GOP gay-rights foe says homosexuality is a sin like adultery, murder

DENVER • Debating a gay-rights bill on the floor of the state Senate on Monday, a Republican lawmaker took the rhetoric to new heights by equating homosexuality as a sin with murder.

"I'm not saying this (homosexuality) is the only sin that's out there," said Sen. Scott Renfroe, R-Greeley. "We have murder. We have all sorts of sin. We have adultery. And we don't make laws making those legal, and we would never think to make murder legal."

Other Republicans said the bill, which would allow partners of gay state employees to be covered by health care benefits, is an attempt by Democrats to chip away at a constitutional amendment voters passed in 2006 defining marriage as between a man and a woman.

"These are just micro-steps to a lawsuit in the Colorado Supreme Court to overturn what the voters voted for," charged Sen. Dave Schultheis, R-Colorado Springs.

Voters also shot down a referendum in 2006 that would have granted gay couples the same legal rights as married heterosexual couples.

The Senate gave initial approval to the bill, which would head to the House after final approval by the Senate.

Renfroe called homosexuality an "abomination" and an "offense to God" and argued that God created men and women so they would procreate.

He compared the nuclear family structure to the Holy Trinity and, quoting the book of Genesis, said women had been created to be "helpers" for men.

Senate Democrats defended the bill as a matter of equal rights. The bill's sponsor, Sen. Jennifer Veiga, D-Denver, is openly gay.

"You say, up here at this microphone, that God created us in a certain structure," Veiga said.

"I will stand here today and tell you that God also created me. And the last time I checked, I am who I am, people."

Veiga called Renfroe's comments "somewhat sad," and said afterward that "(his statements) are hurtful, but what am I supposed to say?"

Sen. John Morse, D-Colorado Springs, wasn't at a loss for words in responding to Republican opponents.

"Just because there's hate in their (Republicans') hearts doesn't mean we're going to do hateful things," Morse said.

Veiga denied her bill is about gay marriage.

"This is not about marriage. This is about health care," Veiga said. "If today is not the right time, then you've got to tell me when, because equality is equality is equality regardless of when we do it."