For 20 years Citizens Project has marched forward, a volunteer effort “fighting the extremism” of 1992’s Amendment 2 denying rights to gay, lesbian and transsexual citizens.

Fast forward to 2012 and Citizens Project drew 550 people from throughout the community to a Creating Community Breakfast on June 7 at Freedom Financial Event & Expo Center.

As people became knowledgeable and involved, Citizens Project has turned into “an enduring institution in our community,” said Executive Director Kristy Milligan.

June Waller asked the audience, “If Citizens Project were not here, who would be the watchdog?”

A touching look at why Citizens Project exists came from TK Hofmann, who had experienced hurtful bias in school and in her regular life. She asked the “great minds and passionate hearts” to make this “a city of diversity.” Colorado Springs has changed since she was born in 1993, she said. As community is built, she asked that everyone “let the people who want to build the new Colorado Springs do so.”

The Creating Community committee: Connie Dudgeon, Mark Lee, Barbara Reichert, Anya Arndt, Cathey Barbee, Eva Nisley, Victoria Schwab, Brinah Vincent, Lynn Young and Heather Zambrano.

Table captains included: Lisa Amend, Jane Ard-Smith, Wayne Bland, Bill Brown, Karen Brown, Nora Brown, Christi-Marie Butler, Karole Campbell, Paul Campbell, Virginia Carlson, Janet and Paul Carpenter, Judy Casey, Mimi Cavanaugh, Amber Cote, Marilynn Doenges, Margaret Enyeart, Janice Frazier, Frances Gomeztagle.

Also table captains: Lisa Green and Shawna Kemppainen, Erin Hannan, Gail and Craig Johnson, RoMa Johnson, Judy Jones and Jean Keeley, Burl and Kathy Kreps, Pete Lee, Christy LeLait, Steve Mack, Eva McGeehan, Mary Lou Makepeace, Jennifer Malenky, Amanda Mountain, Una Ng-Brasch, Cynthia Nimerichter, Marjorie Noleen, Kelley Parker, Kathryn Presnal, Mark Slaugh, Jan Tanner, Karen Teja, Sandy TerMeer, Barb Van Hoy, Greg Varner, Hilary Vasquez, Jan Weiland, Anja Wynne.