Senate Approves Winter & Marchman’s Bill to Protect LGBTQIA+ Youth

HB24-1039 would require public schools to use a student’s preferred name and pronouns

DENVER, CO – The Senate today voted to approve Assistant Majority Leader Faith Winter, D-Broomfield, and Senator Janice Marchman’s, D-Loveland bill to protect LGBTQIA+ youth in Colorado schools.

HB24-1039 would clarify the responsibility of school districts to adhere to non-discrimination laws, including addressing students by their self-identified preferred names independent of a court-ordered legal name change.

“Kids learn best when they feel safe and when they feel like themselves,” Winter said. “Tragically, trans kids are 77 percent more likely to try and commit suicide than their peers. Although many schools across Colorado already honor students’ chosen names and pronouns, not all do. This policy change will save lives by ensuring that every Colorado school respects a student’s right to go by a name of their choosing and that schools are safe spaces for all students.”

“We want to ensure Colorado schools are safe and welcoming learning environments for all students,” said Marchman. “Names matter, and addressing students by their chosen name can have a huge effect on a student’s mental health and comfort level in the classroom. This legislation supports healthy learning environments and helps set students up for successful educational careers, and I’m excited to see it advance.”

Public schools and institute charter schools would need to use a student's preferred name upon request and implement a written policy outlining how a school would honor the request. The bill defines a chosen name as any nomenclature an individual formally requests, reflective of their gender identity and differentiated from their legal name.

HB24-1039 will now return to the House for consideration of amendments. You can follow its progress HERE.