Colorado Archives - American Atheists

Colorado Residents: Help End Conversion Therapy

American Atheists — Fri, 22 Mar 2019 20:58:53 +0000

Colorado lawmakers are close to passing HB 1129, life-saving legislation that will protect LGBTQ young people in Colorado from harmful conversion therapy. This bill has already passed the House, and it will soon receive a vote in the Senate. Let’s make conversion therapy a thing of the past! Help pass these protections into law by emailing your state senator now! Conversion therapy consists of practices that falsely claim to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity or expression. These practices are based on religious beliefs rather than medical facts—and they can be extremely harmful, especially for young people and their families. HB 1129 would protect young people in Colorado by prohibiting licensed health care practitioners from conducting dangerous and discredited conversion therapy. Conversion therapy has been rejected by every major medical and mental health group for decades because they pose devastating health risks for LGBTQ young people, including depression, decreased self-esteem, substance abuse, homelessness, and even suicidal behavior. Please email your state senator now to help pass this vital legislation! Image by Daniel Tobias via Flickr under CC 2.0

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American Atheists Opposes Colorado License-to-Discriminate Bill

American Atheists — Tue, 19 Feb 2019 18:47:56 +0000

Denver, CO—Last week, American Atheists, representing over 1,000 constituents in Colorado, wrote in opposition to HB 1140. This controversial bill would, under the pretext of religious freedom, exempt individuals and organizations from Colorado’s nondiscrimination legislation. People and groups could then legally discriminate against atheists, LGBTQ people, and religious minorities—in some cases with the use of taxpayer funds. Here are all the ways HB 1140 would create a license-to-discriminate: State-funded foster care and adopting agencies could discriminate against would-be parents and foster youth on the basis of their religion. Religious organizations, including hospitals, schools, nonprofits, and businesses, could discriminate against or discipline employees based on their religious beliefs. Foster parents could subject foster children to religious indoctrination and abusive practices like conversion therapy without repercussion. People and businesses could deny LGBTQ people a sweeping array of services and products that might conceivably be used for same-sex marriages or gender transition. People and businesses could discriminate against trans people in employment, dress, public accommodations, and sex-segregated facilities. Workplace harassment against LGBTQ people on the basis of religion would be allowed. Government officials could refuse to provide marriage licenses to LGBTQ people based on their religious beliefs.

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Atheists Submit Testimony Supporting Religion-Free Sex Ed in Colorado

American Atheists — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 16:46:00 +0000

Denver, CO—Today, American Atheists, on behalf of its more than 1,000 constituents in Colorado, supported HB 1032, the Colorado Youth Wellness Act. This vital measure prevents schools from providing misinformation to students based on religious doctrine. HB 1032 protects students from religious coercion by prohibiting sexuality education programs from explicitly or implicitly endorsing religious tenets and doctrines. It also prevents programs from using gender stereotypes and excluding information about LGBTQ people. Sexual health has a profound impact on both public health and individual well-being. This bill will help to ensure that all students receive information based on facts, not religion, so that they can make informed decisions about their lives. Read our full comments below.

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