House District 5 Meeting - Civil Unions Forum

Join us for a variety of speakers who will summarize the recent civil union legislation and explain why its demise is only temporary. This will be an important opportunity to learn where the drive for civil unions goes from here.

Guest Speakers Include:

State Senator Pat Steadman, Senate District 31
In 2010 Pat Steadman was elected State Senator for District 31 after having been selected for the job in 2009 by a vacancy committee. District 31 represents a diverse district in the heart of central Denver and southwest Adams County, which includes the State Capitol, the central business district, major cultural institutions and sporting venues, transportation hubs and a wide variety of neighborhoods. Senator Steadman sponsored the recent Civil Unions legislation in the Colorado State Senate.

State Representative Crisanta Duran, House District 5
Crisanta Duran is the State Representative for House District 5 and a proud native of Colorado. Her community ties to HD 5 and Northwest Denver span the last twenty years. She graduated from Arvada West High School, attended the University of Denver and went to the University of Colorado School of Law. She was elected President of the Student Bar Association and President of the Latino Law Student Association. In 2008, Crisanta was elected President of the Colorado Young Democrats. She serves on the House Judiciary Committee, which voted to indefinitely postpone a vote on SB 11-172.

Mindy Barton “The Center” Legal Director & GLBT Bar Board Member
Mindy Barton serves as the Legal Director of The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center of Colorado (“The Center”). In that role she manages a Legal Helpline. The Center provides direct legal services in a limited number of cases of discrimination and unfair legal treatment based on sexual orientation, gender identity and HIV status and also provides referrals to LGBT friendly attorneys and agencies. Much of Mindy’s work also surrounds legislative advocacy and policy outreach and education on issues of equality.

Jess Woodrum, One Colorado Communications Director
Jessica Cook Woodrum (Jess) is the Communications Manager for One Colorado, leading the organization’s efforts to engage supporters and educate the public on LGBT issues. She is responsible for the organization’s messaging and communications strategy as well as its public / media relations and online organizing through e-mail and social media.