The state’s largest gay-rights group is planning a party on the eve of civil unions becoming law in Colorado and when the clock strikes midnight, revelers will head to the Webb Building in Denver and begin applying for their civil union licenses.
One Colorado is calling the April 30 party at McNichols Building Civic Center “The Civil Soirée.” The event includes dinner, music, cake and even a photo booth. For ticket prices, click here.
“We want to honor the hard work and tireless dedication of the thousands of One Colorado supporters who made this moment possible — and that’s what The Civil Soirée is all about!” director Brad Clark said in an e-mail invitation.
Gov. John Hickenlooper will sign the civil unions bill into law in a public ceremony at 3 p.m. Thursday at History Colorado Center, 1200 Broadway. It goes into effect May 1.
The bill died the two previous sessions when the House was under Republican control, although in 2012 Democrats had the votes to pass the measure.
Democrats now control the House, which is led by gay Speaker Mark Ferrandino, who has sponsored the civil unions bill for three years with Sen. Pat Steadman, D-Denver, another gay lawmaker.
Ferrandino said Senate Bill 11 is about love, family and equality under the law.
“This wasn’t a choice. This is who I am. This is who we are,” he said of being gay. “We need to make laws in our society that respect everyone equally.”