Local Politicians Meet with Colorado LGBTQ+ Nonprofits

In the 30 days since Donald J. Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States of America, the convicted felon has released an endless flurry of executive orders that seemingly align with the goals of conservative reactionary plan Project 2025. Among the dozens of constitutional and civil rights violations now issued as doctrine from the Oval Office, orders targeting queer and transgender folk, healthcare, and bodily autonomy were early out of the gate.

In an attempt to play by rules that MAGA and GOP traditionalists have eroded and disregarded for more than a decade of political maneuvering, Democratic leadership at the federal level has taken a “wait and see” approach in hopes to tie up orders in court. Several state attorney generals filed lawsuits against the orders, aiming to have them overturned by judges.

Hoping to get answers, Colorado LGTBQ organizations One Colorado and Rocky Mountain Equality (RMEQ) combined efforts to host a video call with Colorado elected officials. Senator Michael Bennet, Congressman Joe Neguse, and Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser joined the call to share their concerns, efforts and shed light on the dark tide coming from the White House.

Congressman Neguse called in from his Washington, D.C. office, addressing Trump’s actions and calling them out as “a direct threat to the Constitutional order of our government, fundamental separation of powers, and the fundamental rights of Americans to live their lives.” The congressman was appointed by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to head an oversight and rapid response task force, he explained, working to legislate and litigate against the orders in district and federal courts.

Senator Bennet also joined from the Capitol, where he led with news that Democratic Senators continued voting against approving Trump’s cabinet picks, an effectively empty gesture against a Republican-majority Senate. The senator, who has spoken openly and passionately against these candidates and violations, still toed the party line of Congressman Jeffries and Senator Chuck Schumer, that there is little that can be done when the Republicans hold both chambers of the Legislative branch.

Both senator and congressman offered words of encouragement, that calling into their offices and the offices of other elected officials was still vital to making the people’s will be known. “Every voice of every citizen in our country is needed right now,” Neguse says.

At a local level, both officials encouraged constituents to also reach out to their offices around Colorado for help with resources, identification cards and other issues that could arise from the illegal and spiteful orders in Trump’s administration. With restrictions and requirements drastically altered for passport and identification, targeting transgender specifically, it is crucial to secure relevant documents now, especially as people make plans for uncertain futures.

At the state level, Attorney General Weiser spoke hopefully and with words of reassurance for the plethora of questions coming from terrified families in the video call’s Q&A. Weiser pointed to the recent state amendments that protect marriage equality and healthcare, as well as state laws that protect against all forms of discrimination.

Weiser also highlighted state lawsuits contesting the transgender ban in the military, as well as unlawful funding freezes to states practicing gender affirming care. Though it seems likely that the Trump administration will continue to disregard the rule of law, at a hearing on February 18, U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes verbally sparred with a Department of Justice attorney, calling out the reasoning as “animus.”

“This is a policy from the President of the United States affecting thousands of people … to call an entire group of people lying, dishonest people who are undisciplined, immodest, and have no integrity. How is that anything other than showing animus?” Reyes asked the DOJ attorney, whose only response was: “I have no answer for you.”

Shortly after, Trump issued another executive order claiming that only the president and attorney general may hold final opinion on what is law. The authoritarian power grab effectively erodes remaining checks and balances from both legislative and judicial branches. It remains to be seen whether or not some sort of formal resistance will be seen from elected officials, or if they have fully surrendered to techno-fascist oligarchs.

While independent organizations like PFLAG, the ACLU, and the Legal Defense Fund prepare their own cases against the administration, it will come to communities locally to support each other and protect each other from the ever-growing struggle. While some of Colorado’s elected leaders will look to protect their LGBTQ communities within their means, it’s local organizations like RMEQ and OneColorado that can help create a platform for making voices heard in the halls of government.

“The discussion underscored the importance of staying engaged with our elected officials to protect our rights, navigate the confusion, and push back against policies that threaten our community,” says RMEQ CEO Mardi Moore in a statement released after the video call.

“It also served as a reminder that we still have allies in government,” Moore continues. “This will be an ongoing conversation as we continue to unravel the impacts created by President Trump’s attacks on our community, in particular our transgender siblings. We all need to remain active, informed, and committed to advocating for equality at every level of government.”

While community organizations like RMEQ and One Colorado advocate for the people through legislature and courts, there are more than enough ways to come together in support of each other. “When there are these anti-trans narratives being pushed on our youth and young adults, remember that sometimes the first steps of advocacy are just caring for the people closest to you,” says Nadine Bridges, executive director of One Colorado. “Make sure you see them, you hear them, and get involved in community events.”

To watch a recording of the video call, visit here.
To contact Senator Bennet, email here.
To contact Congressman Neguse, email here.
To contact Attorney General Weiser, email here.