[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 9]
[House]
[Pages 11646-11647]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




TRIBUTE TO THE GAY, LESBIAN, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY CENTER 
                              OF COLORADO

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. DIANA DeGETTE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, June 16, 2006

  Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commend the exceptional 
leadership and invaluable contributions of the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual 
and Transgender Center of Colorado, ``The Center,'' on the occasion of 
its 30th anniversary. It is fitting that we recognize The Center for 
its record of extraordinary service in providing support and advocacy 
for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender, GLBT, communities in the 
1st Congressional District and throughout Colorado.
  The Center has been on the front lines of progress since its 
inception and has proven to be a powerful force in transforming the 
landscape of our State. Founded in Denver in 1976, The Center is a 
statewide, nonprofit community center and is one of the oldest 
organizations serving GLBT communities in the country. It is a powerful 
advocate on a broad range of issues that affect GLBT people in our 
State and is a catalyst for community organizing and providing needed 
support services.
  Health and wellness is a key focus of The Center. Its Healthy Living 
Program offers extensive health care services including free HIV 
testing in conjunction with Denver Health, low-cost hepatitis 
vaccinations, free mammograms for uninsured women, health care provider 
referrals and access to mental health services. It also devotes sizable 
effort to community health education as well as disease prevention. The 
Lesbian Cancer Support Service strives to increase early detection and 
a higher rate of cancer survival in lesbian and bisexual women. The 
Center also maintains Rainbow Alley, a drop-in center designed for GLBT 
youth that provides heath care services, counseling and referral. Youth 
have access to a medical clinic, computer lab, kitchen and the Terry 
Mangan Library, all of which are drug, alcohol, tobacco and hate free.
  The Center's advocacy and legal initiatives have done much to advance 
the cause of civil

[[Page 11647]]

liberty and provide necessary assistance to those who experience 
discrimination, harassment and unequal treatment. The Legal Initiatives 
Project, CLIP, was founded in 1992 to challenge a discriminatory 
amendment to the Colorado Constitution. Amendment II would have 
precluded any action by the State or local governments designed to 
protect GLBT people. Amendment II passed by a slim margin, but due to 
CLIP's leadership, a lawsuit was filed and injunctive relief was 
granted to prevent the measure from taking effect. The decision was 
appealed to the United States Supreme Court and a national coalition of 
civil rights groups joined CLIP to uphold the lower court ruling. In a 
historic decision--Romer v. Evans, 517 U.S. 620 (1996)--the Supreme 
Court held that Amendment II was unconstitutional under the Equal 
Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. 
In 2000, CLIP merged with The Center and became its legal services 
program. It accomplishes its mission through the CLIP Legal Hotline, 
civil rights litigation and mediation, media work and public education. 
CLIP focuses on cases and issues that move the civil rights agenda 
forward serve the most oppressed and disadvantaged in the GLBT 
communities.
  We are indeed fortunate to have The Center in our community. It is an 
invaluable resource and I am deeply appreciative of the good work The 
Center does in addressing systemic inequalities and providing 
continuity and stability in the efforts to secure greater equality, 
justice and participation in our democracy. The Center has helped 
provide a place at the table for GLBT people. It has provided needed 
health and community services. In summary, The Center's leadership and 
engagement has made a real difference in peoples lives and thereby in 
the communities it serves.
  Please join me in commending the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and 
Transgender Center of Colorado. It is the strong leadership and 
meaningful service it provides on a daily basis that continually 
enhances our lives and builds a better future for all of our people.

                          ____________________