cofounder & President, ONE Community & ONE Community Foundation

HB 2736: The Equality and Fairness for All Arizonans Act Filed to Protect LGBTQ+ Arizonans

Legislation will extend Arizona’s non-discrimination protections to LGBTQ+ Arizonans in employment, housing and public accommodations leading to a more competitive and resilient Arizona. 

(February 2nd, 2024,  Phoenix, Ariz.): This week, HB 2736, the Equality and Fairness for all Arizonans Act, was filed that will extend Arizona’s current non-discrimination protections to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Arizonans in employment, housing, and public accommodations. In accordance with Governor Hobb’s Executive Order from 2023, it will also codify protections from the harmful and disproven practice of conversion therapy for LGBTQ+ youth.

This historic measure is the product of years of thoughtful dialogue between leading Arizona LGBTQ+ organizations, business leaders and communities of faith to support updating the state’s non-discrimination law to be inclusive of LGBTQ+ people.  

The proposed legislation also follows passage of similar non-discrimination ordinances in Mesa, Glendale, Scottsdale, Tolleson and Chandler. In total, only 11 Arizona municipalities have LGBTQ+-inclusive non-discrimination laws, leaving millions of Arizonans vulnerable to discrimination with no legal recourse.

“HB 2736 brings the LGBTQ+ community, business community and people of faith together in celebration of the great American tenets of equal treatment and freedom of opportunity for all. This bill reflects the true spirit of bipartisanship and democracy – diverse groups of Arizonans coming together to create a fairer Arizona for all people. We are grateful to Representative Shah, M.D. for his leadership,” said Michael Soto, Chief Advocacy Officer for ONE Community.

“HB 2736 will ensure that LGBTQ+ Arizonans have the same opportunity to live, work, and contribute to our great state. The diverse coalition supporting this bill are Arizonans from all walks of life, willing to work together based on our shared values of equality and fairness.” said Angela Hughey, president, and co-founder of ONE Community  “If we want to live in a state that grows by attracting the very best talent, has a strong economy, welcoming culture, and is open for business to everyone, then we must pass this bill,” concluded Ms. Hughey.

“HB 2736 will provide vital protections for LGBTQ+ youth who are vulnerable to harm and discrimination both from lack of non-discrimination protections and also the practice of conversion therapy,” said Nate Rhoton, CEO of one.n.ten.

“HB 2736 will ensure equal access to hospitals, doctors offices and more across Arizona,” said Jessyca Leach, Executive Director, Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS. “This legislation will increase healthcare equity in Arizona, particularly for LGBTQ+ people,” concluded Ms. Leach. 

Support for LGBTQ+ non-discrimination protections have continued to grow in recent years across religious and political affiliations. 93% of Fortune 500 companies have non-discrimination policies that include gender identity and sexual orientation. ONE Community’s UNITY Pledge, a pledge to not discriminate in the areas of employment, housing and public accommodations has more than 22,000 individual signers, 3,600 business signers and over 500 faith-based organizations. 

“It’s time to protect all Arizonans from discrimination and harm equally in our great state. Let’s send a message that Arizona is a place that celebrates, respects and protects all who live and visit here no matter who they are or who they love,” concluded Ms. Hughey.

On October 7, 2023, the terrorist group Hamas launched an attack on the State of Israel and the Jewish people. This attack resulted in the brutal murders of over 1,400 Israelis—including Holocaust survivors and children—the kidnapping and hostage-taking of at least 200 more, and the tragic deaths of countless innocent Palestinians whose evacuation has been prevented by Hamas. 

Antisemitism, homophobia, and transphobia travel together. As LGBTQ and Allied Americans, we know what it is like to have violent extremists attempt to target and kill us for who we are and who we love. Further, we know all too well what it is like to realize that people we had counted on to speak with a voice of moral courage are silent in the face of our destruction. We have searched our own hearts these last weeks when murmurs of, “it’s complicated,” have sounded an all too familiar alarm. Painfully, we have even seen some blame Jews for the violence they’ve suffered. 

We will not be silent.

The murder of any innocents is never justifiable. While we recognize that people of good will may disagree with the elected Israeli government, we are not called to solve the issue of sovereignty—although we support it for both Israelis and Palestinians. It is absolutely imperative that as LGBTQ and Allied Americans, we unequivocally condemn the brutal attacks of Hamas. 

We ask you to join us now in our grief for all the innocent lives lost, and for the hostages still being held. We ask you to join us in our conviction that the State of Israel has a right to exist and reaffirm that the Jewish people deserve a homeland where they can live freely; and that the Palestinian people must no longer be exploited and deserve legitimate self-government in their own nation.  

LGBTQ and Allied Americans know that any group dedicated to hate is an existential threat to all marginalized people. Stand with us on the right side of history today. Stand with us for justice, fairness, and equality for all people. 

June’s Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade was an attack on women and birthing people in our nation, and it also created a direct threat to existing and future LGBTQ+ rights. The Dodds decision created dangerous precedent to allow the Court to strike down key decisions on LGBTQ+ equality in the future, including equal marriage.

We can’t and we won’t go back. And thanks to people like you taking action - Congress is preparing to act as early as next week. In a rare moment of bipartisanship, Senators and Congressmen are working together to pass the “Respect for Marriage Act” to codify equal and interracial marriage and protect these valuable rights from future SCOTUS action. 

In a bipartisan op-ed, Sen. Baldwin and Sen. Collin wrote: “Millions of American families have come to rely on the promise of marriage equality and the freedoms, rights and responsibilities that come with making the commitment of marrying the one you love.”

While momentum is growing - there is still work to do. So today we are asking you to take action and send a letter to your Senator asking them to vote “Yes” on the Respect for Marriage Act” and to share our video and action link on social media to spread the word. 

Please sign our letter in support of the Respect of Marriage Act.

Over Two Thirds of Americans Support Federal Nondiscrimination Protections for LGBTQ People

Momentum Continues to Grow for Equality and Fairness

(July 6th, 2022, Ariz.) - A new poll shows strong support among Americans for federal nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ people. In the survey, conducted by the Moore Information Group, 69% of registered voters would support a federal bill to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity in matters of employment, education, housing, and in public places, such as restaurants and other businesses. Sixty-two percent said they believed that passing a federal law which protects LGBTQ people from discrimination should be a priority. The survey was conducted June 15, 2022 using online methodology among a representative sample of N=1,500 registered voters in the United States.  The potential sampling error is plus or minus 3% at the 95% confidence level.

The poll is one of many that indicate growth momentum across party lines for federal nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ Americans. Currently only 21 states and Washington D.C. have non-discrimination laws that includes protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity, leaving millions of Americans vulnerable to harassment and discrimination.

While support for LGBTQ nondiscrimination is growing, the window to pass federal protections is quickly closing, and the urgency to protect rights such as marriage equality have never been higher after last month’s Supreme Court decision. That’s why the Equality and Fairness for all Americans Coalition (EFC), a bipartisan group of LGBTQ organizations, faith organizations, businesses, trade associations, civic leaders, and everyday Americans, continues to work towards a bipartisan framework that can break the partisan gridlock that has stalled the Equality and the Fairness for All Acts. 

The EFC framework will not only make real federal civil rights protections for LGBTQ Americans, but also secure rights that are currently not in the Equality Act including codifying Bostock and Obergefell, along with repealing the Defense of Marriage Act. The coalition also supports certain exemptions for religious institutions to continue to receive federal dollars for social services and education, which is key to gaining bipartisan support. The Moore Information Group Survey found these exemptions were important to 65% of respondents. 

Over the last few months, the coalition has held over 65 meetings with members of Congress and their offices, bringing the perspectives of over 100 constituents from Arizona, North Carolina, West Virginia, Georgia, Florida and Pennsylvania, among other states.

 “We believe there is a path forward for equality and fairness for all Americans through dialogue, collaboration, and compromise. What we are pushing for most especially is movement. Legislators cannot allow another 48 years to pass without progress since the Equality Act was first introduced.  They must pass and send nondiscrimination legislation to the President’s desk before the end of the 117th Congress,” said Angela Hughey, co-founder of EFC and president of ONE Community. 

“Equality and fairness are not red or blue issues – they’re American issues. All hard-working people, including those who are LGBTQ+, want to do their jobs and provide for their families. LGBTQ+ people want the same thing as everyone else -- the freedom to work hard, access basic services, and take care of themselves and their loved ones without fear of discrimination. It’s time to advance federal protections that guarantee these rights,” said Michael Soto, co-founder of the EFC and CEO of Equality Arizona. 

The Equality and Fairness for All Coalition supports:

• Protecting all Americans in employment, education, housing, credit, jury service and public accommodations, including members of the LGBTQ community.
• Banning conversion therapy, protecting millions of LGBTQ Americans, from harm. This universally damaging practice has been condemned by every major medical association.
• Reducing the minimum number of employees needed for protections from fifteen (15) to zero (0), which would drastically expand the number of Americans protected against employment discrimination based on race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, color, creed, national origin, and religion.
• Ensuring religious institutions continue to receive federal dollars for social services and education.

Learn more about the Equality and Fairness for All Americans Coalition and their bipartisan framework  at: EqualityandFairness.com

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For More Information:

Sophie O’Keefe-Zelman

[email protected]

602-380-1809

About Equality and Fairness for All Americans

The Equality and Fairness for all Americans Coalition is made up of LGBTQ organizations, faith organizations, businesses, trade associations, civic leaders and every day Americans who all believe in working collaboratively to gain bipartisan support for non-discrimination legislation that unites both the LGBTQ and faith community around the core American values of freedom, fairness, and opportunity for all.

As members of this coalition, we firmly believe there is a path forward together in an effort to pass landmark legislation within the next year to bring federal non-discrimination protections to millions of Americans in employment, education, housing, credit, jury service, and public accommodations. This will bring immediate relief to millions of Americans who live in fear of discrimination and have no legal recourse.

Representative Amish Shah, M.D. and Speaker Rusty Bowers file HB2802:
The Equality and Fairness for All Arizonans Act

Legislation will extend Arizona’s non-discrimination protections to LGBTQ Arizonans in employment, housing and public accommodations while also protecting religious rights for people and institutions of faith. It will also ban conversion therapy for licensed healthcare professionals in Arizona.

(February 7th, 2022, Phoenix, Ariz.): Today, Representative Amish Shah, M.D. (LD24) and Speaker Rusty Bowers (LD25) filed HB2802, the Equality and Fairness for all Arizonans Act, that will extend Arizona’s current non-discrimination protections to gay and transgender Arizonans in employment, housing and public accommodations while protecting religious rights for people and institutions of faith. This bill also provides workplace protections for religious minorities and includes a ban on conversation therapy for minors through licensing requirements for medical professionals.

This historic measure is the product of years of thoughtful dialogue between leading Arizona LGBTQ organizations, business leaders and communities of faith to support a bill aimed at updating the state’s non-discrimination law while also preserving religious freedom. The introduction of the bill also follows the passage of similar non-discrimination ordinances in Mesa, Glendale, Scottsdale and Tolleson in 2021. In total, only 10 Arizona municipalities have LGBTQ-inclusive non-discrimination laws, leaving many Arizonans vulnerable to discrimination with no legal recourse.

“HB2802 brings the LGBTQ community and communities of faith together in celebration of the great American tenets of religious freedom, equal treatment, and freedom of opportunity. This bill reflects the true spirit of bipartisanship and democracy - Arizonans coming together to create a more just and fair Arizona for all people. We are grateful to Speaker Bowers and Representative Shah, M.D. for their leadership and example,” said Michael Soto, Executive Director of Equality Arizona. 

“HB2802 will ensure that LGBTQ Arizonans have the same opportunity to live, work, and contribute to Arizona that all other Arizonans have, while preserving religious freedoms. The coalition supporting this bill are Arizonans from all walks of life, willing to work together based on our shared values of equality and fairness. Today we are joined by LGBTQ leaders, business leaders, individuals from both parties, and clergy and members from religious communities including members of the Episcopalian, Methodist, Seventh Day Adventist, Community Church, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and Jewish faiths,” said Angela Hughey, president and co-founder of ONE Community at today’s press conference. “If we want to live in a state that grows by attracting the very best talent, has a strong economy, welcoming culture, and is open for business to everyone, then we must pass this bill,” concluded Ms. Hughey. 

Faith leaders are also supporting the measure in recognition of the importance of protecting all Arizonans equally, including LGBTQ Arizonans and Arizonans of faith. “We believe non-discrimination laws should and can protect both religious and LGBTQ rights. Many people of faith are also LGBTQ and many LGBTQ people are people of faith,” said Mr. Soto.

Support for LGBTQ inclusion has continued to grow across Arizona’s faith community, with over 500 religious leaders signing ONE Community’s Open to Worship pledge, and over 100 signing an open letter, noting “LGBTQ rights and religious freedom do not have to be in conflict. Instead, we can come together to protect all people and unify our community on what has for too long been a divisive issue.”

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints released a statement in support of the bill as well, “The Church is pleased to be part of a coalition of faith, business, LGBTQ people and community leaders who have worked together in a spirit of trust and mutual respect to address issues that matter to all members of our community. It is our position that this bipartisan bill preserves the religious rights of individuals and communities of faith while protecting the rights of members of the LGBTQ community, consistent with the principles of fairness for all.”

Support for LGBTQ non-discrimination protections has continued to grow in recent years across religious and political affiliations. Over 94% of Fortune 500 companies have non-discrimination policies that include gender identity and/or sexual orientation. A 2020 poll from the nonpartisan Public Religion Research Institute found that 76% of Americans favor laws that would prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity in employment, housing and public accommodations. Further, 90% of Arizona’s top 50 employers include sexual orientation and gender identity in their non-discrimination policies and more than 3,400 businesses in Arizona have already voiced their support for LGBTQ inclusive non-discrimination by signing the UNITY Pledge. 

The full livestream of today’s press conference is available at: www.Facebook.com/onecommunityaz 
 

 
For more information:
Sophie O’Keefe-Zelman
[email protected]
602-380-1809

About ONE Community
Since its inception in 2008, ONE Community has evolved into the member-based coalition of socially responsible businesses, organizations and individuals moving diversity, inclusion and equality for all Arizonans forward.  We are committed to reshaping Arizona’s image through educating, empowering and connecting our diverse LGBTQ and allied communities on the benefits of inclusion and its direct impact on attracting and retaining top talent and businesses—and thereby, ensuring our state’s economic sustainability.

About Equality Arizona
Equality Arizona is a non-profit organization made up of a 501(c)(3), the Equality Arizona Foundation; a 501(c)(4), Equality Arizona; and the Equality Arizona Political Action Committee. Our mission is to build the political power of the Arizona LGBTQ community for our full inclusion in the social, economic, and civil mechanisms of our society. We envision an Arizona where LGBTQ people are included in and lead the social, economic, and civic systems of our state, counties, cities, and communities.

MEDIA ADVISORY

WHO: Equality and Fairness for All Americans Coalition (EQFFAA)

Angela Hughey, ONE Community and EQFAA co-founder

Michael Soto, Equality Arizona and EQFAA co-founder

Kendra R. Johnson, Executive Director, Equality North Carolina

Sara Burlingame, Executive Director, Wyoming Equality

Jeff Graham, Executive Director, Georgia Equality

Andrew Schneider, Executive Director, Fairness West Virginia 

Rev. Marian Edmonds-Allen, Executive Director, Parity

WHEN: January 12th, 2022 10AM AZ Time/12:00 PM EST Time

WHERE:        Zoom - Register Here

WHAT:              Media Call to Introduce the Equality and Fairness for All Coalition

The Equality and Fairness for All Americans Coalition (EQFFAA), led nationally by ONE Community and Equality Arizona, will launch on January 12th, 2022. The media call will provide an overview of the coalition, policies it supports, and its strategy for passing comprehensive federal protections for the LGBTQ community into law.  Additionally, there will be time for questions from the media and attendees.

The EQFFAA coalition, a bipartisan group of LGBTQ organizations, faith organizations, businesses, trade associations, civic leaders and everyday Americans, aims to pass federal civil rights protections for LGBTQ Americans, ending the partisan gridlock that has stalled the Equality Act and the Fairness for All Act.  Since 1974, civil rights protections for LGBTQ Americans have been introduced in Congress nearly every year without success, leaving millions of Americans vulnerable to harm.

The EQFFAA coalition believes there a once in a decade opportunity to pass landmark legislation within the next six months, in advance of the midterm elections, to bring federal civil rights non-discrimination protections to millions of Americans in employment, education, housing, credit, jury service, and public accommodations. This will bring immediate relief to millions of Americans who live in fear of discrimination and have no legal recourse.

The Equality and Fairness for All Americans Coalition supports:

• Providing protections for all Americans in employment, education, housing, credit, jury service and public accommodations, including members of the LGBTQ and faith communities.
• Banning conversion therapy, protecting millions of LGBTQ Americans, from harm. This universally damaging practice has been condemned by every major medical association and many religious leaders.
• Reducing the minimum number of employees needed for federal civil rights protections from fifteen (15) to zero (0), which would drastically expand the number of Americans protected against employment discrimination based on race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, color, creed, national origin, and religion.
• Allowing religious institutions to continue to receive federal dollars for social services and education.

The Equality and Fairness for all Americans Coalition believes in working collaboratively to gain bipartisan support for federal civil rights legislation that unites both the LGBTQ and faith communities around the core American values of freedom, fairness, and opportunity for all.  More information about the coalition including its diverse membership can be found here. 

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For press inquiries and more information contact:

Sophie O’Keefe-Zelman

[email protected]

602-380-1809

How left and right united to protect against discrimination in conservative Mesa

After seven years of difficult conversations between LGBTQ and religious communities, Mesa passed a fully inclusive nondiscrimination ordinance.

Angela Hughey and Michael Soto opinion contributors

As families come together this holiday season, we want to remind the country of what is possible in America.