SB1325, SB1456, and Mesa City Council
Three ways to show up for LGBTQ+ equality this week
Protect Kids, Not Conversion Therapy
A bill to prohibit bans on so-called conversion or reparative therapy by licensed professionals has been resurrected as SB1325 in a “strike everything” amendment. Conversion therapy is a dangerous and disavowed practice, and Arizona youth and families have a right to expect that a therapist practicing under a license from the state will not put them at risk of severe harm. This bill undermines medical regulation and the public trust by opening a broad and unqualified loophole that would allow any provider to engage in abusive practices by claiming they are based on conscience or belief.
SB1325 will be up before the Senate Appropriations Committee hearing this Tuesday. Call or email the members of the committee today and ask them to vote to protect kids, not conversion therapy.
David Gowan (Chairman) | dgowan@azleg.gov | (602)926-5154
Lela Alston | lalston@azleg.gov | (602)926-5829
Sean Bowie | sbowie@azleg.gov | (602)926-3004
Sine Kerr | skerr@azleg.gov | (602)926-5955
Vince Leach (the bill’s sponsor) | vleach@azleg.gov | (602)926-3106
David Livingston | dlivingston@azleg.gov | (602)926-4178
Tony Navarrete | tnavarrete@azleg.gov | (602)926-4864
Lisa Otondo | lotondo@azleg.gov | (602)926-3002
Kelly Townsend | ktownsend@azleg.gov | (602)926-4467
Michelle Ugenti-Rita | mugenti-rita@azleg.gov | (602)926-4480
Defend Accurate, Age-appropriate Sex Education
SB1456 prevents young people from learning about their bodies in an age-appropriate way from professionals, not the internet. Because SB1456 bans sex education before the 5th grade, many students experiencing a spectrum of life experiences are left out of the process.
Additionally, SB1456 creates unnecessary hurdles to getting students HIV prevention education. This bill would create a double opt-in process: first, parents need to opt their student into sex education; then, second, would need to opt their student into HIV prevention education.
This bill endangers the health and lives of LGBTQ students, and would harm all students by depriving them of an equal opportunity to learn age appropriate, medically accurate, sex education. Every student in Arizona should learn how to stay safe, healthy and HIV negative.
Contact your State Senator today to ask them to vote against SB1456 and senseless restrictions on education.
Today: Stand up to Discrimination in Mesa
In today’s city council meeting at 5:45 PM, The City of Mesa will introduce a new law to protect LGBTQ+ people from discrimination in public accommodations, employment, and housing. This non-discrimination ordinance is the result of years of community organizing and a healthy collaboration with the Mayor and City Council. It is a crucial step on the road to equality, and will have immediate benefits to the city and its people. Join Equality Arizona and One Community in supporting equality for all in Mesa
Sign up by 4:30 PM to speak in today’s city council meeting. We’ve prepared a guide to make this as simple as possible! Having this kind of vocal support for the non-discrimination ordinance will be key to its success. You’ll be able to call in from your home and watch the meeting online. Use the sample letter from our last action alert to help guide your comments.
You can also contact the Mayor and City Councilmembers directly to voice your support.
Mayor John Giles | mayor@mesaaz.gov
Councilman Mark Freeman | District1@mesaaz.gov
Councilwoman Julie Spilsbury | District2@mesaaz.gov
Councilman Francisco Heredia | District3@mesaaz.gov
Councilwoman Jen Duff | District4mesaaz.gov
Councilman David Luna | District5@mesaaz.gov
Councilman Kevin Thompson | District6@mesaaz.gov