The LGBT Community's Centennial Valentine to the State

What Brought Us to Arizona

Monica Baumbach

"I am a very proud Arizona native. Most of my maternal ancestors came to Arizona in the early 1800s, long before it was a state. We are a state of few natives and most Arizonans have a story about their journey to our great state."
Baumbach, of Phoenix, is a project manager.

Tommy Stoval

"I moved here in 2002 from Dallas with my partner and son. The climate was a huge factor. We also fell in love with Sedona and wanted to move to a smaller town."
Stoval is a filmmaker who is involved with the Sedona Film Festival.

Linda Hoffman

"I moved from Missouri in 1978 with my husband, who was in the Air Force. Wanted to try the climate here. Arizona might be really hot, but it didn't have 100 percent humidity in the summer, winter snow, rain, mud and gray skies from December until March."
Hoffman, of Phoenix, is a former president of Phoenix Pride, an organization that she's worked with for 18 years.

JC Ryden

"I moved to Arizona in 2001 from Hawaii. I was in a relationship at the time and Tucson was her home, so when she was discharged from the Navy, that's where she wanted to go. So we went."
Ryden, who performs as Freddy Prinze Charming, is Mr. Phoenix Pride 2011 and has helped raise funds for numerous community organizations.

Tom Hencz

"I moved here a year ago after 21 years in Los Angeles."
Hencz is associate publisher of Echo Magazine.

Tony Felice

"I moved here in 1998 from Los Angeles. I came here to finish grad school and ‘got stuck.' Phoenix has become my hometown and the reason I started my business."
Felice, who operates Tony Felice PR and Marketing, is chair of the Greater Phoenix Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.

Richard Stevens

"I'm originally from Ohio, but my family moved to Arizona when I was a kid. We took a road trip and arrived in Arizona on my 13th birthday. I always say that Arizona was my birthday present."
Stevens performs as Barbra Seville and has worked with AIDS Walk Phoenix, Phoenix Pride, Project Hardhat and other community organizations.

Michael Tucker

"I moved from Austin, Texas, to escape humidity, keep warm and find work."
Tucker, who has lived in Arizona since 1988, is an attorney and yoga instructor.

Donna Ellis

"We first came here in 1992, when we followed friends here in our first RV, and fell in love with the desert, the climate, etc., but it took us until 2005 to decide to sell our house of 42 years back in Missouri and make the move ... We don't ever want to move again!"
Ellis, of Chandler, is involved with Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians and Gays and other community organizations.

Aliya Leigh

"I packed two suitcases filled with clothes, my briefcase, shoes, hair dryer, resumes and my alarm clock. My grandfather dropped me off at the Port Authority in Manhattan. ... I got on the bus and it took me three days to get to Phoenix."
Leigh, of Phoenix, is a political analyst for GoVote.com. She's been involved with 1n10 and the Log Cabin Republicans of Arizona.

Logan Rasmussen

"I came to Arizona with my family around freshman year of high school looking for a new start and a new budget. Coming from expensive Connecticut, money and weather drew us here, but we eventually found what we were looking for: a stable family home."
Rasmussen, of Gilbert, is a student.

What We Love About Arizona

Jhon Honce

"The HEAT!"
Honce, of Cave Creek, moved to Arizona from Maryland for work as a computer programmer. He's a member of Desert Overture.

Toni D'Avello

"The winters, spring and, well, everything except the summer."
D'Avello, a real estate agent in Phoenix, moved to Arizona from Ohio with her parents in 1957.

Zachary Jackson

"Members of the cult, underground world are very much in the minority in this highly commercial state. Because of this, we stand out and are appreciated by a small, yet loyal group."
Jackson, of Phoenix, is a graduate student and drag queen, who moved to Arizona in 2005 to be closer to family members.

Richard Schultz

"The pace of life promoted by the weather."
Schultz, of Phoenix, moved from Chicago in 1999. He's an educational administrator, and leads a writers group at 1 Voice Community Center.

Leigh LaMora

"I love its natural beauty, but most of all I love that the sun shines almost literally every single day. Which means, if I had the means, I could play golf every single day."
LaMora, a straight ally, moved to Phoenix from the East Coast three years ago for a better quality of life. She is an account representative for Echo Magazine.

Kevin Bilder

"I always loved the climate, weather and sunshine; the sunrises and sunsets; the ability to drive two hours and be in a different climate."
Bilder, of Tempe, is originally from Milwaukee. He works in higher education marketing and has been involved with 1n10.

Megan Wadding

"The Grand Canyon, the mild winters and how we can get decent Mexican food at any hour."
Wadding, of Tucson, moved to Arizona in 1999 when she was 13. She's an airline reservation agent and freelance writer.

Julia Fordtner

"You can make a U-turn just about anywhere and pass on the right."
Fordtner, a real estate agent in Phoenix, moved from New York in 1985.

Julie Roberts

"I love the way my neighborhood smells in the early spring when the citrus trees are in bloom."
Roberts moved to Phoenix from San Francisco in 2003. She is a program development/community organizer who has been involved with the Out and Up Scholarship, No Longer Silent: Clergy for Justice, 1n10 and other organizations.

Joseph W. Czarnota

"The beauty, its natural wonders and the proximity to Vegas and San Francisco.
Czarnota, of Chandler, moved from Michigan in 2000.

Johnny Garduno

"I love the people in our great state. I find them happy and lots of fun in the sun. Sunshine makes people happy and we have lots of that, plus half-naked men throughout the summer is a great draw."
Garduno, of Glendale, moved to Arizona in 1977. He has worked with Care Directions and Shanti.

Christopher Hall

"What I love most about Arizona is the sense of community. Regardless of whether it is Yuma, Flagstaff, Casa Grande, Phoenix, Tucson or Sedona, we work together."
Hall, a native of Pinal County who attends college in Phoenix, is founder and past president of Central Arizona Rainbow Education.

Matthew Bantau

"The skies. Nothing better than an Arizona sky."
Bantau, of Gilbert, moved to Arizona with his parents in 2000. He's been involved with 1n10 and OUTdoors! camp.

Arizona Places We Love

Kit Kloeckl

"The beauty of the Grand Canyon is absolutely awesome."
Kloeckl, of Phoenix, moved from Minnesota. He's executive director of Aunt Rita's Foundation.

Elaina Medina

"Phoenix offers something special and interesting no matter what you are interested in — music, theater, food, outdoor adventures, art and a great nightlife."
Medina, an intern at 1n10, moved from Las Cruces, N.M., to attend gradate school at Arizona State University.

Amy Jo Harris

"I love riding (motorcycle) up north through the Pine and Strawberry area. The weather is always great and the scenery is just beautiful."
Harris, of Chandler, moved from Nebraska in 2000 to work for Intel.

Karen Ehle

"The Heber/Overgaard area."
Ehle, of Phoenix, is a peer mentor who has lived in Arizona since 1964.

Bob Lind

"Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, a combination zoo and botanical garden (that's) kept up well and is unique to the area."
Lind, a tax accountant in Phoenix, moved from New York City in 1983. He's involved in the Phoenix Primetimers.

Ken Cheuvront

"I love Sky Harbor airport because my grandfather and I would spend hours when I was young watching planes take off from old terminal one."
Cheuvront, an Arizona native, is a former state legislator who is running for the state Senate. He's a contractor and restaurant owner in Phoenix.

Ron Cleveland

"Downtown is getting more urban and I like that. I'm a farm boy that likes the big city."
Cleveland, who has lived in South Dakota and Utah, came to Arizona in 1995 and works as a clinic manager.

Brad Wishon

"The Apache Trail through the Superstition Mountains to Lake Roosevelt."
Wishon, of Goodyear, moved from St. Louis in 1997 and works as a consultant. He's involved with No Longer Silent: Clergy for Justice, 1 Voice Community Center and Human and Equal Rights Organizers.

Patrick Gamble

"Flagstaff — the pine trees and the cool downtown atmosphere."
Gamble, of Phoenix, moved from Ohio as a child with his family in 1980. He's a web developer and on the Human Rights Campaign board of governors.

Michael Taylor

"Phoenix. I love the city. There's lots to do, but not cramped like New York or Chicago."
Taylor, of Phoenix, moved from Texas.

Nate Whitten

"Boyce Thompson Arboretum. I like to go there in the spring and fall to see the changes in landscape."
Whitten, who works as a life coach in Phoenix, moved to Arizona with his family when he was a teenager in 1983.

Helena Grayson

"Central Phoenix is full of creative people, unique shops and restaurants and awesome events. And downtown is evolving into a ‘real' big city."
Grayson, a straight ally and Arizona native, is manager of the Phoenix market for Sway Events.

Paul Braun

"Lake Powell has always been a favorite place. Out on the lake, there's a kind of peace that you don't get anywhere else. Many of my best memories were made there."
Braun, of Phoenix, came to Arizona as a child with his parents in 1961. He's art director of Echo Magazine.

Bob Hegyi

"Payson/Pine area. Several other gay friends have cabins there close to my partner and myself. We have many get-togethers throughout the year."
Hegyi, who moved from South Carolina in 1960, works the reception desk at the Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS.

Bobby Parker

"Just for the stark beauty, I like the river drive north of Parker to the Parker Dam ... where I grew up, went away to college and came home to marry my former wife of 43 years. Going ‘home' to the Colorado River is the best feeling in the world."
Parker, of Phoenix, moved to Arizona as a child with his family in 1946. He has been involved with the Stonewall Democrats, the Arizona LGBT Coalition and other community organizations.

Kathryn Jim

"Living in pines most of my life has created a sense of balance and appreciation for this little own called Flagstaff. I am surrounded by a beautiful sacred peak that I can hike anytime and appreciate the four seasons. It's a true blessing from Mother Earth."
Jim, an Arizona native, is president of the Northern Arizona Pride Association.

Tucker Knight Parkinson

"Prescott. It is so calming to me and holds many great memories."
Parkinson, of Chandler, moved to Arizona from Vermont 13 years ago and participates in 1n10.

Carolyn Rauch

"The view from top of Palo Cristi Road and Lincoln Drive. I've driven that stretch a million times and it makes me feel like I'm home. And it's pretty."
Rauch, a straight ally, is an Arizona native who lives in Paradise Valley.

Patrick Notah

"Chandler, my hometown. It's suburban, but it has its fun places that I can spend time with my friends. We're outside the city so kind of get our own world out here, but still close enough that we can join the major events."
Notah, an Arizona native, is a student and makeup artist and participates with 1n10.

Meg Sneed

Jerome. I love the winding hills, the open hearts and minds, and the amazing conversations that can be had with complete strangers over a cup of coffee.
Sneed, an Arizona native who lives in Scottsdale and works as a social worker, is chair of the Human and Equal Rights Organizers and founder of the Right to Marry: Arizona Walk.

CJ Minott

"The top of Camelback Mountain. From there, you can see the entire city of Phoenix."
Minott moved from Oregon with his family when he was three weeks old. He works at Aunt Rita's Foundation and volunteers for 1n10.

Jorge Gautier

"The ASU area because of the mix of backgrounds."
Gautier, an Arizona native who lives in Tempe, is involved with 1n10.

Liliana Montoya

"Anywhere with a pool because I can relax and tan. I live for pool season."
Montoya, a straight ally and an Arizona native who lives in Phoenix, is a therapist who has worked with the Stonewall Institute and 1n10. She walked in last summer's Right to Marry: Arizona Walk.

Our Special Memories of Arizona

Eric Buckmaster

"Being raised in this state. I would not trade it for the world."
Buckmaster, an Arizona native who lives in Phoenix, performs as Lady Christian and is involved with the Imperial Court. He works as a bartender and serves as president of the Murphy School District Governing Board.

Cait Brennan

"Growing up with the Wallace and Ladmo Show — a revolutionary pop culture phenomenon and a quintessentially Arizonan experience. It was a blessing to grow up with something so irreverent and creative and hilarious."
Brennan, of Phoenix, is an Arizona native. She is a singer and writer.

Cinthia Schmidt

"The smell of desert flowers."
Schmidt, a straight ally who lives in Glendale, moved from Illinois. She is webmaster, classified ad manager and photographer for Echo Magazine.

Lori Hicks

"When my memories (good ones) are associated with Arizona they are typically sports related, like when Charles Barkley played for the Phoenix Suns in '93-'95 or when the D-Backs won the World Series against New York the same year as the 9/11 tragedy."
Hicks, who works as a real estate agent in Phoenix, moved from Albuquerque, N.M., in 1993.

Danny Herrera

"Picnics along the Colorado Trail."
Herrera, an Arizona native, lives in Phoenix.

Dan Craig

"When I was a kid, my dad flew helicopters in the Grand Canyon for a living. Every summer for a week my family would camp out just south of Tusayan, visit the park and other nearby parks and, best of all, get to ride in a helicopter over the Grand Canyon!"
Craig, of Phoenix, is an Arizona native.

Joe Hoffman

"Undergraduate years at ASU."
Hoffman lives in Chandler and has worked with the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN).

Toni D'orsay

"I once hiked the Verde/Salt rivers, and that experience still resonates with me ... deeply affecting not only my love for our state, but also the way in which I live my life."
D'orsay, an Arizona native who grew up in Sedona, is executive director of This is H.O.W.

Richard McLaughlin

"Phoenix Pride, Rainbows Festival, 1n10's various annual events."
McLaughlin, an Arizona native who lives in Phoenix, participates in 1n10.

Nicholas Yale

"Having my dad drive me to the Grand Canyon and being wowed by its splendor, but not wanting to stay and look because I was hungry and wanted to eat dinner."
Yale, an Arizona native, is a real estate agent in Phoenix who has worked with the Human Rights Campaign, 1n10 and Equality Arizona.

Marie Elle E'Phant

"The trips I took with my mother to meetings she had at the state Capitol. While she was in the meeting, I was able to explore the old Capitol and learn the history of the state."
E'Phant, an Arizona native who lives in Phoenix, is a member of the Grand Canyon Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence and is involved with Human and Equal Rights Organizers (H.E.R.O.) and the 1 Voice Community Center.

Jim McCarthy

"When I came to Arizona and Connecticut was under a blizzard."
McCarthy, of Peoria, moved from Connecticut in 2001.

Marta Grissom

"My commitment ceremony at the Valley Garden Center."
Grissom, of Queen Creek, moved from San Diego in 1998. A counselor and program director, she has worked with the LGBT Consortium, Tumbleweed and 1n10.

Jimmy Gruender

"Walking in the places and cities that most people will never go, or never heard of, with the Right to Marry Walk.
Gruender, who has lived in Phoenix for nine years, has walked with Right to Marry for three years and is chair of the board of 1 Voice Community Center.

DJ McMurray

"Meeting my partner of 17-plus years."
McMurray, of Apache Junction, moved from Kansas in 1986 and works as a bookkeeper.

Micheal Weakley

"The first time I crossed over the mountains leaving Phoenix heading north and how amazing the beauty was and terrific the cactus and mountains along with sky and air just made a perfect moment."
Weakley moved from Tennessee 10 years ago and is assistant director at 1n10 in Phoenix.

Claudine M. Wessel

"I remember riding our bikes in 124 degree heat in the summer and thinking nothing of it."
Wessel, of Phoenix, moved from New Mexico when she was 10. She is an event director, has been involved with the Human Rights Campaign.

Wendy Reese

"When we arrived [in June] in Flagstaff ... we deboarded into cold. There was still snow on the peaks. I have never been a fan of the cold and there were no snow pictures in Northern Arizona University's brochure. I begged for the rest of the summer to stay home and go to the University of Oklahoma. Two months later, I started NAU."
Reese, a personal trainer in Phoenix, has been in Arizona for 14 years.

Tom Mann

"My favorite moment was standing next to Gov. Rose Mofford at President-elect Bill Clinton's victory party at the Phoenix Civic Center.
Mann, an Arizona native who lives in Phoenix, is former chairman of the board of Equality Arizona and vice president of PMT Ambulance.

Melissa Myers

"The first year I moved here, a day in June registered 122 degrees. I had to go outside just to experience what that might feel like."
Myers, of Tempe, moved from Colorado in 1990. She is a financial planner.

Steve Schemmel

"Opening night of Arizona's first gay/lesbian theater. ... In spite of threats of death, physical assault and arson, we opened expecting a small crowd. It sold out for the initial three performances and we had to add six more.
Schemmel, a veteran of the Stonewall Riots, moved from New York City in 1971. He was the founder of Janus Theatre and is an account representative for Echo Magazine.

Bruce Christian

"I've lived through so many positive changes in Arizona. From the time I got involved early on in the battle to repeal the so-called archaic sex laws. The LGBT community still has a way to go for total equality in Arizona, but we are getting there."
Christian, of Phoenix, moved from New York as a child in 1956. He is a columnist for Echo Magazine and a former managing editor of the publication.

Stephanie Ferguson

"All my greatest memories are here in Arizona ... falling in love and building a life."
Ferguson, of Peoria, moved from California in 2010.

Felicia K. Minor

I met the love of my life in Arizona and bought my first home here. I've learned who I am and who I want to be.
Minor, of Mesa, is an entertainer who moved from California in 2004.

Neil Cohen

"I used to love to go to Legend City with my parents and even then, I knew the rides were cheesy, but it was OUR cheesy amusement park!"
Cohen, of Tempe, moved from Alabama with his family in 1967.

Kurt Niece

"The first time I saw an Century Plant, I wondered if I'd made a wrong turn to Mars!"
Niece, of Tucson, moved from Ohio to attend the University of Arizona. He's a writer, artist and teacher.

Zachary Mall

"Some of the closest people in my life live in Arizona."
Mall, of Phoenix, moved from Chicago and works as an Internet marketing manager.

Debra Wood

"For the rest of my life, Arizona will be the place where I fell in love with my partner."
Wood, a retired teacher and counselor who lives in Paradise Valley, moved from Minnesota in 2006.

Our Hope's for Arizona's Future

Bill Orovan

"I hope for the nasty Republicans in government to either grow up or get out."
Orovan, founder and publisher of Echo Magazine, moved from Los Angeles in 1971 to take advantage of the Arizona weather and business climate.

Jimmie Byrd

"That we learn to curtail growth and preserve the outdoor beauty that is the best thing about the state."
Byrd is an Arizona native who lives in Chandler.

William A. Jennings

"Openness toward all people and business so Arizona can be all it can be."
Jennings lives in Phoenix.

Dominick Abatemarco

"That growth is careful and considered, less sprawl of tract homes giving respect to natural terrain."
Abatemarco, a contractor, moved from New York with his parents in 1976.

Stacey Jay Cavaliere

"My hope is for Arizona to become more progressive. ... State officials must represent those they serve, and this is not the case currently. I foresee a shift in the next 10 years, and I am excited to be part of that progressive growth.
Cavaliere was born in Colorado, but considers Arizona his home state after coming here as a child. He works as 1n10 prevention coordinator and is on the board of Phoenix Pride.

Paul Carroll

"More emphasis on educational goals and a lot less political corruption."
Carroll, who moved from Boston in 2000, is an IT specialist and chair emeritus of Phoenix Pride.

Natalie Cianciola

"I'd like to see the state turn blue this November."
Cianciola, an Arizona native, is project manager for Sway Events in Phoenix and has been involved with Phoenix Pride, the Human Rights Campaign and 1n10.

Annie Loyd

"I hope those who live here and those who come to reside here come to have a deep and profound understanding the ancient indigenous history and cultural richness of the people, the transitions and the land.
Loyd, of Phoenix, is founder of the Fusion Foundation. She has been in Arizona since 1967.

Craig Peterson

"That its decentralized LGBT citizenry might one day establish a visible community."
Peterson, of Mesa, moved from Denver in 2003. He is involved with the AZ Gay Car Club and 1 Voice Commuity Center.

Kado Stewart

"I hope that Arizona will become a safe place for all that live here, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, documentation status, age, etc. This will take work, but we have and are growing strong community members willing to advocate for change."
Stewart, who moved to Arizona in 2005 to attend college, is founder and director of OUTdoors! camp for LGBT youth and program coordinator for 1n10.

Laura Latzko

"I hope that Arizona becomes more progressive, and that the people of Arizona become more open to people from different backgrounds."
Latzko, who moved from Missouri, lives in Glendale. She's a freelance writer.

Mandee Rowley

"That it will recognize my upcoming marriage. That I will actually feel like an equal citizen. It is increasingly temping to move to another state where I know that my relationship will receive the equal attention that a heterosexual relationship receives and where I trust that my future children will be treated with respect both legally and socially."
Rowley, an Arizona native, is a counselor and clinical director for the Shanti Phoenix Group and chair of the board of Aunt Rita's Foundation. She has walked in Right to Marry: Arizona for the past two summers.

Barb Morrissey

"That all people are treated equally regardless of ethnicity, sexual orientation or any other individual characteristics."
Morrissey, of Phoenix, moved from New York in 2006. A teacher, she is involved with Arizona Women in Tune and the Community Church of Hope.

Alexis Getscher

"That we become more accepting of others unlike ourselves."
Getscher, of Phoenix, is an Arizona native. She is public relations and communications co-chair for the local chapter of the Human Rights Campaign.

Liz Massey

"That we overcome our reputation as small-minded and short-sighted and harness our assets for the good of ALL."
Massey, of Peoria, has moved to Arizona twice from her native Kansas. She is involved with Arizona Women in Tune. She is a columnist and former managing editor for Echo Magazine.

Angela Hughey

"That we embrace our diversity, that we realize that our diversity is our strength."
Hughey, co-founder of One Community, has been involved with Aunt Rita's Foundation, Phoenix Pride and 1n10.

-E