A Wisconsin Historical Society representative confirmed to Madison365 that it will not raise the Pride Flag over its downtown Madison headquarters during Pride Month, which begins Sunday, as it and many other public and private entities have done for years, sparking the ire of local advocates and activists.
“This was a complex and difficult decision that was made with consideration of many perspectives,” WHS spokesperson Colleen Lies wrote in an email to Madison365. “Ultimately, the decision was guided by our mission of connecting people to history by collecting, preserving and sharing stories. As a nonpartisan agency, the Society does not participate in advocacy outside of that mission. With that in mind, we have chosen not to raise any flags on our agency’s flagpoles that can be perceived as an act of advocacy. We remain committed to our mission work to collect, preserve and share stories of Wisconsinites from all backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives—including the LGTBQ+ and other communities. We will continue to share these stories through our collections, program areas, exhibitions, publications, and partnerships forged with scholarship and great public history.”
Lies said the Society has not flown other advocacy flags in the past, such as any Black Lives Matter, Juneteenth, or POW-MIA flags. She said the Pride Flag has flown over the building each June since at least 2019.
Local queer activist Christopher Peguero said the flag is not one of political advocacy.
“Our flag has been politicized, not by our making,” said local queer advocate and activist Christopher Peguero. “The pride flag is not necessarily about politics, but the GOP has politicized our existence and our flag, and the religious right has as well.”
He said he feels the WHS is making a statement that he and his family are not welcome there. He added that seeing LGBTQ acceptance and inclusion on display has a positive impact, especially on young people, and rejecting that display has a negative effect.
“The simple act of of not flying it, (the decision) made by a person who does not come from our community, who’s non-marginalized, has a huge impact,” he said.
Lies said in an email that “a diverse cross section of Society leadership came together to consider the decision, including representation from the LGBTQ+ community.” She did not immediately respond to an inquiry as to the identity of any LGBTQ+ representatives invovled in the decision.
Lies noted that it will continue to feature LGBTQ+ history in its spaces. For example, in June, the Society is hosting several LGBTQ+ History Walking Tours and traveling displays, and will host an LGBTQ+ genealogy workshop in October.
Madison365 reached out to several board members and sought comment from current and past staff, but none have responded. This story will be updated if any do.
