ninety-three yrs of queer persecution
–
25 yrs of remembering, supporting, and fighting.
give proudly.
give now.
From the 1930s to the present day, the persecution and premeditated attacks against the LGBTQ+ community have been ongoing and deadly – enduring 93 years of hateful salvos. It includes systemic government oppression, corporate compliance with discrimination in the workplace, to mass-shootings in our safe spaces.
The ‘30s started a dark period when lavender was cruelly linked to the LGBTQ community. Gay men in America were taunted for possessing a "streak" of lavender”, and in the ‘50s, President Eisenhower declared gay men and lesbians to be a threat to the security of the country and therefore unfit for government service. This contributed to and paralleled the anti-communist campaign which is known as McCarthyism and the Second Red Scare. In doing so, he triggered the longest witch hunt in American history through the investigation, interrogation, and systematic removal of gay men and lesbians from the federal government.
This was known as the “Lavender Scare”, pulling from the streak of lavender just twenty years earlier. The policy was based on the unfounded fear that gay men and lesbians “posed a threat to national security because they were vulnerable to blackmail and were considered to have weak moral characters; an aspect of American history that has largely been overlooked.
Over the next four decades, tens of thousands of government workers would lose their jobs for no reason other than their sexual orientation. But the actions of the government had an unintended effect.
They inadvertently helped ignite the gay rights movement.
In 1969, the color lavender came to symbolize empowerment & homosexuality.
As the color lavender represents a twenty-fourth anniversary or milestone, the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center proudly adopts this empowered color in the last month of our twenty-fourth year of service to remember and celebrate the many queer lives – our lavender lives – that have come through our doors.
Entering our 25th year, we need your support so we may continue providing a place to heal, the ability to help, and giving hope to those in the community who really need it.
Older Adults & Disabilities Care
Direct and Indirect Services: Monthly meals; Counseling, Therapy, and Support groups; Computer literacy training and other educational events and activities; LGBTQ+ & Disability Support Group; Educational Sessions based on various disability-related topics; Social Service and Victims Services referrals; Advocacy with service provision agencies and with legislators and community leaders at the local, state, and national levels related to aging and disability issues.
i feel so alone
if you luv me, will you help me?
Youth Development Programs • Project Q
Project Q is a youth development program and safe space serving lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning, and allied youth ages 13 to 24. We are an accepting, affirming, and drug/alcohol-free environment where LGBTQ+ youth/adolescents can identify and express themselves without fear of ridicule or harassment.
These programs serve 700+ individuals annually and focus on fostering positive growth, building self-esteem, and helping ready them for various life stages.
As a safe space, Project Q provides opportunities for development and leadership through a number of activities.
workforce/job skills development
leadership and life skills activities
expression/arts-based activities
alcohol, tobacco, and other drug risk-reduction activities
safer sex and healthy relationship education
health and wellness program
events: GSA Summit, drag shows, and more.
brb, i need someone to talk to.
Behavioral & Mental Health Services
For 25 years, the MKE LGBT Center has been a trusted source of support and wellness. The Center provides behavioral and mental health services for the LGBTQ+ community and its caring allies – your donation will support ensuring these programs are continued and having a trained mental health professional available to provide:
sexual assault and victim support counseling
anti-violence counseling
partner/domestic violence counseling
individual counseling (English/Spanish)
couples counseling (English/Spanish)
family counseling (English/Spanish)
queer re-entry program, and more.
out of the closet with nothing to wear.
Clothing Closet
The Center’s Clothing Closet is a dedicated free resource that affirms and empowers queer individuals who are in need of new and lightly worn clothing and accessories.
Often overlooked, clothing is at the core of queer and gender expression.
Your donation will support the Clothing Closet program and allow the Center to sustain its hours of operation, support staff, and purchase new items as needed.
Those dressed in this program include
displaced & under-resourced youth/adolescents.
transgender, non-binary, gender non-conforming individuals.
financially struggling adults.
job seekers, and more.