Sheboygan Mayor orders Pride flag to be flown at City Hall
City flag was removed by order of Mayor Ryan Sorenson and replaced with Pride flag
SHEBOYGAN — Mayor Ryan Sorenson ordered the removal of the city flag outside City Hall during the month of June and had it replaced with the LGBTQ flag.
Sorenson, who is openly gay,1 began removing the city’s flag outside City Hall in June 2021. According to alderpersons, the Mayor has the power to raise and remove any flag he so chooses without any say from the Common Council. According to Michael Willmas, the city's Director of Facilities & Operations, his department removed the city flag. The removal occurred on the afternoon of Tuesday, June 3rd or the early morning hours of Wednesday, June 4th. "We do not document removing and replacing flags, this is part of our assigned duties,” added Willmas.
Sorenson has previously claimed sole authority over proclamations and flag displays. The city spent $174.76 to order six LGBTQ flags from Amazon in February 2022. It is unclear what department funds were used to make the purchase. One month later, the city spent $400.80 to have six flags locally printed with the city logo using park funds. Those flags are flown outside City Hall, the 8th Street Roundabout, Deland Park and Rotary Riverview Park.
After being elected to a second term as Sheboygan Mayor, speculation is growing Sorenson will be seeking higher office. In recent weeks, he has been seen with a lobbyist. He registered the Sorenson for Wisconsin domain name last June while gearing up for his re-election, another hint his eyes are set on the State Capitol.
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Sources
Ryan Sorenson is the first out LGBTQ+ mayor of Sheboygan!
LGBTQ+ Victory Fund