Gov. Evers Starts Pride Month With LGBTQ Flag, Executive Orders

By Melanie Conklin, Wisconsin Examiner, June 1, 2021

MADISON, WI — Gov. Tony Evers hosted the third annual raising of the Rainbow Pride flag at the Wisconsin State Capitol on Tuesday, in a kick-off celebration of LGBTQ pride month.

In 2019 the Rainbow Pride flag was flown over the Wisconsin State Capitol for the first time.

Evers signed an executive order specifying that the Rainbow Pride flag will be raised over the State Capitol from noon on June 1 until sunset on June 30 and authorized other state buildings to fly the pride flag in June.

Evers also signed an executive order directing cabinet agencies to use gender-neutral language wherever practicable, “including but not limited to: using gender-neutral terms and pronouns, drafting to eliminate the need for pronouns, omitting superfluous gendered words, and making any reference to gendered family relations, to the extent allowable by state and federal law.”

A third executive order bans the use of state and federal funds by the Department of Health Services (DHS), Department of Children and Families (DCF) and Department of Corrections (DOC) for conversion therapy for individuals under 18 years of age. The order defines conversion therapy as “any practice or treatment that is intended to promote heterosexuality by attempting to alter same-sex attractions or an individual’s gender expression.”

The order notes that expert medical associations and professional organizations oppose the practice of conversion therapy, and that it has been shown to cause emotional and physical harm, leading to higher rates of depression and suicide for LGBTQ youth.

In March, the Wisconsin State Senate and Assembly passed bills to block a rule put in place by the state Department of Safety and Professional Standards that would have prohibited conversion therapy.

In response to this move, which as a rule change did not require approval by the governor, Rep. Lee Snodgrass (D-Appleton) and Sen. Tim Carpenter (D-Milwaukee) authored a Democratic bill to ban conversion therapy.

In the Senate it was introduced in April and referred to the Committee on Human Services, Children and Family. In the Assembly it was introduced in early May and referred to the Assembly Committee on Mental Health. The bill would specifically prohibit mental health professionals from engaging in conversion therapy with a minor.

Conversion therapy has been banned by 20 states. In Wisconsin, local governments in Milwaukee, Madison, Eau Claire, Cudahy, Shorewood, Racine, Glendale, Sheboygan, Superior, West Allis, Kenosha and Appleton have prohibited the practice of conversion therapy.

“This legislation should not be controversial,” said Snodgrass. “We must take a stand against this abusive practice by protecting Wisconsin’s children."

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