A Potential Arizona ENDA Ballot Initiative

Currently, there are no federal laws on the books protecting the rights of its citizens from discrimination in employment discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, perceived or otherwise.

Thirteen states and the District of Columbia have policies prohibiting both sexual orientation and gender identity discrimination in employment: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Iowa, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington in the public and private sector.

If an initiative succeeds in both getting the signatures needed to get on the November general election ballot and garners the majority of support from voters, Arizona could become the fourteenth state to have such laws.

Entitled " Free to Work Arizona," (I-19-2008) this proposed initiative would make it "unlawful for Arizona employers to refuse to hire, discharge or promote a person solely because of the person's religion, age, race, disability, or sex (defined in the initiative as "any or all of the following: gender, gender identity, gender expression and sexual orientation). Exempts employment decisions based on sex for churches and church schools for jobs that are directly related to religious functions or that are directly involved in educating students."

This proposed initiative was filed with the Arizona Secretary of State by state Representative Kyrsten Sinema (D-Phoenix), who will lead the petition drive to garner the signatures needed to place this measure on the November general election ballot.

For this initiative to be on the ballot, a minimum of 153,365 valid signatures of registered Arizona voters must be gathered and submitted to the Arizona Secretary of State by July 3. With initiative, referendum or proposed state constitutional amendments, the goal of the signature drive is to get 150% of the total minimum to withstand potential legal challenges, so 230,048 is the number to get for "Free to Work Arizona." More information on this to follow ...