The group Gays Against Groomers, self-described as an anti-gay activist organization, and the Rocky Mountain Women’s Network have taken legal action against five Democratic Colorado state legislators. They allege that the lawmakers infringed upon their First Amendment rights by restricting their ability to deadname and misgender transgender individuals during public testimonies on trans rights legislation.
The lawsuit, represented by the Institute for Free Speech, revolves around the discussion of “Tiara’s Law” (HB24-1071), legislation aimed at simplifying the process for name changes on official documents for convicted felons. The law is named after Tiara Latrice Kelley, a trans woman with a history of felonies related to sex work.
During the law’s hearing, Colorado State Representatives Lorena Garcia, Mike Weissman, and Leslie Herod, as well as State Senators Julie Gonzales and Dafna Michaelson Jenet, are accused of unlawfully chilling speech by imposing rules against misgendering or deadnaming individuals. Senator Gonzales, while introducing the bill to the House Judiciary Committee, warned against “using derogatory language or misgendering witnesses or using a witness’ deadname.” This directive was formalized by Committee Chair Weissman as a rule for the proceeding.
The lawmaker defendants “have prescribed how critics of transgenderism must present their views during the public-testimony portion of committee hearings before the Colorado Legislature by prohibiting ‘misgendering’ or ‘deadnaming’ and otherwise requiring citizens to express fealty to transgender ideology under the guise of ‘civility’ or ‘decorum,’” plaintiffs claim in the suit.The complaint argues that by requiring speakers to engage in a “pronoun ritual,” these defendants are effectively advocating for a particular viewpoint on transgender issues.
The situation escalated when two of the plaintiffs, Rich Guggenheim from Gays Against Groomers, and Christina Goeke from the Rocky Mountain Women’s Network, deadnamed and misgendered Kelley. Despite multiple warnings, both Goeke and Guggenheim’s testimony was abruptly halted. Nonetheless, Tiara’s Law was approved by the Senate and is now pending the governor’s signature to be enacted.
The lawsuit states, “The effects of defendants’ censorial customs, policies, and practices are experienced by plaintiffs in Colorado where plaintiffs wish to speak freely, petition, be free from compelled speech, truthfully state their opinions opposing trans ideology and sex nullification, and freely discuss individuals for whom bills are named and whose life stories are invoked to support legislation.”
Notably, Gays Against Groomers has been recognized by the Southern Poverty Law Center as “one of the most notable propagators of anti-trans rhetoric.” It opposes the “sexualization and indoctrination of children,” primarily by opposing transgender-inclusive social policies, LGBTQ+ content in schools, and all-ages drag performances.
Relevant articles:
– Self-loathing gay group sues Colorado for the “right” to misgender & deadname trans people. Gays Against Groomers calls misgendering “free speech.”
– Conservative groups sue Colorado lawmakers for banning ‘deadnaming’ in debates on transgender rights bills, Courthouse News Service, Fri, 05 Apr 2024 05:49:54 GMT
– right Gays Against Groomers, others sue Colorado lawmakers, Los Angeles Blade, Fri, 05 Apr 2024 22:42:58 GMT
– Two Anti-Trans Ballot Measures Rejected by CO Title Board; Could Be Ineligible for 2024 Ballot, Colorado Times Recorder, Thu, 04 Apr 2024 21:17:56 GMT