“The mission of the Wisconsin Historical Society is to celebrate and memorialize the history of Wisconsin, the United States, and all of its people. It is not, and should never be, a political organization. Shame on the Evers Administration and Democratic legislators for trying to turn this nationally recognized organization into something it is not and should not be.
“At appropriate historical sites, the Gay Pride flag is displayed. The Historical Society regularly and appropriately shares stories of LBGTQ and other minority groups and individuals and our shared histories and contributions to the state and country.
“The fact that the Evers Administration is so aggressive in pressuring the Historical Society to change its policy specifically for Pride Month shows misplaced priorities. The Historical Society doesn’t fly the Juneteenth flag on Juneteenth Day. They don’t fly special flags during Black History Month, Asian-American/Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Hispanic Heritage Month or Jewish American Heritage Month. There’s no Irish flag for St. Patrick’s Day, no Mexican flag for Cinco de Mayo, no Norwegian flag for Syttende Mai. What’s makes Pride Month so important to display the flag, if not for politics?
“I applaud Historical Society Executive Director Christian Øverland for standing up to bullying and keeping the Wisconsin Historical Society focused on its mission. Preserving, educating and celebrating Wisconsin history, and everyone who has had a part in it.
