Two Major Wins for LGBTQ Equality in Arizona and a Critical Step Toward Racial Equality
SB 1456 Vetoed, Scottsdale passes LGBTQ inclusive non-discrimination, and George Floyd's Murderer is held accountable
This evening we have a lot to celebrate, friends. Your work, tireless advocacy, and true courage have won two major wins for LGBTQ equality in Arizona. We also took a vital step as a nation, toward racial healing and justice.
Governor Ducey Vetoes SB1456
Just before the deadline, Governor Ducey announced his veto of SB1456. In his letter explaining his veto he said, “the language of the bill is overly broad and vague and could lead to serious consequences, including the very real possibility that it could be misinterpreted by schools.” We whole heartedly agree with the Governor that this bill would have had serious consequences for Arizona’s students including making young children more vulnerable to child abuse and mandating discrimination against LGBTQ people in the school day.
We are proud of the Governor for vetoing SB1456, for protecting Arizona’s children, and for standing against the extremist agendas of rightwing hate groups like the Center for Arizona Policy.
Read our statement here:
Scottsdale Becomes 8th Arizona City to Pass LGBTQ Inclusive Non-Discrimination
Tonight, the Scottsdale City Council took a historic step and became the eighth city in Arizona to pass an LGBTQ inclusive anti-discrimination ordinance. The Council vote was unanimous. This ordinance will fully protect LGBTQ families and individuals from discrimination in public accommodations, employment, and housing in the City of Scottsdale. This ordinance is the result of the leadership of Mayor David Ortega and Council and years of collaboration between city leaders, business, faith and community stakeholders.
In his comments in favor of the ordinance, Mayor Ortega said, “Tonight’s passage of the anti-discrimination ordinance confirms our commitment to a Scottsdale that is inclusive of all people. No matter who you are or who you love, you are welcome in Scottsdale."
The City of Scottsdale joins Winslow, Flagstaff, Sedona, Phoenix, Tempe and Tucson as municipalities with LGBTQ inclusive anti-discrimination ordinances in Arizona. The state has no statewide law barring discrimination against LGBTQ people in employment, housing or public accommodations.
Read our statement here:
George Floyd’s Murderer Held Accountable
Today justice, within our criminal justice system, has been realized for #georgefloyd and his family, for Black Americans, and for all marginalized people who experience violence at the hands of police. Derek Chauvin has been found guilty on all 3 counts: second-degree murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
Justice for all, true social justice, is long overdue in our nation. We hope that today is a step toward that great promise, a just and free society for all people. For far too long police have been the judge, jury, and executioner of people of color, women, disabled, poor, and LGBTQ people. It is long past time to right these wrongs in the names of those who have paid the ultimate price of injustice. Let today be the start of a truly just nation.
Today a murderer was held accountable. It is our hope that tomorrow justice will mean that people of color, women, disabled, poor, and LGBTQ people will no longer live in fear of police violence.
This verdict, our nation’s public dialogue about racism, and our collective journey to end white supremacy in our lifetimes should be credited to the millions of activists and every day people who have marched, advocated, and organized against police violence and for justice. This is not the end of our work to end white supremacy, but an important step.
