Equality is advancing in states that surround Minnesota.

Wisconsin
The University of Wisconsin-Superior created a You Can Play video. The school has become part of the campaign to create an athletic environment inclusive of sexual orientation and gender identity.

A Wisconsin Public Radio poll finds that 51 percent of respondents favor the state’s ban on same-sex marriage. But, 77 percent agree that same-sex couples should have some legal protections.

Meanwhile, a couple is suing to overturn that ban, taking the fight directly to the Wisconsin Supreme Court. Another battle, backed by the ACLU, is working its way through the lower courts in the Badger State.

Iowa
Des Moines-based Principal Financial Group has sent a message to its LGBT employees and Iowa’s LGBT youth by joining the It Gets Better campaign. The company created a video which it showed to employees this week, according to the Des Moines Register.

North Dakota

ELCA’s Rev. Peter Schmidt of Faith Lutheran Church in West Fargo is retiring. He’s been a vocal supporter of LGBT rights in North Dakota, and has married many same-sex couples. He said he did it despite pushback. “You do pay for a price for it,” Schmidt told the West Fargo Pioneer. “It’s best by some standards to just stand by but I couldn’t do it.”