It's time to unite not divide

 

It’s time to unite not divide.

After nearly 22 months of challenges we never envisioned, Arizonans continue to be tireless in our efforts to heal, rebuild and move forward in our new reality despite the headwinds we face. Although there are still many unknowns, we enter 2022 with renewed hope and optimism. One where we work together in the spirit of understanding to make Arizona an even more wonderful place to live, work, thrive and be our best selves.

The new year brings an opportunity for advancing in ways that will be limited only by our imaginations and willingness - or unwillingness - to work together. As the new legislative session begins, we hope it will be marked by efforts to unite rather than divide, to build each other up, rather than tear each other down, and do what’s needed to grow and ensure the sustainability of our great state.

That is why as a bipartisan group of business owners, community organizations, faith leaders and more, we are writing to urge our lawmakers to focus on measures that make Arizona stronger, more resilient and pave the way for growth and prosperity. We also implore our lawmakers to not pursue distracting, divisive and discriminatory legislation that will only hurt Arizonans, divide our communities and damage our reputation. Let there be no doubt that such measures will create harm and add unnecessary hurdles to our shared goal of recovery - mentally, physically, and economically. We’ve seen the disastrous effects of such measures before with Senate Bills 1070 and 1062 that continue to serve as the broken and erroneous narratives that we run from even today. We must learn from our past missteps. We must stay focused on what will make us stronger tomorrow than we were yesterday.

To that end, as leaders from across the Arizona, we do not support legislation that targets LGBTQ Arizonans, especially measures aimed at excluding transgender youth from full participation in society or restrict fundamental rights. Let’s learn from our great cities like Mesa, Scottsdale and Glendale who welcomed inclusion and diversity this year by passing non-discrimination ordinances and have seen the benefits it can bring.

Arizona is once again expected to be in the national spotlight when we host the 2023 Super Bowl, an event that brings hundreds of millions of dollars to our state - revenue we cannot afford to lose.

We, like many Arizonans, believe in the fundamental values of fairness, opportunity and inclusion. These are Arizona values. These are American values. These are our values. As a result, we are positioned to ensure our voices are heard as our leaders deliberate ideas at the Legislature that will either propel us forward or promote an even greater divide. We will not be standing on the sidelines, and we will not be idle if our representatives chase divisive policies not based on evidence that put our collective economic success at risk just for individual and short-term political gain.

There is endless opportunity for Arizona if we want it. That is why it’s imperative we utilize the 2022 legislative session as a dawn of a new day, where we move forward - not with the demonization and divisive practices of years past - but in cooperation with renewed confidence and a confirmed belief in our proven resilience that when we work together for the good of us all, we all succeed.

Sincerely,

 

ONE Community, Angela Hughey, President & Co-Founder

Equality Arizona, Michael Soto, CEO

Arizona Diamondbacks, Derrick Hall, President & CEO

Arizona Coyotes, Lyndsey Fry, Senior Director, Hockey Development

Phoenix Rising FC, Jason Minnick, Director of Communications

Sunbelt Holdings, John, Graham, Chairman and CEO 

Arizona's Children Association, Jacob Schmitt, President & CEO

Local First Arizona,Kimber Lanning, CEO

KEO Marketing Inc, Sheila Kloefkorn, CEO

Upward Projects Restaurant Group, Lauren Bailey, CEO & Co-Founder

Plaza Companies, Sharon Harper, President & CEO

Center for the Future of Arizona, Sybil Francis PH.D., President & CEO

Flinn Foundation, Tammy McLeod, President & CEO

Goodmans Interior Structures, Adam Goodman, CEO

ASU Cultural Affairs, Colleen Jennings-Roggensack, Vice President for Cultural Affairs and Executive Director of ASU Gammage

Tempe Union High School District, Armando Montero, Governing Board Vice President

One-n-ten, Nate Rhoton, CEO

Arizona School for the Arts, Leah Fregulia, CEO

Glendale Chamber of Commerce (AZ), Robert Heidt, President & CEO

Arizona Lodging & Tourism Association, Kim Sabow, President and CEO

Visit Phoenix, Ron Price, President & CEO

Experience Scottsdale, Rachel Pearson, VP of Community & Government Affairs

Visit Mesa, Kimberly Forest, SVP Visitor Marketing

Tempe Tourism Office, Michael Martin, Interim President & CEO

City of Mesa, John Giles, Mayor

City of Mesa, Jenn Duff, Vice Mayor of Mesa

The Episcopal Diocese of Arizona, Jennifer Reddall, Bishop

Southwest Conference United Church of Christ, William Lyons, Conference Minister & CEO

Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Phoenix, Paul Rockower, Executive Director

East Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Foundation LLC, Frankie Rios, President & CEO

National Council of Jewish Women, Carol Consalvo, Sr. Vice President of Policy & Advocacy

Design Pickle, Russ Perry, CEO

Culdesac, Erin Boyd, Government Relations & External Affairs

Black Chamber of Arizona, Robin Reed, President & CEO

Christian Church in Arizona, Jay Hartley, Rev.

Beatitudes Campus, Rev. David Ragan, Sr VP of Resident Services 

Bonnie Sharfman, Rabbi

Cross Roads United Methodist Church, Kimberly Scott, Senior Pastor

Church Of the Painted Hills, Rev. Michael Lonergan, Pastor

Cross Roads United Methodist Church, Mary Bullis, Reverend

YWCA Metropolitan Phoenix, Debbie Esparza, CEO

Kitzo UCC Church, Kega Nasios, Pastor

ELCA, Stephen Talmage, Pastor

Add your name to our open letter

 

The Convergent Christian Communion, Kenneth von Folmar, Presiding Bishop

Phoenix Pride, Mike Fornelli, Executive Director

Catalina UMC, Melissa Rynders, Rev.. 

Shepherd of the Hills UCC, Rock Fremont Jr., Rev.

The Church of the Palms UCC, Paul Whitlock, Senior Pastor

Southwest Conference United Church of Christ, Shea Darian, Ordained Minister

Phoenix Center for Spiritual Direction, Rev. Teresa Blythe, Director

Desert Southwest Conference of The United Methodist Church, Grant Hagiya, Bishop

United Church of Christ, Tracy Howe, Rev.

Southwest Conference of the UCC, Inge Detweiler, Reverend

Shalom Mennonite Fellowship, Carol Rose, Reverend

United Church of Sun City, AZ, Brady Abel, Senior Pastor

United Church of Christ, William Utke, Pastor & Teacher

Community Church of Hope, Kimberly Bittner, Rev.

First Evangelical Lutheran Church Mesa, Dana Reardon, Reverend 

Church of the Epiphany Tempe, Corey Meier, Rev. Dr.

Rincon Congregational UCC, Karen MacDonald, Rev.

Community Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Robert Howard, Reverend Doctor

Local First Arizona, Thomas Barr, Vice President

Bruce Grebin Insurance Agency Inc, Maryellen Grebin, Co-Owner

Granada Urban Development LLC, Deanna Jordan, Principal

teamworks communication, Barb Harris, Partner

Gateway Bank , James Christensen, President

Aligned at Work, Laurie Battaglia, CEO

Greater Phoenix Equality Chamber of Commerce, Michael Mazzocco, Chairperson

Desert Messenger News, Shanana Rain Golden-Bear, Owner/Publisher

Episcopal Church of St. Matthew, Frank Bergen, Priest Associate

Justin McKay + Co, Justin McKay, Owner

The Sidewalk Project - Phoenix, Lee-ann Dunton, Director & Harm Reduction Specialist 

Rincon Congregational United Church of Christ, Seth Wispelwey, Reverend

Open Wide Dental, Thomas Durisek, Owner/Dentist

Reynolds Project Management, LLC, Patricia Reynolds, President

K-Vaughn Consulting, Kerwin Brown, Managing Principal

Korte Group LLC, Virginia Korte, Owner

Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS, Jessyca Leach, Executive Director

Grace Lutheran Church, Sarah Stadler, Pastor

MXD Arts, Kim Larkin, Founder/Principal

AT Still University, Cam Young, Diversity & Inclusion Coordinator 

Slake Consulting LLC, Susanne Lake, CEO

Guardian Angels Ecumenical Catholic Communion, Ed Walsh, CoPastor

Dayspring United Methodist Church, Jeff Procter-Murphy, Pastor

Episcopal Diocese of Arizona , Jana Sundin, The Rev. Canon

St. Teresa of Avila, Kate Lehman, Reverend

United Churches Fellowship UCC, Marion Larkin Rossitter, Pastor

Add your name to our open letter

 

Brilliant Solar Solutions, Tony Rivera, Owner

HealthMarkets Insurance, Amy Powell, Licensed Agent

Realty ONE Group, Matthew Hoedt, REALTOR®

World’s Best Connectors, Denise Meridith, CEO

Ecumenical Catholic Community, Delores Kroppf, Pastor

Meridian Educational Consulting, Suzanne Lewis, Founder & CEO

Woman Centered, Mitzi Krockover, CEO and Founder

Rincon Congregational UCC Church, Jean Granillo. Member of Justice and Witness Ministry

Hillel Jewish Student Center at ASU, Debbie Kail, Executive Director

HALO Animal Rescue , Heather Allen, President and CEO

West USA Realty, Mead Summer, Associate Broker

J.M. Helfgot Communications, Jeremy M. Helfgot, Principal

Scottsdale Community College, Chris Haines, President

A&P Global Goods, Athena Gibbons, COO

Wok This Way, Kristine Mill, Owner

Robin B. Dilley PhD LTD, Robin Dilley, Psychologist 

Denise Meridith Consultants Inc, Denise Meridith, CEO

Castle Real Estate Group, Steven Castle, Owner 

Red Pill Recording, Paul Gibbons, Director

Keegan Company, Lisa Keegan, Partner

Full Swing Video, Darby Vance, Chief Creative Officer

Arizona Interfaith Power & Light, Doug Bland, Executive Director

Chandler Pride, Eduarda Schroder, President

OutIsTheNewIn Foundation, Johnnie Ghiglia, Executive Director

CASCO Financial Group, Catherine Scrivano, President

Cultivate Counseling, Kristopher Dohse, Practice Manager

Michael Mazzocco Events, Michael Mazzocco, Owner

Wisdom's Way Interfaith School, Gil Stafford , Co-founder

St. James the Apostle Episcopal Church Tempe, AZ, Robin Hollis, Rev. Dr. Deacon

DanceWithChad.com LLC, Chad Lakridis, Owner 

Desert Heritage Church UCC/DOC, Derrick Elliott, Rev.

Grace United Methodist Church, Sharon Pajak, Senior Pastor

Allison & Associates, Cheryl Allison, Chief Inspiration Office

Hillel Foundation University of Arizona, Jessica Emerson McCormick, Executive Director

Desert Palm Church, Thomas Martinez, Senior Minister

Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS, Jessyca Leach, Executive Director

Trinity Cathedral, Troy Mendez, The Very Rev. 

Desert Southwest Conference UMC, Billie Fidlin, Director of Outreach & Justice

Azul Analysis, Chad Wolver, Founder

Santa Cruz Valley UMC, Sancy Johnson, Reverend

Faith United Methodist Church, Michael Patzloff, Rev. 

VH Included Consulting, Katee Van Horn, CEO

SUMMi7, Eric Strafel, Founder & CEO

Spiral Creative Services, Susan Geer, Owner

 

Add your name to our open letter

 

Pieceful Design, Jennifer Brown, Owner

Judith McHale, MA, LPC, Judith McHale, Owner

Mark’s Bookmark Bookseller, Mark Hayduke Grenard, CEO

Dhammapada Sangha, Zen Buddhism, Vasu Bandhu, Maha Shuru

BestCompaniesAZ, Denise Gredler, Founder & CEO

Carter Law Firm, Ruth Carter, Attorney

Prism Counseling, Tres Adames, President

First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Joy Petroff, Admin.

Gellert Health, Chuck Warshaver, President

Numbers Matter Accounting & Bookkeeping LLC, Chris Waychoff, Owner

Best Western Plus Sundial, Jude Nau, General ManagerDennis Kavanaugh, Former Vice Mayor 

Hydrogen Properties LLC, Michael Nisan, Managing Member

Desert Foothills United Methodist Church, Don Benton, Family & Music Ministry Director

RE/MAX Professionals, Cara McGuire, Realtor

McGuire Partners Real Estate, Erin McGuire-Fischer

MTO Facilitators, Dennis Skinner, President

Heartful Editor, Sara Henry, Founder & Editor-in-Chief

OH Strategic Communications, Bettina Nava, Owner

AD Vantage VC, Ahron Cohen, Venture Partner

The Office of the Arizona Secretary of State, Katie Hobbs, Arizona Secretary of State

Reformed Catholic Church, Rev. Christopher Carpenter, Presiding Bishop

AZ Family Health Partnership, Bre Thomas, CEO

JijiVisha Holistic, Jameela Hill, Owner

The Commons Church Flagstaff, Gretta Miller, Pastor

Compass CBS Foundation, Edgar Olivo, CEO

Adam Metzendorf for Congress, Adam Metzendorf, Congressional Candidate

Law Offices of Vescio & Seifert, P.C., Lynda Vescio, Senior Partner

AZCaptured LLC, Marla Curtis, Owner

Town of Fountain Hills, Ginny Dickey, Mayor

Dogstar Industries LLC, Sandra Carey, Owner

Virginia C. Piper Charitable Trust, Mary Jane Rynd, President and CEO

Bloom 365, Donna Bartos, Founder & CEO

Valley of the Sun United Way, Rod Podlogar, Chief Community Development & Engagement Officer

Christian Church Disciples of Christ, Katie Sexton-Wood, Pastor

HOM, Inc., Michael Shore, President / CEO

THM Investments, Terrence Hamson, President

Cancion Tequila, Alisa Clyne, International Brand Manager 

LJM, LLC, Layne Mortensen, Managing Director/Owner

Valle Del Sol, Inc., Sam Castro, Director of Equity and Inclusion

St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Sally Stevens-Taylor, Deacon

Key Innovative Business Solutions, Lynn Murphy, President

Because I Love To Dance Entertainment LLC, Tracy Arola-Johnson, Owner

Add your name to our open letter

 

Kinessage LLC, Kathleen Gramzay, Founder, CEO

Humanist Society of Greater Phoenix, Athena Gibbons, Vice President

Walter Station Brewery, James Erickson, Owner

Urban Eye Care LLC, Jason Klepfisz, CEO

Phoenix Shanti Group, Michael Stantz, Peer Support

K A Stanton & Associates, Kathleen Stanton, Owner

Tempe Union High School District #213, Brian Garcia, President, Governing Board

Gilbert Hampton Inn and Suites, Jamy Belcher, General Manager

Guardian Angels Catholic Community, ECC, Elaine Groppenbacher, Co-Pastor

Herberger Theater Company, Mark Mettes, President & CEO

Arizona Business & Education Coalition, Dick Foreman, President & CEO

Mesa Fire Medical Department, Danielle Rainwater, Firefighter

Urban Art Tattoo & Piercing, LLC, Liz O’Connell, Owner

Imago Dei Middle School, Susan Anderson-Smith, Chaplain

Smiles Dog Training, Sara Miles, Owner

NFM Enterprises, LLC, Nelda Majors, Owner

University Presbyterian Church, Rev. Dr. Eric Ledermann, Pastor

TPI Composites, Jenny Holsman Tetreault, VP and Associate General Counsel

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Phoenix, Rev. Christine Dance, Minister

Vision Community Management, Darin Fisher, Founder, Owner

Wells Fargo, Gregory Galvez, Business Execution Consultant

First Church UCC Phoenix, Jane McNamara, Chair, Immigration Task Force

Black Point Ventures LLC, Ed Zito, Managing Partner

JustFaith Arizona Network, Tricia Hoyt, Convener

Desert Heritage Church UCC/DOC, Gail Bird, Lay Leader

Friendly Technology, Sandra Leet, President

Psychological and Consultation Services, Gregory Shrader, Owner

No Longer Silent: Clergy for Justice, John Herman, Reverend Doctor

Unitarian Universalist Justice Arizona, Janine Gelsinger, Executive Direc

Tucson LGBT Chamber of Commerce, Vera Minot, President

Southwest Solutions, Tammy Minot, President

Leading for Change, Beth Meyer, President & CEO

Groff-Swint Media LLC, Benjamin Groff, Vice President, Operations

Benjamin Groff Ordained Ministry, Benjamin Groff, Reverend 

Mountain Park Health Center, Dr. John Swagert, CEO

Leo Rising, Josh Steinmetz, Therapist

Arizona Center for Women’s Advancement, Jodi Liggett, Founder

Sunset Health, Keli Osborn, Behavioral Health Director

GLSEN Phoenix, Andi Young, Board Co-Chair 

Casa de Cristo Church & Apostolic Center, Charlotte Strayhorne, Co-Pastor

Maricopa County Regional School District, Michael Stewart, Assistant Superintendent

State of Arizona Representative, Cesar Chavez 

Foothills Christian Church, Rebekah Krevens, Senior Minister

Alonzo Ramirez Holdings LLC, Luis Alonzo, Owner

Arizona Trans Youth & Parent Organization, Tami Staas, Executive Director

Human Services Campus, Amy Schwabenlender, Executive Director

Lance Strategies, LLC, Nicole Lance, CEO

Ktizo UCC Church, Kega Nasios, Pastor

Valley of the Sun United Way, Carla Vargas Jasa, President & CEO

Arizona Trans Alliance, Erica Keppler, Organizer

Phoenix Community Alliance, Cyndy Gaughan, Senior Director

All Saints Episcopal Church, Emilie Finn, Associate Rector

Emmaus Episcopal Church, Deborah Tickell, Missioner

Caitlin Flaherty Realtor, Caitlin Flaherty, Realtor

Phoenix Revitalization Corporation, Eva Olivas, Executive Director, CEO

Amistad Clinic, Shaun McFarland, Clinic Manager

Arizona Grantmakers Forum, Laurie Liles, President & Chief Executive Officer

Good Shepherd UCC, Mitzi Eilts, Reverend

VMware PRIDE BRG, Kimberly Delgado, Staff Architect 

Soulcries, Kelly Mayes, CEO

Downtown Phoenix Inc., Devney Preuss, President + CEO

Keen Financial Solutions, LLC, Corina Vaquera Dlugosz, Owner/Branch Manage

Equality Squad, Kristin Downing, Member

Equality Squad, Janice Hennessy-Waller, Member

Equality Squad Pima County, Claudine Boger, Volunteer

Equality Squad, Carla Roberts, Parent Advocate

 

Add your name to our open letter

Rivko Knox

Bethany Woodard

Linda Virden 

Susan Jacobs

Gayle Parent

Marco Lopez 

Marion McGuire

Tania Malven

Rick Markson

Timothy Schmalz

Lori Reardon

Claudia Ness

Annie Crego

Dorothy Hunter

Ann Baumrind

Shauna Crusa