Members of the local LGBTQ+ community are weighing their priorities as Arizona's midterm elections approach.
In November, voters will have a say in a myriad of races and on several ballot initiatives. For LGBTQ+ voters, these elections offer an opportunity to advocate for their rights and push back against anti-LGBTQ+ legislation.
Shay Aradia, a second-year law student, is a co-president of OUTLaw, a group supporting LGBTQ+ law students at the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law.
Healthcare and education topped Aradia's priorities for choosing candidates to support.
"One of the main things that I look for is if they're trans-friendly healthcare policies, and also just generally LGBTQ-inclusive education policies, that we're not excluding queer and trans kids," Aradia said.
It's especially important to have LGBTQ+ representation in the state Legislature, she said.
"We have the chance to fight against things that will directly affect us," Aradia said.
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One of her favorite candidates has been Rep. Lorena Austin, an incumbent Democrat running for Arizona's 9th Legislative District.
Austin, who is Arizona's first nonbinary member of the Legislature, is an ASU alum from Mesa. Their website emphasizes that they have advocated for the LGBTQ+ community in office.
Aradia said she saw Austin speak at an event hosted by PFLAG Phoenix, a local chapter of the nation's largest organization providing support, education and advocacy for LGBTQ+ people and families, according to its website.
Sam Parkes, president of PFLAG Phoenix, said the organization supports the LGBTQ+ community, with a particular emphasis on the trans community currently.
"What we try to do is try to help create space for them to tell their stories," Parkes said. "Then we advocate in the community for better legislation."
Parkes said he is focused on Proposition 318 and how it could affect athletic programs and associations in Arizona.
Proposition 318 is a measure on the November ballot that, if it passes, would prohibit schools and athletic associations from allowing a student, athlete, employee or other individual to use a restroom, locker room, shower room or other private space not designated for their sex.
It would also prohibit female athletes from playing on teams meant for male athletes, expanding an existing restriction on male athletes playing on teams for female athletes.
"It's going to have a much bigger footprint in the lives of students, down to the point of: How do you know whether or not a student was assigned male at birth or assigned female at birth?" Parkes said.
Parkes said the legislation will require invasive practices to enforce.
"Please don't legislate about lives that you know nothing about," Parkes said.
Breanna Stephens, a University alum and a transgender woman, said she is looking for candidates who will "take action with their words."
Stephens said one of the motivations for LGBTQ+ voters to participate in politics is a fear of losing fundamental rights. That's also true for Proposition 318, which she characterized as a measure that makes policymakers comfortable rather than the people it impacts.
"It's a situation where any decision made is going to make someone uncomfortable," Stephens said.
Multiple Republican candidates have endorsed Proposition 318, including gubernatorial candidate Rep. Andy Biggs and attorney general candidate Warren Petersen.
Stephens said she recommends legislators and voters talk to people in the LGBTQ+ community and "understand what they're feeling and what puts them in that uncomfortable position."
"Find a way to talk to someone in that position and at least understand what they're feeling and ... why they wouldn't vote for that," Stephens said.
Edited by Andi Ruiz, Carsten Oyer, Grace Lawrence, Kate Gore and Senna James.
Reach the reporter at achern41@asu.edu.
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Ariana Hernandez is a part-time reporter at The State Press. This is her first semester with The State Press. She is in her sophomore year studying Journalism and Political Science.
