Denver Mayoral Race: Civil Unions
In 2006, Colorado voters rejected a ballot initiative that would have legalized same-sex marriage in the state. Earlier this year, the State Senate approved the Colorado Civil Unions Act to guarantee same-sex couples certain rights such as medical powers and retirement and insurance benefits. The same bill was killed within a week in the House Judiciary Committee and will not be brought to a full House vote.
The following insights into how each candidate stands regarding civil unions and other issues directly affecting the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) population in Denver are gathered from comments either made at recent campaign events or published on-line or in printed campaign materials. Candidate names are listed in the order in which they appear on the ballot.
Michael Hancock
Bottom line:
Supported the Civil Unions Act and believes it would have extended “fair and equitable support to all residents” by “providing every Coloradan the same rights to care for their loved ones, feel safe in their neighborhoods, and enjoy critical legal protections.”
On his campaign website:
Under “Hancock Pushes for Full House Consideration of Civil Unions Act,” Hancock “encouraged members of the Colorado House Judiciary Committee to approve the Colorado Civil Unions Act and send it to the House floor for full consideration.” He said the bill would “extend fair and equitable support to all residents” by “providing every Coloradan the same rights to care for their loved ones, feel safe in their neighborhoods, and enjoy critical legal protections.” He added the bill also would define government’s role to be one of “contract enforcement and childcare oversight,” not marriage regulation.
In his campaign flyer:
No mention of civil unions
Issue-specific ideas or solutions presented at March 24 and April 6 events:
Indicated support for full marriage rights for same-sex couples.
Issue-related comments:
None
Experience Potentially Related to this Issue:
• City Councilman 2003-Present
--President 2006-2008
Chris Romer
Bottom line:
As mayor he would “work to ensure Denver treats all its citizens and employees equally, regardless of sexual orientation.”
On his campaign website:
Under “Romer Unveils his Vision for the LGBT Denver Community,” Romer links to his Vision for an Inclusive Denver (also listed under LGBT Equality), through which he promises as mayor to:
• fight for “full marriage equality”
• maintain same-sex partner benefits for city employees
• retain the LGBT Advisory Committee within the mayor’s office
• seek LGBT Advisory Committee advice on all major policy decisions
• ensure LGBT citizens are appropriately represented on all city committees and commissions
• support critical services for LGBT homeless youth such as the Urban Peak program
• ensure all city services are equitably accessible to LGBT citizens
• support anti-bullying programs, inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity in school policies, and gay-straight alliances
• encourage the development of a LGBT retirement community in Denver
• improve relations between the Denver Police Department and Denver’s LGBT citizens via the establishment of an LGBT liaison in the DPD.
In his campaign flyer:
No mention of civil unions
Issue-specific ideas or solutions presented at March 24 and April 6 events:
Indicated support for full marriage rights for same-sex couples.
Issue-related comments:
None
Experience Potentially Related to this Issue:
• Senator 2007-2010
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