Fair Wisconsin is a left-of-center LGBT group that lobbies to expand the civil rights and non-discrimination laws to cover LGBT people. Starting in the 2010s, the group began pushing to expand such civil rights laws to include gender identity and expression as protected classes. It also seeks to ban conversion therapy and to repeal all HIV-related criminal laws. ^{1 2}

Founding and History

Fair Wisconsin was formed in 1994 for the purpose of lobbying and activism on behalf of LGBT causes and issues. The group lobbied against the passage of Wisconsin’s state constitutional amendment to ban same sex marriage and civil unions, successfully lobbied for Wisconsin to adopt “domestic partnerships” in lieu of the banned civil unions, and participated in the 2011 labor union protests in Madison against legislation to limit government worker union powers. ¹

The group formed the Fair Wisconsin Political Action Committee in 2007 and in 2010 was merged with Human Rights League PAC and maintained its name. In 2013 Fair Wisconisin itself merged with Equality Wisconsin. ¹

Fair Wisconsin maintains a partner charitable organization called the Fair Wisconsin Education Fund. They are both hosted on the same website. ³

Financials

In the fiscal year ending June 2023, Fair Wisconsin reported $106,205 in revenue, of which $70,604 stemmed from contributions, and $35,601 from program services. It had $62,185 in expenses, of which $37,695 was spent on salaries and employee compensation. While it ended the year with net income of $44,020, it had net assets worth -$17,455. ⁴

Organization Philosophy

Fair Wisconsin holds left-center views that emphasize intersectional struggle between its core issue of advancing LGBT issues and other left-of-center issues such as race and economics. It is especially concerned with expanding civil rights and non-discrimination law to cover transgender issues such as gender identity. ^{1 2}

Projects and Initiatives

Fair Wisconsin lobbies to advance its left-of-center vision of LGBT issues, with an emphasis on expanding the rights and recognition of trans gender identity. It was influential in the signing of an executive order by Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers (D) that expanded non-discrimination protections to cover gender identity and expression for all Wisconsin state employees and contractors. It also lobbies to have similar laws and ordinances passed on the local municipal level. It also is working to promote protection for gender identity in schools in the state. ²

The group also advocates for the repeal of laws concerning transmitting HIV or desiring to do so, claiming that such laws do not have a benefit to public health and unjustly stigmatize people with HIV. ²

Fair Wisconsin is working to ban conversion therapy across the state, claiming it is abusive and lacking evidence for its effectiveness. ²

Leadership

Megin McDonell was the executive director of Fair Wisconsin until February 2024, at which time the board announced it was searching to fill the role. She had held this position since October 2015, and was the group’s external relations director from 2011 until she became the interim executive director in early 2015. She was especially known for campaigning against the practice of conversion therapy. She has worked for or been involved with other left-of-center organizations dealing with tenant’s rights, pro-abortion advocacy, and “social justice.” ⁵

1. Fair Wisconsin. “About Us.” Fair Wisconsin. Accessed November 29, 2024. https://fairwisconsin.com/about-fair-wisconsin/.
2. Fair Wisconsin. “Our Work.” Fair Wisconsin. Accessed November 29, 2024. https://fairwisconsin.com/our-work/.
3. “Fair Wisconsin Education Fund.” Fair Wisconsin. Accessed November 29, 2024. https://fairwisconsin.com/fair-wisconsin-education-fund/.
4. Fair Wisconsin Inc, Return of an organization exempt from taxation (Form 990) Part I, 2023.
5. “Fair Wisconsin Executive Director Megin McDonell Announces Her Departure.” Our Lives, February 2, 2024. Accessed November 29, 2024. https://ourliveswisconsin.com/article/fair-wisconsin-executive-director-megin-mcdonell-announces-her-departure/.