In fall 1971, Louis Stimac filed the paperwork that created Gay People’s Union, Milwaukee’s first non-profit organization dedicated entirely to the needs of the gay community. This was a milestone for multiple reasons. Not only did Louis struggle to find a lawyer willing to support a gay nonprofit, he also struggled to find three other people willing to be legally outed as the founders of a gay rights organization. Thankfully, the community prevailed—as it always does—and GPU made national history many times over the next decade.

Today, Milwaukee is home to countless LGBTQ+ nonprofits—many descended directly or indirectly from Gay People’s Union—that are serving the unique needs of an increasingly diverse community. We’ve networked far and wide to curate a directory of these local resources. However, please know this is not (and never could be) a complete list. New nonprofits are rising to the challenge every day, and for their courage and determination, we applaud them.

Want to be added to the next iteration of this directory? Contact us at [email protected].

BESTD Sexual Health Clinic has been offering free, comprehensive, high-quality sexual health services to the community for decades. Tracing its origins to the Gay People’s Union VD Clinic of 1974, the clinic moved to its current location and was renamed the Brady East STD Clinic in 1982. Today, BESTD provides essential services to over 2,500 clients every year.

Bi+ Pride Milwaukee is a bisexual+ social, support, and advocacy group working to build a strong, vibrant, and sustainable community for non-monosexual individuals, their partners, and allies in the Milwaukee Metro area.

Black Pride Milwaukee, Inc. is dedicated to dismantling the marginalization of Black queer individuals by cultivating safe spaces, fostering community solidarity, and providing essential resources for education and behavioral health. Black Pride envisions a world where Black queer individuals experience total equity and acceptance.

Courage MKE provides services, support, and resources to LGBTQ+ youth across the state of Wisconsin. Through advocacy, housing, leadership development, give-back programs, community education, scholarships, and grants, Courage aims to ensure that all LGBTQ+ youth understand they are valued and celebrated.

Cream City Foundation mobilizes philanthropic resources and fosters strategic partnerships to advance human rights and respond to human needs. Founded in 1982 as an incubator of small LGBTQ+ nonprofits, Cream City Foundation has granted more than $1.5M to LGBTQ+ community programs in southeastern Wisconsin. In 2025, it has reaffirmed its highest priorities as Equity, Health, and Prosperity.

Diverse & Resilient seeks to achieve health equity and improve the safety and well-being of LGBTQ+ people and communities in Wisconsin through an extensive portfolio of critical programs and services. Diverse & Resilient offers award-winning programs in anti-violence, sexual health, community building, youth leadership development, transgender support, and HIV prevention.

FORGE has been actively building strength and resilience for transgender communities since 1994 locally and nationally through support, education, research, and advocacy work. FORGE strives to create a world where all voices, people, and bodies are valued, respected, honored, and celebrated, and where every individual feels safe, supported, respected, and empowered.

Kenosha Pride was founded in 2013 to address discrimination and prejudice against the LGBTQ+ community in southeastern Wisconsin. Kenosha Pride advances these goals through year-round public events and advocacy work to build an inclusive community founded on openness, acceptance, and pride.

Lesbian Alliance of Metro Milwaukee is a volunteer-led organization working to strengthen the community for women who love women in the Milwaukee area. Founded in 1989, the Alliance has been bringing women together for cultural, social, and educational events that unleash their collective power. After a brief hiatus, the Alliance is planning a next-generation relaunch in 2025.

LGBT Center of SE Wisconsin is a small-but-mighty organization providing a safe home for all LGBTQ+ communities, advocating for the rights of individuals who have experienced discrimination, and lobbying for more inclusive civic policies and ordinances. The Center offers specialized Safe Zone workplace training, specialized support groups, volunteer opportunities, and advocacy training for future leaders.

Milwaukee Black Pride Correlation is building a better, safer, and more equitable world for LGBTQ+ people and their families by addressing the unique challenges faced by Black LGBTQ+ communities, including social injustice, discrimination, health disparities, and economic inequality. The Correlation seeks to build a global movement to fight for freedom, liberation, and justice for all Black LGBTQ+ communities.

Milwaukee GAMMA was established in 1978 as a place to meet and interact at community-driven events. Each event is organized, promoted, and hosted by a member, with more than 15 to 20 events each month. Although originally a men’s sporting association, GAMMA offers a variety of social, recreational, and cultural offerings, ranging from hikes to cribbage games to boat cruises to roller-skating.

Milwaukee Gay Sports Network promotes organized athletic groups and activities among the LGBTQ+ community and their allies in the Greater Milwaukee area and beyond, including Milmaids, Milwaukee Beer Barons, Milwaukee Gay Darts League, Milwaukee Gay Volleyball, Milwaukee Gay Football Club, Milwaukee Metro Tennis Club, and SSBL, one of the nation’s longest-running LGBTQ+ sports leagues founded in 1977.

Milwaukee LGBT Community Center has been delivering educational, health promotion, advocacy, and community-building services that meet the needs of LGBTQ+ youth, adults, and their allies in the Greater Milwaukee area since 1998.

Milwaukee Pride, Inc. was founded in 1987 as the Milwaukee Lesbian & Gay Pride Committee. Milwaukee Pride carries forward a proud three-decade tradition of hosting PrideFest, the state’s largest LGBTQ+ pride celebration each June. PrideFest offers visitors an array of health and wellness resources, community engagement opportunities, and multiple stages of live entertainment.

Milwaukee Pride Parade became independent from PrideFest in 2005 as a separate non-profit. The all-volunteer Parade Board is committed to creating a family- and fun-oriented celebration of LGBTQ+ pride for the people of southeastern Wisconsin. Last year’s parade included a record-breaking 205 units, with 5,000 participants and more than 30,000 spectators. The 21st Annual Parade, to be held June 8 at 2:00 p.m., honors the theme of “Remember, Resist, Rejoice.”

Our Voice Milwaukee is committed to creating a space for the LGBTQ+ community to come together and engage in meaningful music experiences. The chorus is inspired by the joy of singing and making music together. Our Voice has its roots in Men’s Voices Milwaukee and the Perfect Harmony Chorus of Madison and was originally known as the City of Festivals Men’s Chorus. Since rebranding in 2020, the group has grown from 11 to more than 100 members.

Pathfinders began in 1970 as a shelter for runaway and homeless youth on Milwaukee’s East Side. Today, it’s is one of Wisconsin’s oldest and most effective nonprofits serving youth in crisis. Each year, Pathfinders serves 5,000 youth, with approximately 20% receiving intensive onsite services. Through the Q-BLOK program, Pathfinders provides wraparound housing, health, and wellness services for Milwaukee’s homeless LGBTQ+ youth. Street Beat, the Pathfinders youth outreach team, connects youth with everyday necessities, access to services, and awareness of the Pathfinders Drop-In Center.

PFLAG Milwaukee promotes the health and well-being of LGBTQ+ people, their families, and friends through support, education, and advocacy. PFLAG is an opportunity for meaningful dialogue around sexual and gender identities.

Pride Rides Wisconsin is a social and educational organization that provides a safe and inclusive space for LGBTQ+ and LGBTQ-friendly motorcycle riders to participate in group rides together and to support charitable community causes. Every June, Pride Rides Wisconsin hosts the Ride With Pride, believed to be the world’s largest pride-themed motorcycle event.

Trans Liberation MKE is committed to the liberation of transgender people in Milwaukee and around the world. As a disruptive grassroots organization, this group believes that noone is free until all are free.

Vivent Health envisions a world without AIDS and strives to ensure everyone with HIV lives a long and healthy life. Vivent descends from a 40-year legacy of community-centered care that began with the Milwaukee AIDS Project and Madison AIDS Support Network in 1985. Now serving nearly 17,000 clients in six states each year, Vivent Health delivers a medical home model of care including not only medical, dental, mental health and pharmacy care, but also housing, nutrition, legal assistance, and prevention services.

Wisconsin Leather Pride is an inclusive and supportive organization that hosts events, raises funds, and represents the statewide leather and kink communities at next-level state, regional, national, and international contests. The group seeks to improve the experience of underrepresented and marginalized people by reversing antiquated contest and title requirements rooted in prejudice.

Wisconsin LGBT Chamber of Commerce works to create a fully inclusive state by promoting economic growth and opportunities among LGBTQ+ owned and allied businesses, corporations, and professionals in Wisconsin. The Chamber serves as an advocate between business and government that champions equality and fairness for all. The Chamber offers its members more than a dozen programs and a dynamic monthly calendar of events.

Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project was Founded in 1994 and is working to reconnect Wisconsin with its hidden histories to inspire a more inclusive future. By researching, documenting, celebrating, and elevating local LGBTQ+ history, the Project ensures that all LGBTQ+ people (and their stories) can be seen.

Women’s Voices Milwaukee celebrates the contribution of women to the musical landscape of Milwaukee. Their mission is to create a supportive space where women can unite, collaborate, and express themselves through the power of music. The group is dedicated to celebrating diverse musical expressions and contributing to the rich cultural fabric of the community.

ZAO MKE Church is a faith-based congregation that is radically inclusive, justice-centered, and rooted in the truth of Jesus Christ. Zao means “to live, breathe, be among the living” or “to have true life worthy of the name.” The word was used by the Bible’s authors to describe Jesus after his death and resurrection, and ZAO leaders believe it is the calling of all seekers of God to become fully alive. ZAO offers not only spiritual guidance, prayer, and training to community organizers, but monetary aid, materials, and protest support.