Gov. Evers promotes Pride in CF visit
CHIPPEWA FALLS — Tony Liedl began making soap as a hobby in 2020.
'It started with a basic recipe, and I tweaked it,' he said.
Liedl soon was selling at crafting events, and he eventually opened his own business. Ope! It's Soap moved into its current storefront at 116 N. Bridge St. last November.
Liedl and his husband, Kevin Brylski, welcomed Gov. Tony Evers to their shop on Thursday, showing off their products while also talking about being being gay business owners.
Brylski said they have signs that read 'Hate has no home here,' and the community has been overwhelmingly supportive.
'It's been really incredible,' Brylski said. 'Tony advertised on the door, writing, 'this is a safe space. This is a gay business.''
Liedl added that Chippewa Falls has been a safe community for them.
Evers praised the business after finishing the tour.
'It's important for me to continue to see what is happening in our small stores across the state,' Evers said. 'They really care for each other here, and they do great work.'
Evers has been visiting LGBTQ+ businesses across the state to celebrate Pride Month.
'They are a major part of our culture,' Evers said. 'I hate to hear negative things about Pride Month. I think it's important for Wisconsinites to stand up and show we are open for business. They are our neighbors, our friends, our spouses.'
Liedl and Brylski got married in 2020 in the Dominican Republic. Brylski pointed out to Evers that gay marriage has only been legal nationwide since 2015, and they both admitted they are concerned about any challenges that could outlaw their union.
'It's hard not to think about it,' Liedl told Evers. 'It's worrying. What would happen if I got sick and died, and would our marriage no longer be valid?'
Evers assured the couple he would block any attempts to ban gay marriages.
Brylski thanked Evers for coming to Chippewa Falls and seeing their shop.
'I'm very thankful for Gov. Evers and politicians like him,' Brylski said.
Evers ordered the Rainbow Pride Flag to fly over the East Wing of the State Capitol for the first time in state history in 2019. Since then, the Rainbow Pride Flag has flown over the Capitol each year for the month of June until 2022, when Gov. Evers raised the Progress Pride Flag over the State Capitol for the first time, a press release from his office reads. An iteration of the widely recognized Rainbow Pride Flag, the Progress Pride Flag was created to symbolize the inclusion of marginalized communities within the LGBTQ community. The Progress Pride Flag includes additional stripes forming a chevron pattern that represent LGBTQ individuals of color and the transgender community, as well as those who are living with and who have been lost to HIV/AIDS.
When asked if he's heard any feedback from President Donald Trump's administration about the decision to fly the flag, Evers said he's been left alone on this issue so far.
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