Denver, CO – One Colorado, the state’s leading advocacy organization for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) Coloradans and their families, released the following statements regarding the nationally targeted anti-trans, Spanish language ads paid for by America First Legal Foundation founded by Stephen Miller.

“Anti-trans ads, targeting Spanish speaking Coloradans, are a part of a national campaign to harm transgender/non-binary/gender-expansive community members” said Nadine Bridges, MSW (she/her), One Colorado Executive Director. “It’s another instance of disrespect and exploitation aiming to stoke fear and division for political gain. We know that there are supporters who demonstrate allyship in all communities. Bad faith attacks will not undermine the LGBTQ+ community or our allies in Colorado and across the U.S.''

“These misinformation campaigns are a direct threat to our Latinx community and to our democracy,” said Dusti Gurule, President and CEO of the Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights (COLOR). “Our recent Colorado Latino Policy Agenda poll showed that 68% of Latino voters are planning to turn out during these midterm elections. These kinds of misinformation attacks are a direct threat to the voice and power of LGBTQ+ Latinxs. We cannot let these types of attacks against our community continue any longer.”

The national smear campaign recently made the news in Pennsylvania and has reached Colorado in the form of direct mail and radio ads on 93.1 FM. Ads are 100% composed of disinformation, misleading Colorado’s Spanish-speaking voters about trans rights, gender-affirming healthcare, and more. One Colorado roundly denounces all attempts to deny medically necessary gender-affirming healthcare to Coloradans, and transgender and non-binary community across the United States. Political attacks like this go against decades of research and expert recommendations, and put into jeopardy the medical decision-making power that must remain between healthcare providers and patients. Every Coloradan deserves access to high-quality, welcoming, and affirming healthcare, in a system where medical experts – not those with extreme political interest – are empowered to support patients’ unique needs with compassion and respect. One Colorado’s diverse coalition of supporters includes many pro-equality Latinx and Spanish-speaking community members, and is heartened by recent national polling showing their high acceptance and support of LGBTQ+ people.

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