Transgender and nonbinary people would be better protected from harassment in Colorado under new bill

Transgender and nonbinary folks would obtain extra specific protections in Colorado’s anti-bias and harassment regulation if a newly launched invoice turns into regulation.

Advocates characterize the invoice as a easy legislative repair to make sure gender id and expression are protected throughout state regulation, whereas additionally sending a message about Colorado’s values.

“(The invoice) ensures nonbinary and trans individuals are seen and represented in each a part of Colorado regulation, which is very necessary now with the wave of anti-trans rhetoric and laws throughout the nation,” mentioned Garrett Royer, political director for LGBTQ advocacy group One Colorado. “It helps the state stay a pacesetter on LGBTQ rights with a quite simple legislative repair.”

State nondiscrimination statutes already particularly shield folks primarily based on their gender id and gender expression in relation to areas corresponding to public lodging, housing and employment, Royer mentioned.

This variation would add gender id and expression to Colorado’s bias-motivated crimes statute, which is aimed extra at person-to-person harassment and intimidation.

Royer mentioned gender id was typically coated underneath sexual orientation protections beforehand, however this alteration would add readability. These protections additionally would come with harassment primarily based on different folks’s perceptions of the sufferer’s id.

Senate Invoice 189 is sponsored by Democratic Sens. Rhonda Fields of Aurora and Chris Hansen of Denver. Its first committee listening to is about for Monday.

“The No. 1 purpose for hate crimes is predicated on gender id and expression,” Fields mentioned. “These of us are attacked and bullied greater than another demographic, and it’s not in our statute because it pertains to having particular safety. So it’s simply that easy.”