June 6, 2014 is a momentous day in Wisconsin history. On that fateful Friday, the state’s ban on same-sex marriage was ruled to be unconstitutional. As the ban was lifted, hundreds of couples rushed to courthouses, eager to finally enjoy the basic human right they’d lived without their entire lives. Openly gay reverend Erik Koepnick has the distinction of serving as officiant for Wisconsin’s first same-sex marriage. One day later, he and his husband Ryan were wed as well. Simultaneously, those on hand for PrideFest‘s opening day were in a state of frenzied elation on account of the developments.
As the one year anniversary of that historic weekend approaches, host Tyler Maas spoke to Koepnick (who, quite coincidentally, was randomly assigned to be Maas’ roommate in freshman year of college at UW-Oshkosh) and PrideFest marketing and PR professional Michail Takach about that unforgettable early June day, the obstacles the LGBT community still faces today, and what to expect at this year’s PrideFest.
As always, this episode is brought to you by our friends at Ale Asylum, which the trio enjoyed on air, and 42 Ale House/the PrideFest-adjacent 42 Lounge. Music used in this episode comes courtesy of Tigernite (“Witch”) and GGOOLLDD (“Younger Days”), both of which will play this year’s PrideFest. Subscribe to On The Record via iTunes or Stitcher (for free!).