.
  Thanks
  Jason Witt, Milwaukee