Milwaukee Pride, Inc. is excited to honor the winners of this year’s BeOUT Awards for LGBTQ Visibility!
The BeOUT Awards celebrate individuals who have taken heroic strides to elevate the visibility and voice of local LGBTQ people within the past year.
The awards will be presented at Milwaukee Pride’s annual autumn event, BeOUT Milwaukee, Thursday, October 11 from 5:00 – 9:00 P.M. at LVL Events (801 S. 2nd St., formerly La Cage / Montage.)
BeOUT also celebrates National Coming Out Day and the ever-increasing importance of LGBTQ visibility, while encouraging visitors to support local businesses in Historic Walker’s Point — a neighborhood that has been the historic heart and soul of LGBTQ Milwaukee for 50 years.
This year’s honorees are:
Lex Allen: After many years as a perennial PrideFest favorite performer, Lex Allen served a critical role in this year’s Diverse & Resilient “Colors in Bloom” campaign, which encourages self-love and self-acceptance as the foundation of a healthy identity. Whether as an artist, performer or spokesperson, Lex relentlessly supports greater visibility, inclusion and representation of local queer and trans people of color.
Carla Anne Ernst: In 2018, Carla shared her deeply personal journey to her best self in “Life Without Pockets: My Long Journey Into Womanhood.” Her book elevates the voice and visibility of diverse transgender lives beyond our local arena, and serves as an inspiration for individuals everywhere who might be beginning their own transition — or doubting their own strength and resilience to do so.
Dr. Andrew Petroll and the Inclusion Health Clinic: By ensuring access to the highest standards of culturally competent, compassionate, and comprehensive medical care, the Inclusion Health Clinic (840 N. 87th St.) of Froedtert and the Medical College of Wisconsin strengthens the overall health and wellness of our community. Historically, LGBTQ people have been reluctant to discuss their sexual or gender identities with their care providers, fearing discrimination, shame or other adverse reactions. Milwaukee’s transgender and queer persons of color have long experienced barriers to the care they need. The Inclusion Health Clinic will ensure that our community feels welcome and affirmed, while receiving medical care from providers who have the specific expertise and experience they need.
Milwaukee Pride will present the 2018 awards Thursday night at 7:30 P.M. at LVL Events. Richard Whitaker of PFLAG Milwaukee will provide the keynote presentation.
“In these darkening political times, LGBTQ people need heroes more than ever,” said Michail Takach, vice president of Milwaukee Pride, Inc. “We cannot thank these community champions enough for lighting candles where there might otherwise be darkness.”
BeOUT Milwaukee, a partnership with the NOH8 Campaign, offers several activities throughout the evening:
- Get visible! Purchase your very own NOH8 resistance photo for a nominal fee — and join the revolution of thousands who have taken a stand against LGBTQ discrimination. No advance registration required — all photos are first come, first served.
- Get active! Milwaukee Pride will be recruiting volunteers for PrideFest 2019, returning June 6, 7, 8 and 9 at Henry W. Maier Festival Park.
- Get loud! Register to vote in this fall’s midterm elections — and learn more about what’s at stake for LGBTQ voters at the ballot box.
- Get social! Make a minimum $5 donation to PFLAG Milwaukee and receive your free drink free between 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. (Must be age 21 and older to qualify.) Make your donation at the Milwaukee Pride table at LVL Events to receive your drink ticket.
- Get rewarded! In partnership with the Walker’s Point Association, Milwaukee Pride will provide a FREE ticket to PrideFest Milwaukee 2019 for every same-day purchase of $33 or more at a Walker’s Point local business. Present your receipt at the Milwaukee Pride table at LVL Events to receive your ticket voucher.
“I’m very excited for our third annual BeOUT Day,” said Milwaukee Pride President, Wes Shaver. “Now, more than ever, it’s important to be visible, be heard and yourself.”
“We live in a world of diversity and we ARE all equal – and on this day, we celebrate the strength, courage, and unity of the LGBTQ community, as well as our allies.”
Special thanks to our premier media partner, 91.7 WMSE, for supporting BeOUT Milwaukee 2018!
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