South Dakota

South Dakota

.Flag of South Dakota

Admittance Order: 40th

Admitted to US: November 2, 1889 (136 years ago)

Governor: Larry Rhoden (R)

Lt. Governor: Tony Venhuizen (R)

Senators: John Thune (R) Mike Rounds (R)

Representatives: Dusty Johnson (R)

Official State website

Capital: Pierre

Largest city: Sioux Falls

Resource Guide: RL-SD

This article contains information that may change due to political elections and evolving sexual norms. {This article last updated:05/14/2025)

South Dakota is a U.S. state located in the North Central region of the United States. It is also part of the Great Plains. South Dakota is named after the Lakota and Dakota Sioux Native American tribes, who make up a large portion of the population with nine reservations currently in the state and have historically dominated the territory. South Dakota ranks as the seventeenth largest state by area, but it is the fifth least populous and the fifth least densely populated of the 50 United States. As the southern part of the former Dakota Territory, South Dakota became a state on November 2, 1889, simultaneously with North Dakota. They are the 39th and 40th states admitted to the union; President Benjamin Harrison shuffled the statehood papers before signing them so that no one could tell which state was admitted first. Pierre is the state capital, and Sioux Falls, with a population of about 187,200, is South Dakota's largest city.

South Dakota is bordered by North Dakota to the north, Minnesota to the east, Iowa to the southeast, Nebraska to the south, Wyoming to the west, and Montana to the northwest. The state is bisected by the Missouri River, dividing South Dakota into two geographically and socially distinct halves, known to residents as "East River" and "West River."

Eastern South Dakota is home to most of the state's population, and the area's fertile soil is used to grow a variety of crops. West of the Missouri River, ranching is the predominant agricultural activity, and the economy relies more on tourism and defense spending. Most Native American reservations are located in West River. The Black Hills, a group of low pine-covered mountains sacred to the Sioux, are situated in the southwest part of the state. Mount Rushmore, a major tourist destination, is located there. South Dakota has a temperate continental climate, with four distinct seasons and precipitation that ranges from moderate in the east to semi-arid in the west. The state's ecology features species typical of a North American grassland biome.

Humans have inhabited the area for several millennia, with the Sioux becoming dominant by the early 19th century. In the late 19th century, European-American settlement intensified following a gold rush in the Black Hills and the construction of railroads from the east. The encroachment of miners and settlers triggered a number of Indian wars, culminating in the Wounded Knee Massacre in 1890. Key events in the 20th century included the Dust Bowl and Great Depression, increased federal spending during the 1940s and 1950s for agriculture and defense, and an industrialization of agriculture that has led to a decline in family farming.

While several Democrats have held office in South Dakota for multiple terms in both chambers of Congress, the state government remains largely controlled by the Republican Party, whose nominees have won South Dakota in each of the last 13 presidential elections. Historically dominated by an agricultural economy and a rural lifestyle, South Dakota has recently aimed to diversify its economy in order to attract and retain residents. The state's history and rural character continue to strongly influence its culture.

Attitudes toward the LGBTQ+ community in South Dakota

Attitudes toward the LGBTQ+ community in South Dakota reflect a complex interplay of legal frameworks, public opinion, and community initiatives.

Legal Landscape

• Marriage and Adoption: Same-sex marriage has been legal in South Dakota since the 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges decision. Same-sex couples are permitted to adopt children.
• Anti-Discrimination Protections: The state lacks comprehensive anti-discrimination laws explicitly covering sexual orientation and gender identity in areas like housing and public accommodations. However, federal protections under the Bostock v. Clayton County ruling extend to employment discrimination.
• Religious Exemptions: In 2017, South Dakota enacted a law allowing adoption agencies to refuse placements that conflict with their religious or moral convictions, potentially permitting discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals.
• Transgender Rights: In 2023, legislation was passed banning gender-affirming healthcare for minors, including treatments such as puberty blockers and hormone therapy.

Public Opinion

Public sentiment in South Dakota shows a gradual shift toward greater acceptance of LGBTQ+ rights. A 2022 Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) poll found that:

• 63% of residents supported same-sex marriage.
• 67% favored laws protecting LGBTQ+ individuals from discrimination.
• 62% opposed allowing businesses to refuse service to gay and lesbian people based on religious beliefs.

Community and Support Networks

Despite legal limitations, several organizations in South Dakota advocate for and support the LGBTQ+ community:

• Equality South Dakota: A statewide organization dedicated to securing equality through advocacy, education, and community events.
• Black Hills Center for Equality: Based in Rapid City, this nonprofit provides resources, hosts support groups, and organizes events for the LGBTQ+2S community and their families.

Black Hills Center for Equality

• Sioux Falls Pride: Organizes annual Pride events and advocates for LGBTQ+ rights, including opposition to discriminatory legislation.
• Prism Community Center: A virtual extension of the in-person center, designed to bridge the gap for LGBTQ2S+ individuals across South Dakota, especially those in rural areas.

Mental Health

A 2022 survey by The Trevor Project indicated that 53% of LGBTQ+ youth in South Dakota seriously considered suicide, highlighting the mental health challenges faced by this community.

• Safety Concerns: From 2020 through 2022, South Dakota reported 16 sexual orientation-related hate crimes and one gender orientation-related hate crime, according to the Department of Justice.

https://www.kotatv.com

• Rural Areas: LGBTQ+ individuals in rural parts of the state may encounter additional challenges due to limited resources and social support networks.

In summary, while South Dakota has made strides in fostering community support and some local protections for LGBTQ+ individuals, significant legal gaps and challenges persist. Ongoing advocacy and public engagement remain essential to advancing equality and safeguarding rights within the state.

History of the South Dakota Flag

The South Dakota State Flag features a blue background with the great seal of South Dakota prominently displayed in the center. The seal is surrounded by a serrated sun motif. Bold gold letters, which read "South Dakota" above the seal and "The Mount Rushmore State" below the seal, arch around the seal and sun motif, conforming to their shape.

The great seal of South Dakota comprises an inner circle featuring a scene depicting a farmer plowing a field with two horses, representing the state's agricultural industry. The central element of the scene is a smelting furnace with clouds of smoke billowing into the sky, symbolizing South Dakota's mining industry. The Missouri River runs through the scene, with a steamship navigating the waters against a backdrop of hills. The steamship on the Missouri River signifies the commerce and transportation of the state, while the sky and the hills in the background highlight South Dakota's natural resources and beauty. In the sky, an arched banner displays the state motto, "Under God The People Rule." Surrounding the inner circle of the seal is a larger outer circle featuring bold text that reads, "State of South Dakota Great Seal 1889." The reference to 1889 on the outer ring of the seal marks the year South Dakota officially became a state. The South Dakota state flag was adopted on November 9th, 1992.

South Dakota is located in the Midwestern region of the United States of America. It shares borders with North Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Montana. The capital city is Pierre, and the largest city is Sioux Falls. South Dakota was named after the "Dakota," a tribe of Sioux Indians, and translates to "friend." South Dakota is also referred to as "The Mount Rushmore State" due to its famous and well-known attraction. Prior to 1992, the state motto that appeared on the flag was "The Sunshine State"; however, the state leaders voted to change the motto since "The Sunshine State" was also the well-known motto of Florida. When most people thought of "The Sunshine State," they thought of Florida. The leaders chose "The Mount Rushmore State" as the new motto since it undeniably describes South Dakota specifically.

South Dakota has been inhabited for thousands of years. The earliest tribes to reside in the area were the Cheyenne, Arikara, Ponca, and Lakota until the Sioux arrived in the 1700s. The first Europeans to visit the area were the French brothers François and Louis-Joseph de La Verendrye in 1743, who proceeded to claim the land for France.

In 1803, following the Louisiana Purchase, the area became part of the United States of America. The first settlement in the state was established in 1855 at Fort Pierre during the Lewis and Clark expedition. In 1861, the Dakota Territory was established, which included South Dakota, North Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana. As more people arrived in the area, conflict developed between the Americans and the Sioux tribes. In 1874, after gold was found in the Black Hills, even more people flocked to the area seeking wealth. On November 2nd, 1889, the Dakota Territory was split in half, and North Dakota and South Dakota officially became the 39th and 40th states of the United States of America (it is unclear, even today, which one officially became a state first).

External links

Wikipedia article: South Dakota

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