Focus on the Family recently released a newspaper advertisement opposing recently-passed Senate Bill 200.

Senate Bill 200 was a momentous victory for the Colorado LGBT community, especially in Colorado Springs, as it prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation and transgender status with regard to housing and public accomodations. Focus on the Family’s campaign is not based on the reality of the Bill, but rather on misinformation and fear-mongering.

Read more about what you can do after the jump.




CALL TO ACTION!
Right now, the legislators who stood up to support equal rights for all people are being bombarded with calls from Focus on the Family's supporters. THEY NEED TO HEAR FROM US! Focus on the Family has developed this ad campaign as a scare tactic to encourage uninformed individuals to call their representatives in hopes of preventing future equal rights bills from passing. Please take just a moment to call and/or write our legislators to let them know we do care, and we are glad they stood up for equality by passing SB200. John Morse is the represenative from Colorado Springs listed in the ads. Let's work together to show John Morse how much we appreciate him taking a stand for equality on behalf of Colorado Springs!

Senator John Morse | 719-302-5697 | John.Morse.Senate@state.co.us

Governor Ritter | 303-866-2471

THIS PHONE CALL WILL JUST TAKE A MINUTE! BUT HEARING FROM YOU COULD BE THE VERY THING THESE LEGISLATORS NEED TO PASS THE NEXT ROUND OF EQUAL RIGHTS LEGISLATION!



Call and thank Gov. Ritter and the Colorado legislators who voted for SB 200

Focus on the Family has developed a new ad campaign as a scare tactic to encourage uninformed individuals to call their representatives in hopes of preventing future equal rights bills from passing.

Call Governor Ritter at 303-866-2471 and thank him for signing SB 200.

Also, take a minute to call the other Colorado legislators who voted for SB 200 and thank them for signing SB 200 and standing up to the fear-based tactics of our opposition.

Names and contact information after the jump.

Call Your Legislators Who Supported the Bill and Thank Them for Standing Up Against Discrimination

Antonito
Rep Rafael Gallegos
719-376-5884

Arvada
Rep Debbie Benefield
303-425-1360
Rep. Sara Gagliardi
303-467-0619
Sen Sue Windels
303-421-6405

Aurora
Rep. Morgan Carroll
303-369-3450
Sen. Bob Hagedom
303-367-1994
Rep Karen Middleton
720-427-3239
Sen Stephanie Takis
303-343-8303
Rep Nancy Todd
303-750-1976
Sen Suzanne Williams
303-751-2396

Brighton
Rep Mary Hodge
303-659-0481
Rep Judy Solano
720-371-9342

Broomfield
Rep Dianne Primavera
303-495-3122

Boulder
Rep Claire Levy
303-494-2244
Rep Alice Madden
303-494-1099
Rep Jack Pommer
303-443-8555
Sen Ron Tupa
303-866-4872

Colorado Springs
Sen John Morse
719-302-5697

Denver
Rep Alice Borodkin
303-337-4947
Rep Terrance Carroll
720-837-3889
Rep Mark Ferrandino
303-866-2911
Rep Jery Frangas
303-455-1711
Sen Ken Gordon
303-866-3341
Sen Peter Groff
303-866-4864
Rep Joel Judd
303-477-1176
Rep Jeanne Labuda
303-914-9494
Rep Rosemary Marshall
303-355-5400
Rep Anne McGihon
303-866-2921
Rep Andrew Romanoff
303-777-3440
Sen Chris Romer
303-780-9445

Sen Paula Sandoval
303-433-7285
Sen Jennifer Viega
303-722-4940

Dillon
Rep Christine Scanlan
970-470-0397

Fort Collins
Sen Bob Bacon
970-221-4552
Rep Randy Fischer
970-226-5383
Rep John Kefalas
970-221-1135

Golden
Rep Gwyn Green
303-489-8907

Greeley
Rep Jim Riesberg
970-351-6619

Grand Junction
Rep Bernie Buescher
970-245-2431

Gunnison
Rep Kathleen Curry
970-209-5537

Hesperus
Sen Jim Isgar
970-385-7664

Lakewood
Sen Betty Boyd
303-986-4194
Rep Andrew Kerr
720-979-4515

Littleton
Rep Joe Rice
303-759-4843

Longmont
Sen Brandon Shaffer
303-485-8670

Louisville
Rep Paul Weissmann
303-673-0191

Manitou Springs
Rep Michael Merrifield
719-460-0580

Pueblo
Rep Dorothy Butcher
719-561-2746
Sen Abel Tapia
719-671-3311

Pueblo West
Rep Diane McFadyen
303-866-2905

Silverthorne
Sen Dan Gibbs
970-333-4707

Snowmass Village
Sen Gail Schwartz
970-925-3013

Thornton
Rep Ed Casso
303-866-2964
Sen Lois Tochtrop
303-469-9217

Westminster
Rep Cherylin Peniston
303-466-2884

Wheat Ridge
Rep Cheri Jahn
303-424-0086
Sen Maryanne Keller
303-425-0130

Winter Park
Rep Al White
303-886-2537

First marriage and now gender-specific restrooms - we homosexuals ruin everything

Here's what James Dobson had to say about SB 200 earlier this year. Who knew gender-specific restrooms were so beloved? Personally, I generally try to handle my business at home as much as possible.

"Dr. Dobson Decries Ritter's Signing of SB200
New law signals end of gender-specific restrooms


Colorado Springs, Colo. (May 29, 2008) –

Focus on the Family founder and Chairman James C. Dobson, Ph.D., issued the following statement today after Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter signed SB 200:







"Who would have believed that the Colorado state Legislature and its governor would have made it fully legal for men to enter and use women's restrooms and locker-room facilities without notice or explanation?

"Henceforth, every woman and little girl will have to fear that a predator, bisexual, cross-dresser or even a homosexual or heterosexual male might walk in and relieve himself in their presence. The legislation lists every conceivable type of organization to which this law applies, including restaurants, bathhouses, massage parlors, mortuaries, theaters and 'public facilities of any kind.' Those who would attempt to protect females from this intrusion are subject to a fine of up to $5,000 and up to one year behind bars.

"This is your government in action. It represents a payback to Tim Gill and two other billionaires who have essentially 'bought' the state Legislature with enormous campaign contributions. Coloradans deserve better!

"And by the way, because of the way this bill is written, it is not subject to the initiative process. There is no recourse.""

Focus on the Family focusing on fear with new ad campaign

Focus on the Family Action has begun running a new round of radio advertisements attacking state legislators who supported SB 200.

These malicious ads prey upon the misinformed and suggest that prohibiting discrimination based upon sexual orientation and transgender status will permit sexual predators to molest children in public restrooms.

Their tactics are shameful and their claims are ridiculous, but they think they can keep repeating their lies often enough to scare people into believing them.

We must fight back! Here are two ways:

1. Call Focus on the Family and ask them to “Quit Focusing on Fear!” Their attempt to stereotype GLBT persons as sexual predators is demeaning and offensive. Their attempt to bully Gov. Ritter and state legislators is nothing more than a smear campaign. Call Focus on the Family at 1-800-232-6459 and demand a stop to their fear campaign.

2. Call Governor Bill Ritter and thank him for signing SB 200 and standing up to the fear-based tactics of bullies like Focus on the Family. Our opponents have flooded the Governor’s office with thousands of phone calls. We need your voice of reason to be heard – please thank Gov. Ritter and our friends in the state legislature for supporting equal rights. Call Governor Ritter at 303-866-2471 and thank him for signing SB 200.

HRC hails Colorado Non-Discrimination Law

The Human Rights Campaign, the nation’s largest gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender civil rights organization, today recognized the signing by Gov. Bill Ritter of legislation prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity in housing, public accommodations, credit transactions, juror service, and other areas. The legislation, sponsored by state Sen. Jennifer Veiga and state Rep. Joel Judd, expands existing laws that prohibit discrimination based on race, sex, religion, disability, and other characteristics.

“HRC congratulates Gov. Ritter, Sen. Veiga, and Rep. Judd on taking this important step to advance equality for Coloradans. We also thank and congratulate Equal Rights Colorado and the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of Colorado for their hard work. As Gov. Ritter has said, this law is about basic fairness and treating people equally,” said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. “Opponents of equality did their best to scare and divide Coloradans, but it’s heartening to see that their tactics were rejected. This is a positive step forward for Colorado, coming on the heels of two pro-equality laws enacted in 2007.”

In 2007, Colorado enacted laws prohibiting employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity and providing for second parent adoption. The new law takes effect immediately.

For a complete list of state laws and policies, visit: HRC

Gov's office confirms: Ritter has signed SB 200

I've just gotten off the phone with the Governor's office and they have confirmed that Gov. Bill Ritter signed SB 200 yesterday.

Governor's office won't confirm or deny the signing of SB 200

As of 4:45 p.m. today, Governor Bill Ritter's office is not officially confirming or denying that Gov. Ritter has signed SB 200.

SB 200: Dr. Dobson Sounds the Alarm on 'Restroom' Legislation earlier today

From InchDeep:
Gov. Bill Ritter Still Wants Perverts Roaming Colorado Restrooms.
Posted by InchDeep on Thursday, May 29, 2008 1:30:50 PM
Dr. Dobson Sounds the Alarm on ‘Restroom’ Legislation

Dr. James Dobson began the Focus on the Family radio broadcast today with a warning that hoped the nation would hear.

"The state Legislature here in Colorado has frankly become just about as radical and extreme as the California Legislature,” Dr. Dobson said, “in an effort that was designed to obviously appease the homosexual community [and] give access to all public restrooms by people of the opposite gender."

The founder and chairman of Focus on the Family discussed SB 200, a dangerous piece of legislation sitting on Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter's desk.

The governor’s staff “tells us that he will probably sign it," Dr. Dobson said.

Read the rest here.

Gov. Ritter signs SB 200

I'm still waiting on final confirmation but according to sources, Gov. Bill Ritter has, in fact, signed SB 200 into law. With the passage of SB 200, gay and lesbian Coloradans will be protected from discrimination in housing and public accommodations.