Republican governor Lee Dreyfus approved the landmark measure in February 1982, making Wisconsin the first state to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation. The bill was led by LGBTQ activist and Democratic Assembly member David Clarenbach.
Despite last-minute pressure from conservatives urging a veto, Dreyfus signed the legislation into law. The measure made it illegal for the state and private businesses to discriminate in employment, housing, and public accommodations because of sexual orientation.
According to the Milwaukee Public Library, no other state passed a similar law for another nine years. This historical fact highlights a sharp contrast with many current Republican-led efforts across the U.S. targeting LGBTQ rights, especially involving transgender people.
