How To Get Civically Engaged And Stay Cool This Summer

Arizona summers are no joke, especially in the Southern half of the state: Streets shimmer in the heat, and stepping outside often feels like walking into an oven.

But even as temperatures soar and many residents head for cooler ground, local organizations across the state are preparing for a time when they can continue their activism and using the Trump administration’s targeting of queer and immigrant communities to their advantage. 

Staying engaged amid the headlines

In a time of shifting policies and evolving public debates—on everything from healthcare access to civil rights—some Arizona groups are using the summer months to offer training, host educational events, and continue their work supporting the communities they serve.

“People are exhausted by this wave after wave of bad news,” said Harrison Redmond, a community organizer with the American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona. “Our work is trying to keep people engaged and involved, and to understand that there are still people doing the work — and you can be part of that change as well.”

While at the Arizona Capitol, Redmond spends much of his time analyzing legislation and speaking with lawmakers. But Redmond says some of the most important work happens outside government buildings—helping everyday Arizonans stay informed and involved.

This summer, the ACLU is launching a “volunteer summer school” program to train residents on how they can get involved in civic life. Whether participants are students, working professionals, or retirees, Redmond said the goal is to make engagement more accessible.

Meanwhile, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona is continuing its public education efforts, with an emphasis on reproductive health and LGBTQ+ care. Community organizer Paige Daniel said while the organization helped support a successful ballot initiative last fall, ongoing discussions at the Legislature mean the group’s work is far from over.

Groups Are Creating Trans-Inclusive Pool Parties For Safety

Pool lounges are one of the better reasons to be in Arizona. But what happens when your body is politicized?

LOOKOUTAnalisa Valdez (she/her)

“People shouldn’t get too comfortable — especially with anti-abortion bills still moving through the Legislature,” Daniel said.

PPAZ hosts monthly educational sessions on a range of topics, from the history of reproductive health to legal rights around gender-affirming care. The organization also holds outreach events, including phone-banking efforts encouraging constituents to contact their representatives on issues like Medicaid.

Daniel, who creates informational zines on related topics, said she’s encouraged by the number of people—especially younger Arizonans—who want to learn more and get involved.

Responding to Shifting Public PolicyThe Human Rights Campaign, a national LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, is also recalibrating its local efforts in Arizona. Bridget Sharpe, the group’s deputy director of regional campaigns, said the organization has focused on collaboration in the face of what she described as increasingly challenging public discourse.

Rather than encouraging LGBTQ+ families to speak at public hearings, Sharpe said HRC is working with partner organizations to provide testimony and context on legislative issues.

“We’re seeing that the attacks don’t work. They appease a very small base of people who have no understanding of the LGBTQ community,” she said. “We’re going to come back stronger from this.”

This summer, HRC plans to be active during Pride Month with events and public engagement at the Capitol to show broad-based support for inclusive policy.

Other groups like Fuerte Art’s Movement, an arts-based advocacy group, are looking to blend people’s passion for politics with their niche for creativity. In a non-election year, half the battle is simply keeping people energized, said cultural organizer Alma Pérez Camarillo. To do so, they’re looking to host events such as song-writing circles and button-making parties, allowing activists to find community with one another while staying engaged.

Aside from arts-based work, the group has been fighting hard for rent control and other housing measures. After long-talks with lawmakers, their bills were never heard on the floor. But Camarillo is encouraged knowing that there are lawmakers willing to take the issue of housing justice seriously. 

Inside the Queer Org Giving Arizona’s Youth a Fighting Chance

Nate Rhoton from one•n•ten sits down with LOOKOUT to discuss his role at the state’s largest LGBTQ+ organization, the impact of Matthew Shephard’s death, and holding onto his grandmother’s license plate.

LOOKOUTRoyal Young (they/them)

“We at least got on their radar. That's important. The work is not linear,” Camarillo said.

This summer, they’re looking to reach more people. Whether it's attending protests with the group or stopping by upcoming workshops to make some advocacy-inspired art, there’s always room for Arizonans to join the fight.

“We're not gonna back down,” Camarillo said. “We got to continue to advocate for marginalized folks, black folks, LGBTQ folks, unhoused folks, for undocumented folks.”

Some organizations are focused on direct services and community protection. Trans Queer Pueblo, a group based in Phoenix, has long worked at the intersection of immigration and LGBTQ+ advocacy—particularly for people of color.

With new state-level legislation and increased federal enforcement efforts, the group is planning more know-your-rights trainings and community gatherings. Sonix Flores, the organization’s director of art and culture, said their members are preparing for a summer of continued outreach.

TQP has organized in Arizona for more than a decade, and Flores said that experience helps them remain steady in the face of uncertainty.

“We’re in a place where we don’t feel safe, but we have maintained our safe space because we aren’t relying on those systems to begin with,” Flores said. “As a community, we’re able to see what we can do now to protect ourselves in the future. That makes me feel safe.”