With the departure of Kyrsten Sinema from the Arizona House of Representatives District 15, the heart of the LGBT community could be left without an openly LGBT representative in the Arizona House since 2002.

Our fourth candidate in this multiple-part feature is Green Party candidate and lesbian, Luisa Valdez.

Tell me a about your education and background.

As a disabled veteran and full time student, I have dedicated my life to service; to my country, community and to quality of life. Raised in Phoenix almost my entire life, I graduated high school a full year early and enlisted active duty as logistics and supply in The United States Army. Currently, I am an Herbalism and holistic health student at the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts. Alternative medicine has become a life transforming and ever evolving experience that motivates me to "be the change" I wish to see!

What are your qualifications? What separates you from the other candidates?

As far as qualifications and what separates me from the other candidates, I am a local, home-grown candidate, raised almost entirely in District 15. Who better to represent a community than one of its own? I joined the Army when I was 17 and it instilled in me my core values of: loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage (LDRSHIP)! I am the only Green Party candidate running in our district and believe it's important to represent the 10 Key Values of our party:
* Grassroots Democracy
* Social Justice and Equal Opportunity
* Ecological Wisdom
* Decentralization
* Non-Violence
* Community Based Economics and Economic Justice
* Feminism and Gender Equity
* Respect for Diversity
* Personal and Global Responsibility
* Future Focus and Sustainability

How do feel about the work of the Legislature as a whole regarding gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender issues during the most recent session. Are there issues where you would like to see a change of direction?

I think that as a whole, we have some good legislators that introduce and work tirelessly on bills that unfortunately get stuck in committees. I look forward to learning from everyone and also working on ways to create paths of progress.

How long do you want to serve?

I would like to serve as long as I can make difference that impacts our communities. It's up to the community to decide how long that may be!

Tell me about past work you have done with the LGBT organizations and individuals?

The first LGBTQ organization I ever worked with was GLSEN in '06. I was in an LGBT studies class at GCC and we had guest speakers Loren Cannon and Jessica Pettitt give a presentation on diversity, the trans community, and labels. I spoke with Loren after class and he gave me the contact info for Madelaine Adelman and Laurie Provost. It was so inspiring to see all of their work and learn how to talk with educators about LGBTQ youth issues. It sparked the passion I have today for community service, awareness education and activism. Since then I have volunteered with Planned Parenthood with LGBTQ outreach, Sisterzz Twisted which is the longest running Drag King Troupe that exclusively raises money for LGBTQ community members and causes in the valley, I have sat on discussion panels for 1n10, and am past steering committee member of H.E.R.O.

What are your thoughts about Prop. 102. Do you support full marriage equality?

Prop 102 was a ridiculous waste of tax payer's time and money. Marriage was already defined between a man and a woman, the measure was voted no on in 2006 and time should have been spent focusing on important state issues like border safety, education, mortgage crisis and budget deficits rather than divisive redundancy. It was a devastating blow to the LGBTQ community here because of how much hate and lies were generated in our State coupled with the passing of Prop 8 in California. I support equal rights for all people including marriage equality. I believe that same sex relationships deserve recognition and are entitled to the same benefits that heterosexual relationships have. Whether it's full Marriage Equality with no exceptions as far sexual orientation or the creation of Civil Marriage for all who do not marry in a religious institution (LGBTQ & Straight couples alike), either option needs to include full recognition, protection and benefits under the law.

How important is it for LGBT individuals to get involved and engaged in the political process?

Involvement of us LGBTQ individuals in the political process is vital because if we aren't out there fighting for our own rights, who will? We should be at the table discussing our options, putting in our opinions and being engaged in the civic process because it is our right and responsibility. It is also important to help create awareness and education about our specific issues and changes that need to be made so we are no longer just words on paper, but real people working hard and striving for equality.

What are your other top priorities?

My top priorities for our state are diversity, ecological wisdom and community based economics and economic justice. Please feel free to visit my website, luisavaldez.com/GreenParty_TheIssues.html to see where I stand on these issues.