Articles by Sarah DeGeorge

Edith Schafer once described her living quarters growing up during the Holocaust in a room she cannot even describe as an apartment to a young group visiting her home.  She blocked off her living room to about the size of her area rug.  She laid down a few pillows and blankets, brought in one chair […]

Last year, Mark DeGeorge and his only son—his namesake—were preparing for that son’s gender transition. As the younger Mark became Sarah, Caitlyn Jenner’s transition was big news, and Sarah shared her story with local media. Mark and Sarah sat down after a turbulent 12 months to talk about how they’re navigating a new father-daughter relationship. Listen […]

A Wisconsin bathroom bill proposed by two Republican legislators would restrict bathroom and changing room usage by transgender students. The proposed law, which is currently being circulated for co-sponsorship by Rep. Jesse Kremer and Sen. Steve Nass, would require public schools in Wisconsin to designate any multiple-occupancy restroom or changing room for use by a […]

Tuesday’s meeting of the Milwaukee Common Council started with business as usual, but ended with a bang when Alderman Nik Kovac brought before the Council a proposed ordinance to lower Milwaukee pot fines dramatically. Supporters said that while studies have shown drug use is consistent across racial demographics, there is a disproportionate number of young, […]

The new UWM Student Union project is going to alter how students’ segregated fees are distributed this fall.  And it means the end of some free parking on campus. In 2012, a referendum to increase segregated fees in order to fund a new union was approved by 72 percent of students. The fee increase was […]

Aamani Carter is a freshman at UW-Milwaukee and one of the few student performers at the 2015 UWM Annual Drag Show in the Milwaukee Theatre. He shared the experience of transforming into his drag persona, Gluttoni Sinn. Reported by Sarah DeGeorge.

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee students and staff may soon get used seeing personal pronouns become a standard topic of conversation on campus. Whether it is actress Laverne Cox appearing on the cover of TIME or Bruce Jenner’s status dominating gossip conversations, the transgender community has received a dramatic increase in visibility on the national level. The […]

Mark DeGeorge has one son, his namesake. That son is transitioning to become his daughter. They talked about how the father-son dynamic shaped their relationship and how a gender transition will change it.

One can legally be fired or denied housing simply for being transgender in 33 states, including Wisconsin. Milwaukee County fixed this problem on April 24, when the County Board voted 12-6 to expand its non-discrimination ordinance to include gender identity. The ordinance passed despite Julaine Appling’s attempt to rally opposition. Appling is president of Wisconsin […]