As the Colorado state legislature considers HB 25-1312, the ERLC in partnership with the Colorado Baptist Convention sent a letter to express grave concerns about this proposed bill. The provisions of this proposed bill are nothing short of an attack on human dignity, people of faith, and anyone who questions the ever-changing cultural definitions of sexuality. Should this bill become law, it threatens the conscience rights of individuals, the relationship between parents and children, basic free speech rights for all, and will inevitably lead to conflict between church and state.
Colorado has garnered a reputation as a state that is hostile to Christians and other people of faith who adhere to biblical teaching and biological realities on matters such as marriage, family, and sexuality.
Read the full letter sent to Colorado state senators below:
“We write to you today with grave concerns about HB 25-1312. We represent Southern Baptists across the state of Colorado as one of us is the Executive Director of the Colorado Baptist Convention and the other is the President of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, the public policy arm of the Southern Baptist Convention on the national level.
In recent years, Colorado has garnered a reputation as a state that is hostile to Christians and other people of faith who adhere to biblical teaching and biological realities on matters such as marriage, family, and sexuality. While these actions have all thankfully been struck down by courts, the legislation before you would codify the anti-Christian moves we have seen in recent years.
Is such animus toward people of faith the kind of legacy you want to leave for Colorado?
Here are just a few of the many concerns we have about HB 25-1312:
- Allows Colorado courts to consider “deadnaming,” using a person’s name given at birth, and “misgendering,” using a person’s correct, biologically corresponding pronouns, when determining child custody cases.
- Requires dress-coded public schools to allow children of either biological sex to choose between following the boys or girls dress code without their parent’s consent or guidance. Christian parents should not have to choose between their faith and public schools.
- And defines “deadnaming” and “misgendering” as discriminatory acts under the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act.
These provisions are nothing short of an attack on human dignity, people of faith, and anyone who questions the ever-changing cultural definitions of sexuality. Should this bill become law, it threatens the conscience rights of individuals, the relationship between parents and children, basic free speech rights for all, and will inevitably lead to conflict between church and state. As an elected representative for Colorado, this should be an unacceptable proposition for you, regardless of partisan commitments.
We would urge you to vote against this destructive legislation. It should be clear by now that, nationwide, our culture is rejecting this sort of extremist agenda. Colorado should not be the place where it takes its final stand.
We would be happy to discuss this with you further or provide additional resources for you.
Respectfully,
Dr. Michael A. Proud, Jr.
Executive Director
Colorado Baptist General Convention
F. Brent Leatherwood
President
Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention
