Compiled by Shayna Mace | Photography by Hillary Schave
On a brisk spring afternoon, six LGBTQ+ leaders gathered outside of I/O Arcade Bar, in front of muralist Michael Owen’s iconic “LOVE” mural. Greetings and hugs were exchanged — these community changemakers often cross paths or partner up on projects. In honor of Pride Month, we asked each of them what brings them joy in their work — and what challenges the LGBTQ+ community still faces.
HEIDI DUSS
(she/they)
Founder/executive director, OPEN Foundation
The OPEN Foundation advances LGBTQ+ career readiness and work- force development by connecting job seekers with affirming employers and creating spaces for professional growth.
What inspired you to get involved in LGBTQ+ advocacy?
When I came out as a queer woman eight years ago, that journey deepened my understanding of the barriers LGBTQ+ individuals face and reinforced my purpose. With my background in HR, talent management and DEIB consulting, I knew I could help create lasting change — leading me to get involved with OPEN and then founding the OPEN Foundation to ensure LGBTQ+ professionals have the resources, networks and opportunities to thrive in their careers.
What’s the most pressing issue facing the LGBTQ+ community today?
Workplace discrimination and economic disparities, especially for transgender and nonbinary individuals. With rising anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, it’s more critical than ever to ensure safe, affirming workplaces where people can thrive without fear of being outed, harassed or denied opportunities.
SHAVANA TALBERT
(she/her)
Senior inclusion, diversity, equity, and access program specialist in the Office of Health Equity (OHE) at the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS)
DHS supports and promotes the health and safety of Wisconsinites so that all people can thrive. The OHE is committed to addressing root causes of health disparities that disproportionately affect marginalized communities; promoting inclusion and belonging; and embedding equity within its policies, practices and services.
What inspired you to get involved in LGBTQ+ advocacy?
As a Black queer woman, I’ve always wanted to create positive change for my community. Centering LGBTQ+ experiences enables me to shine a light on folx who are often targets of erasure, scapegoating or other forms of violence. However, I am also able to showcase the brilliance, dignity, beauty and humanity of our communities.
What role do you think allies play in advancing LGBTQ+ causes?
Allies must … use their privilege in ways that those without the same security cannot. This means sharing power, de-centering themselves, listening to those most affected, and speaking up and holding themselves and others accountable to repair harm when it happens.
SUE (SOUKASEUME) NEELEY
(she/her)
Director of family engagement and advocacy, GSAFE
GSAFE supports LGBTQ+ youth and families across the state of Wisconsin.
What inspired you to get involved in LGBTQ+ advocacy?
I believe that queer and trans young people deserve the opportunity to fully embrace their true selves, and to grow, thrive and flourish in this world. These issues are deeply personal to me and my family, which makes this cause even more important [to me].
What’s the most pressing issue facing the LGBTQ+ community today?
The most pressing issues we face are efforts to ban gender-affirming health care, denying the right to change names and gender markers, and preventing individuals from participating in sports according to their affirmed gender. It’s all part of a broader attempt to erase the existence of transgender people.
LINDA LENZKE
(she/her)
LGBTQ+ AODA advocate, OutReach LGBTQ+ Community Center
OutReach’s mission is a commitment to equity and quality of life for all LGBTQ+ people through community building, health and human services, and economic, social and racial justice advocacy.
What inspired you to get involved in LGBTQ+ advocacy?
I’ve been a lifelong social activist and was a volunteer at OutReach for 20 years. I’ve been working part-time in my current advocacy role for the past five years. As a person in recovery from alcohol, substances and harming behaviors for almost 40 years, I support those who still struggle as a Wisconsin-certified peer specialist.
Why is your work rewarding?
[It’s gratifying to] share my lived experience and recovery as an advocate, writer and peer specialist to support LGBTQ+ community members. And equally, their stories and lived experience have supported me.FERNIE RODRIGUEZ*
(she/they)
Associate vice chancellor for student affairs, UW–Madison
Rodriguez says, “I help facilitate a campus environment in which all students feel seen and welcome.” She also oversees all identity centers on campus, including the Gender and Sexuality Campus Center.
What inspired you to get involved in LGBTQ+ advocacy?
As a first-generation Mexican American and queer individual working in higher education for many years, I’ve come to know the value of pushing for changes to ensure voices who are not at the table are included. My commitment over the course of my career has always been to carry the stories of the most marginalized communities and bring to light our realities so they are considered.
What role do you think allies play in advancing LGBTQ+ causes?
Allies are critical, especially in this moment. I believe we have lost allyship over the years as our society has become more stratified. Allyship is the key to the future!
* Rodriguez was not able to attend the group shoot so she is not featured in the group photo. The accompanying photo of Fernie Rodriguez is courtesy University of Wisconsin-Madison.
DANA PELLEBON
(she/her)
Executive director, RCC Sexual Violence Resource Center (formerly the Rape Crisis Center)
The RCC provides supportive services to victims of sexual violence and their loved ones through advocacy, legal and medical accompaniments, case management, therapy and county- wide education and prevention programming.
What inspired you to get involved in LGBTQ+ advocacy?
As a queer woman, I am directly impacted by laws and policies that affect my community. Beyond that, my personal and professional life have been about working against oppression in all of its forms. We know that LGBQT+ folks, especially folks of color, experience more intersections of oppression, so centering my work and focus around oppression impacts my work in the LGBTQ+ community.
Why is your work rewarding?
Being … an elder in this space, I am old enough to have lived through the ’80s and watched as so many people died. It is an accomplishment to be queer andhereattheageof50—somany didn’t make it. To be able to work with youth and impart my experiences and history is a blessing that many of us did not have because of how the [AIDS] epidemic affected our community deeply.
CHEZ DICKSON
(she/her)
Executive director/ president, Boardslide Mission, and development director, OutReach LGBTQ+ Community Center
Boardslide Mission aims to make snow sports more accessible to marginalized communities who may face cultural and financial barriers to enjoying them.
What inspired you to get involved in LGBTQ+ advocacy?
As a queer person, I’ve learned that the LGBTQ+ community is one that promotes self-expression, acceptance, support and care for one another. A flourishing LGBTQ+ community sets a hopeful tone and is an example for how a healthy and happy society can function. I want to make the world better, and LGBTQ+ community [advocacy] feels like a [great place] for that.
What role do you think allies play in advancing LGBTQ+ causes?
Allies play an essential role for advancing LGBTQ+ causes. Allies have a built-in buffer against the direct harm caused by bigotry. Their advocacy efforts are often less socially and psychologically costly, and allyship provides immense emotional comfort and encouragement to the LGBTQ+ community by signifying that they are not alone.
