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Community Leaders Unite at Rainbows Festival to Support Marriage Equality Through Respect for Marriage Arizona Pledge

Congressman Greg Stanton, Mayor Corey Woods, State Leaders, and LGBTQ+ Organizations to Sign Pledge Protecting Marriage Rights in Arizona

PHOENIX, AZ – Leading elected officials, LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations, and community leaders will gather at the Rainbows Festival on Sunday, March 29th, 2026, to sign the Respect for Marriage Arizona (RMAZ) pledge and participate in a public education session about this critical initiative to protect marriage equality in the state.

The event will take place at Heritage Square in Phoenix during Arizona's second-largest LGBTQ+ celebration, which draws more than 25,000 attendees annually.

Sunday March 29th Event Schedule

10:00 AM: Congressional Leadership Signing
U.S. Congressman Greg Stanton (AZ-04) will sign the Respect for Marriage Arizona pledge, demonstrating federal and state alignment on protecting marriage equality. Congressman Stanton has been a strong supporter of LGBTQ+ rights, championing inclusive policies throughout his tenure.

10:30 - 11:00 AM: Community Q&A Session
A public question-and-answer session will provide attendees with information about the Respect for Marriage Arizona initiative, its goals, and how it safeguards both marriage equality and religious freedom in Arizona.

11:00 AM - Pledge Signings and Photo Opportunities

Karen Bailey, a lead plaintiff in the landmark case that brought marriage equality to Arizona, will kick off the pledge signings.

Participating Organizations

• ONE Community – A coalition of socially responsible businesses and organizations supporting diversity, inclusion, and equality for all Arizonans.
• Phoenix Pride – Producer of Arizona's largest LGBTQ+ events, including the Rainbows Festival.
• Prisma Community Care - a health and wellness organization providing affirming, accessible care to queer and trans communities, including HIV services.
• one·n·ten – An organization enhancing the lives of LGBTQ+ youth and young adults ages 11-24 through empowering social and service programs.
• Equality Arizona – A nonprofit organization working to ensure LGBTQ+ Arizonans are treated equally under the law and have full civil rights protections.

Following individual organization signings, all five organizations will participate in a joint photo opportunity.

Elected Officials and Community Leaders

• Mayor Corey Woods – City of Tempe; a longtime champion of LGBTQ+ equality, having guided city policy that earned Tempe a perfect score in the Human Rights Campaign's Municipal Equality Index.
• Democratic Whip Stacey Travers – Arizona State Representative, District 12
• Stephanie Simacek – Arizona State Representative
• Patti O'Neil – Chair, Maricopa County Democratic Party; representing Arizona's most populous county, which accounts for 65% of the state's voters.
• Edward Vasquez – Board Member, Greater Phoenix Equality Chamber of Commerce (GPECC)

Community Supporters

Community partners and supporters include Phoenix Men’s Choir, Spectrum Medical, and others.

About Respect for Marriage Arizona

Respect for Marriage Arizona is a statewide public education and engagement initiative designed to ensure that all legally recognized marriages are treated with dignity and fairness in Arizona. The initiative seeks to remove discriminatory constitutional language and protect marriage equality at the state level, regardless of future federal court decisions.

The campaign builds on the bipartisan federal Respect for Marriage Act signed into law in 2022, which codified protections for same-sex and interracial marriages while including religious freedom provisions. The Arizona initiative ensures that no church or clergy member will be required to perform or recognize a marriage that conflicts with their beliefs, while simultaneously protecting the rights of all legally married couples.

This initiative is about preserving both family and faith—recognizing our differences while focusing on what unites us: strong, stable communities built on personal responsibility and lasting commitments.

About the Rainbows Festival

The Rainbows Festival is an annual celebration of the LGBTQ+ community's diversity, featuring over 150 exhibitors and sponsors, two entertainment stages, and free admission. Produced by Phoenix Pride, the 2026 festival theme is "Love Lights the Way," spotlighting the Respect for Marriage Arizona Education Campaign as a central focus.

Media Opportunities

Media are invited to attend and cover:

• Congressman Greg Stanton's pledge signing (9:45-10:00 AM)
• Community Q&A session (10:30-11:00 AM)
• Organization pledge signings and group photo (11:00 AM)
• Individual interviews with participating leaders and organizations

For Immediate Release
February 12th, 2026

(Phoenix, AZ) — With growing national pressure to roll back marriage equality, ONE Community and Equality Arizona today announced the launch of the Respect for Marriage Arizona Education Campaign, a statewide effort to educate Arizonans about the importance of protecting families by safeguarding marriage rights in Arizona.

The education campaign will raise awareness about what is at stake for Arizona families if federal protections for marriage equality are weakened or overturned, and why ensuring that all legally recognized marriages are treated with dignity and fairness remains critical to family stability, personal responsibility, and freedom.

“Respect for Marriage Arizona is about helping Arizonans understand how marriage protections impact real families, our neighbors, our coworkers, and our loved ones, and why certainty and stability matter,” said Angela Hughey, President and Co-Founder of ONE Community and Respect for Marriage Arizona.

“Families are the foundation of our society and marriage equality is essential to ensuring all Arizona families can continue to thrive,” said Michael Soto, CEO of Equality Arizona. “This educational campaign is about helping Arizonans understand the inalienable rights that come with legal marriage and the urgent need for action to protect the rights of all families in these uncertain times.”

Last year, the U.S. Supreme Court was formally asked to reconsider Obergefell v. Hodges, the 2015 decision that established marriage equality nationwide. If overturned, same-sex couples in Arizona could face the loss of vital legal protections related to healthcare decision-making, parental rights, inheritance, taxes, and survivor benefits—creating uncertainty for thousands of families across the state.

Faith leaders across Arizona are also speaking out, emphasizing that protecting marriage aligns with core values of family, commitment, and responsibility.

“Safeguarding marriage rights is about ensuring that families are treated with dignity and stability under the law. This is not about forcing beliefs—it’s about protecting Arizona families and upholding our shared values of love, responsibility, and respect,” said The Right Rev. Jennifer A. Reddall, VI Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona.

The Respect for Marriage Arizona Education Campaign highlights that protecting civil marriage rights does not require any church or clergy member to perform or recognize marriages that conflict with their faith.

Business and community leaders are joining the campaign, noting that legal uncertainty around marriage harms not only families but also Arizona’s economy and workforce.

“Strong families are the foundation of a strong economy,” said Kimber Lanning, Founder and CEO of Local First Arizona. “When families have stability and legal certainty, businesses and communities thrive. Education efforts like this help ensure Arizona remains a welcoming, stable place to live and work.”