Pueblo, CO — After hours of passionate debate, the Colorado legislature passed a landmark bill late Tuesday night aimed at providing legal protections for transgender individuals. House Bill 25-1312, also known as the Kelly Loving Act, was passed in honor of Kelly Loving, a transgender woman tragically killed in the Club Q shooting in Colorado Springs in November 2022.
The bill is designed to protect transgender people from discrimination and ensure their rights are respected in various settings, including education and the workplace. Specifically, it prohibits “local education providers” and employers from refusing to use an individual’s chosen name instead of their legal name. This measure extends to ensuring students can follow dress codes that align with their gender identity, as well as streamlining the process for changing a name on legal documents.
The legislation also focuses on the harmful practices of misgendering and deadnaming. Misgendering refers to intentionally using incorrect pronouns to disregard a person’s gender identity, while deadnaming is the act of using a transgender person’s birth name instead of their chosen name. These acts are addressed directly within the bill as forms of discrimination.
Despite strong support from Democrats, the bill faced significant opposition from Republican lawmakers. Critics, including Senate Minority Leader Paul Lundeen, argued that it could infringe on parental rights, particularly in cases where parents might disagree with a child’s decision to change their name or pronouns. Lundeen, who represents El Paso County, voiced concern that the bill would interfere with the trust between parents and children.
“Government should not intrude into, and fracture, the trust between parents and children,” Lundeen stated during the debate.
On the other hand, proponents of the bill stressed the importance of safeguarding the rights of the transgender community. Democratic Senator Julie Gonzales, who represents Denver, spoke in favor of the legislation, urging its passage as a step toward greater acceptance and protection.
“I hope this bill gets signed into law so that you can see, that the world ain’t going to fall apart, that the sun will rise again in the morning,” Gonzales said.
The bill passed in the Senate on Wednesday, with all Republicans voting against it and all but two Democrats voting in favor. The two dissenting Democrats were Senators Marc Snyder, who represents El Paso and Teller Counties, and Kyle Mullica, who represents Adams County.
Following amendments, the bill was approved by the House late Tuesday night. Debate was abruptly ended when the House Majority Leader invoked House Rule 16, allowing the chamber to proceed to an immediate vote. With the final approval, the bill was sent to Governor Jared Polis’ desk for his signature.
The passage of HB25-1312 marks a significant milestone for transgender rights in Colorado, aligning with broader efforts to improve legal protections for the LGBTQ+ community. If signed into law, it will be seen as a triumph for those advocating for the rights and dignity of transgender individuals in the state.
