APPLETON, Wis. (NBC 26) — After a challenging 2020, advocates at an LGBTQ safe space in Appleton say that Governor Evers' latest executive order to ban state and federal funding for conversion therapy is "a relief."
We're also continuing to support LGBTQ Wisconsinites, so I was proud to sign two executive orders preventing using state and federal funds for conversion therapy in Wisconsin and directing my cabinet agencies to use gender-neutral language in their public-facing documents.
— Governor Tony Evers (@GovEvers) June 1, 2021
"People are often surprised like 'what? Conversion therapy still happens?' It certainly still does," Reiko Ramos, a youth advocate at Room to Be Safe said. "I really appreciate that sort of top-down support for LGBTQ folks."
Room to be Safe is an anti-violence program from the larger organization Diverse and Resilient that serves survivors of relationship and hate violence. They have a Wisconsin-based hotline to provide resources for any LGBTQ community members experiencing violence: (414) 856-LGBT (5428).
In January 2020, the city of Appleton banned medical professionals from practicing conversion therapy on minors.
"A lot of LGBTQ advocates in the area were a huge part of helping push that through, and that was a really challenging, difficult time," Ramos said.
Then, Ramos said the pandemic made their work practically disappear.
"It was really difficult to stay in contact with all of the people who were connected to our program beforehand, and still get connected with people who have needed our help all along and maybe they didn't know we even existed," Ramos said.
Nick Ross, an advocate at Room to Be Safe, says that their work as one of three statewide LGBTQ organizations is essential to make kids feel safe expressing themselves.
"I think a lot about the youth in our community," Ross said. "You have seen at the state level that the Wisconsin Legislature is trying to push through these bills that are really transphobic, and the real goal of these bills is one, to stoke fear in the community against trans people, trans young people specifically; and also to just harm trans youth by prohibiting them from participating fully in school activities like sports."
LGBTQ organization Room To Be Safe unveiled a new mural at the grand reopening of their Appleton office on Thursday. The mural to be unveiled was done by Laura Schrampfer Champeau, owner of Amazink Tattoo.
Thursday's event also kicked off Pride Month for the local LGBTQ community. The mural to be unveiled was done by Laura Schrampfer Champeau, owner of Amazink Tattoo.
