DENVER — The State of Colorado says it failed to properly vet a request to fly a flag over the state Capitol in honor of an organization designated a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC).
The state’s Department of Personnel and Administration made the announcement Tuesday after 9NEWS inquired about the flag honoring the group Gays Against Groomers.
The Southern Poverty Law Center describes Gays Against Groomers as “a chapter-based organization that amplifies dehumanizing anti-trans rhetoric, perpetuates anti-LGBTQ+ stereotypes by falsely claiming that LGBTQ+ supporters of trans rights are dangerous to society.”
The SPLC says the organization is known for “equating gender-affirming health care with pedophilia and calling trans people a 'bloodthirsty terrorist cult.'”
The Colorado chapter of Gays Against Groomers was honored on Oct. 1 with a flag flown at the state Capitol.
Until the program was paused Tuesday, the honorary flags could be purchased online for as little as $26. Purchasers could fill out an online form with the message of their choice to appear on a certificate printed with the state seal and Governor’s signature.
The group shared an image of the certificate on social media Monday, writing, “Gays Against Groomers would like to thank Colorado Governor Jared Polis for his public recognition for our hard work in protecting children across the state. It means so much to us.”
The certificate read, “The people of Colorado present this flag to Gays Against Groomers with thanks and recognition for all their work to protect children.”
The group said the flag and certificate were presented “on behalf of Governor Polis” by Republican state Rep. Brandi Bradley, a vocal supporter of the organization’s work.
The group taunted Colorado’s first openly trans legislator with the honor, posting to Democratic state Rep. Brianna Titone on X, “how bout dem apples?!?!”
A spokesperson for Polis told 9NEWS that the Democratic governor was unaware of specific flag requests, including the honor for Gays Against Groomers.
In 2018, Polis became the country’s first openly gay man elected governor of a US state.
“Hate has no place in Colorado, and Governor Polis denounces hate in all its forms,” said Polis spokeswoman Shelby Wieman. “The administration is taking active internal steps to ensure more vetting is conducted on these types of requests today and in the future.”
Colorado Department of Personnel & Administration Executive Director Tony Gheradini apologized for the “unfortunate misstep,” according to a memo to state legislators that was provided to 9NEWS.
“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.”
A spokesperson for the department said the program has been “temporarily halted.”
"We hope that as the state updates their vetting policies they will utilize stakeholder feedback and be inclusive of everybody’s perspectives rather than relying on the biased information from an organization such as SPLC who spreads misinformation to line their own pockets and foment hate and violence against people who do not align with their ideological agenda," said GAG Colorado state chapter leader Rich Guggenheim.
