Big news rolled out into Colorado’s queer community this week, as Governor Jared Polis signed four extremely important, pro-LGBTQ pieces of legislation into law on the rooftop of The Center on Colfax yesterday afternoon.
One Colorado, the state’s leading advocacy organization dedicated to advancing equality in the LGBTQ community in Colorado, recognizes this achievement as one to make history and expresses gratitude towards the community advocates and leaders for using their voice for equality.
“This legislative session, we helped pass bills that expand access to HIV prevention medications like PrEP and PEP, banned the gay and trans panic defense, simplified the process for trans and non-binary Coloradans to obtain an updated birth certificate, and increased funding for the state’s HIV and AIDS drug assistance program. Thank you for your work in getting these bills across the finish line!” says One Colorado.
“Today Governor Polis signed into law four pro-equality bills, including One Colorado’s top-priority bills to ban the gay and transgender panic defense, to simplify the process of updating birth certificates for minors, and to expand access to HIV prevention. Although the legislative session took many twists and turns this year, we are proud to see these bills make it through. We are grateful to our legislators and to all Coloradans who advocated to see these bills pass with bipartisan support,” says Daniel Ramos, executive director of One Colorado
The four bills signed are HB20-1061: HIV Prevention Medications, SB20-221: Gay Panic Or Transgender Panic Defense, SB20-166: Simplifying Requirements For New Birth Certificate, and HB20-1419: State Drug Assistance Program Funding. The historic signing of the bills included the signing of all three of One Colorado’s top legislative priorities. The entire signing was filmed and is accessible here.
For an in-depth explanation of each bill signed, visit One Colorado’s website for more information.
