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The executive director of One Colorado, the state’s largest LGBT advocacy organization, has found himself sandwiched in time between his biggest political victory – the passage of the Colorado Civil Union Act – and an undetermined day, that, when it arrives, will set in motion a series of events that will solidify plans to usher in marriage equality here.
The organization tracked nearly 4,000 couples that entered into civil unions and found couples still lacked promised protections
This publication – founded in 1976 and 37 years old this month – was just a twinkle in founder Phil Price’s eye when the birth pangs of our Colorado community sounded out 40 years ago, in October 1973.
Colorado now joins a growing number of states offering stronger relationship recognition to same-sex couples – from strong domestic partnership laws and civil unions, to full marriage equality.
While civil unions may be top-of-mind for LGBT activists and advocates, Colorado’s out lawmakers contend with all the state’s issues – and gun-related measures have become the mainstream press’ story of the year so far.
Obama won big and so did Colorado Democrats, but there were also big moments in down-ballot issues, not least being marriage equality. Here’s a recap of the 2012 election results we know so far:
Romney, by most accounts, emerged the winner at the Oct. 3 debate, hosted by the University of Denver, not because his policies are sure to reset the economy or because his zingers appeared to resonate more with voters, but because the former governor of Massachusetts appeared to control the debate by shutting down the president and moderator more often, and keeping up the attack on the Democratic incumbent.
President Barack Obama and his GOP opponent Gov. Mitt Romney exchanged blows on domestic issues during the first presidential debate in Denver.
Transgender individuals are still banned from service, and the military still does not recognize same-sex marriages – which means that health, housing and death benefits are not afforded to same-sex partners.
Moreover, many servicemembers discharged under DADT are opting to return to service – and some face bureaucratic hurdles upgrading their discharge status so they can re-enlist.
“Those things still have to be corrected,” said Kelly, “and AVER is an organization that’s looking to help advocate for those changes.”
