25 Comments
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Judith Hofeditz's avatar

Great news, good to see such firm convictions and support from a leader who works in an often hostile environment given the makeup of the AZ legislature.

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Rachel Muir's avatar

More heroes like this are needed. I am hoping other public officials will apply for "hero status" for fundamental human rights.

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Sandra's avatar

Governor Hobbs is fantastic. I am so glad she is an advocate for trans Arizonans. The problem is, these protections can last only as long as she’s in office. If the GOP gets control of the governorship - as well it might, given that AZ is a purple state that voted for Trump - then we can expect these harsh and cruel bills to quickly become state law.

This is the problem when trans protections depend on executive order or veto power. It would be much better for such protections to be enshrined in state law and/or the state constitution (NY, WA, MA, etc.) as they cannot then be as easily undone by a change in governorship.

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Leah Abram's avatar

I hear ya. I’m lucky to live in NYC, as I feel safe here.

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Peter Bergé's avatar

Oh? The mayor is now beholden to Trump due to manipulation by the DOJ of the case against him. Hopefully the City Council will keep him from doing anything too bad.

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Leah Abram's avatar

It is more than fair to say that about Adams. When I said "I feel safe here.", I meant as a trans person. Even Adams made a pro-Transgender executive order: https://www.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/407-23/mayor-adams-signs-executive-order-protecting-access-gender-affirming-health-care-new-york-city

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Madison N's avatar

I am so relieved to hear this. I was following this bill with great apprehension. My birth certificate is from Arizona, and I am hoping to amend it in about a year from now after I fulfill the state's, still ridiculous, requirements.

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Sandra's avatar

You might be able to amend it if you do so under a Democratic governor, but in the long run, I’m not sure if it will do much good for when the GOP next takes power in the state….they may not only ban future marker changes going forward, but might take the especially cruel and bloodthirsty step of trying to reverse past BC changes…at least that is what happened in (for example) Kansas, and of course what happened at the national level wrt passport renewals.

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Madison N's avatar

Yes, you very well may be correct. I've already updated every other document I have, so this is the last one. And if I have to flee this country it would be nice to have everything matching up.

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Addison Chernow's avatar

That’s good. Though idk if I feel safe enough in AZ right now to go visit my mom. While I understand it’s a purple state these days…I like being in the safety of my blue state.

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Emily Murphy's avatar

You rock Gov Hobbs! I'm grateful for your service!

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Internet user 8174738's avatar

Yeah! Go Katie!

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Bill Flarsheim's avatar

While Gov. Hobbs vetos are important today, I think her accompanying statement, “This bill will not lower costs, will not increase opportunity, and will not enhance security or freedom for Arizona. I encourage the Legislature to focus on real issues that matter and impact people’s everyday lives.” Is equally important. It’s a reminder that the anti-trans crusade is a means for a political group to maintain power without doing anything that actually helps the majority of people in Arizona. The threats to trans rights will continue until being anti-trans becomes a political liability.

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Antoinette Accampo's avatar

Good for her. It's nice she will stand up for the right on these issues.

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Tommy Lamont's avatar

Thanks for this reporting Erin. I find it interesting and a bit disappointing, though not surprising, that it seems that female governors, notably Janet Mills of ME and Katie Hobbs of AZ, who are leading state-wide efforts to defend trans rights. Tim Walz seems to be one of the few male governors doing this important work. Perhaps I am missing other governors and news stories, but I find distressing the apparent silence on trans rights of so many Blue State governors. Erin, might you be able to clarify which state governors have been leading the charge on our behalf?

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Leslie Hittner's avatar

Great news! Now, if that could begin happening across the nation, it would be even "gooder" news.

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Joan the Dork's avatar

Excellent refusal to engage with GQP culture war bullshit. They don't want to solve problems- they just want to hurt people.

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Marthe's avatar

Outstanding news!

Thank you Governor Hobbs of Arizona.

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Krista Durand's avatar

Erin, so good to hear leaders doing some leading! This article is older but shows our right wing Alberta towns have been heavily influenced by anti-trans rhetoric, and it is often on the shoulders of those most impacted to stand up against giants. https://www.cbc.ca/newsinteractives/features/a-shadow-war-on-libraries I especially like the piece here that calls out the group that is leading a campaign with misinformation.

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Veronica Erin's avatar

Thank you Arizona Ice Tea. I will be picking up a case today. I knew the ice tea people wouldn’t allow these heinous policies to go through. Unlike the people at Black Rifle Coffee, Arizona Ice Tea cares.

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Andy knettel's avatar

Wow amazing! I also love her statements

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