We are proud to live in a state that has many protections forlesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Coloradans.Live the life you want; know your rights.
LGBTQ Health Resources for Providers
We know that health outcomes improve when LGBTQ patients have access to providers who are friendly, inclusive, and competent to provide care to their specific needs.
Health Resources for LGBTQ Patients
We know that LGBTQ Coloradans often face many challenges and barriers to achieving a healthy life. While LGBTQ individuals have many of the same concerns as the general population, like affordability, access, and quality of care, they also face several unique challenges that affect the ability to live healthy and affirmed lives.
Discrimination
Colorado’s anti-discrimination laws guarantee equal access to public accommodations, housing, and employment regardless of disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation (including transgender status), marital status, family status, religion, national origin, or ancestry.This law applies to all employers, employment agencies, labor organizations, on-the-job training, and vocational training programs and schools — regardless of size.
Health Care Equality
Be your own advocate. Patient non-discrimination means you cannot be discriminated against by hospitals based on your sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability (which includes HIV status). This applies to services and interactions with healthcare providers. You also cannot be charged more for health insurance or services because of your sexual orientation or gender identity.
Immigration & DACA
On Sept. 5, 2017, the Trump administration announced that it is terminating the DACA program. The National Immigration Law Center’s statement about the announcement is available here. According to the announcement, the Department of Homeland Security will stop accepting new DACA applications (i.e., from people who don’t already have DACA). People who already have DACA and whose work permits expire between now and March 5, 2018, will be able to apply for a two-year renewal if they apply by October 5, 2017.
Hate Crimes
A hate crime is a threat or act of intimidation, harassment, or physical force that is motivated by bias against a person or group based on their actual or perceived: Race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, and physical or mental disability. There are both federal and state laws that protect victims of hate crime. Colorado law breaks hate crime into two categories, “Bias motivated harassment” and “Bias motivated crime.”
Marriage
In March 2014, One Colorado launched a public education campaign to win the freedom to marry in the Centennial State. Through these efforts, we broadened the dialogue about why marriage is important to same-sex couples and their families. After reaching Coloradans in every corner of our state. marriage equality became the law of the land in October 2014.
Second Parent Adoption Rights
In 2007, Governor Ritter signed a bill into law that allows unmarried couples to adopt each other’s children. This law also affords same-sex couples the opportunity to jointly accept the legal rights of being a parent. Under this law, children of LGBT couples will now have two legal parents.