While most of us believe no matter our gender identity or sexual orientation we all deserve equal opportunity and equal treatment under the law, the reality is that this has not always been the way the vast majority of the public felt nor how our institutions acted.
In June, we commemorate LGBTQ+ Pride Month and the movement for equality. We celebrate the progress we’ve made, while also acknowledging the many challenges we still face ensuring we all have the freedom to be ourselves and pursue our dreams.
In Wisconsin, we have progressive state leaders like Gov. Tony Evers and legislative Democrats, who are working hard to make our local communities more inclusive and ensure that the sentiment of Pride Month is the reality in Wisconsin year-round.
Gov. Evers is proudly and publicly standing up for equality, not just recognizing the LGBTQ+ community by flying the Pride flag over the Capitol but also using the power of his office to fight discrimination against the community and to block efforts to turn back the clock on hard won rights.
Democrats in the state legislature introduced LGBTQ+ inclusive bills last year that would ban discrimination based on gender identity and that would create a task force to ensure Wisconsin is an equitable place for everyone to live – regardless of sexual orientation.
These stands for freedom and equality from our elected leaders are more important than ever, because some politicians are pushing to move us backward. In 2021 alone, Republicans in the state legislature introduced three anti-LGBTQ+ bills.
This divisive and discriminatory agenda from conservatives isn’t just contained within the state legislature, it is part of the Republican Party of Wisconsin platform with a resolution in support of conversion therapy for Wisconsin kids who identify within the LGBTQ+ community being adopted at their state convention in May.
Wisconsinites know we all deserve the same freedoms to be who we are, regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, or otherwise. Together, we can disregard division from far-right politicians and create communities across Wisconsin that are equitable and inclusive for all.
Call, tweet, and write your local legislators and other elected officials to let them know Wisconsinites are unified in support for the LGBTQ+ community, today and every day.
