MILWAUKEE — Community members are coming together to help raise money for LGBTQ+ youth in Milwaukee in honor of Pride Month.
Members of Old Breed Strength Club in Milwaukee are doing that by showcasing their strength for a good cause.
Jeffrey Brylow is a member of the gym. He’s getting closer to his goal of competing in a weightlifting competition.
“When I first came here, it was about improving my health, then I started talking to Clay (the gym’s owner) and we got into competition,” said Brylow.
Old Breed Strength Club is sponsoring the competition, which will be hosted by New Barons Brewing Cooperative.
Heidi Dalibor, CEO of New Barons, said they’re excited to host the event.
The Challenge of Strength competition will be held in the taproom at New Barons’ Bay View location.
“We welcome all to our taproom and are a safe space for people to be and celebrate who they are,” she said.
“We had wanted to include a charity aspect, and I brought Courage MKE to the table,” added Dalibor. “I have attended their charity events in the past and in the light of the recent unfortunate events, I thought it would be great to see what we could do to help.”
New Barons will be holding a drive during the event to collect hygiene products as well as taking open donations, which will be given to Courage MKE.
The nonprofit organization runs a group home for young people who identify as LGBTQ+ and don’t have the support of family, or a safe place to go.
“It’s great to know us as a small business can get together with other small businesses and really make an impact on the community,” said Brylow.
Clayton Zingler, owner of the gym, said the cause matches his mission to create a welcoming and safe environment for everyone. It’s something he said he hasn’t always seen at other gyms.
Zingler said this is a great opportunity to be an ally this Pride Month, and raise money for an organization he strongly believes in.
“There is no hate tolerated, no sexism, no homophobia, no transphobia,” he said. “We’re here to have a good time.”
Brylow said Zingler is showing everyone who comes to this gym that you can step up and be an ally while working on your own health goals.
“I can’t wait to compete with my friends and see who can win and who can lift the most weight,” said Brylow.
The competition will take place on June 25 at New Barons Brewing Company.