Things are heating up in Arizona: "Working Inside the Fire" to secure, protect and defend the rights and welfare of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in Arizona.
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By Lori Lennen | Contact
Lori Lennen is co-Chair of Equality Arizona.
She has been involved with politics starting in Kansas through leadership in the state Democratic party.
After relocating to Arizona she found her passion for local politics and real ways to put her philanthropic goals to work.
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It was long before Arizona became the first state in the nation to defeat an anti-marriage equality ballot measure that I knew there was something very special about my adopted state. I could never imagine however the leadership role that our statewide organization, Equality Arizona or I would play in changing the political landscape.
Born and raised in Kansas I learned early in my life to plan for the future because when Mother Nature wrecked havoc with our state it was a long journey back to recovery. Eventually, my career interests led me to build wealth through careful risk management.
As a stock broker for many years, I talked with people who placed their future in the market by understanding the value of short term gains with long-term investments. I would later come to understand this methodology holds true in the civil rights movement of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
WHAT BARRY GOLDWATER TAUGHT ME
After retiring from my brokerage house I relocated to Sedona Arizona where I started a horse ranch. This is where I got my first taste of Arizona politics being introduced to the world of Senator Barry Goldwater and his libertarian ideology.
Arizona is Goldwater through-and-through even though over the past several decades political influence has become considerably more conservative with a strong bent toward radical-evangelicalism. A trend Sen. Goldwater objected to loudly before his death at 89 in May 1998.
I agreed with Barry's objections to the changes in our political climate. I consider myself a fiscal conservative and a social liberal - a combination that fits well with Goldwater's libertarian philosophy.
In 2002 I decided to explore more of Arizona and left horse ranching and the beautiful red rocks of Sedona for the hustle and bustle of Phoenix. This is where I found my grounding in the LGBT movement.
I first cut my teeth in politics while still in Kansas having served as County Chair and member of the State Democratic Party. As I began to explore the intersections of my personal and professional life I found Equality Arizona (formerly Arizona Human Rights Fund).
INSPIRING LEADERSHIP
I joined Equality Arizona's Board of Directors in 2004 under the leadership of Equality Arizona's second Executive Director but it is the leadership of our current Executive Director, Barbara McCullough-Jones who has challenged and inspired me to reach for more with my own leadership.
When Barbara and I first me we talked for hours about our vision for Arizona and for Equality Arizona. Finding much in common I decided Equality Arizona is the organization for me. Barb explained to me the difference between standing outside the fire and working inside the fire.
I didn't understand in the beginning but sure did when I attended my first lobby day and experienced the unbridled hatred by the extremists at our state capitol. I learned even more when I agreed to serve at Co-Chair for the Board of Directors in 2004.
My counter part Andrew Held located in Tucson (two hours south of Phoenix) has been a joy to work with. Together with Barbara we have tackled issues ranging from our political agenda; the organization's baggage (more about this later); growing pains and increasing our funding in order to present creative and cutting edge programs.
CHARTING A NEW COURSE
Our new name, Equality Arizona, comes with a new look and a new attitude. Equality Arizona connects us to our peer statewide LGBT advocacy organizations across the country while more clearly defining the scope of our work in Arizona.
Equality Arizona recognizes the value of our progressive partners as we all march on the path toward equality. The mission of Equality Arizona is to secure, protect and defend the rights and welfare of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in Arizona.
We launched our new name during our annual awards dinner held each June. By the way, if you are in Phoenix on June 14th, 2008 please plan to attend our dinner. It is a magnificent celebration - the largest statewide organizational dinner in the country!
The name change, mission, vision and values all came out of a year long planning process that included listening to our community and allies articulate their dreams, expectations and criticism of our past (our baggage).
Although hard to hear it was important that we embrace our missteps of the past and use that action to strengthen our future. Barbara, Andrew and I have traveled the state listening and responding to concerns ranging from sexism to classism from racism to ageism and...transphobia. Not easy issues and we're still learning but I am incredibly proud of the way we have strengthened our community in this process.
It is this strong step forward that I find so attractive about Equality Arizona. Unapologetic about our pro-family agenda we are commanding attention statewide in ways never seen before. There is hardly a week that goes by that I don't receive an "Equality Arizona in the News" bulletin from Barbara.
OUR FUTURE IS HOT IN ARIZONA
I'm hooked on local politics. As our campaign for state employee domestic partner benefits unfolds; our campaign for a statewide domestic partner registry is launched and as we end discrimination in cities like Scottsdale, Phoenix, Flagstaff and Tempe I continue to be inspired by the work or our statewide organization; and our campaign for foster care, Equality Arizona.
There are myriad issues yet to address but I now know we can do it. I am proud to be a leader in bringing my company, Mercedes-Benz into a supportive role with Equality Arizona. Choosing to work for a company that has been an industry leader in securing and protecting the rights of its LGBT workers and putting my community effort into a cause, a movement that affects me personally and professionally is a path I continually encourage others to follow.
UNLEASHING A POLITICAL FIRESTORM IN ARIZONA
We are aggressively pursuing equality in Arizona. Our pro-family legislative agenda included introducing bills such as a bill of rights for youth and children in foster care; an immigration postcard to congress allowing same-sex partners to sponsor their non-US citizen partner; a "super bill" HEPA which protects Arizonan's in housing, education, public accommodation and a bill titled the Amancio Corrales Act which addresses hate crimes named for a young female-impersonator who was murdered in Yuma after leaving a show.
This year for the first time in our history we have written twelve bills that will protect our community. None of them will likely be heard.
Even though we live with an ultra-conservative legislative environment we are on the brink of flipping our legislature. By winning four seats in the House and two in the Senate we will gain a progressive majority. Then and only then will our bills be considered with the legitimacy they deserve.
ABOUT BEING A DONOR
I am proud to be a major donor to Equality Arizona. I have confidence in our stewardship and hope you will consider Arizona a state worthy of your support. I contribute significantly to our 501c3; c4 and PAC. We welcome your questions, your contributions and your moral support.
SIDEBAR
I want you to meet our Executive Director, Barbara McCullough-Jones. Please visit our website to learn about her history in our movement and why you too will find her leadership engaging.
