Diverse & Resilient

Diverse & Resilient Diverse & Resilient was founded by Gary Hollander in 1995 as a program to build the capacity of LGBT groups in Wisconsin.

We empower LGBTQ+ communities with programs that support survivors of intimate partner & community violence, provide sexual health services, HIV/STI prevention, HIV care, LGBTQ+ youth programming, & community education/training on gender affirming care. We have grown to be an independent nonprofit agency that employs 19 staff and serves over 5,000 LGBT people every year. We do both capacity-buildi

ng and direct-service work to address the health disparities experienced by LGBT people in Wisconsin. Our work is focused on six priority areas: Acceptance, Cultivating Leaders, Mental Health, Sexual Health, Partner & Community Violence, and Substance Use.

Researchers at MCW are hosting an a**l cancer research study and are in need of eligible participants. For more informat...
08/05/2026

Researchers at MCW are hosting an a**l cancer research study and are in need of eligible participants. For more information, please follow the link below and/or take the eligibility survey.

Eligible participants receive free a**l cancer screening and $140! Go to https://mindyourbehind.org/ to take the eligibility survey.

Eligible participants receive free a**l cancer screening and $140! Go to https://mindyourbehind.org/ to take the eligibility survey.

From Milwaukee to Washington, D.C.!We’re proud to announce our Advocate, Jas, who will be speaking at the 2026 National ...
08/05/2026

From Milwaukee to Washington, D.C.!

We’re proud to announce our Advocate, Jas, who will be speaking at the 2026 National Sexual Assault Conference in Washington, D.C., August 19–21!

Jas continues to bring our community’s experiences, voices, and vision into spaces where national conversations about sexual violence, prevention, healing, and advocacy are taking place.

From local anti-violence work to the national stage, Jas is helping move the conversation forward and reminding us that creating safer communities requires all of us.

We’re so proud to see Jas representing our community and continuing to spread anti-violence efforts nationally!

FREE KNOW YOUR RIGHTS CARDSWe're offering FREE wallet-sized Know Your Rights cards from the Immigrant Legal Resource Cen...
07/20/2026

FREE KNOW YOUR RIGHTS CARDS

We're offering FREE wallet-sized Know Your Rights cards from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) in English, Spanish, and Hmong.

These easy-to-carry cards provide general information about individuals' rights during interactions with immigration enforcement, including guidance on what you can say.

Pick yours up at our Milwaukee office or find us at upcoming community events and outreach opportunities.

Please note: These cards are intended to provide general information and are not a substitute for legal advice. If you have questions about a specific situation, we encourage you to seek guidance from a qualified immigration attorney or accredited legal service provider.

We are proud to celebrate Jas Bass, Anti-Violence Program Advocate, who will be a speaker at NOVA’s 52nd Annual Training...
07/15/2026

We are proud to celebrate Jas Bass, Anti-Violence Program Advocate, who will be a speaker at NOVA’s 52nd Annual Training Event, taking place July 21–23 in Las Vegas!

Jas’s session, “Roots and Realities: Black Survivorship at the Intersections of Gender, Sexuality, and Systemic Harm,” will explore the lived experiences of Black survivors and the ways gender, sexuality, identity, and systemic inequities shape experiences of violence, healing, and access to support.

Congratulations, Jas! Your leadership, advocacy, and commitment to creating safer communities continue to inspire!

NOVA (National Organization for Victim Advocacy) is a national leader in victim advocacy, providing training, resources, and support to strengthen the work of professionals who serve survivors of crime and violence.

Diverse & Resilient Appleton Room to Be Safe
Direct & Real

The Midwest Meetup is coming to Milwaukee!Get ready for three days of community, wellness, joy, and connection. Save the...
07/15/2026

The Midwest Meetup is coming to Milwaukee!

Get ready for three days of community, wellness, joy, and connection. Save the date!

August 28 – Opening Night Community Mixer
Join them at the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center for an evening of networking, community-building, local resources, and a few special surprises. It's the perfect way to kick off an unforgettable weekend.

August 29 – Midwest Meetup Field Day
In collaboration with Ty Moncere and Hedoyogamke, come ready for movement, laughter, healing, and meaningful community. (Saturday after-party details coming soon!)

August 30 – Milwaukee's First-Ever Boys Day Out
Closing out the weekend with an incredible celebration in partnership with David Dodd and Summer of '85. Plus, Holton Street Clinic will be providing free and confidential HIV/STI testing on-site because wellness includes taking care of ourselves and one another.

If you'd like to help make events like this possible, consider supporting them by scanning the attached QR code. Every contribution helps create affirming, accessible spaces for our community here in the Midwest!

To stay up to date with announcements, follow them on Instagram: www.instagram.com/mwm_midwestmeetup

Due to extreme heat, both the Milwaukee and Appleton offices are closed for any and all in-person activities today 7/15....
07/15/2026

Due to extreme heat, both the Milwaukee and Appleton offices are closed for any and all in-person activities today 7/15.

Our staff is working remotely and our warmline continues to operate. Please expect slower response times through tomorrow.
Stay cool and we'll see everyone Thursday 7/16!

Diverse & Resilient Appleton Room to Be Safe
Direct & Real

Due to continued technical difficulties and the extreme heat, both the Milwaukee and Appleton offices are closed for any...
07/14/2026

Due to continued technical difficulties and the extreme heat, both the Milwaukee and Appleton offices are closed for any and all in-person activities, including testing services, today 7/14 and tomorrow 7/15.

Our staff is working remotely and our warmline continues to operate. Please expect slower response times through tomorrow.

Stay cool and we'll see everyone Thursday 7/16!

07/13/2026

To our community: We know these are heavy days. We know that fear travels quickly, that uncertainty can weigh on our bodies, and that many are carrying things they cannot always say out loud. We are holding space for our LGBTQ+ siblings, our immigrant and refugee communities, and our family and friends living with HIV navigating the intersections of identity, safety, and belonging.

We want to remind you of this truth: every person deserves dignity, safety, and care; regardless of where they were born, the language they speak, the documents they carry, their health status, their identity, or their story. A person’s humanity is not something that must be earned or proven, and it should never be criminalized.

Many of our q***r families know what it means to seek safety, rebuild, and create home after displacement and violence. Many of us carry stories of survival, resilience, and courage passed down through generations. Those stories matter. Those lives matter.

In moments when fear is used to divide us, we choose connection. We choose compassion. We choose to care for one another. Check in on your people. Offer support where you can. Protect your peace. Reach for community when you need it.

To those who are afraid, exhausted, or carrying invisible burdens: you are seen. You are valued. You belong here. We have always found each other. We will continue to find each other.

Helpful Resources:
-Voces de la Frontera
-Milwaukee Turners at Turner Hall
-Comite Sin Fronteras
-Milwaukee Alliance Against Racist & Political Repression
-Southside Organizing Center
-Citizen Action of Wisconsin
-Wisconsin Resist
-Hispanic News Network U.S.A
-iceout.org
-The ActWisconsin Coalition
-Milwaukee Area Labor Council
-ACLU of Wisconsin
-Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee

To those carrying more than they can safely say out loud: we see you. If you've been moving a little more carefully, loo...
07/01/2026

To those carrying more than they can safely say out loud: we see you. If you've been moving a little more carefully, looking over your shoulder, checking in on loved ones more often, or feeling the weight of simply existing, know that you are not alone. Every life has immeasurable value, and every person deserves dignity, safety, and respect; regardless of documentation, identity, or circumstance.

Your presence strengthens our community, and you belong here. Lean on the people who know your name, protect your peace, care for one another, and remember that even in seasons of fear or political violence, our love for each other has always been stronger than the forces trying to divide us. We have survived before, we will continue to survive together, and you will always have a place in this community.

Important Announcement! As part of our commitment to sustainable community care, our office will be closed July 3–12 for...
06/29/2026

Important Announcement! As part of our commitment to sustainable community care, our office will be closed July 3–12 for our annual Staff Respite Week. We believe that caring for our community also means making space for our team to rest, recharge, and return ready to continue serving you.

We will reopen Monday, July 13.

During this time, all Diverse & Resilient services will be paused, including HIV & STI Testing Services. Please connect w/ our partners at Holton Street Clinic at (414) 264-8800 for additional testing during this time.

Warmline Update
Our Warmline will not be monitored during the closure. If you'd like to leave a text message or voicemail with a safe callback number, you may reach us at 414-856-LGBT (5428). We will return messages beginning Monday, July 13.

If you need immediate support, please contact one of these resources:
-988 Su***de & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988
-National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
-The Trevor Project: 1-866-488-7386
-SAGE LGBTQ+ Elder Hotline: 1-877-360-LGBT (5428)
-Trans Lifeline: 1-877-565-8860

Thank you for your understanding and continued support. We wish everyone a safe, peaceful, and restorative summer, and we look forward to reconnecting with you on Monday, July 13.

Direct & Real, Diverse & Resilient Appleton Room to Be Safe,

Address

2439 N Holton Street
Milwaukee, WI
53212

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+14143900444

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