The Republican Party in Colorado voted out its chairman after he sent out an anti-LGBTQ email, trans youth in Missouri fight an onslaught of anti-LGBTQ bills, and abortion and LGBTQ rights are key issues on New York's ballot.
GOP Remove Party Chair After Anti-LGBTQ Email
Dave Williams, the Colorado state Republican chairman, was voted out by his party following an anti-LGBTQ email he sent that referred to members of the community as “godless groomers.”
Williams also called for all Pride flags to be burned on social media, according to CBS.
This isn’t the first time Williams has faced scrutiny from his party. He has attacked Republicans who stray from his views, and has put party resources toward his campaign for Congress.
Over 100 Colorado party leaders had previously signed a petition to remove Williams from his position.
Williams said those who signed are "weak establishment Republicans" who are "waging civil war."
Trans Youth Fight Onslaught of Anti-LGBTQ Bills
OutSFL file photo.
Due to GOP lawmakers outlawing health treatments and banning trans athletes from participating in school sports, Missouri has become a hostile state for trans youth.
Local and state lawmakers have also prohibited trans children from using bathrooms that align with their gender identity.
Chelsea Freels, a recent high school graduate from St. Louis who is transgender, said living in the state is becoming impossible for trans youth.
“Kids are being told by their government that they have to be eradicated from public life,” Freels said. “I’m 18 now. I can handle it – ish. But I have to help the kids who are younger.”
Abortion, LGBTQ Rights Key Issues on State Ballot
Photo via Pexels.
Voters will have the opportunity to codify abortion rights and protections against gender discrimination by voting for New York’s Proposal 1.
The proposition would address loopholes that bar members of the LGBTQ community from obtaining some protections present in the New York State Bill of Rights.
The New York State Board of Elections stated that it will “add anti-discrimination provisions to the State Constitution. It covers ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, and sex, as well as sexual orientation, gender identity, and pregnancy. Also covers reproductive healthcare and autonomy.”
Supporters of the proposal, like the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU), say these protections are vital given the national attacks on abortion access and LGBTQ rights.
“We might like to think we’re safe from these attacks here in New York, but the truth is there are dangerous loopholes in our state constitution that leave us vulnerable to the whims of politicians,” NYCLU said in a statement. “And though we have strong laws protecting us from discrimination, we know that laws aren’t enough, because they can be easily changed, as we’ve seen time and again in recent years as political winds shift.”
