We must move forward: Out Front endorses Obama, Amendment 64, Steadman and Democratic House candidates

Our nation, our government, our republic does not ask much of us. We are not required to serve in the military, we are not required to perform useful public service, and we’re not required to vote. However, it is, as citizens of the United States, our birthright to the latter. And this November, Coloradans will play a critical role in which way direction our nation progresses – or as we see it, possibly regress.  Out Front’s resources and scope are limited. However, we will attempt in earnest to weigh in on what issues we believe are critical and important to Colorado’s LGBT community here. These endorsements, we believe, will move our nation and state forward.

Barack Obama, first president to support marriage equality, deserves re-election

When Denver hosted the first Presidential Debate between incumbent Barack Obama and former Gov. Mitt Romney, the executive director of GOProud, Jimmy LaSalvia told us LGBT Americans can not afford to be single issue voters. He’s correct.

However, let us first examine the issue that is paramount to most LGBTers: equality. During Obama’s first four years, he has done more to advance LGBT equality than any other sitting commander-in-chief. While we have some reservations – the historic hate crime bill he lobbied for and signed into law provides little, to no resources for the justice department; and the Employment Non-Discrimination Act has been all but forgotten – Obama has ended Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, recognized LGBT families are a reason to hold deportation and stopped defending the Defense of Marriage Act. Moreover, Obama has proven he can lead both at home and around the world. The United State’s reputation has been restored (so has the automobile industry) and Osama bin Laden is dead (and the economy is living, albeit sluggish, again).

In contrast, Romney has made it clear LGBT Americans are not a part of his platform and he’s provided no concrete examples of how he’d improve the economy any better than Obama. Most of his facts and promises – adding 12 million jobs – are not his, but based on projects by the federal government. Those jobs are likely to be created no matter who sits in the Oval office. Out Front endorses President Barack Obama for another four years.

Support Amendment 64: The failed war on marijuana has gone on too long

Amendment 64 is the state’s opportunity to regulate a substance that has for decades been the central focus of the war on drugs. That war has been lost and will never be won until the day there is a broad cultural shift toward total sobriety – and we don’t see that happening anytime soon. The effort to regulate marijuana will provide a chance to move the drug from underground, into the light. It will also provide an opportunity to strengthen Colorado’s medical marijuana industry by moving individuals who are abusing the system into a new category, where they belong. While we agree with opponents of Amendment 64 the state’s constitution is not the best place for such a policy, the fact is, unless Colorado voters push the issue over the top, our state lawmakers will do nothing.

If a Colorado state constitutional amendment must be the first domino to tip over toward sensible regulation of marijuana, then so be it. When Amendment 64 passes, it will put Colorado on a path to raise millions of dollars in sales tax and provide an opportunity for additional tax revenue. Yes, Coloradans will need to approve another tax, and we would have been more eager to see that question on the same ballot, but we’re willing to take it one step at a time. The sky will not crumble over Colorado if Amendment 64 is passed. If nothing else, the road beneath us might be paved. Vote yes on 64.

Michael Carr is a historic out GOP candidate, but Sen. Pat Steadman has been one of our community’s greatest advocates

There’s a 50-50 chance that if you’re reading this endorsement you live in state Senate District 31. The boundaries run south of Colfax, west of the Capitol to Interstate 225, through most of south Denver into some parts of Arapahoe County. While these district lines are different than in previous elections (due to decennial redistricting laws), the man who has represented the seat has represented all of Colorado proudly. That man is Pat Steadman.

That man is not only synonymous with gay rights, but a number of other progressive policies and the state’s budget. While Sen. Steadman is no doubt one of the state’s most liberal lawmakers, he’s also one of the smartest and the first to offer a compromise and find common sense solutions. Now, for the first time ever in Colorado, two out gay men are running for the same seat. Steadman’s challenger is Michael Carr. Carr is no stranger to Out Front readers, we’ve shared his story, we’ve shared his opinions. Carr and his partner Fred Bachhuber have, in a very short time, embedded themselves in Denver’s gay community. And we know Carr would make an excellent state Senator who would provide a progressive voice in the Republican Party while staying true to his fiscal conservative routes. However, his time is not now. Steadman has work to finish – not just civil union legislation, but on a variety of issues including education and energy reform, healthcare and the state’s budget.

We encourage Carr to continue being a champion of the Republican Party. He’s a model of what a responsible conservative should look like in 2012. But for now, Steadman is our state senator.

Speaker Frank McNulty and House GOP leadership should be accountable for blocking a fair vote on civil unions

Earlier this year, we watched in amazement the Colorado Civil Union Act move quickly from one House Republican controlled committee to the next. Sadly, the legislation that would have provided legal relationship recognition for thousands of Coloradans died an equally quick death upon reaching the full floor of the state House. While thousands of people helped progress the bill – notably Republican state Reps. BJ Nikkel, Don Beezley and Cheri Gerou – it’s death are on the hands of just two: Speaker of the House Frank McNulty and Majority Leader Amy Stephens. It is unlikely, if not impossible, to unseat these two legislatures. They represent the conservative strong holds of Highlands Ranch and Monument, respectively.

However, it is within the realm of possibility to reduce their role to mere benchwarmers. And it must be so. We encourage all of our readers to vote for their Democratic state lawmakers en masse. Further, we encourage all of our readers to pick up the phone and call their friends and family members who live in suburbs of Lakewood, Broomfield, Aurora and Westminster encourage them to vote for their Democratic candidate as well. In a different time and a different place, we would never paint such a broad stroke of endorsements.

But this much is clear, if the GOP is still in control of the state House come 2013, civil union legislation will not be a reality for at least two years. Democrats must control the state House.

Denver Ballot issues: The Denver we pay for is the Denver we’ll get

Out Front also endorses Denver ballot questions 2A, 3A and 3B. We want a world class city and we’re prepared to pay for it. 2A, 3A and 3B are common and typical solutions to raise tax revenue when it’s needed. The potholes in Denver need to go and our students in DPS need air conditioners. An affirmative vote on these three questions will see to it – and more.