Milwaukee Gaze

Abele signs benefits resolution

Written by Louis Weisberg,
Staff writer
Aug 12, 2011
Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele signs the domestic partner resolution on Aug. 3.

Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele signs the domestic partner resolution on Aug. 3. – Photo: Ben Slane

The same-sex partners of Milwaukee County workers are set to receive health insurance coverage under a resolution signed by County Executive Chris Abele.

Outwords Books celebrates 18 years

Written by Peggy Schulz,
Contributing writer
Jul 14, 2011
Miller, Rowlands, Paynter, Laughlin, Outwords

Out lesbian authors Martha Miller, CP Rowlands, Chris Paynter and Anne Laughlin read from their works at a July 9 reception at Outwords Books. – Photo: Joel Buchanan

While other gay bookstores around the country have gone the way of the dinosaur, Outwords Books, Gifts & Coffee, 2710 N. Murray Ave., Milwaukee, has managed to survive. That gives Wisconsin a distinction that not even San Francisco’s Castro district can boast. The Castro’s last gay bookstore, A Different Light, closed its doors in April.

Photos from the NOH8 campaign.

Photos from the NOH8 campaign. – Photo: Courtesy

The InterContinental Milwaukee is hosting an open photo shoot for the national NOH8 Campaign from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Aug. 12.

Neighborhood group seeks LGBT residents

Written by Louis Weisberg,
Staff writer
Jun 2, 2011
Basilica of St. Josaphat

Designed by renowned architect Erhard Brielmaier and dedicated in 1901, the Basilica of St. Josaphat is Lincoln Village’s most famous landmark. It was designated in 1929 as the United States’ third basilica church. – Photo: Courtesy

The LGBT community has played a pivotal role in renewing neighborhoods across America. Largely free of concerns about local school quality and lured by relatively low prices and interesting housing stock, gay and lesbian urban pioneers have transformed the profiles of neighborhoods from Boston’s South End to Loring Park in Minneapolis, from Capitol Hill in Denver to San Diego’s Hillcrest.

Boys will be girlz at Brady Street Festival

Written by Michael Muckian,
Contributing writer
Jul 14, 2011
Randy Thompson

Randy Thompson – Photo: Facebook

When Randy Thompson takes the stage at Milwaukee’s Brady Street Festival on July 30, many in the audience won’t realize they’re watching a movie star.

Dahmer case changed police relations

Written by Louis Weisberg,
Staff writer
Jul 14, 2011
Jeffrey Dahmer

On July 22, 1991, a terrified man wearing a handcuff waved down a Milwaukee police car and led two officers to the Oxford Apartments, 924 N. 25th St.

Abele will seek partner benefits

Written by Louis Weisberg,
Staff writer
Jun 16, 2011

Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele said he will enact an ordinance extending health benefits to the same-sex partners of county workers. Former County Executive Scott Walker vetoed a related measure in 2009.

“To continue offering one category of employees fewer benefits than others is unfair and makes it more difficult to attract the best possible job candidates,” Abele said in a statement. “I will work with the county board for passage of a sensible domestic-partner benefits ordinance, and I will sign it.”

Ed Burgess

Ed Burgess – Photo: Jessica Kaminski

LGBT-rights advocate and noted Milwaukee choreographer Ed Burgess died unexpectedly on May 12. He was 58.

A chronology for a man usually begins with his birth, sometimes even with the birth of his parents.

Not so for Jeffrey Dahmer, the man so often likened to a monster, who was arrested by the Milwaukee Police Department 20 years ago this month. He was subsequently convicted of 16 murders. Dahmer was a serial killer, a rapist, a cannibal, a necrophiliac. This chronology begins with his crimes and ends with his death.

County pursues benefits

Written by Louis Weisberg,
Staff writer
Jul 14, 2011

Milwaukee County supervisors have launched a renewed push to extend health insurance benefits to the same-sex partners of county workers.

Seven supervisors, joined by representatives from public, private and religious groups, formally announced the effort at Aurora St. Luke’s Medical Center on July 7. They described the issue as one of smart business and basic fairness.

‘Hide/Seek’ co-curator hosts panel at MAM

Written by Debra Brehmer,
Contributing writer
Jun 2, 2011

“Hide/Seek: Difference and Desire in American Portraiture,” the first exhibition focused on gay relationships at a major American museum, came under fire from Republicans while on display at the National Portrait Gallery from Oct. 30, 2010, to Feb. 13.

The exhibit’s co-curator Jonathan D. Katz came to Milwaukee on May 26 to present a history of the event and to lead a panel discussion of the issues it raised. The event nearly filled the auditorium at the Milwaukee Art Museum.

Boot Camp Saloon

Photo: Louis Weisberg

A fire that broke out shortly before 4 a.m. on May 18 destroyed Boot Camp Saloon, the popular leather bar in Milwaukee’s Walker’s Point neighborhood.