June Newsletter: Pride Month in Challenging Times
Cultivating Community through Political Turmoil
In today’s newsletter:
Our Work: Organizing for Change — Mesa and Beyond
Featured Commentary: Pride is Action
Queerly Arizona: Christiana’s Story
Belong Youth Conference
Upcoming Events & Save the Dates
Your Voice Matters: Equality Arizona Survey
Our Work: Organizing for Change — Mesa and Beyond
Equality Arizona is building advocacy groups across the state—starting in Mesa—to train and support LGBTQ Arizonans and allies in taking action for equal rights.
The Equality Advocates groups are spaces for people to connect, grow their advocacy skills, and speak out on the issues that matter most in their communities. Our goal is to equip everyday people with the tools and confidence to push back against anti-LGBTQ policies and stand up for equality—right where they live.
Interested in attending or hosting an Equality Advocates group? Sign up here.
Featured Commentary: Pride is Action
Pride Month Demands More Than Celebration This Year — It Demands Action
Every June, cities and communities across the United States burst into color. Pride flags wave from windows, parades roll down main streets, and companies change their logos to rainbow versions. Pride Month is, at its core, a time to honor the resilience, joy, and contributions of LGBTQ people—to celebrate the progress we’ve made and the vibrant diversity of our communities.
But this year, celebration alone is not enough.
We are living through one of the most aggressive waves of anti-LGBTQ policy attacks in recent history. Across the country, lawmakers have introduced and passed hundreds of bills targeting LGBTQ people—especially transgender youth—with proposals to ban access to health care, restrict their participation in sports, censor books and classroom discussions, and even criminalize aspects of LGBTQ life. What was once considered fringe political ideology has moved into the mainstream of American politics, as demonstrated by the President of the United States signing executive orders that attempt to erase transgender people from public life and the law. The consequences are not theoretical—they are urgent, harmful, and threaten the most foundational American values.
Pride Month is not just a party; it is a protest and a movement. And in this moment, it must also be a call to action.
The Cost of Inaction
When elected officials use their platforms to spread misinformation and fear about LGBTQ people, they don’t just create bad policy—they create an environment of hostility and violence. Hate crimes against LGBTQ Americans are on the rise. According to the Williams Institute, “LGBT people are nine times more likely to experience violent hate crimes than non-LGBT people.” Trans people face disproportionate levels of violence, harassment, and discrimination. LGBTQ youth report declining mental health and increasing feelings of isolation, often directly tied to the rhetoric and laws in their states and in our federal government. A 2024 report from the Trevor Project found that 90% of the LGBTQ youth surveyed said their well-being was negatively impacted due to recent politics.
Silence, neutrality, or performative support in this moment sends a dangerous message: that our rights are conditional, who we are is up for debate, our lives expendable.
We must refuse to accept that.
What Real Support Looks Like
Supporting the LGBTQ community this Pride Month means moving beyond rainbow logos and token gestures. It means taking action. Here's what that looks like:
Advocating for policy change. Support local and national efforts to pass nondiscrimination protections, protect marriage, expand access to health care, and push back against censorship in schools and libraries.
Showing up publicly. Whether it’s attending a school board meeting, marching in a protest, or pushing against anti-LGBTQ practices in your workplace or community—visibility matters. Silence protects power, not people.
Showing up in your family and close friend group. LGBTQ people do not always have the support of our families or those closest to us. If your family members or close friends repeat anti-LGBTQ talking points or share misinformation, it is ok to respectfully disagree, to offer real information, and to share your experiences and thoughts about LGBTQ people.
Supporting LGBTQ organizations. Donate to groups doing the on-the-ground work to defend rights, provide services, and support vulnerable LGBTQ populations. Please consider donating to Equality Arizona, AZTYPO, Prisma Community Care, and one.n.ten.
Listening to and amplifying LGBTQ voices. Especially those who are most impacted—young people, people of color, immigrants, and rural LGBTQ communities. They know what they need; we need to trust and follow their leadership.
Being consistent. Support doesn’t end when the calendar flips to July 1st. Pride is not a brand—it’s a commitment to equity, safety, and freedom, 365 days a year.
Remembering the Roots of Pride
Pride began as a rebellion. In 1969, LGBTQ people—including Stormé DeLarverie, Marsha P. Johnson, Fred Sargeant, Miss Major, Ginny Apuzzo, Frank Kameny, and Sylvia Rivera—rose up against police brutality at the Stonewall Inn. That legacy reminds us that Pride has always been about resistance, survival, and the fight for liberation and freedom.
Today’s fight is no less urgent. The faces and tactics of oppression may have changed, but the goal remains the same: to erase LGBTQ people from public life. We cannot let that happen.
So this Pride Month, let us celebrate—yes. But let us also organize, advocate, donate, educate, and act. Let us remember that the rainbow is not just a symbol of joy, but of resistance, unity, and the promise of a future where everyone can live freely and fully.
Because Pride without action is just a party. But Pride with purpose can change the world.
Queerly Arizona: Real Stories of LGBTQ Arizonans
From Pain to Purpose: Christiana’s Story of Courage, Acceptance, and Peace
If you’ve ever carried a truth too heavy to share, Christiana Hammond’s story may resonate. After decades of hiding, she chose to live authentically—and in doing so, Christiana didn’t just save herself—she found purpose, built community, and became a force for change in Arizona. Her journey is a powerful reminder of what can bloom when we finally stop running and start living as our full selves.
Read Christiana’s full story here.
Creating Space to Belong: A New Path for LGBTQIA+ Youth
For many LGBTQIA+ teenagers—especially those raised in religious or conservative communities—finding safe, affirming spaces is essential, and often life-saving. The Belong Youth Conference meets this urgent need by helping queer youth and their allies feel a sense of belonging, while equipping them with tools for resilience and spiritual health. In a time of increasing anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and hostile rhetoric, programs like Belong are not just important—they're critical.
Equality Arizona proudly supports Belong as its fiscal sponsor, offering oversight and alignment with our shared values: justice, authenticity, and radical hospitality. While Belong is a new initiative, it does not aim to replace trusted organizations like one•n•ten. Instead, it complements them—adding new depth to the support ecosystem for LGBTQ+ youth in Arizona and beyond.
With an identity-affirming and religiously neutral approach, Belong welcomes all teens, regardless of where they are on their faith journey. The 3-day program blends peer connection, mentorship, and holistic wellness into a deeply engaging experience designed for long-term impact.
Upcoming Conference & Expansion Plans
The next Belong Youth Conference takes place June 26–28, 2025, in Provo, Utah. Registration is now open at belongyouthconference.org. Plans are also underway to host a future conference here in Arizona.
How You Can Get Involved:
Invite a Teen (ages 13–18): LGBTQ+ youth, siblings, and allies are all welcome.
Volunteer: Especially if you bring experience in youth engagement, mental health, or interfaith work. Please reach out via info@belongyouthconference.org.
Donate: Help make the program accessible for all. Contributions are tax-deductible through Equality Arizona.
Connect: Know a queer young adult who’d be a great mentor or counselor? We’d love to hear from them. Please reach out via info@belongyouthconference.org.
Together, we can build a more just and spiritually nourishing world for LGBTQIA+ youth. Let’s create spaces where every teen knows they truly belong.
Upcoming Events & Save the Dates!
Community Conversation: The Skrmetti Decision
Join us via zoom the Saturday after the ruling (expected in June) for a conversation about what it means for transgender health care in Arizona and beyond. We'll come together to reflect, stay informed, and support one another—because our strength is in community. Stay tuned to our social media for the official announcement.
2025 Arizona Legislative Wrap-Up
Join us via zoom on Wednesday, July 9th at 4:30PM MST for a full recap of the 2025 Arizona Legislative Session. We’ll walk through each bill we followed this year and break down what passed, what didn’t, and what it all means moving forward.
Arizona Equality Advocates Groups
Equality Advocates meetings are a space to connect, learn, and take action for LGBTQ rights in Arizona. Hear from Equality Arizona CEO Michael Soto, build your advocacy skills, and start creating real change—together.
Sign up here if interested in attending a future Equality Advocates group meeting.
Policy Briefings
Join us via zoom on Sunday June 15th at 3:00PM for a Policy Briefings to stay informed of the current state and federal bills and policies and what these means for LGBTQ+ Arizonans.
Pride Month Events
June 21 - Pride in the Pines, Flagstaff
June 27 - Diamondbacks Pride Night
June 29 - Phoenix Mercury Pride Night
Save the Dates!
Trans Awareness Week Events | November 17–23, 2025
Equality Arizona’s 2026 Legislative Kickoff Breakfast — January 8, 2026
Trans Day of Visibility — March 31, 2026
Equality Arizona Gala — November 7, 2026
Your Voice Matters…about Pride!
Your voice matters, and we want to know how you're really doing. Please take a moment to share your thoughts in this brief survey.