In this week's newsletter: LOOKOUT exposes a candidate with suspicious support for Republicans; Politicization of LGBTQ+ people puts future art exhibits into question; 1864 abortion ban repeal passes the House; And a brand new Out of the Closet to win free swag.
CELEBRATE YOURSELF
Every week, we highlight the lives of our readers by showing off what queer joy looks like to them. Show off your life by replying back to this email with a photo, or tagging us on Instagram@lookoutphx.
We were in San Francisco recently, and snapped a picture of the Lookout bar on 16th St. There's a reason why we named ourselves LOOKOUT; not only are we keeping an eye out for you from above, but it's also historically been the name of a handful of LGBTQ+ spaces across North America, including Mexico and Canada.
MAGA DEMOCRAT: Last Friday, we published a story alongside our friends at the Arizona Agenda that exposed how Mario Garcia, a Democrat running against LGBTQ+ Legislative Caucus member Rep. Analise Ortiz, had a history of questionable support for Kari Lake and other conservatives.
In our story, we were able to show that Garcia had posted and reshared events hosted by Lake, as well as posed for a photo with her on his Facebook page. Garcia's former Campaign Director Patrick Morales said that him posing with Lake doesn't mean he endorsed her.
But after a Republican lawmaker tipped us off that the photo with Lake was taken at a legislative event for Republicans, Morales issued a statement saying he was lied to, and that his firm would no longer represent Garcia. Read our full story here.
WHAT WE’RE KEEPING AN EYE ON: Had Garcia run as a Republican, it probably wouldn't have caught our eye, or even been worth reporting on. As an investigative and accountability-based news outlet, we're not trying to compete with other papers when it comes to the 2024 election horse race.
But when there's something off with a candidate who is running a progressive campaign based on civil rights, while also running against a member of one of the few LGBTQ+ house members, it then became our business to look into Garcia.
We are nonpartisan and have no financial or editorial benefit in the outcome of the race. But we do have a vested interest in the transparency of people and organizations that claim to represent us.
As the state's only LGBTQ+ news outlet focused on keeping people within and outside our community accountable to you (our readers), we love to get tips on what (or who) you think we should look into. Email us by clicking here to send us tips.
We do reporting that changes lives.
The kind of impactful work for and within the community can't be found anywhere else. And we don't charge you a penny for it. At LOOKOUT, we are independently funded exclusively by readers like yourself. If you enjoy the work we do, click here to become a monthly or annual donor.
🌵 LOCAL NEWS
GUILTY:
Two Turning Point USA members admitted guilt to assaulting David Boyles, a queer professor at ASU. They will undergo court diversion programs.
The Guardian
SUMMER EVENTS:
LOOKOUT will host a series of summer panels aimed at addressing problems within the community and elevate solutions addressing them. Annual subscribers get first dibs on tickets.
LOOKOUT
VETO QUEEN:
Gov. Katie Hobbs has vetoed another anti-LGBTQ+ ban aimed at transgender students.
AZ Mirror
ALLEGED RETALIATION:
The house voted to repeal the 1864 territorial-era abortion ban. That bill will go to the Senate for a full vote. But Rep. Lorena Austin (D.-Mesa) said on her Instagram that in an act of retaliation, Republicans removed LGBTQ+ Legislative Caucus leader Rep. Oscar De Los Santos (D.-Phoenix) removed him from the appropriations committee.
Instagram
🇺🇸 NATIONAL NEWS
LGBTQ+ ART:
With the increased politicization of LGBTQ+ people, art and museum directors are worried about funding for future programs.
The Washington Blade
BOOK BANS
Of the top 10 books banned in the U.S., seven of them highlight LGBTQ+ themes or characters, according to the American Library Association.
News Is Out
REPEALING LANGUAGE:
The United Methodist Church is meeting this week to discuss removing anti-LGBTQ+ language from their geaneral teachings and rulebook.
NPR
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Have a community event coming up you want LOOKOUT to highlight? Email us.
Fri. April 26- Prism Network hosts yoga sessions for the community in Prescott. Info
Fri. April 26 - Black Phoenix Organizing Collective is selling wares from disabled artists and merchants at Palabras Bookstore. Info
Fri. April 26 - Friends of the Pima County Public Library are having a Community Used Book Sale. Info
Sat. April 27- Spectrum is providing free HIV testing. Info
Sat. April 27 - Marigold is hosting a book fair at Afternoons Studio. Info
Sun. April 28- Shut Eye Press is putting on a "Pastries and Postcards" event at Dark Hall Coffee. Info
Tues. April 30 - Art market pops up at Froth Coffee. Info
Wed. May 1 - It's Youth Day at the state Capitol! Come by and get some free stickers and pins from LOOKOUT and other LGBTQ+ groups in the state. Info
Sat. May 18 - Get all dressed up for the Sparkle Glitter GLSEN prom. Info
OUT OF THE CLOSET
Without the LGBTQ+ community, there’s less meaning. Guess the word below with only the support of the letters L, G, B, T, Q, I, A and submit your answer to be entered into our monthly drawing for exclusive LOOKOUT swag. The more times you play, the more chances you get to win! The next drawing will be April 30.
BI_ _ _L_
Hint: The tongue-in-cheek in-group slang for bisexuals.
From Proud Boys showing up at charity shows, to Kris Mayes' proposed rules to end a ban on gay male blood donation... here are the stories LOOKOUT published in April.
LOOKOUT did a lot last month, from radio spots to our first collab with another news outlet. In case you missed all of that, we compiled it all below for you.
Hobbs spoke at a gala this weekend for LGBTQ+ youth: "With me as your governor, you have not just an ally, but a champion."... A new "Eyes on the State"... and our next Listening Session is March 30.
