The Milwaukee Guerrilla Gay Bar is not a new local LGBT bar. That would be way too obvious. In fact, it's not a bar at all; it's more like a movement.

Inspired by similar groups in Los Angeles and San Francisco, MGGB is a collective of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Milwaukeeans -- and their friends and supporters -- who stage friendly takeovers of traditionally straight bars throughout the city.

It happens the first Friday of every month as a means to stir up the routines of not only the gay community but the straights as well. The bars never know they're coming and the result is undoubtedly a new experience for everyone. Most important, it's meant to be fun.

We caught up with MGGB "politburo" member Citizen X -- he explains the alias later in the interview -- to learn more about it and where the next takeover will be held. The latter he's keeping a secret, although he does divulge how you can find out.

OMC: What's the point of MGGB? And what kind of statement are you trying to make?

Citizen X: Our goal is to shatter the status quo and to shake up both ends of the equation so that people who might be stuck in their nightlife routine in the gay and lesbian scene will step outside their comfort zone and really see what else the city has to offer. We just want to shake things up and help people try new things and realize that they don't have to go to a gay bar if they're gay -- Milwaukee's not as small as they think it is.

OMC: How long has this been happening in Milwaukee?

CX: We're on our sixth month, approaching our seventh event (scheduled for Feb. 1). When we started in August, it was not intended to be as big as it's become, but the turnout, the demand and the support was so great that we've been growing every month. Last month's event brought over 200 people to a bar that had never had a crowd that big and the owner was just amazed.

OMC: How do you pick your bars?

CX: We're fortunate in Milwaukee to have so many diverse and vibrant neighborhoods. Our members investigate and come to our monthly meetings and suggest a location and each month we feature a different neighborhood. In January, for example, Riverwest rose to the top so we visited 10 venues before arriving at Stonefly. The "hip" value of the bar is important, but so is the logistical value -- we never want to invade a bar that's going to create some sort of emergency situation with fire codes, etc. We want to give the bars a positive turnout, not get them in trouble. But we do try to pick places that are either new or cool.  Page 1 of 2 (view all on one page)

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18 comments about this article. Post a comment / write a review.

Recent Talkbacks ...

Posted by maddog10 on Feb. 24, 2009 at 11:24 p.m. (report)

Ok...so, I'm gay and I think MGGB is absolutely ridiculous. Why do we have to "invade" str8 bars/clubs? I mean seriously, really? From what I can see, most of the attendees of this so-called "movement" are too afraid to go into a predominantly str8 establishment without feeling out of place - so, they "takeover" these places with other insecure people so they can what? Make a statement? It's so foolish!!!! And, not to mention, quite embarrassing!!!!! You are only making the environment uncomfortable. I go to str8 bars all the time...and my sexuality is never an issue nor do I feel I have to have the entire gay community behind my back to walk into a predominantly str8 establishment. To be quite honest, MGGB is full of insecure rejects who are trying to be cool. Think about it. The whole thing is pretty ridiculous. Gays have been struggling with being judged all their lives...this whole MGGB thing screams judgement!

Posted by rniam on Jan. 31, 2008 at 10:56 a.m. (report)

My only quarrel with MGGB is with not telling the bars they are coming. What can happen, and I have seen this with my own eyes, is that you'll have an improper amount of staff/cold beer and people get irritable and get a wrong/bad impression of the establishments service through no fault of its own. Give them a fighting chance to take care of your crowd. Other than that, GET YOUR GAY ON! When are you coming to the G Spot? (that's Club G for all you uninitiated)

Posted by MILWIRISH on Jan. 30, 2008 at 6:43 p.m. (report)

fine....just respect a bars regular patrons and the bars regular events.....when you are gone the bar owner is still trying to make a living. if a bars patrons are lost you did nothing for relations!!

Posted by Scottage Cheese on Jan. 30, 2008 at 5:04 p.m. (report)

I'm going to start a movement of straight members who will go out to gay bars and make out with the opposite sex (oh!) and dress in Brewer/Packer clothes...talk loudly to ensure that everyone knows that i'm straight! I may even ask for them to put on the Bucks game and turn up the volume a little. Will they make me feel at home? Probably not. I'm all for a little man-love here people. But you can't just throw your beliefs on others in such a rude way!

Posted by KIDJRVILLA on Jan. 30, 2008 at 4:50 p.m. (report)

Z boy, they are trying to go out and have fun with both crowds and not start trouble. I've been to their events. If they knew each night was going to be trouble then no one would follow them, but since they are doing things in a safe matter...the parties are great. As someone who attends their events, I guess I would say the point is to go outside of the gay bars. Have them additional options since our bars are limited. In the GLBT world their is many different type of people with different taste. Someone that enjoys alternative rock and is gay will not find a Gay bar that plays alternative rock. The people that show up dont mess with any other crowds, they just hang out. Just like you would do when you head out with your friends. Thats just about it. Yeah it might be uncomfortable for you to see a guy in a dress, but as long as he doesnt touch you or mess with you, where the problem? I hang out at many str8 bars and nobody would even know anything of me. My buds are okay, owners are okay. I Didnt know we needed a sexually code to walk into a place? Going back to your comment, why would you want them to take their crowd to some bar where trouble might start? Yes, anyone can walk into a Hispanic bar, Black bar, Gay bar, Bikers bar but the point is going somewhere were its comfortable and not feel like the minority.