The ordinance will fully protect LGBTQ+ families and individuals from discrimination in public accommodations, employment, and housing in the city of Mesa. This model ordinance is the result of visionary leadership by the mayor and City Council members, years of collaboration between city leaders and stakeholders, according to a release.
The city of Mesa joins six other Arizona cities with inclusive non-discrimination ordinances including Winslow, Flagstaff, Sedona, Phoenix, Tempe and Tucson. Arizona has no statewide law barring discrimination against LGBTQ people in employment, housing or public accommodations.
“We know the costs of discrimination are too high, especially after the devastating impact of the pandemic on our local economy,” Angela Hughey, president of One Community, said in the release. “The passing of this ordinance sends a clear message that Mesa is ready to lead in economic recovery and committed to growing as a model city for the 21st century. We are grateful to Mayor John Giles, Vice Mayor Jen Duff, Councilmember David Luna, Councilmember Francisco Heredia and Councilmember Julie Spilsbury for their leadership and willingness to work with stakeholders across the community,” she said.
“Inclusion and equal rights are universal values, central to the beliefs of Arizonans, faith communities, and to good business practice,” Michael Soto, executive director of Equality Arizona, said in the release. “We all deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, without exception, and this ordinance is a historic step forward for Mesa and Arizona.”
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