History of Gay and Lesbian Life in Milwaukee, Wisconsin - Organizations - Activist & Political - PrideFest

 
PrideFest - 1993
"Forward in Pride"
- At A Glance -
Dates:

June 12-13, 1993

Location:

Juneau Park

Attendance:

12,000 people

Firsts:

Main festival held over 2 days
Sports Area
Youth tent
Rummage sale

Guides
Press & Articles
Photos

Return to PrideFest Timeline.

 
       
 

 

From 1991 through 1993, the Milwaukee Pride Rally was held to Juneau Park along the lakefront, an area that could accommodate the growing crowds. After the previous year's record attendance of about 7,000, the food areas and cold drink stands were expanded.

Instrumental this year was a $5,000 grant from the Cream City Foundation, without which the 1993 PrideFest would not have been possible.

1993, with the motto "Forward in Pride", marked the first time ever that Milwaukee's main pride celebration was held over two days. (While in some previous years, various events were held on different days, the main rally or celebration was always a one-day event.)

Saturday June 12 was a candelight concert, "Sing Out For Pride", free to all attendees. Performers included Cream City Chorus, Fest City Singers, Singsational, and Madison's Womansong. They were joined by several soloists and guests from throughout Wisconsin, all under the direction of musical director Scott Stewart. 1,000 people were estimated to attend the concert.

On Sunday June 13, PrideFest started at 10:00 am, continuing until 8:00 pm. A pre-parade rally was held at 11:30 and the parade kicked off at noon. An estimated 2,000 people participated in the Parade, with many others watching. After the parade, the parade floats were put on display at one end of the festival grounds.

The festival featured new additions: a sports area (in cooperation with GAMMA), a youth tent (in cooperation with Gay Youth Milwaukee), and a rummage sale (sponsored by Wisconsin Light). The festival also included successful events from the previous year, such as an interdenominational service, two entertainment stages, and the parade. 11,000 people were estimated to attend the Festival on Sunday, plus those participating in and waatching the Parade.

There was one arrest reported over the weekend: according to in Step, "a demented anti-Gay skinhead with an "X" tatooed on his forehead, who took a swing at some festivalgoers. Festival secruity and the Milwaukee Police Department were quick to react.".

The Board of Directors for 1993 Pride was (as far as can be determined):

  • Alan Stroik (MGPLC President)
  • Bill Meunier (PrideFest Chairman)
  • Roberta Niggimeier (Festival Co-Chair)

 

Guide

No formal Pride Guide was printed in 1993. Instead, special Pride issues were printed both by In Step, and Wisconsin Light (with the In Step issue referring to the subsequently printed issue of Wisconsin Light for the latest information).

Pride Guide 1993
In Step, vol. 10 no. 11
view pages
Pride Guide 1993
Wisconsin Light, vol. 6 no. 11
view pages


Press and Articles

Pride 1993
In Step, vol. 10 no. 8
Pride 1993
In Step, vol. 10 no. 8

Official Statement of results of PrideFest 1993
In Step, vol. 10 no. 13
Steppin' Out & PrideFest 1993
In Step, vol. 10 no. 13
Steppin' Out & PrideFest 1993
In Step, vol. 10 no. 13
Photos from PrideFest 1993
In Step, vol. 10 no. 13
Photos from PrideFest 1993
In Step, vol. 10 no. 13
Photos from PrideFest 1993
In Step, vol. 10 no. 13

 

Additional Photos

Pride Parade
Act Up holds demonstration during Pride Parade
Top-of-Page
Dykes on Bikes in parade
Gisele Klemp receives Alyn Hess Award for her challenge to homophobic school policy in Brookfield
Top-of-Page

Credits: design and arrangement by Don Schwamb, with materials contributed by PrideFest and Ted Berg.
Last updated: September-2010.