WAUNAKEE, Wis. — The Waunakee Village Board unanimously approved a resolution to fly the Pride flag for Pride month at its May 17 meeting.
As of June 1, the Pride flag can be seen flying at the Waunakee Village Center, Waunakee Village Hall and the Public Library.
Waunakee board member Sam Kaufmann introduced the resolution. He said he started drafting it before he was elected in March as part of his campaign, saying he heard from many community members that they wanted something done to make Waunakee a more inclusive place to live.
“I worked with the Middle School, the High School GSA to get their support to increase the chances of the resolution passing,” Kaufmann said.
The Waunakee Middle School Gay Straight Alliance and the Waunakee High School Gay Straight Alliance sent in letters of support to the Village Board in hopes they would pass the resolution.
Kaufmann said he was proud that the resolution passed unanimously.
“My family has lived in this town for six generations so I feel I have an obligation to do what I can to take care of it and make sure we are doing the best we can to make sure our residents are feeling accepted.”
Kaufmann also cited recent discriminatory incidents that have happened in Waunakee over the last year that made him more inclined to take action.
“Given the events that have happened over the last year, the students yelling the n-word out of their vehicles, the anti-Semitic letter being sent to a village board candidate, I think it’s important, especially given our reputation as ‘White-akee’, I think it’s important we go the extra mile to break that stigma that we are trying to be an inclusive and accepting community.”
That history was backed up at the May 17th meeting by a local physician who says the number of LGBTQ patients he sees has recently increased.
SSM Health’s Dr. Mike Lutes is heard in the audio stating, “I’ve been a practicing emergency physician for over 15 years. I’ve seen any number of LGBTQ patients who are struggling with mental health issues or addiction because they are being bullied, rejected or just not accepted for who they are. This is just a small step that we can do to make them feel more welcome in our community.”
Kaufmann said the board’s decision is just one step in the right direction.
“I felt good that I did it. The feedback has been very positive,” he said.
The resolution only applies to 2021. Kaufmann said he hopes another resolution will pass next year that will be more permanent and ongoing.
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