Tolleson joins growing list of Arizona cities to enact LGBTQ protections

PHOENIX – You can add Tolleson to the list of Arizona cities that have enacted protections for the LGBTQ community in matters of housing, employment and public accommodations.

The small West Valley suburb’s city council unanimously approved a non-discrimination ordinance during its June 22 meeting, joining five other metro Phoenix cities and increasing the state total to 10.

“A vote yes here tonight sends a message loud and clear, that LGBTQA+ people matter, and just maybe that message will find a trans or gay child in our community who is struggling and it will give them hope,” Councilman Jimmy Davis said before the vote, according to the meeting minutes.

“LGBTQ youth are almost five times as likely to have attempted suicide compared to their heterosexual counterparts. So this vote can and will save lives.”

Tolleson’s ordinance is similar to the ones already adopted by Valley cohorts in Glendale, Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Tempe as well as in Flagstaff, Sedona, Tucson and Winslow.

It prohibits housing and employment discrimination against anybody based on race, color, gender, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin or ancestry, marital status, familial status, age, disability or veteran status.

The new city code also lays out enforcement procedures.

Violators are subject to civil penalties of $250 to $1,000 per violation.

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