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John Hickenlooper on Civil Rights
Democratic Presidential Challenger (withdrew, Aug. 2019); CO Governor
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Supports commission investigating reparations for slavery
At Al Sharpton's National Action Network convention in New York City, most of the 2020 contenders affirmed their support for a bill that would create a commission to study reparations for African-Americans. Hickenlooper, who began with a
longer response to Sharpton's question about the bill, offered a playfully curt "yes, I'm gonna pass it!" when pushed by a shout from the audience to simply tell the crowd: "Yes or no?"
Source: CNBC: 2019 National Action Network & 2020 Democratic primary
, Apr 5, 2019
Called special legislative session to pass same-sex marriage
In 2012, a bill that would legalize civil unions for same-sex couples in Colorado died on the Republican-controlled state legislature floor. Then-Governor Hickenlooper called a special session of the legislature to make sure the bill passed, and it
worked.At the bill signing, the governor recalled a time when he promoted a gay employee to a manager position at his brewing company in the early '90s, despite complaints from customers. "They said they weren't going to come to our business
anymore," the governor said. "One of our waitresses was standing beside me, and she said, 'You know, that's not going to bother any of us at all.'"
After signing the bill, Hickenlooper said, "It is a moment that the whole community has waited for,
for so long." [Senate Bill 2, passed Senate 23-12 April 26, 2012; bill died in Committee on May 15, 2012; then passed in 2013].
Source: Frank Olito, Insider.com, on Colorado voting record SB2
, Mar 26, 2019
Supports gay marriage and LGBTQ rights
Hickenlooper supports gay marriage and LGBTQ rights. As governor, HIckenlooper called a special session of the state legislature in 2012 to challenge
Republican opposition to legislation that would have legalized civil unions in the state. A few months later, Democrats won a majority in the state Assembly and Hickenlooper signed the legislation into law.
Source: PBS News hour on 2020 Presidential hopefuls
, Mar 4, 2019
2012: It's time to pass civil unions
Next up [in my state-of-the-state speech] was our major policy agenda item for that session.I said: "We believe we should legislate what happens inside a church or place of worship, but government should treat all people equally."
I
said: "It's time to pass civil unions."
Most everyone on the floor of the chamber rose from their seats and applauded. Each legislator who stood and clapped was an exclamation point on the statement. Many republicans remained notably seated and stoic.
Source: 2012 State of the State, in "The Opposite of Woe," p.284
, May 24, 2016
Let's pass civil unions!
Let's pass civil unions!
Some of us tried very hard, but it didn't get done last year. This year, let's do it. Let's pass civil unions!
Source: 2013 Colorado State of the State address
, Jan 10, 2013
Against amending Constitution to ban gay marriage
He backs legal recognition of same-sex couples. In 2004, he spoke up against efforts to amend the U.S. Constitution to ban gay marriage even though as
Denver mayor he was under no obligation to address the federal issue.
Source: WhoRunsGov.com, profile on John Hickenlooper
, Nov 9, 2011
Page last updated: Dec 25, 2021