South Dakota
*A South Dakota judge refused the state’s request to dismiss a marriage equality suit. U.S. Judge Karen Schreier wrote:

“Given the subsequent developments recognized almost uniformly by federal courts following the Supreme Court’s decision in Windsor, Baker is no longer binding authority. Although Bruning explained that sexual orientation is not a suspect class, it did not address whether marriage is a fundamental right. Thus, those cases do not foreclose relief on plaintiffs’ due process and equal protection claims.”

Iowa
*The Human Rights Campaign released its annual Municipal Equality Index which scores cities on LGBT equality measures. Iowa City is one of 38 around the country to receive a perfect score.

*Tina Hillman, an NCAA shot put champion at Iowa State University, has come out as pansexual in an interview with OutSports.com.

Wisconsin
*Madison received a perfect score on HRC’s Municipal Equality Index. Milwaukee received 91 points, Kenosha received 58, and Green Bay received 54.

*Wisconsin voters elected several LGBT people into office on Nov. 4, the Wisconsin Gazette reports.

Mark Spreitzer and Todd Novak will join state Rep. JoCasta Zamarripa in the Assembly. Spreitzer is the president of the Beloit City Council and Novak is the mayor of Dodgeville. He becomes the first openly gay Republican elected to the Legislature.
Meanwhile, Tim Carpenter won his third term in the state Senate without opposition. “I am truly humbled by the trust the voters in the 3rd Senate District have shown in electing me again to this office. I promise to repay this trust with hard work and dedication to the interests of the people I represent,” he said.