MILWAUKEE — A new multimedia documentary project celebrating the lives and legacies of eight Milwaukee LGBTQ elders will debut June 16 at Milwaukee’s historic Oriental Theatre, offering a rare opportunity to honor community pioneers while they are still able to share their stories firsthand.

“Beacons of Brew City,” produced by the Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project, will spotlight the lifetime contributions of eight local LGBTQ elders whose activism, visibility and leadership helped shape Wisconsin’s LGBTQ community across multiple generations.

The project’s featured “Beacons” include Casper Garcia, Dynasty Scott, Eloise McPike, Reverend Janis K. Doleschal, Israel Ramon, Jack H. Smith, Shannon Dupree and Karen Valentine.

The Pride Month event will feature a red carpet opening night, documentary screening, gallery exhibit, guest speakers and a live panel discussion with the featured elders. Organizers say the project is designed not only to preserve LGBTQ history, but also to strengthen intergenerational connections within the community.

“Too often, our LGBTQ elders are only honored after they’re gone,” said Michail Takach, chair of the Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project, in a statement. “The Beacons of Brew City event is that rare moment we don’t always get: a moment to not only show people how much they mean to us, but to celebrate everything they’ve done for us in their lifetime.”

According to organizers, the project explores the broader history of LGBTQ progress in Wisconsin through the firsthand experiences of people who fought for liberation, equality and social justice over the last six decades.

“The Beacons project is just another way we are reconnecting our community to its heritage,” Takach said. “For a variety of reasons, LGBTQ people have long suffered from a lack of intergenerational connections, which has only destabilized and diminished our shared understanding of who we are, where we came from, and how we got to here.”

“Like every other community throughout human history, we have much to learn from our elders,” he added.

The project was made possible through support from the Eldon E. Murray Foundation Fund and Potawatomi Casino Hotel.

The exhibit is dedicated to Eldon Murray, often described as the “father of gay liberation” in Wisconsin. As a founding member of Gay People’s Union, Murray played a central role in establishing many of Milwaukee’s early LGBTQ organizations and advocacy efforts.

In addition to the documentary premiere, the “Beacons of Brew City” exhibit will travel to several Milwaukee locations throughout the summer, including Milwaukee City Hall, ArtBar, Style Pop Cafe, the Milwaukee County Courthouse Rotunda, Milwaukee Central Library and the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center.

Tickets for the June 16 premiere will be available at the door for a suggested tax-deductible donation of $10, with proceeds supporting the ongoing work of the Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project.

Organizers also announced plans to expand the series statewide with “Beacons of Badgerland,” a Madison-focused installment planned for late 2026 pending additional grant funding and sponsorship support.

The documentary was produced by Ashley Altadonna of Tall Lady Productions, with photography by Mark Mariucci and graphic design by Megan Timmler. Milwaukee Film served as a host and community partner for the event.

Founded in 1994 by Don Schwamb, the Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project works to preserve and share Wisconsin’s LGBTQ history through archival partnerships, public education and community storytelling. The volunteer-powered nonprofit has helped create one of the state’s largest digital collections of LGBTQ historical materials through its longstanding partnership with the University of Wisconsin Archives.