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Wake Up Scottsdale
Greetings,
Over the past several months, Equality Arizona has been
monitoring various incidents of anti-lesbian, gay,
bisexual and transgender bias and violence in the city of
Scottsdale. Equality Arizona has provided support
to the survivors in each incident and collaborated with
community partners, including the Anti-Defamation League and
representatives of the Scottsdale Human Relations
Commission.
It's time for Scottsdale city officials to demonstrate
leadership and speak out against anti-LGBT bias and
violence. Scottsdale's mayor and city council need to hear
from you.
Send a letter to the following decision maker(s):
Your municipality Official (if you live in Scottsdale)
Below is the sample letter:
Subject: Enough is Enough! It's time to speak up!
Dear [decision maker name automatically inserted here],
As you are aware, Scottsdale has been the focus of several news stories lately in local television, print and radio media that point to an alarming trend of bias towards the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community within the city of Scottsdale.
I am disheartened to hear that no Scottsdale official has publicly spoken out against such acts. I expect you, as an elected official, to demonstrate leadership, and that means standing up for all Scottsdale residents, employees and visitors, including those who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender.
I strongly encourage you to take a stand against anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender violence and discrimination, and support the efforts of organizations like Equality Arizona to fight bias towards the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
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What's At Stake:
Some of the Scottsdale incidents that Equality Arizona has been tracking include:
- In November 2006, the owner of Anderson's Fifth Estate, a popular Scottsdale club, allegedly kicked out several transgender patrons for using the bathroom. After filing a civil rights complaint with the Arizona Attorney General's Office, it was announced last week that an investigation is under way.
- In December 2006, two gay men were brutally attacked by as many as seven men outside of Frasher's, a Scottsdale Steakhouse. Their attackers shouted anti-gay slurs while beating them in the parking lot. The case remains unsolved.
- In May 2007, Scottsdale City Councilmember Tony Nelssen took a cheap shot at the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community when he suggested that tourism advertising aimed at gays and lesbians was to blame for the Scottsdale Fetish Prom, something he deemed an inappropriate image for Scottsdale.
- To add insult to injury, when the Scottsdale Human Relations Commission asked Scottsdale's Mayor Mary Manross to sign a proclamation declaring June as Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Observance Month, she refused. Instead she deleted any mention of the LGBT community and signed a generic proclamation in recognition of Human Relations Diversity Observance Month. Rather than demonstrate leadership and stand up for her LGBT constituency, Mayor Manross chose to ignore the existence of Scottsdale's LGBT residents, employees and visitors.
- On July 16, a gay man was attacked outside of a popular Scottsdale bar by two men who allegedly saw him and his friend hugging in a nearby parking garage. This most recent attack is currently being investigated by the Scottsdale Police Department
Campaign Expiration Date:
August 10, 2007
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