MAKE THEM HEAR YOU: LGBT Lobby Day Feb. 27

lob·by v. –

1. To try to influence elected officials
for or against causes or proposed laws.
2. To try to influence officials to
take a desired action.

By Noelle Leavitt –

LGBT Coloradans supporting civil unions and related concerns can maximize their impact this month: Feb. 27 is Colorado’s LGBT Lobby Day, when constituents from across the state will gather at the State Capitol for face time with their representatives.

The event, organized by One Colorado, is co-sponsored by more than a dozen other organizations.

“When we talk to legislators, they tell us that without a doubt they want to hear from their constituents,” said Jess Woodrum, executive director of One Colorado. “When people come to the State Capitol, legislators respond.”

Last year, roughly 120 people participated in the LGBT Lobby Day. Woodrum expects at least 150 supporters to show up this year.

Participants are slated to meet at 8 a.m. at Central Presbyterian Church, 1660 Sherman St., where organizers will brief volunteers on how to effectively talk to senators and representatives before heading to the Capitol.

Once there, the plan is to pull legislators off the House and Senate floors, asking them for a moment to speak about LGBT issues that are being debated during the 2012 session.

“As an elected representative of the people, I’m best able to do my job when I hear from people,” said Sen. Pat Steadman, D-Denver. “I think the important reason for people to talk to senators and representatives is to let them know that decisions made at the Capitol effect their lives.”

Steadman plays a key role in LGBT issues as the prime sponsor of the 2012 bill for civil unions, Senate Bill 2 introduced on Jan. 11 with Sen. Lucia Guzman D-Denver as a co-sponsor.

The prospect of passing civil unions gets more hopeful every year due to growing support, Steadman said.

“It’s kind of a cliché ‘to put a face on the issue,’ and that’s exactly what needs to be done,” Steadman said, adding that it’s much easier for lawmakers to see the importance of issues like civil unions when people talk face-to-face with legislators.

“That’s how our process is supposed to work, and I’m looking forward to seeing everybody on LGBT Lobby Day,” Steadman said.

Colorado Springs Pride Center is also participating in the lobby day, bringing support from outside the Denver area.

An estimated 33,000 LGBT people live in Colorado Springs, making it vitally important for constituents from that district to show their support, said Charles Irwin, executive director of Colorado Springs Pride Center.

“It’s important to continue to show everyone in our city, state and county that we’re here and that we’re not going to be silent partners anymore,” Irwin said. “And I think that’s what we’re doing by going to this event. It is important that we have at least some of the rights of the civil union so we can take care of our loved ones.”

Civil unions won’t be the only topic of discussion that day, as One Colorado and other co-sponsors are closely following other legislation, including a bill to allow some undocumented Colorado residents to pay in-state tuition rates.

“We don’t all just wave our rainbow flags in support of civil unions. We’re effected by a number of things,” Woodrum said. “We have to look at other bills and realize that the LGBT community is affected.”

Important Links:

Sign up with One Colorado for LGBT Lobby Day.

Do you know who your representatives are? Use your zip code in One Colorado’s easy tool to identify and email your legislators.

LGBT Lobby Day 2012 on Facebook

Register to Vote or update your voter registration online.

A 2011 bill for civil unions ended its journey with a party-line vote in the House Judiciary committee. A similar 2012 bill will likely face the same test.

This year’s House Judiciary Committee members are as follows:

Rep. Mark Barker, R-Colorado Springs (voted no in 2011)
303-866-3069 – mark.barker.house@state.co.us

Rep. Brian DelGrosso, R-Loveland (voted no in 2011)
303-866-2947 – brian@briandelgrosso.com

Rep. Crisanta Duran, D-Denver (voted yes in 2011)
303-866-2925 – crisanta.duran.house@state.co.us

Rep. Bob Gardner, R-Colorado Springs (voted no in 2011)
303-866-2191 – bob.gardner.house@state.co.us

Rep. Daniel Kagan, D-Denver (voted yes in 2011)
303-866-2921 – repkagan@gmail.com

Rep. Pete Lee, D-Colorado Springs (voted yes in 2011)
303-866-2932 – pete.lee.house@state.co.us

Rep. B.J. Nikkel, R-Berthoud/Estes Park (voted no in 2011)
303-866-2907 – rep.nikkel@gmail.com

Rep. Dan Pabon, D-Denver (new committee member)
303-866-2954 – dan.pabon.house@state.co.us

Rep. Su Ryden, D-Aurora (voted yes in 2011)
303-866-2942 – su.ryden.house@state.co.us

Rep. Jerry Sonnenberg, R-Sterling (voted no in 2011)
303-866-3706 – jerry.sonnenberg.house@state.co.us

Rep. Mark Waller, R-Colorado Springs (voted no in 2011)
303-866-5525 – mark.waller.house@state.co.us