'Denver Post' Surveys Readers on Decision to Run Photo of Gay House Speaker Kissing Partner After Civil Union Bill Passage

The Denver Post is polling its readers about running the above photo by their photographer Craig Walker of House Speaker Mark Ferrandino kissing his partner Greg Wertsch after passage of the civil unions bill in Colorado.

But getting even more commentary than the poll is the headline they originally accompanied the survey with, which now reads:

"Picture of Mark Ferrandino kissing partner shows the truth, even if it offends some"

Here's how the questionnaire was originally positioned:

Update 3:28 p.m.: After reading the comments, I’m altering the headline from “no matter how objectionable,” to “even if it offends some.” I’ve certainly dealt with some callers who are upset with the use of the photo, but my intent was not to label the photo (or the act) objectionable. As I’ve often said, everyone needs an editor, and I appreciate the comments. — Lin

Kudos to the Director of Newsroom Ops for changing it. Folks will also be happy to know that the comments are overwhelmingly in support of the photo, the couple, and pro-equality.

Shot Fired At Obama Campaign Office In Denver: PHOTOS

A front glass window was shattered but no one was hurt when a single gunshot was fired at President Obama's reelection campaign office in Denver yesterday afternoon.

The shot came at about 3pm and though they have no leads on a person at the moment, Denver police say they're looking into a specific vehicle description that may lead them to the man or woman responsible.

Denver, as the AP notes, was the site of Obama and rival Mitt Romney's first presidential debate as well as where a gunman killed 12 people during a shooting at a movie theater in July.

More images AFTER THE JUMP.

Denver Sheriff Unveils Trans-Friendly Policy: VIDEO

The Denver Sheriff's Department this week rolled out a new set of guidelines for dealing with gender-variant inmates. It's a long and subtle document that in no way qualifies as riveting reading. But it's heartening.

The new Denver policy is designed to help law enforcement account for a wide variety of factors when determining where to lodge newly-arrived inmates -- and, acknowledging the vastness of the gender spectrum and the confusion that may arise from trying to locate individuals upon it, designates a 72-hour interregnum during which inmates may be placed in "Administrative Segregation" while something called the "Transgender Review Board" meets to discuss the inmates' accommodations.

From 9News.com:

People behind this policy say it's about basic human rights ...

"It's very much about equality," said Courtney Gray with the LGBT Community Center of Colorado. "It's about respecting people, although someone may have broken the law."

"This is definitely the most progressive policy in the state," Gray said. "Nationally, it's definitely one of the most progressive and comprehensive in the country."

Gray says more than one in five transfolk who interact with law enforcement report experiencing harassment, and more than one in three who spend time in jail are harassed or threatened by their fellow inmates. The Denver Sheriff's Department reports that it "deals with" one to three trans inmates each month. 'Til now, those inmates have been placed on "23-hour lockdown" for their own protection -- a practice which is not only isolating, but has become prohibitively expensive. The new policy will save money, while hopefully providing transfolk a less traumatizing experience in jail. From News9:

"In the State of Colorado, I would say it's very unique," Denver Undersheriff Gary Wilson said. "We believe it was important for us to not just protect the persons from physical harm but also from psychological harm while they're with us inside the jail."

See New9's coverage of the policy change AFTER THE JUMP ...

Activist Regrets Glitterbombing Romney, Discusses Incident: VIDEO

Peter Smith, a Democrat who attends the University of Colorado Denver, told Denver's CBS4 that he regrets glitterbombing Mitt Romney after a speech in early February.

He also discusses the incident, which he said he did over Romney's stances on gay rights and his economic policies.

Smith said the plan to throw glitter on Romney on Feb. 7 was a spur-of-the-moment idea. He said he chose blue glitter because there’s “no other color he’d rather see on a Republican.”

“Would I do it again for the message and to protest him as an individual? Yes. Would I choose different means? Yes, definitely,” he said. “I should never had brought his security into question. That was my epic downfall and I’ll never do it again.”

Smith was fired from an internship at the Colorado senate for his actions. As for the other falllout:

Smith says he managed to work out an agreement with administrators at the University of Colorado Denver that led to no disciplinary action. In court he also ended up pleading guilty to disturbing the peace and the missile charge was dropped.

Watch CBS4's interview with Smith, AFTER THE JUMP...

Tim Tebow Will Not Be Participating in an 'It Gets Better' Video

Without mentioning the campaign by name, the Denver Broncos have responded to a Change.org petition signed by more than 8,000 people asking them to create an 'It Gets Better' video.

...in a statement to The Huffington Post, Broncos spokesman Patrick Smyth gave no indication that the team would be participating anytime soon.

"The Denver Broncos are committed to tolerance, acceptance and respect for all in the community," said Smyth. "The National Football League is currently working with USA Network on its 'Characters Unite' campaign combating prejudice and intolerance, and our organization is in full support of that movement to help raise awareness for this very important cause."

The rising popularity of Christian quarterback Tim Tebow, while not given as a reason for the petition campaign, was surely part of its inspiration.

Last year, Tebow produced a Super Bowl ad for anti-gay, anti-choice Evangelical group Focus on the Family, and given the group's anti-LGBT slant, folks have been curious about Tebow's personal views on gay issues, bullying being just one of them.

In June, Tebow's publicist specifically demanded that the topic of same-sex marriage be off-limits in an interview with the Washington Post:

When asked questions he clearly has not been asked before, he ponders and tries to respond as openly and honestly as he can. Only once, when asked about same-sex marriage, did his publicist, on the other end of the phone, protectively jump in to object that that was off message.

I wrote back then:

The article positions Tebow as a good Christian role model. But as one commenter on the WaPo love letter notes, "Until Tim Tebow distances himself from the hatred aimed at millions of Americans (including quite a few gay teens that end up killing themselves), he has no credibility as a role model."

Denver Arts Center Refuses to Display the Word 'Gay' on its Marquee, Instead Advertising 'Denver *** Men's Chorus'

A tipster sent this in to us over the weekend.

The Denver Gay Men's Chorus had a concert at the L2 Arts and Culture Center in Denver over the weekend, but you wouldn't know by looking at the marquee.

The word "gay" in the choir's name, deemed too inappropriate to be broadcast in bright lights, was instead replaced with three asterisks.

UPDATE: Our commenter David writes: "I talked to a friend in the chorus and he told me this story: The person at L2 who programmed the sign left without realizing that the 'nanny' software blocked GAY as an inappropriate word. Once people at L2 realized what had happened they scrabbled to override the software and did fix it. Sounds like the L2 staff were as upset that this happened as the chorus members were."

UPDATE II: Rocky Mountain Arts Association, the parent organization of the Denver Gay Men's Chorus, wrote in with a statement regarding the story.

"The Denver Gay Men’s Chorus worked with L2 Arts and Culture Center to rectify the situation this past weekend in a fast and efficient manner. We want to assure the community that the situation was caused by computer error and not a deliberate attempt by our friends at the center to disparage the chorus or its mission. We sincerely hope that this statement will put to rest any negative sentiment toward L2 Arts and Culture Center or the city of Denver, Colorado. We look forward to welcoming our fellow GALA Chorus members to our beautiful city in Summer 2012."