Debi Vance and Cindy Olsheske: the dynamic duo

Together nearly 45 years, the couple has defined LGBTQ community involvement for decades.

Debi Vance knew early on in her childhood that she was different. She was a tomboy and a fighter.

Written by B.J. DANIELS Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project

As her identity became clear she developed a sense of community involvement from early LGBTQ+ leaders and friends like Si Smits (Boot Camp.)  Bob Schmidt (M&M Club,) Wayne Bernhagen (Wreck Room,) Chuck Cicerello (The Factory,) and Tony Canfora (Club 219.)

Cindy Olsheske, her life partner of 44 years, grew up living a lovely suburban family lifestyle.  She had no great “aha” moment that she was a lesbian.  She always had the support of lots of family and friends.  She found a career and social life mentor in Michael Nelson.

The very first gay bar Cindy remembers is This Is It, where all the “chapettes” (people who worked at Chapman's Department Store like she did) gathered for happy hour.   Meanwhile, Debi went to the flash-in-the-pan hotspot The Red Baron, which was known for its live concerts, including Grace Jones in 1979.  Debi became one of the few female bartenders at mostly male gay establishments, including M&M Club and Club 219.

Together they became powerhouses in the Milwaukee LGBTQ community.  Through volunteering and attending community events, they met many city, state and national leaders. Some of their favorite memories were brought about by their dedication to and participation in the numerous sports leagues that became prevalent in the LGBTQ scene of the 1980s.

Debi and Cindy feel that gay people helped each other more, and shared a lot more camaraderie in the past, through the volunteer efforts they participated in.