Jeffery Payne reflects on his identities as a black, queer, trans man and encourages himself and others to stand tall, despite feeling like an outsider in any community.
Accepting myself and the other Jefferies I’ve been
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July 2024
Dinotto was Meant to Be
Dino Maniaci opens an Italian deli that shares a kitchen with his restaurant, D’Vino, filling a vacancy in downtown Madison.
The Thrill of Celebrity, the Agony of Being Seen
Reclaiming the story of Wisconsin’s first gay Black Olympian: George Coleman Poage.
Living Her Truth
Milwaukee native Janice Toy grew up in the 70s and 80s knowing she was different, and to this day she has lived her truth despite the challenges. Now, she wants to pass along what she has learned to others.
The Defender
Erica López is the Executive Director and Staff Attorney at the Peoples Law Center | Centro de Derecho de la Gente (PLC).
The Advocate
DeShanda Williams-Clark is a trailblazing advocate for youth and young adults experiencing homelessness, sexual exploitation, and crisis in the Milwaukee community.
The Public Servant
Jesus Rivera works to bring needed representation as the only minority and openly LGBTQ+ member on the School District of Cambridge Board of Education.
The Visionary
Afra Smith amplifies lived experience and empowers financial freedom through The Melanin Project.
Culture Reclaimed
Two-Spirit Oneida advocate and presenter Joseph Torres shares his journey from the closet to the podium.
Activism at its Core
Tyrone Creech Jr., new Executive Director of GSAFE, shares his vision for guiding the non-profit toward greater representation and focus on queer and trans BIPOC youth and adults.
Orgullosa
UW-Madison’s Associate Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs, Dr. Fernie Rodriguez (they/them), on what it’s like being the highest-ranking openly transgender official at the institution, growing up as a first-generation Latine immigrant, and overcoming economic adversity.
Trans Masc Meetup
Allister June, the founder of the Trans Masc Meetup, shares details about the monthly gathering. The Madison meetup takes place 1:00–3:00 p.m. on second Sundays at Garver Feed Mill in the Garver Lounge.
Liberation through Literature
A Q&A with Sandy Olson and Nicholas Leete of LGBT Books to Prisoners. The organization is trans-affirming, racial-justice focused, and operates from a prison abolitionist perspective.
Let Trans Kids Play
Kalick Kiioro, a transgender high school softball player, makes the case for inclusion, equity, and sound science when it comes to participation in sports. Note: Kalick Kiioro is a pseudonym we’ve used to protect the identity and safety of the author.
Memory Lanes
Honeymooners, Madison’s queer bowling league, offers friendly competition and friendships, too. Honeymooners’ Ryan Feathers shares his lifelong bowling memories and all the details on how to get involved with the league to make your own friends and memories, too.
Fair Wisconsin names new Executive Director
Fair Wisconsin announced in early July that the organization has chosen a new Executive Director, Abby Swetz, after a nationwide search. Swetz was awarded the GSAFE Educator of the Year award in 2017, and the Rockwell Cooperating Teacher Award from the University of...
Out candidates running in primaries
With November’s election showdowns looming large over the country, it’s important to focus on the local issues that affect our everyday lives, and to remember to show up in the August primary, even if it doesn’t seem as important. While there aren’t many contested...
PrideFest sets records for number of attendees, vendors, sponsors & performers
Despite poor weather conditions hampering attendance on Saturday, June 8, Milwaukee Pridefest was bigger than ever this year, with overall more attendees, more vendors, and more performers than ever before. In a press release sent out after the event, Milwaukee Pride,...
Get Your Affairs in Order
Given the current climate on the national and state level 10 years after Wisconsin granted same-sex couples the right to marry, many are bracing for a potential overturn and reversion back to a statewide or national ban.
Arthur Davis
June 2024 (Shared with permission from FIVE nightclub)
Clarence Porter Cameron
May 19, 1941—June 3, 2024
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