Where Tony Evers & Tim Michels stand on LGBTQ+ issues on National Coming Out Day

 

MADISON, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Oct. 11 is National Coming Out Day and in today's political climate, LGBTQ+ rights have become a contentious issue.

Here's where incumbent Democratic Gov. Tony Evers and his Republican challenger Tim Michels stand on issues impacting the LGBTQ+ community.  

Same-sex marriage

Michels has said he believes marriage should be "between a man and a woman" in wake of the leaked Supreme Court Roe v. Wade opinion suggesting a slate of other civil rights protections could be thrown out - including same-sex marriage.

For over two decades, Michels' views have been consistent, after supporting a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage when he was asked about it during his 2004 bid for U.S. Senate. Evers is a proponent of same-sex marriage and has vowed to protect rights of gay people if the Supreme Court were to overturn the 2015 ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges, which legalized same-sex marriage. An effort to preserve same-sex marriage protections on the federal level was delayed in Congress until after the midterms, a move Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) was leading in the Senate.

Education

With a growing number of states proposing or enacting bans on LGBTQ books in school libraries, it could set the stage for debates in Wisconsin's GOP-controlled Legislature next year around what books should be restricted.  

Ahead of the primary election, Gov. Evers predicated LGBTQ+ rights would be "rolled back" under a Republican governor and said GOP lawmakers would propose banning books, primarily those focused on the LGBTQ community.

"This Legislature and a Republican governor would be banning books in the state of Wisconsin. It's breathtaking," Evers said during a gay pride flag ceremony in June. “And you can be damn sure some of it's going to be directly related to LGBTQ community efforts.”

The Michels campaign did not respond to questions on whether he supports restricting LGBTQ+ materials in K-12 schools or what efforts, if any, he'd take as governor to restrict gay rights.

"All Wisconsinites, regardless of their sexual orientation, deserve safer neighborhoods, better schools, a functioning government, and an end to skyrocketing inflation," said Anna Kelly, a campaign spokeswoman for the Michels campaign. "That is why Tim’s running for governor, not to advance identity politics that seek to divide people into groups."

During the most recent legislative session, Republicans proposed bills to prohibit transgender athletes from playing on sports teams and allow parents to sue school districts over lessons about sexual orientation and gender identity, legislation Evers and Democrats oppose.

Reforming K-12 schools has been a centerpiece of Michels campaign. He's vowed to sign a parental "Bill of Rights" to give parents more control over what's taught in the classroom.

In September, Michels criticized Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction regarding a 2018 document about transgender preschoolers. The document, which consisted of links to YouTube videos of parents talking to transgender kids, was gears towards creating an inclusive space for all children, according to DPI.

Michel said in a statement Evers "betrayed parents" for "using public schools to indoctrinate 3-year-olds with radical gender ideology."

DPI argued the document was not incorporated into curriculum at K-12 schools, and instead said it was handed out during a conference in 2018 to ensure a welcoming learning environment. DPI is an independent agency and is led by an elected official, Evers does not have authority over the office.  

Advancing LGBTQ+ Rights

During his first week in office, Evers signed an executive order prohibiting discrimination against LGBTQ people within state agencies and state contractors. The governor also took executive actions to ban the use of taxpayer funds for conversation therapy.

Since taking the oath of office in 2019, Evers has ordered a flag symbolizing gay pride to be flown over the state Capitol in recognition of Pride Month. 

The Michels campaign did not respond to questions on whether he would take steps to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility if elected. The campaign also declined to answer how Michels is working to win support from LGBTQ+ voters.

“Tim Michels has been vocal about his radical views on LGBTQ+ Wisconsinites, which haven’t changed at all since he last ran for office in 2004," said Kayla Anderson, a campaign spokeswoman for Evers. "He's even dodged questions when asked whether he would take steps to limit the rights of gay people as governor. Tim Michels is too radical and divisive for Wisconsin.”