Our Guide to Your City Council

In 2022, eleven Arizona cities have non-discrimination ordinances inclusive of LGBTQ+ identities — Chandler, Flagstaff, Glendale, Mesa, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Sedona, Tempe, Tolleson, Tucson, and Winslow. In many of these cities, those protections were won only recently. Without fully inclusive federal or state civil rights protections, Arizona communities rely on municipal ordinances, which currently cover only around half the population of the state. While other governing bodies get more attention, cities are where much of the policy that affects your daily life is decided or implemented. Looking to make a better world for your LGBTQ+ neighbors? There's no better place to start.

Connect with Your City Council

• Phoenix | Public comment in Phoenix city council meetings can be given over the phone or on WebEx, with specific information to join each meeting listed in its agenda. Request to speak at least one hour in advance, and make sure to have the agenda item number handy for the issue you plan to speak on.

• Tucson | Tucson city council meetings are streamed live, and written comments or requests to speak via teleconference can be submitted by email to [email protected]. For more information, visit the city of Tucson guide to local government participation.

• Mesa | Mesa city council meetings are streamed live on Mesa 11. Members of the public can attend in person, or fill out an online comment card to submit written comment or request to call in. To find agendas for upcoming meetings, visit the city of Mesa website.

• Chandler | The city of Chandler is the most recent municipality in Arizona to approve non-discrimination protections for the LGBTQ+ community. To participate in city council meetings, you can join via WebEx or submit written comment through the city's public comment form.

• Scottsdale | Scottsdale city council meetings are live streamed, and public comment is accepted in person or over the phone. Make sure to submit your request to speak online at least 90 minutes in advance of the meeting.

• Gilbert | LGBTQ+ families and communities in the town of Gilbert are currently without non-discrimination protections. Town council meetings are held in person, and you can find contact information for the mayor and council on the city website. Scheduled meetings are listed on the main town calendar.

• Glendale | The Glendale city council website has contact info for the Mayor and city council members, a calendar of meetings, and an excellent city council 101 page. Regular meetings are held twice a month in the Council Chambers, Glendale Municipal Office Complex, 5850 W. Glendale Ave.

• Tempe | City Council meetings in Tempe are held virtually on WebEx and livestreamed on tempe.gov/tempe11. You can find a schedule of council meetings and submit comment cards on the Tempe website, or contact the mayor and city council members directly.

• Flagstaff | While Flagstaff's non-discrimination ordinance does protect LGBTQ+ people from discrimination in employment and public accommodation, those protections don't extend to housing. On the city website, you can find contact information for the mayor and council, along with protocols for council meetings.