Waukesha Legislator's Gay Pride Flag Comments Draw Criticism

WAUKESHA, WI —In what many consider a historic announcement, Wisconsin Democratic Gov. Tony Evers issued an executive order to allow the Gay Pride flag to be flown over the Wisconsin State Capitol building for the remainder of June 2019.

The move was not popular with some, including State Rep. Scott Allen (R-Waukesha), who pilloried the move along religious lines.

In a tweet on June 7, Allen questioned whether flying the Gay Pride flag was any more appropriate than flying the Christian flag over the State Capitol building.

Allen's comments drew the ire of a number of people on Twitter, and drew sharp criticism from one of his Democratic colleagues in the assembly.

“It was kind of baffling that he seems to think being LGBT is a religion,” said Rep. Mark Spreitzer (D-Beloit) one of four openly gay lawmakers in the state Legislature in a Capital Times report. “I am both gay and a Christian and an active member of my church. He seems to think being LGBT and being Christian are not compatible with each other.”

In a statement, Evers said flying the flag "sends a clear an unequivocal message that Wisconsin is a welcoming and inclusive place where everyone can live without fear of prosecution, judgment, or discrimination."

As part of the executive order, Evers said other state buildings will also be allowed to fly the Gay Pride flag.

"Thank you Governor Evers," Sen. Tim Carpenter, a Milwaukee Democrat and the only openly gay state senator currently serving in the Legislature, said in a statement published in the Wisconsin State Journal. "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."