Our annual Pride event OUTWATCH is coming up in just a few months. Be sure to upgrade your subscription to get special invites and early access to tickets. Above, a shot from one of our performances by Kiki House of Paragon.
In this week's newsletter: Sex education in Arizona is notoriously poor, turns out it has a lot to do with homophobia; LOOKOUT is really popular!; The Vatican apologizes; Grindr's coming to Phoenix; A brand new Out of the Closet to win free swag!; and last month's winner!
COLLATERAL DAMAGE: Earlier this year, LOOKOUT embarked on a simple task to understand what gaps existed in the state's sexual education curriculum across school districts.
Turns out, a lot.
We surveyed 18 school districts from urban to rural regions that accounted for just under a quarter of the state's total school-aged population. We found that tens of thousands of students were not being offered sex education at all.
When we tried to understand why, educators said it was either out of fear of being targeted by far-right groups or lawmakers, or the political rhetoric surrounding gender and sexuality that has made it too much of a hot-button issue.
As a result, not only are LGBTQ+ students not getting evidence-based education on their bodies or sexual health, but it's having an impact on the education of other students.
Nate Rhoton, CEO of the LGBTQ+ youth advocacy group One-n'-Ten said: “By simply ignoring our community through education, you're doing a lot more harm to all students.”
WHAT WE'RE KEEPING AN EYE ON: Our reporter, Shelby Rae Wills, has been working to understand how the state's sex education curriculum affects people. But we've had a difficult time hearing directly from you. If you're from Arizona and went to school here, or if you're the parent of a school-aged child, let's chat!
But we'd also love to learn how sex education framed your life, for good or bad. If you'd like to be included in some of our reporting coming up (or even if you just want to tell us a bit about your experience with no expectation of it being published), either respond back to this email or send a message to our reporter at: rae@lookoutphx.org.
This kind of news is expensive to produce. But we will never charge you for it.
LOOKOUT does queer news different. We believe in the power of accountability journalism, and not treating LGBTQ+ news as sensational, only worthy of coverage when something bad happens to one of us, or when it's Pride month. Instead, we believe that all aspects of our lives are important to cover, from education to public safety. But we need your support. Click here to become a recurring donor.
🌵 LOCAL NEWS
YOU REALLY LIKE US:
LOOKOUT took home TWO public choice awards last week, including one that came with a $10,000 prize from the NEXT Media Challenge. Thank you to all who voted!
PhxPride
HONEST APPROACH:
Organizers with the state's abortion ballot measure aren't trying to sugarcoat the language around abortion. And there's areason for it.
The 19th
PALE BLUE DOT:
In dead-red country of Arizona, a queer candidate is trying to run against a notoriously homophobic incumbent.
Copper Courier
TAKEI WINS:
Arizona resident and pop-culture icon George Takei is winning an award from the Critics Choice Association for using his celebrity to promote LGBTQ+ rights and marriage equality.
AsAmNews
🇺🇸 NATIONAL NEWS
A TEXAS UPSET:
A Democratic incumbent who signed onto anti-trans legislation was ousted during the state primaries this week to a queer candidate, Lauren Ashley Simmons.
Washington Blade
YOUR F*GGOTNESS:
The Pope apologized after using a slur to refer to gay priests.
Associated PRess
BREASTFEEDING:
The American Society of Pediatrics announced new guidance for parents who are HIV-positive and breastfeeding. If their viral load is undetectable, then trasmission is "very low."
them
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Have a community event coming up you want LOOKOUT to highlight? Email us.
Sat. June 1 - Attend the Queer Bazaar in Tucson. Info
Sat June 1 - Come find LOOKOUT at Tempe Pride to get some free swag! Info
Sun. June 2 - Marigold and Afternoons Studios are hosting Sunday Stories. Info
Mon. June 3- Grindr hosts a pop up event for Pride month at Charlie's. Info
Mon. June 3- Gov. Katie Hobbs is having a Pride Flag unveiling at the Capitol. Info
Tues. June 4- Chandler Pride is hosting the Queer Human Library, a storytelling event for the queer community. Info
Fri. June 7 - During First Friday, Palabras Bookstore is hosting a queer Open Mic night. Info
Sat. June 8 - Queer AF hosts a Pride Party at Hotel Congress. Info
Sat. June 8 - The Tucson Interfaith HIV/AIDS Network fundraiser is being held at the Desert Diamond Hotel and Casino. 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 May 30.
_ABA_ _T
Hint: This musical features a bisexual lead male who has an affair with Sally Bowles and her other male lover.
