Wisconsin bucked the trend of recent conservative victories by raising the LGBTQ pride flag this past weekend.
Governor Tony Evers signed an executive order demanding that the flag be flown over the Capitol Building in Madison.
In the order, Evers stated, “Publicly displaying the Rainbow Pride Flag sends a clear and unequivocal message that Wisconsin is a welcoming and inclusive place where everyone can live without fear of persecution, judgment, or discrimination.”
The decision was both met with praise and criticism in the state where Evers won the governorship without securing the majority as he received just 49 percent of the votes.
Republican lawmaker Scott Allen voiced his opposition on Twitter:
Is this any more appropriate than erecting the Christian flag over the Capitol? #religious https://t.co/r7o2vcZ401
— Scott E. Allen (@scotte_allen) June 7, 2019
Mark Spreitzer, a Democratic state representative who is gay, tweeted his support:
With a historic number of out LGBT legislators and our biggest, most bipartisan Equality Agenda this session, it’s only fitting that the pride flag should fly over the Capitol this month. Happy Pride! https://t.co/hYLM9DXpP4
— Rep. Mark Spreitzer (@RepSpreitzer) June 7, 2019
Another LGBTQ lawmaker, Tim Carpenter, expressed his approval of the governor’s decision by saying, “This is a very welcoming sign to many of us and it signifies a new direction for Wisconsin. We are showing that we are a welcoming and inclusive state and that means a great deal.”
The pride flag was created in 1978 by Gilbert Baker, a gay rights activist and artist. He originally had eight colors on the flag but it was changed it to six so it would be easier to mass produce.