Newly-elected Colorado Springs Mayor Steve Bach never claimed to support the GLBT community. So when the Colorado Springs Pride Center asked him to issue a proclamation for PrideFest, Bach said no.
In a written statement Wednesday, Pride Center executive director Charles Irwin said, "I recall a professor at Colorado College being quoted in the Gazette saying that "He (Bach) is going to set many precedents about how the new strong mayor of Colorado Springs will operate". It saddens me to see that statement actually become reality today as we received word that Mayor Bach "will not be signing proclamations such as (we) requested".
Prior to his election, in a Focus on the Family questionnaire, Bach expressed his opposition to mayoral proclamations of support for the gay pride parade. "The Mayor must be focused on the issues affecting city government and the advancement of Colorado Springs," he writes. "The Mayor should be focused on the day-to-day operations of the City, allowing private entities to engage in, and support, their own private initiatives."
Irwin particularly faults the Mayor for his lack of support when, during his swearing in ceremony, Bach mentioned the need for an inclusive community. The Colorado Springs Gazette quoted Bach saying, "I truly hope we'll have a more diverse community leadership involving more, younger people, more women and more people of color."
In an earlier mayoral debate with pro-GLBT opponent Richard Skorman, Bach said of the gay pride parade, "I don't think we should have a parade for people 6-feet-5."
Skorman countered, "People that happen to be gay and lesbian live in this community, they pay taxes, they create jobs. If you're really interested in jobs, why shut the door?" Skorman also stated, "to be the anti-gay capital of the United States, it's not good for our image ... it's not good for jobs."
The Colorado Springs Pride Center also noted in the statement that both U.S. President Barack Obama and Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper have signed proclamations in support of GLBT rights.
The Gazette notes that, in previous years, Mayor Lionel Rivera refused to support PrideFest, while Vice-Mayor Larry Small would counter with a letter of support.
Colorado Springs will host PrideFest 2011 July 16th and 17th.