Support Sharon Dixon's New Beginning

This time last year, Sharon Dixon, a well-known and loved bar/restaurant owner, pioneering LGBTQ+ community figure, and local music supporter, was being evicted from her decades-long home and venue, Studio 200.

Her lawyer advised not attending the court date—he would handle it. So she didn’t go. It turns out Sharon had been taken advantage of. At some point, she unknowingly signed over Studio 200 to someone whose role included providing her with paperwork, whom she had trusted for many years. They were evicting a 73 year old woman in order to sell the building that was her home, business and only potential source of income.

Between Thanksgiving and Christmas of 2023, a few friends helped Sharon prepare, emptying the space that had been important to so many. Joel moved her belongings into storage, Mel and I began looking for housing solutions.

There were many complications, from holes in the safety net supposed to protect vulnerable populations, to health issues and unreliable phone communication. Sharon lived in cheap hotels and when her savings ran out, she had to go to a shelter. HUD housing was supposed to become available within a month, then weeks… after three months there was still no solution. Fed up with the religious overtones and dorm living, Sharon left and went back to cheap motels, but her minimal Social Security payments couldn’t cover that full time.

Sharon began spending weekends on the streets, when hotel rates were highest. A former teenage runaway, she was still tough and independent at 73, insisting she had it covered. She did not want her situation shared and believed housing would come through soon.

In the spring, I left for an extended period overseas. After returning, I called Sharon to plan our usual meal and catch up. She had just got out of hospital. Staff at a Walgreens she visited earlier had been so concerned by her condition that they called an ambulance. Sharon was living on the streets full-time.

I met Sharon that evening and found her in a heartbreaking condition. She had no shoes on; her feet were swollen and wounded. All her belongings were in plastic bags hanging from her walker. She had lost 50 lbs. I barely recognized her. When I hugged her, she said, “I didn’t know if you’d want to hug me like this.”

Sharon had been assaulted multiple times, hospitalized twice, and developed a pronounced trauma-related stutter. We immediately went to buy soft, comforting clothes, (she waited in the car, barely able to stand), found a hotel, and got her showered. Then we went for a huge meal. Over the next five days, Mel, myself, and those advocating fiercely for her in city/county services went into overdrive. The staff at La Quinta were kind and helpful, arranging for her to stay in a ground-floor accessible room as she could barely walk, and accommodating our many calls and visits from services.

The following week Sharon was finally placed in temporary housing. The apartment had holes in the door and was shared with a stranger, but she was safe and off the streets.

Two months later the facility was sold and rent raised beyond Sharon’s means. Finding another solution became urgent. Mel had found a more affordable place, thankfully they had one opening. Advised it would fill quickly, Mel rushed to get her application and documentation in. It was a massive relief when Sharon was accepted.

Two weeks ago, Sharon moved into her very own place! Today, I’m writing this at Sharon’s table, having just shared Thanksgiving dinner with her, Mel, my son and partner. It is wonderful to finally see her HOME.

If you know Sharon, you know she has a huge heart. She is much more accustomed to helping others than being helped. During crisis, she understandably didn’t want to publicize her circumstances. Now, I have her permission to ask for your support.

So what’s the ask?

Sharon's current furniture is borrowed, including her bed. As well as buying her own household items, it would be wonderful to replenish her savings for emergencies or rent increases. The few who knew her circumstances have helped with rents, storage fees, security deposit, and other costs. I'm sure many others who have enjoyed knowing Sharon and what she has provided, will be glad to give back.

A testament to her impact, Sharon was recognized by the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors in the summer of 2023. The words on her plaque say it all (see photo; text below).

Thank you for anything you can give to support this remarkable woman.

“ MILWAUKEE COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

WHEREAS Sharon Dixon has been prominent bar owner, business woman and community advocate since 1971; and was at one point or another involved in almost every women’s bar in Milwaukee, having laid the foundation for three of the city’s most beloved and longest running lesbian bars; Sugar Shack, Fannies, and Kathy’s Nut Hut; and

WHEREAS, Sharon Dixon opened the Sugar Shack in 1975 with her partner Joann, the first bar in Milwaukee owned by lesbians and for lesbians, creating a valuable safe space for women to socialize and feel comfortable, understood and seen; and WHEREAS, Sharon Dixon opened the bar Fannies in 1983, another LGBTQ+ bar, and the the third such bar she had a hand in opening, demonstrating her commitment to creating safe spaces for LGBTQ+ patrons tote open and comfortable as they are; and

WHEREAS, Sharon Dixon is described by former employees and old friends and as a kind soul and compassionate neighbor, willing to give anything she had to help those in need, delivering gift baskets, gift cards, hot meals, diapers, beauty products, or whatever would make the difference for women in the community; and

WHEREAS, Sharon Dixon has served the community for 50 years, and fiercely helped build community for LGBTQ+ people in Milwaukee county; now,

BE IT RESOLVED, the members of Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors, on the motion of Supervisors Sheldon A. Wasserman and Perter Burgelis, along with supervisors Ryan Clancy, Priscilla E. Coggs-Jones, Carloline Gomez-Tom, Willie Johnson Jr, Juan Miguel Martinez, Shawn Rolland, Steven Shea, Liz Summer, Sequanna Taylor, Steve F. Taylor, Chairwoman Marcelia Nicholson do herewith commend Sharon Dixon for her dedicated efforts and contributions to the LGBTQ+ community, and wish her Prosperity, happiness, and continued success in all her endeavors.

Signed: Marcelia Nicholson, Sheldon Wasserman, Perter Burgelis.

Dated: June 22nd 2023. ”