Midwest Gaze

Two Feb. 20 events will commemorate the anniversary of the 1996 fire that destroyed Madison’s Hotel Washington, the city’s major gay venue at that time.

The first event is a party from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Talula, 802 Atlas Ave., featuring food inspired by dishes served at the hotel’s Cafe Palms and Barbers Closet restaurants.

The Chicago History Museum opens what officials there call a first-ever exhibit on gay and lesbian history this spring.

“Out in Chicago” debuts on May 21. The timeline of the exhibit begins 150 years ago. Subjects include individuals, neighborhoods, buildings and political action.

A group of Milwaukee gay and lesbian athletic clubs host “Buns, Babes and Balls” from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Feb. 4 at Woody’s, 1579 S. Second St. Sponsored by the Milwaukee Gay Sports Network, the event offers an opportunity to learn about LGBT team sports in the Milwaukee area, according to organizers.

Founding members of the network include softball, soccer, volleyball, darts and bowling organizations. For more information, go to http://www.milwaukeegaysports.com.

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn will make same-sex civil unions official during a public signing ceremony in Chicago’s Loop on Jan. 31, said openly gay state Rep. Greg Harris.

The law goes into effect this summer.

Glenda Cleveland was Jeffrey Dahmer’s neighbor, and the serial killer could have been stopped two months earlier if police had listened to her.

“Are you sure?” she kept asking police on the phone when they insisted that a dazed and naked boy trying to escape from Dahmer was actually an adult involved in a lovers’ spat with him.

A resolution calling for a statewide vote on amending the Iowa constitution to ban gay marriage passed the state’s Republican-controlled House Feb. 1.

But Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal has vowed to prevent the bill from getting to the floor of his chamber.

As he positions himself for a potential presidential run in 2012, former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty has come out in favor of resurrecting the military’s discriminatory “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.

Pawlenty, appearing on an American Family Association radio program to promote a book he’s written, told host Bryan Fischer that he has “been a public supporter of maintaining ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ and I would support reinstating it as well.”

A new online forum at www.grayprideparade.com is designed to inform older LGBT adults about policies, programs and resources that can improve their lives. The public is invited to contribute by submitting blog posts for consideration, using the comments section, or donating photographs.

Longtime Milwaukee LGBT aging advocate Loree Cook-Daniels is the site’s curator.

Republican lawmakers in Indiana are resuming their push for an amendment banning gay marriage. A legislative hearing is scheduled for this month.

Opponents said the amendment isn’t needed because Indiana law already bans gay marriage, but supporters worry that courts could overturn that law.

Harris, the financial service organization whose parent company recently announced the purchase of Wisconsin’s M & I bank, has been recognized as one of the “Best Places to Work for LGBT Equality.” The company scored a perfect 100-percent on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2011 Corporate Equality Index.

Harris is among 337 businesses awarded for their outstanding diversity efforts in the workplace. The company offers several employee affinity groups, including Lion’s Pride, which provides a supportive forum for LGBT employees while offering cultural and educational opportunities and events.

Anthony Reuter didn’t plan on being an activist, let alone winning a scholarship for being one.

Emma Remler grew up in an accepting environment, but felt that she needed to do something more to be a positive force in the world.