AZ LGBTQIA Legislative Caucus

ALT LGBTQIA+ Caucus Co-Chairs Brian Garcia and Anna Abeytia – along with past Chair Patty Contreras -- spoke out today against HB2133, warning that the bill uses the guise of protecting minors online to justify sweeping internet censorship that disproportionately impacts LGBTQIA+ content, restricts access to sexual health education, and does nothing to protect minors online that isn’t already accomplished by existing state law. HB2133 poses as a solution to problems Arizona solved long ago. Arizona already has some of the strongest laws in the country to protect against revenge pornography, nonconsensual deepfake pornography, and child sexual abuse material (“CSAM”). “HB2133 is about controlling information and erasing people,” said Garcia. “We are watching, in real time, how laws like this are being used across the country to push LGBTQIA+ people out of public life, starting with the digital spaces where so many find community, safety, and critical information about their sexual health.”

ALT “Even when these actions are later reversed, they reveal a troubling reality: there is a growing willingness—both public and private—to silence LGBTQIA+ voices,” said Contreras. "Mislabeling content as sensitive will limit access to streaming services and infringe in First Amendment rights." The Caucus chairs further emphasized that HB2133 reflects a coordinated national effort. Similar legislation has appeared in states across the country, often backed by anti-LGBTQIA+ organizations such as the Heritage Foundation and, locally, the Center for Arizona Policy. At the center of these efforts is a dangerous redefinition of what constitutes harmful content. As outlined in the policy framework known as Project 2025, LGBTQIA+ representation itself is increasingly being labeled as inappropriate or even “pornographic.” They warned that HB2133 adopts similarly vague and overbroad language, creating a potential legal pathway to censor a broad swath of age-appropriate LGBTQIA+ content

ALT Partial transcript: This week Trump’s politicized Education Department announced the rescission of LGBTQIA+ protections for students. Instead of providing protection and opportunities for all students, they remained focused on enshrining discrimination and attacking students. The Republican assault on our rights and our community was never really about sports. Title9 has served to protect all students, not just athletes, from harassment and discrimination. That includes victims of sexual assault, who will now find it harder to report and get justice. In their zeal to target and scapegoat our community, Republicans have made our country's higher education system more dangerous for everyone. At a time when Republicans continue to prioritize discriminating against students, we remain committed to not only protect them but also deliver on what our communities continue to demand - an Arizona we can afford…

ALT Excerpts; Our hearts are broken for Vincent Anthony Siqueiros and Cameron Davis Capara, two of our neighbors whose lives were taken in a senseless act of violence in Tucson this morning. ..No one should become a target because of who they are or who they love. The fact that the suspected shooter had a list of other LGBTQIA+-friendly businesses he may have intended to target is deeply alarming. This is an attack on our community and authorities are investigating this as a hate crime. This tragedy reminds us that homophobia causes real harm. Words matter. What we say matters. The way we talk about our LGBTQIA+ neighbors matters. Tragedies like this are a painful reminder of the work still ahead to make sure LGBTQIA+ Arizonans can live openly, safely and with dignity. We will not look away. We will continue to stand with our community, speak out against hate, and fight for an Arizona where no one is targeted simply for being who they are.

ALT e: Arbella Rodriguez Marquez (A#232-506-464) Letter of Support Urging the Expeditious Approval of Humanitarian Parole Dear Acting Supervising Officer or Director Whom It May Concern: We, the undersigned members of the Arizona Legislature, respectfully submit this letter in support of community member Arbella Rodriguez Marquez, who remains detained at the Eloy Detention Center. We urge that Arbella’s humanitarian parole request be expeditiously approved. It has become abundantly clear that Arbella is not receiving adequate care. Her medical condition has worsened while she has been detained at the Eloy Detention Center. Arbella’s legal counsel initially submitted sworn statements supporting Arbella’s deteriorating conditions, covering hematemesis, bleeding, bruising, lymph-node swelling, weight loss, anemia, and joint pain. (Continued on next slide)

ALT Since the initial request, Arbella’s condition has worsened with conditions including: • Progression of symptoms in the initial request (additional weight loss, hematemesis, and • persistent anemia), • Acute hospitalization for confirmed lymphadenopathy and mild anemia, • New diagnoses with rheumatoid arthritis along with an evaluation now required, and • Specialist ongoing monitoring care is necessary due to potential flares of her autoimmune condition. The Eloy Detention Center is not equipped to properly care for Arbella’s conditions. Arbella has no criminal history, is not a danger to the community, and certainly not a flight risk. She must be released so she can pursue proper and life-saving medical care. For Arbella to remain at the Eloy Detention Center, with documented evidence of worsening serious medical conditions, along with a history of leukemia, is a death sentence. (Continued on next slide)

ALT Additionally, Arbella remains detained in a facility known for its inhumane treatment of migrants, egregious denial of basic health care, and sanctioned harassment of LGBTQ+ detainees. We urge you to approve Arbella’s repeated requests for Humanitarian Parole so she may obtain proper medical care and continue with all legal proceedings. Any additional delay places her health and life at significant risk. Signed, Signatures of 36 Democratic lawmakers led by LGBTQIA Caucus Co-Chair Brian Garcia

ALT Partial transcript: The Skrmetti decision is devastating for transgender youth across the country, their parents and their doctors. The Court is allowing these harmful bans to continue wreaking havoc on the lives of families and endangering the well-being of transgender adolescents. Justice Sotomayor stated today in her dissent: By retreating from meaningful judicial review exactly where it matters most, the Court abandons transgender children and their families to political whims. In sadness, I dissent. Healthcare for transgender youth is proven, backed by decades of research, and supported by every major medical association in the nation. Healthcare bans threaten the well-being of vulnerable individuals, the safety of our communities, and the freedom of every family to determine what’s best for them. In Arizona, our Caucus has voted against, and the Governor has vetoed, similar legislation. Importantly, therefore, this decision does not change the law in Arizona.

ALT From left to right, Representatives Sarah Liguori, Lorena Austin, Aaron Marquez, Governor Katie Hobbs, Representatives Patty Contreras, Betty Villegas and LGBTQIA Caucus Co-Chair Brian Garcia, stand in front of the Executive Tower with Pride flags hanging from the top floor.