MILWAUKEE — Mayor Cavalier Johnson's choice for the city's LGBTQ+ Liaison position has withdrawn from the post after scrutiny from local LGBTQ+ organizations and advocates.
In an emailed statement Friday afternoon, the mayor's office said that Johnson had accepted Luke Olson's withdrawal, and expressed appreciation for his willingness to serve.
On October 18, Johnson named Olson to the position. By October 19, the head of a leading organization serving the LGBTQ+ community said the city made a bad choice. Olson's appointment had barely started before it was over with concerns from the community echoing loud enough for him to step down.
"We really applaud Luke," Justin Roby, Director of Finance and HR at Diverse & Resilient said. "Not only to want to step up and serve in such a position but also to listen to the community in this moment and say, this isn't the right time or place for him to serve."
Roby says Diverse & Resilient wants to see a person in the liaison position that is well prepared for the diverse issues they will have the responsibility of voicing in City Hall, namely the issues facing LGBTQ+ people of color.
"Longstanding have we moved past the oath of having just cisgender white men be the representation of our voice," Roby said. "Representing the full diversity of our community has become a prominent issue for us."
The biggest concerns, Roby says, are disparate statistics in HIV cases, transgender homicides and more.
According to Wisconsin DHS, African American men in Wisconsin were diagnosed with HIV at a rate nearly 10 times higher than white men in 2020.
Nationwide, Black women account for 2/3 of transgender gun homicides since 2017.
But Roby is adamant, the LGBTQ+ Liaison does not have to be a person of color to properly represent issues surrounding LGBTQ+ people of color.
"There are people who are white who do get it," Roby said. "We are not saying that specifically because of the color of [Olson's] skin is why he's unfit to be in the position. It just so happens his connection to community is not as strong as we would think ti would be in order to serve in such a role. He's able to listen to the community and humbly take that step down without being bitter or angry, at least no outwardly. Again, I commend him and send him my sentiments in this moment."
Olson has been a prominent member of the Milwaukee LGBTQ+ community for years. He currently works for the Department of City Development and holds leadership positions at PrideFest Milwaukee and Milwaukee World Festival.
In a letter obtained by TMJ4 News earlier this month, Chris Allen, CEO of Diverse and Resilient, asked the mayor to reconsider.
Allen wrote that the city should ensure "the LBTQ+ Liaison is a person who is well-versed in the experiences and needs of LGBTQ+ communities of color."
He also said, "it's essential that this individual can effectively advocate for these communities and work towards addressing the existing disparities and inequities."
It was a sentiment shared by other community advocates and leaders.
"I was shocked. I think my reaction kind of echoes a lot of people's reaction to that announcement," said Jamal Perry, a Milwaukee advocate for LGBTQ+ communities of color. "How disconnected are the officials or the team that's in charge of appointing this person or recommending this person to this role?"
At the time, the City defended its decision to hire Olson and said complaints sent to the mayor's office through email and social media were under review.
"Prior to his appointment, the mayor's office spoke to several people who hold prominent positions in the LGBTQ+ community, who not only vouched for him as a future liaison but were enthusiastic about his appointment," said Jeff Fleming, the spokesperson for the mayor's office.
Fleming said his office also received significant positive responses and a much smaller number of contacts expressing disapproval.
In the statement emailed Friday, Mayor Johnson says Olson "will continue directing significant energy and time toward his advocacy work on behalf of Milwaukee’s LGBTQ+ residents."
Mayor Johnson will evaluate new candidates for the unpaid LGBTQ+ Liaison position in the coming weeks.
Read the full statement from Mayor Johnson's office below:
Statement Regarding City LGBTQ+ Liaison
Mayor Cavalier Johnson has accepted the withdrawal by Luke Olson from the unpaid position of LGBTQ+ Liaison at the City of Milwaukee. The Mayor expressed his appreciation to Luke for his willingness to serve.
Olson says he will continue directing significant energy and time toward his advocacy work on behalf of Milwaukee’s LGBTQ+ residents.
“The city’s LGBTQ+ Liaison aims to bridge divides and misunderstandings between government and all the people who make up our greater community. I will work with my successor to assure the voices of members of Milwaukee’s LGBTQ+ community are heard by leaders at City Hall,” Olson said.
The Mayor will be evaluating candidates to fill the LGBTQ+ Liaison position in the coming weeks.
Roby says Diverse & Resilient would like to be involved in the decision process, to help better select a person who best represents the community they will champion.
Diverse & Resilient provided this formal response to the news of Olson stepping down:
We appreciate Luke Olson's decision to withdraw from the LGBTQ+ Liaison position in response to community concerns. This shows the power of collective voices and the importance of representation that truly reflects the diverse needs of the LGBTQ+ community. It is a reminder of the value of ongoing dialogue and collaboration to ensure that this crucial role effectively bridges communities, addresses disparities, and advocates for those who have historically been marginalized.
Moving forward, we hope to see a transparent and inclusive process in selecting a new LGBTQ+ Liaison who can understand and address the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals of color, particularly Black gay men and Black trans women. This appointment should serve as a symbol of hope for those disproportionately impacted by discrimination, harassment, violence, and murder, emphasizing that their concerns are heard and acted upon.
We remain committed to fostering a more inclusive and equitable environment for all LGBTQ+ individuals in Milwaukee and welcome a partnership with the Mayor's office to ensure this objective is met. This serves as an important reminder that our shared dedication to the well-being and rights of LGBTQ+ individuals requires continuous vigilance and commitment.
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