Beyond the macro level, there is a micro level, of course, and real-world consequences to treating people in an inequitable way. In communities that don’t have equal protections, there are higher rates of depression and mental health issues. This is compounded for transgender individuals, the most vulnerable members of not just Arizona, but national communities as well. Arizona’s business sector has been receptive to ONE Community Foundation’s message. Why? “Because it’s the right thing to do. But it’s also really good for the bottom line,” Hughey said. “When you are diverse and inclusive, people stay longer. They’re better advocates. They bring better ideas, because they’re not afraid to be different. The bottom line flourishes.” Armed with PowerPoint presentations and open arms, ONE Community Foundation explains that these protections don’t currently exist and educates on why it’s important to update our policies for both LGBTQ people and our state’s economic future. Hughey likens the process to a sort of coming out. “We’re not here to judge you and we’re not here to predetermine where you should be on your path as an individual, business or organization,” she said. “We’re inviting everyone to this awesome conversation about our common humanity.” One organization asked Hughey to speak, but requested that she take “LGBTQ” out of the title slide over concern that people wouldn’t attend. After she gave the presentation, Hughey had to stay an extra hour to take questions. “The thing that came up at the end was, ‘Thank you for not yelling at us.’ That’s the perceived hurdle of getting people to this conversation.” Salt River Project, for instance, recently signed the UNITY Pledge, after a very thoughtful process. The company now has a diversity and inclusion unit and has created a pamphlet on transgender employee guidelines. “We’re incredibly thankful that organizations take the internal steps they feel they need to take,” Hughey said. “Our job is to make sure they’ve got all the time they need so that when they get there it’s meaningful and celebratory.” It’s this intentional, across-the-aisle bridge-building that’s given ONE Community the reputation of being the most innovative regional organization in the nation advocating for LGBTQ inclusion and rights. “ We’re inviting everyone to this awesome conversation about our common humanity.” 24 FRONTDOORS MEDIA | SEPTEMBER 2019 COVER STORY CONTINUED 24 FRONTDOORS MEDIA | SEPTEMBER 2019

In 2017, ONE Community held its first interfaith summits in Phoenix and Tucson. An interactive opportunity to understand what’s at risk for people who are gay or transgender, the event paired 25 faith leaders with 25 transgender Arizonans. “We put them through spokesperson training and they had to get to know one another. Some went out for coffee; some had dinner.” But before that, they went to the Arizona Capitol. “We had over 30 meetings with elected officials on both sides of the aisle. So if your concern is faith, you have faith representatives saying, ‘My God loves all people, and they love people that are g ay or transgender.’ And you get to hear and meet people who happen to be transgender, in some cases for the first time.” Following the meetings came more than 20 minutes of constituent storytelling from representatives introducing their transgender constituents and telling their stories. “There was not a dry eye,” Hughey said. Such is the reaction people often have after receiving education from ONE Community. “It moves folks,” Hughey said “It’s not just about LGBTQ Arizonans. This conversation is truly about all of us.” Hughey and Owens have come a long way since they got a bad air-conditioning bid. In fact, a few years later, the pipes in their house broke. But this time, rather than quibble about the plumber being gay, they followed a simple process. “We just looked at our ONE Community directory and knew any plumber we called was going to give us a good price, guarantee their work and treat us as a couple with dignity and respect,” Hughey said. It’s the straightforward logic of a friendly Ohioan who sees problems best solved by candid conversations over a cup of coffee. “The time to get to know your neighbors is not when your house is on fire. When we can let our guard down and give people the opportunity to find out what we have in common, the sky’s the limit,” she said. To learn more, visit onecommunityfoundation.org . TAKE THE PLEDGE Join the coalition of businesses, leaders and everyday Arizonans committed to improving the future of Arizona. Sign the UNITY Pledge at OpenAZ.com . ONE Community Foundation did groundbreaking educational work pairing faith leaders from different backgrounds and traditions with transgender individuals, culminating in a trip to the Arizona Capitol. SEPTEMBER 2019 | FRONTDOORS MEDIA 25 SEPTEMBER 2019 | FRONTDOORS MEDIA 25