Arizona governor Katie Hobbs signs two executive orders protecting LGBTQ+ rights
Arizona governor Katie Hobbs has taken a huge step in protecting the rights of the state’s LGBTQ+ community. On 27 June, the Democrat official issued two executive orders banning conversion therapy and granting more healthcare rights to trans state employees. “Today, I signed two Executive Orders restoring rights and protecting LGBTQ+ Arizonans,” she wrote on Twitter. “I’m proud the State is leading by example on this issue, and we will continue working until Arizona is a place where every individual can participate equally in our economy and our workforce without fear of discrimination or exclusion.” Under the first order, state agencies will be banned from using funds to promote or facilitate the archaic and harmful practice of conversion therapy.
The other piece of legislation grants trans state employees the right to receive gender-affirming care under their health plans – which has not been eligible for coverage since 2017.
Shortly after the news was announced, an array of LGBTQ+ organisations released statements praising governor Hobbs for introducing the two LGBTQ+ inclusive laws, including the ACLU of Arizona and the Human Rights Campaign. “Governor Hobbs used her executive pen to take bold, and most importantly, life-saving action.
Not only were trans state employees categorically denied gender-affirming healthcare, but they were also denied the opportunity to even demonstrate why such surgery is medically necessary,” said Christine Wee, senior staff attorney for ACLU of Arizona.
