Quote:
Originally Posted by maaa4546
Ritter signs bill giving gays equal access to accommodations
May 29, 2008 - 7:26PM
By MARK BARNA
THE GAZETTE
Gov. Bill Ritter on Thursday signed a bill that makes it illegal in Colorado to discriminate against gays, bisexuals and transgendered people when buying a home, renting an apartment or using public accommodations.
"The governor felt that this bill, SB200, was about fairness and treating people equally," said Evan Dreyer, spokesman for the governor's office. "It essentially updates anti-discrimination laws that in some cases have not been updated for 50 years."
Bruce DeBoskey, regional director of Denver's Anti-Defamation League, a civil rights organization, said the law is a step forward for Coloradans.
"No one should be denied housing or public accommodations solely because of his or her sexual preference," DeBoskey said.
One aspect of the law enables transgenders - those who were born one gender but identify with the other - to use public restrooms in which they feel most comfortable.
Beginning May 21, Focus on the Family and Colorado Family Action began sponsoring radio advertisements on four radio stations in Colorado Springs and Denver denouncing the bill.
The ads warned that cross-dressing predators could endanger children by using restrooms designated for the opposite sex.
Focus founder James Dobson said Thursday:
"Who would believe that the Colorado state Legislature and its governor would have made it legal for men to enter and use women's restrooms and locker room facilities without notice or explanation?
"Henceforth, every woman and little girl will have to fear that a predator, bisexual, cross-dresser or even a homosexual or heterosexual male might walk in and relieve himself in their presence."
DeBoskey denounced Dobson's view.
"It is unfortunate that they feel they have to exaggerate the dangers and play on people's fears," DeBoskey said. "This law is about fairness and justice for all people living in this state."
Last May, Sen. Jennifer Veiga, D-Denver, introduced the forerunner to SB200 known as SB25, a bill that prohibits employment discrimination against gays, bisexuals and transgendered people. Ritter signed it into law. SB200, which Veiga also introduced, extends the rights of these people to housing and public accommodations.
"This is a law whose time has come," said Ryan Acker, executive director of the Pikes Peak Gay and Lesbian Community Center in Colorado Springs.
"The passing of this bill shows that Colorado is a progressive state."
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A transgender agenda has passed in Colorado. Allowing men in women's bathrooms. We are in deep trouble folks!!!!
Social re-engineering now is on the forefront ... Teachers will have to teach kids that it's okay for Joey to be a girl today and allow him to go in the girl's bathroom
Sickening.
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I haven't had time to read this thread but the title reminded me of my first exposure to unisex bathrooms.
Back in 1976 when I was 17 years old I went to Europe for five weeks with a group of college students. Most of the time we stayed in inexpensive hotels but in Paris we stayed at the "Internationanl Student Center".
It was a modern building around ten stories high if memory serves me correct. Most of the rooms were like a youth hostel with four or five beds but I lucked out and got one of the few private rooms.
However the first night there when I went to find the bathroom there was only one bathroom per floor and it was a large unisex one!
It had many stalls and a rather open shower area. I freaked out. I set my clock for something like 4:45 am in the morning and went in, locked the main door, and had the giant bathroom / shower room all to myself!
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