Thank you, Brianna Titone

On May 13, State Representative Brianna Titone concluded her eighth and final regular legislative session in the Colorado General Assembly. Rep. Titone’s service as a legislator, as a member of Rocky Mountain Equality’s Board of Directors, and as a leader in our community have had a lasting impact. 

Rep. Titone is a trailblazer, having served as the first openly transgender member of the Colorado General Assembly in its history. She won her seat in a competitive district and has held onto it by being a proactive and creative legislator who is responsive to her community’s needs. She has used her position to advocate loudly in support of openness, visibility, and authenticity in public office. This advocacy has helped ensure that transgender people across our state know that they are not just welcome here, but that they have a place in public service and in helping to lead our state to a better future.

During her eight years in the General Assembly, Rep. Titone used her position to fight for LGBTQ+ justice in Colorado, sponsoring landmark legislation that helps keep our state one of the country's strongest bastions of human rights, dignity, and freedom.

She helped abolish the panic defense, ensuring that LGBTQ+ crime victims will not face blame for crimes committed against them and that no individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity can be weaponized to deny them justice. She also championed equal access to gender-affirming healthcare as a legislator, leading bills to codify access to care into state law and shield Coloradans from out-of-state prosecutions for seeking out legally protected care. Her work helped protect same-sex marriage in Colorado, leading the way in putting an amendment defending marriage equality on the ballot and enacting it into state law. In these efforts and countless others, Rep. Titone has stepped up for us, leaving an enduring legacy that LGBTQ+ Coloradans will benefit from for years to come.   

Rep. Titone’s service to the people of Colorado highlights why visibility and representation are vital to our democracy. When LGBTQ+ people have the opportunity to serve, they are able to bring their full selves and experiences with them to build a better community for everyone. This is what my friend Brianna Titone has done. Her work has brought Colorado law in closer alignment with principles we deeply value: fairness, freedom, accountability, and economic and social justice.

She is deserving of our deepest gratitude for the immeasurable time she has devoted to the public good and for the countless lives she has impacted through her work. From myself, Rocky Mountain Equality, and every individual who has been empowered by your service I say, thank you, Brianna.