Calls to censure Pueblo City Councilor come after comments made about gender identity of library worker

PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) - Calls to censure Pueblo City Councilor Roger Gomez are coming after Councilor Gomez's remarks he made before voting against an amended intergovernmental agreement between the Pueblo Library and the city.

Councilor Gomez made the following remarks at Monday's city council meeting:

"This is going to be tough for me to get out, but I'm going to say it anyway. This is in the corner of my district. I have people that, and I'm not just making this up, I can bring it forward, where they're concerned about when they're going to the library. There's a person that's at the front desk. They have some questions about what's a he or she. They're also having questions about library time hours with they can't get enough information. I've tried several times, and I kind of didn't get the answers I needed either. So I'm having a problem with-- I understand the intellectual center, I got it, but it needs to be a family center, too. And when I had to respond, because it's in the corner of my district. I don't know what to tell them so I'm being frank. I just don't feel comfortable supporting this until I get the answers I need.”

Now, Councilor Sarah Martinez is calling for leadership on the city council to step up and censure Councilor Gomez.

Councilor Martinez says this isn't a one-off incident, and that Councilor Gomez has gone unpunished for previous inappropriate remarks, such as calling Mayor Heather Graham "Goldilocks” and a “pee pee getting whacked” comment.

Nick Potter with the Pueblo City County Library District tells KRDO13 the remarks by Gomez were uncalled for adding, "We were talking about an idea about appointing and the process for appointing trustees, but he took that as a time to be able to talk about our employees and transgender of employees, specifically working at the library and not making it a family friendly environment...It's really disheartening for us. What we do as a public institution for our community, is serve as an environment where everyone, regardless of background, make up anything, can access information and can explore ideas and connect with community members in a safe way."

The Southern Colorado Equality Alliance is also calling for Councilor Gomez to be censured in a statement obtained by KRDO13 Investigates:

"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..."

"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."

KRDO13 Investigates is reaching out to Councilor Martinez and Gomez to learn more.