Guest Blog: Yes on Amendment J
All Coloradans Should Be Free to Embrace Love, Commitment, and the Pursuit of Happiness
Tirzah Stein (she/her/hers) was born and raised in Boulder, CO, and is a proud Queer business owner of NearlyWed Coaching. She is also a mother to a beautiful 16-month-old along with her wife, Lauren. This article first appeared in the Daily Camera on Oct. 9. 2024.
Yes on Amendment J: Vote to remove the ban on same-sex marriage from our state constitution
As a proud Coloradan, small business owner and member of the LGBTQ+ community, I’m urging my fellow residents to vote to remove the ban on same-sex marriage from our state constitution in our November election by voting “yes” on Amendment J. This is a critical issue that impacts not just me and my family, but the freedom and prosperity of all Coloradans.
My wife Lauren and I met at the Denver Pride Parade in 2017 and were immediately drawn to each other. She lived in Los Angeles at the time, so we dated long-distance for a few months, but it wasn’t long before we knew we wanted to build a life together. We got married in 2019, and in 2021 we bought our first home here in Colorado. Last year, we welcomed our son into the world.
All Coloradans should be free to embrace love, commitment, and the pursuit of happiness
Our family’s story is one of love, commitment and the pursuit of happiness — values that I believe all Coloradans should be free to embrace, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. But the sad truth is, our right to marry is not fully protected in this state. There is a ban on same-sex marriage that was added to Colorado’s Constitution in 2006 and is still on the books. We are currently free to marry because of the Obergefell v. Hodges decision made at the federal level by the U.S. Supreme Court. If that was to be overturned, as was Roe v. Wade, our right to marry in Colorado would be in jeopardy. This has many of us terrified that our hard-won freedoms could be next on the chopping block.
A lack of legal clarity and protection can create challenges – for my clients and my ability to run my business
As a small business owner, I’ve seen firsthand how this lack of legal clarity and protection can create challenges. In my work as a wedding coach and officiant, I’ve supported countless LGBTQ+ couples as they navigate an industry that is still far too heteronormative and exclusive. I’ve heard heartbreaking stories of couples being turned away by vendors, misgendered or made to feel like their love is somehow less valid.
This lack of equal rights and representation doesn’t just impact my clients — it also affects my ability to run my business. Without the guarantee that same-sex marriage will be legally recognized, I face uncertainty around issues like employee benefits, tax filing and more. It creates an environment of fear and instability that is unfair to Colorado’s business community.
But this isn’t just about me or my business. It’s about the freedom and prosperity of all Coloradans. When any group’s rights are threatened, it weakens the fabric of our entire society. We should all be able to live, love and work without the constant worry of government interference that would strip away our fundamental freedoms.
The forces of intolerance and regression are powerful, but I believe the people of Colorado are on the right side of history
That’s why it’s so crucial that we vote to remove the ban on same-sex marriage from Colorado’s constitution by voting “Yes on J” in November. This isn’t about politics — it’s about protecting the basic human rights of LGBTQ+ people and ensuring that all Coloradans have the freedom to pursue their own paths to happiness and success.
So please, join me in voting this year. There’s much more at stake than who is on the top of the ticket. Go through your blue book, vote through all the measures and vote “YES on Amendment J” to remove the ban on same-sex marriage. Our love, our families and our futures are on the line. Together, we can ensure that Colorado remains a place where everyone is free to live, work, and love as their authentic selves.
The Women’s Foundation of Colorado is a nonpartisan organization. The opinions of guest bloggers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or positions of The Foundation.
Check out The Women’s Foundation of Colorado’s 2024 ballot guide, The Womanifesto, for all of our positions, including Amendment J.
