Wisconsin Senate Passes Budget With DP Provision Intact
Badger State Lawmakers Likely To Become First
To Enact Same-Sex Partner Protections In Midwest
Madison - The Wisconsin Senate passed the state budget here June 17 on a party line vote 17-16 vote. In addition to garnering no Republican support, one Democratic senator - Jim Sullivan of Wauwatosa - also voted against the package.
  As changed by the Senate, the budget would have taxes on capital gains go up by nearly half a billion dollars over the next two years. Also, there would be no new tax on oil companies as Governor Jim Doyle had proposed.
  Also removed from the Assembly version were driver cards and in-state tuition breaks for undocumented residents and a rewriting of Wisconsin’s civil liability laws.
  However the Senate budget package retained limited domestic partnership protections for the state’s same-sex couples, a move lauded by the state’s LGBT civil rights group Fair Wisconsin.
  “With the passage of the budget in the Assembly last week and the passage today in the Senate, Wisconsin has taken an important step toward ensuring that someone in a committed relationship is able to care for his or her partner,” Executive Director Glenn Carlson said.  “Fair Wisconsin applauds all our state legislators who realize that no one should ever have to worry about being blocked at their partner’s hospital room door, or have to make the heartbreaking decision to quit their job in order to care for a seriously ill partner.  This isn’t about being gay or straight - it’s about being decent.”
  Senate Democrats defended the budget, saying it protects middle class families during a recession that resulted in a $6.6 billion shortfall.
  Because the Senate version of the budget differs from that passed by the Assembly, a conference committee of lawmakers will work out a compromise version that will then go back to each legislative body to adopted or rejected without further amendment.
  Since both versions of the budget contain the domestic partner protections provision, they are unlikely to be removed from the final compromise budget proposal. Governor Doyle, who initially included domestic partnership protections as part of his biennial budget, is expected to sign domestic partnership protections into law as part of the budget by the end of June.
  Enactment would make Wisconsin the first state with an existing constitutional amendment banning marriage equality and civil unions to provide domestic partnership protections for same-sex couples. Wisconsin would also become the first state in the Midwest to legislatively enact protections for same-sex couples.
  Opponents of gay marriage equality such as the Wisconsin Family Council have already announced they plan to challenge the partner protections in court if enacted. However, the Wisconsin Legislative Council issued an opinion last May, supporting the legality of domestic partnerships under the constitutional amendment, stating “it is reasonable to conclude that the domestic partnerships proposed…do not confer a legal status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage for unmarried individuals in violation of art. XIII, s.13.”
  As defined in the budget bill, eligibility for domestic partnership will require that two individuals must be of the same sex, both be at least 18 years old, share a common residence, not be nearer of kin than second cousins, and neither party can be married or in another domestic partnership with anyone else.  If passed, domestic partnerships will be administered at the county level, and couples must sign a legal declaration of their commitment.

World & National News:

U. S. Gay Murders Highest Since 1999
Milwaukee Sees 64% Increase In Anti-Gay Violence
New York -The number of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people killed in bias-motivated incidents increased by 28% in 2008 compared to a year ago, according to a national coalition of advocacy groups.
  Last year’s 29 killings was the highest recorded by the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs (NCAVP) since 1999, when it documented the same number of slayings, according to a report released June 16 by the coalition.
  “What we’re also seeing, more disturbingly, is the increase in the severity of violence,” New York City Anti-Violence Project Executive Director Sharon Stapel said. The New York project coordinates the national NCAVP coalition.
  Stapel theorized that at least some of last year’s violence was backlash against issues that arose during the presidential campaign. She cited debates about same-sex marriage, the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, and federal legislation that would ban employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity as possible flash points. “The more visibility there is the more likely we’re going to see backlash, and that’s exactly what we see here,” Stapel said.
  Overall, the number of victims who reported anti-LGBT violence in 2008 increased by just 2% compared to 2007, the NCAVP report said. The largest increase - 64% - was in Milwaukee, where the number of reported incidents rose to 18 in 2008 from 11 in 2007, according to the report.
  Coalition officials say their figures are more accurate than those from law enforcement agencies. As an example, they say, the FBI doesn’t record bias crimes against transgender people because gender identity isn’t covered by federal hate-crime law.
  Also, victims sometimes are reluctant to report bias incidents to police because they don’t want to reveal their sexual orientation or gender identity and/or they fear bias from police, officials said.
  Reports of physical abuse by police increased to 25 incidents last year from 10 in 2007, the report said. For the new report, programs in Milwaukee, Minnesota, Chicago, Los Angeles, Colorado, Columbus, Ohio, Houston, Pennsylvania, New York City, Kansas City, Missouri, Michigan and San Francisco submitted data. Programs in Vermont and the Boston area participated in the 2007 report but not the current one. The program in Rochester, N.Y., participated in 2008 for the first time.
  Officials weren’t sure whether reported increases were attributable to more people reporting incidents or an actual rise.
  Victim outreach advocate Meighan Bentz at the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center, which includes an anti-violence project thinks a combination of factors have led to the startling rise in the Cream City. “Certainly there are more people reporting,” Bentz said, adding that the project started in 2005. “As time goes on there are more people aware of our program as a resource. I do believe there are ongoing issues of violence and its affect upon LGBT individuals. It’s a vulnerable population.”
  Many of 2008’s incidents made headlines. Last December, a man was beaten to death in New York City while he walked arm in arm with his brother as their attackers yelled anti-gay and anti-Latino epithets. Two men have been charged with murder as a hate crime.
  In February 2008, 15-year-old Lawrence King was shot to death at school in Oxnard, CA, near Malibu after enduring harassment after he told classmates he was gay. A classmate has been charged as an adult in the execution-like killing, which prosecutors have classified as a hate crime.
  Last June, a surveillance tape was publicized showing Memphis police officers beating Duanna Johnson, a transgender woman, and shouting slurs in a jail booking area. A public outcry erupted. In November, Johnson was found fatally shot on a Memphis street.

State News:

Sun Shines On PrideFest 2009
Record-Breaking Crowds Top 30,000 For The First Time Ever
Milwaukee - What a difference a year makes! Last year’s PrideFest was a washout, to put it mildly. Record-breaking weather during three successive days of multiple storms battered southern Wisconsin June 6-8, causing widespread flash flooding, popped manhole covers throughout downtown Milwaukee, collapsed two buildings four blocks from the city’s gay district and hundreds of stranded motorists across the metro area. Governor Jim Doyle later declared disaster areas in 30 counties across the state.
  Only Saturday morning briefly hinted that this year’s PrideFest might suffer a taste of last year’s weather. Instead the weekend turned out to be a record breaker for the festival. For the first time in PrideFest’s history, the festival drew in more than 30,000 attendees to the three-day event.
  “The numbers don’t do the festival and the work put into it justice,” PrideFest President Scott Gunkel told Quest. “A record attendance at 30,084, and so far what looks to be a large profit. These numbers don’t describe the feelings of pride I have in each and everyone one of the team members and volunteers. I started working with PrideFest back in 1988 having visions of grandeur. Now, seeing them come to life, while actually living in them, is an unbelievable feeling.”
  Certainly the biggest boost to the weekend was the strong Friday night turnout for the iconic Cyndi Lauper. Wrapped in a feather boa bearing the hues of the rainbow, Cyndi Lauper showed her “True Colors” in a show that went past the festival’s scheduled closing time.
  During the encore, which lasted half again as long as her main set, Cyndi Lauper opened PrideFest encouraging patrons to be themselves and be proud. After leading the enthusiastic crowd with a “power to the people” chant, Lauper encouraged attendees to “Be who you are!” “It’s liberty and justice for all,” she said. Never forget the spirit. Your spirit. Happy Pride!” She then closed with her mega-hit, “True Colors,” with lyrics that perfectly matched to the spirit of PrideFest and the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall demonstrations that launched the modern gay equality movement.
  An unofficial estimate by PrideFest board member Paul Masterson put the crowd at “over 10,000.” The official number was revised downward to just under 9,000 passing through the official entrance on Saturday. However, with volunteers and vendor staff the Masterson estimate appeared to be prescient.
  Lauper sang to an audience that seemed to stretch beyond the grounds, to the edge of Lake Michigan. Reserved tickets for Lauper’s show and pre-show meet ‘n greet were completely sold out.
   “We were very happy to see Cyndi encouraging our patrons to just have fun,” festival publicist Kate Sherry told Quest. “She is truly an icon in the LGBT community from her incredible music to her advocacy for gay rights.”
 On Saturday, midday’s sunny skies and temperatures tickling 70 along the lakefront resulted in the festival’s biggest day generating near-record crowds. Festival organizers touted a 57% increase in year-to-year attendance.
  “We have said a number of times this year that we ‘can see clearly now the rain has gone.’” festival producer Pete Minns told Quest. “That is especially evident as we continue to have the pleasure of glorious weather and the rain stays away long enough for all of our patrons to truly enjoy PrideFest at its best.”
  The crowds were treated to the widest selection of programs and events in PrideFest’s 22 year history. Both the health and wellness fair and children’s area offered alternatives to the more traditional beer tents and dance pavilion. An encore performance of the recently sold-out production of The Vagina Monologues at the Milwaukee Gay Arts Center returned to a crowd nearly as big as the show’s total indoor attendance. Acts that had been washed out in 2008 such as men’s music Bearapalooza troupe finally got their chance to shine.
  During the afternoon Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett also stopped by to visit, shaking hands with production team members in the festival office before receiving a guided tour of the grounds. To help Barrett get into the spirit of the day, on attendee popped a rainbow colored lei on the mayor as he toured the grounds. “I’m happy to be here!” Barrett said. “It is a wonderful turnout on a gorgeous day and everyone seems to be having fun.”
  By nightfall, fireworks erupted on-stage and off throughout the festival grounds. Dance diva Cyon electrified the packed dance pavilion. The 9:30 PM eruption of the genuine article was the biggest fireworks show in PrideFest history. And immediately following the pyrotechnics, music fire erupted on the Miller Lite Main stage as sultry should superstar Brandy warmed up her, banner and sign-waving fans with her new hit single “Right Here (Departed)” from her newest album “Human.”
  Throughout the evening the crowd erupted into repeated chants of “Brandy! Brandy! Brandy!” as she performed most of her biggest hits, “The Boy is Mine” and “Have You Ever.”
  Milwaukee’s Pride weekend concluded on Sunday, June 14. Following the Pride parade, many headed over the the feature-filled final day of PrideFest, highlighted by a brief but powerful performance by the legendary soul songstress Etta James. The 71-year old may have arrived on stage with a powered chair assist and sat through her half hour show, but her vocals were full throttle, mesmerizing one of the most age-diverse crowds PrideFest has ever seen.
    James kept the crowd jumping with a tantalizing performance of “I Just Wanna Make Love to You” and a cover of Janis Joplin’s “Piece of my Heart.” Of course, the icon sang her much beloved hit “At Last,” while couples slow-danced in appreciation.
  Prior to James’ performance, R&B songstress Deborah Cox pepped up the crowd with her famous dance mix version of “Nobody’s Supposed to be Here.” And Cox finished her show encouraging the crowd to “share the peace and the love, and have a happy pride!”
  In the dance pavilion, European dance diva September kept the final night crowd energized with a hour-long set of bubbly Eurodance music including her hits “Cry For You,” “Satellites,” “Looking For Love” and “La La La (Never Give It Up).
  On Saturday and Sunday, PrideFest’s annual food drive for the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin (ARCW) continued its long tradition of giving back to those living with HIV/AIDS. Festival attendees donated slightly less food than in 2008 but more food than in 2007. 
  “This year, ARCW collected 12,000 pounds of donated food at PrideFest,” ARCW Communications Director Bill Keeton said. “We are so grateful for the cooperation of PrideFest organizers and for the generous contributions of PrideFest attendees!”
  Gunkel credited the success of this year’s PrideFest to the dedicated efforts of the production team. PrideFest’s production team is made up entirely of individuals who volunteer their spare time - between work, family, and other facets of their personal lives - to plan and organize the festival.
  “The year of planning and meetings, while they seemed endless, I look back at them with both honor having done them and respect for all the others that joined me in them,” Gunkel said. “We take much of our free time each year working together from different cities and states to work for the same result: a Festival that each of us can be proud to say, ‘I did that. I was part of that success.’ And what a success it has been!”
  Quest’s photo team of publisher Mark Mariucci, Will Sharkey, Tony Ritschards and news editor Mike Fitzpatrick shot over two thousand candids of PrideFest attendees and shows during the weekend. The Quest website  - www.quest-online.com - has stories with slide shows and links to additional photo galleries. Facebook postings from Will and Mark also have dozens of festival goers requesting to tag themselves in the photos. PrideFest has also posted a large number of photos from the weekend. PrideFest’s are on the festival website at: www.pridefest.com.

Milwaukee Pride Parade Draws Thousands
Milwaukee - Between three to four thousand spectators crowded sidewalks along Milwaukee’s 2nd St. gay entertainment district to witness what some have called the biggest pride parade that the city’s LGBT community has ever organized. Led by Parade Grand Marshall Michael Lisowski, and immediately followed by a non-stop handshaking stroll by city Mayor Tom Barrett, the float-laden 55-unit parade unspooled over 75 minutes.
  Units from around the state and neighboring Illinois tossed beads, candy and product samples to eager onlookers. In a tiara and sash showdown worthy of a reality TV show, titleholders from Cream City’s African-American and Latino gay communities shared their sparkle as did numerous club and pageant system winners.
  Awards were announced at PrideFest laster Sunday evening. Best Marching Unit went to the Windy City Cowboys, with the Brew City Bruisers taking 2nd and Wisconsin Rainbow Families taking home third place. Best Decorated Car went to City Lights Chill, with second going to the 16th Street Community Center and third place going to the Milwaukee Brewing Company.
  Awards for Best Float went to the Nut Hut (First), JC’s Pub & Grill (Second) and  Christopher Allan’s Club 1226 (Third). Two special awards were also given out. The “Distance Award” went to Quest/Outbound and the Spirit Award was given to Club Icon.

Frontiers Potluck Social Set For June 27
Madison - The Frontiers Gay/Bi Men’s Social Group will hold a potluck diner nd social on Saturday, June 27 beginning at 5:30 PM. The pre-fireworks potluck and cookout (rain or shine), will be hosted by Frontiers members Eric and Mike. Brats and hot dogs, plus drinks will be provided by the club. Attendees are asked to bring a side dish to share. For the movie buffs, an award-winning collection of eight shorts will be shown.
  Madison’s annual Rhythm and Booms fireworks display will be held on Saturday, June 27 at 9:30 PM. Attendees will take a short walk over to the Warner Park overlook at dusk to catch them.
  For more informatioon, visit the group’s website at: www.frontiersmadison.org or call 608-244-8690 (evenings).

Summer Planning, Fireworks On Women4Women Calendar
Madison - In the spirit of Cole Porter’s classic song “Summertime,” the Women4Women social and discussion group will kick back and relax with snacks and open datebooks to plan  the group’s summer events and topics at OutReach, 600 Williamson St.,  on Saturday, June 27 from 3-5 PM. Attendees are asked to bring snacks to share, whether they are empty calories or politically-correct healthy alternatives. Most desired, however, are ideas and suggestions for topics and social activities to fill the W4W calendars for the summer and early fall.
  For those women interested in keeping the party going, after our meeting, some W4W members plan on dancing at Club 5’s, “Women Who Love to Dance” event and then off to the “Rhythm and Booms” fireworks.
  On Saturday, August 8, W4W will take a vacation. Because many members will be participating in and supporting the AIDS Ride, or attending the annual Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival, there will not be a W4W meeting that day.
  On Saturday, August 22, the W4W Summer Picnic and Party will be held at Governor Nelson State Park. The organization has reserved the park shelter and is planning outdoor games, swimming, hiking and cooking out. Details will be worked out at the June 27 meeting.  
  Women4Women is an inclusive social/discussion group open to all women who love women, regardless of whether they are lesbian, bi, curious, or anti-label, whether born female or trans. The only criteria is being a woman who loves women.  Inclusiveness and diversity are a key part of the group, with women of all cultural backgrounds, races, ages, physical abilities, political beliefs, etc., more than welcome, as we learn both from our diversity and from what we have in common: loving women. 
  Women4Women meets at OutReach biweekly on the second and fourth Saturday of the months from 3 -5 PM, with one meeting a month having a social/fun activity theme - such as game night, movie night, or other social event - and the other being more discussion oriented.
  For more information about OutReach’s Women4Women group, call Outreach at: 608-255-8582 or email Donna at: dw65@sbcglobal.net
First Person: My Night With Cyndi Lauper
By Justin Hartman
Yet again, another PrideFest has come and gone. With such great performances by Cyndi Lauper, Brandy, Etta James, and September, this surely is not a year to be forgotten.
   Friday night, I had the honor of meeting Cyndi Lauper. The meet/greet was over booked so they tried to rush people through, and I was no exception. People had brought with them, their prized Cyndi Lauper merchandise for her to sign. One gentleman had a copy of Rolling Stone with her on the cover, another a 76 of hers. I however only had my PrideFest All-Access pass with me.
   Once it was my turn, I got my photo and autograph. But then, as I was being rushed away like everyone else, suddenly I was different. Cyndi grabbed me by my jacket, pulled me back, and started to give me an inspirational pep talk. I don’t remember exactly what she said, but she said something to the effect of “You shouldn’t give up, and you need to get everyone you know involved in the movement. Your mother and father, and brothers and sisters, and everyone else who loves you. Things will change, and get better, so never give up hope honey!” That just about left me in tears. I mean, CYNDI LAUPER WAS PEP TALKING ME! Wow!
  Later in the weekend I was having fun at PUMP!, which is the dance pavilion stage at PrideFest. I started talking to some friends of mine, and I was like, “It looks like a lot of fun to go-go dance! I wish I could do it.” Then it hit me: “Oh wait! I have the credentials to go backstage and ask!”
  So, I did.
  Saturday night was a great night to let off some steam and have a carefree attitude. After working on PrideFest for months and having been on the SummerFest grounds all week long running around helping make every last detail perfect before the Midgate opened at 4 PM on Friday, I was amazed that I was still awake after being up from 8:30 in the morning until at least 1 AM everyday that week.
  Once I got out on stage, the music got to me, and I was dancing and enjoying myself. Doing something I never thought I would have the courage or opportunity to do.
  To make a long story short, I was go-go dancing in my Ginch Gonch fire truck briefs (which incited the nickname “Fire Truck” from my pals on the production team) Saturday night. I also danced in a lovely football get-up on Sunday night.
  I look forward to working with the same fabulous group of people to make this festival happen again. You may never know how many people it takes to make PrideFest happen, or how many sleepless nights we’ve encountered, but I know for sure that it was all worth it.
  I look forward to seeing you all at PrideFest 2010.
Editor’s Note: Quest is pleased to introduce our newest and youngest contributor, Justin Hartman. Justin is a 2009 graduate of Whitefish Bay High School, where he was Editor-In-Chief & Business Manager of the school yearbook for 3 years. Justin also founded Whitefish Bay’s Gay Straight Alliance and served as the organization’s President for 4 years. Justin also has served as Chair of the REAL Board for the Milwaukee LGBT Center’s Project Q. For this year’s PrideFest, Justin served as the Director of the Stonewall Stage, and as a PR/Marketing and Hospitality assistant. Justin also is the Director of Operations at the USO of Wisconsin. Look for more Justin’s pieces in future issues of Quest and at his blog: www.youlovejustin.com

My Big Gay Summer - Part II: Pride Alive In Green Bay
Interview by Mike Fitzpatrick
As veteran Wisconsin gay pride watchers well know, celebrating pride in Wisconsin is a summer-long sensation. After the record numbers posted by Milwaukee PrideFest, organizers around the state are hopeful that those attendance figures plus the recent  political successes for LGBT equality around the country during the 40th anniversary of the start of the gay liberation movement will combine into added interest for the upcoming regional pride events.
  Due to a new group in Madison switching the city’s pride event from its traditional date to mid-August, northeast Wisconsin’s Pride Alive is the next big event and now has July all to itself.
  Pride Alive has expanded to five days for its second year, though the July 11 festival remains the centerpiece of the week-long party. Quest news editor Mike Fitzpatrick sat down recently to speak with Andrew DeBaker and Andrea Schultz, the tirelessly energetic producers of Pride Alive, to see what’s on tap for the upcoming week.

Quest: Before we get to what’s happening in 2009, tell me a little bit about how the first Pride Alive went last July.

Andrew DeBaker: Last year was the inaugural year for Pride Alive. We walked into it with realistic expectations. If we could hold the event and make sure some people show up and have a good time, we would consider it a success. We originally said if we could get 800-1000 people it would be a success. We had over 2500 people attend.
  We had all sorts of vendors and sponsors, great media coverage. It was an incredible success for a first-time event.
  What we’re doing this year is building on that success - expanding the event , making it bigger and better.
Quest: Give me two examples of how this year’s Pride Alive will be bigger and better.

Andrea Schultz: The first thing that’s super obvious I think is the Pride Alive 5, which is a 5K run or a two mile walk that will start and end at Joannes Park, where Pride Alive will again be held this year. Runners have the option of donating a portion of their registration fee to local charities that are LGBT-supportive: Golden House, which is a domestic abuse shelter that has specific programming for the LGBT community; the Wisconsin League of Conservation Voters Institute, which works on environmental and conservation issues; and the GLBT Partnership of the Harmony Café, which reaches out to and works with (gay and lesbian) youth in both Green Bay and Appleton.

Andrew: Also, Pride Alive this year runs from Wednesday to Sunday, July 8 to the 12th. The next biggest thing would be the Friday (July 10) Pre-Pride. Something we wanted to do this year is to expand into other areas besides Green Bay so everyone understands that this is definitely a northeastern Wisconsin event. On Friday, July 10, we’re having a movie showing of the Oscar-winning movie “Milk.” After that will will be a “disco diva” drag event at Liberty Hall (Banquet and Convention Center) in Kimberly. The movie showing starts at 8 o’clock, with the drag show to follow immediately afterward. Then after that wraps up we’ll be heading over to Rascals in Appleton for the after-bar party.

Quest: What about the festival itself on July 11? Are there things that are new and different there?

Andrea: Last year we had great success with our main stage entertainment. This year we’re having the nationally known comedian Vickie Shaw as our headliner. We also are having some really great bands from all over the country. We’re also adding a second stage this year with different groups and karaoke. These will be more interactive performances. There will even be hula hooping.

Quest: Hula hooping was very big this year in the dance pavilion at PrideFest. I also understand that you’re having one the the acts that was one of the biggest hits during the afternoon in Milwaukee, the Chicago band Pulsation. I was shooting (candid photos) of the band as the crowd was screaming relentlessly for an encore, even as the next  act was waiting - instruments in hand - to take the stage.

Andrea: Yeah. They’ll be taking the stage in later afternoon, getting everybody ready for Vickie Shaw.

Quest: Are you doing anything to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Stonewall?

Andrew: One of the things we are adding to make the event bigger and better is an LGBT History Tent, similar to PrideFest in Milwaukee, but headed by two local members of the local LGBT community who have been very involved in the last several decades. We will be showcasing the LGBT history of this area for the last 40 years to coincide with Stonewall, but also back to the 50’s and 60’s.

Quest: Is this is the very first attempt to collect the history of the northeast Wisconsin “neighborhood?” I’m aware that most of the archival work done to date has focused on Milwaukee and Madison.

Andrew: Correct. This will focus on northeast Wisconsin, from Oshkosh to Marinette, from Door County to west of Green Bay.

Quest: Tell me about the other pre-Pride events.

Andrew: Thursday night (July 9) will be a LGBT Art Gallery opening. It will be at 319 Broadway, just north of the new Broadway Lounge and Chefusion. That will be showcasing local LGBT artists. There will be wine and hors d’ouerves. It will be a great night to see some art and mingle with the community.
  The Wednesday before that (July 9), we are having a legal protections workshop at Harmony Café in Green Bay from 6 - 9 o’clock. The event will focus not only on couples but individuals as well, talking about the impact of recent events on gaining legal recognition. (The workshop) will wade through what couples need to do to protect themselves in case something should happen.

Andrea: Also on the day of event (July 11) we are having a food drive, to give back to the greater community. We are encouraging people to bring several canned or package food items and drop them off at a specific booth that we will have set up on the grounds. The food will be donated to the Brown County Food & Hunger Network, which serves 18 pantries in the area, including the ARCW food pantry.

Quest: You’ve talked about a number of pre-festival events but you mentioned that this year’s Pride Alive will from from July 9 though the 12th. What is planned for after the festival?

Andrea: We will have on Sunday morning (July 12) a Pride Alive brunch at one of our sponsor locations, Hotel Sierra on Main Street on the east side of Green Bay. That brunch will kick off at 11 AM. That’s also where our partner charities will be receiving their donations from the Pride Alive 5K run.

Andrew: Last year we had people from around the state as well as from around the Midwest.One of the comments we had last year said “it just kind of ended without a finalé.” So we added this brunch as one last chance for people to interact, exchange numbers.

Quest: It sounds like there are a lot of things going on. Are there admission charges for any of these events?

Andrew: The main event on Saturday is going to be completely free and open to the public. For some of the other events, there is a minimal charge: the Friday movie showing has a $5 cover which includes soda and snacks. (Editor’s Note: Quest learned following the interview that because the showing of “Milk” is a public event, festival organizers had to pay a significant exhibition fee.)
  The Sunday Brunch is $13 in advance and $15 at the door. The legal protections workshop nd the gallery opening are free.

Quest: For people who want to simplify their lives, you have put together an attractive package for those wishing to attend several of the events.

Andrea: If you’re planning to attend several events at Pride Alive this year, or if you’re interested in getting some extra goodies at a bargain price, we highly recommend you getting the Pride Alive VIP Pass. The passes are available through the website (www.newpride.org) and at Rascal’s Bar & Grill.
  The VIP Pass gets you into the movie and drag show performance. It gets you one of our Pride Alive goodie bags that we are giving out to the runners and volunteers. It gets you drink tickets for Pride; it gets you raffle tickets for Pride. It gets you a Pride Alive 2009 t-shirt. It also gets you an autographed copy of Vickie Shaw’s tour DVD and it gives you admission into the brunch. For only $50, the (VIP Pass) gives you a more than $100 value.

Quest: So its not only a VIP Pass, its a bargain package as well. Have you seen any interest in these  yet?

Andrew: We have already sold some of these, especially from people who are coming from out of town and are planning to make a weekend of it. It’s a good way to simplify everything for them.

Quest: Have you made any accommodations available for people who are coming in from out of town?

Andrew: Yes. Hotel Sierra is the official hotel for Pride Alive this year. They have a number of rooms set aside at a special Pride Alive rate. Hotel Sierra is a remodeled hotel with brand new rooms and really just amazing. By calling Hotel Sierra (800-474-3772) and mention they’re coming in for Pride Alive and they will hook them up with that special rate.

Quest: So let’s get down to the party angle. What kind of mass quantities of fun stuff are Pride Alive attendees going to get to eat and drink?

Andrea: (laughs) As always, we will have a beer tent at Pride Alive, that will be sort of the party zone.

Andrew: This year’s Beer Tent will have a beach-swim suit-lifeguard sorta theme. Some of the bartenders will be enjoying the sun in beach attire.

Andrea: You might see some topless male bartenders. I’m thinking that might be a possibility.

Andrew: The dunk tank will be back as well. Last year it was a lot of fun, both for the people throwing the balls and the people in the tank.

Andrea: And who doesn’t love karaoke? Well, some people don’t (laughs). But if karaoke is your thing, we’ll have hours of it during the day.

Quest: How about things to eat?

Andrea: A number of our food vendors  are back this year. We’re going to have everything from pizza to iced coffee drinks. There will be the Indian tacos that were so popular last year. And there will be the typical picnic food:  hamburgers, brats, hot dogs, cole slaw - all that stuff.

Andrew: Positive Voice will be there with their popular cheesecake on a stick.

Quest: How about activities for families?

Andrea: We were really conscious of the fact that many in the LGBT community do have children and have some place to go where they can just be themselves. This year we really wanted to up the number of things that families could do. We’re going to have a bigger and better children’s area. Starbucks is taking the lead on organizing some fun activities for kids. Also, on our second stage we’re going to have the  recording artist Tom Pease, a children’s entertainer.

Quest: Anything else we should know about Pride Alive for the big day July 11?

Andrew and Andrea: We want to mention some of the sponsors who have been with us both since last year and new sponsors this year. Rainbow Over Wisconsin is our lead sponsor again this year. Oneida Bingo & Casino, Kimberly-Clark, Adagio Dance Studio in Appleton, Starbucks, Positive Voice, Quest, Arketype and Hotel Sierra.

Andrew: We couldn’t put on an event like this - as most people know - without the generous support of our sponsors.  they’ve been again just amazing this year.

Andrea: And not just high level sponsors, who are going to get a lot of attention that day. There are lots of others - like people who own a small shop and are willing to donate items to the raffle - which are are going to have again this year with some amazing prizes.

Andrew: We’re raffling of a Las Vegas vacation package. We’ll be offering a Jim Brickman music concert package. We’ve got some really great things to raffle off this year.

Andrea: And there’ll be a 50/50 raffle again - who doesn’t love the chance to win a little pocket cash? And we have the vendors - over 45 are already signed up - but we’re still getting applications, so we should have between 50-55 vendors all together this year.

Quest: What’s your sense of what’s going on in the community. Do you think there’s excitement building?

Andrea: You know, every time I mention that I’m doing something with Pride Alive, people say “Oh yeah, I was there last year!” And I think, “I don’t remember seeing you there.” But there were so many people. I’m hoping there’s a lot of great buzz going on. People remember how well it went off last year.

Andrew: I think last year some people weren’t sure what it was going to be. It was new. A lot of times we got the comment, “In Green Bay?” Now that people know that it happened, they’re excited for it. We’ve had more people step up to volunteer, get involved. It’s been amazing.
  There’s so much that’s going to go on this year: to get more specifics, people should go to our website - www.newpride.org - we update that almost daily.

Andrea: And if you’re not into the Internet web thing, go to one of your local bars, check out a poster and grab one of our brand new Pride Alive coasters on the bar. It has the whole schedule right on it. We’re encouraging people to take the coasters with them as a reminder. And you can always call Andrew at 920-471-3260.  And we still need a few more volunteers, both for the pre-Pride and the events on Saturday. We can always use the extra help.
This Month in Wisconsin LGBT History
By Michail Takach
1979 - Thirty Years Ago
Milwaukee nightlife was following a murder mystery in the summer of 1979. James “Tiny” Kallas, a popular bouncer at The Factory disco, disappeared on Friday, April 27 after leaving the bar with two men.  On May 8, his body was found stuffed in a sewer with only 35 cents in his pockets.  His belongings, including a 1970 Chevrolet, $10,000 worth of diamond jewelry, and wallet containing $2,000, had gone missing.
  The murder was especially shocking.  At the time, Milwaukee’s gay community was small and close-knit enough that most people knew each other on a first name basis.  While harassment and occasional violence from outside the community was not unusual, the idea that such a violent crime could happen within the community was unthinkable.
  On May 1, one of the two patrons - already in custody for parole violation charges - was charged with first-degree murder and armed robbery, and held for $45,000 bail.  For weeks, the second suspect was on the run, and the gay community rallied hard for clues to close the case.   Prior to the fugitive’s disappearance, the missing jewelry had been sold to a family member, and was later recovered by police.
  The prosecution speculated that Kallas has been robbed and murdered after leaving the club on April 27.  However, a pathology report claimed that Kallas could not have died prior to May 6.  Without evidence linking him to the victim after April 28, the suspect was cleared of murder and robbery charges, but remained in custody.  
  The case continued to take strange twists throughout the summer. The Assistant District Attorney located a pathologist who disagreed with the original report, but was unable to locate a critical witness whose testimony was critical to taking new action. In June, the second suspect was finally apprehended in Tacoma, Washington, and was returned to Wisconsin to face first-degree murder and armed robbery charges.

1989 - Twenty Years Ago
Gay pride marches, festivals, and dances had been happening in Milwaukee since the Gay Peoples Union Pride Week in 1973.  After the 1987 March on Washington, a national trend emerged for more consistent pride events.  In 1988, the Milwaukee Lesbian/Gay Pride Committee organized the first annual Milwaukee Pride event, which included a softball tournament, ball, town hall meeting with elected officials, and film festival.  Several hundred people came out for the inaugural event.
  On June 17, 1989, the First Annual Gay/Lesbian Pride Parade and Rally was held in Milwaukee. Operating with only a $12,000 budget, the committee was grateful to the 100+ individuals and Wisconsin organizations that contributed much-needed funds to join the “Proud Crowd.”  The two-mile route began at 2nd and Washington Street, turned east on Pittsburgh to Water Street, continued down Water Street past City Hall to Kilbourn, and then traveled east again to Cathedral Square.  The parade was more of a political march than a festive affair.  Over 500 people marched the full route to Cathedral Square, where another 500 people were waiting.  A total of 1,500 were estimated to attend the 1989 events.  The parade and rally was the top news story on all three networks and was also featured on the front page of the Sunday issue of the Milwaukee Journal.
  Local controversy erupted after Mayor John Norquist ended his pride rally proclamation with the words, “we are proud of who you are.”  Both the mayor and county executive were threatened with recall campaigns initiated by religious-based conservative groups. The controversy - and the city’s positive response to it - was a refreshing and encouraging change from previous administrations.  More and more, individuals felt empowered to take part in a vocal, visible and validated LGBT community.
  Spiritually, the 1989 Pride Week celebration was meant to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Stonewall Inn uprising of June 28, 1969. New York Mayor Ed Koch had recently commemorated Christopher Street between 7th Avenue and Waverly Place as “Stonewall Place” to kick off Lesbian & Gay Pride History Month.  Milwaukee’s event, “Stonewall 20: A Generation of Pride,” celebrated the achievements of gay liberation’s first generation, and recognized that the second generation of progress was now beginning.    Wisconsin INStep magazine appealed to its readers: “Let us look forward to the vision of the next decade - “the Gay 90s” - we are the only civil rights movement to have a decade named after us.” 
  We’ve come a long way, baby. In 1993, PrideFest, Inc. was established to take Milwaukee’s pride events to the next level. In 1996, PrideFest attracted 9,640 visitors during its first weekend at Milwaukee’s lakefront Henry W. Maier Festival Park. In 2009, over 30,084 people attended PrideFest.

1999 - Ten Years Ago
Nathan Smorynski, a 20-year-old author and XY magazine correspondent from Plover, Wisconsin, published his first book, “Nathan Mixing Boys: Version 6.9,” a harsh but humorous look at a 18-year-old high school senior’s coming out experience in a small Midwestern town.  The book was immediately popular and is currently out of print.  Today, Smorynski is living in Wausau, chasing severe storms for the National Weather Service, and preparing for the release of his second book.

Find out about these and other historical events in Wisconsin’s LGBT community at the Milwaukee History Project website: www.wisconsingayhistory.org