About the Project
Queer Wisconsinites live, love, and thrive in every corner of our state—from our largest cities to the quietest rural towns. This project celebrates that truth.
The Queer Wisconsin Storybook will feature 72 stories from 72 queer individuals, one from each county, paired with a portrait taken in a place that feels like home.
Together, these stories will paint a powerful, authentic picture of what it means to be queer in Wisconsin today.
Why Your Story Matters
Wisconsin is home to more than 172,000 queer people, yet our voices remain underrepresented—especially in rural areas.
Your story adds depth, truth, and humanity to our shared narrative. By sharing your experience, you help create a future where queer life in every county is visible and celebrated.
Who We’re Looking For
We’re seeking LGBTQ+ individuals who:
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Currently live in Wisconsin
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Have lived in their current county for at least five years
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Identify as queer in whatever way feels true to them
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Are open to an interview about their story, identity, and community
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Are willing to have their portrait taken in a meaningful location
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Are 18+
What Participation Involves
If you participate, you’ll be asked to:
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Complete an interest form with basic background information.
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Take part in a conversation or interview (virtual or in-person).
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Invite us to photograph you in a space that represents connection, belonging, or home.
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Review your story before publication to ensure it feels true to you.
There is no cost to participate.
How to Participate
Ready to share your story—or know someone who might be?
Fill out the interest form below.
You can also reach out directly at:
Email: benjamin.c.rieth@gmail.com
Phone: 920-639-3609
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the interview take?
Typically 45–60 minutes.
Where will the photos be taken?
Wherever you feel most connected—your home, a favorite outdoor spot, a workplace, etc.
Will I get to review my story?
Yes. Nothing will be shared without your approval.
Do I need to be “out” publicly to participate?
Participants must be comfortable having their story and photo published. If you’re unsure, reach out—we can talk through options.
Founder & Project Director/Interviewer: Dr. Benny Rieth
Dr. Benjamin “Benny” Rieth (he/him) is the creator of the Queer Wisconsin Storybook Project and the founder of BelongingU: Rieth Strategy Solutions. A Wisconsin native, Dr. Benny is a scholar-practitioner, storyteller, published author, and higher education leader whose work centers belonging, visibility, and joy—particularly for queer and Indigenous communities.
Dr. Benny has spent his career working in higher education leadership roles, supporting students, building inclusive campus environments, and advancing equity-centered practices rooted in care, relationship, and shared responsibility. His scholarship, teaching, and speaking focus on student belonging, Indigenous ways of being, and the power of story as a tool for connection and healing.
As a queer, Anishinaabe educator, Dr. Benny brings both lived experience and professional expertise to the Queer Wisconsin Storybook Project. This initiative reflects his deep belief that queer people live, love, and thrive in every corner of Wisconsin and that our stories deserve to be seen, honored, and remembered.
Through this project, Dr. Benny hopes to create a lasting record of queer life across all 72 counties, amplifying voices often left out of dominant narratives and inviting future generations to see themselves reflected in the place they call home.
About the Photographer: Tyler Wychesit
Tyler Wychesit is a queer photographer and visual storyteller born and raised in Wisconsin. He approaches photography as an emotional outlet one rooted in honesty, presence, and connection. Each image Tyler creates is an expression of feeling, whether captured through a bird in motion, a quiet landscape, or a moment shared with another person. For him, photography is less about perfection and more about truth.
In a world that often feels performative and disconnected, Tyler’s work invites viewers to slow down and feel something real. His images encourage people to step outside, explore their surroundings, and reconnect with the land and stories that shape Wisconsin. Through his lens, Wisconsin is not just a place it is a feeling, a memory, and a living relationship.
Tyler is a contributor to the Queer Wisconsin Storybook Project, collaborating alongside his cousin, Dr. Benny Rieth, to help visually document the beauty, complexity, and joy of queer lives across the state. His photography plays a vital role in capturing what queerness looks and feels like in the heart of Wisconsin—raw, grounded, and deeply human.
Interest Form
