Fair Wisconsin & A Coalition of LGBTQ+ and Allied Leaders call on State Historical Society to fly the Pride Flag

June 10th, 2025

Wisconsin State Historical Society
℅ Christian Overland
816 State Street
Madison, WI 53706

Dear Christian,

We, the undersigned organizations, are a coalition of LGBTQ+ service, civil rights, and allied organizations. We are writing to express our deep frustration regarding the decision to not fly the Pride flag over the Wisconsin State Historical Society. We urge you reconsider your position and immediately fly the Pride flag over the building you manage.

For many years, the Wisconsin State Historical Society has proudly flown the Pride flag during the month of June. Now more than ever the LGBTQ+ community needs public demonstrations of support and for leaders to affirm their commitment to protecting our rights and history. The LGBTQ+ community is a core part of the vibrant fabric of Wisconsin and supporting our community and history is not a political act, it is the right thing to do.

As Madison mayor Satya Rhodes Conway recently said, “When I see the rainbow flag, it tells me that someone cares enough to make it clear that I, as an out lesbian, am welcome here. When I see the rainbow flag flying over my Capitol building, it tells me that my governor cares enough to make it clear that we as out LGBTQ+ people are welcome here in the state of Wisconsin.”

So what does it say when an organization at the start of pride month announces that they will not be flying the Pride flag? It sends a clear unequivocal message that you are backing away from public support of the LGBTQ+ community. The choice to fly, and the choice to not fly, the flag is a demonstration of your core values as an organization.

From the Black Nite Brawl to Pendarvis, from the lavender purge of UW-Madison to leaders like George Poage and Richard Wagner and Tammy Baldwin who have shaped Wisconsin, the LGBTQ+ community has always been here and always will be.

Unfortunately, with your decision the Wisconsin State Historical Society is joining a sadly growing list of organizations and leaders who are bending to the will of extremist politicians and political attacks on the LGBTQ+ community. We as a community are facing the ferocity of these attempts to take away our basic human rights and freedoms with strength and resolve. As you read this, we are actively fighting back on legislation right here in Wisconsin, as well as from the federal government, that seeks to hide the LGBTQ+ community from the public and censor our voice and our history.

We ask that you reconsider your decision and fly the pride flag above the State Historical Society and make it crystal clear that you proudly support the LGBTQ+ community.

Sincerely,

●Fair Wisconsin

●Wisconsin Education Association Council (WEAC)

●ACLU of Wisconsin

●Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin

●Black Leaders Organizing for Communities (BLOC)

●GSAFE

●Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault

●A Better Wisconsin Together

●End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin

●Kenosha Pride, Inc.

●Diverse & Resilient

● Minnesota Transgender Alliance – NW Wisconsin Chapter

●Wisconsin Family Ties, Inc.

●OPEN – Out Professional Engagement Network

●OutReach LGBTQ+Community Center

●Our Lives Magazine

●Wisconsin LGBTQ History Project

●PFLAG Waukesha

●PFLAG Door County

●TRANCE Consulting