COLORADO

'More in common with the Taliban': Outrage erupts over state GOP's anti-Pride vitriol

M.L. Nestel
June 4, 2024 

Gay Pride Flag (Shutterstock)

The Colorado Republican Party wants all Gay Pride rainbow flags to burn to ash, according to a new report.

In a mass email titled “God Hates Pride” the state GOP made a call to flames, and castigated LGBTQ community as Pride month began on June 1, according to the local NBC affiliate 9News.

“The month of June has arrived and, once again, the godless groomers in our society want to attack what is decent, holy, and righteous so they can ultimately harm our children," the letter reportedly reads.

The message was a nod to the slur made famous by the Westboro Baptist Church, 9News notes.

And the message was reportedly endorsed by the party’s chairman Dave Williams.

A post on X from the official Colorado Republican Party account reads “Burn all the #pride flags this June" and includes an orange animated flame gif.



It drew instant condemnation.

"God Hates Pride"! Really State GOP," Valdamar Archuleta, the president of the Colorado Log Cabin Republicans responded. "The morons running our state party make it EXTREMELY hard for some of us to accomplish our goals for Liberty. I'm really mad right now... I won't say any more. (for now“The morons running our state party made it extremely hard for some of us to accomplish our goals for Liberty."

ALSO READ: Ron Johnson finally admits Jan. 6 was violent — then blames it on 'outside agitators'

Archuleta told the NBC affiliate that he would refuse any endorsement of the Colorado Republican Party calling the party's email “just hateful” and “disgusting and offensive.”

In a response, Democratic State Rep. David Ortiz, who made state history as the first out bi legislator, scorned the state GOP for having “more in common with the Taliban than the founding fathers.”

Ortiz served as an Army helicopter pilot in Afghanistan and was partially paralyzed in a helicopter crash in 2012.

“LGBTQ folks served and serve in the military. We are cops, we are firefighters, we are your family members and neighbors,” Ortiz wrote on X. “We will outlast your bigotry and hate.”

Despite the fallout over the flag burning edict, Williams told the station it won't retract it.

“We make no apologies for opposing the woke Pride Month agenda as it ultimately harms children and undermines parents," he said.

Williams has been endorsed by Trump for Congress.

"Dave Williams has my Complete and Total Endorsement," Trump posted on Truth Social.