Celebrating trans voices and visibility with a story from a member of the Courage Family.

“When my dad died in December, I knew I wanted to make a donation in his name to an organization that matched his bleeding heart beliefs. My dad was the most open minded guy and did all he could do to support people who are often treated like less than.

He had a strong love for the LGBTQ+ community. Although he went by he/him pronouns and ‘Dad’, he was what referred to as a cross dresser. These days I think he’d be called gender fluid. It was a part of his identity that many didn’t understand, sometimes including me. Understanding isn’t necessary. Loving is.

In support of the Trans Rights Read-a-Thon and the Transgender Day of Visibility, I made a donation in my dad’s name to Courage+. “They give LGBTQ+ youth a sense of community centered around care, safety, and acceptance—all while bringing about real systemic change.” No doubt my dad would agree with their mission and want to support it.

Love is love.”

Thank you Susie for sharing your words and the story of your father with us. Your generosity and care are so greatly appreciated, and the way you speak of your dad’s memory and legacy is beyond touching. The love he had for you and the LGBTQ+ community is palpable and such a testament to the power of love and acceptance. We cherish your story and family, today and always. Thank you for being a member of our family, too.

March Match: The Race to $40,000

There are just hours left left to help us reach our March fundraising goal of $40,000!

Thanks to a generous anonymous donor, every dollar raised during the month of March will be matched, up to $20,000. Every gift made will help us cover the unexpected, but necessary, costs that come with preparing the new Courage House to meet licensing requirements and open safely.

If you’ve been waiting to give, this is your time.

Help us close the fundraising gap, meet our match, and open the doors for LGBTQ+ youth who desperately need a safe place to call home.

An Exciting Programming Collaboration, from the desk of Alisha Hart

In 2025, Guest House of Milwaukee toured C2 apartments. The tour led to excitement about the programming we offer and model for residents in transitional living. They were so excited and impressed that as of March 2026, Courage+ has been invited by Guest House to provide LGBTQ+ affirming programming to Marsha’s House, their shelter for LGBTQ+ individuals. This initiative takes the successful elements of our C2 Apartments model to provide residents with support in independent living, employment, benefits navigation, and connection to community resources.

While Marsha’s House remains under the Guest House umbrella, Courage+ will provide case management and programming on-site. This partnership reflects our commitment to modeling collaborative work across organizations, including non-queer spaces, to create a bigger impact for the populations that need it most.

Key elements of the program include:

Part-time Case Management: Oversight of program expectations, connection to external resources, employment and SSI support, housing search assistance, and coordination with the Guest House Clinic and meal program.

Daily Living Skill Training: On-site groups that support daily living skill building.

Tiered Program Model: Residents will progress through stages of stabilization, skill-building, and transition to independent living. This will look slightly different than C2’s current model and be tailored towards each individual resident and their own personal goals.

As with everything we do at Courage+, this program is guided by equity, trauma-informed care, and harm-reduction principles, ensuring that our services are affirming, non-punitive, and responsive to the diverse needs of residents.

We are excited about this opportunity to expand our impact, strengthen collaboration with Guest House, and provide meaningful pathways to stability and independence for LGBTQ+ individuals in our community.

Our new queer arts festival, Bravery in Bloom, has a date! Join us on Saturday, May 16^th, for a day of art, community, and celebration of queer joy and expression.

We’re looking for sponsors, vendors and artists. If you’re passionate about queer art and spaces and would like to graciously sponsor this event, a queer artist of any medium (dance, music, painting, sketching, sculpting, etc.), or queer vendor or maker, we want you to join us for this celebration. Select the button that best fits your interest below for more information.

Mr. and Miss Courage+ Pageant is BACK!

After a few years’ hiatus, the Courage Pageant is back! Join us at 4 PM May 30^th at La Cage for a day of queer joy, celebration, and competition. Tickets, tables, and registration for competitors can be found at the link below. We can’t wait to see you all there!

Happening in Milwaukee: Mount Mary’s LGBTQ+ Resource Fair

Two of our wonderful board members, Cristin and Steve, were proud to represent Courage+ at Mount Mary University’s LGBTQ+ Resource Fair on March 25^th. They were able to meet and connect with dozens of students and faculty to share our mission, forge connections, and show up alongside other community organizations for the pride and health of LGBTQ+ young folx.

Thank you to Mount Mary for creating safe and affirming spaces for community and acceptance and thank you to Cristin and Steve for representing Courage!

Give Tens. Get Tickets.

To celebrate 10 years of Courage+, we are running a monthly raffle that allows our Courage+ fam to win a table for ten at the Courage+ 2026 gala on October 30^th—a value worth approximately $1,500.

How does it work?

Donate $10, get one raffle entry. Donate $50, get five raffle entries. Donate $100, get ten entries.

The raffle runs on the tenth of every month through September 10^th. The next raffle entry date is coming up on March 10^th! Mark your calendar, set a reminder, and tell your friends.

Trans USA National Pageant

The Trans USA National Pageant is back in Milwaukee! Join us at the Hilton Milwaukee City Center on the weekend of April 10^th for a weekend of trans empowerment, speaking engagements, and bold competition.

NTAC is seeking panelists for the weekend. If you’re interested in leading a session, joining a panel, facilitating a discussion, sharing your work or experience. If you’re interested in attending, volunteering, competing, or showing up as a speaker or panelist, sign up at the link below or contact admin@transusanationalpageantry.com.

Together, we are Courage+.

If you’re able, please consider making a donation to help us continue creating safe, supportive spaces for every young person who needs us.

This is only possible because of your generosity.

Thank you for being a part of the Courage+ family!

Courageously, 

The Courage+ Team