July 30, 2018

One Colorado, the state’s leading advocacy organization for LGBTQ Coloradans and their families, released the following statement from Executive Director Daniel Ramos on Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ morning announcement that the Department of Justice would be launching a “Religious Liberty Task Force” to implement religious exemption policies across government agencies:

“This task force is another attempt by this White House to codify discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Americans into law. Religious freedom is one of our most important rights as Americans – which is why it is protected by the First Amendment. But that freedom doesn’t give us the right to harm others, or to discriminate. Colorado has led the way when it comes to freedom and equality for all, including LGBTQ Coloradans and their families – whether it is our comprehensive nondiscrimination laws, or bipartisan groups of state lawmakers defeating bills to legalize discrimination against LGBTQ people for the past four years,”

said Ramos.

“Considering a new report just released shows kids raised by LGBTQ parents fare just as well as those raised by straight parents, it is baffling that in today’s announcement, anti-LGBTQ activists continuously stated their desire to allow taxpayer-funded adoption agencies to discriminate against LGBTQ families and deny young people a loving home. Unfortunately, this task force is yet another effort to turn back the clock on civil rights, and it could have devastating impacts on the values of freedom and equality that we cherish here in Colorado. We look forward to continuing our work with Colorado’s elected leaders and government agencies to uphold Colorado laws, and work to ensure Colorado remains open to all.”