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Supporting Amendment J: A Step Toward Equality in Colorado

By
Cal Solverson (They/Them), Development and Communications Manager
October 29, 2024
•
#
min read

Supporting Amendment J: A Step Toward Equality in Colorado

Colorado is now celebrated for its strong protections for the LGBTQIA+ community, but it wasn't always this way. Just a few decades ago, the state was branded as the "hate state" due to various initiatives and laws that limited the rights of LGBTQIA+ individuals. Among these was Amendment 43, which narrowly passed in 2006 and remains entrenched in our constitution, prohibiting same-sex marriage.

In a historic move, leaders from the LGBTQIA+ community, alongside allies, have launched the Freedom to Marry Colorado campaign with a mission to remove the ban on same-sex marriage from our state's constitution. Working closely with Legislative Leaders, they successfully referred Amendment J to the 2024 General Election ballot.

What Does Amendment J Mean for Colorado?

A YES vote on Amendment J will remove the definition of marriage as solely between one man and one woman. This crucial step not only protects the rights of same-sex couples but also affirms Colorado’s commitment to equality and love for all its citizens.

"As a queer elder with a wife that has multiple, degenerative disabilities, Freedom to Marry ensures all Coloradans have the same opportunities we have to be responsible for and care for one another in the ways we have discussed and decided." - Heidi Hess, Western Slope Field Organizer

As we reflect on the progress we've made, it's important to remember the struggles that led us here. The fight for equality is ongoing, and supporting Amendment J is a vital part of that journey.

“Marriage, to me, is all about love, commitment, and being treated equally, no matter who you are. As someone in a same-sex marriage, getting rid of Amendment J in Colorado is personal—it’s about making sure everyone’s relationship is respected and free from outdated bans that don’t belong in our laws.” - Alex Limas, Chief Development and Operations Officer

The time has come for Colorado to formally recognize and protect the rights of all couples. By voting YES on Amendment J, we can ensure that love is celebrated, regardless of who it is between. This amendment is more than just a legal change; it’s a testament to our values as a community.

“My wife and I were married in 2022, quicker than we had originally planned because we had just spent the year listening to the Supreme Court talk about how they want to review Obergefell. We just celebrated our two year wedding anniversary and thankfully, Obergefell is still in place. Our marriage matters to us because in those two years both of us have faced chronic health issues, some of which have landed us in the hospital/ER. With our marriage in place, I know without a doubt that we have the right to be by each other's sides in those difficult times.” - Alex Floyd, Health Equity Director

Imagine a Colorado where love knows no boundaries, where every couple has the right to marry the person they choose without fear of discrimination. This vision can become a reality with your support. Amendment J is a critical step in solidifying the progress we’ve made and ensuring that our laws reflect our values of inclusion and equality.

“Amendment J isn't just about a right; it's about the freedom to create the family life you envision. When I became a mother, I always assumed it would be a road I traveled alone in responsibilities. When I met my now-wife, all of that changed. Five years, an emotional adoption process, and a big family move together have cemented the Happy Hardy Home. Marriage isn't an obligation "for the kids." It's giving our kids a two-parent household where they can trust us and feel supported to be themselves. Marriage equality is about a healthy and loving relationship, not just between my wife and me but also for our children. For us, passing Amendment J is the freedom to keep creating memories as a family. Amendment J is about love.” - Brandi Hardy, Lead Field Organizing Strategist

Let’s stand together and show that Colorado is a place that values love, acceptance, and equality for all. Vote YES on Amendment J, and let’s make history together.

“For Liz and I,  Amendment J represents a chance for Coloradans to stand for fairness, once and for all. We’ve navigated a unique path to marriage, three times, to be exact. In 2013, we had a civil union. The next year, we got our marriage license at the Boulder County Clerk’s office, only to learn later that it was deemed invalid by the Colorado Attorney General. We were finally able to marry 'for real' after the Obergefell decision. To be clear, our marriage was real from the first 'I do,' but we both understood that a legal document was essential to secure protections our love alone couldn’t provide. While I can say Liz has married me three times, no one should have to fight so hard to have their love recognized. A yes vote on Amendment J will ensure that no other Coloradan has to go through these hurdles to love freely, equally, and be protected by the law.” - Nadine Bridges, Executive Director

Together, we can pave the way for a brighter, more inclusive future for everyone in Colorado. Let’s take this opportunity to unite for love and equality.

‍

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By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. View our Privacy Policy for more information.
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When you visit websites, they may store or retrieve data in your browser. This storage is often necessary for the basic functionality of the website. The storage may be used for marketing, analytics, and personalization of the site, such as storing your preferences. Privacy is important to us, so you have the option of disabling certain types of storage that may not be necessary for the basic functioning of the website. Blocking categories may impact your experience on the website.
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Manage Consent Preferences by Category
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These items are used to deliver advertising that is more relevant to you and your interests. They may also be used to limit the number of times you see an advertisement and measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns. Advertising networks usually place them with the website operator’s permission.
Personalization
These items allow the website to remember choices you make (such as your user name, language, or the region you are in) and provide enhanced, more personal features. For example, a website may provide you with local weather reports or traffic news by storing data about your current location.
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These items help the website operator understand how its website performs, how visitors interact with the site, and whether there may be technical issues. This storage type usually doesn’t collect information that identifies a visitor.
Confirm my preferences and close
Posts
Blog

Supporting Amendment J: A Step Toward Equality in Colorado

By
Cal Solverson (They/Them), Development and Communications Manager
October 29, 2024
•
#
min read

Supporting Amendment J: A Step Toward Equality in Colorado

Colorado is now celebrated for its strong protections for the LGBTQIA+ community, but it wasn't always this way. Just a few decades ago, the state was branded as the "hate state" due to various initiatives and laws that limited the rights of LGBTQIA+ individuals. Among these was Amendment 43, which narrowly passed in 2006 and remains entrenched in our constitution, prohibiting same-sex marriage.

In a historic move, leaders from the LGBTQIA+ community, alongside allies, have launched the Freedom to Marry Colorado campaign with a mission to remove the ban on same-sex marriage from our state's constitution. Working closely with Legislative Leaders, they successfully referred Amendment J to the 2024 General Election ballot.

What Does Amendment J Mean for Colorado?

A YES vote on Amendment J will remove the definition of marriage as solely between one man and one woman. This crucial step not only protects the rights of same-sex couples but also affirms Colorado’s commitment to equality and love for all its citizens.

"As a queer elder with a wife that has multiple, degenerative disabilities, Freedom to Marry ensures all Coloradans have the same opportunities we have to be responsible for and care for one another in the ways we have discussed and decided." - Heidi Hess, Western Slope Field Organizer

As we reflect on the progress we've made, it's important to remember the struggles that led us here. The fight for equality is ongoing, and supporting Amendment J is a vital part of that journey.

“Marriage, to me, is all about love, commitment, and being treated equally, no matter who you are. As someone in a same-sex marriage, getting rid of Amendment J in Colorado is personal—it’s about making sure everyone’s relationship is respected and free from outdated bans that don’t belong in our laws.” - Alex Limas, Chief Development and Operations Officer

The time has come for Colorado to formally recognize and protect the rights of all couples. By voting YES on Amendment J, we can ensure that love is celebrated, regardless of who it is between. This amendment is more than just a legal change; it’s a testament to our values as a community.

“My wife and I were married in 2022, quicker than we had originally planned because we had just spent the year listening to the Supreme Court talk about how they want to review Obergefell. We just celebrated our two year wedding anniversary and thankfully, Obergefell is still in place. Our marriage matters to us because in those two years both of us have faced chronic health issues, some of which have landed us in the hospital/ER. With our marriage in place, I know without a doubt that we have the right to be by each other's sides in those difficult times.” - Alex Floyd, Health Equity Director

Imagine a Colorado where love knows no boundaries, where every couple has the right to marry the person they choose without fear of discrimination. This vision can become a reality with your support. Amendment J is a critical step in solidifying the progress we’ve made and ensuring that our laws reflect our values of inclusion and equality.

“Amendment J isn't just about a right; it's about the freedom to create the family life you envision. When I became a mother, I always assumed it would be a road I traveled alone in responsibilities. When I met my now-wife, all of that changed. Five years, an emotional adoption process, and a big family move together have cemented the Happy Hardy Home. Marriage isn't an obligation "for the kids." It's giving our kids a two-parent household where they can trust us and feel supported to be themselves. Marriage equality is about a healthy and loving relationship, not just between my wife and me but also for our children. For us, passing Amendment J is the freedom to keep creating memories as a family. Amendment J is about love.” - Brandi Hardy, Lead Field Organizing Strategist

Let’s stand together and show that Colorado is a place that values love, acceptance, and equality for all. Vote YES on Amendment J, and let’s make history together.

“For Liz and I,  Amendment J represents a chance for Coloradans to stand for fairness, once and for all. We’ve navigated a unique path to marriage, three times, to be exact. In 2013, we had a civil union. The next year, we got our marriage license at the Boulder County Clerk’s office, only to learn later that it was deemed invalid by the Colorado Attorney General. We were finally able to marry 'for real' after the Obergefell decision. To be clear, our marriage was real from the first 'I do,' but we both understood that a legal document was essential to secure protections our love alone couldn’t provide. While I can say Liz has married me three times, no one should have to fight so hard to have their love recognized. A yes vote on Amendment J will ensure that no other Coloradan has to go through these hurdles to love freely, equally, and be protected by the law.” - Nadine Bridges, Executive Director

Together, we can pave the way for a brighter, more inclusive future for everyone in Colorado. Let’s take this opportunity to unite for love and equality.

‍

Share this post
Copy share link
Share on LinkedIn
Share on Twitter
Share on Facebook
Blog
Legislation
Politics

Related posts

Read more to stay up-to-date on the latest Blog happenings at One Colorado.

View all
Blog

They Want Us Divided. Let's Not Do Their Work.

Blog

Transgender Day of Visibility: Love Letters to Trans People

Blog

Activism: A Means of Hope

Stay in the know

Get updates on LGBTQ+ news, events, and ways to be involved!
303 E. 17th Ave, Suite 400, Denver, CO 80203
(303) 396-6170info@one-colorado.org
One Colorado
Our Focus
Take Action
Progress
Resources
Programs
Latest
Donate
Events
Action Fund
State Advocacy
Legislative Reports
Legislation Tracker
Endorsements
Donate
General
Team
Careers
Contact
Board Login
© 2023 One Colorado. All rights reserved.
Branding and website by Luum Studio
Privacy PolicyAccessibilityTerms of ServiceCookies Settings