From: AHRF@aol.com Date: Sat, 15 Feb 1997 20:37:41 -0500 (EST) Subject: (AZ) Action Alert: Archaic laws repeal bill to be heard ARIZONA HUMAN RIGHTS FUND ACTION ALERT ARCHAIC LAWS REPEAL ALERT BACKGROUND: There are currently four archaic laws on the books in Arizona that are used to discriminate against gays and lesbians. These include "notorious crime against nature" (i.e. sodomy), lewd and lascivious, adultery, and cohabitation. These laws are used to deny gays and lesbians employment, housing, and even custody of their children. There are also used as excuses for enacting anti-gay legislation including banning gay and lesbian clubs from universities and other schools. On the urging of AHRF, House Bill 2538 "ARCHAIC LAWS REPEAL" has been introduced in the Arizona Legislature. TALKING POINTS: - These archaic laws criminalize many forms of sexual expression between consenting adults, including married couples, and cover heterosexual as well as homosexual activity. - Sexual expression of love between two consenting adults is a deeply private and intimate matter which should not be regulated by our criminal code. - These laws are historic relics. - Although these laws are not frequently enforced, they are often used to stigmatize and hurt individuals. They are often selectively cited to justify discriminatory measures against gays and lesbians by branding them as "criminals." - By keeping these laws in force, the State of Arizona passively sanctions and supports discrimination based on sexual orientation. ACTION NEEDED: HB 2538 has been assigned to the Arizona House Judiciary Committee and will be heard on Wednesday, February 19, 1997 at 1:00 pm in Housing Hearing Room #2 at the Capitol (Note: This is a change from the normal starting time of 1:30 pm). The Capitol is at 1700 W. Washington, Phoenix. After Judiciary the bill will then go onto the Rules Committee. Phone calls, e-mails, and faxed letters are needed to members of both committees. Your phone calls and letters will make a difference! If you are interested in testifying at the Judiciary committee hearing please e-mail AHRF. 1) CALL MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE. Urge them to support HB 2538; archaic laws repeal. 43rd Arizona House Judiciary Mark Anderson D29 R manderso@azleg.state.az.us (602) 542-4371 Mike Gardner (c) D27 R mgardner@azleg.state.az.us (602) 542-5896 Gail Griffin D8 R ggriffin@azleg.state.az.us (602) 542-5761 Benjamin Hanley D3 D bhanley@azleg.state.az.us (602) 542-5862 Tom Horne D24 R thorne@azleg.state.az.us (602) 542-5977 John Loredo D22 D jloredo@azleg.state.az.us (602) 542-5830 Wes Marsh (vc) D28 R wmarsh@azleg.state.az.us (602) 542-5503 Paul Newman D8 D pnewman@azleg.state.az.us (602) 542-5058 Lela Steffey D29 R lsteffey@azleg.state.az.us (602) 542-5760 Roberta Voss D19 R rvoss@azleg.state.az.us (602) 542-5168 Christine Weason D25 D cweason@azleg.state.az.us (602) 542-3297 c = chair vc = vice-chair Note: Rep. Mike Gardner (R-Tempe) is now the Chair of Judiciary. Former Chair Rep. John Verkamp (R-Flagstaff) has taken a leave of absence for health reasons. Verkamp's slot on the committee is now held by Rep. Gail Griffin (R-Sierra Vista). Links to members of the House Judiciary Committee can be found at: http://www.azleg.state.az.us/committe/hjud.htm 2) CALL MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE RULES COMMITTEE. Ask Chair Rep. Weiers to hear HB 2538. Urge committee members to support HB 2538. 43rd Arizona House Rules Committee Lori Daniels D6 R ldaniels@azleg.state.az.us (602) 542-5898 David Eberhart D19 R deberhar@azleg.state.az.us (602) 542-1859 Susan Gerard D18 R sgerard@azleg.state.az.us (602) 542-5766 Art Hamilton D22 D ahamilto@azleg.state.az.us (602) 542-3392 Benjamin Hanley D3 D bhanley@azleg.state.az.us (602) 542-5862 Joe Hart D2 R jhart@azleg.state.az.us (602) 542-4079 Bob McLendon D5 D rmclendo@azleg.state.az.us (602) 542-4430 Jerry Overton D15 R joverton@azleg.state.az.us (602) 542-5894 Rebecca Rios D7 D rrios@azleg.state.az.us (602) 542-5030 Roberta Voss (vc) D19 R rvoss@azleg.state.az.us (602) 542-5168 Christine Weason D25 D cweason@azleg.state.az.us (602) 542-3297 Jim Weiers (c) D16 R jweiers@azleg.state.az.us (602) 542-4639 Barry Wong D18 R bwong@azleg.state.az.us (602) 542-5836 c = chair vc = vice-chair Links to members of the House Rules Committee can be found at: http://www.azleg.state.az.us/committe/hrules.htm 3) WRITE THEM. Letters can be sent to 1700 W. Washington, Phoenix, AZ 85007 or faxed to (602) 542-4511. Address them to: The Honorable [member name]. 4) E-MAIL THEM. See above for e-mail addresses. Links to all members of the Arizona House of Representatives can be found at: http://www.azleg.state.az.us/members/members.htm For the copy of the bill and status of HB 2538 go to: http://www.azleg.state.az.us/legtext/43leg/1r/bills/h501-550.htm#HB2538 If you are outside of Maricopa County you may call 1-800-352-8404 and they will connect you with the appropiate office. If you do not know which legislative district you live in, visit the above web page and see their map, check the back of your voter card or call the House Information desk at (602) 542-4221. You can contact all legislators, regardless of district. ARIZONA HUMAN RIGHTS FUND P.O. Box 25044 Phoenix, AZ 85002 voice mail: (602) 530-1660 fax: (602) 254-7695 e-mail: ahrf@aol.com NOTE: To be added or removed from our e-mail Action Alert list please e-mail us.