LGBTQ+ Facts
Madison is known as the most LGBTQ+-friendly place in Wisconsin. In addition, it was rated as one of the most LGBTQ+-friendly cities in the country by the renowned LGBTQ+ publication, The Advocate.
Madison is a progressive city, with the state capital supporting its queer population with pro-LGBTQ+-rights ideology. For example, this city provides various social programs for LGBTQ+ locals, like OutReach, an LGBTQ+ support center.
For nightlife, Madison has various popular LGBTQ+ bars. One standout example includes Plan B, which was voted the best gay club in the city by readers of “The Isthmus.”
Since it is at the center of the state’s legislation, Madison is an ideal destination for LGBTQ+ professionals wanting to get into the political world.
Mental Health in Madison, Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), which can be found in PDF form on the YRBS data website, determined much information about the mental health of children and youth in Wisconsin.
Since 1993, the YRBS has been conducted every two years to monitor high school students’ health risk behaviors. This survey took data from 1,829 students in 45 public, charter, and alternative high schools throughout Wisconsin in 2019. In addition, this report asked 89 questions covering topics such as mental health, school safety, bullying, tobacco and electronic smoking devices, sexual behaviors, physical fitness, and more.
Some student groups had higher risks across various topics. All in all, the following groups had fewer supports and faced more challenges:
• Young girls
• Children of color
• Kids with health conditions, like a chronic health condition or a physical disability
• Students receiving special education services
• Youth or children facing food insecurity
• Kids who have moved often
• Children and youth who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and other identities (LGBTQ+)
• Students with low grades (D’s or F’s)
**Note: This language features gender dichotomously as that is what is indicated in the research, and it does not talk about any variability. We have used the language in these statistics because this is what was reported in the study.
To find psychologists for kids in the Madison area, be sure to check out our resources at LGBTQ and ALL.
Top Features
Madison is the capital of Wisconsin. It is home to the dome-shaped Wisconsin State Capitol, which is found on an isthmus between the Mendota and Monona lakes. In addition, many people visit the Wisconsin Historical Museum, which displays history from the state’s immigrant and farming industries. Also, the city’s paved Capital City State Trail goes past Monona Terrace, a lakefront convention center designed by famed architect Frank Lloyd Wright.
Facts
- Over 40 buildings in Madison, including the Dane County airport and the Monona Terrace, have earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certifications.
- Madison has the most park playgrounds per 100,000 people.
- Time and time again, Madison has been named the greenest city in Wisconsin.
History/Data
Between the years 300 and 1300 CE, Native American “mound builders” resided in the area. They constructed thousands of effigy mounds.
Eben and Rosaline Peck were the first white settlers in 1837 in the region. Then, eight years after Wisconsin officially became a state, Madison had a population of 6,864.
Now, in 2021, Madison has reached its highest population of 263,332 residents.