Colorado Community Media published a letter to the editor from Rep. Brandi Bradley (HD39) in response to one entitled “Brandi Bradley spawns hatred.” It should be noted that before this more “polished” version was published on July 14, Bradley initially lashed out in the CCM comment section spewing vitriol, ending her online rant with “So if you think it's the person who can scream the loudest who wins, buckle up …”

CCM would serve our community well by publishing Bradley's online comments (tinyurl.com/bradleyresponse) alongside her “polished” version, so we can see the whole picture of who she is as a legislator.

Bradley's rhetoric often replicates that of Anita Bryant's “Save Our Children” campaign from the 1970s, pathologizing the LGBTQ+ community and accusing them of being sexual predators. Bradley even continues to push the “groomer” narrative in her rebuttal to the original letter.

While she touts “freedom,” she notably does not support freedom for all, falsely equating individuals wanting to have basic civil rights with a desire to “elevate a particular group of people.”

Of course, Bradley is entitled to her Christian beliefs. The issue is attempting to legislate them onto others, based on what she believes is a “sin.”

Bradley's anti-LGBTQ+ actions and affiliations are well-documented, including: protesting drag shows in Douglas County, introducing anti trans sports legislation rooted in national efforts to restrict the rights of transgender people to exist, introducing a resolution for parental rights which would have increased the risk of LGBTQ+ students to experience bigotry and retaliation for their identity, and alignment with the so-called “parents' rights” movement, specifically the anti-LGBTQ+ group, Colorado Parent Advocacy Network.

Additionally, while Bradley declares “I do not hate anyone,” she also advocates for Moms for Liberty to start a chapter in Douglas County, an organization classified as an extremist group in the Southern Poverty Law Center's 2022 Year in Hate & Extremism report.

When Bradley states that she is for “all,” there should be an asterisk, explaining that all does not mean all.

What can we expect to see from Bradley this next legislative session? Will she continue down this dangerous pathway of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric with predictable attempts at banning access to healthcare and bathrooms? With Colorado GOP Chair Dave Williams as her legislative aide, that is a realistic possibility.

Residents of HD39 deserve better. Bradley's term is up in 2024, and voters should keep this full picture in mind.

Megan Burch

Roxborough