PrideFest, Wisconsin

PrideFest, Wisconsin’s largest celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) culture and community, beat all previous attendance records earlier this month. The attendance figure stands at 21,368 people, leaving past attendance records in the dust. This year’s two-day festival surpasses even three-day festivals of past years. This is the ninth year PrideFest has been held at the Henry W. Maier Festival Park (Summerfest Grounds). PrideFest is traditionally the first of more than 20 festival events held on the grounds each summer.

Saturday’s lineup featured Taylor Dayne, RuPaul and comedian Jason Stuart. Sunday’s entertainment headliners included Sophie B. Hawkins, Jade Esteban Estrada and Pamela Means. Additional entertainment and educational activities were scheduled non-stop on five stages throughout the weekend.

The community rally was focused against the recently introduced anti-gay amendment to the state constitution. Speakers included the Mayor of Milwaukee, Tom Barrett; Wisconsin Lt. Gov. Barbara Lawton—who roused the crowd with her direct and strong remarks in support of gay rights; Wisconsin Attorney General Peg Lautenschlager; Congresswoman Gwen Moore (4th Congressional District); and State Sen. Tim Carpenter. Moore is the first African American in the Wisconsin delegation and the second woman (Tammy Baldwin is the first).

—Text and two pages of photos by Suzanne Kraus

More pics online: windycitytimes.com