Pride Gives Back Night honors LGBTQ community cornerstones

In honor of PrideFest 2018, the largest LGBTQ event in Wisconsin history, the Milwaukee Pride Board of Directors has disbursed over $23,000 in financial donations, scholarships and gifts to local causes, including:

• $12,200 to Diverse & Resilient, via the PrideFest Plus One campaign
• $3,000 to Kimberly Wilbern, recipient of the 2018 Rising Star Scholarship
• $2,500 to the Wisconsin LGBT History Project
• $2,500 to the Milwaukee Pride Parade
• $2,500 to the 2018 Milwaukee LGBT Film/Video Festival
• $955 in Wom!nz Spot tip donations to Pathfinders Q*Blok

All beneficiaries, as well as the general public, are invited to Pride Gives Back Nighton Wednesday, August 22 at Rock Bottom Brewery (740 N. Plankinton Ave.) This special tapping event offers a cash bar and snacks, with a portion of all proceeds benefiting PrideFest 2019.  The event is free and open to the public.  All are welcome.

“While PrideFest may be our marquee event, the ability to generate financial support for other LGBTQ community organizations and programs is how we continue to bring people and efforts together all year long,” said Wes Shaver, president of Milwaukee Pride, Inc.  “We touched 45,000 lives at PrideFest 2018.  We hope that, by giving back to these critical local programs, we can touch 45,000 more before PrideFest 2019.”

“I couldn’t be more pleased to see so many deserving groups be awarded!”

Milwaukee Pride’s mission statement makes firm commitments to the LGBTQ community: to developing future leaders, to improving access to services, to celebrating our history and heritage, to creating learning, networking and activation opportunities. In fall 2018, Milwaukee Pride will assume custodial stewardship of the Wisconsin LGBT History Project as an outreach program of the organization.

This year’s community donations of $23,655 reflect a 48% increase over last year’s reinvestment of $16,000.  This is the largest single sum ever donated by Milwaukee Pride, Inc. / PrideFest Milwaukee.

Diverse & Resilient: local champion of community health

This year’s PrideFest Plus One campaign raised a record-breaking $6,100 in community donations, which were matched by the Milwaukee Pride Board of Directors for a grand total donation of $12,200.

“Diverse and Resilient is thrilled to not only be the recipient of the Plus One donations, but to have Milwaukee Pride match all of the donations from the community,” said Gerry Coon, executive director of Diverse & Resilient.

“This is fantastic,” said Kathy Flores, D&R’s LGBTQ Anti-Violence program manager.  “This means that we can expand our LGBTQ youth campaign that reminds them that they are beautiful, loved and worthy just as they are.  It is so important that LGBTQ young people know this during these difficult times.”

Coon added “Milwaukee Pride and PrideFest are treasures in the Milwaukee and larger LGBTQ community.  We always know that no matter what is going on in the world, Milwaukee Pride and PrideFest will give us a reason and place to celebrate the beautiful and loving community we are.”

PrideFest Plus One nominations are currently being accepted for the 2019 festival season. The 2019 PrideFest Plus One honoree will be announced in January.

PrideFest Milwaukee 2019 dates will be announced in August.

Sponsors:  email us to schedule a meeting!

Volunteers: sign up today to get involved!

Community Organizers, Entertainers, Marketplace merchants, Food & Beverage vendors: email us and join the community experience!