DENVER-His story is the same as many others. He met someone, they started talking, went on several dates and eventually fell in love. Two Boston terriers and a house later, he plans to marry the love of his life next summer. However, right now in Colorado, his fairytale has a cloud that hangs over. His marriage will not be legal because his fiancé is a man named Tim.
Hundreds of Coloradans from across the state gathered downtown on April 9 at the steps of the Byron White Federal Courthouse to rally for marriage equality.
One Colorado organized the gathering to support three same-sex couples from Utah who were in Denver for oral arguments before the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals in the landmark case that would strike down the state’s marriage ban.
“The time has come,” said Senator Pat Steadman. “It is time for marriage equality here in the 10th circuit and clear across the country.”

Marry me? A sign endorsing marriage equality is held while Matt Spencer of the grassroots organization Restore Humanity speaks to a crowd member. [Photo by Angela Jackson]
The message the rally wanted to convey is simple. Equality needs to exist for gays, lesbians and their extended communities because, “we live the same, we laugh the same, we cry the same, we feel the same, we hurt the same and we love the same,” said Marriage Equality Colorado leader Jeff Allen.
The event lasted about 45 minutes and included seven speakers who shared some of their personal reasons for defending marriage equality. A few of them represented a smaller, less likely demographic of supporter.
Noting that she does not know who her own toddler will grow up to marry, United Methodist clergywoman Rev. Laura Rossbert said allowing same-sex marriage, “would tell Harper and all of our children and grandchildren, that here in Colorado, we believe in treating others the way we would want to be treated ourselves. No one should be told it is illegal to make a commitment to the one that they love.”
Republicans are not usually associated with the liberal views and issues of the GLBTQ community. There is, however, a growing number of conservative supporters.
“It’s not the proper role of government to define marriage. Period. The freedom to marry the person you love should not be denied to anyone,” said Denver Metro Young Republican board member Joe Megyesy.

Rally around. Supporters gather in front of Byron White Federal Courthouse to promote same-sex marriage. [Photo by Angela Jackson]
“The Supreme Court would have to allow it in every state. It would be huge,” said Martin-Eyl.
The panel of judges who heard the oral arguments for the Utah case will listen to Oklahoma’s gay marriage case this week.
17. April 2014 at 7:57 PM
Nice story, Angela! I like how you helped readers understand why a decision in the Utah case could affect Coloradans, and others in the 10th district.
18. April 2014 at 9:44 AM
I hadn’t heard about this rally before interesting to learn about.
22. April 2014 at 1:06 PM
Love the quotes! They all really speak loud for the equal rights movement.