Colorado Democrat Sparks Fury Comparing Concerned Parents to 'Hate Groups'

In a fiery committee hearing, Colorado Democrat Rep. Yara Zokaie didn’t mince words, likening certain parent groups to "hate groups" and even invoking the Ku Klux Klan as a comparison. The controversial remark was made during deliberations on HB25-1312, a bill designed to protect transgender individuals, especially in child custody cases where "deadnaming" or "misgendering" could be considered coercive control.

Republican state Rep. Jarvis Caldwell had earlier questioned the bill's stakeholder engagement, asking if it had included parents outside of the LGBTQ community. Zokaie responded sharply, stating, "A well-stakeholdered bill does not need to be discussed with hate groups," and added, "We don’t ask someone passing civil rights legislation to go ask the KKK their opinion." Her comment drew applause from some in the room but raised eyebrows across the aisle.

The bill, which has passed its initial committee vote 7-4, outlines provisions that require courts to consider actions like "deadnaming" or threatening to reveal gender-affirming healthcare details in custody decisions. It also prohibits Colorado courts from enforcing laws from other states that penalize parents for allowing gender-affirming treatments for minors. If enacted, Colorado would become the first state with such protections.

The legislation is named the Kelly Loving Act, honoring a transgender man killed in the tragic 2022 Colorado nightclub shooting.

California attempted a similar law in 2023, but Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed it, citing concerns over parental rights. Colorado’s version seems poised to stir similar debates, given its sweeping implications.

During the hearing, Zokaie emphasized that the bill provides guidelines, not mandates, stating, "The word 'consider' is used repeatedly. There are no mandates in this bill." Yet, Caldwell expressed deep concern over her remarks, saying, "Parents who care the most about the future of their children should be respected, not vilified."

HB25-1312 also addresses inclusivity in schools, requiring educators to use a student's chosen name over their legal name on official forms. The bill’s provisions have sparked heated debates, with critics arguing it infringes on parental rights.

While Zokaie’s comments have ignited a firestorm, the bill is set for further readings in the Assembly. Whether Colorado becomes the first state to solidify such protections remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—the road ahead is anything but smooth.