'Absolutely appalling': Colorado GOP's anti-LGBTQ stance and call to 'burn all the Pride flags' this month draw backlash

COLORADO: Following the publication of an anti-LGBTQ+ email to its supporters, the Colorado Republican Party has come under intense criticism.

The party has since doubled down and called for the burning of Pride flags. The Denver Post reported that the Colorado GOP released an email on Monday, June 3, with the subject line "God hates pride."

Chairman of Colorado GOP signed email urging Republicans to 'burn all the pride flags'

According to local ABC affiliate station Denver7, the email's body included anti-LGBTQ+ language, including referring to advocates for LGBTQ+ equality as "godless groomers."

It also included a pastor's video speech on related topics.

The video's thumbnail also says, "God hates flags," which the Post claims is a reference to the Westboro Baptist Church, which gained notoriety a few years ago for flying banners that featured derogatory remarks against the LGBTQ+ community, according to PEOPLE. 

Dave Williams, the chairman of the Colorado GOP and a former state representative who is currently seeking a seat in the US House of Representatives with support from Donald Trump, signed the email.

The Colorado GOP then posted on X (previously Twitter) after the email was sent out, urging Republicans to "burn all the #pride flags this June."

Republicans, Democrats, and independent groups quickly retaliated. Rocky Mountain Equality informed that a local LGBTQ+ advocacy group in Colorado, that Williams' statements were "extremist" and "harmful."

“As we enter Pride Month, a time for the LGBTQ community to celebrate who we are and find connection with others, some groups would still wipe us from existence if they could,” Rocky Mountain Executive Director Mardi Moore told the outlet.

“We know that these extremist groups do not represent all Coloradans, but that doesn’t make statements like the Republican Party’s call to burn Pride flags or the rhetoric from the anti-LGBTQ activists leading efforts to put hateful measures on our November ballots any less harmful.”

Colorado Log Cabin Republicans LGBTQ+ leader criticizes aggressive messaging

Valdamar Archuleta, the leader of the state's Log Cabin Republicans LGBTQ+ chapter, has also voiced opposition to the aggressive messaging.

"I think the worst thing in there was the video they embedded into the email which was titled 'God Hates Flags' because of the obvious reference to the Westboro Baptist Church," Archuleta told Denver7.

Archuleta added, "It's really bad optics. It's a really bad message. All it's doing is being divisive and non-inclusive, and that's not who we are as Republicans."

After the anti-Pride statements, Archuleta declined an endorsement from the Colorado GOP while campaigning for Congress in the 1st District, as reported by the source.

"Seeing that this endorsement came from the group of people who sent out that email — I'm just talking about the few people who are in the state party at the top — it was not something that I wanted to represent myself or my campaign," Archuleta said.

What did Democrats say?

On the other side of the aisle, Democrats in Colorado, including the party's chair, Shad Murib, said that Williams' email was full of "bigotry," according to the source.

"Until they grow a backbone and dismiss this, we will assume that the CO GOP is speaking for [the state's Republican elected officials] and all GOP nominees and we’ll make sure CO voters know it," Following the release of the email, Murib authored a post on X. "There’s no more room for this."

Williams' resignation has been demanded by a number of Colorado Republican Party officials, including the county leadership.

According to an open letter posted on Facebook, "a very divisive email message was sent that is not in alignment with the voices of over one million Republicans in the state of Colorado."

Williams, however, has not recanted and has told both publications that he still believes in his anti-LGBTQ+ views. 

"We make no apologies for saying God hates pride or pride flags as it’s an agenda that harms children and undermines parental authority, and the only backlash we see is coming from radical Democrats, the fake news media, and weak Republicans who bow down at the feet of leftist cancel culture," he said.

Internet expressed disapproval of discrimination against gays

After the news was posted on Facebook, users started sharing their opinions. A user wrote in the comments section, "Absolutely appalling and unacceptable. This type of discrimination has no place in our society."

Another user added, "Unbelievable that folks still have so much hatred for gays in the 21ST CENTURY." The third commentator added, "The GOP is so disgusting."

A person questioned, "Why aren't corporations that support Gay Pride Month speaking up in our defense?"

"The United States is afflicted by this party that still believes in a book full of myths and nonsense from the medieval era. Happy pride month to everyone," one wished with a heart emoji.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.