2 min read

LGBTQ Pride Comes Alive in Milwaukee

Travelers are constantly surprised by all that Milwaukee offers, from dance clubs to corner bars, the gay nightlife options are endless, along with having one of the nation's largest and longest-running pride events. The LGBTQ+ community in Milwaukee is no stranger to showing their true colors. In fact, this fabulous community has been booming and growing since the Prohibition Era. The city has even received a score of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign Municipality Equality Index since 2018. Thanks to its people, Milwaukee is Wisconsin’s largest hub to celebrate, dance and show pride in your authentic self.

The City has a number of cultural institutions, including lgbt milWALKee, “History in your hands… fabulousness at your feet,” the app tells the history of local LGBTQ+ people, organizations and events through physical sites mapped into virtual walking tours. Milwaukee LGBT Community Center provides programming and resources to help people feel more themselves. With their mission of helping find homes and providing imperative hygiene resources for displaced LGBTQ+ youth, Courage MKE is helping kids feel and be more themselves. Additional resources.

The fun is happening all year, but it always kicks off during pride month, celebrating its 36th anniversary this summer, Pridefest ,will get the party started on Thursday, June 6 at Henry Maier Festival Park with a special, exclusive drag showcase, with "RuPaul's Drag Race" stars Alaska, Violet Chachki and Envy Peru as well as Ada Vox of "American Idol" fame all taking the SKYYLine Mainstage Welcoming more than 45,000 visitors every year, the lineup stays strong with American Idol season seven runner up David Archuleta, Lady Marmalade singer and queen Mya and so much more including DJ’s, light shows and endless entertainment. The PrideFest party will extend well beyond its stages with a fireworks show to top off the celebrations on Saturday night as well as light shows on the Hoan Bridge all throughout the festival weekend. If you are unable to attend the festival from June 6-8, there are events going on throughout the month and all year long.

Celebrating the 27th Anniversary, The MKE Pride Parade will be June 9th, and if you need some where to cool off, head to Bradford Beach, located downtown. Don’t forget to enjoy Drag Brunch, Drag Queen Bingo, or any night of the week at Hamburger Mary's Drag Burger Joint or kick back at the oldest operating gay bar in the state of Wisconsin at This is It (Owned by George and Trixie Mattel) Also named one of the "Best Lesbian Bars in the U.S.," Walker's Pint is a can't-miss destination to check out!