The Human Rights League (HRL) strove "to advance the political interests of lesbians, gay
men, bisexuals, and transgendered in the metropolitan Milwaukee area by influencing local,
state, and national politics, legislation, and public policy." Although bisexuals were
always included in HRL's mission statement from 1993, they were not represented in the name
of the organization until 1998. At this time, transgender individuals were included in the
mission statement and organization name for the first time.
HRL surveyed electoral candidates for their positions on LGBT issues; recommended and
endorsed candidates for local, state, and national elections; held annual receptions at
which members of the LGBT community met with public officials; and distributed political
information. In 1997, HRL formed a political action committee to raise and distribute funds
in support of pro-LGBT candidates. HRL worked with the Milwaukee Police Department to train
police recruits on LGBT issues. It also held two annual award programs--the Cream City Brick
Awards and the National Coming Out Day Awards--that recognized the contributions of LGBT and
pro-LGBT individuals, businesses, and organizations to the community.
The Awards Committee solicited nominations and selected award winners. In 1994, HRL resumed
the annual Cream City Brick Awards, which the Cream City Business Association had presented
from 1984 to 1988, and which the Lambda Rights Network had continued from 1990 to 1992. HRL
presented the Cream City Brick Awards at its annual meeting in February. In 1995, the
committee began presenting National Coming Out Day Awards to recognize the efforts of
individuals, organizations, and businesses that promoted and reflected a positive LGBT image
through community participation. HRL presented these awards during National Coming Out Day
activities in November.
The Legislative and Public Policy Committee (LPPC) promoted public policy that advanced
human rights for gays and lesbians. The committee monitored public policy issues,
recommended candidates for support and endorsement, lobbied, and networked with like-minded
organizations.
The committee had several subcommittees, including the Election Committee, the Police
Sensitivity Training Committee, and the Public Officials Reception Committee. The work of
the Election Committee seems to have been carried out largely through the Community Election
Coalition, a separate organization (described below). The Police Sensitivity Training
Committee developed a cultural sensitivity and diversity training program for new recruits
with the Milwaukee Police Department. This committee worked with the police department's
Community Oriented Policing (COP) Advisory Committee, formerly the Committee Oriented
Policing (COP) Coalition. The Public Officials Reception Committee held an annual reception
for representatives of LGBT membership organizations to meet with elected and appointed
public officials. Although technically a subcommittee of LPPC, the Public Officials
Reception Committee consisted of individuals from many other LGBT organizations (e.g.,
Lesbian Alliance of Metropolitan Milwaukee, SAGE, Action Wisconsin, etc.). Prominent public
officials who attended receptions include former Mayor John O. Norquist, former County
Executive Thomas Ament, and former Police Chief Phillip Arreola.
The Membership and Fundraising Committee was responsible for maintaining and enhancing HRL
membership, and for generating funds through grant-writing, mailings, etc.
The National Coming Out Day Committee coordinated, promoted, and implemented National
Coming Out Day activities from 1994 until HRL dissolved in 1999.
The Political Action Committee (PAC) was formed in 1997 to increase pro-LGBT representation
in local and statewide levels of Wisconsin politics. The need for a PAC became apparent when
the LPPC, working with the Community Election Coalition, attempted to organize a forum for
State Assembly candidates in the 8th district, and none of the candidates would participate.
The PAC survived the dissolution of HRL in 1999 and continues to exist as the HRL-PAC
today.
The Public Information Committee was responsible for monitoring and responding to media
issues and inquiries, drafting position statements, and creating HRL's newsletter and
brochures.
During its existence, HRL collaborated with many local LGBT groups around key issues. The
Community Election Coalition (1996) was an alliance of Milwaukee-area political
organizations--ACT UP Milwaukee, Action Wisconsin, HRL, Lesbian Alliance of Metropolitan
Milwaukee (LAMM), Log Cabin Republicans, People of All Colors Together, Riverwest Rainbow
Association, and Sherman Park Rainbow Association--formed to gather and distribute
information about candidates and election issues. The Domestic Partnership Task Force (1997)
consisted of HRL, LAMM, and the Riverwest Rainbow Association. It sought to establish a city
registry for domestic partnerships, win domestic partnership benefits for city of Milwaukee
employees, and network employees in the private sector to advocate changes in their own
workplaces.