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LGBT Supporters Lobby State Lawmakers

Jim Hill
/
KUNC

More than 200 supporters of the LGBT community converged on the Colorado State House Monday to speak directly to their elected officials about several bills working their way through the legislature.

Brad Clark, director of the advocacy group One Colorado, says even though a bill legalizing civil unionsis almost assured passage, it’s by no means certain.

“There’s no mistaking the fact that our opponents are doing everything they can to make sure this bill doesn’t pass. So we’re encouraging all our supporters from [the] Western Slope to the Eastern Plains and right here in Denver to get make sure they get out and talk to their legislators.”

Clark says supporters also spoke about other issues being discussed by lawmakers. “We’re working to pass tuition equity to make sure that all students have access to higher education including those that may be undocumented.” He also says supporters are making sure that the state passes the expansion of Medicaid, “to make sure our state’s most vulnerable have access to basic health care.”

Mindy Barton, legal director of the GLBT Community Center of Colorado, says her organization sponsored the event. “The Center is proud to see so many LGBT and ally Coloradans take the opportunity to learn about the legislative process and to speak directly to their elected officials on issues that matter to them and their families.” 

The LGBT Lobby Day was moved up by nearly a month. Clark says that was to build on support for pro-equality legislation and the increase inLGBT lawmakers working at the State Capitol.