Welcome back to CTR’s weekly roundup of stories relating to political extremism in Colorado. There are several pieces we would like to draw attention to. First up, we have Heidi Beedle’s article going over the Colorado Springs therapist challenging Colorado’s conversion therapy ban. Despite, conversion therapy being discouraged by the American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association, and other health care associations, Kaley Chiles has challenged Colorado’s ban with the help of the Alliance Defending Freedom, saying it violates her religious liberty. Owen Swallow did a rundown of the race to lead the Colorado GOP. Finally, we are highlighting an article by Westword’s Patricia Calhoun, who wrote about Lauren Boebert doubling-down on a derogatory comment she made about a fellow congressperson and other representatives.
CO Springs Therapist Challenging Colorado’s Conversion Therapy Ban
Kaley Chiles is bringing a case to the Supreme Court challenging Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy for LGBTQ children. Chiles, a Colorado Springs therapist, is being represented by the Alliance Defending Freedom and is arguing that the ban “censors” counselors. The ADF is the same organization that challenged Colorado’s LGBTQ anti-discrimination statutes, like the Masterpiece Cakeshop and 303 Creative cases. The American Psychiatric Association, American Psychological Association, and numerous other health care associations reject conversion therapy as a practice, citing overwhelming evidence that it is ineffective and shown to cause harm to patients.
Who’s Running to Lead the Colorado Republican Party?
This is a brief rundown of who is running to lead the Colorado GOP. In contention, there is a former Moms for Liberty (an anti-LGBTQ+ and anti-government organization) co-chair Darcy Schoening who currently serves as the state GOP’s director of special initiatives. Schoening has led the charge to defund school districts in Colorado over support of LGBTQ+ students and has referred to school board members and parents who oppose her as committing “pedophilic deeds.” There is no evidence to support that claim. Schoening is joined by former Weld County Commissioner Lori Saine, who has pushed vaccine skepticism; Richard Holtorf, a former member of the state representative who is most well-known for his anti-abortion stances and dropping his handgun in the state Capitol; and former Routt County Treasurer Brita Horn.
Westword: Lauren Boebert Doubles Down on “Pimp Cane” Comment
Lauren Boebert, who now represents Colorado’s 4th Congressional District, has come under fire for the way she criticized her colleague Al Green’s protest at Donald Trump’s speech last week. Boebert referred to the 78-year old Texan, who shouted “No Mandate!” during the speech while waving his cane, as “shaking his pimp cane” at Trump, calling Green’s behavior “absolutely abhorrent.” It should be noted that Green is Black and Boebert’s comments have been interpreted as disparaging and derogatory. In response, Chrissy Houlahan, a Pennsylvania Democrat, filed a resolution on Monday requesting that Boebert be censured. While Boebert criticized Green’s disruption, she heckled President Joe Biden in 2022 during his State of the Union address. Boebert defended her comment saying, “Maybe Houla-who is really the racist here. Are only Blacks pimps? Is that what I’m hearing?”
