The Phoenix Film Festival is just around the corner, and we are excited to announce a fantastic lineup of LGBTQ+ films that will be showcased at this year’s Festival, Thursday, April 4^th – Sunday, April 14^th.

Here are some of the highlights. You can learn more about these films and their showtimes HERE and review the entire festival schedule HERE.

Riley

The life of a disciplined high school athlete begins to unravel when his queer identity competes against the idea of who he was supposed to be.

Playland

A raucous work of queer fantasy and history, Playland conjures a time-bending night in Boston’s oldest and most notorious gay bar.

Days of Happiness (Subtitled)

Naïlle enters Emma’s life after she re-evaluates her professional and personal relationships with a demanding partner. The cellist and single mother offers Emma a new family dynamic.

Summer Qamp

At a camp in rural Alberta, queer, non-binary, and trans teens get to just be kids in a supportive space, surrounded by counsellors who can relate to their experience.

Chuck Chuck Baby

Helen lives with her ex-husband, his 20-year-old girlfriend, their new baby – and his dying mother Gwen. Her life is a grind, and like all the other women she toils with at the local chicken factory, is spent in service of the clock.

She is Connan (Subtitled)

Conan’s life at different stages is shown with a different aesthetic and rhythm from the Sumerian era to the near future.

About 30 (Arturo a los 30) (subtitled)

It follows Arturo, whose penchant for indiscretions is impossible to overlook.

These movies offer a diverse range of perspectives and stories that celebrate and explore the LGBTQ+ community. These films are sure to entertain, educate, and inspire!

Get your tickets now HERE and don’t miss out on these incredible cinematic experiences!

See you at the festival!

Centennial, Colorado/Tucson, Arizona — Jess Losoya is an inspiring Tucson leader who turned around his life after years of gang involvement, addiction, and incarceration.  He has been a leader in addiction treatment and recovery, and has made significant volunteer efforts in HIV awareness and support, as well as leadership in the LGBTQ+ community and in civic engagement.  Now, Losoya’s efforts are being recognized as he will be presented with the 2024 Leadership Award, presented by the Center for Health and Hope in collaboration with the Tucson Interfaith HIV/AIDS Network (TIHAN), for his extraordinary community service.

The award will be presented during the annual RED Concert benefit on March 3, 2024.  “Drawing wisdom from his own life experiences, Jess exemplifies leadership,” stated the Rev. Dr. Donald E. Messer, Executive Director of the Center for Health and Hope.  “Whether out front, or behind the scenes, Jess Losoya is a self-effacing, strategic servant leader who is recognized as a tireless advocate for people who are marginalized and stigmatized in our community.”

Scott Blades, Executive Director of TIHAN, commented, “Jess’ story inspires people.  Through his hard work, and with the support of his community, Jess has transformed his life 180 degrees, and part of that transformation was learning to focus outward, on helping people in need.  He has become a super-volunteer with TIHAN, making major contributions to our programs and services for people living with HIV and with our community awareness and fundraising events.  He connects people, and provides his care and support so well.”

Jess Losoya’s journey to recovery from crime and addiction to community leadership centers on Amity Foundation, a residential treatment program.  Coming out of prison, he enrolled at Amity, and has risen from a student (client) to become Vice President of Services and Training for the organization that served more than 18,000 people in 2023 in California and Arizona.  This year, Losoya celebrated the milestone that he has now had more years sober than he spent addicted to methamphetamines.

Among his job-related duties, Losoya serves as a mentor to many students, is a champion for LGBTQ+ staff and students, and leads the organization’s diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.

“Over the 13 years I’ve had the privilege of knowing and working with Jess, I’ve been inspired by his passion for selfless service,” said Doug Bond, CEO of Amity Foundation. “His ability to connect people to one another and build new, strong bridges between justice- and recovery-focused organizations and the LGBTQ+ community makes the Amity Foundation a better and brighter place.  I know I speak for the entire Amity community when I say how proud we are to see Jess receive the 2024 Leadership Award; and how grateful we are to work alongside someone whose integrity, generosity, and vision continues to change the lives of so many.”

In addition to his community leadership in the HIV and LGBTQ+ communities, Losoya also volunteers on the Board of Directors for the YWCA of Southern Arizona, an organization focused on addressing racism, empowering women, and

“Jess is a compassionate and energetic board member who brings his skills in creating healing spaces that support acceptance and agency, which is already making a positive impact throughout our organization,” stated Magdalena Verdugo, CEO of the YWCA.

Additionally, Losoya is a champion of local restaurants and Tucson’s role as an International City of Gastronomy, and was appointed by Pima County Administrator Jan Lesher to serve on the Pima County Outside Agency to help make decisions about allocation of funding for social service programs throughout the county.

“Jess is one of most thoughtful, caring, and energetic people I know. As my appointee to the County’s Outside Agency Funding Commission, he helps ensure that the organizations aiding historically marginalized groups benefit from the County’s social service funding awards. He is a leader in every sense of the word and is well deserving of this honor,” said Lesher.

Losoya shared, “When I decided to stop using drugs and transform my life, I understood that assisting others would play a crucial role in my journey.  Having faced abuse, addiction, imprisonment, homelessness, rejection, and stigma, I empathize with these kinds of struggles.  Through experiencing both hardships and support, I recognize the importance of extending help as I have received it.  Losoya believes in not abandoning or stigmatizing anyone.  “The neglected child was me,” he shared.  “The individual navigating life without genuine companionship was me.  The person using drugs on the street corner was me.  The individual without a place to call home was me.  I realized 13 years ago that now it’s my time to be that caring person and give back to help restore dignity and justice, help others see their value, and create a future filled with hope and love.  I am grateful to receive this award, but I am most grateful to work with such inspiring people as we make a difference in lives every day.”

Whether Losoya is helping with TIHAN’s lunch and social program for people living with HIV, working with Amity to support people addressing addiction, bringing together community to celebrate positive developments and hope for the future, or working on a benefit concert to fund programs for people with HIV in Tucson or in Kenya, Jess Losoya’s example provides positive news in today’s oftentimes challenging circumstances.

Jess Losoya’s efforts will be recognized with the 2024 Leadership Award, presented at the annual RED concert, held this year at Three Canyon outdoor food and music venue on Tucson’s east side.  The concert features the popular band Little House of Funk with Connie Brannock, on Sunday, March 3 at 5pm.  Tickets for the benefit concert are $25, and sponsorships range from $50 to $1,500. Tickets are available through the Center for Health and Hope’s website:

centerforthealthandhope.org/the-red-concert

Generous donors have pledged to contribute matching funds for all that the concert raises, up to $10,000.  All proceeds will benefit the HIV support programs of TIHAN and the Center for Health and Hope.

Losoya and his team are hoping to best the $24,000 raised at the concert last year through sponsorships, ticket sales, raffle ticket sales, and donations.  “It promised to be a fun celebration of life, music, community,” commented Blades.  “There are so many challenges we face today, but it’s important to gather sometimes and just celebrate people, programs, and life.  Join us and make a difference.”

Past recipients of the Leadership Award include Kevin Carmichael MD, and Linda Girard RN.

If you’d like to interview Jess Losoya, please contact Scott Blades at scott@tihan.org or 520-299-6647.

ABOUT THE SPONSORING ORGANIZATIONS

The Center for Health and Hope (www.centerforhealthandhope.org), based in Denver, addresses the challenges of the global HIV and AIDS pandemic and related health needs in the world through programs of awareness, education, prevention, care, and treatment.  The Center challenges attitudes and actions that contribute to stigmatization and discrimination of persons infected and affected by HIV and AIDS.  For more information, contact Executive Director Rev. Dr. Don Messer (303) 877-1955 or globalaids@gmail.com

Since 1994, TIHAN–the Tucson Interfaith HIV/AIDS Network (www.tihan.org), has been organizing volunteers, businesses, organizations, and faith communities to respond to the HIV/AIDS health crisis.  In addition to HIV awareness and stigma reduction programs, TIHAN helps support people with HIV to live as well as possible.  For more information, contact Executive Director Scott Blades at (520) 299-6647 ext 202 or scott@tihan.org

Attendees at the 2023 ARTrageous Gala pose for photos. Scottsdale Arts’ annual fundraiser will return in 2024 on April 6. Photo: Haute Media.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — For The ARTrageous Gala on April 6 at Scottsdale Civic Center, Scottsdale Arts is going cosmic.

“This year at The ARTrageous Gala, you will be able to experience a solar wonderland, where dance, music and contemporary art converge,” said Erin Krivanek, director of development for Scottsdale Arts. “Collaborative acts and interactive stations foster shared creativity among Scottsdale Arts departments, while this year’s innovative dining offers two ticket levels for a unique journey, blending celestial-inspired performances with gourmet cuisine at multiple stations.”

The theme for this year’s gala is “Cosmic Crescendo,” and the multidisciplinary arts organization plans to capture the awe-inspiring essence of a solar eclipse. In addition to culinary delights and plenty of photo ops, the event will entertain guests with a harmonious symphony of art forms as dance, music and contemporary art merge into a captivating spectacle. Collaborative acts and interactive art stations will foster a sense of shared creativity.

This annual event is the primary fundraiser for the nonprofit Scottsdale Arts, which includes Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA), Scottsdale Public Art, Scottsdale Arts Learning & Innovation, Canal Convergence and Civic Center LIVE.

The ARTrageous Gala | Cosmic Crescendo will include a red-carpet arrival, live auction and multiple dining options, all under the stars for its second year at the recently renovated Scottsdale Civic Center.

Constellation Club tickets are $650 each or $6,500 for a table of 10. This option provides an optimal setting to indulge in celestial-inspired cuisine. Constellation Club ticketholders may navigate freely between four gourmet food stations before returning to their reserved seating, which features wine service and exclusive lounge areas.

The general admission Galaxy tickets are $450 each or $4,500 for a set of 10. This flexible option also features four gourmet food stations but in an open-seating experience with the choice of high-tops or tables scattered throughout for a relaxed and communal dining atmosphere.

The menu for both options features cosmic-inspired dishes and drinks — incorporating elements of light and darkness to represent the solar eclipse. Guests are encouraged to dress in upscale and artistic attire that matches the night’s celestial theme, perhaps with starry accessories or lunar colors.

Per tradition, Scottsdale Arts will recognize multiple awardees during the evening’s events. This year’s honorees include the following:

• Herberger Award for the Arts: John and Karen Voris
• Corporate Trailblazer: Nationwide
• Trailblazing Artist: Dorothy Fratt

“In celebrating Scottsdale Arts with our ‘Cosmic Crescendo’ theme at The ARTrageous Gala, we are recognizing an extraordinarily successful year and a new lifecycle in the history of our organization,” said Dr. Gerd Wuestemann, president and CEO of Scottsdale Arts. “With Scottsdale Civic Center and its three outdoor stages fully activated, an entire new generation of culture lovers is discovering Scottdale once again as an arts destination. And the ‘crescendo’ of our evolution is just beginning; with a new, small theater project on the horizon and a vision for a future expansion of SMoCA and Learning & Innovation facilities, the development of this already wonderful arts campus into one of the finest destinations in the Southwest is definitely in the stars!”

Proceeds from The ARTrageous Gala support the dynamic arts and innovation programs at Scottsdale Arts. The ARTrageous Gala | Cosmic Crescendo will begin at 6:30 p.m., Saturday, April 6, 2024, at Scottsdale Civic Center, 7380 E. Second St., Scottsdale, AZ 85251. For more information about the event, visit Gala.ScottsdaleArts.org.

Scottsdale Arts would like to thank the following partners and sponsors of The ARTrageous Gala: Billie Jo Herberger; Pride Guide Arizona; Rich and Melody Simoncic of SOAR Foundation; Nationwide; SRP; Northern Trust; Arizona Informant; Urban Design Associates, LTD; and Scottsdale Fashion Square.

SCOTTSDALE ARTS
Through its dynamic partnership with the city of Scottsdale, the nonprofit Scottsdale Arts creates diverse, inspired arts experiences and outreach opportunities for the community while fostering active engagement with the arts among individuals, businesses, educational institutions and government agencies. Since its founding in 1987, Scottsdale Arts has grown into a regionally and nationally significant, multidisciplinary arts organization, offering an exceptional variety of programs for both residents and visitors through Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, Scottsdale Public Art, Scottsdale Arts Learning & Innovation, Canal Convergence and Civic Center LIVE.

Storm Large and Alexis Janae are among the many performers lined up by Scottsdale Arts this February.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — This February, Scottsdale Arts embraces the love of art and art lovers alike with new, exciting events.

February starts by welcoming Hubbard Street Dance Chicago to bring artists, art and audiences together for two shows from Feb. 1–2. Acclaimed Broadway star and LGBTQIA+ activist Nina West joins Seth Rudetsky for an intimate concert full of popular theater hits and candid stories.

On Feb. 9, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA) invites art lovers to celebrate its 25th anniversary with new exhibitions, special drinks, tasty treats, music performances and activities with artists and creatives from around the Valley.

The following is a list of events and exhibitions from Scottsdale Arts, a nonprofit organization comprising Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA), Scottsdale Public Art, Scottsdale Arts Learning & Innovation, Canal Convergence and Civic Center LIVE. Visit ScottsdaleArts.org for information.

PERFORMANCES AND EVENTS

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago
Thursday, Feb. 1, 2024, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, 8 p.m.
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
Tickets start at $50
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago brings artists, art and audiences together through its ever-evolving repertory of contemporary dance, created by today’s leading choreographic voices.

Memory Lounge: The Human Heart and Valentine’s Day
Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, 1 p.m.
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
Tickets per couple: $20
Monica Martinez incorporates images of anatomy in many of her colorful and expressive paintings. Make your own unique Valentine’s Day card inspired by human heart anatomy.

Keyboard Conversations with Jeffrey Siegel: A French Musical Feast
Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2024, 7:30 p.m.
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
Tickets start at $26
Enjoy “A French Musical Feast” with Jeffrey Siegel as he serves up Debussy’s “Clair de lune” alongside pieces by Ravel, Saint-Saëns and Satie.

Knight Rise at Sunset
Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024, 5:35 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024, 5:45 p.m.
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
Tickets: $45
In this illuminating event and workshop, you will experience the sunset inside James Turrell Skyspace Knight Rise at SMoCA.

SMoCA’s 25th Birthday Celebration + Opening
Friday, Feb. 9, 2024, 7 p.m.
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art
Tickets: Free
Party like it’s 1999! Join us to celebrate SMoCA’s 25th birthday and new exhibitions with special drinks, tasty treats, music performances and activities with artists and creatives from around the Valley.

DELFEAYO MARSALIS and the UPTOWN JAZZ ORCHESTRA
Friday, Feb. 9, 2024, 8 p.m.
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
Tickets start at $45
Celebrate Mardi Gras with Delfeayo Marsalis and Uptown Jazz Orchestra as they stretch the boundaries of what is expected from big bands, offering up an extraordinary sense of joy and fun that could only come from New Orleans.

Jazz Lounge: Alexis Janae | Love & Pain
Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, 8 p.m.
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
Tickets: $22
Encounter an intimate and soulful performance with singer-songwriter Alexis Janae as she explores the concept of “love and pain.”

The Seth Rudetsky Series starring Nina West
Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, 8 p.m.
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
Tickets start at $65
Nina West is an American drag queen, actor, singer, songwriter, author and LGBTQIA+ activist, who is known for the lead role of Edna Turnblad in the national tour of the Broadway musical “Hairspray.”

Memory Lounge: Mindful Rhythms
Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, 1 p.m.
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
Tickets per couple: $20
Holly Cluff is the founder of TaikoMIND, an organization that teaches mindfulness and meditation through the rhythms of taiko drumming.

Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo
Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, 8 p.m.
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
Tickets start at $49
Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo brings its internationally beloved troupe of male dancers to Scottsdale to perform a brilliant combination of skillful pointe work and hilarious parodying of classical ballet favorites.

Rebels en Pointe: Panel Discussion with The Trocks
Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, noon
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
Tickets: Free
Members of Les Ballets de Trockadero’s artistic leadership team and company members discuss the company’s history following its inception in the wake of the Stonewall riots, using archival videos to illustrate the Trocks’ approach to ballet, gender and drag performance.

Scottsdale Symphonic Orchestra
Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024, 4 p.m.
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
Tickets start at $15
Join the Scottsdale Symphonic Orchestra for “An Afternoon of Romance,” including works by Rossini, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky and Brahms.

Library Creatives: All Things Color!
Thursday, Feb. 22, 2024, 4:30 p.m.
Scottsdale Civic Center Library
Tickets: Free
In this hands-on workshop, create a fun desert landscape painting with Arizona-based artist Jackson Kloog. In line with the “COLORLOVE” exhibition at the Civic Center Public Gallery, inside Scottsdale Civic Center Library, participants will learn some basics of color theory to apply to their masterpieces.

Kronos Quartet
Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, 8 p.m.
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
Tickets start at $40
For nearly 50 years, San Francisco’s Kronos Quartet has reimagined the string quartet experience and become one of the most celebrated and influential groups of our era.

Randy Johnson: Storytelling with Photographs Opening Reception
Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, 6 p.m.
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
Tickets: Free
Join photographer and former Major League pitcher Randy Johnson at an opening reception for “Storytelling with Photographs,” coinciding with the 2024 Spring Training season and showcasing images from Johnson’s travels.

The TEN Tenors — Greatest Hits Live!
Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, 8 p.m.
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
Tickets start at $59
Formed in 1995, The TEN Tenors are the world’s longest running classical crossover act, having headlined more than 3,500 concerts around the world, and now they’re coming to Scottsdale.

Dance, Advocacy & Entrepreneurship | Virtual Talk with Gina Gibney & Gilbert Small II
Monday, Feb. 26, 2024, 2 p.m.
Virtual Event
Tickets: Free
Tune into this virtual event for an engaging talk with Gibney Company’s artistic director, Gina Gibney, and company director, Gilbert T Small II, on the intersection of dance, advocacy and entrepreneurship.

Balancing Acts
Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2024, 4 p.m.
Virtual Event
Tickets: $150
Even at its most rewarding, caregiving can be a lonely job. Join fellow caregivers as we build community through writing and workshopping true stories.

Storm Large
Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, 7:30 p.m.
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts
Tickets start at $34
Known for her work as vocalist with Pink Martini, Storm Large shot to national prominence in 2006 as a finalist on the CBS show “Rock Star: Supernova,” where, despite having been eliminated in the week before the finale, she built a fan base that follows her around the world to this day.

LOOKING AHEAD 

ARTrageous Gala | Cosmic Crescendo
Saturday, April 6, 2024
Scottsdale Civic Center
Witness eclipse-inspired performances blending dance, music and visuals, celebrating the seamless unity of art forms at ARTrageous Gala | Cosmic Crescendo. Details coming soon to Gala.ScottsdaleArts.org.

EXHIBITIONS

Dorothy Fratt: Color Mirage
Feb. 3 through July 21, 2024 
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art 
Admission: $7 to $12 
“Color Mirage” is the first major U.S. museum exhibition on the prolific, yet underrecognized, American painter Dorothy Fratt.

Carolina Aranibar-Fernández: Oleaje
Feb. 10 through Aug. 4, 2024 
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art 
Admission: $7 to $12 
“Oleaje,” Spanish for “Groundswell,” features new large-scale installation works by Bolivian-born artist Carolina Aranibar-Fernández that map and memorialize the rippling effects of a coercive global trade industry.

Randy Johnson: Storytelling with Photographs
Feb. 23 through April 28, 2024 
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts 
Admission: Free 
Former Major League pitcher Randy Johnson’s new photography exhibition, coinciding with the 2024 Spring Training season, showcases images from his travels.

Roelof Knol: the space in between
Sept. 23, 2023, through July 28, 2024 
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art 
Admission: $7 to $12 
In this new immersive installation, emerging Dutch artist Roelof Knol creates a playful, interactive, audiovisual experience that invites viewers to explore their relationship between digital and physical spaces. 

_____ space Exhibitions
Sept. 22, 2023, through July 28, 2024 
Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art 
Admission: free 
____ space (blank space) is a new, experimental, flexible space at SMoCA, currently featuring two installations by artists Kenaim Al-Shatti and Roelof Knol. 

COLORLOVE
Jan. 8 through March 30, 2024
Scottsdale Civic Center Library 
Admission: Free 
This community exhibition celebrates the power of the full rainbow of colors. Juried and co-curated by Tucson artist Lex Gjurasic.

Breaking the Binary
Oct. 11, 2023, through April 15, 2024 
Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts 
Admission: Free 
Featuring surrealistic self-portraits by youth associated with the nonprofit one•n•ten, “Breaking the Binary” explores what being queer means to them. 

Scottsdale Public Art Permanent Collection
Ongoing 
Various locations throughout Scottsdale 
Admission: free 
More than 150 artworks, many of them large-scale sculptures, can be found throughout the city at parks, in public facilities, and along the streets. See the map at ScottsdalePublicArt.org for locations. 

For more information about the events, and to order tickets, visit ScottsdaleArts.org.

Scottsdale Arts would like to thank the following sponsors and partners: City of Scottsdale, Billie Jo Herberger, Nationwide, Panasonic Connect, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, SRP, Virginia G. Piper Charitable Trust, AJ’s Fine Foods, Arizona Commission on the Arts, Arizona Community Foundation, Arizona Republic, Great American Title Agency, Walter and Karla Goldschmidt Foundation, Betty Hum & Alan Yudell, Christine and Richard Kovach, the National Endowment for the Arts, and Tiffany & Bosco.

______________________________________________________________________________
SCOTTSDALE ARTS
Through its dynamic partnership with the city of Scottsdale, the nonprofit Scottsdale Arts creates diverse, inspired arts experiences and outreach opportunities for the community while fostering active engagement with the arts among individuals, businesses, educational institutions and government agencies. Since its founding in 1987, Scottsdale Arts has grown into a regionally and nationally significant, multidisciplinary arts organization, offering an exceptional variety of programs for both residents and visitors through Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art, Scottsdale Public Art, Scottsdale Arts Learning & Innovation, Canal Convergence and Civic Center LIVE.

Branch features new décor and LGBTQ+ community bankers, joins bank’s flagship program

Phoenix, AZ – The U.S. Bank Phoenix Uptown branch located at 3800 North Central Avenue is celebrating becoming the bank’s newest LGBTQ+ flagship branch. To observe the new designation, the branch is hosting a ‘grand opening’ celebration on Thursday, Oct. 26, from Noon- 2 p.m.

During the event, U.S. Bank will further its commitment to the local LGBTQ+ community with a $1,500 donation to one•n•ten, a nonprofit dedicated to serving Phoenix’s LGBTQ+ youth by providing empowering social and service programs that promote self‐expression, self‐acceptance, leadership development, and healthy life choices.

The Phoenix Uptown branch is newest U.S. Bank LGBTQ+ flagship branch, joining others in Capitol Hill in Seattle, Castro District in San Francisco, and Lakeview East in Chicago. The U.S. Bank flagship program was created to deliver an in-branch experience featuring cultural relevance to enhance the customer experience for the diverse communities the bank serves. The branches accomplish this through various means, including but not limited to talent alignment and community engagement that reflects the communities U.S. Bank is a part of and serves, such as the LGBTQ+ community.

The Phoenix Uptown branch’s proximity to the historic Melrose neighborhood, which has a number of LGBTQ+ owned-businesses and community members, makes it an ideal location for the bank’s newest LGBTQ+ flagship.

WHO:                  U.S. Bank leadership and LGBTQ+ segment lead, one•n•ten leadership

WHEN:                Thursday, Oct. 26 from Noon- 2 p.m.

WHERE:              U.S. Bank Phoenix Uptown branch (3800 North Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ, 85012)

WHAT:                 U.S. Bank will celebrate the redesignation of its Phoenix Uptown branch, which is now part of the bank’s LGBTQ+ flagship branch program. Authentic Puerto Rican cuisine will be provided by Phoenix Coqui. This event is open to the public.

WHY:                   The U.S. Bank LGBTQ+ flagship branch program emphasizes engagement with local LGBTQ+ centers and consists of employees who are either part of the LGBTQ+ community or allies that work in the branch. As part of the new flagship designation, this branch features an updated interior and exterior design that pays tribute to the LGBTQ+ culture.

VISUALS/INTERVIEWS  

· Ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the new flagship status.

· Check presentation to local nonprofit one•n•ten.

· U.S. Bank local leadership speaking on the bank’s commitment to the LGBTQ+ community, segment-specific products, and its goals to better serve LGBTQ+ customers.

· one•n•ten leadership speaking to the ongoing partnership with U.S. Bank.

· Local drag entertainment from Sassy “SD” DeMornay, Mx Phoenix Pride 2023 & Brooklyn D. DeMornay, Empress XVI/Queen Mother XVII of the Imperial Court of AZ.

· Performance by Dancing for one•n•ten 2023 performance champions.

· Interviews can be facilitated upon request.

# # #

Contact:

Jake Holtrop, U.S. Bank West Region Communications

jake.holtrop@usbank.com | 713.205.0126

About U.S. Bank

U.S. Bancorp, with approximately 75,000 employees and $668 billion in assets as of September 30, 2023, is the parent company of U.S. Bank National Association. Headquartered in Minneapolis, the company serves millions of customers locally, nationally and globally through a diversified mix of businesses including consumer banking, business banking, commercial banking, institutional banking, payments and wealth management. U.S. Bancorp has been recognized for its approach to digital innovation, community partnerships and customer service, including being named one of the 2023 World’s Most Ethical Companies and Fortune’s most admired superregional bank. To learn more, please visit the U.S. Bancorp website at usbank.com and click on “About Us.”

U.S. Bank Phoenix Uptown Branch Manager Rudy Melgoza front of new artwork at the branch. The Phoenix Uptown branch is part of U.S. Bank’s new LGBTQ+ flagship branch program.

Attacks Based on Gender Identity Up 32.9% from Prior Year, Those Based on Sexual Orientation Up 13.8%; Race & Ethnicity-Based Hate Crimes Remain Largest Category

WASHINGTON — The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) — the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) civil rights organization — sounded the alarm today as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) released its annual crime report for 2022 showing that anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes were up sharply from the prior year, with a 13.8% increase in reports based on sexual orientation and a shocking 32.9% jump in reported hate crimes based on gender identity

In response to the FBI’s 2022 report, Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson released the following statement:

“The rise in hate crimes against the LGBTQ+ community is both shocking and heartbreaking, yet sadly, not unexpected. The constant stream of hostile rhetoric from fringe anti-equality figures, alongside the relentless passage of discriminatory bills, particularly those targeting transgender individuals, in state legislatures, created an environment where it was sadly foreseeable that individuals with violent tendencies might respond to this rhetoric. The FBI’s data serves as another alarming indicator of the state of emergency our community finds itself in.

“We also know that this data is incomplete, that too many cities and states are reporting incomplete data, or even no data at all, on hate crimes against the LGBTQ+ community. If we’re going to bring a stop to that violence, we need a full accounting of just how many hate crimes are taking place – and that requires every jurisdiction stepping up.”

The FBI’s report noted that there were 1,947 recorded incidents relating to an alleged victim’s sexual orientation in 2022, up from 1,711 the year before, and 469 relating to an alleged victim’s gender identity, vs. 353 the year before. The gender identity category included 338 instances that were specifically anti-transgender and 131 that targeted someone who was gender noncomforming.

Race/ethnicity motivated hate crimes remained the largest category with 56% of all hate crimes. Hate crimes based on religion moved into second, just ahead of sexual orientation.

More than 1 in 5 of any type of hate crime is now motivated by anti-LGBTQ+ bias, and the last two years have been the deadliest for transgender people, especially Black transgender women, that we have seen since HRC began tracking fatal violence against the community.

Even with these horrifying stats, the problem of incomplete data reporting for hate crimes is a longstanding one. In the “Blueprint for Positive Change,” a document released in November 2020 that offered a roadmap toward equality for the then-incoming Biden-Harris administration, HRC called for the Department of Justice to intensify efforts to encourage local law enforcement to report hate crimes statistics annually. While positive steps have been taken by the administration to improve reporting compliance, more is necessary in order to ensure more accurate and complete hate crimes reporting, including making the reporting mandatory.

The FBI’s report comes amid an unprecedented spike in anti-LGBTQ+ state legislation, with more than 550 bills introduced in 43 states, and more than 80 signed into law — more than doubling last year, which was previously the worst year on record. The wave of harmful and discriminatory legislation — some of which was engineered and championed by extremist GOP candidates running for president and their allies — and the concurrent spike in anti-transgender rhetoric and violence prompted HRC in June to declare a national state of emergency for LGBTQ+ people for the first time in the organization’s more than 40-year history.

The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organization working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ+ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.