In the midst of Milwaukee’s serious problems, jsonline reported last week that today the Wisconsin Historical Society will be dedicating in downtown Milwaukee the first LGBTQ historic landmark in state history, complete with a community celebration. The landmark will commemorate the Black Nite uprising at the Black Nite Tavern in August nineteen sixty-one. The tavern had been friendly to drag queens and others in the LGBTQ community. Josie Carter, a black transgender, defended the space after some individuals reportedly started a brawl.
Surely the Wisconsin Historical Society could find something more worthy to recognize in our state’s largest city. We need to be collectively looking for ways to lift Milwaukee—to reduce crime, to give kids a good education, to provide affordable housing. This landmark dedication does nothing to help but rather is pandering to a radical cultural and political agenda.
