WASHINGTON — Donald Trump is holding a “Pride” rally in Arizona, home to some of the most anti-equality Republicans in the country. Arizona lawmakers and candidates oppose protections for LGBTQ+ individuals and support conversion therapy. One of Trump’s most ardent followers, Senator J.D. Mesnard, worked for an openly anti-LGBTQ+ special interest group that advocated for re-criminalizing homosexuality and state-sanctioned sterilization of transgender individuals abroad while he served as speaker of the House and during his time in the Senate. During his tenure as speaker, Mesnard refused to prohibit LGBTQ+ staff discrimination in all legislative offices.
Besides Senator Mesnard, several state Republican candidates support parents forcing their children to participate in the dangerous and inhumane practice of conversion therapy, including LD-6 Senate candidate Wendy Rogers, LD-6 Representative Walt Blackman, LD-11 Senator Vince Leach, LD-11 Representative Bret Roberts, LD-20 Senator Paul Boyer, LD-20 Representative Anthony Kern, and LD-21 Representative Kevin Payne.
Arizona Republicans’ records speak for themselves: they want to dismantle human rights.
“GOP lawmakers and candidates want to turn back the clock on LGBTQ+ rights,” said Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee President Jessica Post. “Republicans can’t run from their despicable records, no matter what Trump does in their state. Arizonans deserve to be protected by the people who serve them in Phoenix, and they will hold the GOP accountable for their regressive views at the ballot box.”
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