BE SEEN: Celebrating the 1966 Sip-In
2026-04-21 17:30 - 19:00 (America/Chicago) | Fluid Bar, 819 S 2nd St, Milwaukee, WI, United States
Join us as we come together for an “hour of power” and a toast to our elders on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 — as we celebrate the battle for our rights to BE SEEN, be served, and assemble as an LGBTQ community.

Fluid and the Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project are joining an Instagram Live national celebration connecting hundreds of queer spaces across America. Photographs and video clips will be collected for the Project.

All guests are encouraged to use hashtag #SipIn60 in social posts.

Did you know? Until 1982, it was perfectly legal for any bar to refuse service to known or suspected homosexuals in Wisconsin.
Bartenders who served gay men or lesbians could lose their licenses; bars who allowed them to congregate were often declared “disorderly houses” and closed down. Gay bars were forced to operate under the radar, paying the police for protections, and customers were treated as second-class citizens.
Today, this may seem unthinkable. To our elders, it was just everyday life.

On April 21, 1966, the Mattachine Society organized a protest to challenge discrimination and assert our First Amendment rights to assemble. After announcing they were gay and requesting service, they were immediately refused — and the moment was photographed and received widespread media attention.

The Sip-In had a domino effect that led to the Stonewall Uprising of 1969. This national event offers a chance for the community to come together and celebrate LGBTQ history, at a time when we are being censored, excluded, and erased.

The Sip-In Celebration is sponsored by the LGBTQ Heritage Alliance, of which the Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project was a founding member in 2024.

Come celebrate LGBTQ history and activism as we connect to the NYC anchor event at Julius’ bar via Zoom and Instagram Live.

Photos of Mattachine Society members and Sip-In participants Dick Leitsch, John Timmons, Craig Rodwell, and Randy Wicker. Gift of The Estate of Fred W. McDarrah. #SipIn60

Tell Our Story: Queer Songs Across the Eras
2026-04-25 19:00 - 21:00, 2026-04-26 15:30 - 17:00 | The Pitman Theater – Alverno College, 3431 S 39th St., Milwaukee, WI, 53215, United States
PURCHASE TICKETS: www.ourvoicemke.org/buytickets

Queer joy thrives even as we remember we were never meant to survive. Queer composers and artists have always existed – sometimes visible and sometimes cloaked in the halls of dominant society. The Spring Concert Series focuses on queer composers throughout history ultimately leading to LGBTQ+ artists of today. The beauty, expression, and light their work gives to the world is worthy, perhaps now more than ever.

Please join us on Saturday, April 25 at 7:00PM or Sunday, April 26 at 3:30PM as we conclude our 15th season, The Audacity of Joy. We are, once again, thrilled to announce that our April performances will take place at Alverno College’s Pitman Theatre.

Authentically Us: A Celebration of LGBTQ+ Youth and Resource Fair
2026-05-02 10:30 - 13:00 | First Congregational Church – United Church of Christ, 31 Milwaukee Ave W, Fort Atkinson, WI, 53538, United States
This event: Has LGBTQ content, Is LGBTQ hosted, May be of interest to the LGBTQ community || Join us in celebrating the creative and artistic talents of LGBTQIA+ youth and youth allies from across Jefferson County. There will be artwork on display, a resource fair to connect youth and their families to local partners, face painting, balloon artist, and plenty of fun art activities for attendees to participate in. This event is made possible through a generous Changemaker Grant from IT GETS BETTER and is being hosted in collaboration with First Congregational Church (Fort Atkinson) and Jefferson County’s Youth Safe Space group. LGBTQ+ youth and youth allies are helping plan this event. || Free to Attend

✨ QUEER PROM: A NIGHT UNDER THE STARS ✨
2026-05-09 19:30 - 23:45 | South Second | A Saz’s Hospitality Group Venue, 838 South 2nd Street, Milwaukee, WI, 53204, United States
This event: Has LGBTQ content, May be of interest to the LGBTQ community || Dust off your sequins for the ultimate prom do-over! Join us at South Second for a cosmic night of dancing, authenticity, and celebration. This inclusive “redo” honors your true self while raising vital funds for the Milwaukee Trans and Queer Depot.
THE HIGHLIGHTS
Entertainment: Beats by DJ Milwaukee Airwaves, tarot readings by Tres Ojos & Raising Suns, and show-stopping drag performances by Ramona.
The Main Event: A Prom Royalty coronation where authenticity takes the crown.
Food & Drink: Cash bar and late-night bites by Saz’s.
Perks: Professional photo booths, a resource table, and a FREE afterparty hosted by POP
P.S. This event is for ages 21+ || $30 – $85

Beyond the Binary Series
2026-05-18 18:30 - 20:00 | Port Washington State Bank Community Room, 218 E Washington St, Port Washington, WI, 53074, United States
This event: Has LGBTQ content, Is LGBTQ hosted, May be of interest to the LGBTQ community || Join PW Pride May 18th from 6:30pm-8:00pm as we collaborate alongside Forward with Hope to present special guest speaker, Sarah Jenkins of the Metropolitan Milwaukee Fair Housing Council. Attendees will develop a better understanding on how to recognize and report housing discrimination, and learn how the Fair Housing Council is working to foster more inclusive, equitable communities.
The event is FREE, but kindly RSVP using the link. || FREE

Rooted In Pride
2026-05-28 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-06-11 18:00 - 19:30, 2026-06-25 18:00 - 19:30 | Midwest Sad, 601 S 6th St, Milwaukee, WI, 53204, United States
This event: Has LGBTQ content, Is LGBTQ hosted, May be of interest to the LGBTQ community || Join Fair Future Movement’s bi-weekly conversations as we celebrate LGBTQ+ history, resilience, and our deep connection to the natural world. Together, we’ll reclaim our stories and explore the powerful intersections between queer identity and environmental justice.
LGBTQ+ history is a history of resilience and deep connections to each other, the land, and to movements that have fought for a more just world. At a time when LGBTQ+ rights, histories, and identities are under increasing attack, creating intentional spaces for learning, reflection, and community is more important than ever.
This summer’s Community Learning Series honors Pride Month by bringing together the LGBTQ+ community and allies to explore local history, ecological connection, and the power of reclaiming our stories. Through the film History Unhidden: Milwaukee’s LGBTQ Heritage and select poems from Queer Nature, we’ll uncover the LGBTQ+ roots of our own city, examine the intersections between queer identity and the natural world, and celebrate the resilience that lives at the heart of both movements. || Free

Power in Pride
2026-06-02 17:30 - 20:30 | Pop Style Cafe, 934 S 5th St, Milwaukee, WI, 53204, United States
This event: Has LGBTQ content, Is LGBTQ hosted, May be of interest to the LGBTQ community || Hey Milwaukee, what month is it?
Join the WisDems LGBTQ+ Coalition for POWER IN PRIDE!
Featuring food, education, drag performances, and a chance to celebrate our political power!
This special event is an opportunity to learn more about the history of LGBTQ+ rights in Wisconsin, the importance of progressive policies, and how YOU can get involved in political action right now!
We’ll have light refreshments, specialty drinks and deals all night, and time to mix and mingle with other queer Democrats. Plus, bring your questions about the upcoming election and what you need to know before casting your ballot.
Don’t forget to stick around for POP’s drag show, “Politically Incorrect”, at 9 PM! || 0

Pride Parade
2026-06-07 12:00 - 16:00 | 2nd St and Greenfield Ave Milwaukee, WI
This event: Has LGBTQ content, Is LGBTQ hosted, May be of interest to the LGBTQ community || Join PW Pride as we bring the rainbow to Milwaukee on June 7th! That’s right, we are hitting the streets for the Milwaukee Pride Parade and we want YOU marching with us! This is your chance to show up, shout out, and represent our community with pride, joy, and a whole lot of sparkle.
Whether you’re a seasoned parade pro or this is your first time stepping off the curb, you’re welcome in our lineup. Bring your friends, your family, your flags, your glitter – whatever makes you feel loud, proud, and fully YOU!
Parade truck decorating starts around 12:00pm with parade step-off at 2:00pm.
Stay tuned…we’ll be sending more details closer to the event on where to meet us for line up and possible car pooling info! || Free

Mystery Book Bedazzle
2026-06-11 18:00 - 19:30 | W.J. Niederkorn Library, 316 W Grand Ave, Port Washington, WI, 53074, United States
This event: Has LGBTQ content, Is LGBTQ hosted, May be of interest to the LGBTQ community || Join us for a mystery date with a book! Choose from a number of wrapped LGBTQ+ friendly books, then unwrap to see what you got! Stick around to bedazzle the cover of your newly gifted book. Come in your pajamas or comfiest clothes and enjoy crafting to some music & light refreshments. All supplies provided, registration requested! || Free

Sir James Pub Karaoke with DJ Roundy
2026-06-19 20:00 - 23:00 | Sir James Pub, 316 N Franklin St, Port Washington, WI, 53074, United States
This event: Has LGBTQ content, Is LGBTQ hosted, May be of interest to the LGBTQ community || Warm up those vocal cords and get ready to shine – Karaoke night is taking over Sir James Pub with the one and only DJ Roundy keeping the energy high and the mic hot! Whether you’re a power-ballad pro, a shower-singer superstar, or just here for the laughs, it’s the perfect mid-June night out.
A portion of proceeds will be donated to PW Pride, so bring your friends, grab a drink, and help support our mission for the community!
Fun starts at 8pm and runs until 11pm. Come for the music, stay for the community. || Free

Brandy Clark w/ Alyssia Dominquez (Seated)
2026-06-22 20:00, 2026-06-23 20:00 - 23:00, 2026-06-24 20:00 - 23:00, 2026-06-25 20:00 - 23:00, 2026-06-26 20:00 - 23:00 | The Argo – Whitefish Bay, 334 E Silver Spring Dr, Whitefish Bay, WI, 53217, United States
Catch Brandy Clark live—blending country, folk, and Americana with honest lyrics and unforgettable melodies.

​​Grammy, CMA and Americana Award-winner, Brandy Clark, is one of her generation’s most esteemed songwriters and musicians. In the midst of a landmark year, Clark won Best Americana Performance at the 66th GRAMMY Awards and Song of the Year at the 2024 Americana Honors & Awards with her acclaimed song, “Dear Insecurity,” featuring 11x Grammy-winner Brandi Carlile. The track is from Clark’s self-titled album, which was produced by Carlile and features her most personal songwriting to date.
Released to overwhelming praise, Forbes calls the record “an Americana Masterpiece,” while Variety proclaims it “further clarifies that she’s one of America’s treasures” and Billboard declares, “Clark continues to convey her inexorable talents as both a song-crafter and vocal interpreter.” In addition to her work as a solo artist, Clark has written songs such as “A Beautiful Noise,” the GRAMMY-nominated duet performed by Brandi Carlile and Alicia Keys, and Kacey Musgraves’ “Follow Your Arrow.” She also composed the music for the hit musical comedy, Shucked, alongside her longtime collaborator, Shane McAnally. With the show, Clark won Outstanding Music at the 67th Drama Desk Awards and was nominated for Best Original Score at the 76th Tony Awards, with Shucked receiving nine Tony nominations overall last year.
Doors at 7:00pm. Show at 8:00pm. Full bar service will be available throughout the show. The kitchen will not be open.
*This is a seated show with general admission seating—arrive early for the best spots.
All guests under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian and supervised at all times while inside the building. Failure to provide proper supervision may result in removal from the premises. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us maintain a safe and enjoyable environment for all guests.
🎟️ Note: $1 from every ticket sold goes to a fund benefiting local artist mental health & wellbeing.

2026 Summer Social Celebrate Boldly
2026-06-23 17:00 - 20:00 | GATHER at Deer District, 333 W Juneau Ave Ste B, Milwaukee, WI, 53203, United States
This event: Has LGBTQ content, Is LGBTQ hosted || Our 2025 Summer Social was an amazing success, bringing together 150+ supporters for a dynamic night of music, entertainment, community testimonials, and fabulous company – all in support of the Cream City Foundation’s community grant-making mission. The 2026 Summer Social promises to be another great event on Tuesday, June 23 – this year at our new location, GATHER at Deer District. As we close out Pride Month, the Summer Social will once again convene local leaders, organizers and community members to affirm our commitment to LGBTQ+ communities and raise funds for CCF. Please join us for another night of togetherness, food and drinks, and festivities! || GA; $30 VIP: $60

Dine to Donate
2026-06-25 15:00 - 20:00 | Moonlight Tavern & Supper Club, 101 E Main St, Port Washington, WI, 53074, United States
This event: Has LGBTQ content, Is LGBTQ hosted, May be of interest to the LGBTQ community || Pull up a chair alongside PW Pride as we team up with Moonlight Tavern & Supper Club for a Dine to Donate event supporting our mission to the community! Enjoy great food and drinks, good feels, and a supper club vibe! A portion of the day’s proceeds will be donated back to PW Pride, helping fuel programs, events, and support for the community right here in Ozaukee County. The event runs all day and is open to all ages. || n/a

M&M Club: The 50th Anniversary Reunion
2026-07-05 13:00 - 17:00 | LaCage Niteclub, 801 S 2nd St, Milwaukee, WI, 53204, US
Fifty years ago this summer, something magical happened at the corner of Water and Erie in the Historic Third Ward. On Sunday, July 4, the M&M Club (124 N. Water St.) opened its doors to the community for the first time.

Over the next 30 years, the M&M was not only part of the rebirth of Milwaukee’s destination neighborhood, but an important part of our local culture, community, and heritage. This fall, we will install a State Historic Marker outside the bar to honor its impact on us all!

Join us on Sunday, July 5, as we celebrate five decades of M&M memories — and the lifetime contributions of Bob Schmidt to Milwaukee — at the 2026 M&M Club Reunion.

We will be presenting a very special award to Bob, who will be joining us in person, all the way from Palm Springs.

ALSO!
*** RETRO DRAG SHOW ***hosted by Miss Karen Valentine
*** RETRO DRINK SPECIALS ****** HISTORIC PHOTO EXHIBIT ****** BAR FOOD MENU AVAILABLE ****** SIDEWALK SEATING AVAILABLE ***

This event is presented in loving memory of Ron “Rona” Thate.
Questions? Contact us to learn more!

NOTE: due to operational challenges, the Tied House declined to host this event. We are grateful to the La Cage team for opening their doors to the community for this special afternoon.

“This weekend, another new bar had its grand opening: M&Ms+, in the same neighborhood as The Inferno and The Wreckr Room. A free buffet was offered and the crowd overflowed into the street. The two bartenders, Lanny and Bob, really put in a day’s work while the ever-popular Jamie Gays served as grand opening hostess.” – GLIB Guide (August 1976)

WIC WHITNEY / ZACH LLOYD: The Casserole Tour
2026-07-07 19:30 - 21:30 | X-Ray Arcade, 5036 S Packard Ave., Cudahy, WI, 53110, United States
Wic’s eclectic genre-full combination of hip-hop, folk, and
funk is held together by his soulful vocals, thoughtful
lyricism, and a dash of cutting humor that entices the
listener to take a breath and be present in whatever
feeling life is throwing their way. With a heart that doctors
call “too large”, Wic puts his whole foot into the unique
charismatic sound he creates, and it shows in both his live
performance and his online presence. Amassing hundreds
of thousands of followers and millions of views and streams
there’s just something about this grey eyed dandy with
sleep apnea that people like.

OUT in the Kitchen
2026-07-21 18:00 - 20:00 | Discovery World, 500 N Harbor Dr, Milwaukee, WI, 53202, United States
This event: Has LGBTQ content, Is LGBTQ hosted, May be of interest to the LGBTQ community || Join us for our signature food tasting event, OUT in the Kitchen, presented by Molson Coors on Tuesday, July 21 at Discovery World in Milwaukee from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Come and enjoy some delicious food and drinks from several of our Chambers members and network with great friends and colleagues. Food will be available in The Pavilion and the outdoor patio will be open for you to enjoy!
Early bird tickets ($45) are available until May 31. After that date and until the event, general tickets ($60) are available. Each ticket comes with one complimentary drink ticket and all the food samples you can eat from our vendors! Sponsorship packages are also available. (Reach out to Jack Feria, Membership & Events Director, jack@wislgbtchamber.com for more information)
VENDORS INCLUDE:
Antigua Latin Inspired Kitchen
The Bartolotta Restaurants
Chandler House Bakery
Flour Girl & Flame
Midwest Sad
MOXIE Food + Drink
Tootsie’s Tea
& 14 more to be announced! || Early bird tickets ($45) are available until May 31. After that date and until the event, general tickets ($60) are available.
