Radio Milwaukee has partnered with the Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project on this podcast series documenting the state’s LGBTQ history. Hosted by Radio Milwaukee's Nate Imig and Michail Takach, curator for the Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project, the podcast explores significant queer milestones, events or people in Wisconsin's LGBTQ history.
Latest episodes
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26 min
A Milwaukee gay man was brutally killed in 1967. His family is still searching for answers.
On Sept. 13, 1967, James Spencer aka “Roger Dallas Whetham,” age 30, was found dead in the Eastway Motel, 636 N. Van Buren St. He had been stabbed multiple times.Spencer was cremat…
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30 min
Remembering generations of lesbian history at Wisconsin's annual 'Old Timers Party'
For four decades, the “Old Timers Party” would unite women of Wisconsin's shuttered lesbian and women’s bars to drink and share stories at a much anticipated annual gathering. Befo…
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31 min
Meet the first couple to seek a same-sex marriage license in Wisconsin
This episode features the story of Donna Burkett and her then-partner, Manonia Evans, the first lesbian couple to seek a marriage in Milwaukee County. When denied, they filed a law…
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28 min
Celebrating 46 years of gay softball in Milwaukee
Did you know Milwaukee hosted the Gay Softball World Series three times, as early as 1979? This year marks the 46th season of gay softball in Milwaukee with Saturday Softball Beer…
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35 min
Tracing the history of Milwaukee's Pride Parade, from protest to celebration
Milwaukee’s Pride Parade is celebrating its 20th anniversary next year, after being sidelined for two years due to the pandemic. This episode features an interview with Parade pres…
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41 min
A conversation with queer media pioneer Bobby Rivers
We kick off season two of "Be Seen" with a profile of Bobby Rivers, a national television host, entertainer, interviewer and actor who began his career in Milwaukee and eventually…
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30 min
'Be Seen' Season 2 Preview
Radio Milwaukee has again partnered with the Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project on a eight episode second season of award-winning podcast “Be Seen” documenting the state’s LGBTQ histo…
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25 min
Bonus Episode: Was the Mafia involved in Wisconsin's earliest gay bars?
On this bonus episode of "Be Seen," hosts Nate Imig and Michail Takach address the often repeated rumor that the Mafia was involved in financing Wisconsin's earliest gay bars. In a…
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35 min
#6: How did Wisconsin respond to HIV and AIDS?
We hear from two leaders of vital organizations in Wisconsin’s response: Sue Dietz, the original co-founder of AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin, and Mark Behar, the co-founder of…
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34 min
#5: What is Wisconsin’s longest running gay bar?
This is It co-owner George Schneider talks about creating an intentionally inclusive community at Wisconsin's longest running LGBTQ bar. Then, Michail speaks about his interviews w…
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30 min
#4: Wisconsin’s most notable women’s bars
Walker’s Pint owner Betsy Boenning speaks to Milwaukee having one of only 21 women’s bars left in the country. Milwaukee natives Maryann “Flash” Gorski and Diane “Legs” Gregory rec…
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37 min
#3: When was Wisconsin’s first drag show?
Wisconsin drag legends BJ Daniels and Tempest Heat share firsthand experiences entertaining in the 1980s to the present, particularly how the community came together through drag b…
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29 min
#2: When was it illegal to be LGBTQ in Wisconsin?
Bob Schmidt, owner of the M&M Club, speaks about opening the now closed bar when it was illegal to be gay and being among the few establishments to have open windows. Michail expla…
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32 min
#1: Meet the gender nonconforming ‘queen’ who led Wisconsin’s first LGBTQ uprising
Eight years before Stonewall, Milwaukee had its own LGBTQ uprising at the Black Nite bar. Featuring audio from the Archives Department, University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee Libraries,…