Gays celebrate year's victories

   A series of political victories during the past year has given gays in Colorado Springs a reason to celebrate as the annual PrideFest event approaches this weekend.

   "We just have so much to celebrate," said Ryan Acker, executive director of the Pikes Peak Gay and Lesbian Community Center, which puts on the event. "This year we have this really great opportunity to celebrate victory."

   The landscape for gayrights causes has changed appreciably during the past year or so, in Colorado and nationwide:

   - Last year, state lawmakers approved a ban on employment discrimination based on sexual orientation. The law bans companies from firing or refusing to hire a worker based on the worker's status as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. During the first year the law was in effect, 29 people statewide filed complaints with the Colorado Division of Civil Rights.

   - Gov. Bill Ritter signed a law May 29 banning discrimination in housing and public accommodations. The law says people can't be banned from using public places based on their sexual orientation.

   - The Colorado Anti-Violence Program, a gay-rights advocacy group, reported in May that incidents of violence against gays in Colorado declined 27 percent from 2006 to last year. 

   - The Colorado Springs Diversity Forum, a group of businesspeople and civic activists, is planning its second-annual Everybody Welcome festival next month, which will include participation by gay groups. The festival sparked controversy in its first year because of gay participation, but no one has publicly opposed that aspect of the event this year.

   Acker said gays don't feel they've won all the battles - many are still hoping for legal recognition of same-sex relationships, as happened in California recently with a decision by that state's Supreme Court. But the victories have created a sense of optimism among many in Colorado Springs, he said.

   "There is this sense that discrimination is not OK, and it's codified in law, and there's something we can do about it," he said.

   The Rev. Wes Mullins, pastor of Pikes Peak Metropolitan Community Church, said he's hearing similar sentiments. The church is open to all people, but its members are largely gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender.

   Mullins started as pastor June 1. He came here from Portland, Ore., a city where voters recently elected an openly gay man as mayor. He said before arriving in Colorado Springs he had the sense the city was unfriendly to gays, but during the past several weeks his perception has shifted.

   "I see it as a little more complex," he said. "There are a lot of people that live their lives very boldly here and do so without any real fear of harm coming to them. Then there are others who for whatever reason feel they can't."

   Mullins said members of his congregation and others are noticing a shift in local attitudes toward gays.

   "Overall it seems to me that we've turned a corner here in this city," he said. "From the stories that I hear about where we were just a few years ago, it seems like we've come a long way since then."

   Part of the shift is reflected in a banner that's part of the PrideFest event, hung from a balcony of The Underground bar, a nightclub frequented by gays. The building is across from City Hall, on Nevada Avenue. The banner started a few years ago when Colorado Springs Mayor Lionel Rivera refused to sign a proclamation recognizing PrideFest because the event includes gay weddings.

   Last year, the banner read: "Marriage is inevitable," a message of defiance to political leaders. This year, organizers picked a more optimistic idea, Acker said. The banner says: "Gay marriage in the Springs," a reference to local couples who went to California to be legally married and will be in attendance at PrideFest.

   The banner's message shows what some perceive as a shift in the local culture, Mullins said. His church will participate in PrideFest by holding a worship service, and he'll take part in the wedding ceremony along with former Metropolitan Community Church pastor the Rev. Nori Rost.

   "It's actually been such a good year, what do we say besides ‘Thank you and keep going?'" Mullins said. 
   
   CONTACT THE WRITER: 636-0187 or perry.swanson@gazette.com

PRIDEFEST

10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at Acacia Park in downtown Colorado Springs, parade at noon, free. Details at www.yourpridecenter.org