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Milwaukee: “Beacons of Brew City” premieres Tuesday, June 16, 2026: Documentary celebrates eight local LGBTQIA elders and their lifetime achievements

MEDIA ADVISORY

“Beacons of Brew City” premieres Tuesday, June 16

Documentary celebrates eight local LGBTQ elders and their lifetime achievements

Milwaukee, WI – On Tuesday, June 16, the Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project will debut the “Beacons of Brew City” documentary at the Oriental Theater (2230 N. Farwell Ave.) The oral history project celebrates the lived experiences and lifetime accomplishments of eight local LGBTQ elders, including:

All are welcome for the premiere event, which includes:

  • Lobby reception & gallery exhibit (6PM)
  • Guest speakers (630PM)
  • Documentary screening (7PM)
  • Panel discussion and Q&A (8PM)



RSVP NOW

All are welcome to join the documentary screening. Seating is first-come, first-served, and limited to the first 150 guests. This is a ticketless event. A tax-deductible donation of $10 will be accepted at the door.

“They stood in the fire when it was dangerous to be seen, let alone heard, eight pioneers who refused to disappear and, in doing so, made it possible for all of us to exist openly today,” said Ritchie T. Martin, Jr., executive director of the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center. “Their courage changed history.”

“Systemic ageism is one of the biggest barricades standing between LGBTQ people and our own heritage,” said Michail Takach, chair of the Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project. “By disconnecting from elders, we disconnect ourselves from our own heritage cycle and destabilize our own strength. We lose sight of history, culture, and knowledge that we need now more than ever. The Beacons Project is a chance to reconnect us.”

Beacons of Brew City is dedicated to the memory of Eldon Murray (1930-2007,) whose outspoken activism and generous philanthropy mobilized the community for over four decades.

All donations support the History Project’s ongoing work to celebrate and commemorate the elders of our community. Beacons of Badgerland, coming in October, will honor Madison-area elders for their lifetime achievements.

Beacons of Brew City was produced by the Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project in partnership with filmmaker Ashley Altadonna of Tall Lady Productions.

UP NEXT:

Our Summer to Be Seen Tour continues with stops at Green Bay Pride (June 20,) the 10th Annual Open Door Pride (June 27,) Beaver Dam Pride (June 27,) and Pride on Brady Street (June 28.)

Questions? Contact us!

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About the Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project

Relentless. Inspired. Independent. Founded by Don Schwamb, the Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project seeks to reconnect Wisconsin with its hidden history and heritage. Since 1994, the Project has partnered with the University of Wisconsin Archives to create the state’s largest digital collection of historical LGBTQ media. Our ongoing work honors the memory of Louis Stimac, Wisconsin’s first true LGBTQ historian.

The Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project Inc. is powered entirely through the work of volunteers. We are an independent non-profit organization organized and operated exclusively for the purposes of education, charitable giving, and public good, as defined in section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code.

What can you do to help?