Equal treatment and rights should not be a political hot-topic. Instead, we should put policies in place that ensure equal treatment and rights of LGBTQ+ people in Arizona. 4.5% of the Arizona adult population identifies as LGBTQ+, and 27% are raising children. Arizona has a long list of issues to work on, and it is time we get started.
Arizona does not prohibit discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation for housing, employment, or public accommodations. Arizona does not have laws in place to protect students from bullying, harassment or protect against discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. Arizona has no restrictions on what is known as “conversion therapy.” Arizona does not provide transgender-inclusive health care to state employees, nor does it mandate insurance companies offer options for the transgender community.
Action is long overdue. Ryan developed a five-point policy plan to show our Arizona LGBTQ+ community we are committed to inclusion and diversity:
1. LGBTQ+ Youth
Prohibit discrimination and bullying in schools on the bases of sexual orientation and gender identity.
Training educators and administrators in public schools on how to properly support our LGBTQ+ youth.
Protect LGBTQ+ foster parents from discrimination by foster care agencies and officials. Prohibit state-licensed child welfare agencies from refusing to place and provide services to children and families with LGBTQ+ people and same-sex couples.
Prohibit conversion therapy practices that attempt to change an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity.
2. Health Care
Prohibit health insurance issuers from denying or limiting coverage based on gender identity and require the removal of “transgender exclusions” from health insurance benefits and plans.
Include transgender state employees’ access to transgender and transition-related healthcare through their employment health benefits.
3. Criminal Justice
Require law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute crimes committed with bias against LGBTQ+ people as hate crimes. Require collection of data on anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes.
Prohibit the use of legal defenses claiming the victim’s sexual orientation and/or gender identity contributed to the defendant’s actions (so-called “gay/trans panic” defenses).
4. Gender Identity
Allow residents to mark M, F, or X on their driver’s license.
Simplify the legal process for accurate and consistent gender markers on identity documents such as birth certificates to help transgender people gain access to public spaces and resources.
5. Pass SB 1249
This bill is currently stalled by Republican opposition to prohibit discrimination of LGBTQ+ Arizonans for employment, housing; and public accommodations.