The first issue of Queer Life (also known as Q-Life) appeared on Dec. 15, 2004. Queer Life was founded to give Milwaukee and Wisconsin a true newspaper for the first time in several years, since the demise of both In Step and Wisconsin Light. Coincidentally, it was started up in the same month that another Milwaukee-based newspaper, Outbound News, also began publishing.

While Outbound News ceased publishing after just a year, Queer Life (now commonly referred to as Q-Life) continued to go strong; by its first anniversary, it was being well received by the community and served an important niche.

But as with most magazines and newspapers, this paper also struggled to survive. Its first major crisis was in August 2006, when Don Hoffman, the Editor and one of the owners of the paper, abruptly resigned. Co-owners Nancy Meeks and Carole Wehner were left with a paper without direction and in serious financial shape. The community rallied however, and although no September issue was printed, within a few weeks the paper had been transferred to new owners, and Kate Sherry took over as Managing Editor. As of this writing, the paper continues to be a powerful voice and advocate for the LGBT community into 2008.