Gayborhoods that are Gone - Saturday

On this clever and colorful journey, we'll explore the ruins of Milwaukee's first and second "gayborhoods."

For generations, gay, lesbian and gender non-conforming individuals were told they were the only ones in the world. They lived isolated, confusing, often tragic lives -- totally unaware of the remarkable history, heritage and community that LGBTQ Milwaukee offered as early as the 1880s. We'll explore the ruins of Milwaukee's first and second "gayborhoods" -- and discuss five pivotal events that transformed not only local queer lives, but the architecture, history and culture of Walker's Point and the overall landscape of Milwaukee as we know it.

This tour involves a .4 mile walk across sidewalks, railroad tracks, bridges, hills, and some rough terrain. If mobility is an issue, we invite tourgoers to drive from the first tour stop to the second (173 S. 2nd) and third (235 S. 2nd) talking points.

We are meeting at 401 N. Plankinton Ave. - at the state historic marker, near the Hop Stop at the southwest corner of Plankinton & St. Paul. Note that parking may be difficult to find south of Michigan St. during brunch hours.

Michail Takach is a sixth-generation Wisconsinite, author, reporter, historian, and communications professional. He is the president of the Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project, now celebrating 30 years of reconnecting our state with its past to inspire a more inclusive future. Additional walk leaders will join the tour to share their lived experiences and memories of yesterday's gayborhoods. Recommended pre-reading: LGBT Milwaukee (2016) and Milwaukee Drag: Seven Generations of Glamour (2022) available for purchase at Historic Milwaukee.