Colorado Springs – This city’s battles over gay and lesbian issues have been long fought by those carrying the rainbow flag.
The fight took on a new complexion Tuesday as men in suits – backed by some of the city’s most powerful people – urged inclusiveness for gays and lesbians at a summer festival celebrating cultural diversity.
At issue was whether the City Council would sponsor the festival by waiving $8,700 in costs for park rental, barricades and police service.
On April 9, when the issue first came to light, council members Margaret Radford and Darryl Glenn questioned whether gays and lesbians would participate and whether the event would be a forum to tout a political agenda. Glenn worried gays might use the event to promote gay marriage.
Radford said: “When a large portion of this community does not support gay and lesbian viewpoints, I don’t see us putting tax dollars into supporting that direction.”
But on Tuesday, the council voted unanimously to sponsor the Aug. 18 festival, which will include cultural dancers, ethnic food, music and dancing. Event backers heralded the vote as a step toward diluting the perception of Colorado Springs as an unwelcoming community.
“We’re one community, so we’re very pleased … any contrarian vote may have been a negative sound bite out there, and that’s what we’re trying to avoid,” said Will Temby, CEO of the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce.
Four businessmen told the council that the perception of Colorado Springs as intolerant has hurt recruitment of new businesses.
“In the past, we’ve ridden the aerospace wave, we’ve ridden the semiconductor wave, but we’re not riding the Google wave, and there is a reason for that,” said David White, vice president of marketing for the Colorado Springs Economic Development Corp. “The perception is that that workforce is not here.”
White said that a diverse workforce is “of paramount importance because diverse backgrounds and thinking foster innovation and creativity. … There is a perception that we (people in Colorado Springs) have issues.”
Council member Jan Martin said Colorado Springs has more potential than it has tapped.
“Until we can get past this issue, I don’t think we will fully realize that potential,” Martin said. “I think the time is right. I think the time is now, and I think the City Council today has the opportunity to begin to take back our own reputation.”
Radford and Glenn blamed city staff for not providing enough information about the proposed resolution. Radford said her earlier comments were “harsh,” and she regretted them.
Tom Gallagher, another council member, said he supported the city’s sponsorship with reservation.
“I am concerned that there is a group of people that will look at this as an opportunity to advance their agenda at the expense of our community. I encourage everybody to discourage that kind of activity,” Gallagher said.
Glen Bruels, a recently retired businessman and co-chairman of the Diversity Forum, said the group will not allow disruptive behavior but will not interfere with individual expression.
“We need to get beyond this perception that is out there,” Bruels said.
Staff writer Erin Emery can be reached at 719-522-1360 or eemery@denverpost.com.
