2023 was a landmark legislative session for both Colorado and Interfaith! While there is still plenty of work to do, we were nonetheless able to advocate for numerous policies that have now become the law of the land, improving the lives of millions of Coloradans for generations to come. After one of the most productiveContinue reading “View Interfaith’s 2023 Legislative Report!”
Category Archives: Blogs & Articles
The Interfaith Case for Affirmative Action
The Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) issued two rulings last week drastically setting back civil rights: One was the 303 Creative v. Elenis (PDF link) decision paving the way for businesses to discriminate against customers under the guise of free speech, and the other ruling in Students for Fair Admissions Inc. v. PresidentContinue reading “The Interfaith Case for Affirmative Action”
Interfaith Alliance of Colorado CEO Shara Smith’s Statement on 303 Creative v. Elenis Decision
Last week, the majority on the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) ruled 6-3 in favor of the plaintiff in the 303 Creative v. Elenis case. The case in question involves a Colorado-based website designer who may have fabricated a request from a same-sex couple to design a wedding website, then used that asContinue reading “Interfaith Alliance of Colorado CEO Shara Smith’s Statement on 303 Creative v. Elenis Decision”
Colorado Has Transformed from a Nightmare to a Safe Haven for the LGBTQ+ Community
For this Pride Month, it seems appropriate to delve into the evolution Colorado has undergone over the last few decades from what gay author Armistead Maupin once called “the South Africa of the US for gays” into a national leader on safeguarding and protecting LGBTQ+ rights. This year in particular was a landmark year forContinue reading “Colorado Has Transformed from a Nightmare to a Safe Haven for the LGBTQ+ Community”
Legislature’s Gutting of Polis’ Housing Proposal Will Prolong Affordability Crisis
Last week, the Colorado Legislature passed a 39-page amendment fundamentally altering Senate Bill 23-213, the comprehensive housing proposal Governor Jared Polis put forth earlier this year. The amendment effectively renders the proposal toothless, sadly making the much-needed construction of new housing subject to any bureaucratic barriers local governments may choose to put in place. ThisContinue reading “Legislature’s Gutting of Polis’ Housing Proposal Will Prolong Affordability Crisis”
Club Q Workers Fight for Relief Funds Held by UK-Based Owner
The horrific mass shooting at the Club Q nightclub in Colorado Springs last December not only claimed the lives of five people, but inflicted both physical and psychological injuries on patrons and workers alike. Now, the workers who were there the night of the shooting are having significant difficulties in acquiring relief funds from clubContinue reading “Club Q Workers Fight for Relief Funds Held by UK-Based Owner”
Statement Regarding Rise in Anti-Semitism
The Interfaith Alliance of Colorado stands with the Jewish community against the recent rise in anti-semitism and hateful rhetoric targeting our Jewish brothers and sisters. We are appalled and, frankly, scared for the safety of our Jewish friends and family members at the increase in anti-Jewish hatred, both here in Colorado and across the UnitedContinue reading “Statement Regarding Rise in Anti-Semitism”
Reproductive Justice Lobby Day Stories: Ev Evnen & Rev. Heather Haginduff
Last month, we joined seven partner organizations to host a reproductive justice virtual lobby day for advocates and a handful of our state legislators. During that event, our storyteller Ev uplifted the experience of trans masculine people while Rev. Heather Haginduff shared her abortion story, highlighting the importance of comprehensive sexual education. Both of theirContinue reading “Reproductive Justice Lobby Day Stories: Ev Evnen & Rev. Heather Haginduff”
Black Maternal Health Week: Claiming our Power, Resilience, and Liberation
April is National Minority Health Month, a month-long initiative to advance health equity across the country on behalf of all racial and ethnic minorities. This week is also the fourth annual national Black Maternal Health Week. It was founded and is led by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance. The campaign serves to amplify the voicesContinue reading “Black Maternal Health Week: Claiming our Power, Resilience, and Liberation”
What’s Happening in Armenia?
This past legislative session, I had the privilege of working closely with the Western Region of the Armenian National Committee of America (among other communities as well as the bill sponsors Representative Dafna Michaelson Jenet, Representative Emily Sirota, Senator Steve Fenberg, and Senator Dennis Hisey) to pass HB20-1336: Holocaust And Genocide Studies In Public Schools. Continue reading “What’s Happening in Armenia?”