EDITOR: As LGBTQ+ teens face harassment and unwelcoming communities in person, particularly in Colorado’s school system, the Internet has become an increasingly important space to find acceptance. Social media platforms have become safe havens for lifesaving resources and supportive communities, invaluable assets for youth facing regular harassment and bullying. Unfortunately, Colorado’s lawmakers are now considering legislation that could significantly diminish this critical support.
While its motivation to protect Colorado’s kids online is admirable, the approach outlined in Senate Bill 158 could disproportionately affect Colorado’s LGBTQ+ community. The bill’s age verification provisions pose significant hurdles for the millions without accurate identification documents, in particular for the young and marginalized users who are least likely to possess a valid government-issued ID and the many transgender individuals who no longer identify with the name or identity on their legal documents.
By modifying requirements around parental controls, the legislation also threatens to subject LGBTQ+ youth to undue censorship and privacy disruptions by unaccepting parents. Given that only 38% of LGBTQ+ teens found their homes to affirm their identities, this is a very real issue that cannot be ignored.
For the more than 110,000 LGBTQ+ teens across the state, the flawed SB 158 is an unnecessary restriction on access to vital resources and supportive online communities. As lawmakers continue to evaluate this bill in the coming weeks, I hope they carefully consider the consequences it poses for Colorado’s marginalized communities.
Carlos Gutierrez
Deputy Director and General Counsel
LGBT Tech