Hickenlooper: ‘Civil rights, just like civil unions, should apply to everyone equally’

Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper sent a letter Thursday to gay rights group OneColorado in support of same-sex civil unions bill SB 172. The Governor had planned to attend a rally hosted by the group at the capitol. Hickenlooper couldn’t make it and Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee later killed the bill on a party line vote. “It’s important for you to know how important we think Senate Bill 172 is to Colorado,” wrote Hickenlooper. “It’s pretty simple: What’s fair for one person should be fair for the next. Everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation, should have the same legal rights.”

From the letter:

I am sorry I cannot be with you today on the west steps of the state Capitol. Instead, my staff sent me to work on economic development on the Western Slope for a few days – perhaps so they could get some work done because they know I can’t interrupt them as easily….

As a state, we should honor people’s commitments to each other and the ability to help one another through various legal situations, regardless of sexual interaction. Civil unions are about supporting people who are deeply committed to each other.

Senate Bill 172 deserves to be heard in a fair and open discussion by the full Colorado House of Representatives. We join you in urging the House Judiciary Committee to send the bill to their colleagues for a full House vote.

We look forward to the day when all Coloradans, regardless of sexual orientation and without regard to sexual relations, are afforded the same legal rights as their neighbors, their co-workers, their friends and their family members. Civil rights, just like civil unions, should apply to everyone equally under our state’s law.

Again, I am sorry to miss your gathering at the Capitol today. Please know that I am with you in spirit.

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