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Residents voice sharply divided views on Mesa’s nondiscrimination ordinance during public comment
Summary
Multiple residents spoke at the March 17 Mesa City Council meeting expressing both support for and opposition to the city’s nondiscrimination ordinance and related DEI efforts; speakers cited safety, morality and inclusion in contrasting remarks.
Several residents addressed the Mesa City Council on March 17 about the city’s nondiscrimination ordinance and what they described as remaining references to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) on the city website.
Alex Ronachich told the council he and others want remaining DEI references removed from the city website and called the nondiscrimination ordinance "immoral," saying it allows men to use women’s facilities and urging the council to abolish the ordinance. Ronachich cited a section number he pronounced as "5609" and used strongly worded language in his remarks.
Antoinette Andruzzi also urged repeal of the ordinance, saying the language allows what she described as "trans ideologies" that she said threaten girls’ safety in bathrooms and locker rooms. Andruzzi identified herself as a survivor of sexual assault and said she had withdrawn her children from school because of the ordinance.
Other speakers offered a contrasting view. Monica Phillips, who said she lives in Eastmark and has family members who are transgender and gay, thanked the council for advancing equal-rights protections and for programming that highlights diversity and accessibility. Phillips praised Councilwoman Spilsbury by name for outreach and said her family feels safe and welcomed in Mesa.
Paul Burton also spoke in favor of inclusion, calling Mesa a place that should welcome diverse thought and noting the city's autism-certification work and other programs.
Council response and context
The mayor reminded speakers that the council cannot respond to matters that are not on the agenda but said the council members were taking notes. No council vote or ordinance change was recorded at the March 17 meeting; the comments were made during the public comment period.
