Denver, CO – One Colorado and Interfaith Alliance of Colorado released the following statements regarding the Archdiocese of Denver’s anti-LGBTQ guidance to area Catholic schools:

“We are disappointed to see the Archdiocese of Denver take this harmful stance towards LGBTQ+ Coloradans - especially students and their families,” said Nadine Bridges, MSW (she, her, hers), One Colorado Executive Director. “Faith communities should be a place for love and support. Denying admission to transgender, nonbinary, and gender-expansive students, and excluding LGBTQ+ parents from full participation in school activities alienates and discriminates against LGBTQ+ people of Catholic faith.”

“As an organization that promotes faith and freedom, we are staunch protectors of the rights of faith communities to practice their faith traditions without being discriminated against for their beliefs,” said Shara Smith (she, her, hers), Interfaith Alliance of Colorado Executive Director. “It is specifically because of this that we are deeply concerned and saddened by any effort to discriminate against LGBTQIA+ individuals. Religious trauma is an ever-present reality for many faithful Coloradans who continue showing up with sincerity, only to find out that they are unwelcome by their own faith families – not because of a lack of faith, but simply for being different. We sincerely pray for the health and well-being of those families on the receiving end of these kinds of policies and maintain hope that our faith can be the force that brings us together rather than something that drives us apart.”

"Sanctioning discrimination of any kind is not something any religious group should be doing, especially in a place of learning,” said Representative Brianna Titone (she, her, hers), Colorado House District 27. “The Archdiocese is veering away from the Pope’s own acceptance of the LGBTQ community in order to create an environment of fear and exclusion. Schools are supposed to be supportive and nurturing environments where kids are allowed to grow and thrive. I want to ensure that I never hear about a student or educator feeling unsafe in a classroom."

The Denver Post first reported today, November 7th, that the Archdiocese of Denver is providing “local Catholic schools with explicit written guidance on the handling of LGBTQ issues, including telling administrators they should not enroll or re-enroll transgender or gender non-conforming students, and that gay parents should be treated differently than heterosexual couples” - comprised in a 17-page document (linked in the Post’s article).

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‍One Colorado is the state’s leading advocacy organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) Coloradans and their families.

‍Interfaith Alliance of Colorado promotes justice, religious liberty, and interfaith understanding through building relationships in order to educate, advocate, and catalyze social change.