Black Night Brawl: The Josie Carter Movement
- I Am Me Inc
- Aug 3
- 3 min read
When discussing LGBTQ+ movements, Stonewall is the most memorable, with Marsha and Sylvia at the forefront, ready to fight for the rights and freedoms of those labeled as Homophiles. They demonstrated courage during a tumultuous period when homosexuality was illegal, still listed in the DSM, and just beginning to recover from Truman's Lavender Scare, which spanned from the late 1940s to the early 1960s.
During the 1960's, smear campaigns broadcasted on local channels suggesting LGBTQ+ individuals were dangerous pedophilic characters with uncontrolled desires and sexual mental disorders. It must have been exhausting; necessary social movements such as Stonewall challenged social norms, but was the NYC protest the first?
Not at all!! Before Marsha, Sylvia, and the Stonewall events, there was a gender nonconforming Milwaukee resident named Josie Carter. Armed with a beer bottle ( sound familiar?), she and her partner kicked off the 1961 Black Night Brawl when four 20-year-old servicemen entered the LGBTQ+ friendly Black Nite speakeasy with bad intentions. They
attempted to enter the bar without presenting identification, was asked to leave, and tried to assault the bouncer (Josie's partner), prompting her to intervene by hitting one of the men with a bottle.
The men quickly evacuated the area, carrying their injured friend to the county emergency hospital, threatening to retaliate. They later returned with a vengeful group of 10 to15 men from the Kane Place Tavern, intent on confronting Josie and her bouncer partner. However, they unknowingly walked into the Blue Nite, where 75 patrons were prepared to defend the bar.
The fight was short but intense. According to the Milwaukee Sentinel, Two bartenders and the bouncer said "a gang suddenly walked in and started tearing the place apart." Reportedly, there were a few scuffles but for the most part the group confined its activities to property damage. It was also noted that while standing outside, Luke Binder was hit in the head by a stool that was thrown through the window. In the end, losses exceeded $2,000, encompassing the entire inventory of bottled liquor, an electric organ, a jukebox, and all the bar's windows. Josie walked away with a dislocated finger.
While fleeing the scene, the servicemen's plates were recorded by the bar patrons and were traced by arresting officers. Unfortunately, Judge Christ T. Seraphim later dismissed the charges against four of the men due to a "lack of evidence."
Josie's courageous act on the night of August 5, 1961 sparked a revolution in Milwaukee. Inspiring LGBTQ+ activist such as Eldon Murray and Alyn Hess, founders of Gay People's Union to organize and advocate for our people.
While we celebrate Pride and honor our pioneers, I urge you to remember Josie Carter. Eight years later at Stonewall, I wonder if Marsha, Sylvia, or Stormé DeLarverie ever knew about Josie. Did she serve as an inspiration to them? I guess we'll never know!
I hope you found value in our monthly educational blog, published on the first Monday of each month, which highlights the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals throughout history. Understanding history is crucial as it sheds light on our experiences, contributions, and the societal changes that are necessary. If you have a suggestion for a person to feature or wish to create an I Am Me History Blog, please reach out to Peirrce M. at peirrce@iammecorp.org.
Thank you for dedicating time to History!
Notes:
Retrieved from Wisconsin LGBTQ+ History Project
Retrieved from WTMJ-TV Milwaukee
Retrieved from Fox 6