The Southern Colorado Equality Alliance (SCEA) is deeply disappointed by comments made by Pueblo City Councilor Roger Gomez during the July 14, 2025 City Council meeting regarding the revised Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with the Pueblo City-County Library District.

In his remarks, Councilor Gomez raised concerns about a library employee’s gender identity, stating that there were “questions about whether it is a he or she,” and suggesting that this uncertainty undermined the library’s role as a “family center.” Remarks like these are not just inappropriate—they’re harmful. They perpetuate stigma and send a message that some members of our community do not belong in public spaces based on how they look or identify.

Public libraries are designed to serve everyone. As the American Library Association affirms, “gender identity and expression have no bearing on a person’s ability to provide excellent public service.” Questioning someone’s fitness for public-facing work based on appearance or identity not only promotes discrimination, it undermines our shared values of dignity, inclusion, and fairness.

More than 7% of adults in the U.S. identify as LGBTQ+ (Gallup, 2022), and that number continues to grow among younger generations. LGBTQ+ people are part of every community, every profession, and every public institution—including here in Pueblo. They deserve to be treated with the same respect and humanity as anyone else.

We urge City Council to hold itself to a higher standard—one that affirms the value of all Puebloans and rejects rhetoric that marginalizes our neighbors. We thank Councilors who have consistently stood with Pueblo’s LGBTQ+ community and reaffirm our commitment to building a city where everyone feels welcome, safe, and seen.

— The Board of Directors
Southern Colorado Equality Alliance (SCEA)