The Colorado Republican Party has faced widespread criticism after sending an anti-LGBTQ+ email to supporters, timed for the beginning of Pride Month, on June 3, 2024. The email, titled "God hates pride," made references to slogans used by the Westboro Baptist Church, a known anti-gay religious group, and included a video from a pastor with similar views. Following the email, the state GOP called for the burning of pride flags.
Dave Williams, the former state representative and current state GOP chair, signed off on the email. Williams, who previously faced controversy for refusing to support an LGBTQ+ club funding as a student, is also running for Congress in the 5th Congressional District and has been endorsed by the state party.
The email received backlash from political figures across the spectrum. Valdamar Archuleta, an openly gay Republican congressional candidate and leader of the Log Cabin Republicans in Colorado, denounced the message and rejected the state party’s endorsement. He stated the email did not represent Colorado’s Republican voters. Other Republicans, including Aurora city councilman Curtis Gardner, and Colorado Democratic Party chair Shad Murib, also criticized the email.
LGBTQ+ advocacy groups expressed outrage as well. Nadine Bridges, executive director of One Colorado, called the rhetoric “hateful” and accused the party of using it as a distraction from critical social issues. Mardi Moore from Rocky Mountain Equality highlighted that this kind of rhetoric adds to harmful attitudes, especially during Pride Month.
In response to the criticism, Dave Williams reiterated his stance and dismissed the backlash as coming from "radical Democrats, the fake news media, and weak Republicans."
The controversy arises as Colorado approaches significant votes on LGBTQ+ rights, including a measure to remove anti-same-sex marriage language from the state constitution.