The Legislative Session Is Here—And So Are We
What This Legislative Session Means for LGBTQ+ Arizonans, and How You Can Make a Difference
Each January, Arizona lawmakers return to the Capitol and the legislative session begins. For LGBTQ+ Arizonans and our families, this moment matters. Decisions made in the coming weeks and months will shape whether our communities are treated with dignity, fairness, and respect—or whether harmful policies are allowed to move forward unchallenged.
This year, the stakes are already clear. Several bills harmful to LGBTQ+ Arizonans have been filed, signaling that attacks on our communities are not hypothetical—they are already underway. At Equality Arizona, we enter this session prepared. We’ve seen the patterns before. We know how quickly these bills can move, and we know that progress and protection don’t happen by accident—they happen when people speak up.
2026 Legislative Kickoff Breakfast
On January 8th, Equality Arizona launched the legislative session with our annual Legislative Kickoff Breakfast. The room was filled with advocates, partners, and community members ready to show up for LGBTQ+ Arizonans. Together, we discussed what’s ahead this session, the challenges already emerging, and how collective action—from emails to testimony—can make a real difference. The energy and commitment in the room were a powerful reminder that we are strongest when we move forward together.
What We’re Watching This Session
Every legislative session brings a mix of opportunities and challenges. Bills that affect LGBTQ+ people often touch many parts of daily life, including access to health care, how schools support young people, protections from discrimination, parental rights, and the freedom to live openly and authentically.
Some proposals may be framed as “parental rights,” “religious freedom,” or “protecting children,” but their real impact can be exclusion, fear, and harm to LGBTQ+ individuals—especially youth and families. The fact that harmful bills have already been pre-filed means early action is critical. Once a bill gains momentum, it can be much harder to stop.
Ballot Referrals: A Growing Concern
In recent years, Arizona lawmakers have increasingly used ballot referrals as a way to bypass the Governor’s veto. Instead of sending a bill to the Governor’s desk, the legislature can vote to place a measure directly on the ballot, sending it straight to voters in a future election.
This tactic is especially concerning because ballot referrals can lock harmful policies into law or even into the Arizona Constitution, making them far more difficult to reverse. These measures often rely on misleading language and expensive campaigns that spread fear and misinformation, putting fundamental rights up for a popular vote.
This session, we are closely watching for ballot referrals that could impact LGBTQ+ people and our families. Stopping harmful legislation at the Capitol is critical—but so is preventing dangerous measures from being sent to the ballot in the first place.
Why Your Voice Matters—and How to Take Action
Arizona’s legislature is more accessible than many people realize. Lawmakers pay attention when they hear directly from their constituents—especially when those messages come early and often. Emails, phone calls, in-person meetings, and committee testimony all play a real role in shaping outcomes.
To make taking action easier, Equality Arizona uses a tool called Voter Voice. Voter Voice allows you to quickly find your Arizona lawmakers and send them a message with just a few clicks. You don’t need to track down contact information or navigate the legislative website—Voter Voice does the work for you, so your voice can be heard when it matters most.
You can find current Voter Voice alerts on Equality Arizona’s website.
We also believe that advocacy shouldn’t feel intimidating. That’s why we offer hands-on training to help community members feel confident and prepared to engage directly with lawmakers. Through our Equality Advocates meetings, we provide guidance on how to meet with your legislator, how to testify at hearings, and what to expect at committee meetings. Whether you’re brand new to advocacy or looking to sharpen your skills, these trainings are designed to make sure you don’t have to figure it out on your own.
If you’d like to receive emails about future Equality Advocates meetings and upcoming advocacy trainings, you can sign up here: https://tinyurl.com/AZequalityadvocates
How Equality Arizona Is Showing Up
Throughout the session, Equality Arizona will be monitoring legislation from the moment bills are heard, engaging directly with lawmakers, and keeping our community informed. We’ll send action alerts when your voice is most needed and include links to Voter Voice so you can easily contact your elected officials at key moments.
We’ll also continue building community through Equality Advocates meetings—creating space for learning, connection, and collective action. No one should have to navigate the Capitol alone.
This Session, We Move Forward Together
Legislative sessions can feel overwhelming, especially when attacks begin before the gavel even drops. But this work has always been about people—parents, young people, elders, and families who believe in fairness and dignity.
As this session begins, we invite you to stay engaged, take action when alerts go out, and take advantage of the tools and trainings available to you. Together, we can protect our communities and continue pushing Arizona toward a future where LGBTQ+ people can thrive.
The session has started. And so has the work.