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Creating a community valuing diversity, equality, and the separation of church and state.

July 2016
Equal Treatmen t for All?
Citizens Project Responds to Bench Controversy
The city of Colorado Springs recently found itself in the middle of controversy regarding freedom of speech and the establishment clause of the first amendment. Charis Christian Center was recently told that their advertising contract for the city-owned  benches declaring "Jesus is Lord" would not be renewed. This resulted in threats of legal action by Charis and the mayor's office announcing that they will continue to allow the advertising.

This subject is deeply personal for Citizens Project in light of the fact that the city refused to publish our "Before and After" awareness campaign in 2013 on these very same benches. Click  here to read the Gazette coverage from 2013 and to see the awareness campaign click  here.


The Danish Girl Film Screening
Citizens Project is partnering with the Independent Film Society of Colorado to present this award winning film that is inspired by the life of early transgender pioneer Lili Elbe. Hope to see you there!

Thursday July 7 from 7:00-9:00pm, at the Tim  Gill  Center for Public Media. 

There will also be an 8-minute local LGBT-themed film Both Genders directed by Stevie Earnest and a Q&A session will follow the feature film.
Pride Week a Hit!
Citizens Project was out in force supporting the LGBT community this weekend! Friday night we heard from over 250 beautiful voices from San Francisco, Denver, and Colorado Springs' gay mens choruses and we raised over $7,000 for the victims of the Orlando Shooting and Citizens Project. Sunday we marched in the colorful and celebratory PrideFest Parade! 
Thanks to all who came out to stand in solidarity!
See all the pictures here.
Citizen Input on Redistricting
Colorado Springs is in the process of redistricting city council districts and NEEDS to hear from you . Get ahead of the process and make sure the city clerk, Sarah Johnson, and the redistricting committee hear what you think your district should look like for the next four years.  The final public meeting is Wednesday, July 20 at 1pm at City Hall.
Click  here  to get all the information you need.
Community Transit Coalition Petition
Please consider signing our partner's petition. The Community Transit Coalition is working hard to be the voice of the Colorado Springs public transit ridership and advocates for a transit system that will benefit our entire community. Public feedback for proposed service changes for downtown routes is being heard now. Read more and sign on  here .
Mark your Calendar
July 20, 7:30am

July 21st from 7-9pm at the Gill Media Center, IFSOC Film Night, " The Danish Girl," with 8-minute LGBT Q&A following
In the News...
2016 Inclusion Award Winners
June 06, 2016
The Independent

The U.S. Military's Welcome for Transgender Troops
June 30, 2016
The Atlantic

D-11 will consider applicants for open school board seat
July 12, 2016
The Gazette
 
Thousands of singers come to Denver for GALA Festival
July 5, 2016
9News

Oldest and youngest may determine 2016 election
July 11, 2016
Denver Post

President Obama Speaks at a Memorial Service in Dallas
July 12, 2016
The White House

Two transgender candidates named 'Misty' win primaries
June 29, 2016
Politico

Get Involved!
Get out the vote! This election season Citizens Project will being part of an effort to turn-out 20,000 underrepresented voters in our community, particularly communities of color, young people, and women! We need as much help as we can get with postcard writing, canvassing, and phone calls. If any of those options sound like something you could do, email  Deb@citizensproject.org.

El Paso County is working on their Strategic Plan for 2017-2021. You can tell them what you think is important by taking their survey here.