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he name means "gathering place bythe waters," but it's beer that made itfamous, and beer is a kind of plasmafor this metropolis of 1.4 million people.Situated of the shores of Lake Michiganabout 90 miles north of Chicago, Milwaukeeis noted for its clean streets and its clean government, its progressive politics of the pastand its fairly staid present. The city boasts acampus of the University of Wisconsin andannually hosts the Summerfest, an extravaganza of five ethnic music festivals.The breweries—those that are left—stilldominate Milwaukee's image, remain itsmajor employers and form the centerpiece oflocal pride. Things have changed over theyears for this multi-ethnic, hardworking community that has, as have so many Midwestern cities, seen its assets dwindle. Nonetheless, it's moving confidently into the future.Although "the beer that made Milwaukeefamous" is no longer brewed here, the city hasdeveloped plans to attract the high-techindustries of tomorrow.Part of that stepping into the future involves a quietly emerging gay community.Unlike other minority groups, such as thePoles and the Germans, the gay communityhere has no single domain of its own. Butgays and lesbians have established a presence in a number of areas of the city.And, of course, there's always the beer. Gayneighborhoods in Milwaukee, like gay areaseverywhere, seem identified by the number ofbars found there. And as elsewhere, Milwaukee's gay bars are still a rallying point for gaysocializing.The streets of River West, an older residential neighborhood, are lined with cozyduplexes, only a few apartments and noTby E. F. NavarroHow do gay men and lesbianssee the Milwaukee area? An 11question survey answered by 25members of Cream City Business Association (C.C.B.A.) and60 gay people at random founda solid 79% rating the city asa good or okay place to live.Major reasons listed for thisattitude included: "a lot ofwarm and friendly people," "agreat deal of freedom," "veryrelaxed," "many good peopleand friends," "very open."Two other fascinating reasons cited by a few were: "it is agood city for lovers" and"although there are few organizations for us, the couple wehave are very good."With this positive attitudetoward the Milwaukee area, itis important to understand theemployment situation. The survey pointed out that which allgay people know, our occupations vary as broadly as occupations exist. The survey showedthat we had business executives,lawyers, doctors, printers, computer programmers and ana-condos. Gay men and lesbians began movinginto the area to escape the climbing rents ofthe East Side, the city's other gay neighborhood.Brewing AGay CommunityMILWUJKEEBY RALPHF. NAVARROIf Milwaukee has a gay Main Street, it isDowner Avenue on the East Side near theUW campus. On Saturday afternoons, itstrendy establishments, such as the CoffeeTrader, host the who's who of gay Milwaukeelysts, retailers, social workers,nurses, dentists, etc.Of the 85 in the survey, 51 indicated that their supervisors orbosses knew that they were gay.Sixty-two stated that they hadnever experienced any form ofdiscrimination due to theirbeing gay. Thirty-five statedthat they knew that their employer had a "non-discrimination clause" for their employees,while most indicated that theydidn't know.Eighty-eight percent of all survey respondents, when asked ifthey had ever known anyonewho had been fired or in someway removed because they weregay, stated that they did not.A study of personnel directorsin the area elicited information about corporate attitudestoward gay people. Of the 150medium to large-sized businesses that were contacted, 75took the time 'to answer the fivequestions by phone. Fortyrequested that we mail the survey to them, and thirty chose notto return our several calls.In addition to the report writ-as they view the passing parade while sipping foreign blends.Two other regions of the city that havegrowing gay populations are Bay View andWalkers Point. Many gorgeous old homesnear Marquette University have been takenover by adventurous singles, gay and nongay, searching for a great bargain and aclassic house.Located in a six-block area just south ofdowntown, among old warehouses and factories, lies the heart of the gay bar life. Atleast 12 gay/lesbian pubs are located there,making the weekend "bar pilgrimage" easy.Not only are gays behind the rejuvenationof many residential parts of town, but withthe opening- of the Grand Avenue Mall, amajor shopping center built in what was oncea dying area, many gay shop-owners are taking part in the commercial renaissance of thecity. This unique development combinesrestored older structures with elegant touchesof the new, all under one roof. Business thereis "magnificent," according to one gayentrepreneur.In a recent survey of gay and lesbian residents of Milwaukee, 76% rated their city as agreat place to live and would encourageothers to move here. If you're looking for acomfortable, quiet city to live in, this is it. Butdon't take the quiet as indifference or aninability to have a good time. It's just thatlong-established tradition of Midwesternreserve that leads Milwaukee to avoidflamboyance.Said one man about gay life here: "We havemost of the same things that other cities have.We axe just quieter about it." When asked whyhe wouldn't come out of his personal closet, heten in the ADVOCATE story,two firms stand out as mostdisturbed by the entire conceptof gay people in business. Comments from Aldrich ChemicalCo. were: "we have no knowledge of such matters as these(gays)" and "our personnel policies are confidential". Thepersonnel manager at BadgerDie Casting Corporation, whoseemed totally stunned thatsuch a study would even beattempted said with a nervouschuckle, "for what kind of professionals is this being done?"He then slammed the phonedown to obviously conclude thebrief conversation.On the other side of the fence,supportive statements camefrom many. Samples of thesewould include:Central Ready Mixed Concrete Co. "We take an evenhanded approach and judge by aperson's qualifications and howwell they do their job. Heck, forall I know, everyone here couldbe gay."Ada Products, Inc. "We knowthat we have some gay em-5(continued)ployees around here, but thereis no problem. They might beinterested in learning aboutthe professional association(C.C.BA.)."Miller Brewing Co. "Gays areconsumers and we need theirbusiness just as much as we doeverybody else's. We never forget that they, too, buy ourproducts."Allen - Bradley Co. "We areaware of the legislation, A.B. 70.Our EEO coordinator has justreturned from a workshopwhich discussed this new law.We are now in the process ofintegrating this informationinto training for managementand supervisors."And finally, of all those interviewed, one of the most interesting answers came from CharterWire Co. While plant managerJack Smith was very cooperative, he stated, "questions (aboutbeing gay) never come uparound here, this is a steel millyou know. We have a prettyrough and tough bunch here, Idon't quite know how to answerthis."

TAX PROFESSIONALS, INC.2639 North Downer Avenue,Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211414/ 964-5100Tax PlanningTax Return PreparationProfessional AccountingComputerized Bookkeeping716 W. Wisconsin Ave.224-9065G.A.P. Homemade SoupsHot and Cold SandwichesCrispy SaladsDaily SpecialsFantastic Friday Fish FrySumptuous Sunday BrunchDAILY DRINK SPECIALSCATER YOUR PARTY WITH USsaid, "I've lived this way for a long time. I'velearned to cope, and I am basically comfortable doing so."But that may change in the near future, ashe indicated, saying "I am glad that othersare coming out because we are beginning tolearn that the ghosts we've been afraid ofdon't exist!"And when Milwaukeans want to gettrashy, Chicago is near enough to escape towhile still being far enough away to offer arespite from the tighter community at home.There are those who believe the big shadowcast by Chicago prevents Milwaukee fromcoming into its own. Gay Life in Chicagoeven publishes a Wisconsin entertainmentsupplement in copies distributed here.Despite the seemingly lethargic, "closedclub" mentality, more and more gays and lesbians here are becoming interested in building a community. A deep pride lives in thehearts of gay Milwaukeans, though that toothey decline to flaunt.For eight years the Brady East STD clinichas served gay Milwaukee. Its success wasrecently capped by the purchase of its ownbuilding. The force behind this communityservice is Dr. Roger Greraminger.he community is also developing apolitical sense of itself, as reflected inthe organization of the LambdaPolitical Caucus. In its first year of life, theclub experienced growing pains, as it founditself having to make astute political decisions in the heat of elections.The formerly well-known Gay People'sUnion (GPU) has almost gone out of existence. The group, however, still runs the hotline for the community and finds that servicemuch needed and much used.For those not politically motivated andlooking for a social alternative to the bars,there is GAMMA. With over 100 members,the group offers an array of social and athletic activities. Milwaukee gays are knownnationally for their softball teams and bowling leagues.Over 125 business and professional peoplemake up the membership of the Cream CityBusiness Association (CCBA). The group isdeveloping leaders for the gay communitywhile becoming a stronger force in the totalcommunity as well. Recently, CCBA established a foundation to focus gay contributions to charities. Investment clubs andhouse-restoration programs have also beenorganized.Major corporations in the Milwaukee areahave organized "Future Milwaukee," inwhich 50 potential community leaders areselected each year for an intense personaldevelopment program. This year two openlygay men are part of this highly regardedgroup.What is the employment situation for gaysin Milwaukee? Very few indicate any problems with employers—at least as long as theydon't "flaunt it."A study of personnel directors in the Milwaukee area elicited information about corporate attitudes toward gay people. Of the150 medium to large-sized businesses thatwere contacted, 75 took the time to answer thefive questions by phone. An overwhelmingT(continued on page 20)

A Cream City - Special Edition InterviewwithRoger Gremminger, M.D. and Mark Behar, PARoger Gremminger is a graduate of the Medical College of Wisconsin and a practicingphysician in Milwaukee.Mark Behar is a state-certified Physician'sAssistant, who was recently appointed toGovernor Earl's Council on Lesbian and GayIssues.CREAM CITY-SPECIAL EDITION: Howdoes Milwaukee compare to other cities in theincidence of sexually transmitted disease?ROGER GREMMINGER: I would be verysurprised if we do not have some cases ofincubating Acquired Immune DeficiencySyndrome (AIDS) in Milwaukee. But our highrisk group is not very large and most of thegay community in Milwaukee is fairly conservative in their life style.MARK BEHAR: Milwaukee may be relatively "safe" compared to other big cities, butpeople still are at risk and increase their riskfor acquiring and transmitting sexuallytransmitted diseases, including AIDS, byengaging in sex with multiple, anonymouspartners.RG: It can't be stressed enough that the moresocially tolerant the community-at-large is,the easier it will be for gay people to get intorelationships and maintain relationships.Then there is less medical risk. Then I thinkMilwaukee will be safer.CCSE: If I contract AIDS, will I die?RG: That isn't known.MB: The longer a person has AIDS, thepoorer their overall prognosis. Most of thosewho were diagnosed in 1979-80 have died.CCSE: What do you think causes AIDS?RG: AIDS appears to be caused by a transmittable agent, and it is transmitted sexually. It is transmitted by I.V. drug users. Itis transmitted by blood products.MB: This virus may not act on people thesame way. If I sneeze in your face, you mayget a cold or you may not get a cold dependingon your resistance, your nutrition, and everything else. Maybe you have a genetic sensitivity to getting colds or not getting colds.Some people have had many partners andhave no pre-AIDS symptoms. There are somepeople who have had sex with only a few partners and come down with full blown symptoms. Why is that? We don't know.CCSE: Is that true? If I have casual sex without great frequency, am I at risk for contracting AIDS?RG/MB: Yes.CCSE: What's your opinion on how wellpublic health officials in Milwaukee haveresponded to these health concerns?RG: Generally, they're well intentioned.Research into the causes of AIDS will advance medical knowledge significantly. We'llhave much more insight into the immune system, cancer and viral diseases. But, there aresome opportunistic physicians and researchers who jump on the bandwagon now becausethey see that as away to get a Nobel Laureate.They see it as the great medical mystery ofthe century, and if they crack it they're goingto win that prize.CCSE: Do you think bathhouses should beclosed?MB: No. Absolutely not! Bathhouses areresponsive to gay health issues. The ClubMilwaukee Baths is a good example. Theyoffer a brochure—"Guidelines and Recommendations for Healthful Gay Sexual Activity"—to all their clients. They offer V.D.testings and incentives for V.D. testing. Theydistribute a card, so that if you develop symptoms, you can contact your partner. There is aposter advising you that if you have certainsymptoms, you should see a doctor.RG: There's going to be anonymous sex, nomatter what. Bathhouses potentially can bea safer, healthier environment.CCSE: And, it shouldn't be offensive to thegeneral public, since no one is there exceptthose individuals who choose to be there.RG: Yes, it's a "private" club. And the focus ofthe bathhouse is becoming physical health,—a place to work out and exercise.CCSE: Should gay people not give blood?RG: The question is, are you high at risk?MB: If you're at high risk for developingAIDS because of the number of partners youhave. . .RG:. or the fact that you have sex with highrisk partners.MB:. there may be that 'Andromeda' strainagent in your blood, we don't know.CCSE: Isn't that 'guilt by association'?Aren't gay people stigmatized for having'bad blood'?MB: No, not at all. We're not singling out gaymen, but rather homosexually or heterosexually sexually active men who may be athigh risk for AIDS. We're saying the samething for Haitians, for I.V. drug users, . .RG: If a straight businessman flies to SanDiego and asks the cab driver to drop him offin the prostitute district, and he has sex witha teenage prostitute who's hooked by herpimp on I.V. drugs, he's at risk and he shouldnot give blood.MB: We're all very interested in maintaininga safe blood supply until a specific test toidentify AIDS is developed. And the onlything we can do is look at individuals whoseem to be at high risk and ask them to voluntarily withhold their blood donation.RG: Certain sexual behavior increases a person's risk. But sexual orientation itself doesnot transmit AIDS or any other sexuallytransmitted disease.CCSE: That's a good point. Thank you.Is Sex. In MilwaukeeDangerousTo Your Health?7

CO-CHAIRSMEMBERSKathleen Nichols/MadisonLawrence R. Roeming/MenomonieMark Behar/MilwaukeeMs. Nichols is a planner with the City ofMadison Department of Planning and Development and serves on the Dane CountyBoard of Supervisors. She has been active inthe Madison Community United and serveson the steering committee of the United Political Action Committee.Mr. Roeming is an audio specialist for theUW Stout Teleproduction Center and Industrial Technology Services. He is the staffadvisor for the Gay and Lesbian Communityat Stout and a member of the WisconsinLesbian/Gay Network.Mr. Behar is a certified Physician's Assistant. 11e is volunteer clinician with the BradyEast STD Clinic and serves on the Centerfor Disease Control's Ad Hoc Task Forcefor Vaccination Strategies for SexuallyTransmitted Hepatitis B Infection.Shelly J. Gaylord/MadisonLouie Crew/Stevens PointMs. Gaylord is a lawyer in private practice inMadison. She serves as president of theboardof -directors of Dane County Advocates forBattered Women.Dr. Crew is an associate professor of Englishat the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point.He is the founder of Integrity, the nationalorganization of gay Episcopalians and amember of the Gay Academic Union.R. Richard Wagner/MadisonMr. Wagner is a budget analyst with the StateDepartment of Administration and serves onthe Dane County Board of Supervisors. Hehas been a member of the Community Advisory Board of the Madison Gay Center andpresently is a member of Integrity-Dignity ofMadison for gay Christians and the Wisconsin Lesbian/Gay Network.Cheryle Williams/MilwaukeeMs. Williams is a graphic artist and a studentat the Milwaukee Area Technical College.She is associated with Common GroundNewsmagazine, the Wisconsin Women'sBuilding Project, and the Westside Newscommunity newspaper.Sue Burke/MilwaukeeMr. Dekeuster is a deputy Sheriff and alicensed practical nurse. He is a member ofthe Cream City Business Association and theSt. Rose Parish Council.Dale Sprang/Milwaukeenews reporter. Active in the Milwaukee Chapter of the National Organization for Women,Ms. Burke was elected its Woman of the Yearfor 1982.Mr. Sprang works for the Wisconsin Telephone Company. He is associated with theMilwaukee chapter of Dignity, the nationalorganization for gay Roman Catholics andserves as chapter representative to thenational organization's House of Delegates.Charlene McLauchlan/LaValleDarla Kashian/MilwaukeeMs. McLauchlan is a technical writer formedical equipment manuals and operates a17 acre goat dairy. She is a member of theNational Organization for Women.Ms Kashian is associated with the Gay Community at UW-Milwaukee having servedas the organization's president in 1982. Sheis also active with the Wisconsin Environmental Network.Ms. Burke is a community organizer andGregory A. Quindel/MilwaukeeGovernor's CouncilOnLesbian & Gay IssuesNorbert J. Dekeuster, Jr./RacineMr. Quindel is a realtor and serves as theChairman of the Housing and DevelopmentCommittee of the Cream City BusinessAssociation.Cynthia Lampman/Racine Ms. Lampman is newsletter editor of theUnitarian/Universalist National gay organization and active with the Gay/LesbianUnion of Racine.Wisconsin Housing & Neighborhood Conservation ProgramHOME IMPROVEMENT LOANS at 12.9% 1,000 to 15, 000 for up to 15 years.v7‘/S-7 4%SUBSIDYfor an effectiverate of8.9%AVAILABLE HEREad sp

Assistant Editor/CCBA News Advertisers: Contact Marc Haupert at P.O. Box 92222, Milwaukee, WI 53202 for ad information and rates. Become one of the firms and professionals reaching a diverse, loyal and upscale audience by advertising in Cream City Special Edition. Advertising space is also avail-able in the monthly CCBA Newsletter,