One Colorado and its allies defeated an anti-LGBTQ resolution in the state House earlier this month. The bill, HCR23-1004, was poorly named “Fundamental Rights for Parents.”
The hateful bill was introduced by Representative Brandi Bradley of the 39th House District. It would have established a “parent’s bill of rights that sets forth specific parental rights related to directing the upbringing, education, and health care of a minor child.” The bill would have needed to pass both the House and Senate before being put to the voters on the 2024 ballot before becoming law. It was defeated very early in that process.
Opponents saw the bill as a way to restrict what can be taught to minors, specifically regarding gender and sexuality.
“This resolution is an overstep that will restrict the rights of young people and suppress information,” says Nadine Bridges, the executive director of One Colorado.
“Our country is facing a mental health crisis and young people, especially LGBTQ+ young people, need support and access to resources more than ever. HCR23-1004 would have caused irreparable harm by amending the Colorado Constitution to favor censorship and invasion of privacy over basic rights. It’s dangerous to try to use Colorado’s Constitution to control what students can and cannot read, what they can and cannot learn, and most troublingly, who they can and cannot be.”
In trying to encourage her supporters on Facebook to testify on behalf of HCR23-1004, Representative Bailey wrote, “Help parents protect their children! It’s their God-given role!”
Many disagreed with her, pointing out that parental rights can’t erode the rights of the minor themselves.
“My role in mental health services, and the role of teachers to offer life-saving community connection through school clubs and affinity spaces allows us to build trust with youth so we can bridge the gap with their parents, and ensure youth can live healthy, vibrant lives,” said Jax Gonzalez, Ph.D., who represents the St. Vrain Safe Schools Coalition.
“HCR-1004 would remove youth’s right to privacy in these spaces, making them unsafe and inaccessible – creating detrimental effects on the mental health of all youth.”
