Governor’s Veto Disappoints, But Wins Outweigh Losses

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 29, 2005

Colorado Stonewall Democrats
Contact: Paul McCarty
Communications Director
press@stonewalldems.org

Denver, CO – In spite of Governor Owens’ May 27 veto of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), a bill that would have prohibited workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation or transgender status, a number of advances in LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) equality were assured by the Democratic majority in Colorado’s state legislature. The Colorado Stonewall Democrats, a state-wide political group, cited victories in a number of other areas.

Colorado Stonewall Democrats co-chair, Jeff Shaw noted, “We would have liked Governor Owens to have gone a different direction than vetoing ENDA. However, there were some momentous wins that occurred in this legislative session due to the Democratic majority.” Shaw added, “It is vital that we continue to support and elect Democrats to the state legislature and that we put a Democrat in the governor’s office in 2006. It is only in this way that equality for all people in Colorado will be assured.”

Clearly in the win column was the passage of a bill which recognized sexual orientation, including transgender status, as a basis for hate crimes. Owens allowed the bill to become law without his signature.

Also significant was the defeat of a move to put a referendum on the 2006 ballot which would have banned both civil unions and same-sex marriage. The proposed referendum to the constitution was killed by Democrats in the House Judiciary Committee along a party-line vote.

A final area advancing LGBT equality came with the passage of a bill enabling small group carriers in Colorado to write insurance policies providing domestic partner coverage.

ENDA, the bill vetoed by Owens, would have been met with broad public support. A recent poll revealed that 76 percent of Coloradans support the legal protection of gays and lesbians from discrimination in job opportunities.

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Colorado Stonewall Democrats engage and educate the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and the Democratic Party as advocates for equality through the political process.

www.stonewalldems.org

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