Polis Adds Gender Identity, Expression to State Protections

Keegan (they/them) is a journalist/artist based in Los Angeles.

Colorado made a move toward better protections for all LGBTQ folks in the state Thursday, as Governor Polis signed HB21-1108 “Gender Identity Expression Anti-discrimination” into law. The bill amends the state’s current definition of sexual orientation and also adds the definitions and terms “gender identity” and “gender expression” into the 48 areas of state law prohibiting discrimination against members of a protected class.

The new law is especially pertinent for trans and gender-nonconforming individuals, affirms how many LGBTQ individuals truly see and describe themselves today, and adds additional clarity within the state’s laws.

“It’s a very important acknowledgement of civil rights in Colorado statute, and if we’re going to really, truly believe in a ‘Colorado For All,’ we need to make sure that there’s a place for everybody in our great state,” Polis said during a livestream of the bill signing. “and that means regardless of your race, or your gender, or your religion, or your gender expression, or gender identity.”

The bill was sponsored by two members of the LGBTQ Caucus, House Majority Leader Daneya Esgar and Senator Dominick Moreno.

Polis also signed the bill on the 25th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Romer v. Evans, which overturned Amendment 2 in Colorado’s constitution. The amendment made it illegal for the General Assembly and local governments to pass any law that included the LGBTQ community as part of a protected class. When the amendment initially passed in 1992, Colorado gained the infamous nickname the “Hate State.”

Even though this is a huge year for anti-LGBTQ legislation across the country, Polis says moves like this are crucial in helping protect all Coloradans.

“So, now, look, I know that passing a law and signing a law doesn’t solve the problem of discrimination,” Polis said before signing the bill, “but it does help ensure that those impacted have the law on their side, which is a powerful ally.”

Screenshot courtesy of Facebook Live Video.