Arizona

The recently outed gay sheriff of Pinal County, Ariz., says if he’s elected to Congress he’ll support pro-LGBT initiatives and help change perceptions lawmakers have about gay people, and that his election would be “very impactful and helpful” in changing “the views, perceptions, beliefs about who we are.” [ Read more → ]

PHOENIX -- Embattled Pinal County, Arizona sheriff Paul Babeu -- who came out as gay amid allegations that he threatened to have an ex-boyfriend deported -- once ran a Massachusetts boarding school with a history of physical and sexual abuse, and for a time lived with one of the school's male students. [ Read more → ]

PHOENIX -- An Arizona county sheriff seeking the GOP nomination for an Arizona congressional seat publicly came out as gay on Saturday, amid allegations of misconduct made by a man with whom he allegedly had a relationship. [ Read more → ]

TUCSON, Ariz. -- An openly gay Arizona state lawmaker announced Tuesday that he will enter the race to fill the congressional seat vacated by U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.), who resigned last week. [ Read more → ]

U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, the Arizona congresswoman who survived an assassination attempt in a massacre that left six others dead one year ago, has announced that she will resign from Congress this week. [ Read more → ]

SAN DIEGO (CN) - In a federal class action, a woman claims Avis Rent A Car violated her civil rights by offering discounted rates to gay and lesbian customers, but not to her. [ Read more → ]

PHOENIX -- Openly bisexual Arizona state Senator Kyrsten Sinema has announced she's resigning her Senate seat to launch a campaign for U.S. House, representing Arizona's newly drafted Ninth Congressional District. [ Read more → ]

MEXICO CITY -- Mexican officials announced they have arrested a known male prostitute for the robbery and brutal murder of a gay flight attendant on Saturday during a layover stop in Mexico City. [ Read more → ]

MEXICO CITY -- A Phoenix-based gay flight attendant for U.S. Airways was found dead in a Mexico City hotel room early Saturday morning in what local police are referring to as a homicide. [ Read more → ]

The number of adoptions by gay and lesbian parents has almost tripled over the past ten years, despite the "patchwork of discriminatory policies" that often make it difficult for gays and lesbians to adopt, as either couples or individuals, according to a new study released this week. [ Read more → ]

University of Arizona student and congressional intern Daniel Hernandez Jr. garnered national recognition when he saved the life of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. President Obama acknowledged him for his heroism. [ Read more → ]

Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer said a federal appeals panel "got it wrong" and is again appealing a court ruling that same-sex partners of state government workers are entitled to health care benefits provided to opposite-sex couples. [ Read more → ]

Rick Welts, who just four months ago came out -- becoming the first openly gay senior executive of a professional sports team -- has announced he is resigning his position as Phoenix Sun President and Chief Executive Officer. [ Read more → ]

A federal appeals court on Tuesday ruled that the state of Arizona must continue to provide health care benefits to same-sex domestic partners of state workers, blocking enforcement of a 2009 law that eliminated the coverage. [ Read more → ]

NBA superstar and Phoenix Suns' point guard Steve Nash has voiced his support for marriage equality, appearing in a new video for the HRC's "New Yorkers for Marriage Equality" campaign. [ Read more → ]

An Arizona teen who started his anti-bullying activism when he was forced to drop out of high school at the age of 14, has taken his cause to Washington to lobby Congress to make schools a safer environment for LGBT youth. [ Read more → ]

In a groundbreaking announcement for men’s professional team sports, Phoenix Suns president and chief executive Rick Welts, has come out, reported The New York Times on Sunday. [ Read more → ]

Meet the Hams. The Arizona Republic on Sunday profiled Steven and Roger Ham, a gay couple of 18 years who are raising 12 adopted children, ages 2 to 16. [ Read more → ]

A bill signed Monday by Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer will direct the state and other adoption agencies to give married couples a preference over single adults when placing children in adoptive and foster homes. [ Read more → ]

Attorneys representing the State of Arizona are due to appear in the 9th U. S. Circuit Court of Appeals today to defend a decision by the Arizona legislature that stripped partners of same-sex couples, domestic partners and their children from receiving [...] [ Read more → ]