Milwaukee Gay/Lesbian Cable Network.Records, 1987-1994.UWM Manuscript Collection 206.2 cubic ft. (1 box and 37 videocassettes) |
ACCESS RESTRICTIONS: There are no access restrictions on the materials, and the collection is open to all members of the public in accordance with state law. However, the researcher assumes full responsibility for conforming with the laws of libel, privacy, and copyright which may be involved in the use of this collection (Wisconsin Statutes 19.21-19.39).
SCOPE AND CONTENT: Collection consists of material relating to the following programs, arranged chronologically:
Series 1: Tri-Cable Tonight Programs and Scripts. Tri-Cable Tonight was a monthly, thirty-minute news and entertainment program. It aired from late October 1987 through December 1989 and consisted of twenty-six episodes. The program combined in-studio news presentations, interviews, and discussions with on-location coverage of community events. Regular features included Dr. Terry Boughner’s “GayStory,” a monthly discussion of homosexuality in history; guest editorials by Ralph F. Navarro; legal advice by attorney Stephen Byers; film reviews by Rick Poplawski; Nancy Neutz’s “My Little World,” a feature on issues of interest to lesbians; and a Lesbians of Color (LOC) feature with interviewer Lula Robinson. Tri-Cable Tonight anchors included Juana Sabatino, Rick Poplawski, Graham Haines, and Michael Lisowski.
During its two-year history, Tri-Cable Tonight highlighted many Milwaukee LGBT organizations, including the following:
The program also covered events and topics of statewide and national significance, such as the National March on Washington D.C. for Lesbian/Gay Rights on October 11, 1987; the Democratic National Convention in 1988; efforts by the Rawhide Boys Ranch to exempt itself from Wisconsin’s civil rights law; and the Names Project Quilt. Other subjects included racial discrimination in the LGBT community, homophobia in the black community, domestic abuse in same-sex relationships, AIDS and safe sex, alcoholism and sobriety, and expanding definitions of the family in American society.
Series 2: Yellow on Thursday was a comedy program featuring shorts, skits, and parodies. It aired on an irregular basis from June 1990 to October 1991 and consisted of five, thirty-minute episodes.
Series 3: New Tri-Cable was a monthly, panel discussion program. It aired from November 1990 through March/April 1992 and consisted of twenty-eight episodes. Many shows were hour-long panel discussions cablecast as two thirty-minute episodes on consecutive months. Most episodes were moderated by Michael Lisowski. Topics included racism, homophobia, safer sex, serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer, and the AIDS Quilt.
Series 4: The collection also includes Special Programs produced by MGLCN.
ADMINISTRATIVE HISTORY: The Milwaukee Gay/Lesbian Cable Network (MGLCN) was a volunteer group that produced regular and special programming on gay and lesbian issues for Milwaukee's public access cable channel. MGLCN was aided by the Milwaukee Access Telecommunications Authority (MATA), a non-profit corporation created to provide citizens with access to Milwaukee's cable system. Specifically, MATA provided MGLCN with the equipment, facilities, training, channel space, and support necessary to produce and cablecast its local television programs. MGLCN executive producers included Mark Behar and Bryce Clark.
From late 1986 to mid-1987, MGLCN produced a number of special programs. The first of these consisted of scenes from the Clavis Theatre's production of Larry Kramer's The Normal Heart, which was cablecast December 22, 1986. Other special programs included the 1987 annual awards program of the Cream City Business Association, Minnesota legislator Karen Clark on Wisconsin's gay rights law, and U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop on AIDS, among others.
In May 1987, MGLCN approached the Cream City Foundation (CCF) with a request for $400 to finance the premier episode of its first regular program, Tri-Cable Tonight. The show was described as "cable television series exploring the color and diversity of Milwaukee's Gay and Lesbian Community." CCF responded with a grant of $3,000 to fund the first six episodes and committed to raising additional funds to assure continued development of the program. MGLCN agreed to operate as a subcommittee of CCF's Development and Public Relations Committee (it became a full committee in March 1988). The first episode of Tri-Cable Tonight aired October 27, 1987, and Milwaukee joined the ranks of only ten other cities in the United States with regular gay/lesbian programming. The program concluded in December 1989. During its two-year run, Tri-Cable Tonight earned many awards, including first place in the 1989 Hometown USA Video competition, several MATA awards, and the Cream City Business Association's President's Award.
In 1990, MGLCN launched two series. Yellow on Thursday was a comedy program that aired on an irregular basis from June 1990 to October 1991 and consisted of five, thirty-minute episodes. The New Tri-Cable consisted of moderated panel discussions on a specific issue. The program lasted from November 1990 through March/April of 1992 and consisted of twenty-eight episodes.
COLLECTION CITATION: This
collection should be cited as:
Milwaukee Gay/Lesbian Cable Network. Records, 1987-1994. UWM Manuscript Collection 206. UWM Manuscript Collection. Archives. UWM Libraries. University of Wisconsin--Milwaukee.
RELATED COLLECTIONS:
ACT UP Milwaukee. Records. (UWM Manuscript Collection 203)
Cream City Business Association. Records. (UWM Manuscript Collection 204).
Cream City Foundation. Records. (UWM Manuscript Collection 205).
RELATED RESOURCES: Digital reproductions of most MGLCN programs are also available on DVDs. Don Schwamb created these copies and donated them with the videocassette copies.
ACQUISITION: The Cream City Foundation donated the collection to the Archives in December 2003, at the request of past president Don Schwamb (accession 2003-046). Mark Behar donated additional material in April 2004 (accession 2003-079).
PROCESSING: Michael Doylen processed the collection in April 2004.
MARC RECORD SEARCH TERMS: The following terms were used in the online bibliographic MARC record to this collection:
| UWM MANUSCRIPT COLLECTION 206. Series 1a: Tri-Cable Tonight. Programs. |
VHS | DVD |
| October/November 1987 (no. 1): Interview with Miriam Ben-Shalom regarding her discharge from and reinstatement in the U.S. Army -- Interview with Tom Boll regarding the Milwaukee AIDS Project (MAP) fundraiser, MAPFest -- GayStory about the origin and significance of the pink triangle -- Interview with Davita Shanklin and Darla Kashian of Midwest Music -- Safe sex public service announcement -- Ralph Navarro editorial on efforts by the Rawhide Boys Ranch to exempt itself from Wisconsin’s civil rights laws. | 1 | 1 |
| December 1987 (no. 2): Footage of the National March on Washington D.C. for Lesbian/Gay Rights, October 11, 1987 -- Interviews with march attendees Michael Lisowski, Deb Procknow, and Loretta Bohlman -- Segment about the Foundation Community Center -- Segment about the Brady East STD Clinic with Jeff Miller, clinic manager -- Clyde McNeal on sports -- GayStory about Joan of Arc. | 2 | 1 |
| January 1988 (no. 3): 1987 events in review -- Lambda Rights and Education Fund public service announcement -- Footage of Fest City Singers -- Segment about the Brady East STD Clinic with Jeff Miller, clinic manager -- Film reviews of Desert Hearts, Prick Up Your Ears, and I’ve Heard the Mermaids Singing -- GayStory about author James Baldwin. | 3 | 1 |
| February 1988 (no. 4): Interview with Loretta Bohlman, community activist, and staff of the Women’s Alternative Health Center of the Brady East STD Clinic -- Interview with Julie Kleppin, co-chair of the Lambda Rights Network, regarding efforts by the Rawhide Boys Ranch to exempt itself from Wisconsin’s civil rights law -- Attorney Stephen Byers’ legal segment -- GayStory about the persecution of homosexuality under Emperor Justinian in Constantinople -- Ralph Navarro editorial about the importance of voting. | 4 | 1 |
| March 1988 (no. 5): Segment about New Hope Metropolitan Community Church -- Interview with Dr. Paul Turner of the HIV Advisory Council -- Safe sex public service announcement -- Attorney Stephen Byers’ legal segment -- GayStory about Hadrian and Antinouis -- Ralph Navarro editorial about Christian fundamentalism. | 5 | 1 |
| April 1988 (no. 6): Attorney Stephen Byers’ legal segment -- Interview with Don Schwamb, president of the Cream City Foundation -- GayStory about Alice B. Toklas -- Interview with Suzanne McCann, executive director of the Women’s Crisis Hotline -- Ralph Navarro editorial about the Names Quilt Project. | 6 | 1 |
| May 1988 (no. 7): Interview with Bridget Banner and Marc Haupert regarding the Hate Violence Monitoring Project of the Milwaukee Commission on Community Relations (1st of 2 parts) -- Interview with Jerry Warzyn, assistant commissioner of the Saturday Softball Beer League -- GayStory about Eleanor Roosevelt -- Interview with Liz Burden, minority project coordinator for the Milwaukee AIDS Project (MAP) -- Ralph Navarro editorial on the gay/lesbian community’s political agenda following the recent mayoral and county executive elections. | 7 | 1 |
| June 1988 (no. 8): Interview with Bridget Banner and Marc Haupert regarding the Hate Violence Monitoring Project of the Milwaukee Commission on Community Relations (2nd of 2 parts) -- GayStory about the Stonewall riots -- Ralph Navarro editorial about lesbian and gay pride -- Film review of Querelle -- Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund public service announcement. | 8 | 2 |
| July 1988 (no. 9): Interview with Charlene Madosh regarding alcoholism in the lesbian and gay community (1st of 2 parts) -- Attorney Stephen Byers’ legal segment -- GayStory about author Yukio Mishima -- Interview with Michael Pazdan, a clinical social worker, on gay relationships -- Footage of the Cream City Chorus. | 9 | 2 |
| August 1988 (no. 10): Preview of A Question of Gender, a program on transsexualism -- Interview with Dr. Terry Boughner, Wisconsin Light editor, regarding the Democratic National Convention -- Film review of Maurice -- Interview with Charlene Madosh regarding alcoholism in the lesbian and gay community (2nd of 2 parts) -- GayStory about author Willa Cather -- Mark Behar editorial comparing war on AIDS with the Vietnam War. | 10 | 2 |
| September 1988 (no. 11): Interview with Don Wert, executive director of the Pride Institute -- Segment on Black and White Men Together (BWMT) -- Interview with Don Clabots and Miriam Ben-Shalom on Milwaukee’s Lesbian and Gay Pride Celebration to be held this month -- Segment on 1-900 numbers -- GayStory about Lucius Beebe. | 11 | 2 |
| October 1988 (no. 12): Coverage of Milwaukee’s Lesbian and Gay Pride Celebration (footage of Saturday Softball League, GAMMA picnic, ceremony at the War Memorial commemorating gay veterans, and Mayor John O. Norquist addressing the gay community) -- Interview with Darla Kashian regarding election-year issues -- Footage of the Milwaukee AIDS Project (MAP)’s fundraiser, MAPFest -- Interview with Jamakaya, Doug Johnson, and David Cadle, who attended the International Gay and Lesbian Health Conference and AIDS Forum -- GayStory about gays, witches, and Halloween. | 12 | 2 |
| November 1988 (no 13: Live, sixty-minute anniversary special with viewer call-in’s): Interviews with Milwaukee Gay/Lesbian Cable Network staff Mark Behar (who discusses the network’s development), Ralph Navarro, Stephen Byers, and Terry Boughner -- GayStory about same-sex relations in ancient Mayan and Aztec cultures -- Black poetry reading segment. | 13 | 2 |
| December 1988 (no. 14): Interview with Scott Gunkel regarding the Cream City Business Association’s food collection program for the Milwaukee Hunger Task Force -- Interview with Lynette Jackson on the Lesbians of Color (LOC) support group -- Interview with Suzanne McCann of the Women’s Crisis Hotline -- Lambda Legal Defense Fund public service announcement -- GayStory about love between Jesus Christ and John Mark. | 14 | 2 |
| January 1989 (no. 15): Interview with theater actor John Luedtke -- My Little World segment about Sappho -- Feature on recording star Sylvester -- GayStory about Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci -- Preview of Torch Song Trilogy -- Footage of Womyn’s Art Fair. | 15 | 3 |
| February 1989 (no. 16 -- Black History Month): Interview with Dan Koder and Janet Osborne regarding Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual People in Medicine, a task force of the American Medical Student Association -- Interview with Thom Ertl, resource coordinator of the Milwaukee AIDS Project (MAP) -- My Little World segment about the influence of black lesbians on jazz -- Interview with Michael Lisowski about Bayard Rustin -- Film review of Torch Song Trilogy -- GayStory about parallels between gay/lesbian and black experiences -- Barbara Roberts plays jazz singer Bessie Smith at the Milwaukee Repertory Theatre. | 16 | 3 |
| March 1989 (no. 17): Interview with attorney Stephen Byers regarding the Legal Aid Society’s AIDS programs -- First Lesbians of Color (LOC) feature -- Interview with author David Leavitt -- Segment about racial discrimination in gay bars -- GayStory about Roger Casement. | 17 | 3 |
| April 1989 (no. 18): Interview with Sue Cook and Gary Wells on Milwaukee Lesbian and Gay Pride preparations -- Lesbians of Color (LOC) interview with Cheryle Williams, founder of Don’t Look Back music production company -- Interview with Scott Stewart of the Cream City Chorus -- My Little World segment about domestic abuse in same-sex relationships (1st of 3 parts) -- GayStory about Roman Emperor Elagabalus. | 18 | 3 |
| May 1989 (no. 19): Interview with W. W. Wells, InStep columnist -- Lesbians of Color (LOC) interview with owner of Tina’s RTI -- Interview with artist Tom Rez -- My Little World segment about domestic abuse in same-sex relationships (2nd of 3 parts) -- Robert Mapplethorpe tribute -- GayStory about gay/lesbian resistance in Nazi Germany -- Tribute to Alyn W. Hess, a local community activist. | 19 | 3 |
| June 1989 (no. 20): Interview with Sue Cook on preparations for Milwaukee’s first annual Pride parade and rally to be held this month -- Lesbians of Color (LOC) interviews about interracial, lesbian relationships -- Interview with musician Linda Kantor -- My Little World segment about domestic abuse in same-sex relationships (3rd of 3 parts) -- GayStory about gay/lesbian pride -- Stonewall 20 segment debuts -- Interview with Sarah Hoagland, author of Lesbian Ethics. | 20 | 3 |
| July 1989 (no. 21 -- 25th Anniversary of Stonewall): Footage of first annual Milwaukee Lesbian and Gay Pride parade and rally -- Stonewall 20 interviews with Pride attendees -- Segment about a rally protesting proclamations issued by city officials in support of the Pride event -- Lesbians of Color (LOC) interview with Rev. Renee McCoy, executive director of National Coalition for Black Lesbians and Gays, on homophobia in the black community (1st of 3 parts) -- GayStory about a lesbian who served in the Civil War -- Interview with Max Smith, founder of National Coalition for Black Lesbians and Gays, and Richard Grey of the Chicago Department of HIV/AIDS Advisory Council -- Interview with Robert Peterson, Advocate magazine news editor and feature writer, on Milwaukee’s Pride event. | 21 | 3 |
| August 1989 (no. 22): Interview with Sarah Hoagland, author of Lesbian Ethics -- Lesbians of Color (LOC) interview with Rev. Renee McCoy, executive director of National Coalition for Black Lesbians and Gays (2nd of 3 parts) -- W. W. Wells comedy segment -- GayStory about Catholic saints Bacchus and Sergius -- Stonewall 20 segment about expanding definitions of family in American society. | 22 | 3 |
| September 1989 (no. 23): Interview with Gregory Welda of the Ten Percent Society -- Lesbians of Color (LOC) interview with Rev. Renee McCoy, executive director of National Coalition for Black Lesbians and Gays, on AIDS in the lesbian community (3rd of 3 parts) -- My Little World interview with Julie Kleppin announcing the formation of the Lesbian Alliance of Metropolitan Milwaukee (LAMM) -- GayStory about King James I of England -- In the Stonewall 20 segment, Michael Ross speaks on the absence of people of color in Pride activities. | 23 | 4 |
| October 1989 (no. 24): GayStory about King Ludwig of Bavaria -- W. W. Wells comedy segment -- Echo Chambers interview with Ginger Spice, Miss Gay Wisconsin 1989 | 24 | 4 |
| November 1989 (no. 25): Interview with Tim Grair of ACT UP Milwaukee -- Lesbians of Color (LOC) interview with Dr. Ingrid Hicks -- W. W. Wells interview with author Armistead Maupin -- Echo Chambers interview with Ginger Spice, Miss Gay Wisconsin 1989 -- GayStory about Rev. Michael Wigglesworth. | 25 | 4 |
| December 1989 (no. 26): Interview with theater actor Michael Kearns -- Interview with comedian Dana Daniels -- W. W. Wells comedy segment -- GayStory about Christmas and Hanukkah. | 26 | 4 |
| Compilation for MATA Awards Competition, 1988 | 27 | 4 |
| Compilation for MATA Awards Competition, 1989 | 28 | 4 |
| UWM MANUSCRIPT COLLECTION 206. Series 1b: Tri-Cable Tonight. Scripts. |
BOX | FOLDER |
| October/November 1987 (no. 1) | 1 | 1 |
| December 1987 (no. 2) | 1 | 2 |
| January 1988 (no. 3) | 1 | 3 |
| February 1988 (no. 4) | 1 | 4 |
| March 1988 (no. 5) | 1 | 5 |
| April 1988 (no. 6) | 1 | 6 |
| June 1988 (no. 8) | 1 | 7 |
| July 1988 (no. 9) | 1 | 8 |
| August 1988 (no. 10) | 1 | 9 |
| September 1988 (no. 11) | 1 | 10 |
| October 1988 (no. 12) | 1 | 11 |
| November 1988 (no. 13) | 1 | 12 |
| December 1988 (no. 14) | 1 | 13 |
| January 1989 (no. 15) | 1 | 14 |
| February 1989 (no. 16) | 1 | 15 |
| March 1989 (no. 17) | 1 | 16 |
| April 1989 (no. 18) | 1 | 17 |
| May 1989 (no. 19) | 1 | 18 |
| June 1989 (no. 20) | 1 | 19 |
| July 1989 (no. 21) | 1 | 20 |
| August 1989 (no. 22) | 1 | 21 |
| September 1989 (no. 23) | 1 | 22 |
| October 1989 (no. 24) | 1 | 23 |
| November 1989 (no. 25) | 1 | 24 |
| December 1989 (no. 26) | 1 | 25 |
| UWM MANUSCRIPT COLLECTION 206. Series 2: Yellow on Thursday. |
VHS | DVD |
| June 1990 | 1 | 1 |
| October 1990 | 2 | 1 |
| December 1990 | - | 1 |
| May 1991 | - | 1 |
| October 1991 | - | 1 |
| UWM MANUSCRIPT COLLECTION 206. Series 3: New Tri-Cable. |
VHS | DVD |
| November 1990 (no. 1): Sharon Devitt, Dan Fons, Ralph Navarro, Michael Ross, and Gary Wells discuss “Gay/Lesbian Communities, Where Are We Going?” (1st of 2 parts). | 1 | 1 |
| December 1990 (no. 2): See above description (2nd of 2 parts). | 1 | 1 |
| January/February 1991 (no. 3): Tim Baack, Director of Men’s Programs at the Counseling Center of Milwaukee, and “Tony,” a closeted gay, black college senior discuss the coming out process (1st of 2 parts). | 1 | 1 |
| February 1991 (no. 4): See above description (2nd of 2 parts). | 1 | 1 |
| February/March 1991 (no. 5): Discussion of mental health issues. Dr. Gary Hollander discusses research findings about rates of clinical depression among HIV+ individuals. Dr. Hollander, Kathleen Neville, MSW; and Michael Pazden, MSW, discuss other common mental health issues among gay men and lesbians (e.g., depression, anxiety, codependency) and effective coping strategies(1st of 2 parts). | 2 | 1 |
| March 1991 (no. 6): See above description (2nd of 2 parts). | 2 | 1 |
| March/April 1991 (no. 7): Discussion with female impersonators and entertainers Echo Chambers, Vanessa Alexandre, Sidney Johnson, Dominique Mahon, and Mary Richards(1st of 2 parts). | 2 | 1 |
| April 1991 (no. 8): See above description (2nd of 2 parts). | 2 | 1 |
| May/June 1991 (no. 9): Discussion of safe sex with Juana Sabatino and Mark Behar (1st of 2 parts). | 3 | 2 |
| June 1991 (no. 10): See above description (2nd of 2 parts). | 3 | 2 |
| May 1991 (no. 11): At a meeting of the Lambda Rights Network, Brian Robsin discuss hate crimes and police harassment. | 3 | 2 |
| July 1991 (no. 12): Discussion with Miriam Ben-Shalom about the military, the Persian Gulf, ROTC, and the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Veterans of America. | 3 | 2 |
| August 1991 (no. 13): Guest host Miriam Ben-Shalom interviews Michael Lisowski about Milwaukee School Superintendent Howard Fuller’s newly formed committee on issues facing gay and lesbian students. | 4 | 2 |
| August 1991 (no. 14): Local reaction to Jeffrey Dahmer’s serial killings of gay men. This is a ninety-minute live episode with telephone call-in’s. | 4 | 2 |
| (no. 16): Interview with psychologist Gary Hollander and Rev. Margarita Suarez about the psychological aftermath of the Dahmer murders in the gay community. | 5 | - |
| (no. 17): Interview with Dennis Bunch, Scott Gunkel, and Gary Wells of the Milwaukee Gay/Lesbian Pride Committee regarding the 1992 Pride Festival. | 5 | - |
| (no. 18): Interview with Don Schwamb, president of the Cream City Foundation, about charitable giving in the gay/lesbian community. | 5 | - |
| November 1991 (no. 19): Interview with gay/lesbian teens and Milwaukee Public Schools administrator regarding a recently approved policy supporting creation of a safe environment for gay/lesbian students. | 5 | - |
| December 1991 (no. 20): Interview a gay teenager and his mother regarding homophobia in their rural Horicon community. | 6 | - |
| December 1991 (no. 21): Interviews with Robert and Virginia Savrnoch, Gloria Wright, and Jerry Smith about the AIDS Quilt (1st of 2 parts). | 6 | - |
| January 1992 (no. 22): See above description (2nd of 2 parts). | 6 | - |
| January 1992 (no. 23): Interviews with Cheryl Franklin, Tim Grair, Bill Meunier, Rachel Winkley, and Dennis Bunch about the direction of the gay/lesbian community in 1992. | 6 | - |
| UWM MANUSCRIPT COLLECTION 206. Series 4: Special Programs. |
VHS | DVD |
| Gay Pride, Gay Future: "Let It Shine!" Scenes from Milwaukee's Gay/Lesbian Pride Festival, June 11-12, 1994 | 1 | 1 |
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