Colorado officials apologize for accidentally honoring anti-LGBTQ+ hate group

Colorado’s gay governor, Jared Polis (D), and other state officials have apologized for honoring hate group Gays Against Groomers with flags flown at the state capitol earlier this month. They’ve also refuted the anti-trans group’s claim that Polis supports its agenda, which includes furthering the false, right-wing narrative that LGBTQ+ people pose a threat to children.

As The Advocate reports, the controversy stems from Gays Against Groomers’ misleading use of a Colorado program that allows organizations and individuals to request Colorado state and American flags that have flown at the state capitol building in Denver. According to the Ceremonial Flag program’s website, honorees selected by the state’s Department of Personnel and Administration (DPA) “receive flown flags folded in the traditional thirteen-point style, accompanied by a certificate of authenticity with an embossed State Seal.” Colorado state flags cost $26–$28 and U.S. flags cost $26–$29.

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In an October 7 post on X, Gays Against Groomers, which has been characterized by the Southern Poverty Law Center as an anti-LGBTQ+ extremist group, shared photos of the two flags it had received along with certificates indicating that they had flown on October 1.

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“The people of Colorado present this flag to Gays Against Groomers with thanks and recognition for all their work to protect children,” read the certificates, which appear to have been signed by Polis.

Gays Against Groomers would like to thank Colorado Governor @jaredpolis (@GovofCO) for his public recognition for our hard work in protecting children across the state. It means so much to us. We are just getting started! @JaredPolis @GAG_Colorado pic.twitter.com/Q6ByIPlXdR

— Gays Against Groomers (@againstgrmrs) October 8, 2024

According to The Advocate, the Colorado Ceremonial Flag program’s request form also included a section where applicants could write a 150-word narrative to be printed on the certificates accompanying the flags.

“Gays Against Groomers would like to thank Colorado Governor @jaredpolis (@GovofCO) for his public recognition for our hard work in protecting children across the state. It means so much to us. We are just getting started!” the group wrote in its X post.

“So amazing. And Governor Polis is a Democrat, no less!” the group’s founder, Jaimee Michell, commented. “To everyone who says we are far right, you are sorely mistaken. Protecting children is not a partisan issue. It is a moral one.”

According to local NBC affiliate 9News, the group claimed that the flags were presented “on behalf of Governor Polis” by state Rep. Brandi Bradley (R).

Following requests for comment by both The Advocate and 9News on Tuesday, the Colorado DPA announced that it had paused the Ceremonial Flag program.

“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,” Colorado DPA communications manager Doug Platt told The Advocate. “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. 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.”

In a letter to the state’s General Assembly, DPA executive director Tony Gherardini apologized for the “unfortunate misstep.”

“At the time of request, DPA was unaware Gays Against Grooming [sic] has been designated as a hate group by the Anti-Defamation League and did not do our due diligence,” Gheradini wrote. “We are taking internal steps to ensure that a more thorough vetting occurs going forward.” 

Polis press secretary Shelby Wieman also told 9News that the administration was “taking active internal steps to ensure more vetting is conducted on these types of requests today and in the future.”

In a statement to The Advocate, Wieman said, “Governor Polis denounces hate in all its forms.” She went on to explain that Polis does not endorse any groups or individuals who submit requests to the flag program and “was not aware of this request, just as he is not involved in the other flag requests that come through the Department of Personnel and Administration.”

Colorado LGBTQ+ advocacy organization One Colorado condemned “the deceptive actions of Gays Against Groomers” in a statement.

“This behavior reveals a profound lack of integrity and undermines the values of honesty and transparency that we uphold,” the group’s statement read. “It is crucial to recognize that Gays Against Groomers is an extremist group that seeks to invalidate and erase transgender individuals through harmful tactics. Their statements should not be taken seriously.”

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