Honoring Ricardo Gonzalez for a Lifetime of Community Service
Madison, WI – Fifty years ago this weekend, Ricardo Gonzalez opened the Cardinal Disco with a vision of creating a liberated space for all communities — and especially the emerging gay community — to come together, be seen, and celebrate their unique and colorful heritage.
The Cardinal Disco (418 E. Wilson St.) hosted its grand opening weekend August 15-16, 1975, and the rest is history. Today, The Cardinal is the longest-running queer space in the State of Wisconsin, following the demise of This Is It (418 E. Wells St., Milwaukee) in March 2025. When Ricardo retired, it was also the longest-running Latino-owned business in the State of Wisconsin.
For over five decades, Ricardo has supported equality, inclusion, and social justice in the State of Wisconsin, serving The United, The Gay Center, Madison AIDS Support Network, OUTReach LGBTQ Community Center, and many, many others with devoted, intentional, philanthropic leadership. He also served as president for the Cuban Committee for Democracy, forging a sister city relationship between Madison and Camaguey.
Ricardo also made American history in 1989, when he was elected to represent Madison’s 4th District on the Common Council. He was the first out gay Latino elected to public office in the United States. He was instrumental in leading a Renaissance for downtown Madison through catalytic projects, including Monona Terrace.
Ricardo was awarded with a Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Award in 2011 for his significant and tangible contributions in the areas of race relations, justice, and human rights.
Please join us at the Cardinal Bar Saturday, August 16 from 7-9 p.m. for a special cocktail reception honoring Ricardo’s lifetime of service, the 50th anniversary of the Cardinal Disco, and Madison Pride Weekend.
Guest speakers will include former State. Rep. David Clarenbach, entertainer Michael Bruno, elected officials, and B.J. Daniels from the Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project, a former employee of The Cardinal. The speaking program will begin at 7:30 p.m. followed by a free champagne toast to Ricardo Gonzalez.
This event is brought to you by a collaboration between the Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project, the Cardinal Bar, and Our Lives Media, with a goal of celebrating, honoring, and revering Wisconsin LGBTQ elders, who rose above the many adversities of their time to create a more equitable world for us all.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
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