Religious leaders push back against conservative Christians who “misuse religion… for hatred”

A coalition of Colorado religious leaders came together Tuesday to support a ballot measure that would remove language from the state constitution banning same-sex marriage.

Same-sex marriage has been legal in Colorado since the state Supreme Court ordered state clerks to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples in 2014, and a year later the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage in all 50 states, but leaders worry that a right-wing dominated Supreme Court could change that, as Justice Clarence Thomas suggested could happen in his opinion overturning the ruling. Roe v. Wade.

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Amendment J seeks to enshrine marriage equality in the state constitution by removing a constitutional amendment passed by voters in 2006 that defined marriage as only between a man and a woman.

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“We’re not going to let it go,” said Suzie Bates, director of the Freedom to Marry Campaign in Colorado. Colorado Newsline “We are one wrong decision away from [Obergefell].”

“If this happens, the 2006 ban will go into effect and immediately put marriage for LGBTQ couples at risk. We must act now to repeal the ban and ensure protections for our community,” Bates said.

About 40 religious leaders from churches and temples across Colorado Signed the letter They support the ballot initiative, writing that their religious backgrounds and faith traditions compel them to do so.

The letter begins with the sentence, “As faith leaders and communities across Colorado, we stand united in supporting the freedom of LGBTQIA+ people in Colorado to marry the person they love. We condemn discrimination on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, and familial status, and together we proclaim the sanctity of the LGBTQIA+ community.”

The group also fights against far-right extremists who “use religion to justify hatred and discrimination against LGBTQIA+ Colorado residents.”

“The message of love, compassion, justice and peace is central to our religious traditions.”

This bill clearly signals that voters will support Amendment J to protect same-sex relationships for Coloradans.

“On November 5, 2024, Colorado voters will have the opportunity to vote to repeal the current constitutional ban on marriage between same-sex couples (Amendment 43). The amendment, narrowly passed in 2006, defines marriage as between one man and one woman. Obergefell v. Hodges “Colorado correctly determined that the freedom to marry is the law of the land, but recent statements by Supreme Court Justices Alito and Thomas put the right of same-sex couples to marry at risk. If this decision is overturned, same-sex couples will no longer be able to marry in Colorado unless we repeal this outdated constitutional prohibition.”

The letter also lists five reasons why the faith leaders support Amendment J: respecting the sacred dignity of every person, upholding religious freedom, ensuring LGBTQIA+ people are loved, building a Colorado that is compassionate and just, and upholding marriage as a sacred covenant.

Colorado voters can vote “yes” on Amendment J on November 5. The amendment must be approved by 55% of voters.

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