Subscribe to Breaking News
Loading ...Colo. Springs leader supports gay, lesbian event
07.15.2009 4:12pm EDT
(Colorado Springs, Col.) An annual event in Colorado Springs organized by gays and lesbians has the ceremonial support of a city leader for the first time in years.
Vice Mayor Larry Small has issued a personal letter of support for PrideFest, which will include a parade and interfaith religious service Sunday.Mayor Lionel Rivera often issues proclamations for city events, but has withheld his support for PrideFest because the event hosts same-sex commitment ceremonies and he opposes gay marriage.
Small, a self-described conservative Republican, says gays and lesbians are members of the community who pay taxes, own businesses.
Colorado Springs is the home of Wil Perkins, author of a 1992 ballot issue that barred Colorado cities from passing laws to protect gays from discrimination. The U.S. Supreme Court overturned the law.
Let me just add that everyone is confused on this and that is why we need clarity in our language. Andrew Sullivan is sometimes called a “gay conservative blogger”. But he is a strong church apologist and for some reason church=conservative in this country.
Our “conservative” political leaders are trying to be on both sides of the coin…supporting state religion while purporting to be for small government and individual liberty.
Of course we know they are just taking advantage of the religious weak minded just as the priesthood has done for years, but it presents a dichotomy that the thinking classes need to continue to call out.
As a Colorado resident (Denver), let me say that Colorado Springs is it’s own little “island”. Yes, it’s very conservative, and frankly I can’t stand the place, but much of Colorado has a “live and let live” attitude. I grew up in Southern California, and I actually feel less stress about being gay in Denver than I did So Cal.
@Travis: Thank you for the year correction, my memory is slipping.
Twisted Pride, you would be impressed to see the changes in Colorado since the Hate State days of Ammendment 2. Our Democratic controlled legislatre and Governor have passed into law a gender expression inclusive hate crimes and employment non-discriminaiton law, second-parent adoption law, designated-beneficiary law (sort of domestic partner light)and a housing and public accommodations non-discrimination law. We still need to get rid of that nasty anti-marriage equality ammendment but we have made a good start by booting Marilyn Musgrave (replaced by Democrat Betsy Markey). from office and retiring Senator Wayne Allard (replaced by the very liberal Senator Udall).