Post submitted by former HRC Digital Media Manager Helen Parshall

In case pro-equality Arizonans missed the news, reports that U.S. Rep. Martha McSally (R-AZ) donated $1,000 to anti-equality Rep. Jason Lewis (R-MN) remain incredibly troubling for LGBTQ people and people of color in the Grand Canyon State.

McSally has long opposed marriage equality and pushed for discriminatory, anti-LGBTQ policies including an amendment that would allow discrimination against LGBTQ people by taxpayer-funded organizations.

Lewis is the congressman at the center of a national controversy over his racist, sexist and homophobic slurs.

.@RepJasonLewis your comments are reprehensible. LGBTQ people are not 'rapists, criminals, or polygamists.' They are, however, your constituents. If the people of #MN2 needed one more reason to elect @AngieCraigMN, this hate from @jason2cd is it. #turnOUT https://t.co/bqNPbNrQc0

— Chad Griffin (@ChadHGriffin) August 8, 2018

“Martha McSally should apologize to Arizonans for supporting an extremist who has compared LGBTQ people to rapists and criminals, lamented that he can't call women sluts, and repeatedly attacked the poor, people with disabilities and people of color,” said HRC Arizona State Director Justin Unga. “Our elected officials should be held to the highest standard and McSally's support for Lewis fails that test.

����#CallItOut: @MarthaMcSally's PAC gave $$$ to help re-elect @RepJasonLewis, the Congressman who compared LGBTQ-Americans to rapists. Arizonans deserve better. #AZsen https://t.co/ry48MNHj4c

— HRC in Arizona (@HRCaz) August 9, 2018

In Arizona, HRC has identified more than 800,000 Arizonans as likely Equality Voters, meaning they are strong supporters of progressive LGBTQ policies including marriage equality, equitable family law and laws that would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

HRC has prioritized investments and organizing in Arizona in the 2018 cycle, and has had staff and resources on the ground since February. Last year, HRC announced a coast-to-coast campaign called HRC Rising, which represents the largest grassroots expansion in the organization’s 38-year history.

Equality Voters can text “VOTER” to 30644 to verify their voter registration, find their polling place and receive election reminders. For more information on how to get involved, sign up to volunteer or join an advocacy training, visit HRC’s Equality Voter Action Center.