Wisconsin GOP Lawmaker Slams Pride Flag Over State’s Capitol

MADISON, WI — (06-07-19) — Wisconsin GOP Lawmaker Scott Allen slams Democratic Governor Tony Evers for authorized the flying of the Pride Flag in support for Pride Month, over the state’s capitol building.

Gov. Evers made history flying a gay pride rainbow flag over the Wisconsin state Capitol. Needless to say it drew immediate anger from conservatives including state rep. Scott Allen.

After Democratic Gov. Tony Evers ordered the raising of the flag to recognize June as Pride Month, Rep. Scott Allen took to twitter to voice his anger…“Is this any more appropriate than erecting the Christian flag over the Capitol?” tweeted Allen.

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

Allen then followed up his tweet with another message sent to The Associated Press, saying…“advocates a behavior or lifestyle that some Wisconsin residents may not condone. Therefore, it is divisive.” said Allen.

GOP Lawmaker in Wisconsin Angered Over Pride Flag Flying Over State Capitol

Democrats praised the raising of the Pride flag to recognize Pride Month for the LGBTQ community of Wisconsin, including Democratic state Sen. Tim Carpenter, one of five openly gay state lawmakers.

“This is a very welcoming sign to many of us and it signifies a new direction for Wisconsin,” said Carpenter in a statement thanking Gov. Evers. “We are showing that we are a welcoming and inclusive state and that means a great deal.” said Carpenter.

Evers, who defeated conservative Gov. Scott Walker in November, said in an executive order that the rainbow flag has become an important symbol for the LGBTQ community and publicly displaying it “sends a clear an unequivocal message” that in Wisconsin “everyone can live without fear of prosecution, judgment, or discrimination.”

The flag was ordered raised on Friday afternoon and fly over the east wing of the Capitol where the governor’s office is located. Gov. Evers also authorized other state government buildings and any jurisdiction of the state to fly the Pride flag for the entire month of June.

The rainbow flag has been a symbol of gay rights since the late 1970s and has been used in various forms at gay pride events for decades.

Normally the U.S flag, the state of Wisconsin flag and a flag recognizing prisoners of war, are the only flags flown over the state Capitol. The move made by Gov. Evers comes after Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, the city’s first openly gay mayor, raised a rainbow pride flag over the building that houses city offices — across the street from the Capitol.

Article by: Paul Goldberg, Staff Writer