On Wednesday, May 9th President Obama became the first sitting president to come out in support of the freedom to marry. This message of acceptance marks an important milestone in the fight for full equality for LGBT Americans and the recognition of marriage as a human right. Though the President’s words do not reverse the institutionalized discrimination that LGBT families face across the country and in our own state, we should embrace this historic declaration by President Obama and the hope that it brings to our community.

There is much work to be done and Equality Arizona continues to fight on the state and local levels to secure, protect and defend the rights and welfare of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Arizona. In this election year, it is more important than ever for us to work to elect fair-minded officials who support full equality for LGBT individuals and families. Help us to build on this momentum by supporting our efforts to make electoral gains and defeat extremist anti-LGBT officials at all levels of government.

Check out the videos below featuring the responses of EQ AZ board members and other local LGBT leaders to this powerful and historic affirmation. Stay tuned for more local coverage as it becomes available!

Equality Arizona Advocacy Fund Co-Chair, Lawrence Robinson

1VCC Board Chair, Jimmy Gruender

April 30, 2012

Phoenix, Ariz. – The Board of Directors of Equality Arizona (EQ AZ) announces the departure of Executive Director, Nick Ray, who joined the organization in July, 2011. In his time with EQ AZ Nick worked on a variety of institutional and policy matters including safe schools legislation and district-level policies, institutional development, fundraising through both special events and individual outreach as well as representing the community in a variety of media forums.

At Equality Arizona Nick was committed to engaging more broadly with under-represented communities that had not previously have been involved with our efforts. We have made great strides in this direction as an organization and a community and Equality Arizona remains 100% committed to these efforts.

Nick comes from a research and public policy background and has been offered a rare opportunity to work on these twin passions as Center Manager of the Southwest Interdisciplinary Research Center at Arizona State University. There he will work with faculty and researchers from across the United States and Europe engaged in transdisciplinary minority health and health disparities research, training and community outreach.

According to Equality Arizona Board President, Rebecca Wininger, “Nick joined us at a critical time for the organization, just weeks before our 20^th Anniversary Annual Dinner. Along with a dedicated team of volunteers and board members he worked to ensure that the event was a success. While we’re sorry to see him leave, we wish him the very best as he moves on to this exciting new challenge, and we will continue our efforts in pursuit of full equality for all LGBT people throughout Arizona.”

Of his departure Ray commented, “It has been a real honor to work with and for the LGBT community in Arizona over the past few years, in particular at Equality Arizona which has a critical role to play in advancing the cause of fairness all across the state. As the only LGBT organization with a mission to work statewide in pursuit of equality, this organization has a central role to play in advancing our community’s cause and I remain 100% supportive of those efforts.”

Equality Arizona’s work continues at our 2012 Tucson Campaign Kick-Off on May 30^th and at the 21^st Annual Dinner at the historic Arizona Biltmore on September 15^th, 2012

Equality Arizona’s mission is to secure, protect and defend the rights and welfare of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Arizona. We work to organize the movement for equality, educate voters, and influence policymakers. We continue to advocate for safe schools legislation and policies protecting students from anti-LGBT bullying, inclusive nondiscrimination and hate crimes protections statewide, and equal legal recognition of gay and lesbian couples.

Media contact: Rebecca Wininger, Board President at 602-558-8876 or rebecca@equalityarizona.org

Please join us at the Clarendon Hotel on Tuesday, April 3rd, from 5:30pm to 7:30pm for a free reception.

Our Right. Our Future. Our Time.

Learn about Equality Arizona’s exciting and busy agenda for 2012.

Our esteemed co-host include:

Arizona Senate Minority Leader David Schapira and Senators Paula Aboud, Steve Gallardo, Jack Jackson, David Lujan & Robert Meza
Arizona House Minority Leader Chad Campbell and Representatives Lela Alston, Tom Chabin, Steve Farley, Ruben Gallego, Matt Heinz, Katie Hobbs, Eric Meyer & Anna Tovar
County Supervisor Mary Rose Wilcox
Phoenix City Council Members Tom Simplot & Daniel Valenzuela
City of Mesa Council Member Dennis Kavanaugh
Creighton School Board Member Matt Jewett

Gerrie Mayer Gibbons (left), loving wife of Martha Jones since August 25, 2002 and partner of 25 years, passed away on Friday, Jan 20^th.

Gerrie and Martha have been stalwarts in the many battles for LGBT dignity and rights here in Arizona over the past two decades and their contributions will be long remembered.

In the late 1980’s, the AIDS crisis hit Phoenix with devastating consequences and these brave women stepped up to help the community form voluntary groups to assist those that were affected by this horrible disease. The Arizona AIDS Project’s initial success owes much to their efforts. Both Martha & Gerrie served on the Steering Committee for the 1988 display of the National AIDS Memorial Quilt which was shown in its entirety at the Phoenix Convention Center.

When the need to take a political stand in Arizona arose in the early 1990’s, Gerrie was one of the early board members of the Arizona Human Rights Fund, now known as Equality Arizona.  By chairing several dinners, funds were raised to support efforts which brought down the horrendous sodomy laws in Arizona and imposed harsher penalties for hate crimes directed at the LGBT Community.

Gerrie’s articles in Echo magazine related the problems our community was experiencing and sought ways to mobilize all of us to respond with action that would lead to victories. Gerrie was inducted into Echo magazine’s Hall of Fame in 2007 and that same year received the Equality Arizona Individual Human Rights Award. Gerrie was a licensed psychologist and her loving counsel helped many of us persevere in our quest for equality.

She will be greatly missed and our thoughts and deep-felt love go out to Martha (pictured right with Gerrie on their wedding day in Provincetown, MA), as well as to Gerrie’s family and friends.

Media Contact: Bill MacDonald, billmac4@gmail.com or 602-820-8043

As Equality Arizona (EQAZ) enters 2012, we are pleased to announce the selection of new leadership for both our C3 Educational Foundation and the C4 Advocacy Fund.  At the last meeting of the Board of Directors, Rebecca Wininger was elected to serve as President of Equality Arizona.  She will also co-chair the Equality Arizona Advocacy Fund with EQAZ Board Member, Lawrence Robinson.  Both Lawrence and Rebecca bring passion and diverse experiences to these leadership roles.

As new leadership steps forward, we recognize and thank the former board chair, Tom Mann, for his dedication and service. Having led Equality Arizona through two tough but productive years, it is now a good time to hand over the reins of an organization for which he cares greatly. Tom embraced the leadership of Equality Arizona at perhaps the hardest time in the organization’s history.  It speaks volumes to Tom’s commitment that he helped push through significant changes, including refocusing efforts to enhance community communication and, last summer, working with the board to hire the organization’s first Executive Director since 2009.

The board and executive director have recently attended a full-day strategic planning meeting facilitated by a staff member of the Equality Federation, the umbrella organization that serves and supports most of the statewide LGBT organizations throughout the country.  With the plan developed at this meeting, Equality Arizona is prepared to move forward in vigorously securing, protecting and defending the rights and welfare of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Arizona.  We welcome your suggestions and we pledge to keep you informed of our progress with our regular newsletters and Facebook postings.

If you want to know more about volunteering with us in any capacity, please contact our Executive Director, Nick Ray, at nick@equalityarizona.org  or Board President, Rebecca Wininger, at rebecca@equalityarizona.org.  You can also call EQAZ at 602-650-0900.

February 07, 2012 – Fundraiser and Legislative Update for Representative Chad Campbell

Please join us in support of State Representative Chad Campbell, a great ally of Equality Arizona who is seeking re-election in 2012.

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February 10, 2012 – The Medical Community for Equality

A special reception and fundraiser targeted at medical professionals

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March 11, 2012 - Gay Prix 2012: Arizona’s 1st Annual Gay Go-Cart Championship! 

 Join EQAZ on March 11th  from 6:30-9:00PM for the 1st Annual Gay Prix! This unique event features go-cart racing, arcade games, prizes, drinks and more, with the entire race factory reserved for our friends and supporters.

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March 31, 2012 - March for Equality

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 TBD – The Legal Community for Equality

A special reception and fundraiser targeted at legal professionals. 

“No Negros” is part of the antiquated covenants, codes and restrictions in my North Encanto neighborhood.  “No Chinese or Jews” is listed in the 1920s deed of a friends’ home near Central and Vernon. We have a checkered history in Arizona of excluding certain peoples, and the current composition of state government means 2012 could see more embracing of the past. This is just one reason why Equality Arizona and the people who support this organization will be so critical in the weeks and months to come. Are you ready to fight in 2012?

Our schools are unsafe places for many kids who are different – LGBTQ students and children of undocumented immigrants come first to my mind.  In response to this painful truth, a legislative initiative will be at the forefront of Equality Arizona’s efforts this New Year to ensure every child is safe at school and that schools are held accountable. We will continue our work with State Superintendent John Huppenthal and will also be engaged with school districts across the state to secure protections at the local level. No child deserves to be bullied. Ever. Are you ready to say ‘no’ to bullies and those who do nothing to stop them?

We are preparing for a rapid response if anti-family legislative forces try to exclude any single, qualified adult from caring for a child in need.  How many children will forego a family if only opposite sex married couples are allowed to foster or adopt? No child should be denied a family and love for purely ideological reasons. Are you ready to say that single people, LGBT and straight, can be excellent parents, too?

Tucson and Phoenix welcome new mayors who are committed to equality for ALL their constituents while other cities and county governments will see new leadership elected in 2012. Some communities across the state could benefit from updated LGBT-inclusive non-discrimination ordinances, while others may be open to adopting them for the first time. Equality Arizona will help local government leaders throughout the state understand why such protections are good policy and good politics. Are you ready to make a difference in your city and/or county?

We want and need to be the best possible statewide LGBT organization serving ALL of our community. We will collaborate via a collegiate fellowship in a survey of transgender Arizonans to identify their priorities and challenges. We will also be undertaking a survey of LGBTQ and allied communities to better inform our work more broadly. We are excited to embark on these important efforts and look forward to sharing the results. Are you ready to hear the voice of our community and to share yours?

Equality Arizona needs you. Your community needs you. We cannot stand alone. Are you ready to work with us?

Today, I challenge you to join us in the fight for the bullied children, for potential parents and for everyone else whose rights as an LGBT individual are threatened or compromised.

I have today donated an extra $100 to Equality Arizona.  My partner, Wendi, has done the same and 3 generous friends have matched our gifts.  As the deadline for making tax deductible contributions approaches, we challenge YOU to do the same…it’s as easy as clicking here.  If a gift of $100 is too much in these demanding economic times, I ask you to give whatever you can, because every single gift really does make a difference. YOUR SUPPORT HELPS MAKE ARIZONA A BETTER PLACE FOR ALL OF US.

We cannot do this alone.  We need you.  Especially in 2012.

Thank you sincerely for supporting our community with your generous gift and best wishes for a happy and prosperous 2012.

Rebecca Wininger, Vice Chair Equality Arizona

P.S. If you prefer to mail a donation, please ensure it is postmarked by December 31st to enjoy a deduction when you file your 2011 taxes. You can mail contributions to PO Box 25044, Phoenix, AZ 85002-5044. Thank you.

Equality Arizona is delighted that Phoenix’s incoming First Lady, Nicole Stanton, has decided to tackle head-on the epidemic of bullying in our schools. You can read about Mrs. Stanton’s initiative here and in the weeks to come will hear much more from Equality Arizona about our plans for 2012 related to stopping bullying in our schools.

As we worked hard this year to help elect Greg Stanton as the city’s new Mayor we quickly realized that both he and his wife would be fierce advocates for equality for all Phoenicians, including the LGBT community, and this early commitment proves the point.

As the Equality Arizona Board Chair said when discussing the organization’s pleasure at seeing a city leader step up to the plate on this issue:

“Phoenix’s incoming First Lady Nicole Stanton has a very personal appreciation of the impact that bullying can have on young people. Her own brother was a victim for many years and mountains of evidence shows unequivocally that LGBT youth and students continue to be disproportionately targeted by bullies. We are very happy to be working with Mrs. Stanton on this important initiative.”

During the 2011 legislative session we partnered with GLSEN-Phoenix and the Anti-Defamation League among others in collaboration with legislators to advance a safe schools bill. While State Senator David Schapira’s legislation did not ultimately pass, the conversations around it provided an important opportunity to educate elected and appointed officials about this important issue.

Nick Ray, Executive Director commented:

“The potential impact of long-term bullying cannot be overstated. We have seen the ultimate consequences highlighted too many times this past year as young people with so much promise have taken their own lives. While legislators here in Arizona need to take up this challenge, we will not be sitting back idly waiting for a statewide response. We will be working in the New Year to achieve whatever changes we can that will protect our students.

Equality Arizona will continue to work at the legislature in both the House and Senate but will also be expanding our efforts to the school district level where we are hopeful we can achieve real change that will immediately impact the lives of LGBT students regardless of the legislature’s inaction. In addition, engaging elected officials at the city and county level in support of safe schools policies will provide extra leverage as we seek to convince school boards of the need for comprehensive safe schools policies and programs.

As a part of this effort we are developing a statewide network of leaders who will serve as our eyes and ears on the ground. They will help us identify opportunities and challenges that we might not hear about absent their local knowledge and it will be that invaluable local knowledge that will help determine when and where to best pursue advances for the community.

We have stressed repeatedly this year that we want, and the community needs, for Equality Arizona to be an effective and efficient organization pursuing change that matters to the LGBT community and bringing along allies and partners for the fight. Promoting safe schools is just one of our 2012 priorities but it’s an important and exciting one where we think we can achieve significant and much-needed results.

With the passage of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, gay and lesbian members of the United State military who risk their lives for this country can finally serve openly and proudly. Read an interesting story about two Arizona service members who married in Vermont and are now serving openly at Fort Huachuca.

December 10, 2011 6-9pm
Wyndham Hotel, 50 E. Adams Street, Phoenix, AZ

For only $25 per person please join Equality Arizona and the Greater Phoenix Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce at the 3rd Annual Festival of Trees. One of the biggest, best and most fun events of the year the Festival of Trees has grown bigger & better each year and will be the biggest ever this year.

Decorators & Chamber members with Christmas flare reserve, decorate and display their fabulous trees for this event! ALL SIZES will be on display including wreaths & menorahs. This event is open to the public and attracts 300+ attendees.