24 Arizona

HISTORY

Arizona has a complex history with LGBTQ+ rights, both with progress and setbacks. In the 1970s, the LGBTQ+ community in Arizona began organizing for their rights, establishing social groups, and advocating for anti-discrimination laws. However, progress was slow, and it wasn’t until 1992 that Phoenix became the first city in the state to pass an ordinance protecting individuals from discrimination based on sexual orientation in the workplace.

In 2006, Arizona made headlines when voters passed Proposition 107, which aimed to constitutionally ban same-sex marriage. This was a significant setback for LGBTQ+ rights in the state and reflected a more conservative stance. However, as the national conversation around LGBTQ+ rights evolved, so did the attitudes within Arizona.

In 2014, a federal court ruled Arizona’s ban on same-sex marriage unconstitutional, paving the way for marriage equality in the state. This ruling was a turning point, marking a shift in public opinion and legal recognition of LGBTQ+ rights. In 2017, the city of Phoenix expanded its anti-discrimination ordinance to include protections for LGBTQ+ individuals.

Most recently, in 2023, Arizona’s newly elected governor, Katie Hobbs, issued an executive order to protect LGBTQ+ state employees from job discrimination.

LAWS

In the state of Arizona, there are various recent laws targeting gender-affirming care. As politics moves quickly, we will only focus on a singular law as an example so you, the reader, can find the most up-to-date information.

32-3230. Prohibition of irreversible gender reassignment surgery for minors; definitions

• “A physician may not provide irreversible gender reassignment surgery to any individual who is under eighteen years of age.”
• Irreversible gender reassignment surgery
  • “(a) Penectomy, orchiectomy, vaginoplasty, clitoroplasty or vulvoplasty for biologically male patients or hysterectomy or ovariectomy for biologically female patients.”
  • “(b) Metoidioplasty, phalloplasty, vaginectomy, scrotoplasty or implantation of erection or testicular prostheses for biologically female patients.”
  • “(c) Augmentation mammoplasty for biologically male patients and subcutaneous mastectomy for female patients.”

Only put into effect April of the year writing this piece, 2023, Arizona is on the path to removing rights from many of its citizens. It rejects minors from having any gender reassignment surgery, on the basis that it is irreversible.

ACTIVISM

Brianna Westbrook, an Arizona native, is an American transgender rights activist. She is a vice-chair and executive committee member of the Arizona Democratic Party, being the first transgender person to be elected as a vice-chair of any state Democratic Party. She has participated in a number of protests and rallies in support of LGBTQ+ rights, particularly fighting against laws such as the one above and similar ones.

Equality Arizona is a non-profit organization that fights for the rights of LGBTQ+ community within the state and has been around for over 30 years. It was founded during the AIDS epidemic to fight for the rights and safety of the LGBTQ+ community and was notably fighting for the right of marriage to all.

ACLU of Arizona is the Arizona branch of the American Civil Liberties Union. Through legal advocacy, education, and community outreach, the ACLU of Arizona has played a pivotal role in challenging discriminatory policies, fighting for marriage equality, safeguarding transgender rights, and advocating for inclusive anti-discrimination laws.