FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 5, 2005

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

Denver, CO – Two Colorado political groups representing the interests of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community, one Democrat, the other Republican, praise the actions of the state legislature on Thursday in passing the Employment Non-Discrimination Act. In response to the passage of Senate Bill 05-28, the Colorado Stonewall Democrats and the Colorado Log Cabin Republicans urge Governor Owens to sign the bill into law. The legislation fills a void in our state’s civil rights laws, extending protection against employment discrimination to include sexual orientation and gender variance. The same protection is currently afforded to Coloradans based on gender, race, age and religion.

Daniel Merritt-LeSatz, President of Colorado Log Cabin Republicans notes, “In the event that this bill becomes law, it will be a greater level of equality for GLBT Coloradans. Therefore, I strongly urge fair-mindedness as this bill moves through the legislative process.” In addition, Paul McCarty, Communications Director of Colorado Stonewall Democrats states, “Colorado is currently one of 44 states where it is legal to fire someone based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. Governor Owens has the opportunity to move Colorado forward as a state that believes in civil rights for all people.”

Colorado Stonewall Democrats is the Initiative within the State Party which speaks for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender ("GLBT") community, educates the Party on issues of importance to the GLBT community, and reaches out from the Party to the GLBT community. With members statewide, including many people active at the city and county level, we reach out to GLBT voters who have not yet become politically organized because they live in smaller communities.

Log Cabin Republicans stand for the proposition that all of us are created equal-worthy of the same rights to freedom, liberty, and equality. The mission of the Log Cabin Republicans is to work within the Republican Party to advocate equal rights for all Americans, including gays and lesbians. This effort will help secure full equality for gays and lesbians. Plus, it will create a stronger, larger, and more unified GOP, leading to the election of more fair-minded Republican candidates to public office at all levels of government.

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