Officials in Colorado are facing scrutiny after being forced to publicly apologize for mistakenly honoring an anti-trans hate group by flying their flag over the state capitol.
The Colorado Department of Personnel and Administration (DPA) approved a flag request from Gays Against Groomers on October 1, unaware that they were designated a hate organization by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) for referring to trans people as a "bloodthirsty terrorist cult."
Gays Against Groomers is "a chapter-based organization that amplifies dehumanizing anti-trans rhetoric, perpetuates anti-LGBTQ+ stereotypes by falsely claiming that LGBTQ+ supporters of trans rights are dangerous to society," the SPLC states, adding that "the group's members have associations with other extremist groups."
The incident came to light after an inquiry by local NBC affiliate 9News, leading to a review of the state's approval process for its honorary flag program, which was ultimately paused.
Despite his name appearing on the certificate thanking the group for "protect[ing] children," the office of Governor Jared Polis, the first openly gay man elected to the office, insisted that he was unaware of the specific request, and does not endorse the organization or any of its claims, according to 9News.
The group publicly thanked Polis on social media for recognizing them, saying: "Gays Against Groomers would like to thank Colorado Governor Jared Polis for his public recognition for our hard work in protecting children across the state. It means so much to us."
In response, DPA's communications manager Doug Platt acknowledged the oversight in a note shared with the Advocate.
Platt wrote: "Regrettably, this request was not appropriately vetted by the Department of Personnel & Administration (DPA), and the Governor's Office was never made aware of this request. Furthermore, the Governor never endorsed this request, cause, or organization, and flying a requested honorific flag at the Capitol does not constitute any formal support from the Governor or his administration."
The program continues to be suspended for the time being until reforms can be implemented, according to the outlet.
"DPA has temporarily halted the flag program and form until changes can be made to the program to keep these instances from happening in the future while ensuring members of the public are able to use the program appropriately," Platt wrote.
The group has since posted on X that they will "file this as another common Gays Against Groomers W."
🚨 BREAKING: Colorado has SUSPENDED their honorary flag program after Democrat Colorado governer @jaredpolis signed a letter of recognition honoring our hard work to protect children!
— Gays Against Groomers (@againstgrmrs) October 8, 2024
They said that they didn't fully vet us and realized later that we were a "designated hate... pic.twitter.com/3FJ0ijJ2Ma
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