dhaynie@mavs.coloradomesa.edu

After last year’s civil unions bill failed to make it to a vote, Colorado LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) advocates and activists are ready to ensure the passage of Senate Bill 11. The bill, which was introduced at the beginning of January, would grant same-sex couples all across the state legal recognition, rights and benefits similar to those provided in a marriage.
A statewide LGBT advocacy organization, One Colorado, has done its part to organize LGBT Lobby Day at the state Capitol on Monday, a day in which LGBT individuals all across Colorado have the opportunity to let their elected officials know about the issues that are most important to them.
Heidi Hess, the Western Slope Field Organizer for One Colorado, is excited to have record-breaking representation from the Western Slope at this year’s 3rd annual Lobby Day.
“It is important to let our legislators know there is a vibrant and active LGBT community on the Western Slope,” Hess said.
Some members from CMU’s Gay Straight Alliance will also be in attendance at the event. GSA president Casey Sadahiro is optimistic about Senate Bill 11’s potential outcome.
“It is pretty much guaranteed to pass,” Sadahiro said.
Others in the Colorado LGBT community are optimistic as well because of the bipartisan support the bill has received and the fact that the Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives, Mark Ferrandino, is an openly gay male himself.
Sadahiro says he is excited for himself and the GSA members attending because “it will bring us a greater understanding of what is going on in our state.”
Hess also stresses the importance of opportunities like lobby day.
“The education aspect is huge,” Hess said. “There are lots of people in disenfranchised groups, like the LGBT community, that really need this kind of education on the issues that matter.”
Although Senate Bill 11 is pretty high on One Colorado’s list of legislative initiatives, there are also four other initiatives on the agenda: Tuition Equity, Job Protection, The Civil Rights Enforcement Act of 2013 and Expanding Medicaid Eligibility. All four initiatives have to do with securing basic rights for the people of Colorado.
After attending lobby day for the past three years, Hess has a new sense of optimism.
“It’s more exciting this year because obstacles are fewer,” Hess said. “We won’t see the playing of politics like before. Just because democrats have control of the house though doesn’t mean it is not important to do bigger and better than we have before.”
On Monday, Hess expects it to once again be a moving experience, with LGBT individuals gathered around from all over the state, standing in support of civil rights and recognition under the law.