I served in the U.S. Army in Desert Storm and Panama from 1985 until 1993. It was in the service that I learned the true value of freedom.
After I retired, I married my wife Susan. Together, we’re now raising our two sons in Denver. But my friend Sgt. Metcalf, who served in both Iraq and Afghanistan, is not afforded the same freedom—despite putting his life on the line to defend this country. See, Sgt. Metcalf is gay and in Colorado, he’s denied the freedom to marry the person he loves.
I believe that anyone who puts on the uniform to serve this country deserves the same respect as anyone else. That’s why I am proud to star in Why Marriage Matters Colorado’s new TV ad airing statewide in Colorado—along with Sgt. Metcalf and a few of my fellow veteran friends—to show that Colorado is ready for the freedom to marry.
Click here to watch this new ad, and then share it with your friends.

After being married for 8, going on 9 years, there’s nothing I love more than being a Dad and a husband. And certainly, my marriage hasn’t been weakened one bit because of same-sex couples who want to make a lifetime commitment to each other.
As a lifelong Coloradan, born and raised, it saddens me that our state does not afford all rights and protections to all of its citizens—especially a decorated war veteran like my friend Sgt. Metcalf.
Sgt. Metcalf is serving his country just like I did. He should have the same freedoms we all have, and that includes the freedom to marry.
Click here to watch the new ad hitting the airwaves in Colorado today. Then share with your friends to make sure this important message is heard far and wide.

Thanks,
Staff Sgt. Izzy Abbas U.S. Army 198

DENVER – In its ongoing work to demonstrate that the broad majority of Coloradans support the freedom to marry, today Why Marriage Matters Colorado, a coalition of state and national organizations, released a 30-second television spot featuring a group of local veterans standing up for their gay comrade in arms.
The ad, launched on television statewide this morning, will air tonight during NBC’s “The Voice.” The spot features three military veterans who, together with their friend, U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant T. Ashley Metcalf – who is still actively serving his country – represent 45 years of military service. Sgt. Metcalf is gay, and his band of brothers – former Army Staff Sgt. Izzy Abbass, retired U.S. Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Dennis Mont’Ros, and former Marine Sgt. Will Glenn – talk about the importance of the freedom to marry for everyone.
Highlighting their years in military service where Sgt. Metcalf served in Iraq and Afghanistan, former Staff Sgt. Abbass says, “He should have the same freedoms we have, and that includes the freedom to marry.”
“Gay and lesbian Coloradans have long served their country in the military, as first responders in our cities and towns, and as valued members of our communities. We chose to tell just one of those many stories – this story of a military band of brothers who know firsthand what it means to stand up for freedom and equality,” said Dave Montez, Executive Director of One Colorado, one of the lead organizations of Why Marriage Matters Colorado, along with the ACLU of Colorado and Freedom to Marry.
“We were proud and honored to be asked to stand up for our friend and his freedoms and liberties,” said Sgt. Abbass. “But we chose to do this ad not only for Ash, but for all Coloradans who deserve the freedom to marry. We didn’t serve to protect freedom for some of us, but for all of us.”
Watch the ad and read bios of the veterans featured at: http://marriageCO.org/Ad

Text of the ad:
Sergeant Mont’Ros:     Together the four of us have over 45 years of military service.
Sergeant Abbass:          The word “veteran” encapsulates so much.
Sergeant Glenn:            Loyalty and respect.  We have each other’s back.
Sergeant Metcalf:         I served in Iraq and Afghanistan.  I’m gay, these guys are straight.  But we’re all veterans and we’ve all served our country.
Sergeant Abbass:          I’ve been married for 8 years, going on 9, happily married.  And why shouldn’t Ash, a good friend of mine, be afforded that same opportunity?
Sergeant Glenn:            Sergeant Metcalf is serving his country, same as the rest of us did.
Sergeant Abbass:          He should have the same freedoms we have, and that includes the freedom to marry. Why Marriage Matters Colorado is broadening the dialogue with Coloradans about why marriage is important to same-sex couples and their families and why it is consistent with the values of liberty and freedom. More information on this statewide initiative – which is being spearheaded by leading statewide LGBT advocacy group One Colorado, ACLU of Colorado, and Freedom to Marry – can be found here: www.whymarriagematterscolorado.org

The Senate Judiciary committee will be hearing testimony on HB14-1061 this afternoon. The bill would force Colorado municipalities to comply with existing Constitutional and Colorado laws requiring courts to determine whether a person is too poor to pay their court fines and fees before throwing them in jail for failing to pay.
The bill, sponsored by Thornton Rep. Joe Salazar, is the result of a two-year statewide ACLU investigation into the use of these practices by municipal courts.
UPDATE: The bill passed out of committee on a unanimous 5-0 vote.
Read the testimony given by our Public Policy Director, Denise Maes, during the House committee hearing on February 25

Original ACLU press release on results of investigation into Colorado debtors’ prisons

Denver Post article: “Colorado cities jail poor who can’t pay fines for minor offenses”

AP article: “Jail for fines? Colo. lawmaker wants to end policy”