LGBTQIA+
Tempe is an LGBTQIA+ friendly destination
Tempe has a history of being a welcoming and diverse community. It is also one of Arizona’s leading cities when it comes to inclusive policies and ensuring all individuals receive equal treatment. Tempe’s progressive leaders, empathetic citizens and reputation as a forward thinking college town all combine to make Tempe a leader in the Southwest.
Tempe Demonstrates Its Pride
Since 1999, the City of Tempe has been offering benefits for Domestic Partners of City employees. Throughout the years, many milestones have been achieved. Below are some of the ways Tempe celebrates and is celebrated for it’s progressive and welcoming culture.
The City of Tempe earned a perfect score of 100 since 2014 from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s annual Municipal Equality Index (MEI).
In January 2016, Pride Guides awarded the Tempe Tourism Office the “Pride Guide® USA Founding Partner Award.” Our organization has had a long standing relationship with Pride Guides through advertising and joint partnerships.
Tempe City Council unanimously approved an anti-discrimination ordinance that makes it unlawful to discriminate against residents and visitors on the basis of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, familial status, US Military veteran status, race, color, national origin, age, religion and disability. The City of Tempe bans discrimination in housing, employment and accommodations at restaurants and hotels.
Tempe voters overwhelmingly approved an amendment to the City Charter that prohibits discrimination or favor for city positions on the basis of race, color, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, familial status, age, disability, political affiliation and United States military veteran status, except as such favor may be authorized by law. Protections apply to employment at the city and at businesses in Tempe, as well as to contracts, housing, public places and appointments to city Boards and Commissions.
In January 2017, the City of Tempe augmented its health plan to cover specific benefits for employees and their dependents who are transgender. The change covers medical and psychological services as well as gender confirmation surgery.
Major events take place annually in Tempe and the surrounding area including the Arizona Gay Rodeo, AIDS Walk Arizona, Pride Run Phoenix and Phoenix Pride.
Tempe’s central location makes is easy for the LGBTQIA+ community to explore all of Arizona and other parts of the Phoenix Metropolitan area. Most of the area’s popular LGBTQIA+ nightlife is within a 20 minute drive of Tempe.
LGBTQIA+ events taking place in Phoenix and Tempe
Check out all the LGBTQIA+ events taking place in Phoenix and Tempe!
LGBTQIA+ Ally Businesses in Tempe
ONE Community is the coalition of socially responsible businesses, organizations and individuals who are moving diversity, inclusion, equity and equality forward for all Arizonans. View their list of LGBTQIA+ ally businesses in Tempe.
Pride Guide Arizona is an LGBTQIA+ resource guide for travel, businesses, weddings, relocation and more. Their goal to is connect our community with vetted, like-minded businesses and organizations who are safe, inclusive and support equality for all.
Accolades
- Tempe, Arizona: Named Top 20 Cities for LGBTQ Retirement in 2019 by SeniorAdvice
- Tempe, Arizona: Nominees for Hidden Gem the Best of Gay Cities 2019
- Tempe Arizona: Given a 100% on the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Annnual Municipal Equality Index (MEI).
