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VOLUME TEN, NO. 8-April 10, 1997-April 23, 1997-Issue 228 FREE Give the People Light and they will find their own way. V The Wisconsin Light Wisconsin Public 111Refuses Demand to Pull Gay Program Brother Braddock Sends Refund to Unhappy State Senator By Bill Meunier Madison— Wisconsin Public TeleVision refused to give in to the demands of Wis- consin State Senator Scott Fitzgerald (R- Juneau) that it cancel an episode of "In the Life," the nationally syndicated Public Bernadette Peters television show. The episode which aired in most of the ON THE INSIDE: State on April 4th included a segment on SEE INTERVIEWS WITH Gay farmers living in Wisconsin. It was that segment to which the Senator ob- jected. Bernadette Peters on Pg 11 "It casts a negative image of Wiscon- sin," Fitzgerald told The Wisconsin Light. According to Fitzgerald the Farm The Ball Game's Rick Kowal Pg 16 Boys segment is based on Will Fellows book Farm Boys: Lives of Gay Men From the Rural Midwest. Bel Ami's Johann Paulik Pg 21 Fitzgerald admits to not having read the book. He did, however, say that he didn't have to read it because of what he de- scribed as offensive quotes on the book's Anti-Gay Marriage jacket cover. When asked what these It must be Spring While a cold howling wind blew through downtown, Managers and Officers from quotes said, Fitzgerald said one of the Bill Update Rally Milwaukee's Saturday Softball League put the finishing touches on plans for the groups 20i° Anniversary quotes was from a at Milwaukee and Madison will begin Minnesota man who Season during a meeting held upstairs at M & M. Nine teams from talked about being Gay and 15 years old playing an eight week schedule at Sijan Field, 2128 S. KK, on Saturday May 3. This year the SSBL, one of but gave the Capitol Set for the Milwaukee Classic, Memorial Day no other specifics. the oldest Gay softball leagues in the country host two tournaments, "The Gay weekend and the Midwest Invitational Softball Tournament. Labor Day weekend. It's not too late to sign up community should be out- May 12 for a team. To sign up call the SSBL Hotline at 454-9204 or stop in at your favorite team sponsor. Please See Public TV Page 2 By Bill Meunier 4-kuion Wisconsin also want a wide cross The fight over Gay Marriage is still section of people to attend the debate and Interview with Patty McKeithan, Miller raging in Madison. A vote on Lorraine vote on May 13. Serrati's (R-Spread Eagle) anti-Gay Finally they want everyone to call Beer's Vice President Of Corporate Affairs Marriage bill, AB 104, is scheduled to and/or write their state legislator and take place following a six hour debate on express their concerns over passing AB- By Terry Boughner woven into the fabric of this community. Tuesday May 13th. 104. While Chrysler waffles and J. C. Penny We feel very strongly that since our cor- AB 104 has 30 co-sponsors in the State The bill's proponents claim that it is shy's away, Miller Brewing Company porate headquarters is here—and in the Assembly and was recommended for needed because Hawaii may someday steps up to the plate. The Milwaukee- other places where we have brewing fa- approval by the Assembly's Committee on legalize Gay marriages. They say that AB based brewery (the last of the "Big cilities, I might add—we are very com- Children and Families. It is not expected 104 will protect the mstitution of marriage Four" in the Cream City), has not hesi- munity minded. to be derailed in the Assembly which is in Wisconsin. tated about being a good corporate citi- What I like to look at first, even before controlled by the Republican party. "That's nonsense." say the bill's zen. The company supports many out at the external public, is our internal Nevertheless, activists from Action opponents. They are backed by a number causes, some controversial some not, public—our employees. Those employees Wisconsin, Log Cabin Republicans, Rep. of legal experts say that the bill is not but this can be said: Milwaukee, Wis- are involved in various aspects of the Barbara. Notestein (D-Milwaukee) and needed because Wisconsin law already consin, and the country as a whole, have community. They are from various spe- openly Lesbian State Representative forbids Same Sex Marriage. Moreover, received considerable benefit from the cial markets. And they're concerned Tammy Baldwin (D-Madison), are they say that even if another state fact that Miller is there. about our involvement in the community. working hard. Action Wisconsin has legali7es Gay Marriages, Wisconsin Gays Recently, I went out to Miller's corpo- All of our internal communities hit every issued a call for everyone who opposes to and Lesbians will still not be permitted to rate headquarters in Miller Valley to in- ` pitch in and help. They believe that the go there and get married. terview Patty McKeithan who superin- \a Gay community should use this chance to AB-104's opponents backed by a tends Miller grants. The day was bright educate Wisconsin's legislators. number of editorial writers straight and with late winter sun. The air was redo- "Every vote we can change is a new Gay alike have said that it is unnecessary lent of yeast, like being in a room with friend we have found," said one political and mean spirited. bread baking in the oven. activist and observer. Meanwhile, the battle rages on. What * * * In order to help change some votes, a some say is the biggest civil rights battle Terry Boughner: Patty, what's your rally has been scheduled for Monday May is the 90's has been joined and is in full job description here? 12 at the State Capitol. Baldwin and swing here in Wisconsin. Patty McKeithan: (laughs) I'm Vice President of Corporate Affairs, which is Local Ceremony to Honor the Memory of responsible for marketing communica- tions, corporate communications, com- munity relations, the company's contri- Those Who Have Died of AIDS bution and giving program. Milwaukee -- On May 4, the 14th an- volved in the fight against AIDS." We work with Phillip Morris (Miller's nual International AIDS Candlelight Me- Quilts will be displayed, and a reception parent company) on government affairs morial will mobilize people from 290 cit- will follow the ceremony, which 150 peo- issues. Actually, Tom Reed heads up that ies worldwide. In Milwaukee, the event is ple attended last year. Those attending are department within the Division. We work being hosted by the AIDS Resource Centel encouraged to bring a photograph of a very closely on those issues. of Wisconsin (ARCW) and will be held at loved one who died with AIDS to be dis- We have industry issues, which in- 7:00 p.m. Sunday, May 4. in the Harbor played during the candle lighting. volves our alcohol education program— Lights Room in the O'Donnell Park Pa- Attendees will also receive a special, Think When You Drink—and any other is- vilion, 909 E. Michigan Street. This year's living memorial gift courtesy of the Wis- sues that come up which we feel need Patty Mc Keithan ceremony, themed "Telling Stories -- consm Funeral Directors Association and special attention. aspect of the external community. Celebrating the Lives" is being held a few the Milwaukee County Funeral Directors (Laughs). We cover everything. If We always keep in mind, too, that our weeks earlier than past years. Association. there's any problem out there, it comes to business activity should make good social The ceremony will include the recitation Stories Needed Corporate Affairs. sense, and our social activities should of names of those who have died in the The Milwaukee AIDS Project (MAP) is TB: A little background? make good business sense. So there is a last year, the reading of remembrances, collecting personal stories which will be PK: I'm actually an Anny brat. My fa- marriage there. musical selections and the lighting of can- shared to remember those who have died ther was in the military. A lot of my ear- I would be very untruthful with you if I dles by participants. and reflect experiences, hope and mes- lier life was spent outside the country. didn't say that we care about the commu- "The Candlelight Memorial Ceremony is sages of courage. Stories are welcome But I went to school here in Wisconsin. nity. We want the community to be suc- a celebration of life that honors those who from relatives and friends of someone who I've been with Miller for 19 years. cessful, but we also want people to realize have died with AIDS and offers support has died with AIDS, health care providers, Miller and the Community that we are a manufacturing company. for people living directly or indirectly with mregivers and social workers. Text (100- TB: Miller is wide-famed for sup- We put out a consumer product. We feel I-MT and AIDS," said Father Mike Ham- 150 words) must be submitted by April 25 porting our community—among many, we put out the best consumer product in mer of the Catholic AIDS Ministry and to Gary Dennison at MAP, P.O. Box many communities. What impels Miller our category of any other company. master. of ceremony for the local event. 92487, Milwaukee, WI 53202-0487. to be a generous as it is? TB: Oh, I'll second that! "The Candlelight Memorial Ceremony The Candlelight Memorial Ceremony is PK: Miller has been a part of this Mil- community for 142 years.