LGBT
Celebrating new voices
After huge success in Milwaukee, FemFest debuted in Madison. Its second iteration will feature a creative space for queer, non-binary and gender-nonconforming artists at Bos Meadery Jan. 17-18. Read more
Chris Bacarella
The rookie
The Madison Gay Hockey Association is known world-wide for being inclusive of everyone. This November, its first deaf player took the ice. Read more
Queerly creepy
Author Nino Cipri brings an experimental approach and a macabre sensibility to a book of short stories, “Homesick.” Read more
End of an era
Less than a year after rebranding, Prism Dance Club owner announces the Willy Street venue is closing its doors. Read more
Identity protection
For transgender people, going to court to affirm their identity can be a complicated, scary process. Trans Law Help Wisconsin is there to lend a helping hand. Read more
Kenny Rosales
All feelings welcome
All are welcome at Queer Yoga, where “When you say ‘shake it out,’ people actually do it.” Read more
Mineral Point Library Archives, R. Richard Wagner Collection
Before Stonewall
The Stonewall riots turn 50 this year. But gay liberation was in play years before — even in Wisconsin — as a new book by Dick Wagner chronicles. Read more
VANESSA TORTOLANO
New life for troubled club
After stories of discrimination and harassment surfaced at Plan B, the club has closed down. Now founder Rico Sabatini is back in, and the club is reopening as Prism on March 1. Read more
Shaysa Sidebottom
The next frontier
Legal protections for transgender people is the next step in the fight for LGBTQ rights. Wisconsin’s antidiscrimination law still doesn’t cover gender identity. Advocates are optimistic about progress, but the Trump administration is an obstacle. Read more
Ross Zentner
Worth the wait
Forward Theater Company chose the best show for its first musical: “Fun Home” is an eloquent and poignant story based on Alison Bechdel’s graphic memoir about family dysfunction, homosexuality, suicide and growing up in a funeral home. Read more
Judith Davidoff
Attention LGBTQ voters!
As part of a multi-state effort to elect pro-equality candidates, the Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest LGBTQ rights groups, has established a presence in Madison. Read more
Wren Logan
Advocates, activists urge coverage for transgender health care
Updated: On Wednesday, the state Group Insurance Board voted to end a blanket ban on providing coverage for gender-affirming health care for transgender state employees. Read more
Neal Izumi
Unusual autobiography
“Imperfect Gentlemen,” a one-man show by Ben Moffat and Bradley Wayne Smith, explores a family’s experience after a father decides to transition to female. The show plays twice at Trinity United Methodist Church. Read more
John Riggs
History of a hangout
“The 602 Club in the Sixties” captures rare images of a hangout for artists, intellectuals, draft dodgers and protesters. Photographer John Riggs also captured rare photos of gay men out in public from the pre-Stonewall era. Read more
Michael Sullivan
The end of the rainbow
Eight months ago, a group of LGBTQ creatives came together and created a collaborative art and event space on the city’s east side. Now the members are dispersing, but a new generation hopes to keep the spirit of the space alive. Read more
Patrick Farabaugh
LGBT magazine victim of “targeted violence,” says publisher
Our Lives Magazine was the target of vandalism. “There are still people out there who pull this kind of shit,” says editor Emily Mills. Read more
Ava Rodriguez
Queer is the new punk
An overheard conversation and a serendipitous meeting brought together two longtime members of Madison’s music scene for a new project aimed at spreading queer joy and breaking gender binaries. Read more
Phil Stopher
Rage for rugby
Madtown Scrumdown is the first major tournament hosted by the Madison Minotaurs. The city’s International Gay Rugby team coudn’t travel to the coast, so they created their own. Read more
Transitions
Wauwatosa author Brice D. Smith’s own transition from female to male was spurred by a longtime research project about trans pioneer Lou Sullivan. His biography of Sullivan was released recently by Transgress Press. Read more
Beau Meyer
Remembering Matthew Shepard
University Theater’s production of “The Laramie Project” features a strong cast and kinetic staging. But the script from Tectonic Theater Project makes a misstep by demonizing the press and casting the theater artists as heroes. Read more
