ONE Community celebrates 10-Year anniversary of UNITY Pledge in support of a fully inclusive Arizona
Today marks the 10th anniversary of ONE Community’s UNITY Pledge, which is now the largest equality pledge in the nation. Ten years ago today, on February 13th, 2013, ONE Community launched the UNITY Pledge, a concerted effort by businesses, organizations and individuals who support equal treatment and inclusive non-discrimination policies in employment, housing, and public accommodations for LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies.
To date, more than 3,500 businesses, 500 faith leaders and 20,000 Arizonans have taken the UNITY Pledge in support of equality and non-discrimination.
“Over the past decade, the support for ONE Community’s UNITY Pledge has grown year over year, demonstrating that Arizona businesses and residents overwhelmingly support equity, equality and inclusion,” said Angela Hughey, President and Co-Founder of ONE Community. “We have accomplished so much together in this journey, but there is still much work to be done to ensure we celebrate, respect and protect all who live and work in our great state,” she added.
Currently, Arizona does not have a fully inclusive non-discrimination law, leaving LGBTQ+ individuals and their families vulnerable to discrimination throughout much of the state. In total, only 11 Arizona municipalities have LGBTQ+ inclusive non-discrimination laws, creating a patchwork environment of laws that is not only bad for individuals and their families, but for business as well.
“The UNITY Pledge has been an amazing tool to educate and raise awareness among Arizonans that we do not have fully inclusive non-discrimination laws and to build support for inclusive policies across our state. It also allows LGBTQ+ individuals and their allies to select and support inclusive workplaces, restaurants, businesses and more as we go about our daily lives,” said Michael Soto, Chief Advocacy Officer for ONE Community.
“Local First Arizona was proud to be the very first signer of the UNITY Pledge,” said Kimber Lanning, founder and CEO, Local First Arizona. “And ten years later we continue to be proud signers and supporters of the UNITY Pledge because of how it has helped advance not just the conversation around diversity and inclusion in Arizona – but also policies that impact people’s lives – making our community stronger and more competitive,” concluded Lanning.