MADISON, Wis. — For the first time in state history, the Progress Pride Flag is flying over the Wisconsin State Capitol for June Pride Month.

The flag has additional stripes that form a chevron pattern to represent LGBTQ individuals of color, the transgender community, as well as those who are living with or have been lost to HIV/AIDS.

Gov. Tony Evers stands with lawmakers and members of the LGBTQ community during a Pride Month ceremony outside of the Capitol. (Spectrum News/Mandy Hague)

“We have a proud history of LGBTQ activism in Wisconsin from the Black Nite Brawl in Milwaukee to being the first state to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation,” Gov. Tony Evers told the crowd gathered for a ceremony Wednesday. “This inclusion matters. Representation matters. Our words matter.”

In 2019, Gov. Evers first ordered the Rainbow Pride Flag to fly over the east wing of the state Capitol for the month of June, which marked a first in state history.

What You Need To Know

  • Since 2019, when Gov. Evers first ordered the Rainbow Pride Flag to fly over the east wing of the Wisconsin State Capitol for the first time in state history, the Rainbow Pride Flag has flown over the Capitol each year for the month of June

  • This year, for the first time in state history, the Progress Pride Flag will be flown over the east wing of the Capitol building

  • Similar to the Rainbow Pride Flag, the Progress Pride Flag includes additional stripes forming a chevron pattern that represent LGBTQ individuals of color, the transgender community, as well as those who are living with or have been lost to HIV/AIDS

  • The U.S. and Wisconsin flags can still be seen over the east wing above the Progress Pride Flag, while the POW-MIA flag will continue to be flown above the north wing

For those who feel marginalized within the LGBTQ community, Wednesday's flag raising wasn't just about awareness. Rather, it was about action.

Ronnie Rivera came from Milwaukee to see history as it was made.

“As a queer person of color myself, I really identify with the progress flag,” Rivera explained. “I see safety. I also see education. I see inclusion.”

Ronnie Rivera gestures to the Progress Pride Flag, which will be flown over the Capitol for the month of June. (Spectrum News/Mandy Hague)

Rivera also sees the flag as an opportunity to learn.

“I have that flag outside of my house,” Rivera said. “I constantly see, when I'm sitting on my front porch, people will point at it like what does that mean, so it's an opportunity for folks to learn more.”

Ebony Lewis, who's an ally, works in schools and dedicates her time to teaching those very lessons.

“We know representation matters,” Lewis said. “How we see ourselves is all based on what we see, and many times if we are reflected in a certain way, but not included, we can then feel like I don't fit here, I don't fit there. So I think the progress flag really helps to identify that we all fit.”

Ebony Lewis, standing next to Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer, share a laugh during Wednesday's ceremony. (Spectrum News/Mandy Hague)

However, for Lewis, the flag doesn't just represent people, which she often reminds herself.

“Don't love me with words, love me with action, and so to me, I think that just represents that action,” Lewis said. “That we're taking that step forward, to hear the governor speak about. This is not just about raising a flag, but being intentional about bills that are coming through that are very harmful.”

For allies and those who identify as LGBTQ, it's a step forward in an effort to raise not just a flag, but more awareness.