Wisconsin

Wisconsin

Flag of Wisconsin

Admittance Order: 30th

Admitted to US: May 29, 1848 (177 years ago)

Governor: Tony Evers (Democratic Party of Wisconsin (D]

Lt. Governor: Sara Rodriguez (D)

Senators: Ron Johnson]] (R) Tammy Baldwin (D)

Representatives: 6 Republicans - 2 Democrats

Official State website

Capital: Madison

Largest city: Milwaukee

Resource Guide: RL-WI

This article contains information that may change due to political elections and evolving sexual norms. {This article last updated:05/14/2025)

Wisconsin is a state in the upper Midwestern United States. Wisconsin is the 25th largest state by total area and the 20th most populous. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north.

Most of Wisconsin's population lives in areas along the shores of Lake Michigan. The largest city, Milwaukee, anchors the state's largest metropolitan area, followed by Green Bay and Kenosha, the third and fourth most populous cities in Wisconsin, respectively. The state capital, Madison, is currently the second most populous and fastest-growing city in the state. Wisconsin is divided into 72 counties and, as of the 2020 census, had a population of nearly 5.9 million.

Wisconsin's geography is diverse, having been significantly impacted by glaciers during the Ice Age, with the exception of the Driftless Area. The Northern Highland and Western Upland, along with a part of the Central Plain, occupy the western part of the state, with lowlands stretching to the shore of Lake Michigan. Wisconsin ranks third, after Ontario and Michigan, in the length of its Great Lakes coastline. The northern portion of the state is home to the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.

At the time of European contact, the area was inhabited by Algonquian and Siouan nations and is now home to eleven federally recognized tribes. During the 19th and early 20th centuries, many European settlers entered the state, most of whom emigrated from Germany and Scandinavia. Wisconsin remains a center of German American and Scandinavian American culture, particularly regarding its cuisine, with foods such as bratwurst and kringle. Wisconsin is home to one UNESCO World Heritage Site, which includes two of the most significant buildings designed by Wisconsin-born architect Frank Lloyd Wright: his studio at Taliesin near Spring Green and his Jacobs I House in Madison.

The state is one of the nation's leading dairy producers and is known as "America's Dairyland"; it is particularly famous for its cheese. The state is also renowned for its beer, particularly and historically in Milwaukee, most notably as the headquarters of the Miller Brewing Company. Wisconsin has some of the most permissive alcohol laws in the country and is well known for its drinking culture. Its economy is dominated by manufacturing, healthcare, information technology, and agriculture, specifically dairy, cranberries, and ginseng. Tourism is also a major contributor to the state's economy. The gross domestic product in 2020 was $348 billion.

Etymology

The word Wisconsin originates from the name given to the Wisconsin River by one of the Algonquian-speaking Native American groups living in the region at the time of European contact. French explorer Jacques Marquette was the first European to reach the Wisconsin River, arriving in 1673 and calling the river Meskousing (likely ᒣᔅᑯᐤᓯᣙ meskowsin) in his journal. Subsequent French writers changed the spelling from Meskousing to Ouisconsin, and over time, this became the name for both the Wisconsin River and the surrounding lands. English speakers anglicized the spelling from Ouisconsin to Wisconsin when they began to arrive in large numbers during the early 19th century. The legislature of Wisconsin Territory made the current spelling official in 1845.

The Algonquian word for Wisconsin and its original meaning have both become obscure. While interpretations vary, most suggest a connection to the river and the red sandstone that lines its banks. One leading theory posits that the name originated from the Miami word Meskonsing, meaning "it lies red," referencing the setting of the Wisconsin River as it flows through the reddish sandstone of the Wisconsin Dells. Other theories include claims that the name originated from a variety of Ojibwa words meaning "red stone place," "where the waters gather," or "great rock."

Sexual Orientation in Wisconsin

Wisconsin has a significant history in LGBTQ+ rights, being the first U.S. state to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation in 1982. While the state has made considerable progress in certain areas, gaps persist, particularly regarding protections for gender identity.

Legal Protections and Recognitions

• Same-Sex Marriage: Legal since October 2014, following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision not to hear an appeal in Wolf v. Walker.
• Anti-Discrimination Laws: Wisconsin prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation in employment, housing, education, credit, and public accommodations. However, statewide protections for gender identity are limited. Some local ordinances and executive orders provide protections for gender identity, but these are not uniform across the state.
• Adoption and Parenting: Same-sex couples are permitted to adopt. In 2016, a federal judge ruled that the state must record the names of both same-sex parents on the birth certificates of their children.
• Gender Marker Changes: Transgender individuals can change the gender marker on their birth certificates and driver's licenses, but this requires sex reassignment surgery.

Gender Identity Protections

Wisconsin's anti-discrimination laws do not explicitly include gender identity, leaving transgender individuals without comprehensive statewide protections. Some municipalities have enacted local ordinances to address this gap.

• Hate Crime Laws: While Wisconsin's hate crime laws include sexual orientation, they do not explicitly cover gender identity. Prosecutions often rely on perceived sexual orientation to address crimes against transgender individuals.
• Conversion Therapy: There is no statewide ban on conversion therapy for minors. However, several municipalities, including Milwaukee, Madison, and Eau Claire, have enacted local bans. In June 2021, Governor Tony Evers signed an executive order prohibiting the use of state funds for conversion therapy on minors.
• Fair Wisconsin: A statewide organization advocating for LGBTQ+ rights through education, grassroots organizing, and legislative advocacy.
• ACLU of Wisconsin: Actively works to protect and expand LGBTQ+ rights through legal action and public policy advocacy.

Public Opinion

Public support for LGBTQ+ rights in Wisconsin has been growing. A 2017 Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) poll found that 66% of Wisconsin residents supported same-sex marriage, while 73% supported laws protecting LGBTQ+ individuals from discrimination.

Summary

Wisconsin has been a pioneer in LGBTQ+ rights, notably being the first state to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation. However, the lack of comprehensive statewide protections for gender identity and the absence of a statewide ban on conversion therapy highlight areas that need attention. Advocacy groups continue to work toward achieving full equality for all LGBTQ+ individuals in the state.

History of the Wisconsin Flag

The Wisconsin State Flag features a blue background with the Wisconsin state coat of arms prominently positioned in the center. Above the coat of arms, "Wisconsin" is emblazoned in bold white text, and below it, the year "1848" is included. The Wisconsin coat of arms features a golden shield that has been divided into quadrants. The top left quadrant features a plow, the top right quadrant includes a pick and shovel, the bottom left section is emblazoned with an arm and hammer, and the bottom right section features an anchor. The shield is supported by two men. The man on the left side of the shield holds a rope and is designed to represent a sailor, while the man on the right holds a pick-axe and wears boots to represent a miner. The sailor symbolizes the shipbuilding industry of the state, while the miner represents the early miners of Wisconsin. The pick-axe and shovel indicate the mining industry, the arm and hammer signify the manufacturing industry, the anchor represents the numerous lakes and waterways of Wisconsin, and the plow signifies the state's agriculture. A Badger rests above the shield on a twisted blue and gold bar, paying homage to the state animal. Above the badger is a white banner with black text that reads, "Forward." Beneath the shield is a cornucopia filled with produce on the left and 13 lead ingots stacked on the right. The thirteen lead ingots represent the mineral wealth of Wisconsin, while the cornucopia symbolizes hope as well as abundance. The center of the shield features a second shield comprised of a blue top half and a bottom half made up of thirteen alternating red and white stripes. A white belt wraps around this inner shield with black text written on it containing the United States motto, "E Pluribus Unum," which translates to "Out of many, One." The Wisconsin State flag was adopted on May 1st, 1981.

Wisconsin is located in the North-Central region of the United States of America. It shares borders with Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Lake Michigan, and Lake Superior. The capital city is Madison, and the largest city is Milwaukee. Wisconsin was named after the Wisconsin River. It is often referred to as "The Badger State," in honor of the early miners who were nicknamed "Badgers" because they dug holes and lived underground. Wisconsin was first inhabited by Native American tribes (11 of which still reside there), including the Dakota Sioux, Winnebago, Menominee, Ojibwe, Potawatomi, Fox, and Sauk.

The first European to arrive in the area was French explorer Jean Nicolet in 1634. More Europeans began to arrive to trade furs with the natives, and in 1667, Frenchman Nicolas Perrot established a trading post at Green Bay. In 1689, the land was claimed for France. In 1754, following the French and Indian War, the British gained control of Wisconsin (as well as all the French land). In 1783, after the Revolutionary War, Wisconsin became part of the Northwest Territory of the United States of America, even though it was still under British control. It was part of the Northwest Territory, which also included Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan. Following Britain's defeat in the War of 1812, Wisconsin came under the control of the United States of America, and on May 29, 1848, it officially became the 30th state.

External links

Wikipedia article: Wisconsin

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