Welcome to CWPride News!
We're bringing you an array of news, LGBTQ+ history, and events of interest. This newsletter, along with
centralwipride.org, is here for you to enjoy and stay connected with our community.
We've come a long way from the first Central Wisconsin Pride picnic many years ago. Today, we continue building on that foundation with education, advocacy, and celebration.
📍 CENTRAL WISCONSIN PRIDE NEWS
Join Us for Our Annual Festival & Community Events
Central Wisconsin Pride has evolved into an annual 4-day festival. It's more than an event—it's family. The LGBTQ+ Spring Campout and the Call of the Wild are companion events, all hosted at the scenic Motorama Auto Museum events grounds.
Plan to join us for a weekend or two of camping, community, and entertainment. Everyone is welcome!
Visit centralwipride.org for schedules, info, and more.
A federal judge issued a landmark ruling affirming that transgender inmates are entitled to gender-affirming healthcare, explicitly recognizing it as a "serious medical need" under constitutional protections. The decision represents a significant victory for incarcerated trans people who have long faced systemic barriers to essential medical care.
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The ruling orders prison officials to provide appropriate treatment rather than issuing blanket denials based on administrative convenience or cost concerns.
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Advocates are citing this decision as a major precedent for both trans healthcare access and prison-conditions litigation nationwide.
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The case reinforces that constitutional protections against cruel and unusual punishment extend to denial of medically necessary gender-affirming care.
Watch full coverage →
On International Human Rights Day, Senator Ed Markey reintroduced legislation that would formally recommit the United States to defending LGBTQ+ rights worldwide as a central component of American human rights policy. The timing underscores the urgency of protecting LGBTQ+ communities globally amid rising authoritarianism.
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The proposal emphasizes opposing the criminalization of LGBTQ+ people abroad and supporting asylum seekers fleeing persecution based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
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It would embed protections for LGBTQ+ rights into U.S. foreign policy tools, including aid distribution, diplomatic engagement, and international advocacy.
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The bill represents a counter-narrative to isolationist trends, asserting that American values include standing with vulnerable communities worldwide.
Read full statement →
December 12–19: Milestones That Shaped Our Movement
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December 12, 2022 – The Respect for Marriage Act is signed into U.S. law, providing federal recognition for same-sex and interracial marriages and requiring states to honor valid marriages performed elsewhere, even if they do not issue such licenses themselves.
Learn more →
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December 13, 1973 – Washington, D.C. adopts regulations known as Title 34, making discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation illegal in employment, housing, public accommodations, and credit, becoming one of the earliest U.S. jurisdictions with broad protections.
Learn more →
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December 14, 1988 – The film adaptation of Harvey Fierstein's "Torch Song Trilogy," centered on the life and loves of a gay Jewish drag performer, opens in New York City and brings nuanced queer storytelling into mainstream cinemas.
Learn more →
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December 15, 1950 – A U.S. Senate committee releases the "Hoey Report," which declares homosexuals unsuitable for federal employment and intensifies the Lavender Scare, a campaign of firings and surveillance that targeted queer people in government.
Learn more →
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December 19, 2010 – The U.S. Senate votes to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," clearing the way for lesbian, gay, and bisexual servicemembers to serve openly in the armed forces once repeal takes effect, and marking a major shift in military policy.
Learn more →
🌟 Historic Figure Spotlight: Marsha P. Johnson
Marsha P. Johnson (1945–1992) was a Black transgender woman, sex worker, and street-level organizer who became one of the most influential figures in the early gay liberation movement. Her presence during the 1969 Stonewall uprising in New York City helped galvanize a new era of militant, visible LGBTQ+ activism.
In the early 1970s, Johnson co-founded Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR) with Sylvia Rivera. STAR provided housing and support for homeless queer and trans youth, deliberately centering people who were often marginalized even within gay liberation circles. Their work exemplified mutual aid as revolutionary practice.
Johnson's legacy lives on in contemporary trans-rights and racial-justice movements, which cite her as a patron saint of intersectional queer activism. Her life reminds us that the most vulnerable members of our community have often been its most fearless leaders.
Read more →
Mark Your Calendars for 2026!
🎉 January 2 – After After New Years Eve Party
Kick off the new year with our community celebration!
🏕️ May 29-31 – LGBTQ+ Spring Campout
Join us for a weekend of camping, connection, and community at Motorama Events Grounds.
🏳️🌈 June 18-21 – Central Wisconsin Pride Festival
Our flagship 4-day festival featuring entertainment, vendors, and celebration for all!
🌲 July 18-20 – Call of the Wild
Experience nature, community, and adventure at our summer campout event.
Visit our website for full details and registration →
🏳️🌈 OUTLoud inc.
Marathon County LGBTQ+ Center
The only LGBTQ+ Center in Central Wisconsin.
Providing support to the LGBTQ+ community creates inclusive communities where everyone can live and thrive, free from discrimination and prejudice.
We offer peer and family support, advocacy services, and resources for the entire LGBTQ+ community in Marathon County. Whether you're seeking connection, support, or just a safe space to be yourself—we're here for you.
Visit Our Center
