Gay rights groups get involved in Colorado Senate race

Article by Hannah Downey

Gay rights have proven themselves to be a sensitive issue in Colorado over the past few days.  Following the controversial Focus on the Family and Planned Parenthood ads targeting the candidates of the 2016 Senate race, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and Log Cabin Republicans have openly announced their endorsements.

  HRC, a group centered on promoting the civil rights of the LGBT community, announced their endorsement of incumbent Michael Bennet, a Democrat, when Representative Coffman, a Republican, failed to denounce the Focus on the Family ad.  In a statement sent to Rep. Coffman, HRC President Chad Griffin wrote, “It is clear to us that the civil rights and liberties of the lesbian, bisexual, and transgender community would be seriously threatened should you be elected to the United States Senate.”  

In response, on October 29, Log Cabin Republicans came out in support of Coffman.  Log Cabin Republicans, a Republican organization supporting LBGT rights, stated their disproval that the HRC would even involve itself in the Colorado Senate race.  Their statement to the congressman cited his record on gay rights and his support for the Employment Non-Discrimination Act as reasons for their endorsement.  

Though gay rights are a social issue facing the nation, Colorado has never been a hotbed for the issue.  The recent involvement by these two well-known groups proves that it could be a larger issue this election cycle.  However, the fact that groups have endorsed candidates on both sides of the political isle holds promise Colorado will be taking steps towards ending discrimination towards the LGBT community.