Person

Wayne Bernhagen

Milwaukee

Biography

Wayne Bernhagen co-founded Milwaukee's Wreck Room bar in 1972 and was active in the city's leather community and gay softball, helping organize the Wreck Room Classic tournament. He died of AIDS in 1987.

Facts

Associated City: Milwaukee
Roles: Business owner
Associated Businesses: The Wreck Room Bar

Sources

Research adapted from the Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project. Archive page links below point to archive.wislgbthistory.com; for current news and community events, visit wislgbthistory.com.

Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project — Wayne Bernhagen (retrieved 2026-06-01)

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