Denver, CO -- On February 14th, six pieces of anti-LGBTQ legislation were defeated in the House State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Committee after more than 13 hours of testimony. One Colorado, the state’s leading advocacy organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) Coloradans and their families, released the following statement from Executive Director, Daniel Ramos:

‍“Today we sent a strong message to the supporters of these harmful bills that Coloradans will not stand for discrimination and exclusion, especially when it comes to some of our most vulnerable community members—our LGBTQ youth.This year we have seen an onslaught of anti-LGBTQ legislation around the country that threaten the wellbeing of LGBTQ youth, parents, and families. This is a powerful reminder that we must continue to push back against those who wish to see the LGBTQ community erased and invalidated. We should celebrate our victory in stopping these bills today, but the work must continue to reach our vision of a fair and just Colorado for all.”

‍Daniel Ramos, Executive Director, One Colorado

‍“I’m here today to demonstrate that my Christian faith demands treating all people with love, respect, and dignity,”

‍said Nicole Garcia, a transgender Evangelical Lutheran Church pastor from Boulder and a member of the Interfaith Alliance of Colorado.

‍“Virtually all faith traditions from Christianity to Judaism, from Islam to Buddhism reject the kind of hate and oppression contained in these anti-LGBTQ bills in committee today.” “Some say it's not the government’s role to interfere with personal liberty. Some would say this is textbook overreach. I would say it's time to work on actual issues that improve people's lives here in Colorado.”

‍Rep. Alex Valdez (D-Denver), Chair of the LGBTQ Caucus

‍"The systematic attack on the trans community is being fueled and fanned by the federal government and the Trump administration. Their erasure of trans people from websites, documents, and from health insurance coverage was just the beginning. This bill, and other similar legislation being introduced in states around the country, are meant to embolden the dehumanization of the transgender community. By denying appropriate and affirming healthcare, we are setting trans youth up for a more difficult future and the possibility of depression or suicide. We need to value our young people and allow our healthcare professionals to make the decisions, and not be limited by politicians. We won't be erased."

‍Rep. Brianna Titone (D-Arvada), the first transgender lawmaker in Colorado

‍"House Bill 1114 is an affront to health care professionals and health care in Colorado. It is an attack on trans youth all across the state. This bill says as a pharmacist, I could be arrested for filling a life-affirming prescription for one of my patients. This bill says doctors can be jailed for giving medical care to people in need. This is pure and simple, a horrible bill, aimed at our most at-risk citizens. We must stand up against these discriminatory efforts."

‍Rep. Sonya Jaquez Lewis (D-Lafayette), pharmacist

‍“These bills would deny LGBTQ couples the fundamental right to marry who they love and start a family, ripping away hard-fought rights that the vast majority of Coloradans support,”

said Rep. Esgar (D-Pueblo).

‍“I was disappointed to see so many of my colleagues--who say they are my friends--support legislation that would prevent my wife and me from adopting children, if we chose to, or strip away our marriage license. These bills are disgraceful, plain and simple.”“Republicans want to send Colorado back to the dark ages, and we simply won’t allow it,”

said Rep. Herod (D-Denver).

‍“These bills are a broad and cruel attack on the entire LGBTQ community in Colorado: trans athletes, loving couples, queer children -- no one is spared. I would say my GOP colleagues should be ashamed of themselves, but the fact that they had the gall to draft and introduce these bills shows what types of policies Coloradans would be living under if Republicans controlled our state government. Make no mistake, these bills will die today.”

‍HB20-1273 “Equality And Fairness In Youth Sports Act” prohibits sixth through twelfth grade transwoman athletes from participating on sports teams that correspond with their gender identity. If a student's sex is in question, the bill requires the student to prove that she was assigned female at birth, based on a signed physician's statement that includes information about the student’s reproductive anatomy, levels of naturally occurring testosterone, and chromosome analysis.The House prime sponsor HB20-1273 is Rep. Shane Sandridge (R-El Paso County). The bill was killed with a final party-line vote of 3-6.

‍HB20-1272 “Colorado Natural Marriage And Adoption Act” declares that existing Colorado law, which defines valid marriage as between one man and one woman, should be enforced as written—noting that the United States Supreme Court should refrain from imposing a redefinition of marriage on the entire country. The bill additionally restricts adoption to prospective parents whose marriage consists of one man and one woman.The House prime sponsor for HB20-1272 is Rep. Stephen Humphrey (R-Severance), Rep. Mark Baisley (R-Roxborough Park), Rep. Shane Sandridge (R-El Paso County) Rep. Dave Williams (R-Colorado Springs) as co-sponsors. The bill was killed with a final party-line vote of 3-6.

‍HB 20-1114 “Protection of Minors from Mutilation and Sterilization” If enacted, HB20-1114 would force doctors to violate existing standards of medical care for transgender patients—standards that are endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics and other leading medical authorities. It makes transgender affirming healthcare for youth a Felony Three in Colorado, which carries up to 12 years in prison and a $750,000 fine.The House prime sponsor for HB20-1114 is Rep. Shane Sandridge (R-El Paso County) with Rep. Mark Baisley (R-Roxborough Park), Rep. Rod Bockenfeld (R-Watkins), Rep. Tim Geitner (R-Falcon), Rep. Stephen Humphrey (R-Severance), Rep. Larry Liston (R-Colorado Springs), Rep. Patrick Neville (R-Castle Rock), Rep. Rod Pelton (R-Cheyenne Wells), Rep. Kim Ransom (R-Douglas County), Rep. Janice Rich (R-Grand Junction), Rep. Lori Saine (R-Firestone), Rep. Matt Soper (R-Delta), Rep. Perry Will (R-New Castle), Rep. Dave Williams (R-Colorado Springs) as co-sponsors. Only two people testified in support of HB20-1114, with 28 people testifying in opposition to the bill after waiting more than ten hours to testify. The bill was killed with a final party-line vote of 3-6.

‍HB20-1144 “Parent’s Bill of Rights”Parental rights as described in this bill include various aspects of a child’s upbringing, education, and healthcare. It allows parents to view all medical records and make health care decisions for children, age 17 and younger. This makes it more difficult for LGBTQ youth to seek physical and mental health care services. At a time when teen suicide and depression is affecting Colorado youth at an alarming rate, this bill only makes the problem worse.The House prime sponsor for HB20-1144 is Rep. Rod Pelton (R-Cheyenne Wells) with Rep. Mark Baisley (R-Roxborough Park), Rep. Susan Beckman (R-Littleton),  Rep. Perry Buck (R-Windsor), Rep. Tim Geitner (R-Falcon), Stephen Humphrey (R-Severance), Rep. Colin Larson (R-Littleton), Rep. Larry Liston (R-Colorado Springs), Rep. Patrick Neville (R-Castle Rock), Rep. Kim Ransom (R-Douglas County), Rep. Janice Rich (R-Grand Junction), Rep. Lori Saine (R-Firestone), Rep. Shane Sandridge (R-El Paso County), Rep. Kevin Van Winkle (R-Highlands Ranch), Rep. Perry Will (R-New Castle) as co-sponsors. The bill was killed with a final party-line vote of 3-6.

‍HB20-1033 “Live and Let Live Act” seeks to roll back protections for LGBTQ Coloradans in the areas of adoption and foster care, healthcare, housing, employment, and public spaces on the basis of religious freedom.The House prime sponsor for HB20-1033 is Rep. Stephen Humphrey (R-Severance), with Rep. Perry Buck (R-Windsor), Rep. Tim Geitner (R-Falcon), Rep. Patrick Neville (R-Castle Rock), Rep. Kim Ransom (R-Douglas County), Rep. Lori Saine (R-Firestone), Rep. Shane Sandridge (R-El Paso County) Rep. Dave. Williams (R-Colorado Springs) as co-sponsors. The bill was killed with a final party-line vote of 3-6.

‍HB20-1063 “Fundamental Family Rights” raises the burden of proof for the government to act on behalf of a child when there is suspected harm being done to the child. This makes it more difficult for LGBTQ youth to escape non-affirming homes.The HB20-1063 House prime sponsor is Rep. Tim Geitner (R-Falcon). The bill was killed with a final party-line vote of 3-6.