User:Mydarkdoor/Pikes Peak Gay and Lesbian Community Center

The Beginning When the modern LGBT rights movement began with the 'Stonewall Riots' in 1969, the Colorado Springs LGBT community was like any other. In fact, Colorado Springs is home to some of the nation's oldest GLBT organizations, like the United Court of the Pikes Peak Empire, founded in 1973. Shortly after the riots, what's known as the "Community Center" movement began, and Pikes Peak Gay & Lesbian Community Center was formed in 1978, also ranking it among the nation's oldest GLBT Centers.

The Turmoil It's important to look back a little further in history to find out how the turmoil began. In 1968, like most large cities, Colorado Springs founded its own Human Relations Commission to address racial issues within the city. In the 1980's, following a housing market crash, city leaders struggled to find industry that could withstand economic hardships. At the time, they decided to bring in religious organizations and to foster a safe haven for nonprofit organizations. Among those relocating to Colorado Springs - Focus on the Family. In the late 1980's, GLBT leaders (many from the Pride Center) approached the city's Human Relations Commission to address discrimination faced by the LGBT community in the city. Again, in line with the rest of the nation, leaders asked the commission to include sexual orientation in the city's nondiscrimination policies, and asked the Human Relations Commission to address the disparities. Unfortunately, with the influx of conservative religious organizations, the situation quickly escalated. In 1991, the city council ordered the Human Relations Commission to remove any reference to "sexual orientation" from its documents, and in 1992, Colorado Springs gave birth to Amendment 2, which was designed to forever bar GLBT people from being included in nondiscrimination laws. The Amendment passed in Colorado, but the Colorado State Supreme Court issued an injunction and found the law unconstitutional. The case went the United States Supreme Court which issued a final ruling declaring the law unconstitutional in 1996. In the meantime, LGBT leaders continued to push for equality through the Human Relations Commission, and in the end, the city council decided to disband the 30 year old institution in 1995 (making Colorado Springs one of the largest cities without a Human Relations Commission). In 1997, the city passed a "Zero Tolerance" resolution that included the term "sex", and the anti-GLBT leaders worked to start a legal battle to ensure "sex" did not mean "sexual orientation". In 2002, the city manager at the time added $6,700 to the city's budget to cover same-sex domestic partners of city employees. This became the hot button issue for the next city council election, and their first order or business was to remove the mere $6,000 line item, even though LGBT community leaders and the Vice Mayor at the time offered to cover the cost. In 2004, the Mayor stopped issuing the historic PrideFest proclamation because he says he does not support same-sex marriages.

Today Today Colorado Springs has a thriving LGBT community. With several organizations, and incredible activists, the LGBT community is making advancements despite the conservative atmosphere. We are making progress on a city-wide nondiscrimination ordinance which includes sexual orientation and gender identity, and we're continually working to educate the community-at-large through press and other activities. Indicators of progress include the Pikes Peak Lavender Film Festival, and Colorado Springs PrideFest (started in 1991) which attracts approximately 10,000 participants each year, including more than 100 business and organization supporters. In addition, LGBT parents have been making major progress in the school systems, as have LGBT students, and the Springs is home to one of the most active transgender resource and support groups, Peak Area Gender Expressions. Though there have been set-backs, the GLBT community continues making headway, and ultimately, we have come a long way. Many people say they feel comfortable being "out" in Colorado Springs, and more and more people are living their lives openly. In general, when asked about the climate, we at the Center are proud to say we have a great community, although the politics continue to be a little rough. For those who do experience discrimination, the Center provides advocacy services, and continues to work towards greater systemic change so that one day the "turmoil" will be completely behind us. In the meantime, we encourage everyone to get connected with community so that you can enjoy the many wonderful LGBT people who call the Springs "home". Welcome to the Springs' lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.