With many thanks to the work on the behalf of the Milwaukee Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Community Center, PrideFest and the United States Postal Service have collaborated to produce the first PrideFest postal cancellation and postage stamp!

The special USPS cancellation comes as a result of an ill-fated 2009 Milwaukee LGBT Community Center Pride Month display at Milwaukee's downtown Post Office. The display, which featured prominent LGBT historical figures and celebrities along with a history of the LGBT Pride flag and pink triangle, was removed from the lobby the same day after being erected.

Dr. Maggi Cage, Milwaukee LGBT Community Center's Executive Director, had been contacted by the post office in regards to coordinating an LGBT Pride Month display for the post office lobby during the 2009 Pride Month.

Over the next couple of weeks Cage worked closely with post office personnel to put together an impressive display of biographies of famous LGBT people, pictures and historical descriptions of the Rainbow Flag and Pink Triangle along with photos of historical LGBT people such as Oscar Wilde, Rock Hudson, Billie Jean King and others.

The display centerpiece was the US Postal Services own AIDS Ribbon stamp.

On Monday June 1, 2009 Cage met with post office personnel and erected the display in the main lobby of the downtown post office in the three designated display cases.

Shortly after its installation, it was removed by order of Milwaukee Postmaster, Charley Miller. According to an official USPS statement released later, the reasoning was due to "proper official procedures" not being utilized as specified in the USPS guidelines for lobby displays.

"I was very disappointed that the display had been removed with out any communication from the post office informing me of their decision or any explanation as to why it was removed," says Cage.
So, she took it upon herself to set things right. She spoke to Milwaukee Postmaster Miller on several occasions to come to some kind of resolution to benefit all. In a gesture of good will, Miller not only issued an apology to the local LGBT community; he also suggested the creation of a pictorial postmark cancellation to commemorate the LGBT Community.

"Maggi Cage asked if PrideFest was interested in being the logo chosen, since we are the largest public event of the LGBT community in Wisconsin," said PrideFest President Scott Gunkel. "It was a very generous offer, and, of course, we said yes."

Taking the idea one step further, PrideFest board member Paul Masterson offered to design a special PridePost postage stamp to be sold at PrideFest. Alan Piotrowicz, MGAC board president, worked the design into a stamp. It shows the PrideFest logo over 2010 on a fluttering Pride flag background.

PrideFest 2010 Cancellation Stamps and Postage Stamps will be provided at a staffed USPS kiosk on the PrideFest Grounds. A postal worker will cancel stamps on letters and postcards during the three-day festival. The stamp will be available at the PrideFest Merchandise Booth. You can purchase stamps and send postcards or letters to your friends and family directly from PrideFest.

The pictorial cancellation features the PrideFest Milwaukee logo and the date.
The special cancellation features the PrideFest logo and will be unveiled during the Opening Ceremony at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, June 11, opening day of the festival.

"It's just such an incredible honor," said Gunkel. "With the help and work of the Milwaukee LGBT Community Center and perseverance of Dr. Maggi Cage, PrideFest is allowed to shine even brighter this year. We are very grateful for this honor."

The special USPS postal cancellation may be obtained on postcards or letters at the PrideFest USPS Kiosk on Friday, June 11 from 3-6 p.m. as well as Saturday and Sunday, June 12-13, from Noon to 4 p.m.