A gay and lesbian grassroots Democratic group and conservative Christian lobbyists are battling over a bill expanding prohibitions from discrimination in public life based on religion and sexual orientation.
Senate Bill 200 would ban discrimination based on a person’s religious belief or sexual orientation — including transgender people — in places of public accommodation, housing practices, family planning services and 20 other public spheres.
Gov. Ritter has until June 5 to sign or veto the bill; with no gubernatorial action, the bill automatically becomes law.
Ritter has not indicated whether he will make the bill law, spokesman Evan Dreyer said Thursday.
Focus on the Family Action and Colorado Family Action say the bill would have serious consequences, such as opening up Colorado public restrooms and locker rooms to all genders and transgender people, exposing children and women to sexual predators.
The conservative lobbyists launched a radio ad campaign Wednesday asking people to urge Ritter to veto the bill.
“The . . . disingenuous media attack campaign (utilizes) bigoted, unfounded and hate-inspiring scare tactics,” the El Paso County Stonewall Democrats said in a statement.
“They spin the whole intent of the bill in a negative light just to cloak their claims for a bogus right to discriminate against gays, lesbians and transgender individuals,” the statement said.
National Stonewall Democrats is a grassroots network connecting lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
Focus on the Family spokesman Tom Minnery said “the bill is so broadly drawn it violates common sense” and invades privacy.
Jim Pfaff, president of Colorado Family Action, said the measure could also mean that a wedding photographer would have to shoot the commitment ceremony of a gay couple regardless of the photographer’s religious beliefs about homosexuality.
“These are just scare tactics,” said bill sponsor Sen. Jennifer Veiga, D-Denver. “These kinds of problems just don’t materialize because of this kind of legislation.”
The bill passed both houses May 2. Veiga said she expects Ritter to sign it.
“Our understanding is that the bill simply updates and brings consistency to existing anti-discrimination laws,” Dreyer said of the governor’s office. ”
“Focus on the Family is waging a political campaign based on misconstruing the facts and creating fear,” Dreyer said. ”
Staff writer Tim Hoover contributed to this report. Electa Draper: 303-954-1276 or edraper@denverpost.com
