Colorado’s Democratic governor, Jared Polis, did not respond to concerns that his administration would rely on the Southern Poverty Law Center to exclude conservatives from a state flag program after his office apologized for honoring a gay organization the SPLC brands a “hate group.”
Polis’ signature appeared on a document celebrating the Colorado chapter of Gays Against Groomers, a group of lesbian, gay, and bisexual people who oppose experimental transgender medical procedures on children. The SPLC—which vehemently supports transgender interventions for children and labels mainstream conservative and Christian organizations “hate groups,” placing them on a map along with chapters of the Ku Klux Klan—branded Gays Against Groomers an “anti-LGBTQ Hate Group” in June.
Colorado state Rep. Brandi Bradley, a Republican, paid to fly Colorado and United States flags above the state Capitol in the name of Gays Against Groomers on Oct. 1. The state suspended the flag program Tuesday, amid criticism regarding the group.
The program allowed people to purchase honorary flags for as little as $26. Customers would fill out an online form with the message of their choice to appear on a certificate with the state seal and the governor’s signature.
The governor’s office and the administrative agency in........