This week, lawmakers in Wisconsin have introduced several bills aimed at increasing the rights of and equality for the state’s LGBTQ+ community. The collection of bills have emerged in the wake of four anti-trans bills that were passed in the state in 2025: AB 100/SB 117 requiring public k-12 sports teams to be designated by gender, AB 102/SB 116 requiring University of Wisconsin and technical college sports teams to be designated by gender, AB 104 prohibiting gender transition medical intervention for minors, and AB 103/SB 120 regulating the conditions under which school boards are allowed to change a student’s legal name or pronouns.

These bills are part of a much larger legislative trend in the nation, with the ACLU tracking over 588 anti-trans bills introduced around the country at the end of May.

However, in the state of Wisconsin, the LGBTQ+ Caucus is seeking to increase legal protections for same-sex marriages, ensure nondiscrimination based on gender identity, eliminate “gay panic” and “trans panic” as legitimate reasons for claiming self defense, prevent mental health providers from using conversion therapy techniques with minors, and more.

One bill, introduced by Minority Caucus Chair Senator Mark Spreitzer (D-Beloit), would seek to change the constitution to make the language discussing marriage and parental rights gender neutral in order to ensure that same-sex marriages and parents are guaranteed the same rights as any other marriage or parental arrangement.

Another bill, SB 217, would eliminate the publication requirement for people seeking to change their legal names if they are changing the name to conform with their gender identity.

These bills have so far been introduced, but are currently circulating and have not yet been voted on. You can keep track of these and other bills that affect the LGBTQ+ specifically by visiting www.fairwisconsin.com/bills-to-watch/