Recently, more than 20 LGBT equality groups including the National Gay
& Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, the Equality Federation, and the
National Gay & Lesbian Task Force issued a statement opposing
Arizona’s SB 1070 on the grounds that it will lead to racial profiling,
discrimination and anti-immigrant extremism. The LGBT community knows
all too well how easily people who "look different" or "act different"
can be singled out for harassment and persecution. Indeed, this bill
will have negative implications for our community as well as the
broader Latino and immigrant community. Working closely and
collaborative with our allies, including our Latino and immigrant
brothers and sisters, is a fundamental tenet of how we will achieve
full equality for all LGBT people.

HRC is proud to recognize the many constructive efforts going on within
Arizona to strengthen and empower the Latino and immigrant community.
Whether it be citizenship fairs or small business training and
development opportunities, there are a variety of positive efforts that
go on every day and in which our volunteers are involved. Latinos are a
vital part of the fabric of our society in Arizona and around the
nation. 

The statement that was issued by the LGBT organizations includes
language about a boycott against the state. Where HRC is concerned, the
boycott is quite limited in nature, as follows:

• The boycott only applies to bringing in outside conferences
  and meetings into the state. HRC did not and does not have any meetings
  planned in the state.
• The HRC dinner is not affected by the boycott. It is a local event produced by our volunteer leadership.
• Arizona continues to be a priority state for HRC. Effectuating positive change is now more than ever a priority. The boycott does not apply to political contributions made by HRC to candidates or causes in the state. Similarly, staff travel to the state is unaffected.

We understand that Arizonans stand on many sides of this issue. We have
taken a principled stand that we believe is just as important to LGBT
people as it is to Latinos and immigrants. The nature of our boycott is
also quite limited. We encourage Arizona residents and visitors to
patronize businesses that have supported the LGBT community and that
are engaged in opposing SB 1070. Thank you for your continued support
as we work through this issue.

More than 20 lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality groups and allies today issued the following joint statement:

Arizona's S.B. 1070 takes the state down a path that will lead to racial profiling, discrimination and anti-immigrant extremism. We stand in solidarity with other individuals, organizations and local governments in rejecting the misrepresentation of immigrants put forth in this unjust and ill-conceived measure.

S.B. 1070 essentially declares an entire class of people to be inherently criminal on the basis of their race and appearance. The consequences of S.B. 1070 are grave and troubling: the inevitability of racial profiling and infringement of civil liberties; the strong probability of violence and harassment against individuals and their families; and the reversal of progress toward creating a more inclusive society.  

We also note that this bill was signed into law by Gov. Jan Brewer, the same governor who last year stripped away earned health insurance benefits from the same-sex domestic partners of state employees. Brewer's actions as governor demonstrate, at best, callous indifference — and at worst, willful malice — toward immigrants and LGBT people alike.  

All Arizona families — lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and straight — have reason to be alarmed. The state's new law threatens to tear apart families, separate children from their parents and rip apart loving couples who are building their lives together. The LGBT community knows all too well how easily people who "look different" or "act different" can be singled out for harassment and persecution. LGBT immigrants will be doubly vulnerable under this law, which gives license to discriminate.

We are united in our determination to stand for political and legislative change that will ensure just treatment of immigrants, people of color, and all people in Arizona. Such justice requires the repeal of S.B. 1070 and the passage and implementation of comprehensive federal immigration reform.  

Today we join with groups such as Service Employees International Union, League of United Latin American Citizens, Asian American Justice Center, Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund, National Council of La Raza, National Action Network, the National Puerto Rican Coalition, and many others in the boycott against the state of Arizona until S.B. 1070 is repealed, overturned by the courts, or superseded by comprehensive federal immigration reform.

National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund
Human Rights Campaign
GLAAD
Immigration Equality
National Black Justice Coalition
National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs
Out & Equal Workplace Advocates
International Foundation for Gender Education
Family Equality Council
Two Spirit Press Room
Equality Federation
National Minority AIDS Council
National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce(R)
Freedom to Marry
Gay Men's Health Crisis
Lambda Legal
BiNet USA
International Federation of Black Prides, Inc.
Consortium of Higher Education LGBT Resource Professionals
UNID@S
SAGE
Atticus Circle
National Center for Lesbian Rights