Colorado lawmakers clash over bills to protect transgender people’s use of a chosen name

DENVER (AP) — Colorado’s House was tense Friday morning as the Democratic majority pushed two bills through the chamber that would protect transgender people’s chosen names: one allowing those convicted of a felony to change their name to conform with their gender identity and another requiring school staff use a student’s chosen name.

These are the latest in a slew of bills across the country that have precipitated a national tug of war. Democrat-controlled legislatures including Hawaii and New Jersey have introduced bills similar to Colorado’s, while Republican lawmakers in Idaho, Kansas, Wyoming and Louisiana are digging their heels with bills in the opposite direction.

The proposals stirred emotional debate, and at times tears, on the Colorado House floor Friday, along with a number of breaks to negotiate what could and couldn’t be said in the well. The morning included wide-eyed surprise and huffs from both parties, prompting a back and forth of retorts and accusations over three hours of discussion.

“I am patently offended by the generalization and characterization of trans people with crimes against children,” said Democratic Rep. Brianna Titone, a transgender woman, as she stared at Republicans in the chamber. “I won’t stand for that.”

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