Skip to content
Join our Newsletter
  1. Home
  2. Local News

OUT Boulder recognizes legislators for contributions

Each year, OUT Boulder County identifies members of the community who have become allies to the LGBTQ+ community.
Macie May
Macie May
untitled-design-66
Rep. Karen McCormick and Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis received Garden Party awards from OUT Boulder Countycourtesy photos

Two area Colorado legislators were identified as Garden Party award winners by OUT Boulder County.

Each year, OUT Boulder County — an LGBTQ+ advocacy group — identifies members of the community who have become allies to the LGBTQ+ community.

This year Rep. Karen McCormick received the Clela Rorex Allies in Action award and Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis was awarded the Jack & Jean Hodges Big Hearts award. 

The Clela Rorex Allies in Action award was named for Clela Rorex who issued the first legally administered marriage license to a same-sex couple in 1975. 

“It means a lot to be recognized as a strong ally and to have been the legislator that OUT Boulder and others trusted to carry such an important piece of legislation this session,” McCormick said. 

McCormick has personal ties to the LGBTQ+ community as a mother of a trans-non-binary child. She hopes that her child will one day marry their current partner, which would not be possible without the work of Rorex.

“As a mom of a LGBTQ kid I can't help but be one of the strongest allies one can be. But there is so very much more that needs to be done to change attitudes, to combat fear and to change laws,” McCormick said.

The Jack & Jean Hodges Big Hearts award is given to a person who has made “outstanding contributions to Boulder County's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community,” according to the website.

Jaquez Lewis served as president of Boulder Pride, where she recruited the first transgender board member and established the first transgender support program. As state senator, she has “sponsored many statewide laws to guarantee access to HealthCare and to promote social justice and equity for LGBTQ+ folks and allies,” a news release from OUT Boulder County states.

“Representative McCormick and Senator Jaquez Lewis are dedicated champions for the LGBTQ community and led Out Boulder County’s successful efforts to ensure that our community is counted in public health data and that government buildings have restrooms that are safe and accessible for everyone regardless of gender identity and expression,” said Mardi Moore, Executive Director of Out Boulder County. “They are engaged community members and relentless fighters for equality and fairness. I am proud that we are recognizing their ongoing contributions.”