How to use this archive
Queer Wisconsin is a searchable archive of people, places, bars, organizations, events, and media across LGBTQ+ Wisconsin. Here is how to get the most from it.
Updated 2026-09-13
Start on the home page with search if you already know a name, or open a collection — Businesses, People, Organizations, Events, Places, or Media — to browse. Each entry page gathers the facts we have: dates, addresses, owners or founders when known, tags, a written summary, images when available, and citations.
Use the map when geography matters. Only entries with coordinates appear there; many historical addresses still need geocoding. Use the timeline to scan by decade from opening, founding, or other key dates recorded in the fields.
Tags group themes across types — cities, decades, drag, activism, and more. Follow chips on any entry, or browse all tags. Contributor profiles recognize people who research and share history with the project.
Always check the Sources section. Links often lead to the Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project research archive at archive.wislgbthistory.com. That is citation of foundational research, not a claim that we are the same organization. For current news, tours, and events, visit wislgbthistory.com.
Know something we do not? Sign in to contribute. Corrections, memories, and photos are reviewed before anything goes live. If content raises a privacy concern, use the privacy request form instead.