Wisconsin billboard campaign increases awareness of lesbian and gay neighbors

Proud Parenting

A new billboard campaign in Milwaukee is designed to affect stereotypes about gay and lesbian community members. The Cream City Foundation’s “Gay Neighbor” media campaign is designed to illustrate that lesbian and gay people are typical people with average lives.

Denise Cawley – who helped create the campaign said: “We tried single people, we tried couples by themselves. None of those sorts of images worked as well as presenting people in the sense of family.”

Marc, Thor and their two-year-old daughter Lily are pictured on one of the billboards. Thor says Lily entered their lives in December, 2006.

“We fostered her until March of 2008. And although the state recognized both of us as foster parents, the state only recognizes one of as adoptive parents. And I’m the adoptive parent, which means I’m the only that’s legally recognized. This campaign is hopefully going to illustrate same sex couples should also be co-parenting,” Thor says.

The ads will be displayed throughout the city, including at bus shelters and inside the Amtrak Station.

I sense in RevD a serious effort to review where UUCW is at this challenging point, coming out of a pandemic and with budget challenges. She is taking full advantage of her brief time as full-time minister to triage major tasks, envision new and creative ways to engage church members, and prioritize future developments within a tough budget forecast

I am enjoying your mix of humanistic, esoteric, and practical spirituality. You are so good at encouraging and motivating parishioners to step up. Thanks for the nudge.

Rev. Denise has strong planning skills. We were able to plan many weeks in advance which gave me time to be successful planning RE lessons and to find suggestions for TFAA. Rev. Denise made time for me. I appreciate the time she spent collaborating with me.

Denise goes out of her way to include material sources from marginalized people (disabled, people of color, LGBTQ+, poor, immigrants and more) to remind us of our opportunities to welcome all.

I see Denise as a thought leader in a larger congregation. She holds the big picture, has a great handle on the mission and can raise positive energy.

Denise’s extensive network and relations with other faith leaders and community activists, brings a voice of authenticity to discussions of issues within our faith and the wider world.

Cheerleader Denise provides inspiration, energy and power to help us achieve ends in our strategic plan