LGBTQ History

Eldon Murray Papers

Eldon Murray was a prominent activist in the Milwaukee LGBT community. In addition to his work with the Gay Peoples Union (GPU) and the Milwaukee AIDS Project, Murray was the founder of SAGE/Milwaukee, the first organization in Wisconsin dedicated to serving the needs of older gay, lesbian, and bisexual people through community building and counseling services. The digital collection includes selections from the Eldon Murray Papers, including an extensive series of newspaper clippings from the 1940s to the 1970s, photographs, fiction and nonfiction writings, activist organization records, and a handful of publications.

Leaping La Crosse News

The Leaping La Crosse News, a monthly newsletter published from 1979-2007, was a source of information for lesbians living in the La Crosse, Wisconsin, area. Topics covered include national, state and local news of legal cases, entertainment and events as well as social and political activities of the La Crosse area lesbian community.

Milwaukee LGBT Oral History Project Interviews

Oral history interviews conducted by the Milwaukee LGBT History Project 2003-2007. Interviewees describe their coming out experiences, the Gay Liberation Movement in Milwaukee, early LGBT organizations, the impact of feminism on LGBT politics, and LGBT social activities.

Shall Not Be Recognized Oral History Project Interviews

In 2007, author Will Fellows collaborated with photographer Jeff Pearcy to create “Shall Not Be Recognized,” an exhibit of photographic and verbal portraits of thirty same-sex couples in long-term, committed relationships, all residents of the Milwaukee area.