Pride flags will fly in Colorado despite Republican Party call to burn them

As It Happens

Pride celebrations will go on in Colorado despite a Republican Party email branding its participants “godless groomers” and calling on people to burn Pride flags. And at least one Republican candidate is speaking out against his own party.

Candidate Valdamar Archuleta declines his party’s endorsement over ‘God Hates Pride’ email

Sheena Goodyear · CBC Radio

· Posted: Jun 06, 2024 6:53 PM EDT | Last Updated: 5 hours ago

A person holds their hands in the shape of a heart in front of a Pride flag during a march for solidarity for the those affected after a mass shooting at 2SLGBTQ+ nightclub Club Q, in Colorado Springs, Colo., in 2022. (Isaiah J. Downing/Reuters)

Pride celebrations will go on in Colorado despite a Republican Party email branding its participants “godless groomers” and calling on people to burn Pride flags. 

“Our joy and just our celebration alone is a demonstration to these folks who want to kind of stoke this type of hatred that they’re not going to keep us down,” Nadine Bridges, executive director of One Colorado, an 2SLGBTQ+ advocacy organization, told CBC.

“At One Colorado, we’ll hit over 25 Prides across the state, and we’re going to keep doing the things that we need to do.”

In Denver, the state’s capital and home to its largest Pride festival, organizers say they’re working with law enforcement to ensure security, but they won’t be cowed by the recent rhetoric. 

“We’re not going to cut back on it. We’re not going to change it to accommodate folks like this,” said Rex Fuller, CEO of the Centre on Colfax, a community centre that organizes Denver Pride.

“I think that’s the whole point of Pride is being out and proud and being yourself and free expression, and that’s what we’re going to do.”

Republican nominee calls out own party 

To mark the beginning of Pride month, the Colorado GOP sent an email with the subject line “God Hates Pride,” with a video of a church sermon encouraging people to burn Pride flags. 

“The month of June has arrived and, once again, the godless groomers in our society want to attack what is decent, holy, and righteous so they can ultimately harm our children,” reads the message, signed by Dave Williams, the Colorado Republican Party chairperson.

The party later posted on X: “Burn all the #pride flags this June.”

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