Wyoming
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Wyoming is a state in the Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. It is bordered by Montana to the north and northwest, South Dakota and Nebraska to the east, Idaho to the west, Utah to the southwest, and Colorado to the south. With a population of 576,851 according to the 2020 United States census, Wyoming is the least populous state despite being the 10th largest by area, boasting the second-lowest population density after Alaska. The state capital and most populous city is Cheyenne, which had an estimated population of 63,957 in 2018.
Wyoming's western half is mainly covered by the ranges and rangelands of the Rocky Mountains, while the eastern half of the state features a high-elevation prairie known as the High Plains. This region is drier and windier than the rest of the country, divided between semi-arid and continental climates with greater temperature extremes. Almost half of the land in Wyoming is owned by the federal government and is generally protected for public use. The state ranks 6th by area and 5th by the proportion of land owned by the federal government. Federal lands include two national parks (Grand Teton and Yellowstone), two national recreation areas, two national monuments, several national forests, historic sites, fish hatcheries, and wildlife refuges.
Indigenous peoples have inhabited the region for thousands of years. Historical and current federally recognized tribes include the Arapaho, Crow, Lakota, and Shoshone. During European exploration, the Spanish Empire was the first to "claim" Southern Wyoming. With Mexican independence, it became part of that republic. After defeat in the Mexican–American War, Mexico ceded this territory to the U.S. in 1848.
The region was named "Wyoming" in a bill introduced to Congress in 1865 to provide a temporary government for the territory of Wyoming. It had been used earlier by colonists for the Wyoming Valley in Pennsylvania and is derived from the Lenape language Munsee word xwé:wamənk, meaning "at the big river flat."
Bills for Wyoming Territory's admission to the union were introduced in both the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives in December 1889. On March 27, 1890, the House passed the bill, and President Benjamin Harrison signed Wyoming's statehood bill; Wyoming became the 44th state in the union.
Historically, European Americans farmed and ranched here, with shepherds and cattle ranchers in conflict over land. Today, Wyoming's economy is largely based on tourism and the extraction of minerals such as coal, natural gas, oil, and trona. Agricultural commodities include barley, hay, livestock, sugar beets, wheat, and wool. It was the first state to grant women the right to vote and to assume elected office, as well as the first state to elect a female governor. Due to this part of its history, its main nickname is "The Equality State," and its official state motto is "Equal Rights." It has been a politically conservative state since the 1950s, with the Republican presidential nominee carrying the state in every election since 1968.
Entymology
Wyoming is derived from the Lenape language Munsee word xwé:wamənk, meaning "at the big river flat."
Sexual Orientation in Wyoming
Wyoming presents a complex landscape for LGBTQ+ rights, characterized by a mix of legal recognition and significant gaps in protections.
- Legal Recognitions
- Same-Sex Marriage: Legal since October 21, 2014, following a federal court ruling that found the state's ban unconstitutional.
- Adoption and Parenting: Same-sex couples possess full adoption rights. Lesbian couples can utilize assisted reproductive services, and surrogacy is permitted; however, recent legislation employs gendered language that may exclude some LGBTQ+ families.
- Gender Marker Changes: Transgender individuals may change the gender marker on their birth certificates and driver's licenses, but this necessitates sex reassignment surgery and a court order.
- Anti-Discrimination Protections
- Statewide Laws: Wyoming lacks comprehensive statewide anti-discrimination laws that cover sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing, and public accommodations.
- Local Ordinances: Cities such as Jackson, Casper, and Laramie have enacted ordinances that prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in various sectors.
- Federal Protections: The U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Bostock v. Clayton County (2020) extends employment discrimination protections to LGBTQ+ individuals under federal law.
- Areas of Concern
- Hate Crime Legislation: Wyoming lacks a state-level hate crime law that includes sexual orientation or gender identity. The federal Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act (2009) provides some protections.
- Conversion Therapy: There is no statewide ban on conversion therapy for minors. Some municipalities have enacted local bans, but these are inconsistent across the state.
- Gender-Affirming Care for Minors: In March 2024, Wyoming enacted a law banning gender-affirming medical care for minors, effective July 1, 2024. Medical professionals providing such care could face license revocation or bans from practicing in the state.
- Transgender Sports Participation: As of July 1, 2023, a law prohibits transgender individuals from participating in female sports teams in schools.
- Community and Advocacy
- Wyoming Equality: A statewide organization advocating for LGBTQ+ rights through education, policy change, and community engagement.
- Local Support: Despite facing challenges, community groups and local organizations continue to support LGBTQ+ individuals, particularly in regions with non-discrimination ordinances.
- Public Opinion
Public support for LGBTQ+ rights in Wyoming has been increasing. A 2019 PRRI poll found that 64% of Wyoming residents supported laws protecting LGBTQ+ individuals from discrimination, while 24% opposed such laws.
- Summary
While Wyoming has made progress in areas such as marriage equality and adoption rights, significant gaps persist in statewide protections against discrimination and in the provision of gender-affirming care for minors. Local ordinances offer some protections, but the lack of comprehensive state laws leaves many LGBTQ+ individuals vulnerable. Advocacy groups continue to strive for greater equality and protection for all residents.
History of the Wyoming Flag
The Wyoming State Flag features a blue background with a white and red border around the edge. The central element of the flag is a white silhouette of a bison, with the Wyoming State seal in the center of the bison. The state seal showcases a central liberty statue holding a staff with a banner that reads, "Equal Rights," representing the equal status of women in Wyoming. On each side of the statue are male figures and pillars topped with burning lamps. The pillar on the left has a ribbon wrapped around it that reads, "Livestock, Grain," and the pillar on the right has a ribbon that reads, "Mines, Oil." The burning lamps on the pillars represent the "Light of Knowledge," while the two male figures symbolize the livestock and mining industries of Wyoming. The phrases "Livestock, grain, mines, and oil" on the pillars denote the four major industries of Wyoming. Beneath the statue is a shield with an eagle perched on top. The top portion of the shield features one five-point star, while the bottom portion contains thirteen alternating blue and white stripes. Underneath the shield are the years, "1869" and "1890." The red, white, and blue colors used on the Wyoming State Flag pay homage to the colors of the United States and acknowledge Wyoming's loyalty to the USA. The eagle, the colors, and the shield with thirteen stripes represent loyalty and allegiance to the United States. In addition, the red color signifies the Native Americans who inhabited Wyoming and the blood of those who sacrificed their lives for the state. The white color stands for the purity of Wyoming. The blue color represents the sky and mountains of Wyoming, as well as justice and virility. The bison symbolizes the wildlife of Wyoming and the strength of its people. The Wyoming State Flag was designed by Verna Keays, who won the competition held by the Daughters of the American Revolution to create the new state flag. The flag was adopted on March 4th, 1917.
Wyoming is the least populated state in the United States, located in the mountain region of the country, and sharing borders with Montana, Idaho, Utah, Colorado, Nebraska, and South Dakota. The capital city is Cheyenne, which is also the largest city in the state. Wyoming was named after the Wyoming Valley and originates from the word "Mecheweamiing," which translates as "land of the plains." Wyoming is also referred to as "The Equality State" as it was the first state in America to grant women voting rights.
The first inhabitants of Wyoming were the Paleo-Indians. It soon became inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Cheyenne, Arapaho, Crow, Ute, and Shoshone. During the 1700s and 1800s, many countries tried to claim the area of Wyoming, including France, Spain, Mexico, Great Britain, and America; however, the land was never settled and remained under the control of the Native American tribes who inhabited the area.
The Louisiana Purchase in 1803 included a large section of Wyoming, which came under the control of the United States. The first "white" man to explore the area was American John Colter, and the first permanent settlement established was Fort Laramie in 1834. Even though the land was being settled, there were still very few inhabitants apart from the native people. In 1846, the United States gained control of the southwestern region of Wyoming, and in 1869, it became part of the Wyoming Territory. On July 10th, 1890, Wyoming officially became the 44th state of the United States of America.
External links
- Wikipedia article: Wyoming
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