# LOOKOUT > Accountability and solutions journalism covering politics, health, business, safety, education, and culture through an LGBTQ+ lens across the Southwest. Public Ghost content for AI and LLM tooling. This file includes a bounded export of public pages first, then recent public posts. Append `.md` to any post or page URL to get the content in Markdown (for example, `/example-post.md`). ## Pages ### Diversity matters, even in news URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/diversity-database/ Last updated: 2023-08-14T22:25:13.000Z News has a problem with reporting on communities through a very specific lens. And even though the industry is more diverse now than it's ever been, news outlets are still dominated by people who either have an old-guard way of reporting. It used to be that reporters should treat each story as an anthropologist, just there to observe. But without context and lived experience, a lot of stories miss the mark. That's why we are an LGBTQ+ outlet made up of queer news professionals and their allies. But even then, reporters and editors have blindspots. That's why in 2023, LOOKOUT announced an initiative to create its own diversity database of queer professionals across Arizona who could be sources for stories. From housing, to drug use, to medical needs, to business – we want to make sure your voice and expertise is heard. If you're interested in adding yourself to our diversity database, submit your info below and we'll be in contact with you. All your information will be kept in this database, which can be accessed by the public starting in 2024\. [Email us](mailto: joseph@lookoutphx.org) ### Ethics URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/ethics/ Last updated: 2025-10-22T16:08:54.000Z # Ethics and Corrections *LOOKOUT* goes by ethical and style guidance set by the National Lesbian and Gay Journalist Association, along with the Trans Journalists Association. In situations where ethics or style is not determined by those groups, we defer to AP style for all editorial decisions. ​All of our stories go through a thorough fact-checking and review for journalistic standards and accurate information. If, by chance, there are pieces of information that we missed or reported incorrectly, please feel free to bring it to our attention. ### For corrections on any of our stories, please email: editor@lookoutphx.org --- ## ETHICS ### **PREAMBLE:** LOOKOUT believes in the primary ethic of journalism to do no harm. Journalism is a profession that requires time, resources and the means to practice, all of which are essential to its independence. The following guidelines help us achieve our mission and vision: **OUR CORE PRINCIPLES** - The duty of journalism is to the truth. - To that end, LOOKOUT expects all of our journalists to defend the principles of freedom in the honest collection and publication of news, and of the right of fair comment and criticism. - LOOKOUT follows where the truth leads, and does so using fair and transparent methods to obtain information, images, documents and data. - The notion of urgency or immediacy in the dissemination of information shall not take precedence over the verification of facts, sources and/or the offer of a reply. - LOOKOUT will make honest and transparent efforts to rectify any errors in reporting, including publishing corrections within stories. For corrections or issues with stories on the LOOKOUT website, magazine, or newsletters, please contact **editor@lookoutphx.org** - LOOKOUT respects the privacy of sources, especially within the queer community. When we use anonymous sources, journalists are required to verify the individual claims through rigorous due diligence. - LOOKOUT believes that one of the many roles of journalism is to counter bigotry and prejudice, and will avoid dissemination of information that contributes to hatred or prejudice against people based on geography, social or ethnic origin, race, gender, sexual orientation, language, religion, disability, political and other opinions. - LOOKOUT staff or freelancers found to be in violation of serious professional misconduct, including plagiarism, distortion of facts, or slander, libel, defamation or unfounded accusations are eligible for dismissal. - LOOKOUT and abides by 501(c)(3) guidance in messaging and disclosure of funding sources. - As a nonpartisan newsroom, LOOKOUT will never make endorsements of political candidates or groups. ### A.I. Policy *LOOKOUT* does not use artificial intelligence in any of its original story-writing. Though we may contract with people who do use AI for such purposes, it will never be for the intent of news gathering or distribution of news information. We do use it in record scraping, data gathering, FOIA tracking, and other instances of news gathering to sift through large bodies of records or data. We also do use AI for grammar, corrections in AP style, and minor spelling, either through a simple generative software or LLM, such as Claude or ChatGPT. We also use LLM's like those for marketing purposes, such as on social media. Whenever possible, we should be identifying when we use those publicly, either in captions or in cutlines. (Updated October 22, 2025) Our philosophy on AI is simple: use it as a tool for help, not as a replacement. ### Conflict of Interest Policy The following Financial Conflict of Interest Policy (“Conflict of Interest Policy”) is an effort (i) to ensure that the deliberations and decisions of LOOKOUT Publications (“LOOKOUT”) are made solely in the interest of promoting the quality of journalism in the state of Arizona (if applicable), and (ii) to protect the interests of LOOKOUT when it considers any transaction, contract, or arrangement that might benefit or be perceived to benefit the private interest of a person affiliated with LOOKOUT (each, a “LOOKOUT Representative”). As used in this Conflict of Interest Policy, a LOOKOUT Representative includes any director, advisory board member, financial advisor, legal counsel or employee. ### **Duty to LOOKOUT**. Each LOOKOUT Representative owes a duty to LOOKOUT to advance LOOKOUT’s legitimate interests when the opportunity to do so arises. Each LOOKOUT Representative must give undivided allegiance when making decisions affecting the organization. Similarly, LOOKOUT Representatives must be faithful to LOOKOUT’s nonprofit mission and are not permitted to act in a way that is inconsistent with the central goals of the organization and its nonprofit status. ### **Gifts.** No LOOKOUT Representative shall personally accept gifts or favors that could compromise his or her loyalty to LOOKOUT. Any gifts or benefits personally accepted from a party having a material interest in the outcome of LOOKOUT or its employees by a LOOKOUT Representative individually should be merely incidental to his or her role as an LOOKOUT Representative and should not be of substantial value. Any gift with a value of $250 or more, or any gifts with a cumulative value in excess of $250 received by an LOOKOUT Representative in any twelve-month period from a single source, shall be considered substantial. Cash payments may not be accepted, and no gifts should be accepted if there are strings attached. For example, no LOOKOUT Representative may accept gifts if he or she knows that such gifts are being given to solicit his or her support of or opposition to the outcome or content of any LOOKOUT publication. ### **Conflicts of Interest.** The following are examples of conflicts of interest which must be promptly disclosed to the LOOKOUT Board of Directors pursuant to Section 4 below by any LOOKOUT Representative with knowledge of such conflict of interest: (a) any real or apparent conflict of interest between a donor or the subject of an LOOKOUT publication or report and a LOOKOUT Representative; (b) a LOOKOUT Representative’s ownership of an equity interest in a person or entity that is or will be the subject of an LOOKOUT publication or report; and (c) failure to disclose to LOOKOUT all relationships between the subject of any LOOKOUT publication or report and any LOOKOUT Representative or close relatives of the LOOKOUT Representative. ### **Conflict Procedure:** (a) If a LOOKOUT Representative or party related to a LOOKOUT Representative has an interest in any contract, action or transaction to be entered into with LOOKOUT, a conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest exists. Any LOOKOUT Representative having knowledge that such a conflict of interest exists or may exist (an “Interested LOOKOUT Representative”) will so advise the Board of Directors promptly. An Interested LOOKOUT Representative will include in the notice the material facts as to the relationship or interest of the Interested LOOKOUT Representative in the entity proposing to enter into a contract, action or transaction with LOOKOUT. (b) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Board of Directors may authorize any committee appointed pursuant to the LOOKOUT by-laws (a “Committee”) to act in lieu of the Board of Directors in determining whether an action, contract or transaction is fair to LOOKOUT as of the time it is authorized or approved by the Committee. (c) At any time that a conflict of interest or potential conflict of interest is identified, the President of the Board or a Chair of the applicable Committee will ensure that such conflict of interest is placed on the agenda for the next meeting of the Board of Directors or the Committee, as applicable. The notice of such meeting of the Board of Directors or the Committee, as applicable, will include, to the extent available when the notice is sent, a description of the conflict of interest matter to be discussed. By notice before the meeting or at the meeting, the directors on the board or the Committee, as applicable, will be advised that a vote will be taken at the meeting and that, in order to authorize the relevant contract, action or transaction, an affirmative vote of a majority of disinterested directors present at the meeting at which a quorum is present will be required and will be sufficient, even though the disinterested directors constitute less than a quorum of the Board of Directors or the Committee. (d) Reasonable effort will be made to cause the material facts concerning the relationships between the individuals and LOOKOUT which create the conflict to be delivered to and shared with the members of the Board of Directors or the Committee, as applicable, prior to the meeting to enable the directors to arrive at the meeting prepared to discuss the issue. In the event it is not practicable to deliver the information prior to the meeting, it will be delivered to the directors at the meeting, and the directors can act upon the matter with the same authority as if notice had been given prior to the meeting. (e) The Board of Directors or the Committee, as applicable, will invite all parties to the conflict of interest to attend the meeting, to make presentations and to be prepared to answer questions, if necessary. The Board or Directors or the Committee, as applicable, will also invite outside experts if necessary. (f) At the meeting, providing a quorum is present, the conflict will be discussed to ensure that the directors present are aware of the issues and the factors involved. The interested directors may be counted for purposes of a quorum, even though they may not take part in any vote on the issues. (g) The Board of Directors or the Committee, as applicable, must decide, in good faith, reasonably justified by the material facts, whether the action, contract or transaction would be in the best interest of LOOKOUT and fair to LOOKOUT as of the time it is authorized or approved. (h) All interested directors must abstain from voting and, if necessary, leave the room when the vote is taken. (i) The Board of Directors or the Committee, as applicable, will maintain a written account of all that transpires at the meeting and incorporate such account into the minutes of the meeting and disseminate it to the full Board of Directors. Such minutes will be presented for approval at the next meeting of the Board of Directors and maintained in the corporate record book. (j) To the extent that the conflict of interest is continuing and the contract, action or transaction goes beyond one (1) year, the foregoing notice and discussion and vote will be repeated on an annual basis. ### **Personal Loans.** LOOKOUT may not loan to, or guarantee the personal obligations of, any LOOKOUT Representative. ### Transparency We are committed to transparency in every aspect of funding our organization. Accepting financial support does not mean we endorse donors or their products, services or opinions. We accept gifts, grants and sponsorships from individuals, organizations and foundations to help with our general operations, coverage of specific topics and special projects. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates as a public trust, we do not pay certain taxes. We may receive funds from standard government programs offered to nonprofits or similar businesses. Our news judgments are made independently – not based on or influenced by donors or any revenue source. We do not give supporters the rights to assign, review or edit content. We make public all revenue sources and donors who give $5,000 or more per year. As a news nonprofit, we avoid accepting charitable donations from anonymous sources, government entities, political parties, elected officials or candidates seeking public office. We will not accept donations from sources who, deemed by our board of directors, present a conflict of interest with our work or compromise our independence. --- ## **LOOKOUT STYLE GUIDANCE:** LOOKOUT follows the guidance of the T**rans Journalists Association** and the **National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association** style guides. Both of those guides can be found [here](https://styleguide.transjournalists.org/?ref=transjournalists.org) and [here](https://www.nlgja.org/stylebook-on-lgbtq-terminology/?ref=lookoutnews.org), respectively. ***Below are select style references for our audience to understand and know:*** **biological sex** The phrase biological sex is common in scientific writing as a synonym for birth sex, natal sex, or assigned sex at birth. Outside of medical literature, assigned sex at birth is preferable over biological sex if used in this way. **cisgender** Refers to people whose gender identity aligns with their sex assigned at birth. **drag queen, female impersonator** Drag is the practice of dressing and acting in styles typically associated with another gender, usually exaggeratedly so and for entertainment value. Drag queens portray women and drag kings portray men. Drag performer is the gender-neutral term. Drag and impersonation are more strongly determined by the nature of the costume and performance than by the performer’s gender identity or sex. Drag is not synonymous with but is sometimes considered a type of male or female impersonation, in which performances may be spoofs of a specific person or character or may be more subdued than a drag performance. Not synonymous with transgender, though some drag performers may identify as such, or with cross-dresser. **gender ideology** A charged term commonly deployed by anti-trans commentators and activists that implies trans people, merely by being trans, are participating in a political activity or have a political agenda. Refer instead to trans identity or simply being transgender. **groomer, grooming** Refers to the practice of building trust and eroding boundaries to facilitate the sexual abuse of a child or vulnerable adult. Avoid using these terms, even in quotes, to portray LGBTQ+ people broadly as predators or as “recruiting” people, particularly children. If it is necessary to quote someone using this term, be clear about whether they are using it as a rhetorical device or if actual child abuse is alleged or proven; if the latter, add necessary details. See **misleading associations** below. **false balance** Including opposing views in a story even when doing so is unnecessary or insensitive or would perpetuate falsehoods, or assuming there are only two sides to a story. Sometimes called bothsidesism. Just as journalists should not default to giving a platform to doubters of the scientifically established concept of climate change, they shouldn’t automatically give opponents of LGBTQ+ rights a voice unless it furthers the understanding of the issue or story. For instance, a story about legislation related to LGBTQ+ people could quote supporters, opponents and possibly the indifferent. A story about an LGBTQ+ awards ceremony, a hate crime or a person’s coming out usually does not require opposing comment. **lifestyle** An inaccurate term sometimes used to describe the lives of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people. Sexual orientation may be part of a broader lifestyle but is not one in and of itself, just as there is no “straight” lifestyle. **misleading associations** Terms including bestiality, experimental, grooming, mutilation, pedophilia and sodomy are frequently false or defamatory when used in stories about LGBTQ+ issues. **transgender** Generally, transgender describes people whose gender identity and/or expression does not align with their sex assigned at birth. Journalists covering transgender people must ensure they correctly understand and communicate the parameters of the communities about which they are reporting. In news coverage, identify people as transgender only when relevant to the subject matter and only if they are widely known or describe themselves as such. Otherwise, describe trans men as men and trans women as women. People can be transgender regardless of age, but journalists should take the usual legal and ethical precautions when reporting on children. For all other style, we follow Associated Press style guidance. For questions on why we describe things in certain ways, or the language we use, feel free to email us at **editor@lookoutphx.org** ### Not just another newsletter... URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/newsletter/ Last updated: 2026-06-25T16:52:43.000Z Every week, *LOOKOUT* puts together the most important news that you need to know both locally, and nationwide. Every Thursday, you'll get to read about the experiences and the lives of queer people across the Southwest, and even a few opportunities to win exclusive *LOOKOUT* swag that is sure to make people do a double-take. ![](https://www.lookoutphx.org/content/images/2023/08/lookout-icon-black.png) ## Independent. Fierce. Queer. Subscribe below to The LOOKOUT, and get the latest in LOOKOUT stories, as well as opportunities to win free stuff! Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. ### [Read past newsletters here](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tag/newsletter/) ### ABOUT US URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/aboutus/ Last updated: 2026-08-22T00:13:35.000Z ## We have been seen. But it's time we are heard. We're not a typical news site. We started *LOOKOUT* Publications in 2022 because we saw that there needed to be a new way to tell stories about LGBTQ+ people, beyond simply Pride parades and drag shows (though we love that those exist). Instead, we wanted to create an outlet that had accountability news as its main mission, not an afterthought. ***LOOKOUT* delivers fearless journalism and community events with the unified purpose to improve and expand LGBTQ+ representation on the local news stage, while strengthening and engaging LGBTQ+ communities (and their allies) in the queer experience.** Our vision is to inspire and hasten a queer experience that’s liberated from injustice and delivers on the promise of equal respect, rights, and opportunity for all people – while holding those in power to journalistic account. We bring together communities by activating them, and making sure that queer news is—to use newspaper terminology—"above the fold." What does that mean? It means you can expect to see our work in local papers and national news websites, working side-by-side with other reporters at different outlets to make sure you get premiere LGBTQ+ news wherever you trust it most. ### Become a Member of LOOKOUT URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/donors/ Last updated: 2026-08-21T20:40:20.000Z [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/07/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px---1920-x-1080-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Tired of watered-down news that sidelines and misrepresents queer voices? Same, and that's why *LOOKOUT* started in 2022 as the state's only LGBTQ+ news outlets dedicated to accountability and service journalism. At *LOOKOUT*, we don’t just report on the LGBTQ+ community—we *are* the community. We dig deep, ask the uncomfortable questions, and hold power to account. Whether it’s investigating anti-trans policies in public schools, following the money behind far-right agendas, and even holding those within our own community accountable for abuses of power, we cover the stories most outlets won’t (or can't) touch. We believe queer communities deserve journalism that’s fearless, free, and refuses to play nice with the status quo. Your donation keeps *LOOKOUT* paywall-free and lets us keep doing the work that actually matters—work that uplifts, informs, and activates. Subscribe. Donate. Get loud. Keep a LOOKOUT. [](#XYJHRYAF) This kind of work can't exist without our supporters—people just like you. To see a full list of our donors, [click here.](https://www.lookoutnews.org/donorpage/) ### Staff URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/people/ Last updated: 2026-08-16T19:10:04.000Z ## News for the community, by the community. ## *LOOKOUT* is actively seeking pitches, from features to full investigations. Send ideas to **editor@lookoutnews.org.** ### NEWS: Joseph Darius Jaafari (he/him) Founder, Editor in Chief joseph@lookoutnews.org John Washington (he/him) Staff Writer john@lookoutnews.org Sreejita Patra (she/her) Scripps Howard Fellow (Summer 2026) sreejita@lookoutnews.org Lorenzo Gomez (he/him) Elections Accountability, Altavoz Labs Fellow lorenzo@lookoutnews.org ### OPERATIONS: Jake Hylton (he/him) Founding Executive Director jake@lookoutnews.org Michel Pelletier (he/him) Earned Revenue Principal michel@lookoutnews.org Cody Hays Events Fellow cody@lookoutnews.org ## BOARD OF DIRECTORS: **President:** Meg Taylor (she/they) **Incoming Board President (2027):** Nichole Cassidy (she/her) Gaelle Esposito (she/they) Pita Juarez (she/her) Jenny Guzman (she/her) Hal Boyles (they/them) Brandie Reiner (she/her) Danielle Cortez (she/her) *(Ex-Officio)* Jake Hylton (he/him) *(Ex-Officio)* Joseph Darius Jaafari (he/him) Former Board Members: Glenn Wike (he/him) Pedro Alvarez (he/him) Kat Carlson (she/her) Keith Hilzendeger (he/him) ### This April 2, invest in local news. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/azgivesday/ Last updated: 2026-08-16T18:21:10.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/03/WEBHEADER-1.png) On April 2, *LOOKOUT* is participating in an annual state-wide give-a-thon through Arizona Gives Day. Through peer-to-peer campaigns and individual engagement, we are attempting to reach an ambitious but attainable $20,000\. ### What are we fundraising for? LOOKOUT delivers fearless journalism for and about the LGBTQ+ community across Arizona. We are the only news outlet in the state exclusively focused on queer people and their issues, as well as the only investigative LGBTQ+ news outlet in the southwest region. Every week, we put out two newsletters with original reporting as well as at least one story that holds lawmakers, business owners, and powerful individuals to account. Our work is completely free to the public, but that doesn't make it cheap. We pay above the industry-standard for our work, which means that the average cost of a story you're reading on our site is upwards of $1,200, including pay to writers and editors. ### What can I do? How can I help? For those that have the funds, we are asking individuals to give $250 or more to our campaign. **For people who donate that much and more, we are giving away free swag packs including our concert-friendly fanny packs, tee shirts, a hat, stickers, pins, an exclusive riso-print by local queer artist SaturnHex, and copies of our latest magazine.** But we understand that not everyone can give that much, and that's OK! If we can get 400 people to give $50, we'd easily hit our goal. For those who want to help even more (or who enjoy a bit of competition), we are giving people who want to fundraise for us exclusive prizes for our top-three fundraisers. We are putting those together right now, but think: spa days, resort packages, exclusive art, flowers and dinner, etc. To start a campaign, click "Create a Fundraiser" [on this page here](https://www.azgives.org/lookout?ref=lookoutnews.org). Have questions? [Email us here](mailto:jake@lookoutphx.org). ### The Triangle Alliance URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/the-triangle-alliance/ Last updated: 2026-08-16T19:10:29.000Z ![A logo saying "LOOKOUT Triangle Alliance" with black, blue, and pink triangles.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/03/TRIANGLE-ALLIANCE.png) ## Are you ready to be an ally? Triangle Alliance Members are fervent reinforcers of our mission and vision. Triangle Alliance membership is a multi-year commitment to support the indispensable work our journalists do for the LGBTQ+ community. Each member receives exclusive perks for their commitment, including: - Four tickets and early registration for *LOOKOUT*’s annual donor appreciation party, OUTWATCH - Reserved seating for all *LOOKOUT* community events and listening sessions - Exclusive recognition on *LOOKOUT*’s website and quarterly magazine - Invite to yearly roundtable discussion with Editor in Chief and Board Members and other private events Tiered memberships prices are available. Please contact Jake Hylton at [jake@lookoutphx.org](mailto:jake@lookoutphx.org) or via phone at 602-692-8607 to learn more or if you have questions on the alliance. For other ways to donate or help support [*LOOKOUT*, click here.](https://www.lookoutnews.org/donors) ### Our Deepest Thanks URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/donorpage/ Last updated: 2025-08-30T21:01:37.000Z Every gift we receive—no matter the size—helps fuel our mission. Thanks to the generosity of our community, LOOKOUT is able to keep Arizona’s LGBTQ+ communities informed, empowered, and represented—from local neighborhoods to the statehouse. The donors listed below have contributed more than $500 over their lifetime. Their belief in our work makes everything we do possible. We are endlessly grateful for their support and commitment to bold, local queer journalism. Want to see your name here? [Click here to donate.](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) American Journalism Project Arizona Community Foundation Ballard Spahr BeWell Family Care Brian F Spicker Brick Road Coffee Burton Family Foundation Counter Narrative Project Curious Nature Democracy Fund Gaelle Esposito Geoff Hing Geri Koeppel Glenn O Wike Greg DeSimone Gregory and Richard Rupp Gretchen Jacobs Jacob Murphy Jamie Haas Joseph Darius Jaafari Josh Atkins Justworks Kaiser Family Foundation Kristina Buss M Christine Burton MacArthur Foundation Melissa Button Mesquite Valley Integrated Health Michael Kelsey Mitchell Williams Morgan Malone Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture Press Forward Rebekah Sanders Resilient Strategies Travis & TJ Harrick Troy Fulton Vitalyst Health Foundation Walmart Community Grants Watrock Foundation Xoe McAleece ### ### Arizona Luminaria URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/luminaria/ Last updated: 2026-08-22T00:12:10.000Z #### **This story was produced in collaboration with* [**Arizona Luminaria*](https://azluminaria.org/?ref=lookoutnews.org)**, a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to local, community-centered journalism.* ## **About our Editorial Partnerships** Editorial partnerships like this one are central to how we do our work. As a nonprofit newsroom covering the Southwest's LGBTQ+ communities, we believe the stories that matter most to our readers are stronger when newsrooms share reporting, resources, and reach rather than compete for them. These collaborations let our community-funded newsrooms extend the range of voices we can amplify and the number of readers a vital story can reach. They also reflect a simple conviction: independent journalism is a public good, and it grows stronger when we build it together. If your newsroom, nonprofit, or organization is interested in partnering with LOOKOUT, we'd love to hear from you — and if you're looking for stories to run, we make it easy. Join our free weekly republishing email and you'll get a roundup of LOOKOUT articles available to republish at no cost, complete with text, photos, and marketing materials. Want in? Email [editor@lookoutnews.org](mailto:editor@lookoutphx.org) to join the list. ### INDEPENDENT YOUR VALLEY SPONSOR URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/independent-your-valley-sponsor/ Last updated: 2026-08-16T18:49:23.000Z #### This piece is published in partnership with [YourValley.net](http://yourvalley.net/?ref=lookoutnews.org), part of the Independent Newsmedia network. Independent's publications are dedicated to community journalism, with a unique blend of issue-oriented stories, reader submissions and "refrigerator" news and photos. ### CAREERS URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/careers/ Last updated: 2026-01-20T21:20:00.000Z *We are always accepting freelance stories. We pay negotiable rates for long-term freelance investigations in video, audio, or long form writing. Please submit freelance pitches with a summary of your story, possible word count and deadline, along with writing samples. We do not accept fiction writing, poetry, or editorial pieces.* ## OPEN POSITIONS Work with Arizona's only LGBTQ+ news outlet dedicated to impactful journalism for the queer community. Join LOOKOUT's Street team: The Gliteratti [LOOKOUT Gliteratti Application Form![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/android_192.png)Google Docs![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/nXv66-r6txDZOt57Uv3iW6V9LxilZgZ6K1lVdAiXQgVNchw-8iXtrhJAYeHAtOiUSXLJ0H8DhpCarM0-w1200-h630-p)](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSelR8fopxikbH9h0E2oJSUQfvQ4MPNko9CMOu8QJ5Vm-iaSdg/viewform?ref=lookoutnews.org) ### DISCRIM CALLOUT URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/housing-callout/ Last updated: 2023-12-12T19:52:49.000Z #### We're looking into LGBTQ+ discrimination Do you know of organizations in Arizona that discriminate against the LGBTQ+ community? We want to know about it. [Send us a tip](mailto:editor@lookoutphx.org) ### New Times Partnership URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/new-times-sponsor/ Last updated: 2026-08-22T00:12:29.000Z #### PARTNERSHIP This article was published with [Phoenix New Times](https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org), an independent alt-weekly and digital media outlet serving the Valley since 1970. ## **About our Editorial Partnerships** Editorial partnerships like this one are central to how we do our work. As a nonprofit newsroom covering the Southwest's LGBTQ+ communities, we believe the stories that matter most to our readers are stronger when newsrooms share reporting, resources, and reach rather than compete for them. These collaborations let our community-funded newsrooms extend the range of voices we can amplify and the number of readers a vital story can reach. They also reflect a simple conviction: independent journalism is a public good, and it grows stronger when we build it together. If your newsroom, nonprofit, or organization is interested in partnering with LOOKOUT, we'd love to hear from you — and if you're looking for stories to run, we make it easy. Join our free weekly republishing email and you'll get a roundup of LOOKOUT articles available to republish at no cost, complete with text, photos, and marketing materials. Want in? Email [editor@lookoutnews.org](mailto:editor@lookoutphx.org) to join the list. ### AZ Mirror Partnership URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/az-mirror-partnership-2/ Last updated: 2024-02-28T17:31:29.000Z #### Partnership This story was published in partnership with the [Arizona Mirror](https://azmirror.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org), an independent, nonprofit news organization that covers Arizona government and politics and is an affiliate of [States Newsroom](https://statesnewsroom.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org), a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by grants and a coalition of donors and readers. ### PHF Production URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/phf-production/ Last updated: 2026-08-22T00:12:45.000Z #### This story is one in a series from our Public Health Accountability Fellowship program, partially funded by Vitalyst Health Foundation. ## **About our Editorial Partnerships** Editorial partnerships like this one are central to how we do our work. As a nonprofit newsroom covering the Southwest's LGBTQ+ communities, we believe the stories that matter most to our readers are stronger when newsrooms share reporting, resources, and reach rather than compete for them. These collaborations let our community-funded newsrooms extend the range of voices we can amplify and the number of readers a vital story can reach. They also reflect a simple conviction: independent journalism is a public good, and it grows stronger when we build it together. If your newsroom, nonprofit, or organization is interested in partnering with LOOKOUT, we'd love to hear from you — and if you're looking for stories to run, we make it easy. Join our free weekly republishing email and you'll get a roundup of LOOKOUT articles available to republish at no cost, complete with text, photos, and marketing materials. Want in? Email [editor@lookoutnews.org](mailto:editor@lookoutphx.org) to join the list. ### A Rose, Pansy, or Carnation By Any Other Name URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/flowerpower/ Last updated: 2026-04-21T16:41:59.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/03/D1-Front-1.jpg) --- **So you picked up a bouquet from LOOKOUT. But you're asking yourself: what does it mean?** In your hands, you're holding various blooms of queer history. These flowers are part of a language that LGBTQ+ people have been using for centuries to signal identity, desire, and community, dating back to Greek literature. Long before rainbow flags, pins, or corporate Pride merch, flowers were the queer code. Certain blooms told others that you’re family. Others whispered desire. Some marked rebellion. From violets in the poetry of Sappho to green carnations worn by Oscar Wilde, and pansies lighting up underground drag clubs in 1920s New York, flowers carried messages that words couldn’t. Your bouquet includes a mix of these historic blooms — lavender, violets, pansies, roses, and green carnations. Each has a story, each has a meaning, and now it’s your turn to decode it. Share the results of your quiz. Take a picture with your bouquet, and tag **@lookout\_news**, and we’ll feature some of our favorites in our upcoming newsletter — so the story continues through you. # Which Flower Are You? 🌸 Grab your bouquet from LOOKOUT at Rainbows Festival, discover your queer flower identity, and learn the history. “Before Pride flags, queer people had flowers.” Share your result 🌸 Take it again Become a LOOKOUT Member Rainbows Festival • Phoenix, AZ • March 28–29, 2026 Come find us. Say hi. Be seen. You’re already part of LOOKOUT’s community — you signed up for our newsletter to get your bouquet. But if you want to go deeper, support local LGBTQ+ journalism, and help us keep telling these stories, consider becoming a **paid member**. We’re not a corporate newsroom. We’re building something different, and it only works if people like you back it. The code never really disappeared — it was just waiting for you to learn it. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### AZ Agenda Partner URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/az-agenda-partner/ Last updated: 2026-08-22T00:11:04.000Z #### This story is done in partnership with [The Arizona Agenda](https://arizonaagenda.substack.com/), a journalist-owned political insider newsletter written for political outsiders. ## **About our Editorial Partnerships** Editorial partnerships like this one are central to how we do our work. As a nonprofit newsroom covering the Southwest's LGBTQ+ communities, we believe the stories that matter most to our readers are stronger when newsrooms share reporting, resources, and reach rather than compete for them. These collaborations let our community-funded newsrooms extend the range of voices we can amplify and the number of readers a vital story can reach. They also reflect a simple conviction: independent journalism is a public good, and it grows stronger when we build it together. If your newsroom, nonprofit, or organization is interested in partnering with LOOKOUT, we'd love to hear from you — and if you're looking for stories to run, we make it easy. Join our free weekly republishing email and you'll get a roundup of LOOKOUT articles available to republish at no cost, complete with text, photos, and marketing materials. Want in? Email [editor@lookoutnews.org](mailto:editor@lookoutphx.org) to join the list. ### DONATE SIDEBAR URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/donate/ Last updated: 2026-08-31T22:07:32.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/04/donate-box.png) #### Supporting LOOKOUT is one of the best ways you can help promote democracy and encourage LGBTQ+ people to get more involved in what happens within our state. If you believe in the power of an independent and free press to help shape local politics and culture, then donate today. [](#XWYNMRHX) ### Welcome to OUT & About URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/welcome-to-out-about/ Last updated: 2026-08-16T20:06:06.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/04/Untitled--10--3-1.png) This page is your resource for finding trans-inclusive and affirming spaces in Arizona. We know just how important it is find security and feel supported, so we've compiled a list of organizations, businesses, and community groups that are committed to creating welcoming environments for everyone. We're always working to grow this list, so feel free to reach out to [**info@lookoutphx.org**](mailto:info@lookoutphx.org) if you have more places to add! #### Health Services [***Peacock Mental Health // Online or Tucson in-person**](https://www.peacockmentalhealth.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org) ****\***Queer owned ****\***Accepts most insurances ****\***Caters to queer and neurodivergent identifying individuals [***Desert Star Family Planning Services // Phoenix**](https://www.desertstarfp.org/contents/who-we-are/mission-and-vision?ref=lookoutnews.org) ****\***Gender Affirming Care ****\***Hormone Therapy ****\***STI Treatment ****\***For womb-bearing people, while centering on BlPOC communities [***Southwest Center // Phoenix**](https://www.swcenter.org/our-services-overview?ref=lookoutnews.org) ****\***Gender affirming therapists & mental healthcare ****\***Legal name and gender market change assistance ****\***Nutritional health ****\***STI & HIV testing/treatment ****\***PrEP [***True U Clinic // Online**](https://trueuclinic.com/about-us-transgender-clinic/?ref=lookoutnews.org) ****\***Hormone therapy ****\***PrEP & STI testing ****\***Convenient online services [***Be Well Family Care // Phoenix**](https://bewellfc.com/our-services-family-medical-care/?ref=lookoutnews.org) ****\***HIV treatment and care ****\***STI testing ****\***Family planning \*PrEP & PEP \*Women's health [***Spectrum Medical // Phoenix**](https://spectrummedicalcareaz.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org) ****\***HIV treatment ****\***PrEP & PEP ****\***Primary care ****\***Free @home STI testing kits ****\***Free STI testing through **Testing After Dark* program [***Walgreens - A Community Pharmacy // Multiple AZ locations**](https://www.walgreens.com/locator/walgreens-2302+n+central+ave-phoenix-az-85004/id=16431?ref=lookoutnews.org) ****\***LGBTQ+ friendly and affirming pharmacy ****\***Works with care-providers and insurance on your behalf ****\***Free and discreet shipping of prescriptions to your home ****\***PrEP, HRT, PEP, Vaccines ****\***Community resources available in-store [***Endocrinologist - Heather Saran, DO // Scottsdale**](https://www.endoassocaz.net/heather-saran-1?ref=lookoutnews.org) [***Urology & Urogynecology- Dr. Jeffery Stern //Peoria**](https://www.academic-urology.com/index.html?ref=lookoutnews.org) ****\***Accepts AHCCCS ****\***performs orchiectomies [***Post-operative Caregiving // Nationwide**](https://www.t4tcaregiving.org/?ref=lookoutnews.org) #### Restaurants and Cafes [***Skoden Coffee // Phoenix**](https://www.instagram.com/skodencoffee/?hl=en&ref=lookoutnews.org) ****\***Queer & Indigenous owned coffee shop ****\***Casual hangout spot ****\***Coffee, tea, snacks [***Brick Road Coffee //Tempe**](https://www.brickroadtempe.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org) ****\***Coffee & pastries ****\***Drag story hour ****\***Book clubs [***The Coronado PHX restaurant & Dark Hall // Phoenix**](https://thecoronadophx.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org) ****\***Vegan: food, cocktails, coffee, and pastries ****\***Allied and all inclusive welcoming ****\***Sit and work spot [***Phoenix Coqui Restaurant // Phoenix**](https://phoenixcoqui.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org#about-us) ****\***Focus on fun and inclusive environment ****\***Located in the "gayborhood" ****\*** Puerto Rican food with vegetarian and gluten-free options [***Melrose Kitchen // Phoenix**](https://melrosekitchenaz.com/phoenix-melrose-district-melrose-kitchen-table-about?ref=lookoutnews.org) ****\***Dog-friendly back patio ****\***Vegetarian and vegan options ****\*** Open breakfast to late lunch (Thurs - Mon 8am t0 3pm) [***Fair Trade Coffee // Phoenix**](https://azfairtrade.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org) ****\***Study/ hangout spot ****\***Study-cafe vibes with couch seating and a patio ****\***Local art throughout cafe ****\***Community and political events #### Fashion [***Phoenix General Clothing // Phoenix**](https://phxgeneral.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org) ****\***Queer owned ****\***All-gender clothing ****\***Jewelry and accessories ****\***Skincare ****\***Art [***Kei Collective // Phoenix**](https://www.keicollective.com/about?ref=lookoutnews.org) ****\***Alternative styles from local artists ****\***Jewelry ****\***More than 90 different local makers featured in shop [***I Have A Dream Boutique // SWC Partnership**](https://www.swcenter.org/trans-program?ref=lookoutnews.org) ****\***Free clothing and accessories exchange ****\***Provides valuable resources for gender-presentation #### Personal Care [***Lady Luck Phoenix // Phoenix**](https://www.ladylucktattooaz.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org) ****\***Tattoo Parlor ****\***All femme-presenting artists [***Mermaid Hair Salon // Phoenix**](https://mermaidhair.salon/?ref=lookoutnews.org) ****\***Independent artists ****\***Stylists, colorists, lashes, and braids ****\***Also femme-presenting professionals ****\***Also offers tattooing and beauty services [***Headcraft // Chandler**](https://www.headcraftstudio.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org) ****\***Queer owned ****\***Gender-free, inclusive, and mental-health aware space ****\***Specializing in craft cuts and shaves for all ages and identity expressions [***The Greater Good PHX // Phoenix**](https://www.thegreatergoodphx.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org) ****\***Latinx owned ****\***Barbers, stylists, and hair colorists ****\*"**Committed to fostering a sense of community and promoting a positive ripple effect that extends far beyond our walls." [***Point of Pride // Online**](https://www.pointofpride.org/free-chest-binders?ref=lookoutnews.org) ****\***Free chest binders for those experiencing safety or financial hardship [***Senza Pelo Med Spa // Phoenix**](https://senzapelo.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org) ****\***Laser hair removal and reduction ****\***Some insurances provide coverage #### Community Groups [***Trans Spectrum of Arizona // Phoenix**](https://tsaz.org/?ref=lookoutnews.org) ****\***Peer support groups ****\***Scheduled meetings for trans fem, trans masc, gender expansive, and allies/friends/family [***One-n-ten // Phoenix**](https://onenten.org/?ref=lookoutnews.org) ****\***Youth center ****\***Social networking events ****\***Weekly discussion groups [***Trans queer pueblo // Phoenix**](https://www.instagram.com/tqpueblo/?hl=en&ref=lookoutnews.org) ****\***Immigration legal info and support ****\***Health services and meetings ****\***Resources for parents of trans youth ****\***Monthly group meetings [***Phoenix Storm Club // Phoenix**](https://www.phoenixstorm.org/?ref=lookoutnews.org) ****\***Rugby Team for LGBTQ+ community, no experience needed to join [***Frontrunners & Front Walkers // Phoenix** ](https://www.phxfrontrunners.org/?ref=lookoutnews.org) ****\***Running and walking club to support health and fitness for LGBTQ+ community [***Desert Adventures // Phoenix**](https://www.desertadventures.org/?ref=lookoutnews.org) ****\***LGBTQ+ outdoor activities [***Outloud Sports // Phoenix Area**](https://outloudsports.com/phoenix?ref=lookoutnews.org) ****\***Sports events and teams open to all LGBTQ+ people ****\***All skill and experience levels welcome ## Posts ### As Local Governments Rethink Surveillance Tech, Advocates Worry About Where It’s Still Used URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/surveillance-flock-security-worries-civil-rights-advocates/ Last updated: 2026-09-07T13:00:11.000Z On Feb. 17, 2026, the South Tucson City Council held a single meeting at which it voted to end its contracts with Flock Safety, the private company that supplies governments and corporations with cameras that feed into its proprietary database. The council also passed a resolution opposing immigration detention facilities. What the council didn't vote on — or, rather, couldn't vote on — was stopping the 40-plus police departments across Arizona that had already been searching South Tucson's camera data, including Scottsdale,[ which had conducted more than 12,000 searches](https://www.tucsonspotlight.org/south-tucson-ends-flock-camera-contract/?ref=lookoutnews.org) of the shared database. The data stays stored for up to 30 days, and the police – both state and federal – could still access it anyway, with few ethical constraints and no legal oversight. Mapping how municipalities are responding to Flock Safety — which has drawn consistent and sharp criticism from community members and politicians alike — reveals a striking discrepancy between what governments have stated and voted for compared to what surveillance continues to look like after decisions are made. For LGBTQ+ and reproductive rights advocates — as well as private security experts — Flock Safety and similar surveillance has raised concerns about how the technology could expand unwanted government oversight of populations already facing increased scrutiny in public life. **The surveillance nobody voted for** Flock's cameras include automatic license plate readers, fixed video units and robotic cameras that can swivel and follow targets. Different camera systems are sometimes housed in identical casings, making it impossible to know whether a given camera is reading license plates or recording pedestrians. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/08/fh1bu2ohn6jh1--1-.jpeg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/08/flock-camera.jpg) (left) A Flock Safety Condor PTZ camera mounted on a public utility pole that can pan, tilt, and zoom to follow individuals. (Photo: The Snarky Snail.3.) (right)A solar-powered Flock Safety Falcon camera that can take motion sensitive snapshots or video, depending on which mode; all feed data into Flock's national network. (Photo: Tony Webster) Anaya Robinson, a civil liberties advocate who works for the ACLU of Colorado, has been following Flock Safety's rollout in the state. Robinson told *LOOKOUT* that initial pilot programs began appearing as COVID-19 lockdowns were ending. Local governments in Castle Rock, for example,[ began deploying Flock](https://www.cbsnews.com/colorado/news/castle-rock-drone-police-first-responder-program/?ref=lookoutnews.org) Safety systems around early 2021, with Boulder[ following suit](https://www.govtech.com/public-safety/colorado-police-turn-to-plate-readers-to-curb-vehicle-crime?ref=lookoutnews.org) in 2022\. The Denver Police Department did not officially launch its own city-funded pilot program until[ May 2024](https://coloradonewsline.com/2025/08/06/immigration-denver-flock-camera/?ref=lookoutnews.org), placing more than 100 solar-powered cameras across 70 locations in the city. Records show those deployments occurred without public input or a City Council vote. Instead, elected officials and police departments structured initial Flock Safety contracts — or extended existing ones — to fall below financial thresholds that would have required public review. By keeping annual subscription costs below the threshold for mandatory City Council authorization, agencies avoided public hearings and formal roll-call votes. In Denver, Mayor Mike Johnston[ executed multiple](https://coloradonewsline.com/2025/10/23/denver-object-to-flock-cameras/?ref=lookoutnews.org) Flock extensions without a council vote by capping the contract amount at $498,500 — just $1,500 below the city's $500,000 threshold for council approval. In Arizona, camera deployments[ began without](https://www.redrocknews.com/2025/08/30/city-manager-memo-to-council-accuses-sedona-mayor-jablow-of-manipulation-over-flock-cameras/?ref=lookoutnews.org) public discussion and were routinely absorbed into internal[ police budgets](https://journalaz.com/2026/08/14/cottonwood-residents-fight-flock-cameras/?ref=lookoutnews.org) below public approval thresholds or bundled into council consent agendas that weren't subject to debate, keeping initial surveillance rollouts out of the public eye. Robinson argued that approving Flock Safety cameras without council approval increased adoption and retention rates for Flock and was part of the company's national rollout strategy. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/08/IMG_20260821_163226.jpg) Anaya Robinson, Public Policy Director at the ACLU of Colorado. (Photo courtesy of Anaya Robinson) Because residents were not actively informed about Flock partnerships when they began, many had no idea the cameras had been installed or where they were located. In Phoenix, for example, many residents[ were alarmed](https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/whos-watching-some-residents-alarmed-constant-flock-safety-data-collection?ref=lookoutnews.org) when they learned about the surveillance. Rakibul Hasan, an assistant professor in the School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence at Arizona State University, said in an interview that if a city adopts a system without democratic approval, "all access might be considered unauthorized." The lack of informed consent and notification has remained a sticking point for residents. As of August 2026, six cities and one county have terminated their contracts with Flock Safety in Arizona: Chandler, Flagstaff, Sedona, Sierra Vista, South Tucson and Surprise, along with Pinal County. In Colorado, the cities of Denver, Fort Collins and Salida have canceled their agreements with Flock, as has Douglas County. But even as Flock Safety has faced pushback from governments, residents can be swept up in its surveillance without ever knowing it because of the company's private network of customers. Privately operated Flock Safety cameras have been documented within 10 miles of Phoenix — at Home Depot and Lowe's locations, among others — that[ still feed](https://www.404media.co/home-depot-and-lowes-share-data-from-hundreds-of-ai-cameras-with-cops/?ref=lookoutnews.org) into Flock's national law enforcement network. Police policies in question also completely miss the University of Arizona,[ which feeds](https://www.tucsonspotlight.org/ua-approved-870k-flock-safety-deal-for-campus-surveillance/?ref=lookoutnews.org) the national network through 62 campus-area Flock cameras. And even if cities establish boundaries on cooperation with ICE, the same network Flock Safety shares among private and public users has been tapped by[ Immigration and Customs Enforcement](https://www.404media.co/ice-taps-into-nationwide-ai-enabled-camera-network-data-shows/?ref=lookoutnews.org). Flock Safety maintains that it has no contract with ICE and does not provide the agency with direct access. ### **A tool for fear** Sam Toles, a civic technology specialist, said there "are numerous and demonstrable cases where this technology has assisted in apprehending criminals and thus keeping communities safer." But he said there were also plenty of examples of officers misusing the technology for personal interests and questioned what could happen if Flock Safety's technology continues advancing into video and facial recognition. "(What if) an LGBTQ rally happens and the Flock cameras capture all attendees?" Toles said. "If this were theoretically used to target individuals, this would be highly concerning." There appear to be no Flock-specific corporate policies that directly address those concerns. ASU tech researcher Hasan echoed Toles' concerns about the LGBTQ+ rally hypothetical, saying a chilling effect is possible: "It might discourage attending a public demonstration if the attendees can be traced." And even if states such as Colorado explicitly protect gender-affirming care, Robinson of ACLU Colorado said people seeking reproductive health care or gender-affirming care could be surveilled in a state where those activities are protected, then harassed — or even prosecuted — in another state where they are illegal, as the case has been with people seeking abortions. For LGBTQ+ people in states or municipalities with increasingly hostile political climates, one rational response to visible surveillance of community spaces could be to avoid clinics, centers or events altogether. Experts said that communities don't have to wait for an example of misuse by companies or governments — the mere presence of the system can be enough to create a chilling effect. ### **The data you can't take back** Because participating municipalities must agree to share data through the collective network, Flock's system processes billions of location records and images every month. Flock's original policy was to retain identifiable data for 30 days, with a rolling "hard delete" cycle that purges most material after that period. According to Flock's[ own website](https://www.flocksafety.com/legal/flock-evidence-policy?ref=lookoutnews.org), once the retention period expires, the raw image, timestamp, location and associated license plate data are automatically and permanently deleted from its cloud servers. However, if a specific vehicle capture or video clip is flagged as part of an active law enforcement investigation,[ it is extracted](https://www.flocksafety.com/blog/flock-guardrails-address-lpr-privacy-concerns-and-police-transparency?ref=lookoutnews.org) from the rolling deletion pool and moved into an agency's case file or "Evidence Mode." That specific record is then held according to state evidence-retention laws, which can mean years or, in capital cases, indefinitely. Following[ reports of](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/aug/20/flock-cameras-surveillance?ref=lookoutnews.org) police officers using the network to stalk romantic partners, monitor political activists and facilitate federal immigration enforcement, Flock enacted a major corporate policy shift in August 2026\. Under the new guidelines, Flock[ began recommending](https://www.police1.com/technology/flock-safety-sets-7-day-default-for-alpr-data-adds-mandatory-misuse-safeguards?ref=lookoutnews.org) that client agencies reduce their default data-retention window from 30 days to seven. However, the policy change remains optional. Contracted municipalities and law enforcement agencies can opt out and continue storing location data for the full 30 days. Flock defended the change by saying more than 90% of law enforcement searches occur within the first week anyway, meaning the additional 23 days of historical tracking created potential privacy risks with little operational benefit. [Queer Activists are Fighting Trump’s Border Wall From TreesIn southern Arizona, a predominantly queer and femme protest camp is risking arrest to protect a cottonwood and stop a $500 million border wall project.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-8fb1aef1-5960-4a32-8013-5ba785b39216.png)LOOKOUTJohn Washington (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/tree-at-dawn-2-1-d75100fc-d49e-458c-a885-3fdac66d2d02.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/lochiel-tree-protesters-against-border-wall-protest/) ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### The Hardest Part May Be the Answers Venture-N Survivors Will Never Get URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/the-hardest-part-may-be-the-answers-venture-n-survivors-will-never-get/ Last updated: 2026-09-04T20:45:39.000Z There will be no trial for the man who shot and killed Vincent Anthony Siqueiros and Cameron Davis Capara. No prosecution. No sentence. And no chance for the friends and families of the two men to confront their killer or ask him why he targeted them. The shooter, 44-year-old Ousman Ceesay, died after the Aug. 31 shooting at Venture-N after turning the gun on himself. Police say they found evidence that the attack was targeted and motivated by anti-LGBTQ+ hate. There was a list of other LGBTQ+-friendly businesses he had allegedly planned to visit. And investigators later found additional evidence of a hate-motivated attack when they searched his home. So what does justice look like when there can be no accountability in court? > “You can’t get accountability from a corpse." > \-Brandon Lee, a friend of Cameron Capara For Tucson’s mourners, that answer is something they struggle with. Some say justice means strengthening the laws and policies they believe could prevent another attack. Others say it means building a community strong enough to protect its own. Still, others want the state and federal governments to confront the rhetoric, political divisions and lack of protections they say have helped create an environment where anti-LGBTQ+ violence can take root. “There needs to be a change politics-wise,” said David Figueroa, a Tucson community member who attended the official memorial for the two victims Wednesday, Sept. 2, at Catalina Park. He added that politicians perpetuate division in the community through partisan stances against the LGBTQ+ community, particularly during election seasons. “(They’re) just fear-mongering, and it creates a lot of hatred against the community for no reason.” --- A[ 2024 FBI report](https://hrc-prod-requests.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/images/Reported-Crimes-in-the-Nation-Quick-Stats.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) found that while overall violent crime is down nationally, hate crimes against the LGBTQ+ community remain high. In Arizona, the[ Department of Public Safety](https://azcrimestatistics.azdps.gov/tops/report/hate-crime/arizona/2025?ref=lookoutnews.org) recorded a 19% increase in hate crimes from 2024 to 2025\. Of those, 11% of recorded crimes were motivated by a sexual orientation bias and nearly 4% by a gender identity bias. “There’s too much hate,” said Brandon Lee, a friend of Capara whom[ *LOOKOUT*](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-gay-bar-shooting-cameron-capara-anthony-siqueiros/) spoke to previously. “There’s an ideology out there that believes that you can hate people into change, and if you don’t stop them from loving each other, they’re going to destroy our country. What kind of country is that?” > "We don’t want to take away anyone’s guns, we just want more guardrails in place for them so that we don’t have to go through these horrible things that come up." > \-Arizona state Rep. Betty Villegas, D-Tucson Arizona state Rep. Betty Villegas, a Democrat who represents the legislative district where the shooting occurred and is up for reelection, said the state Legislature’s deep-rooted political divides are to blame for a lack of progress on bills related to hate crimes and gun reform. “We are in a political climate where it’s not accepted,” Villegas said, adding that the Legislature is divided on how to address discrimination against the state’s LGBTQ+ community. “We have a lot of things that we can agree on, but when it comes to gay rights, transgender rights, civil rights, DEI rights … It’s totally divided.” She added that even smaller things that shouldn’t be politically charged — like[ introducing a bill](https://lookoutphx.substack.com/p/arizona-might-be-getting-its-own) that would create an LGBTQ+ license plate and support scholarships for queer and trans students, regardless of immigration status — have become a sticking point in a Legislature with a Republican majority. The bill was heard twice before it died in committee. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/09/BARNETT_ACCOUNTABILITY2-1.JPG) The Party of Socialism and LIberation of Tucson honored the lives of Cameron and Vincent at a memorial on Sept. 2, 2026 in Catalina Park. ‘Siempre presente’, or always present in English, is an ode to a chanting “Presente” in protest spaces which symbolizes their presence despite their deaths. (Photo by Susan Barnett for LOOKOUT) Republicans have been able to move pro-gun bills through the Legislature, though many have been vetoed by Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs. They’ve also been able to move an anti-trans initiative to this year’s ballot by circumventing the governor’s veto. At the same time, they’ve made it harder for bills offering protections to marginalized communities to make progress through the legislative process by not assigning proposals to be heard by the public in committee hearings. In 2024, Villegas, along with Rep. Alma Hernandez — who also represents LD 20 — and other Democrats, introduced legislation that would make hate crimes a felony. The bill was read twice but[ died in committee](https://www.billtrack50.com/billdetail/1696850?ref=lookoutnews.org). “We have to get (Republicans) out of the majority or we’re going to continue with this hatred, the gun laws that they refuse to pass — we don’t want to take away anyone’s guns, we just want more guardrails in place for them so that we don’t have to go through these horrible things that come up,” Villegas said. Legislation alone couldn’t have prevented what happened at Venture-N, but proponents of a hate crime law say it can create laws to ensure that victims of hate- and gun-related crimes can receive justice in the future. Villegas affirmed that the Democratic Caucus will be looking at bills that will protect not just the queer community but other marginalized communities in the next session. #### Read our full coverage of the Venture-N shooting - [Shooting at Tucson Gay Bar Venture-N Kills Two, Investigated as Hate Crime](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-shooter-had-multiple-lgbtq-friendly-addresses-written-down/) - [“They Were Genuinely Who They Were”: Tucson Remembers Venture-N Shooting Victims](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-gay-bar-shooting-cameron-capara-anthony-siqueiros/) - [After Tucson's Deadly Attack, Gov. Katie Hobbs Was Slow to Speak Publicly](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-shooting-venture-n-politicians-speak-out-for-gun-control/) - [The Venture-N Shooting is Being Called a Hate Crime. Arizona Law Leaves a Gap.](https://www.lookoutnews.org/venture-n-shooting-hate-crime-arizona-law-hate-enhancement/) - [‘Watch my Mimosa’: The Last Moments of Two Venture-N Regulars](https://www.lookoutnews.org/vincent-siqueiros-shot-outside-venture-n-friend-account/) - [PHOTOS: Tucson Community Gathers to Mourn, Demand Action After Venture-N Shooting](https://www.lookoutnews.org/photos-tucson-gathers-to-mourn-venture-n-shooting/) - [Police Say Hate Motivated the Venture-N Shooting. The Internet Has Other Theories.](https://www.lookoutnews.org/ousman-ceesay-venture-n-shooter/) - [They’ve Been Where Tucson Is Now. Here’s What They Want You to Know.](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-venture-n-can-learn-from-other-hate-crime-shooting/) “This just really prioritizes it for me, and I know that our leadership is already looking at it,” she said, adding that it will take bringing together all the stakeholders: the community, businesses and leadership. But she also stressed the importance of flipping the House in the upcoming election so that Democrats might actually have a chance to pass legislation instead of being set back by the Republican majority. --- Since the shooting was identified as a hate-related incident by TPD, community members have been left asking themselves what they want to see moving forward. Some want communal change. “I’m not asking for this to get fixed at the snap of a finger, but I am asking for there to be a solution,” said Lupita Zepeda, owner of Yolia Botanica, a queer-owned spiritual shop in Tucson. “I think the solution is continuing our unity and continuing our solidarity and our commitment to each other, and to keep each other safe.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/09/BARNETT_ACCOUNTABILITY3.JPG) Lupita Zepeda, owner of Yolia Botanica, opened up her store’s doors on Wednesday to invite community members to make candles with intention for the memorial. The store’s nonprofit, Teyolia Healing & Liberation Collective, was created to support free community gatherings and offer a space of healing and community in hard times. (Photo by Susan Barnett for LOOKOUT) Others, like Lee, want institutional change. “You can’t get accountability from a corpse,” he said. “LGBTQIA+ and any other minority, let alone shooting victims, shouldn’t be burying our dead at our own expense, on our families, mothers, fathers, spouses, children. We shouldn’t be alone when policy can spare us from this.” David Black, a criminal defense attorney in Phoenix, said that despite the inability to bring charges against Ceesay because of his death, there is significance to labeling crimes as hate crimes. “(Hate crime statistics) are important so that when the Legislature makes these laws and our Legislature writes these laws, that people are armed with the numbers and are able to say, hey, this is a big problem, it needs to be taken seriously and it needs to be dealt with,” he said. There is no standalone hate crime law in Arizona. Prosecutors can add sentencing enhancements to increase penalties for existing crimes motivated by bias, but that is decided by a judge after someone is found guilty of a crime. But even in cases where the shooter lives and gets prosecuted for committing a crime, getting the hate crime enhancement is an uphill battle,[ as was the case](https://www.lookoutnews.org/hate-crime-enhancements-in-arizona-whats-included-whats-not-and-what-that-means-for-the-lgbtq-community/) for the families of Bernardo Pantaleon and Osvaldo Hernandez Castillo, two gay Phoenix men who were killed just eight months apart. Their families fought for prosecutors to add a hate crime enhancement, but ultimately Manuel Carrasco Calderon — one of the perpetrators in the case — was sentenced to three and a half years in prison followed by four years of supervised probation,[ according to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office](https://maricopacountyattorney.org/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/1174?ref=lookoutnews.org). It was a case that proved to civil rights advocates how accountability, especially when it comes to crimes against the LGBTQ+ community, needs to be explicitly codified, prosecuted and enforced for a sense of justice to be served. They said it is an acknowledgment that the crime was motivated by bias and that people who commit those crimes are not immune to being prosecuted explicitly for their hate. “Justice is us continuing the discussion, continuing to talk about what we need to prevent this,” Villegas said. “We need prevention. And don’t let it just be another ‘Oh, that’s a horrible thing that happened,’ and move on to the next one. We can’t do that anymore.” At the Wednesday memorial, which attracted more than 1,000 people, Mayor Regina Romero emphasized the importance of honoring the lives of Capara and Siqueiros with actions beyond words. [They’ve Been Where Tucson Is Now. Here’s What They Want You to Know.Survivors of Club Q in Colorado Springs say Tucson’s LGBTQ+ community can draw on lessons from the years of grief, solidarity and division that followed their own tragedy.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-7c5450d5-eed0-40ee-853a-9dfe9edb2dcc.png)LOOKOUTAlec Berg (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/BERG_CLUBQ3-139d7a05-d3b7-443e-b27b-ca38268f7c94.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-venture-n-can-learn-from-other-hate-crime-shooting/) “Anti-LGBTQ violence is cultivated by anti-LGBTQ rhetoric, policies, religions, loss and executive orders,” she said. “That is why it is important to me to show up, to advocate, to lead on policies that protect and uplift our LGBTQ+ communities, history and our future.” At the national level, Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva once again addressed the tragedy and called for Congress to act. “Our communities are sick and tired of hearing our ‘thoughts and prayers,’” she said. “We should be acting today to pass commonsense gun safety laws and to combat hate and violence targeting LGBTQ+ folks.” The deaths of Capara and Siqueiros have elicited responses from political leaders on both sides of the aisle at the local, state and national levels. It’s galvanized Democratic candidates to call for action and reform that partisan lines have limited. But it will only be after the midterm elections, once the makeup of the Arizona Legislature and U.S. Congress is decided, that we will see whether legislation that protects marginalized communities will progress or continue to face setbacks. “We will do all we can to make sure that their deaths were not in vain,” Villegas said. “We will try to find the solutions that we need so that this doesn’t have to happen again to another family.” ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### They’ve Been Where Tucson Is Now. Here’s What They Want You to Know. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-venture-n-can-learn-from-other-hate-crime-shooting/ Last updated: 2026-09-04T20:46:24.000Z On Nov. 19, 2022, Wyatt Kent — a drag queen who performs under the name Potted Plant — was celebrating his 23rd birthday at Club Q, where he was a regular performer. He was doing a drag number that night at the club while his fiancé, Daniel Aston, bartended. Moments after Kent’s set concluded, a gunman entered the club and shot 24 people, killing five. Aston was shot and killed while behind the bar. And a woman — Kelly Loving — jumped in front of a bullet aimed at Kent and sacrificed her life to save his. The Club Q shooting — which made national headlines and stuck in the nation’s conversations on race, gender, gun laws and politics for weeks — was almost four years ago. For Kent, life sometimes feels frozen in time. He performed on New Year’s Eve at a gay club in Connecticut and had to run outside when he heard balloons pop on the ground. Those memories came back Tuesday morning, when Kent woke up to the[ news that a gunman murdered two men](https://www.lookoutnews.org/vincent-siqueiros-shot-outside-venture-n-friend-account/) before killing himself outside Venture-N, a gay bar in Tucson, Arizona, early Monday morning. “Not a day goes by that I don’t think about what happened (at Club Q),” Kent said. “And I hope these folks in Tucson know how loved and supported they are.” ### **A community moved on** Finn Schuler was on their way to Club Q to perform as a drag queen when they noticed a flat tire. They pulled into a gas station, opened Facebook while air filled their tire and saw a breaking news alert that a shooter had fired on the bar. Panicked, Schuler called Hysteria Brooks, a regular performer, who told them she couldn’t talk for long because she was being interviewed by homicide detectives. “And I just remember thinking, ‘Homicide?’” Schuler said. “Like my brain didn’t register the word.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/09/BERG_CLUBQ2.jpg) Club Q was the most recent high-profile hate-motivated shooting at an LGBTQ+ bar. In November 2022, a gunman entered the space and shot 25 people people, and killed five others. (Photo by Alec Berg/LOOKOUT) Schuler was up all night calling friends, checking social media accounts and trying to piece together who was confirmed to be alive and who was still missing. (Police in Colorado Springs didn’t reveal the names of the five dead until the next day, and the city’s queer community was checking networks to see who was at Q the night before.) Schuler began their drag career just more than a year before the shooting at the same venue during newbie night, nervous but excited. The producer that night, Porsha Demarco Douglas, told them they were getting on her stage. A year later, Schuler found themselves in Demarco Douglas’s arms, crying as the two balanced feelings about how lucky they were not to have been at the club that night with the trauma and depression that comes with knowing their safe space was the target of a hateful, violent act. The day after the shooting, vigils popped up around the city in churches, downtown streets and outside the club. Schuler remembers seeing friends who they believed could be dead and instead learning — for the first time — that they were alive: “We would scream when we saw each other and then laugh and cry because what do you do when you’re learning someone is alive while you’re still not sure if someone else is?” ### **First came care, then divisions** For the ensuing months after the shooting, Schuler and Kent felt Colorado Springs was in a frenzy to reinvent itself as a safe queer haven and repent from its public perception of queerphobia. It wasn’t unfounded: In the late 1980s and early 1990s, dozens of powerful, politically active Christian evangelical organizations set up their headquarters in the city, putting it on the map as a conservative stronghold and deep red alternative to Colorado’s deep blue capital city, just an hour’s drive north. In the early 2000s, as states around the country debated marriage equality, many of these organizations, such as Focus on the Family, earned national fame for their outspoken opposition to it. Between the religious headquarters, the presence of the United States Air Force Academy and a military base on opposite sides of the city, Colorado Springs soon became a well-known home for the religious right. In 1992, a Colorado Springs-based activist group called “Colorado for Family Values” authored Amendment 2, a statewide ballot initiative to overturn local laws that guaranteed protections for LGBTQ+ people from discrimination. Voters supported the amendment with 53% of the vote, earning Colorado the nickname “The Hate State,” before the Supreme Court of the United States ultimately struck the law down four years later. Kent, who grew up in Colorado Springs, argued that being white and passable for cisgender shielded him from being a target of those who would oppose him for who he is. “But I became very aware of it after the shooting,” he said, mentioning that he remembers drag shows being hosted in bars that would have never done so before. Rainbow flags were “on every corner.” And church leaders who were vocally anti-LGBTQ+ fell silent. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/09/BERG_CLUBQ1-1.jpg) After the Club Q shooting in Colorado Springs, multiple memorials were erected around the city. (Photo by Alec Berg/LOOKOUT) Douglas, the drag performer who gave Schuler their chance at the drag newbie night at Club Q, remembers the moments after in the same way: Rainbow flags popping up all over town, national media staking out in front of survivors’ houses, and social media overflowing with support for queer people in Colorado Springs in the year or so after the shooting. But[ fractures within the community](https://www.rmpbs.org/news/club-q-colorado-springs-one-year-later?ref=lookoutnews.org) have contributed to resentment and divided those who were once united after Club Q. Club Q owner Matthew Haynes created a GoFundMe to supplement lost wages for club staff and raised $55,000\. He constructed a memorial outside the club and opened a new queer space across town, while staff members said they received as little as[ $981](https://www.9news.com/article/news/local/club-q-shooting/club-qs-owner-employees-gofundme/73-88cc8db4-6f12-4d6d-b59d-c48610ce06a6?ref=lookoutnews.org). And while Demarco Douglas and Kent said they were struggling to find venues that would book them for drag performances, Club Q Director of Operations Michael Anderson — who was at the club the night of the shooting —[ had dinner with pop star Christina Aguilera](https://www.rmpbs.org/news/rocky-mountain-pbs/christina-aguilera-saved-michael-andersons-life-he-finally-got-to-pay-her-back?ref=lookoutnews.org). It made some survivors feel slighted that only higher-profile victims were getting attention after the shooting. “The way that money and opportunities were allocated just felt really wrong,” said Demarco Douglas. “And, unfortunately, that has led to some lasting divides within our community.” ### **“We can’t let them win”** Kent, Demarco Douglas and Schuler all still perform drag as often as they can. Kent now works as an organizer in Colorado Springs and Pueblo, Colorado, for Bread and Roses Legal Center — a social justice-centric legal center that has advocated for survivors since the immediate days after the shooting. Times were different in 2022, when the shooting took place. The national political climate was still reeling from the public murder of George Floyd and the months of social justice reckoning and protest that came after. President Joe Biden publicly supported LGBTQ+ people throughout his tenure in office, and supporting the community was “the expected thing,” Kent remembered. But in 2026, those expectations are less clear. President Donald Trump has[ signed several executive orders targeting transgender individuals](https://www.whitehouse.gov/releases/2026/03/president-trump-ended-democrats-transgender-for-everybody-insanity/?ref=lookoutnews.org), a handful of states have attempted or successfully enacted bans on drag in public, LGBTQ+ people are re-closeting themselves, 27 states have passed[ laws restricting gender-affirming care for transgender youth](https://mapresearch.org/equality/?ref=lookoutnews.org), and 29 states have passed laws banning transgender students from participating in sports teams that align with their identities. For Schuler, Kent and Demarco Douglas, national rhetoric has trickled down and led to sentiments that the community has “largely forgotten” about the shooting. “The immediate aftermath felt like an overall Band-Aid on the city’s reputation,” Kent said. “And now that the spotlight has moved on, so has a lot of the community.” But halting drag has never even crossed the minds of these three. Instead, they feel it’s more important now to loudly embrace their identities as proudly queer people. And to those impacted by the Venture-N shooting, they all wanted to send a message of love and support, and that when it feels as if the world has moved on, Kent, Schuler and Demarco Douglas said they’ll still be holding the Tucson community close. #### Read our full coverage of the Venture-N shooting - [Shooting at Tucson Gay Bar Venture-N Kills Two, Investigated as Hate Crime](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-shooter-had-multiple-lgbtq-friendly-addresses-written-down/) - [“They Were Genuinely Who They Were”: Tucson Remembers Venture-N Shooting Victims](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-gay-bar-shooting-cameron-capara-anthony-siqueiros/) - [After Tucson's Deadly Attack, Gov. Katie Hobbs Was Slow to Speak Publicly](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-shooting-venture-n-politicians-speak-out-for-gun-control/) - [The Venture-N Shooting is Being Called a Hate Crime. Arizona Law Leaves a Gap.](https://www.lookoutnews.org/venture-n-shooting-hate-crime-arizona-law-hate-enhancement/) - [‘Watch my Mimosa’: The Last Moments of Two Venture-N Regulars](https://www.lookoutnews.org/vincent-siqueiros-shot-outside-venture-n-friend-account/) - [PHOTOS: Tucson Community Gathers to Mourn, Demand Action After Venture-N Shooting](https://www.lookoutnews.org/photos-tucson-gathers-to-mourn-venture-n-shooting/) - [Police Say Hate Motivated the Venture-N Shooting. The Internet Has Other Theories.](https://www.lookoutnews.org/ousman-ceesay-venture-n-shooter/) - [The Hardest Part May Be the Answers Venture-N Survivors Will Never Get](https://www.lookoutnews.org/the-hardest-part-may-be-the-answers-venture-n-survivors-will-never-get/) “When Club Q first happened, a lot of folks from Pulse sent us support, and now it’s on us to send our support to the Arizona community,” Schuler said. Unfortunately, they added, there likely will come a time when GoFundMes dry up, Pride flags are taken down and it will feel like the world has returned to baseline. “But you will always have your community to rely on,” Schuler said. “If we can do it, if Pulse can do it, you can, too.” Schuler hopes those grieving will take the time they need, but never stop loudly being themselves. “Because if we stop, the shooters win,” they said. “And I will go to my dying breath to make sure that doesn’t happen.” ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Police Say Hate Motivated the Venture-N Shooting. The Internet Has Other Theories. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/ousman-ceesay-venture-n-shooter/ Last updated: 2026-09-04T20:46:40.000Z Almost nothing is known about the gunman who killed two members of Tucson’s LGBTQ+ community in what police have described as a hate-motivated attack at a local gay bar. Police have confirmed that the gunman was 44-year-old Ousman Ceesay, that he migrated from The Gambia and that he recently moved from Oklahoma to Tucson. Beyond that, investigators have released few details about who Ceesay was, what led him to Tucson or what happened in the hours before he opened fire. What police have been clear about is the motive. Investigators said they found a list of other queer-friendly spaces Ceesay allegedly intended to attack. Police later said in a news release that Ceesay acted alone and that there was evidence during a search of his home that the shooting “was a targeted attack motivated by hate toward the LGBTQIA+ community.” #### Read our full coverage of the Venture-N shooting - [Shooting at Tucson Gay Bar Venture-N Kills Two, Investigated as Hate Crime](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-shooter-had-multiple-lgbtq-friendly-addresses-written-down/) - [“They Were Genuinely Who They Were”: Tucson Remembers Venture-N Shooting Victims](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-gay-bar-shooting-cameron-capara-anthony-siqueiros/) - [After Tucson's Deadly Attack, Gov. Katie Hobbs Was Slow to Speak Publicly](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-shooting-venture-n-politicians-speak-out-for-gun-control/) - [The Venture-N Shooting is Being Called a Hate Crime. Arizona Law Leaves a Gap.](https://www.lookoutnews.org/venture-n-shooting-hate-crime-arizona-law-hate-enhancement/) - [‘Watch my Mimosa’: The Last Moments of Two Venture-N Regulars](https://www.lookoutnews.org/vincent-siqueiros-shot-outside-venture-n-friend-account/) - [PHOTOS: Tucson Community Gathers to Mourn, Demand Action After Venture-N Shooting](https://www.lookoutnews.org/photos-tucson-gathers-to-mourn-venture-n-shooting/) - [They’ve Been Where Tucson Is Now. Here’s What They Want You to Know.](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-venture-n-can-learn-from-other-hate-crime-shooting/) - [The Hardest Part May Be the Answers Venture-N Survivors Will Never Get](https://www.lookoutnews.org/the-hardest-part-may-be-the-answers-venture-n-survivors-will-never-get/) But as investigators have worked to establish what happened, a different narrative has taken hold online — one that has attempted to fill in the blanks about Ceesay’s background and motive with speculation, and zero evidence. Far-right influencers and politicians, as well as some people within the LGBTQ+ community, have been quick to suggest that the shooting was not primarily an act of anti-LGBTQ+ hate, but instead was inspired by radical beliefs. There is no evidence publicly available to support that claim. Within hours of Tucson police releasing Ceesay’s name — after he shot and killed Vincent “Vinny” Anthony Siqueiros, 42, and Cameron Davis Capara, 33, in the parking lot of Venture-N before later dying from a self-inflicted gunshot wound — right-wing social media accounts began filling the information vacuum with their own theories. The day after the attack, gay right-wing pundit [Andy Ngo took to X](https://x.com/MrAndyNgo/status/2094652135799414873?ref=lookoutnews.org) to claim Ceesay was an “African Muslim” and characterize the shooting as part of a pattern of violence by “extremist Muslims” against LGBTQ+ people. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/09/Screenshot-2026-09-03-at-2.31.38---PM.png) Right-wing pundit Andy Ngo posted on X (above) without evidence that Capara was "identified as radical Antifa" and Ceesay and an "African Muslim." Those claims are unverified. (Screenshot from X) The Gambia is predominantly Muslim, but that fact alone does not establish Ceesay’s religion, much less his motive for the shooting. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Ngo, a senior editor at Canadian conservative news website *The Post Millennial*, also used the post to criticize LGBTQ+ organizations that support Muslim communities and pro-Palestinian causes. He specifically cited Capara’s work as a photojournalist and criticized his involvement in left-wing causes, including opposition to immigration enforcement and Israel’s war in Gaza. “He advocated anti-American views and supported mass illegal migration,” Ngo wrote of Capara. Other prominent right-wing figures, including Republican New York City Council member Vickie Paladino and former comedian-turned-MAGA pundit Rob Schneider, shared similar claims on social media. Prominent atheist and conservative commentator Peter Boghossian cited Ngo’s claims and questioned why the press “won’t report a relevant fact about motive and pattern” — a motive and pattern that, at this point, have not been confirmed by investigators. The speculation quickly moved from social media into conservative media. *Headline USA* published a story under the headline “Muslim Man Kills Reported Antifa Affiliate in Gay Bar Shooting,” citing Ngo’s assertion that Ceesay was Muslim. A *Gateway Pundit* story cited unidentified reports that “Ceesay was born in the Gambia where about 95% of Gambians are Muslim.” RAIR Foundation, a far-right media organization, went further, calling Ceesay a “jihadist” and arguing that his motive was “beyond obvious” because “Muslims do not tolerate those who are gay, regardless of what the left claims.” (It’s important to note that there are other religions — including evangelical Christians and American Christian nationalists — that have called for the erasure and sometimes the mass deaths of LGBTQ+ people.) None of those outlets provided evidence establishing that Ceesay was Muslim, that he was a jihadist or that Islamic extremism played a role in the shooting. Other conservative accounts used Ceesay’s name itself to speculate about his background. Art Del Cueto, a [longtime Border Patrol union official in Arizona, posted:](https://x.com/ArtDelCuetoAZ/status/2094804877306437955?ref=lookoutnews.org) “The shooter’s name was Ousman Ceesay?? Not a common name, when will his place of origin and legal status be talked about??” The premise is wrong. Ousman Ceesay is a common name. In partnership with the Sunlight Research Desk, *LOOKOUT* corroborated that the name is common enough to be roughly analogous to a name like John Smith. Although we identified Ceesay through LexisNexis records and Whitepages reports, the gunman is otherwise difficult to trace through publicly available records. We found no apparent social media presence and few records that could be definitively tied to him. [A Gay Bar Opens its Doors After a MassacreAt Venture-N, friends of Cameron Capara and Vincent Siqueiros returned to mourn, remember and reclaim the place they call home.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-c1adb9d4-a014-42f1-bcc5-3e5aa7a4d598.png)LOOKOUTJohn Washington (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_9887-1-ab6c4234-d825-4844-867f-c12523a4425a.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/venture-n-reopens-after-shooting/) We also searched records for aliases associated with Ceesay. That search found one Ousman Ceesay with an alias who was convicted and jailed for a number of crimes, including trafficking. We could not establish any connection between that person and the gunman. We searched for an address record for Ceesay in Tucson, too. Because of his recent move, it is possible that those records had not yet appeared in the databases we searched. We found no available Tucson address records we could confidently attribute to him. That lack of information has created an information vacuum. And into that vacuum, social media has supplied a narrative that the Tucson killings were an example of Muslim violence against LGBTQ+ people — an unsubstantiated assertion. Others have offered a competing theory, claiming Ceesay was radicalized by anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric from lawmakers, online activists and far-right media. They have pointed to the Trump administration and Arizona lawmakers’ anti-transgender rhetoric and policies, arguing that a political climate hostile to LGBTQ+ people may have contributed to the attack. That theory is also unsubstantiated. An important distinction exists between those competing narratives and what investigators have actually established. Police have not said Ceesay was motivated by Islam. They have not said he was a jihadist. They have not said his political beliefs or online activity led him to the shooting. They have said they found evidence that he targeted LGBTQ+ spaces and that the shooting was motivated by hate toward the LGBTQ+ community. That is the clearest finding available right now. Some Arizona Republicans have kept their responses focused on the victims rather than the speculation. U.S. Rep. Andy Biggs, the Republican candidate for governor, [called the killings “horrific and senseless”](https://x.com/RepAndyBiggsAZ/status/2094624171192103233?ref=lookoutnews.org) and said such violence “has no place in our society.” U.S. Rep. Juan Ciscomani, whose district includes Tucson, similarly [called the attack “senseless”](https://x.com/RepCiscomani/status/2094785698809196786?ref=lookoutnews.org) and said there is “no place for this kind of hate or violence in our local communities.” The Arizona chapter of the [Council on American-Islamic Relations](https://www.cair.com/press%5Freleases/cair-arizona-condemns-fatal-tucson-hate-crime-shooting/?ref=lookoutnews.org) also condemned the shooting. “We are disgusted by this hate crime and unequivocally condemn the hatred and violence that led to it,” Azza Abuseif, executive director of CAIR-Arizona, said. “No one should have to live in fear because of who they are.” For now, the most consequential fact about Ceesay’s motive is also the one most firmly established: Investigators say Siqueiros and Capara were killed in a targeted attack motivated by hate toward the LGBTQ+ community. Everything beyond that requires evidence. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Un bar gay vuelve a abrir sus puertas después de una masacre URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/un-bar-gay-vuelve-a-abrir-sus-puertas-despues-de-una-masacre/ Last updated: 2026-09-04T20:57:28.000Z El cantinero, vestido con una camiseta negra, abrió la pesada puerta de acero gris poco después de las 4 p.m., se quedó en el umbral y dijo: «Estamos abiertos». Aproximadamente una docena de personas esperaba bajo el intenso sol de la tarde para entrar. Era miércoles, apenas dos días después de un tiroteo mortal en Venture-N, un bar gay del centro de Tucson. Dos clientes habituales, Cameron Capara y Vincent Siqueiros, murieron la madrugada del lunes y la comunidad estaba conmocionada. Ahora, la cerveza volvía a correr y amigos y familiares se reunían para llorar y honrar las vidas perdidas. El ambiente dentro del pequeño bar gay del vecindario oscilaba entre la tristeza y la dulzura mientras los clientes habituales iban llegando. Las lágrimas corrían junto con las bebidas y la gente se abrazaba, recordando a los hombres y lo que significaban para la comunidad. La intensa luz de la tarde entraba constantemente en el bar oscuro mientras llegaban cada vez más personas. A muchos los recibían por su nombre. La mayoría encontraba casi de inmediato a alguien a quien abrazar. Desde retratos colgados entre letreros de cerveza de neón, hombres musculosos vestidos con cuero o ropa interior —o casi nada— observaban lo que alguna vez fue un club exclusivamente para hombres. Esa exclusividad cambió hace décadas y ahora el lugar es conocido como un refugio, un sitio donde un desconocido no puede entrar sin encontrar rápidamente un nuevo amigo. Charles Marshall, de 72 años, estaba sentado en uno de los extremos de la barra en forma de U, tomando una cerveza. Su camisa de botones brillaba ligeramente bajo la luz negra. Detrás de él, en el televisor de la esquina, transmitían gimnasia masculina. Marshall hizo una pausa cuando le preguntaron sobre el reciente tiroteo. «Es una mierda», dijo. «Simplemente apesta». Dijo que no sabía cómo responder, pero que estaba pensando que quizá debería empezar a llevar un arma. «No podemos dejar que nos quiten esto», dijo Marshall, haciéndose eco de un sentimiento expresado con frecuencia el día de la reapertura. Joseph Howell, otro cliente habitual de muchos años y amigo cercano de Siqueiros, fumaba en el patio trasero. El espacio está rodeado de adelfas, con una pared de adobe color durazno y otra de azul deslavado. Una segunda barra al aire libre se encuentra bajo un techo de metal. Una bandera del orgullo LGBTQ+ cuelga de una pérgola y ofrece un poco de sombra. Howell, junto con un grupo cambiante de amigos que ofrecían abrazos y añadían detalles, relató a *LOOKOUT*, paso a paso, lo ocurrido durante la noche del tiroteo. «Cuenten nuestra historia», dijo Howell, con una expresión a la vez desafiante y dolida. «Díganles que no nos vamos a ninguna parte». No se refería únicamente al bar, sino también al recuerdo de sus dos amigos y a la comunidad queer de Tucson. ### **Un domingo típico — y después, «pandemónium»** Sudando y fumando Marlboro Blacks, Howell hacía pausas frecuentes durante su relato de aquella noche para recomponerse, secarse las lágrimas o levantarse a saludar a otro amigo que llegaba. «No le di un abrazo», dijo Howell al recordar la primera vez que vio a Siqueiros en el bar esa noche, alrededor de las 10 p.m. del domingo 30 de agosto. Howell lloró al recordar el momento. «Solo le sonreí y le hice un gesto con la mano cuando lo vi por primera vez». Siqueiros estaba sentado dentro del bar esa noche, vestido con una camisa de rayas naranjas. «¿Shots?!», había dicho Siqueiros, refiriéndose a las bebidas. «¿Vamos a tomar shots?» Siqueiros prefería los shots de té verde —preparados con whisky, schnapps, mezcla agridulce y refresco—, recordó Howell junto con un par de amigos. Poco después de la medianoche, ya el 31 de agosto, Siqueiros salió al patio con la mimosa que estaba tomando. Otro amigo, Roger, estaba sentado cerca de Siqueiros cuando este le dijo que vigilara su mimosa y se dirigió al estacionamiento frente al bar. Howell estaba en el baño cuando escuchó los primeros disparos, poco antes de las 12:30 a.m. «Salí del baño y pensé: “Esos fueron disparos, ¿verdad?”», dijo Howell. Roger y algunos de los otros clientes que estaban en el patio corrieron hacia dentro para ponerse a salvo. Fue caótico, dijo Howell. Vio a Capara entrar tambaleándose. Otra persona que estaba allí esa noche dijo que, después de regresar al interior, Capara dijo: «Me dispararon». Alguien comenzó a gritar que necesitaban toallas, dijo Howell, para detener la sangre que salía de Capara. Capara llegó hasta la parte trasera del bar y varias personas lo ayudaron a recostarse en el suelo cerca de la mesa de billar. «Fue un pandemónium», dijo Howell. Al principio, él y los demás no sabían que alguien más, además de Capara, había recibido disparos, ni sabían si el ataque continuaba. Howell dijo que gritó al cantinero que consiguiera una llave para cerrar con llave la puerta principal. Después de forcejear con la llave, Howell cerró la puerta y se quedó frente a ella. «No sé qué estaba pensando», dijo, explicando que creía que podía ser otra línea de protección. Pero también estaba aterrorizado. «¿Pueden disparar a través de esta puerta?», recuerda haber pensado. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/09/IMG_9898.jpg) Joseph Howell (Foto de John Washington/LOOKOUT) El cantinero estaba hablando por teléfono con el centro de despacho de la policía y Howell recuerda haberlo escuchado gritarles a las personas que ayudaban a Capara, preguntando si todavía respiraba. «No escuché cuál fue la respuesta. Estaba tan asustado», dijo Howell. Se preguntaba si debían comenzar a atrincherar la puerta, en caso de que el tirador intentara entrar. Unos minutos después, con Capara rodeado en la parte trasera del bar por personas que intentaban desesperadamente brindarle primeros auxilios, Howell recuerda haber escuchado las sirenas de la policía. Finalmente abrió la puerta y dijo que afuera había lo que parecían decenas de vehículos policiales. «Fue entonces cuando vi a Vincent en el suelo. Podía ver a policías corriendo alrededor de él; alguien le estaba haciendo compresiones en el pecho. No sé si podía hablar en ese momento, pero estaba gritando o tratando de gritar que también necesitábamos ayuda adentro, que Cameron estaba en el suelo sangrando». Howell dijo que, poco después, los policías comenzaron a sacar a las personas del bar. «Recuerdo que quería caminar de puntillas sobre la sangre», dijo Howell. «Pero no podía evitarla. Había sangre por todas partes». Howell, Roger y unas dos docenas de personas que estaban dentro del bar fueron escoltados al exterior por la policía. «Vi al oficial que había estado inclinado sobre Vincent ponerse de pie. Alguien preguntó: “¿Está muerto?”. El oficial dijo que sí». Recordar aquel momento conmocionó a Howell. Después de varias respiraciones profundas, mientras apretaba contra su rostro las manos con el esmalte amarillo descascarado, Howell dijo: «No quiero estos momentos, no quiero recordar a Vinny así». Después del tiroteo, los clientes que estaban dentro fueron entrevistados por agentes de policía. Esperaron durante horas mientras continuaba la investigación, hasta que comenzaron a caer las primeras gotas de una tormenta y el amanecer empezó a despuntar. Sus dos amigos habían muerto. El tirador había sido trasladado de urgencia al hospital, donde, según un comunicado del Departamento de Policía de Tucson, murió a causa de una herida de bala autoinfligida. Después de las 5 a.m., Howell y los demás regresaron a casa justo cuando el monzón de la madrugada comenzaba a empapar Tucson. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/09/IMG_9901.JPG) Vincent Siqueiros (Foto de John Washington/LOOKOUT) ### **«Nuestro lugar seguro»** En una mesa del patio, cinco clientes habituales de Venture-N, incluido Howell, se sentaron a hablar sobre lo que significa el bar para ellos. «Esto es el Tucson gay», dijo uno de ellos. «Era nuestro lugar seguro. Todavía lo es», dijo Howell. «No vamos a dejar que nos lo quiten, carajo». Francisco, otro cliente habitual, dijo: «Esto es casa. Tenía tanto miedo de que lo dejaran cerrado». Los hombres sentados a la mesa dijeron que Siqueiros era miembro de los[ Bears of the Old Pueblo](https://www.botop.org/?ref=lookoutnews.org), descrito como «una organización social en Tucson para hombres gays y bisexuales, hombres osos y sus admiradores». El club organizaba con frecuencia fiestas de cerveza en el bar y donaba las ganancias a organizaciones benéficas locales. Mientras los hombres continuaban recordando historias en el patio, dentro del bar Amy Denison, quien lleva 11 años trabajando como cantinera en Venture-N, dijo que se sentía orgullosa de que el lugar volviera a abrir. «Solo amor, eso es lo que siento», dijo Denison. «Me alegra estar aquí cuidando de mi familia». Una hora y media después de que Venture-N volviera a abrir sus puertas, el bar estaba hacinado y el patio comenzaba a llenarse. La gente bebía de sus jarras, rendía homenaje a un memorial en una de las paredes, lloraba y se abrazaba. Alguien había donado pizza, que se repartía en una mesa al fondo. Muchos de los clientes estaban comprando o ya llevaban puestas camisetas de Venture-N. Ray, otro cliente, bebía de una pequeña jarra de cerveza en la barra. Brindó con Denison. «Este lugar nos mantiene unidos a tantos de nosotros de maneras que no se ven», dijo Ray. El comentario provocó respuestas de los hombres sentados a ambos lados de él. «Este ha sido nuestro lugar», intervino David, otro antiguo cantinero del establecimiento. «Aquí todos nos queremos. Somos una gran familia». #### Read our full coverage of the Venture-N shooting - [Shooting at Tucson Gay Bar Venture-N Kills Two, Investigated as Hate Crime](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-shooter-had-multiple-lgbtq-friendly-addresses-written-down/) - [“They Were Genuinely Who They Were”: Tucson Remembers Venture-N Shooting Victims](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-gay-bar-shooting-cameron-capara-anthony-siqueiros/) - [After Tucson's Deadly Attack, Gov. Katie Hobbs Was Slow to Speak Publicly](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-shooting-venture-n-politicians-speak-out-for-gun-control/) - [The Venture-N Shooting is Being Called a Hate Crime. Arizona Law Leaves a Gap.](https://www.lookoutnews.org/venture-n-shooting-hate-crime-arizona-law-hate-enhancement/) - [‘Watch my Mimosa’: The Last Moments of Two Venture-N Regulars](https://www.lookoutnews.org/vincent-siqueiros-shot-outside-venture-n-friend-account/) - [PHOTOS: Tucson Community Gathers to Mourn, Demand Action After Venture-N Shooting](https://www.lookoutnews.org/photos-tucson-gathers-to-mourn-venture-n-shooting/) - [Police Say Hate Motivated the Venture-N Shooting. The Internet Has Other Theories.](https://www.lookoutnews.org/ousman-ceesay-venture-n-shooter/) - [They’ve Been Where Tucson Is Now. Here’s What They Want You to Know.](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-venture-n-can-learn-from-other-hate-crime-shooting/) - [The Hardest Part May Be the Answers Venture-N Survivors Will Never Get](https://www.lookoutnews.org/the-hardest-part-may-be-the-answers-venture-n-survivors-will-never-get/) An hour and a half after Venture-N reopened its doors, the bar was slammed, and the patio was filling up. People drank from their pitchers, paid their respects to a memorial on one wall, cried and hugged each other. Someone had donated pizza, which was being distributed at a table in the back. Many of the patrons were purchasing or were already wearing Venture-N T-shirts. Ray, another patron, was drinking from a small pitcher of beer at the bar. He offered a cheers to Denison. “This place holds so many of us together in unseen ways,” Ray said. The comment sparked responses from the men on either side of him. “It’s been our place,” chimed in David, another former bartender of the space. “We all love each other here. We’re one big family.” ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### A Gay Bar Opens its Doors After a Massacre URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/venture-n-reopens-after-shooting/ Last updated: 2026-09-04T20:46:00.000Z > “It was our safe place. It still is. We’re not going to fucking let them take that from us.” The bartender in a black T-shirt opened the heavy gray steel door just after 4 p.m., stood in the threshold and said, “We’re open.” About a dozen people were standing in the sharp afternoon sunshine, waiting to get in. It was Wednesday, just two days after a deadly shooting at Tucson’s midtown gay bar, Venture-N. Two longtime patrons, Cameron Capara and Vincent Siqueiros, were killed early Monday morning, and the community was reeling. Now, the beer was flowing again, and friends and family were coming together to grieve and honor the lives lost. The mood inside the small, neighborhood gay bar swung between somber and sweet as many of the regulars filtered in. Tears poured out along with the drinks, and people held each other, remembering the men and what they meant to the community. The bright light of the afternoon flashed consistently into the dark bar as more and more people filtered in. Many of them were greeted by name. Most of them almost immediately found someone to hug. From wall portraits hanging between neon beer signs, hunks in leather or underwear — or almost nothing at all — peered down at what used to be an exclusively men’s club. That exclusivity changed decades ago, and now the place is known as a refuge, a place where a stranger can’t walk in without quickly making a new friend. Seventy-two-year-old Charles Marshall sat at one end of the U-shaped bar drinking a beer. His button-down shirt was slightly glowing under the black light. Behind him, on the corner TV, men’s gymnastics was playing. Marshall took a pause when asked about the recent shooting. “It’s the shits,” he said. “It just sucks.” He said he didn’t know how to respond, but was thinking that maybe he should start carrying a gun. “We can’t let them take this from us,” Marshall said, echoing a frequently expressed sentiment on the day of the reopening. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/09/IMG_9901.JPG) Posters of the victims, including Vincent Siqueiros (above), were hung on the walls in memorial after Venture-N reopened Wednesday, Sept. 2\. (Photo by John Washington/LOOKOUT) Joseph Howell, another longtime patron and close friend of Siqueiros, was smoking on the back patio. The patio space is enclosed by oleanders, one wall in peach adobe, another in faded blue. A second outdoor bar sits under a metal roof. A Pride flag hangs from a pergola, offering a spot of shade. Howell, along with a roving cast of friends who offered hugs and added details, walked *LOOKOUT* step by step through the night of the shooting. “Tell our story,” Howell said, with a look on his face at once fierce and pained. “Tell them all that we’re not going anywhere.” He wasn’t just referring to the bar, but also the memory of his two friends, and to Tucson’s queer community. ### **A typical Sunday — and then “pandemonium”** Sweating and smoking Marlboro Blacks, Howell frequently paused during his retelling of the night to recompose himself, wipe away tears or stand up to greet another arriving friend. “I didn’t give him a hug,” Howell said of first seeing Siqueiros at the bar that night, about 10 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30. Howell cried at the memory. “I just gave him a smile and a half wave when I first saw him.” Siqueiros was at first sitting inside that night, wearing an orange-striped shirt. “Shots?!” Siqueiros had said — referring to the drinks. “We doing shots?” Siqueiros liked green tea shots — made from whiskey, schnapps, sweet and sour mix and soda — as Howell and a couple of other friends remembered. Shortly after midnight, now Aug. 31, Siqueiros went out to the patio, taking a mimosa he had been drinking with him. Another friend, Roger, was sitting close to Siqueiros when he told him to watch his mimosa and headed to the bar’s front parking lot. Howell was in the bathroom when he heard the first gunshots ring out, sometime before 12:30 a.m. “I walked out of the bathroom and I was like, ‘Those were gunshots, right?’” Howell said. Roger and some of the other patrons who were out on the patio rushed inside for safety. It was hectic, Howell said. He saw Capara stumble inside. Another person present that night said that after Capara came back in, he said, “I’ve been shot.” Someone started shouting for towels, Howell said, and that they needed to staunch the blood flowing from Capara. Capara made it to the back of the bar, and people helped him to the floor near the pool table. “It was pandemonium,” Howell said. He and others didn’t know that anyone else, besides Capara, had been shot at first, nor did they know if they were still under attack. Howell said he yelled to the bartender to get a key to lock the front door. After scrambling with the key, Howell locked the door and stood in front of it. “I don’t know what I was thinking,” he said, explaining that he thought he could be another line of protection. But he was also terrified. “Can they shoot through this door?” he remembers thinking. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/09/IMG_9898.jpg) Joseph Howell (above) remembers Vincent Siqueiros the night of the shooting beaming over wanting to have shots with his friends. (Photo by John Washington/LOOKOUT) The bartender was on the phone with police dispatch, and Howell said he remembers hearing him shout to the people providing aid to Capara, questioning if he was still breathing. “I didn’t hear what the answer was. I was just so scared,” Howell said. He wondered if they should start trying to barricade the door, if the shooter was going to try to come inside. A few minutes later, with Capara surrounded in the back by people desperately trying to provide lifesaving aid, Howell remembers hearing the police sirens. Eventually he opened the door and said there were what looked like dozens of police vehicles outside. “That was when I saw Vincent on the ground. I could see cops running around him, someone was doing chest compressions. I don’t know if I could speak at that point, but I was either shouting or trying to shout that we needed help inside as well, that Cameron was on the floor bleeding.” Howell said that a little later, police officers started directing people out of the bar. “I remember wanting to tiptoe over the blood,” Howell recalled. “But I couldn’t avoid it. The blood was everywhere.” Howell, Roger and a couple dozen or so people who had been inside the bar were ushered outside by the police. “I saw the officer who had been leaning over Vincent stand up. Someone asked, ‘Is he dead?’ The officer said yes.” Remembering the moment shocked Howell. After a few heavy breaths, holding his hands — with chipped yellow nail polish — tightly to his face, Howell said, “I don’t want these moments, I don’t want to remember Vinny like that.” After the shooting, the patrons inside were interviewed by police officers. They waited for hours as the investigation continued, until the first drizzles of a storm blew in and dawn started breaking. Their two friends were dead. The shooter had been rushed to the hospital where, according to a Tucson Police statement, he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Past 5 a.m., Howell and the others went home just as the early morning monsoon began to drench Tucson. ### **“Our Safe Place”** At a table on the patio, five Venture-N regulars, including Howell, sat around the table talking about what the bar means to them. “This is Tucson gay,” one of them said. “It was our safe place. It still is,” Howell said. “We’re not going to fucking let them take that from us.” Francisco, another regular, said, “This is home. I was so scared they were going to leave it closed.” The men at the table said Siqueiros was a member of the Bears of the Old Pueblo, described as “a social organization in Tucson for bearish, gay and bi men, and admirers.” The club would hold frequent beer parties at the bar, donating proceeds to local charities. As the men kept reminiscing on the patio, inside, Amy Denison, who has been tending bar at Venture-N for 11 years, said that she felt proud to be back open. “Just love, that’s what I feel,” Denison said. “I’m glad to be here taking care of my family.” #### Read our full coverage of the Venture-N shooting - [Shooting at Tucson Gay Bar Venture-N Kills Two, Investigated as Hate Crime](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-shooter-had-multiple-lgbtq-friendly-addresses-written-down/) - [“They Were Genuinely Who They Were”: Tucson Remembers Venture-N Shooting Victims](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-gay-bar-shooting-cameron-capara-anthony-siqueiros/) - [After Tucson's Deadly Attack, Gov. Katie Hobbs Was Slow to Speak Publicly](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-shooting-venture-n-politicians-speak-out-for-gun-control/) - [The Venture-N Shooting is Being Called a Hate Crime. Arizona Law Leaves a Gap.](https://www.lookoutnews.org/venture-n-shooting-hate-crime-arizona-law-hate-enhancement/) - [‘Watch my Mimosa’: The Last Moments of Two Venture-N Regulars](https://www.lookoutnews.org/vincent-siqueiros-shot-outside-venture-n-friend-account/) - [PHOTOS: Tucson Community Gathers to Mourn, Demand Action After Venture-N Shooting](https://www.lookoutnews.org/photos-tucson-gathers-to-mourn-venture-n-shooting/) - [Police Say Hate Motivated the Venture-N Shooting. The Internet Has Other Theories.](https://www.lookoutnews.org/ousman-ceesay-venture-n-shooter/) - [They’ve Been Where Tucson Is Now. Here’s What They Want You to Know.](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-venture-n-can-learn-from-other-hate-crime-shooting/) - [The Hardest Part May Be the Answers Venture-N Survivors Will Never Get](https://www.lookoutnews.org/the-hardest-part-may-be-the-answers-venture-n-survivors-will-never-get/) An hour and a half after Venture-N reopened its doors, the bar was slammed, and the patio was filling up. People drank from their pitchers, paid their respects to a memorial on one wall, cried and hugged each other. Someone had donated pizza, which was being distributed at a table in the back. Many of the patrons were purchasing or were already wearing Venture-N T-shirts. Ray, another patron, was drinking from a small pitcher of beer at the bar. He offered a cheers to Denison. “This place holds so many of us together in unseen ways,” Ray said. The comment sparked responses from the men on either side of him. “It’s been our place,” chimed in David, another former bartender of the space. “We all love each other here. We’re one big family.” ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### FOTOS: La comunidad de Tucson se reúne para llorar y exigir acciones tras el tiroteo en Venture-N URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/fotos-la-comunidad-de-tucson-se-reune-para-llorar-y-exigir-acciones-tras-el-tiroteo-en-venture-n/ Last updated: 2026-09-04T20:54:33.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/09/DSC_0689.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/09/DSC_0836.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/09/DSC_0702.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/09/DSC_0719.jpg) Photos by Joseph Darius Jaafari/LOOKOUT El miércoles por la mañana, en Washington, D.C., la congresista Adelita S. Grijalva, demócrata de Arizona, tomó la palabra en la Cámara de Representantes para denunciar la violencia contra las personas LGBTQ+ y el fácil acceso a las armas, en respuesta al ataque motivado por el odio que mató a dos residentes de Tucson en un bar gay el lunes 31 de agosto. «Este tipo de violencia dirigida no ocurre en un vacío», dijo Grijalva. «Es alimentada por la retórica, las leyes, las políticas y las órdenes ejecutivas contra las personas LGBTQ+. Y es una consecuencia directa de que este organismo no haya actuado contra la violencia armada». A miles de kilómetros de distancia, se hacía un llamado similar, pero con un tono más solemne. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/09/DSC_0846-1.jpg) Sam Cloud, de la Comisión de Tucson sobre Asuntos de Lesbianas, Gays, Bisexuales, Transgénero y Queer, ofrece las palabras de apertura en Catalina Park el miércoles 2 de septiembre. (Foto de Joseph Darius Jaafari/LOOKOUT) Más tarde esa noche, en Tucson, más de 1,000 personas se reunieron en Catalina Park para rendir homenaje a Cameron Capara, de 33 años, y Vincent Siqueiros, de 42\. El parque, a pocas cuadras de Venture-N, donde los dos hombres fueron asesinados a tiros, se llenó de personas de luto, amigos, aliados y personas que simplemente acudieron para ofrecer apoyo a una comunidad que estaba de duelo. En medio de llamados a poner fin a la violencia armada y condenar la retórica contra las personas LGBTQ+ que proviene no solo de la Casa Blanca sino también del Capitolio estatal, amigos de los dos hombres se abrazaban, muchos sollozando a la vista de todos, mientras familiares y funcionarios electos locales hablaban sobre la necesidad de encontrar esperanza y amor. Más allá de la comunidad queer, políticos locales y miembros del clero asistieron tanto para lamentar las muertes como para pedir mayores protecciones para las personas LGBTQ+. Sam Cloud, de la Comisión de Tucson sobre Asuntos de Lesbianas, Gays, Bisexuales, Transgénero y Queer, fue quien abrió los discursos. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/09/DSC_0771-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/09/DSC_0857-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/09/DSC_0863-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/09/DSC_0876-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/09/DSC_0888.jpg) Photos by Joseph Darius Jaafari/LOOKOUT ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/09/DSC_0894.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/09/DSC_0903.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/09/DSC_0907.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/09/DSC_0909.jpg) Photos by Joseph Darius Jaafari/LOOKOUT «Que podamos llevar la manera en que vivieron sus vidas mucho más allá de esta noche», dijo Cloud ante la multitud, que seguía creciendo. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/09/DSC_0938.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/09/DSC_0916.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/09/DSC_0921.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/09/DSC_0913.jpg) Photos by Joseph Darius Jaafari/LOOKOUT Algunas personas comenzaron a subirse al área de juegos cercana para tener una mejor vista de los oradores. La hermana y la madre de Siqueiros también hablaron, al igual que el padre de Capara. Mientras el sol descendía hacia el horizonte, la multitud comenzó a encender velas y muchas personas se abrazaban bajo la luz del crepúsculo. Kate Márquez, hermana de Siqueiros, pronunció el discurso más apasionado de la noche, llevando incluso a algunos periodistas al borde de las lágrimas. Repetidamente le dijo a la multitud: «Ustedes vinieron», y rezó para que su hermano —quien tanto deseaba ser aceptado y amado por quien era— hubiera podido ver el tamaño de la multitud esa noche y que se le hubiera «permitido ver que era amado». #### Read our full coverage of the Venture-N shooting - [Shooting at Tucson Gay Bar Venture-N Kills Two, Investigated as Hate Crime](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-shooter-had-multiple-lgbtq-friendly-addresses-written-down/) - [“They Were Genuinely Who They Were”: Tucson Remembers Venture-N Shooting Victims](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-gay-bar-shooting-cameron-capara-anthony-siqueiros/) - [After Tucson's Deadly Attack, Gov. Katie Hobbs Was Slow to Speak Publicly](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-shooting-venture-n-politicians-speak-out-for-gun-control/) - [The Venture-N Shooting is Being Called a Hate Crime. Arizona Law Leaves a Gap.](https://www.lookoutnews.org/venture-n-shooting-hate-crime-arizona-law-hate-enhancement/) - [‘Watch my Mimosa’: The Last Moments of Two Venture-N Regulars](https://www.lookoutnews.org/vincent-siqueiros-shot-outside-venture-n-friend-account/) - [PHOTOS: Tucson Community Gathers to Mourn, Demand Action After Venture-N Shooting](https://www.lookoutnews.org/photos-tucson-gathers-to-mourn-venture-n-shooting/) - [Police Say Hate Motivated the Venture-N Shooting. The Internet Has Other Theories.](https://www.lookoutnews.org/ousman-ceesay-venture-n-shooter/) - [They’ve Been Where Tucson Is Now. Here’s What They Want You to Know.](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-venture-n-can-learn-from-other-hate-crime-shooting/) - [The Hardest Part May Be the Answers Venture-N Survivors Will Never Get](https://www.lookoutnews.org/the-hardest-part-may-be-the-answers-venture-n-survivors-will-never-get/) ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### PHOTOS: Tucson Community Gathers to Mourn, Demand Action After Venture-N Shooting URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/photos-tucson-gathers-to-mourn-venture-n-shooting/ Last updated: 2026-09-04T20:47:06.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/09/DSC_0689.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/09/DSC_0836.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/09/DSC_0702.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/09/DSC_0719.jpg) Photos by Joseph Darius Jaafari/LOOKOUT On Wednesday morning in Washington, D.C., U.S. Rep. Adelita S. Grijalva, D-Ariz., took to the House floor to call out anti-LGBTQ+ violence and easy access to guns in response to the hate-motivated attack that killed two Tucson residents at a gay bar a few days before on Monday, Aug. 31. “This type of targeted violence does not happen in a vacuum,” Grijalva said. “It is cultivated by anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric, laws, policies and executive orders. And it is the direct consequence of this body’s failure to act on gun violence.” Thousands of miles away, a similar call was being made, but in a more somber tone. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/09/DSC_0771-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/09/DSC_0846-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/09/DSC_0857-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/09/DSC_0863-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/09/DSC_0876-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/09/DSC_0888.jpg) Photos by Joseph Darius Jaafari/LOOKOUT Later that evening in Tucson, more than 1,000 people gathered at Catalina Park to pay tribute to Cameron Capara, 33, and Vincent Siqueiros, 42\. The park, just a few blocks from Venture-N, where the two men were gunned down, brimmed with mourners, friends, allies and people who came simply to offer support to a community grieving. Amid calls to end gun violence and condemn the anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric coming not only from the White House but also the state Capitol, friends of the two men held each other, many audibly sobbing, as family members and local elected officials spoke about the need to find hope and love. Beyond the queer community, local politicians and clergy members attended both to mourn the deaths and call for greater protections for LGBTQ+ people. Sam Cloud, of the Tucson Commission on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Issues, opened the remarks. “May we carry how they lived their lives far beyond this evening,” Cloud told the growing crowd. Some people began climbing onto the nearby playground to get a better view of the speakers. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/09/DSC_0894.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/09/DSC_0903.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/09/DSC_0907.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/09/DSC_0909.jpg) Photos by Joseph Darius Jaafari/LOOKOUT Siqueiros’ sister Kate Márquez and mother Susan both spoke, as did Capara’s father. As the sun dropped toward the horizon, the crowd began lighting candles, with many people holding one another in the twilight. Márquez delivered the evening’s most impassioned speech, bringing even some reporters to the verge of tears. She repeatedly told the crowd, “You showed up,” and prayed that her brother — who wanted so badly to be accepted and loved for who he was — was able to see the size of the crowd that night and “allowed to see that he was loved.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/09/DSC_0938.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/09/DSC_0916.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/09/DSC_0921.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/09/DSC_0913.jpg) Photos by Joseph Darius Jaafari/LOOKOUT #### Read our full coverage of the Venture-N shooting - [Shooting at Tucson Gay Bar Venture-N Kills Two, Investigated as Hate Crime](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-shooter-had-multiple-lgbtq-friendly-addresses-written-down/) - [“They Were Genuinely Who They Were”: Tucson Remembers Venture-N Shooting Victims](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-gay-bar-shooting-cameron-capara-anthony-siqueiros/) - [After Tucson's Deadly Attack, Gov. Katie Hobbs Was Slow to Speak Publicly](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-shooting-venture-n-politicians-speak-out-for-gun-control/) - [The Venture-N Shooting is Being Called a Hate Crime. Arizona Law Leaves a Gap.](https://www.lookoutnews.org/venture-n-shooting-hate-crime-arizona-law-hate-enhancement/) - [‘Watch my Mimosa’: The Last Moments of Two Venture-N Regulars](https://www.lookoutnews.org/vincent-siqueiros-shot-outside-venture-n-friend-account/) - [PHOTOS: Tucson Community Gathers to Mourn, Demand Action After Venture-N Shooting](https://www.lookoutnews.org/photos-tucson-gathers-to-mourn-venture-n-shooting/) - [Police Say Hate Motivated the Venture-N Shooting. The Internet Has Other Theories.](https://www.lookoutnews.org/ousman-ceesay-venture-n-shooter/) - [They’ve Been Where Tucson Is Now. Here’s What They Want You to Know.](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-venture-n-can-learn-from-other-hate-crime-shooting/) - [The Hardest Part May Be the Answers Venture-N Survivors Will Never Get](https://www.lookoutnews.org/the-hardest-part-may-be-the-answers-venture-n-survivors-will-never-get/) ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### «Cuida mi mimosa»: Los últimos momentos de dos clientes habituales de Venture-N URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/cuida-mi-mimosa-los-ultimos-momentos-de-dos-clientes-habituales-de-venture-n/ Last updated: 2026-09-04T20:51:35.000Z Era poco después de la medianoche, ya en las primeras horas del lunes 31 de agosto, y la escena era típica de una noche larga en Venture-N, un clásico bar gay del distrito central de Tucson. Roger, un cliente habitual del bar, estaba en el patio trasero, un espacio delimitado por unas cuantas mesas y sillas desgastadas por el sol y protegido del exterior por una alta pared de color azul grisáceo claro. Vincent Siqueiros, de 42 años, otro cliente habitual y amigo cercano de Roger desde hacía aproximadamente una década, estaba tomando una mimosa. Roger, cuyo apellido *LOOKOUT* no publica por razones de privacidad, tomó la bebida —típica de un brunch— de manos de Siqueiros cuando su amigo le dijo que regresaría en breve. Siqueiros y Cameron Capara, de 33 años, otro cliente habitual del bar, salieron por la entrada principal. Roger no lo sabía en ese momento, pero sería la última vez que compartiría una bebida con su amigo. Amigos que hablaron con *LOOKOUT* especularon que los dos hombres habían salido a fumar un cigarrillo o que quizá uno de ellos estaba esperando un Uber. Pero momentos después de que salieran por la puerta principal del bar, sonaron los disparos —unos 10, según estimaron testigos—. Roger dijo que la gente reconoció de inmediato el peligro y salió del patio para refugiarse dentro. Poco después, dijo Roger, Capara entró tambaleándose al bar, sangrando profusamente. Dejó huellas de sangre en el interior de la puerta y un rastro de sangre mientras avanzaba tambaleándose hacia la parte trasera, pasando junto a la mesa de billar, donde otros clientes lo recostaron y presionaron puñados de servilletas contra sus heridas de bala. A pesar de los esfuerzos y los intentos desesperados por detener el sangrado, testigos dijeron que Capara murió allí, en el suelo. Los paramédicos lo encontraron ya muerto y no lo trasladaron al hospital. El suelo estaba cubierto de servilletas empapadas de sangre, manchas de sangre y huellas que se alejaban del cuerpo. Siqueiros, mientras tanto, nunca logró regresar al interior. «Lo último que me dijo fue que cuidara su mimosa», dijo Roger. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Tanto Siqueiros como Capara murieron en el lugar. El presunto atacante, Ousman Ceesay, de 44 años, murió posteriormente en el hospital a causa de una herida de bala autoinfligida, según un comunicado del Departamento de Policía de Tucson. Según los testigos, los policías fueron respetuosos y compasivos. Mantuvieron a las personas en el bar hasta después de las 5 a.m., interrogándolas y documentando pruebas. Los amigos de Siqueiros dijeron que era «acogedor y divertido». Seanna Buck, quien lo conocía desde hacía una década, dijo a *LOOKOUT* que él «siempre encontraba a la persona más callada y se sentía atraído hacia ella, tratando de ayudarla a salir de su caparazón». Nació y creció en Tucson y asistió a Desert Christian Academy, una escuela cristiana privada ubicada a unos 20 minutos en automóvil al este de la ciudad. Le gustaban las películas de terror y salir de compras. Era dulce y atento, dijo Buck. «En cuanto entra a un lugar, te da un abrazo». Los investigadores de las unidades de Homicidios, Robos, Agresiones y Escena del Crimen del Departamento de Policía de Tucson creen que Ceesay fue a Venture-N, cerca de Sixth Avenue y Speedway Boulevard, y confrontó a Siqueiros y Capara en el estacionamiento antes de dispararles. La policía dijo que Ceesay llevaba consigo una lista de negocios LGBTQ+. En otro comunicado de la policía de Tucson publicado el martes por la noche, el día después del tiroteo, el departamento reafirmó esa información, señalando que los investigadores encontraron «evidencia, incluida una nota que indicaba además que actuó solo y que este tiroteo fue un ataque dirigido, motivado por el odio hacia la comunidad LGBTQIA+». También dijeron que se comunicaron con los otros negocios incluidos en la nota de Ceesay. No está claro qué negocios aparecían en la lista. La jefa de Policía, Monica Prieto, dijo que el departamento aumentó las patrullas alrededor de establecimientos LGBTQ+ y está trabajando con organizaciones comunitarias para brindar apoyo. La alcaldesa de Tucson, Regina Romero, dijo en internet que el ataque estaba siendo tratado como un incidente de odio contra las personas LGBTQ+. Múltiples grupos locales de Tucson, así como organizaciones nacionales del orgullo LGBTQ+, publicaron mensajes en internet en apoyo a las víctimas y a los clientes del bar. Queer Takeover Tucson, que organiza eventos mensuales de networking en bares de toda la ciudad, escribió: «Los bares y espacios queer son más que lugares para salir. Son lugares donde las personas encuentran comunidad, pertenencia, alegría y seguridad». Una vigilia comunitaria por las víctimas está programada para el miércoles a las 6:30 p.m. en Catalina Park, sobre Fourth Avenue, en Tucson. #### Read our full coverage of the Venture-N shooting - [Shooting at Tucson Gay Bar Venture-N Kills Two, Investigated as Hate Crime](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-shooter-had-multiple-lgbtq-friendly-addresses-written-down/) - [“They Were Genuinely Who They Were”: Tucson Remembers Venture-N Shooting Victims](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-gay-bar-shooting-cameron-capara-anthony-siqueiros/) - [After Tucson's Deadly Attack, Gov. Katie Hobbs Was Slow to Speak Publicly](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-shooting-venture-n-politicians-speak-out-for-gun-control/) - [The Venture-N Shooting is Being Called a Hate Crime. Arizona Law Leaves a Gap.](https://www.lookoutnews.org/venture-n-shooting-hate-crime-arizona-law-hate-enhancement/) - [‘Watch my Mimosa’: The Last Moments of Two Venture-N Regulars](https://www.lookoutnews.org/vincent-siqueiros-shot-outside-venture-n-friend-account/) - [PHOTOS: Tucson Community Gathers to Mourn, Demand Action After Venture-N Shooting](https://www.lookoutnews.org/photos-tucson-gathers-to-mourn-venture-n-shooting/) - [Police Say Hate Motivated the Venture-N Shooting. The Internet Has Other Theories.](https://www.lookoutnews.org/ousman-ceesay-venture-n-shooter/) - [They’ve Been Where Tucson Is Now. Here’s What They Want You to Know.](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-venture-n-can-learn-from-other-hate-crime-shooting/) - [The Hardest Part May Be the Answers Venture-N Survivors Will Never Get](https://www.lookoutnews.org/the-hardest-part-may-be-the-answers-venture-n-survivors-will-never-get/) ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### ‘Watch my Mimosa’: The Last Moments of Two Venture-N Regulars URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/vincent-siqueiros-shot-outside-venture-n-friend-account/ Last updated: 2026-09-04T20:47:16.000Z It was shortly after midnight, already into Monday, Aug. 31, and the scene was typical for a late night at Tucson’s Venture-N, a classic gay bar in the city’s midtown district. Roger, a regular patron of the bar, was on the back patio, an enclosure with a few sun-beaten tables and chairs blocked off from the outside by a high light blueish-gray wall. Vincent Siqueiros, 42, another regular and close friend of Roger’s for about a decade, was drinking a mimosa. Roger, whose last name *LOOKOUT* is not identifying for privacy reasons, took Siqueiros’ typically brunch-oriented drink from him as his friend said he’d be back shortly. Siqueiros and Cameron Capara, 33, another regular at the bar, were heading outside through the front entrance. Roger didn’t know it, but it would be the last time he would share a drink with his friend. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Friends who spoke with *LOOKOUT* speculated the two were going out to smoke a cigarette, or perhaps one of them was waiting for an Uber. But moments after they exited the main door of the bar, shots rang out — about 10 of them, witnesses estimated. Roger said people immediately recognized the danger and left the patio for cover inside. Shortly afterward, Roger said Capara stumbled into the bar, bleeding heavily. He left prints of blood on the inside of the door and a trail of blood as he stumbled toward the back, past the pool table, where other patrons laid him down and held wads of napkins against his bullet wounds. Despite their best efforts and desperate attempts to stop the bleeding, witnesses said Capara died there on the floor. Paramedics found him already dead and did not transport him to the hospital. The floor was littered with blood-soaked napkins, bloody streaks and footprints leading away from the body. Siqueiros, meanwhile, never made it back inside. “The last thing he said to me was to watch his mimosa,” Roger said. Both Siqueiros and Capara died at the scene. The suspected gunman, Ousman Ceesay, 44, died later at the hospital from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to a statement from the Tucson Police Department. According to witnesses, police were courteous and compassionate. They kept people at the bar until past 5 a.m., questioning them and documenting evidence. Friends of Siqueiros said he was “welcoming and silly.” Seanna Buck, who knew him for a decade, told *LOOKOUT* he would “always find the quietest person and be drawn to that person, try to get them out of their box.” #### Read our full coverage of the Venture-N shooting - [Shooting at Tucson Gay Bar Venture-N Kills Two, Investigated as Hate Crime](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-shooter-had-multiple-lgbtq-friendly-addresses-written-down/) - [“They Were Genuinely Who They Were”: Tucson Remembers Venture-N Shooting Victims](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-gay-bar-shooting-cameron-capara-anthony-siqueiros/) - [After Tucson's Deadly Attack, Gov. Katie Hobbs Was Slow to Speak Publicly](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-shooting-venture-n-politicians-speak-out-for-gun-control/) - [The Venture-N Shooting is Being Called a Hate Crime. Arizona Law Leaves a Gap.](https://www.lookoutnews.org/venture-n-shooting-hate-crime-arizona-law-hate-enhancement/) - [‘Watch my Mimosa’: The Last Moments of Two Venture-N Regulars](https://www.lookoutnews.org/vincent-siqueiros-shot-outside-venture-n-friend-account/) - [PHOTOS: Tucson Community Gathers to Mourn, Demand Action After Venture-N Shooting](https://www.lookoutnews.org/photos-tucson-gathers-to-mourn-venture-n-shooting/) - [Police Say Hate Motivated the Venture-N Shooting. The Internet Has Other Theories.](https://www.lookoutnews.org/ousman-ceesay-venture-n-shooter/) - [They’ve Been Where Tucson Is Now. Here’s What They Want You to Know.](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-venture-n-can-learn-from-other-hate-crime-shooting/) - [The Hardest Part May Be the Answers Venture-N Survivors Will Never Get](https://www.lookoutnews.org/the-hardest-part-may-be-the-answers-venture-n-survivors-will-never-get/) He was born and raised in Tucson and attended Desert Christian Academy, a private Christian school about a 20-minute drive east of the city. He liked scary movies and shopping. Sweet and caring, Buck said, “The second he walks into a place he gives you a hug.” Investigators with the Tucson Police Department’s Homicide, Robbery, Assault and Crime Scene units believe Ceesay went to Venture-N near Sixth Avenue and Speedway Boulevard and confronted Siqueiros and Capara in the parking lot before shooting them. Police said Ceesay was carrying a list of LGBTQ+ businesses. Another statement from Tucson police on Tuesday evening, the day after the shooting, doubled down on that, saying investigators found “evidence to include a note that further indicated he acted alone and that this shooting was a targeted attack motivated by hate toward the LGBTQIA+ community.” They also said the other businesses listed on Ceesay’s note were contacted. It’s unclear what businesses were listed. Police Chief Monica Prieto said the department has increased patrols around LGBTQ+ establishments and is working with community organizations to provide support. Tucson Mayor Regina Romero said online that the attack was being treated as an anti-LGBTQ+ hate incident. Multiple Tucson-based local groups, as well as national Pride organizations, have posted online in support of the victims and patrons. Queer Takeover Tucson, which holds monthly networking events at bars across the city, wrote that, “Bars and queer spaces are more than places to go out. They are places where people find community, belonging, joy and safety.” A community vigil for the victims is scheduled for Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Catalina Park on Fourth Avenue in Tucson. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### The Venture-N Shooting is Being Called a Hate Crime. Arizona Law Leaves a Gap. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/venture-n-shooting-hate-crime-arizona-law-hate-enhancement/ Last updated: 2026-09-04T20:47:26.000Z In the hours after two men were killed at Venture-N, Tucson officials repeatedly described the shooting as a hate crime investigation, citing Tucson Police reports that the suspect had a list of LGBTQ+ venues and appeared to intend further attacks before turning the gun on himself. Tucson Mayor Regina Romero said on Monday after the shooting that the Tucson Police Department was “treating this entirely as a hate crime.” Influencers, community members and news outlets made similar statements online. But there’s one rub: Arizona does not have a standalone hate crime statute, and the current law that exists to enhance sentencing for people convicted of a felony doesn’t fully protect the LGBTQ+ community, as a whole. Tucson Police said there was evidence that the shooter, 44-year-old Ousman Ceesay, was motivated by hate against the LGBTQ+ community. Outside of the list of other LGBTQ+ friendly spaces in the city found on his body, Tucson Police revealed through a press release on Tuesday evening that after a search of the suspect’s home, detectives found “evidence to include a note that further indicated he acted alone and that this shooting was a targeted attack motivated by hate toward the LGBTQIA+ community.” The shooting killed 33-year-old Cameron Capara and 42-year-old Vincent Siqueiros. Ceesay later died at the hospital of self-inflicted gun wounds, according to police. That means there will be no criminal trial against Ceesay and no criminal sentence, exposing a gap between how Arizona officials are describing the city’s investigation and what it can actually deliver on in future violent attacks against LGBTQ+ people. #### Read our full coverage of the Venture-N shooting - [Shooting at Tucson Gay Bar Venture-N Kills Two, Investigated as Hate Crime](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-shooter-had-multiple-lgbtq-friendly-addresses-written-down/) - [“They Were Genuinely Who They Were”: Tucson Remembers Venture-N Shooting Victims](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-gay-bar-shooting-cameron-capara-anthony-siqueiros/) - [After Tucson's Deadly Attack, Gov. Katie Hobbs Was Slow to Speak Publicly](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-shooting-venture-n-politicians-speak-out-for-gun-control/) - [The Venture-N Shooting is Being Called a Hate Crime. Arizona Law Leaves a Gap.](https://www.lookoutnews.org/venture-n-shooting-hate-crime-arizona-law-hate-enhancement/) - [‘Watch my Mimosa’: The Last Moments of Two Venture-N Regulars](https://www.lookoutnews.org/vincent-siqueiros-shot-outside-venture-n-friend-account/) - [PHOTOS: Tucson Community Gathers to Mourn, Demand Action After Venture-N Shooting](https://www.lookoutnews.org/photos-tucson-gathers-to-mourn-venture-n-shooting/) - [Police Say Hate Motivated the Venture-N Shooting. The Internet Has Other Theories.](https://www.lookoutnews.org/ousman-ceesay-venture-n-shooter/) - [They’ve Been Where Tucson Is Now. Here’s What They Want You to Know.](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-venture-n-can-learn-from-other-hate-crime-shooting/) - [The Hardest Part May Be the Answers Venture-N Survivors Will Never Get](https://www.lookoutnews.org/the-hardest-part-may-be-the-answers-venture-n-survivors-will-never-get/) ### **What the law allows** Arizona [allows a judge to consider certain bias-related conduct](https://www.azleg.gov/viewdocument/?docName=https://www.azleg.gov/ars/13/00701.htm&ref=lookoutnews.org) when imposing a sentence for an underlying felony. Under state law, a defendant’s sentence can be increased when the offense was motivated by factors including the victim’s race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation or disability. But that provision applies at sentencing after a person has been convicted of an underlying felony. It does not create a separate offense of committing a hate crime, as in other states. In the Venture-N case, since Ceesay allegedly turned the gun on himself, there can be no conviction or sentencing hearing because the suspected shooter is dead. That doesn’t mean investigators cannot determine whether the shooting was motivated by anti-LGBTQ+ bias: Police can investigate motive, document evidence, and provide information to the public, but that’s the extent. Pima County Attorney Laura Conover referenced this in an online statement after the shooting went public: “Because all known suspects are deceased, there will likely be no prosecution to follow,” she said. “Nevertheless, we have full confidence that the Tucson Police Department will thoroughly investigate what appears to be a hate-fueled attack.” Arizona’s approach also affects how bias-motivated crimes are tracked and prosecuted across the state. Law enforcement agencies’ reporting of hate crime data has historically been inconsistent, making it difficult to establish a complete picture of bias-motivated violence in Arizona. The state’s sentencing law also has limitations in how it defines protected groups. Gender identity is not expressly listed alongside sexual orientation in the relevant sentencing-enhancement statute, leaving questions about how transgender and gender-nonconforming victims would be treated when bias is alleged to be a factor in a crime. [AZ Anti-LGBTQ+ Hate Crimes Rise, but No Law to ProsecuteArizona doesn’t have a hate crime statute. And due to gaps in reporting and data, tracking bias-motivated crimes here is a mess.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-3b5c84dc-d6a7-48fc-9170-7c962f87b762.png)LOOKOUTCelina Jiménez (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/shutterstock_2431385685-1-9c767089-54fe-44cc-a6ba-ab4c129ad349.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/hate-crime-enhancements-in-arizona-whats-included-whats-not-and-what-that-means-for-the-lgbtq-community/) ### **Intersection with gun laws** Federal law generally prohibits people convicted of felony offenses from possessing firearms. But [Arizona does not create a separate firearm prohibition](https://everytownresearch.org/rankings/state/arizona/?ref=lookoutnews.org) based solely on a conviction for a bias-motivated misdemeanor. A person convicted of certain violent misdemeanor conduct motivated by bias may not necessarily lose access to firearms under state law. U.S. Rep. Adelita Grijalva pointed to that intersection after the Venture-N shooting, saying that when “hate is combined with easy access to firearms, the consequences can be deadly,” and calling for legislative action. For people who knew Capara and Siqueiros, though, they want to see justice — and are unsure how an investigation into hate-based violence will aid their community in the future. By Tuesday evening, a memorial outside Venture-N had sprawled across the entrance with flowers, candles, pictures, and cards, while regulars and community members gathered to remember the two men. Many of them spoke about wanting justice for future victims of identity-based violence and their families, who will eventually face what they’re living with. But without protections in place legally, it’s unclear if that day will ever come. [A Brutal Attack In Phoenix On Queer ArizonansA gay man was knifed after allegedly being called a homophobic slur. The Maricopa County Attorney said it’s not enough to charge his attacker.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-26f7d951-de9b-4acd-b47b-fa7a1cf360ba.png)LOOKOUTCelina Jiménez (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Almaraz3-1-2b6724c1-02b4-4c5f-8daa-7251162dfcb7.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/gay-man-brutally-attacked-in-phoenix-no-prosecution/) ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### “Eran auténticamente quienes eran”: Tucson recuerda a las víctimas del tiroteo de Venture-N URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/eran-autenticamente-quienes-eran-tucson-recuerda-a-las-victimas-del-tiroteo-de-venture-n/ Last updated: 2026-09-01T21:42:21.000Z Al caer la tarde, el memorial en Venture-N había crecido: de apenas un par de velas pasó a ocupar toda una sección de la pared, cubierta de flores, velas y ofrendas. La gente acudía a presentar sus respetos a Cameron Davis Capara y Vincent Anthony Siqueiros, quienes habían muerto tras recibir disparos la noche anterior en ese bar frecuentado por la comunidad LGBTQ+, en un suceso que se investiga como un incidente motivado por el odio. Alli y Brandon Lee llegaron al estacionamiento con sus dos hijas. Habían ido a ver el memorial: dos fotografías enmarcadas de Capara y Siqueiros rodeadas de flores, velas y un par de latas de cerveza que la gente había dejado como ofrenda. Pero también querían ver la camioneta de Capara, que habían reconocido al fondo de los reportajes y fotografías. El vehículo seguía estacionado allí mismo, junto al memorial. [Dos víctimas mortales en Tucson por presunto ataque de odio contra la comunidad LGBTQ+Esta historia fue publicada originalmente por Conecta Arizona, un medio de noticias comunitarias en español que cubre la región fronteriza. Un ataque ocurrido la madrugada de este lunes 31 de agosto en el estacionamiento de un conocido bar LGBTQ+ de Tucson dejó dos víctimas mortales y al presunto responsable también![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-80f1b1e4-f827-4444-b134-fc18f0254d88.png)LOOKOUTPaula Díaz (she/her) | Conecta AZ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/BARNETT_MEMORIALVENTURE-N-1-f585dc30-9a2f-41f0-97d6-e81f527f4e2c.JPG)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/dos-victimas-mortales-en-tucson-por-presunto-ataque-de-odio-contra-la-comunidad-lgbtq/) “Mira, es tu tío Cam”, le dijo Alli a su hija de un año, mientras se ponía en cuclillas frente al memorial y señalaba la fotografía de él. Alli fue la mejor amiga de Capara durante más de una década y compañera de vivienda suya durante varios años. Comentó que lo había visto evolucionar y reafirmarse como persona a lo largo de los años; por eso, cuando la madre de él la llamó a primera hora del lunes para comunicarle la noticia de su muerte, no podía creerlo. Él era como un hermano para ella, dijo, y actuaba como un tío para sus dos hijas. “Él arrojaba luz sobre aquello que la gente no quería afrontar”, afirmó. “Visibilizaba el dolor e impulsaba el cambio. Él era luz. Estaba lleno de vida, de amor y de sonrisas; solo quería conocer a la gente y transmitir esa luz”. Capara era conocido por su presencia en protestas y manifestaciones; a menudo vestía un chaleco antibalas con la palabra “Press” (Prensa) inscrita, llevaba la cámara en la mano y siempre estaba en el centro de la acción, documentando de cerca las voces disidentes de Tucson. “Siempre me sentí muy orgullosa de que Cameron estuviera allí, en la calle, en cada protesta y manifestación, defendiendo a las víctimas del odio”, dijo Alli. “Nunca se escondía de la realidad ni vivía con esa dualidad. Estaba lleno de empatía y vivía sin hipocresía”. Comentó que Capara le había hablado de Siqueiros — eran amigos que habían empezado a retomar el contacto recientemente — y que él se mostraba muy feliz por ello. “Eran auténticos, tal como eran”, dijo Brian King, cliente habitual de Venture-N que conocía a ambos hombres. “No intentaban ser nadie más; no se plegaban a las normas ni eran unos lambiscónes. Les gustaba quiénes eran y por eso caían bien a la gente: porque se sentían cómodos en su propia piel; y se nota cuando alguien no lo está, sobre todo en un sitio como este”. King, conductor de Uber, solía ir al bar del barrio para estirar las piernas y tomarse un agua mineral. Allí conoció a Siqueiros hace aproximadamente un año y medio. Comentó que “Vinny” — como muchos lo llamaban cariñosamente — era un habitual del lugar, y recuerda la primera vez que coincidieron. “Me preguntaba dónde trabajaba, porque invitaba a mucha gente a bebidas y bebía bastante; pensé que me recordaba a mí mismo cuando tenía su edad”, dijo King. “Me parecía divertido y alguien con buenas intenciones. No hablaba mal de nadie... bueno, sí lo hacía, pero con ese estilo gracioso propio de los gais”. Añade que Capara era un cliente habitual reciente, pero que rápidamente le había tomado cariño. Incluso tenían planes de movilizar a la gente para votar: Capara reuniría a las personas y King las llevaría en coche a los centros de votación el día de las elecciones. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/09/BARNETT_MEMORIAL3-1.JPG) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/09/BARNETT_MEMORIAL4-1.JPG) (izquierda) Vincent Anthony Siqueiros era una figura habitual en Venture-N y se le describe como una persona chistosa, cariñosa y amable, al que nunca se perdía de los que estaba pasando alrededor y que siempre recibía a los demás con brazos abiertos. (derecho) Cameron Davis Capara era conocido en los círculos activistas de Tucson como fotógrafo, documentando protestas y manifestaciones. Defendió abiertamente causas de justicia social y utilizaba su plataforma para visibilizar temas que le importaban. (Foto: Susan Barnett) “Esto tiene que motivarnos”, afirmó King. “Si antes no te sentías motivado, pero te importaban estas personas o incluso las conocías, ahora querrás involucrarte y hacer lo que haga falta para evitar que esto vuelva a ocurrir. Y si sucede, que los responsables rindan cuentas. La gente tiene que alzar la voz y votar”. Capara y Siqueiros se encontraban en el estacionamiento de Venture-N cuando fueron confrontados por Ousman Ceesay. Según las autoridades, Ceesay disparó mortalmente a ambos hombres y luego se disparó a sí mismo. Ambos fueron declarados muertos en el lugar de los hechos, mientras que Ceesay fue trasladado al hospital, donde falleció posteriormente. Los investigadores hallaron una nota en poder de Ceesay que incluía una lista de otros negocios inclusivos con la comunidad LGBTQ+. "Sinceramente, no sé qué implica la rendición de cuentas si nuestra comunidad no se une para cuidarse mutuamente", afirmó Lee. "Y cualquiera que obstaculice políticas que podrían facilitar eso... eso definitivamente no es rendir cuentas". La congresista Adelita Grijalva llamó la atención sobre el tiroteo en el Capitolio. “Cuando ese odio se combina con un fácil acceso a las armas de fuego, las consecuencias pueden ser mortales”, afirmó. “Estoy harta de que el Congreso se niegue a mover un dedo para proteger a nuestras comunidades mientras, cada día, decenas de personas mueren por disparos en todo el país. No tiene por qué ser así. La Cámara de Representantes retoma sus sesiones esta semana, y nuestra primera medida debería ser aprobar reformas de sentido común sobre seguridad en el uso de armas que sabemos pueden salvar vidas”. Brandon y Alli besaron la camioneta de Capara con lágrimas en los ojos al abandonar el lugar del homenaje. El miércoles a las 6:30 p. m. se celebrará una vigilia con velas en Catalina Park, ubicado en 941 N. 4th Avenue. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Dos víctimas mortales en Tucson por presunto ataque de odio contra la comunidad LGBTQ+ URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/dos-victimas-mortales-en-tucson-por-presunto-ataque-de-odio-contra-la-comunidad-lgbtq/ Last updated: 2026-09-01T20:44:03.000Z **Esta historia fue publicada originalmente por* [**Conecta Arizona*](https://conectaarizona.com/ataque-lgbtq-tucson-regina-romero-crimen-odio/?ref=lookoutnews.org)**, un medio de noticias comunitarias en español que cubre la región fronteriza.* Un ataque ocurrido la madrugada de este lunes 31 de agosto en el estacionamiento de un conocido bar LGBTQ+ de Tucson dejó dos víctimas mortales y al presunto responsable también fallecido, en un caso que el Departamento de Policía de Tucson (TPD) investiga como un crimen de odio. El incidente ocurrió alrededor de las 12:30 de la madrugada en el estacionamiento del Venture-N, ubicado en la cuadra 1200 de North Sixth Avenue, al norte de East Speedway Boulevard. Las autoridades identificaron a las víctimas como Vincent Anthony Siqueiros, de 42 años, y Cameron Davis Capara, de 33 años. Ambos murieron en el lugar. El presunto atacante fue identificado por la Policía como Ousman Ceesay, de 44 años, quien resultó herido y posteriormente murió en un hospital. De acuerdo con TPD, la investigación apunta a que Ceesay llegó al lugar y se produjo una confrontación en el estacionamiento. Las autoridades informaron además que el sospechoso llevaba consigo una lista que incluía varios negocios asociados con la comunidad LGBTQ+, un hallazgo que forma parte de la investigación sobre un posible móvil de odio. La jefa de la Policía de Tucson, Monica Prieto, calificó los delitos motivados por prejuicios como especialmente graves y aseguró que no tienen cabida en la comunidad. TPD informó además que incrementó la presencia policial alrededor de establecimientos LGBTQ+ y que está coordinando esfuerzos con organizaciones comunitarias. ## **Regina Romero: “Nuestra comunidad LGBTQ+ no está sola”** La alcaldesa de Tucson, Regina Romero, calificó lo sucedido como un ataque directo contra la comunidad LGBTQ+ y expresó solidaridad con las familias de las víctimas en un comunicado enviado a *Conecta Arizona.* “Esta mañana, temprano, Tucson sufrió un ataque directo y devastador contra nuestra comunidad LGBTQ+, otro acto de violencia armada sin sentido”, señaló Romero. La alcaldesa indicó que investigadores de TPD confirmaron que el sospechoso tenía direcciones de varios establecimientos amigables con la comunidad LGBTQ+ y que, según la investigación, pretendía causar más daño. Romero también sostuvo que la tragedia evidencia que la homofobia continúa siendo un problema en el país y pidió políticas más estrictas para prevenir tiroteos y fortalecer la seguridad pública. “Para mi comunidad LGBTQ+, no están solos”, concluyó la alcaldesa. Romero exhortó a las personas afectadas emocionalmente por la tragedia a comunicarse con Pima County Attorney Victim Services al (520) 724-5525 y solicitar hablar con un defensor de víctimas. La investigación continúa y las autoridades han señalado que, hasta el momento, no existe indicación de una amenaza activa adicional contra el público. ![](https://d31s6a9l98dry5.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/31174850/WhatsApp-Image-2026-08-31-at-9.47.15-PM-2.jpeg) ***El estacionamiento del Venture-N, conocido bar LGBTQ+ de Tucson, el 31 de agosto de 2026, día en que ocurrió el ataque que dejó dos personas muertas (Foto: Paula Díaz).** **Congresista Grijalva: “Me produce repugnancia y tristeza”** La congresista Adelita Grijalva, por su parte, dijo que le produce “repugnancia y una profunda tristeza” enterarse de “un acto de odio dirigido y del asesinato a sangre fría de dos miembros de la comunidad LGBTQIA+” y señaló que “este horrendo ataque es un doloroso recordatorio de que, incluso en comunidades acogedoras como Tucson, el odio y la violencia contra la comunidad LGBTQIA+ siguen existiendo”. “Cuando ese odio se combina con un fácil acceso a las armas de fuego, las consecuencias pueden ser mortales. Estoy harta de que el Congreso se niegue a mover un dedo para proteger a nuestras comunidades mientras, cada día, decenas de personas mueren por disparos en todo el país. No tiene por qué ser así. La Cámara de Representantes retoma sus sesiones esta semana, y nuestra primera medida debería ser aprobar reformas de sentido común sobre seguridad en el manejo de armas que sabemos pueden salvar vidas”, indicó Grijalva, representante del Distrito Congresional 7 de Arizona. ![](https://d31s6a9l98dry5.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/31175208/WhatsApp-Image-2026-08-31-at-9.47.15-PM.jpeg) ***El estacionamiento del bar Venture-N, ubicado en la cuadra 1200 de North Sixth Avenue, al norte de East Speedway Boulevard, en Tucson, el 31 de agosto de 2026 a la tarde, con ofrendas en recuerdo de las víctimas (Foto: Paula Díaz).** **Presidenta de la Junta de Supervisores del Condado Pima: “No hay lugar para el odio”** Por su parte, la presidenta de la Junta de Supervisores del Condado Pima, Jennifer Allen, dijo que el asesinato de dos clientes del bar Venture-N ocurrido esta madrugada fue “un acto sin sentido y estremecedor” y afirmó que en el Condado Pima “no hay lugar para el odio”. “La jefa de la Policía de Tucson, Mónica Prieto, ha señalado que el tiroteo parece tratarse de un crimen de odio. El Venture-N es un bar tranquilo de barrio cuya clientela está compuesta mayoritariamente por hombres gais. El Condado de Pima es una comunidad diversa y afectuosa que acoge a la comunidad LGBTQIA+ y valora el respeto, la dignidad y la inclusión de todas las personas. Estoy segura de que los habitantes compasivos del Condado de Pima brindarán su amor y apoyo a los amigos y familiares de las víctimas, a los clientes del Venture-N y a todas aquellas personas que puedan sentir temor a raíz de este crimen motivado por el odio”, indicó Allen en un comunicado. ### After Tucson's Deadly Attack, Gov. Katie Hobbs Was Slow to Speak Publicly URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-shooting-venture-n-politicians-speak-out-for-gun-control/ Last updated: 2026-09-04T20:48:08.000Z It was nearly a full day since it was announced that two men, Cameron Capara and Vincent “Vinny” Siqueiros, were killed outside Tucson’s Venture-N, a longtime LGBTQ+ bar in midtown Tucson in a hate-related attack. By noon on Tuesday, elected officials, queer organizations, and community members across the nation began issuing messages of grief and solidarity. But most absent from the calls for support had been the state’s Governor Katie Hobbs, who is currently seeking reelection and has been a vocal advocate for Arizona’s LGBTQ+ community. The city, known for being one of the most queer-friendly in the state, is still in a state of shock as media and outside voices from around the country begin to weigh in. Through the outpouring of support, one name seemed to be missing. #### Read our full coverage of the Venture-N shooting - [Shooting at Tucson Gay Bar Venture-N Kills Two, Investigated as Hate Crime](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-shooter-had-multiple-lgbtq-friendly-addresses-written-down/) - [“They Were Genuinely Who They Were”: Tucson Remembers Venture-N Shooting Victims](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-gay-bar-shooting-cameron-capara-anthony-siqueiros/) - [After Tucson's Deadly Attack, Gov. Katie Hobbs Was Slow to Speak Publicly](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-shooting-venture-n-politicians-speak-out-for-gun-control/) - [The Venture-N Shooting is Being Called a Hate Crime. Arizona Law Leaves a Gap.](https://www.lookoutnews.org/venture-n-shooting-hate-crime-arizona-law-hate-enhancement/) - [‘Watch my Mimosa’: The Last Moments of Two Venture-N Regulars](https://www.lookoutnews.org/vincent-siqueiros-shot-outside-venture-n-friend-account/) - [PHOTOS: Tucson Community Gathers to Mourn, Demand Action After Venture-N Shooting](https://www.lookoutnews.org/photos-tucson-gathers-to-mourn-venture-n-shooting/) - [Police Say Hate Motivated the Venture-N Shooting. The Internet Has Other Theories.](https://www.lookoutnews.org/ousman-ceesay-venture-n-shooter/) - [They’ve Been Where Tucson Is Now. Here’s What They Want You to Know.](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-venture-n-can-learn-from-other-hate-crime-shooting/) - [The Hardest Part May Be the Answers Venture-N Survivors Will Never Get](https://www.lookoutnews.org/the-hardest-part-may-be-the-answers-venture-n-survivors-will-never-get/) *LOOKOUT* reached out to Hobbs’ office Tuesday morning, but did not receive a response before publishing in the afternoon. After publishing the story, a post was made on the official governor's X account announcing solidarity with the Tucson LGBTQ+ community. Later in the day, Hobbs's office sent over a recording from a press gaggle — an informal media event — where Hobbs addressed the shooting after two reporters questioned her about it. During the gaggle, she said: "Violence is always hard and it shouldn't have a place anywhere, especially violence that's directed because of hate. That makes people just feel really unsafe." [“They Were Genuinely Who They Were”: Tucson Remembers Venture-N Shooting VictimsAs flowers and candles accumulated outside Venture-N, friends and regulars shared memories of Cameron Davis Capara and Vincent Anthony Siqueiros, two men killed outside the Tucson bar.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-65d62c28-55dc-443b-bd70-6cb819777c06.png)LOOKOUTSusan Barnett (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/BARNETT_MEMORIAL2-02957c50-8e69-47fd-bcbb-e9f761bf2956.JPG)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-gay-bar-shooting-cameron-capara-anthony-siqueiros/) In Tucson, [Mayor Regina Romero was one of the first to call the shooting](https://www.instagram.com/p/DcuGID1yH9h/?hl=en&&ref=lookoutnews.org) “a direct and devastating attack on our LGBTQ+ community” and said the list of LGBTQ+-friendly locations indicated the shooter intended to cause more harm. In a message directed to queer Tucsonans, she added: “You are not alone.” Queer members of Tucson’s City Council also shared their thoughts. Ward 6 Councilmember Miranda Schubert, who is queer, [told the Arizona Daily Star](https://tucson.com/news/local/crime-courts/article%5F0285e5f7-2852-43be-9453-578d54395413.html?ref=lookoutnews.org) the shooting, which happened in her jurisdiction, showed the consequences of a political climate in which harmful beliefs can become more permissible. She urged LGBTQ+ people and allies to “stand together and make ourselves bigger, not shrink in fear.” [Vice Mayor Lane Santa Cruz](https://www.instagram.com/p/DcuJX0xBpr4/?ref=lookoutnews.org), who is also queer, described Venture-N as a small, beloved neighborhood LGBTQ+ bar with a close community of regulars and friends. Santa Cruz offered condolences to the victims’ loved ones and to Venture-N employees, customers and neighbors grieving the attack. [Police Chief Monica Prieto also acknowledged](https://www.tucsonaz.gov/Departments/Police/TPD-Media-Releases/TPD-Media-Release?bulletin%5Fid=69715213&display=article&topic%5Fquery%5Fparam=tpd-media-release&ref=lookoutnews.org) that the attack could leave LGBTQ+ residents afraid to gather. TPD said it would increase police presence around LGBTQIA+ establishments and coordinate with community organizations. Prieto said the department wanted residents to feel “safe, valued, and welcomed.” Other local officials echoed that message on Monday: [Pima County Attorney Laura Conover said](https://www.instagram.com/p/DcuWgy5j65-/?ref=lookoutnews.org) no one should fear being targeted because of who they are or where they gather and said her office stood in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community. [Pima County Board of Supervisors Chair Jen Allen called](https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=122177493998731682&set=a.122105345630731682) the killings “senseless and shocking,” while emphasizing that the county’s values include dignity, inclusion and respect. [Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said on Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/AZAGMayes/posts/1071243929200608/?) that she was “heartbroken and outraged” by the killings of Vincent Siqueiros and Cameron Capara, calling the shooting an attack that appeared to target Arizona’s LGBTQ+ community. Mayes said hate crimes have no place in the state and that her office is prepared to assist Tucson police and the Pima County Attorney’s Office with the investigation. The response also reached Washington well before Hobbs made a statement. [U.S. Rep. Adelita Grijalva hours after the news of the attack stood in the House and condemned](https://grijalva.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-grijalva-statement-on-reported-hate-crime-and-shooting-at-lgbtqia-bar-in-tucson-killing-two?ref=lookoutnews.org) what she called a targeted act of hate and honored Siqueiros and Capara during remarks on the House floor. “Everyone is welcome in Tucson, and hate has no place here,” Grijalva said, while also calling for federal gun-safety legislation. [Tucson Gay Bar Shooting at Venture-N Kills TwoTwo people were killed early Monday outside Venture-N, a midtown gay bar. Police are investigating the attack as an anti-LGBTQ+ hate incident after the suspect, who also died, was found with a list of LGBTQ+ businesses.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-1d82481d-d7ad-41cc-b196-a4dfbf8efa80.png)LOOKOUTJohn Washington (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/DSC02341-cca49f12-13f1-4445-b640-726a0f2269c5.JPG)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-shooter-had-multiple-lgbtq-friendly-addresses-written-down/) [Exclusively on X, Sen. Ruben Gallego ](https://x.com/SenRubenGallego/status/2094579762685456446?ref=lookoutnews.org)— who has drawn criticism from LGBTQ+ people for his [statements on “men” in women’s sports](https://thedispatch.com/article/ruben-gallego-democratic-party-2028-arizona/?signup=success&ref=lookoutnews.org) — thanked Tucson law enforcement for quickly investigating the shooting and increasing patrols around LGBTQ+ establishments. “To Tucson’s LGBTQ+ community: you are not alone,” Gallego said. “We stand with you against violence and bigotry, and we will not let fear or hate define our communities.” Closer to home,[ the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation said](https://www.instagram.com/p/DcuVCPamn6j/?ref=lookoutnews.org) places like Venture-N are more than businesses — they are places where queer people find friendship, chosen family, safety and belonging. Phoenix Pride also sent support from across the state, urging people to remain vigilant, care for one another and continue supporting LGBTQ+ spaces. [Queer Takeover Tucson similarly emphasized](https://www.instagram.com/p/DcuHuQ7hs7X/?ref=lookoutnews.org) the role bars and queer venues play beyond nightlife, describing them as places of “community, belonging, joy and safety.” Longtime community members also reflected that sense of connection. [Scott Blades, founder of the Tucson HIV/AIDS support network, described](https://tucson.com/news/local/crime-courts/article%5F0285e5f7-2852-43be-9453-578d54395413.html?ref=lookoutnews.org) Venture-N as an important gathering place where people had long felt safe. Colete Barajas, a longtime member of Tucson’s LGBTQ+ community who opened the city’s first women’s bar in 1983, said fear would not force the community behind closed doors. The University of Arizona’s Pride Student Space and Women & Gender Student Space said the Venture-N shooting should not be viewed as an isolated act, but as part of a broader climate of attacks on queer and trans people. “Homophobia and transphobia is killing us, quite literally,” the student leaders wrote, arguing that anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and legislation carry “real and tangible consequences.” The group said it offers free counseling and healing spaces for anyone affected. National and statewide LGBTQ+ organizations joined the response.[ Human Rights Campaign President Kelley Robinson said](https://www.bing.com/search?pglt=427&q=hrc+tucson+shooting&cvid=55293eb5fd194646ba35825fddb41ff5&gs%5Flcrp=EgRlZGdlKgYIABBFGDkyBggAEEUYOdIBCDI3ODBqMGo3qAIAsAIA&FORM=ANNTA1&PC=EDGEDSE&ref=lookoutnews.org) learning that the gunman appeared to be targeting LGBTQ+-friendly businesses was “both chilling and enraging,” and pledged that the organization would continue working toward a country where LGBTQ+ people can live openly and safely. [The Arizona LGBTQIA+ Caucus said](https://x.com/AZLGBTQ/status/2094598993980580103?ref=lookoutnews.org) the shooting was an attack on the broader community and warned that homophobia causes real harm. The Congressional Equality Caucus also offered condolences to the victims’ loved ones and Tucson’s LGBTQ+ community, saying no one should fear violence because of who they are. #### Update: This story was updated to show Katie Hobbs posted a message on X after **LOOKOUT* reached out and published this story, as well as updated the story to reflect Hobbs made comments to press on Tuesday morning. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### “They Were Genuinely Who They Were”: Tucson Remembers Venture-N Shooting Victims URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-gay-bar-shooting-cameron-capara-anthony-siqueiros/ Last updated: 2026-09-04T20:48:20.000Z By sunset, the memorial at Venture-N had grown from just a couple of candles to an entire section of the wall lined with flowers, candles and offerings, with people coming to pay their respects to Cameron Davis Capara and Vincent Anthony Siqueiros. They had been fatally shot at the LGBTQ+ neighborhood bar late in the night before, in a case which is being classified as a hate-related incident. Alli and Brandon Lee pulled into the parking lot with their two daughters. They came to see the memorial: two framed photographs of Capara and Siqueiros surrounded by flowers, candles and a couple of beer cans people had left as an offering. But they also came to check on Capara’s truck, which they’d seen in the background of news clips and photographs. It was still parked out front next to the memorial. “Look, it’s your Uncle Cam,” Alli said to her one-year-old daughter, squatting down in front of the memorial and pointing at his photo. [AZ Anti-LGBTQ+ Hate Crimes Rise, but No Law to ProsecuteArizona doesn’t have a hate crime statute. And due to gaps in reporting and data, tracking bias-motivated crimes here is a mess.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-1228407a-aec5-4caf-9d74-e2e8fcc03f7b.png)LOOKOUTCelina Jiménez (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/shutterstock_2431385685-1-32100e83-75c2-477c-970e-125e6bb03fc6.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/hate-crime-enhancements-in-arizona-whats-included-whats-not-and-what-that-means-for-the-lgbtq-community/) Alli was Capara’s best friend of over a decade and had been his roommate for several years. She said she’d seen him grow into himself throughout the years, and when his mother called her early Monday morning to give her the news of his death, she was in disbelief. He was like a brother to her, she said, and the uncle to her two daughters. “He brought light to the things that people didn't want to face,” she said. “He showed a light on hurt and pushed for change. He was a light. He was just full of life and love and smiling and he just wanted to get to know people and just shine a light.” Capara was known for his presence at protests and demonstrations, often wearing a flak jacket with the words “Press” written across it, camera in hand and always in the mix documenting Tucson’s dissent up close. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/09/BARNETT_MEMORIAL4.JPG) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/09/BARNETT_MEMORIAL3.JPG) (left) Cameron Davis Capara was known in Tucson’s movement space as a photographer, documenting protests and manifestations. He was outspoken about social justice issues and used his platform as a way to call attention to the things he cared about. (right) Vincent Anthony Siqueiros was a fixture at Venture-N and was described as being a funny, caring and sweet person, never missing a thing around him and always welcoming people in. (Photo by Susan Barnett/LOOKOUT) “I was always so proud of Cameron being there out on the streets at every protest and rally and standing up for those that were the victims of hate,” Alli said. “He would never just bury his head in the sand or live with the duality. He was so full of empathy and lived without hypocrisy” She said that Capara had mentioned Siqueiros to her as friends that had recently started to reconnect, something she mentions he was very happy about. “They were genuinely who they were,” said Brian King, a regular at Venture-N who knew both men. “They didn't try to be anybody else, they didn't conform, they didn't kiss ass. They liked who they were and that's why people liked them, because they were comfortable in their skins — you know when somebody isn't, especially in a place like this.” A driver for Uber, King would often go to the neighborhood bar to stretch his legs and have a club soda. That’s where he met Siqueiros about a year and a half ago. He said that “Vinny —” as many fondly called him —was a fixture in the place, and remembers the first time meeting him. “I was wondering where he worked because he was buying a lot of people drinks and drinking a lot, and I thought he reminds me of me a while ago when I was his age,” King said. “I thought he was funny and just well-meaning. He didn't have anything bad to say about anybody — I mean, he would, but in the funny way gays do.” #### Read our full coverage of the Venture-N shooting - [Shooting at Tucson Gay Bar Venture-N Kills Two, Investigated as Hate Crime](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-shooter-had-multiple-lgbtq-friendly-addresses-written-down/) - [“They Were Genuinely Who They Were”: Tucson Remembers Venture-N Shooting Victims](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-gay-bar-shooting-cameron-capara-anthony-siqueiros/) - [After Tucson's Deadly Attack, Gov. Katie Hobbs Was Slow to Speak Publicly](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-shooting-venture-n-politicians-speak-out-for-gun-control/) - [The Venture-N Shooting is Being Called a Hate Crime. Arizona Law Leaves a Gap.](https://www.lookoutnews.org/venture-n-shooting-hate-crime-arizona-law-hate-enhancement/) - [‘Watch my Mimosa’: The Last Moments of Two Venture-N Regulars](https://www.lookoutnews.org/vincent-siqueiros-shot-outside-venture-n-friend-account/) - [PHOTOS: Tucson Community Gathers to Mourn, Demand Action After Venture-N Shooting](https://www.lookoutnews.org/photos-tucson-gathers-to-mourn-venture-n-shooting/) - [Police Say Hate Motivated the Venture-N Shooting. The Internet Has Other Theories.](https://www.lookoutnews.org/ousman-ceesay-venture-n-shooter/) - [They’ve Been Where Tucson Is Now. Here’s What They Want You to Know.](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-venture-n-can-learn-from-other-hate-crime-shooting/) - [The Hardest Part May Be the Answers Venture-N Survivors Will Never Get](https://www.lookoutnews.org/the-hardest-part-may-be-the-answers-venture-n-survivors-will-never-get/) He adds that Capara was a new regular, but he’d quickly grown fond of him. They even had plans to mobilize people to go vote: Capara would round people up and King would drive them to the polls on election day. “This has to motivate us,” King said. “If you didn't feel motivated before, if you cared about these guys, if you even knew these guys, you want to be involved now to do whatever it takes to stop this from happening again. And if it does, let them be held accountable. (People) have to use their voices and they have to vote.” Capara and Siqueiros had been in the parking lot of Venture-N when they were confronted by Ousman Ceesay. Ceesay fatally shot both men and then turned the gun on himself, according to authorities. Both men were pronounced dead on the scene and Ceesay was taken to the hospital where he later died. Investigators found a note on Ceesay with other LGBTQ+-friendly businesses listed. “I don't know what accountability honestly looks like unless our community comes together to take care of each other,” Lee said. “And anybody who stands in the way of policies that could change to make that easier, that's definitely not accountability.” Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva called attention to the shooting on Capitol Hill. “When that hate is combined with easy access to firearms, the consequences can be deadly,” she said. “I am sick and tired of Congress refusing to lift a finger to protect our communities while, every day, dozens of people are shot and killed across the country. It does not have to be this way. The House of Representatives is returning to session this week, and our first action should be passing common-sense gun safety reforms that we know can save lives.” Brandon and Alli gave Capara’s truck a teary-eyed kiss as they left the memorial. A candlelight vigil will be held at Catalina Park, 941 N. 4th Avenue on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Shooting at Tucson Gay Bar Venture-N Kills Two, Investigated as Hate Crime URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-shooter-had-multiple-lgbtq-friendly-addresses-written-down/ Last updated: 2026-09-04T20:48:41.000Z The two named victims of Monday morning’s shooting at Venture-N, a gay bar in midtown Tucson, were known as regulars at the establishment. Venture-N has long been an established space for the leather and fetish communities, but in recent years has evolved into a gathering place for Tucson’s older queer community. One of the victims, 33-year-old Cameron Davis Capara, was a regular at the bar and a photographer within the fetish community. The other victim, 42-year-old Vincent Anthony Siqueiros, was described by friends as a pillar of the queer community. Police said the suspect, 44-year-old Ousman Ceesay, was carrying a list of LGBTQ+ businesses, according to a police press release. It’s unclear what names were listed. #### Read our full coverage of the Venture-N shooting - [Shooting at Tucson Gay Bar Venture-N Kills Two, Investigated as Hate Crime](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-shooter-had-multiple-lgbtq-friendly-addresses-written-down/) - [“They Were Genuinely Who They Were”: Tucson Remembers Venture-N Shooting Victims](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-gay-bar-shooting-cameron-capara-anthony-siqueiros/) - [After Tucson's Deadly Attack, Gov. Katie Hobbs Was Slow to Speak Publicly](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-shooting-venture-n-politicians-speak-out-for-gun-control/) - [The Venture-N Shooting is Being Called a Hate Crime. Arizona Law Leaves a Gap.](https://www.lookoutnews.org/venture-n-shooting-hate-crime-arizona-law-hate-enhancement/) - [‘Watch my Mimosa’: The Last Moments of Two Venture-N Regulars](https://www.lookoutnews.org/vincent-siqueiros-shot-outside-venture-n-friend-account/) - [PHOTOS: Tucson Community Gathers to Mourn, Demand Action After Venture-N Shooting](https://www.lookoutnews.org/photos-tucson-gathers-to-mourn-venture-n-shooting/) - [Police Say Hate Motivated the Venture-N Shooting. The Internet Has Other Theories.](https://www.lookoutnews.org/ousman-ceesay-venture-n-shooter/) - [They’ve Been Where Tucson Is Now. Here’s What They Want You to Know.](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-venture-n-can-learn-from-other-hate-crime-shooting/) - [The Hardest Part May Be the Answers Venture-N Survivors Will Never Get](https://www.lookoutnews.org/the-hardest-part-may-be-the-answers-venture-n-survivors-will-never-get/) Investigators believe Ceesay went to Venture-N near Sixth Avenue and Speedway Boulevard and confronted Siqueiros and Capara in the parking lot. Police said Ceesay shot both men, killing them at the location. Ceesay was also shot and later died at a local hospital. A person with knowledge of the incident who agreed to speak with LOOKOUT said the shooting took place after midnight, with people inside the bar hearing multiple shots outside. After the shooting, he said, one of the men made his way into the bar on his own, staggered inside and said, “I’ve been shot.” That man later died inside the bar. Police were called to the scene just before 12:30 a.m. Monday, according to dashboard data first reported by [Tucson.com](https://tucson.com/news/local/crime-courts/article%5F55d0e264-8087-48d1-95ab-4c1f82864f97.html?ref=lookoutnews.org). On Monday afternoon, remnants of the crime scene were still apparent in the bar’s parking lot. A Mercedes SUV with a bullet hole remained parked out front, while bloody handprints were visible on walls inside the bar. Capara was described by people who gathered outside the bar Monday afternoon as giving and kind. “If a cinnamon roll were a person, that’s Cameron” one person said. “He was so welcoming.” Friends described Siqueiros as “a pillar, one of the people who made this bar what it is.” One friend and coworker of Siqueiros, who worked as a bartender and caterer, shared a story about the last time she came to Venture-N. She had stopped drinking but needed the comfort the bar provided, so she called Siqueiros. “He squeezed me so tight, sat there while I had my Bud Zero, didn’t judge me. He was a teddy bear,” she said. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/09/IMG_9874.jpeg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/09/IMG_9870.jpeg) “We recognize this incident may cause fear and pain within our community,” Tucson Police Chief Monica Prieto said in a statement. “The Tucson Police Department has dedicated increased police presence around LGBTQIA+ establishments and is coordinating with community organizations to provide support.” Multiple local organizations and groups posted online in support of the victims and patrons. Queer Takeover Tucson, which holds monthly networking events at bars across the city, wrote that, “Bars and queer spaces are more than places to go out. They are places where people find community, belonging, joy and safety.” Tucson Mayor Regina Romero said online that the attack was being treated as an anti-LGBTQ+ hate incident. “Tucson Police Department investigators confirmed that the suspect possessed addresses for multiple LGBTQ+ friendly venues, intending to cause more harm. TPD is treating this entirely as a hate crime,” Romero said. But Arizona does not have a standalone hate crime law. Instead, prosecutors can seek a hate crime sentencing enhancement after a person is convicted of a felony if they can prove the crime was motivated by bias. The state’s law recognizes sexual orientation as a protected category but does not explicitly include gender identity, though transgender people may be covered under the broader category of “gender.” That means the Tucson investigation could raise questions not only about whether the shooting was motivated by anti-LGBTQ+ bias, but also about what legal consequences would follow if prosecutors ultimately establish that motive. In a statement to *LOOKOUT*, UCLA’s Williams Institute said, “LGBT people are five times more likely than non-LGBT people to be victims of violent crime and nine times more likely to be victims of violent hate crimes.” A community vigil for the victims is scheduled for Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at Catalina Park on Fourth Avenue in Tucson. \-- *Updated Sept. 1, 11:56 a.m.* ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Inside Immigration Camps, Trans Women are Forced Off Medications. The Effects Can be Deadly. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/transgender-women-denied-medical-care-ice-facility/ Last updated: 2026-08-31T19:58:31.000Z Valentina was in her cell at Arizona’s Eloy Detention Center when, shortly following an afternoon headcount in June, a corrections officer came for her. With the guard by her side, she was led to an office where a wheelchair and several other officers were waiting. They patted her down, shackled her wrists behind her back, chained her waist, put her in the wheelchair, and turned on a video camera. She was told that someone else in detention had accused her of propositioning him for sex — a claim she denies making — and they began interrogating her. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) "My heart was racing," she told *LOOKOUT*. "The guards were mocking me." Twenty minutes later, she says, she was moved into an isolation cell that had only a mattress and a toilet. She was left there for nine days, a time period that [has shown](https://www.prisonpolicy.org/blog/2020/12/08/solitary%5Fsymposium/?ref=lookoutnews.org) to have lasting psychological effects on people, and is [considered a form of torture by the United Nations.](https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2020/02/united-states-prolonged-solitary-confinement-amounts-psychological-torture?ref=lookoutnews.org) She called the ordeal "horrible moral punishment" because of who she is — a transgender woman. Valentina, whom we are identifying by her middle name at the request of her lawyer due to fear of retaliation and her pending asylum case, is a 25-year-old migrant from Nicaragua who has spent more than six months in detention. She is one of at least 20 transgender women estimated to be held throughout Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities between Arizona and Colorado — a number[ obfuscated by the federal government’s refusal to track their numbers](https://www.vera.org/news/ice-is-excluding-data-on-transgender-people-in-detention?ref=lookoutnews.org) in accordance with President Donald Trump’s orders to deny trans people’s legal existence. Rather than being housed according to their gender identity, they are almost all housed in men’s units or, sometimes, in solitary confinement. In Aurora, Colorado’s ICE Processing Center once ran two transgender-specific housing pods for higher- and lower-security detainees. The lower-security pod was dismantled roughly a year ago to free up space to detain more men, leaving trans women there consigned to the general male population. But the more dramatic effect of trans people being detained in ICE’s immigration camps is that almost all of them are being refused medically prescribed and lifesaving gender-affirming care. Drawing on interviews with currently and formerly detained transgender women in both states, immigration attorneys, detention-center advocates and gender-affirming care specialists, *LOOKOUT* found that the rollback of federal oversight of medical care inside detention camps has left transgender prisoners more vulnerable than at any point in recent memory. And while there is a body of research that shows the benefits of gender-affirming care for people who need it, very little is studied on what happens when people are forced off their medication. What research does exist focuses almost exclusively on people who choose to detransition — and has overwhelmingly shown that people [do so because of societal pressures](https://19thnews.org/2025/11/detransition-trangsender-politics-health/?ref=lookoutnews.org). What is known is that people who are forced to discontinue their lifesaving care in immigration detention face dramatic physical changes that can worsen dysphoria symptoms, leading to dire mental health situations. [Trans Woman Detained in a Arizona Detention Center Speaks OutKarla Saenz alleges neglect and transphobia, but also found fortitude and solidarity inside a detention camp.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-28cdd256-ac96-483e-b995-7c332a63172d.png)LOOKOUTJohn Washington (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2026-03-27-at-6.13.37---PM-1-c9947d4a-a7bf-473b-98af-c5ed9eb21873.webp)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-trans-woman-detained-in-a-deadly-arizona-detention-center-refuses-to-be-silent/) ### **Treatment across agencies** Access to medically necessary care and protections for transgender prisoners across both the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Justice has been almost completely denied. Last December, the DOJ made a[ significant revision](https://prismreports.org/2025/12/04/prison-rape-elimination-act-trans-intersex-trump-doj/?ref=lookoutnews.org) to how the department would use Prison Rape Elimanation Act (PREA) regulations in light of an[ executive order](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/defending-women-from-gender-ideology-extremism-and-restoring-biological-truth-to-the-federal-government/?ref=lookoutnews.org) — signed by Trump on his first day back in office — denying any federal recognition of gender-diverse people. According to the memo, PREA audits will no longer evaluate jail, prison and detention center standards to protect LGBTQ+ prisoners. > “Everything is hard. It’s so denigrating.” > \- Renata, a trans woman who was detained in Eloy and denied her medications. Following suit, the Federal Bureau of Prisons announced a[ new policy](https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/27279642-526001-management-of-inmates-with-gender-dysphoria/?ref=lookoutnews.org) in February this year to stop providing gender-affirming medical or social transition care to transgender people. Those policies have been mirrored in immigration detention. Valentina and the others she knows of — she said there are at least five other transgender people detained in Eloy — have gone weeks at a time without hormone therapy. In her case, it was 22 days before she received any hormones at all — and what she got, she said, wasn't enough to stop her body from rapid alteration. "I don't feel any change in my body, nothing," she said. Her facial hair started growing back — a source of deep anxiety for her. At immigration detention centers across the country, transgender women have described being cut off from hormone therapy for weeks at a time, triggering what medical providers call rapid, menopause-like symptoms, spiking suicidal ideation and severe psychological distress, while also facing solitary confinement and being treated as sexual threats simply for existing among men. Linda McFarlane, executive director of[ Just Detention International](https://justdetention.org/?ref=lookoutnews.org), an organization that works to end all forms of sexual abuse in detention, told *LOOKOUT*, “The one thing consistent is that transgender people face is being presumed to be predatory.” ### **“Forcibly detransitioned”** Being taken off hormone therapy can affect transgender people in ways similar to cisgender people. When cisgender men regularly take injected testosterone, their bodies may reduce or stop producing the hormone naturally. If they stop taking testosterone injections abruptly, the body does not immediately resume normal hormone production. Instead, they can experience withdrawal symptoms including mood swings, depression and low energy. More severe symptoms can include suicidal ideation. The longer someone has been on hormone therapy, the more difficult the transition off treatment can be. For trans women who have been on estrogen therapy for extended periods — sometimes decades, depending on their age — stopping hormone therapy can result in menopause-like symptoms, including hot flashes, emotional blunting and worsening gender dysphoria, according to medical experts interviewed, including Ari Kravitz of Spectrum Medical Care, who specializes in gender-affirming care in Arizona. Renata, who was locked up for eight months in another Arizona detention camp, told *LOOKOUT* that she had entered into depression after being forced off her medication: “It messes up your body,” she said. “Like it’s eating you up inside.” Renata said she and others detained with her all asked for ongoing hormone therapy and faced either denials or long delays. “Everything is hard,” Renata said of detention. “It’s so denigrating.” [DACA in Arizona: Deportation Risks Grow for ImmigrantsMore than half a million people in the U.S. are DACA recipients. According to recent numbers, nearly 11% are queer and face uncertainty.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-0459bfa1-0341-40ef-9822-5746da99b53f.png)LOOKOUTJohn Washington (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_9068-b493bc0f-ec3a-40aa-9317-37c8fb9d5bc4.JPG)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-tucson-case-is-setting-the-stage-for-removing-residents-brought-to-the-u-s-as-children/) Greg Fay, a Tucson-based immigration attorney who has long focused on representing LGBTQ+ people facing deportation, said prisoners held in ICE detention facilities are always immediately taken off hormones. If they do get back on them, he said, there are delays that have only gotten worse under the Trump administration. He added that it’s a particularly difficult problem for people who had been taking hormones without a prescription on the outside, as they face indefinite interruptions in care. Emily Snyder, a nurse practitioner at Prisma, a community health provider in Phoenix where she specializes in HIV treatment and gender-affirming care, said there are “extreme mental health exacerbations” as a result of discontinued care, but also physical ones: “If you just discontinue therapy, you’re basically putting yourself into a very rapid menopause,” she said. According to[ recent reporting](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/20/nyregion/transgender-migrants-ice.html?smtyp=cur&smid=bsky-nytimes&ref=lookoutnews.org) from the *New York Times*, the federal government has stopped offering specialized care for transgender people in at least 10 detention centers. The Times also reported that a DHS spokesperson said, “We are NOT wasting U.S. taxpayer dollars to provide hormone therapy to illegal aliens seeking to change their sex.” In Arizona and Colorado, transgender people are still sometimes receiving hormone therapy. But that access to treatment could change. Jorge Ramallo, a Virginia-based primary care physician focusing on LGBTQ+ health and president-elect of GLMA (formerly known as the Gay & Lesbian Medical Association), told *LOOKOUT* that transgender people inside immigration detention are effectively “being forcibly detransitioned.” “That is a huge concern for us in the medical community,” Ramallo said, “because we know that these patients are suffering unnecessarily without access to these life-saving medications.” An ICE spokesperson, responding to a detailed series of questions about Valentina’s specific experience and changes in general detention conditions for transgender people in the system, said that ICE does not use solitary confinement, referring to the isolated confinement as “segregated housing,” and that people are subjected to it “based on heightened concerns related to the detainee’s health or safety. Those concerns include “medical illness, physical disability, mental illness, suicide risk” — none of which apply to Valentina, according to her and her attorney. The statement also referred to Valentina’s arrest, which took place in February when Valentina turned herself in at a Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office “to serve a two-day sentence for a misdemeanor DUI conviction.” Valentina’s attorney explained to *LOOKOUT* that she had been taking all steps to comply with the court order. The ICE spokesperson added, “ICE has a longstanding practice of providing comprehensive medical care from the moment an alien enters ICE custody. This care includes medical, dental, and mental health services, as available, along with access to medical appointments and 24-hour emergency care.” They further encouraged people to leave the country voluntarily: “Individuals in the United States illegally may choose to take control of their departure through the CBP Home App.” The changes and lack of care may rise to a violation of the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment. Last August, a class action[ lawsuit](https://ccrjustice.org/sites/default/files/attach/2025/08/1%5F8-8-25%5FSB185%5FComplaint%5Fw.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) was filed in Georgia about a state law banning any gender-affirming care that relies on state funds. Attorneys in that case wrote that taking people off medically necessary care for gender dysphoria puts them “at grave risk of physical and psychological harm, including resurfaced gender dysphoria, depression, anxiety, mood dysregulation, self-harm, self-surgery, or death by suicide.” ### **Scaling back protections** While the Trump administration has stopped reporting how many transgender people it detains in immigration camps, recent reporting estimates there are roughly several dozen transgender people currently in immigration detention. Talking to advocates and attorneys, *LOOKOUT* was able to count at least 20 transgender people detained between Arizona and Colorado. In Aurora’s ICE Processing Center in Colorado, transgender people held in detention were typically held in a pod specifically for them. A similar pod in a New Mexico immigrant detention camp transferred all the people out in 2020, making Aurora the only transgender-specific pod in immigration detention, according to Isabella Muscara, the program coordinator at[ Casa de Paz](https://www.casadepazcolorado.org/?ref=lookoutnews.org), an immigrant rights advocacy center in Colorado. Muscara explained that there used to be two trans-specific pods in Aurora, one for each level of security, but that changed in late 2025 to make room to hold more men, and there is now only one trans-only pod for people held in the higher-security wing. Muscara said that as of mid-August, there were two women held in Aurora’s trans-specific pod, and four women held in the men’s unit. While the transgender pod offers some protections and some mental reprieve, Muscara underscored that they are still confined in trying conditions: One transgender woman from an Arabic-speaking country, Muscara said, was recently detained in Aurora for about two years, suffering isolation, bad food, little programming such as access to the outdoors or a library, and persistent transphobia. Muscara said that lights in the transgender unit were sometimes left on all day and night, meals were often delivered late, and “specific guards made it obvious they were treating the women worse because they were in the trans pod.” “They were last of the line, almost forgotten about,” Muscara added. When asked about the treatment of transgender people in Aurora, a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson referred to Trump’s Jan. 20, 2025, executive order, “Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government,” and added that “ICE has taken appropriate action to ensure that detention space is designated by biological sex and not by gender identity.” Back in Eloy, Valentina said that even as she’s fighting for basic care and dignity, she’s also fighting to stay in the United States. She said that she has nobody, except for her attorney, fighting for her on the outside, and fears being sent back to Nicaragua, where LGBTQ+ people can face[ discrimination and violence](https://outrightinternational.org/our-work/americas/nicaragua?ref=lookoutnews.org). She said the discrimination she has faced in her home country is “horrible.” “It’s not good,” she said of her prospects in Nicaragua. “The machismo, homophobia and transphobia are really intense.” For now, she is left facing what both she and her former attorney, Ashley Moy-Wooten, describe as intense transphobia in Eloy. Moy-Wooten, who worked until recently with the Florence Immigrant and Refugee Rights Project, said she recognizes the palpable transphobia when she was with Valentina in court, but insisted that she is resilient and full of determination to advocate for herself and other transgender people inside. Moy-Wooten described Valentina’s self-presentation when she met with her, how she always found ways to put on makeup and do her hair. And yet, she said, “You can absolutely see the deterioration in her. It’s inevitable.” She added, however, that Valentina’s resilience is “testament to her beauty and willingness to fight.” ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### LGBTQ+ Students Reported Violent Assaults. Records Show Schools Rarely Intervened. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/how-lgbtq-students-face-harassment-and-abuse/ Last updated: 2026-08-31T22:31:33.000Z ****Editor note** **This story contains mentions of self-harm, as well as physical and sexual violence.* When Anna Kilbride told a classmate she would not have sex with him because she is a lesbian, he responded that he would “fix” her by breaking into her home and raping her. Growing up as a disabled, openly queer teenager in a conservative Phoenix suburb, Kilbride was no stranger to bullying or sexual harassment. She said she was frequently teased at school and called slurs, including by the boy who threatened to rape her. Another boy groped her in middle school. “The Sunday school staff had the audacity to blame it on what I was wearing,” Kilbride told *LOOKOUT*. “I was wearing a shirt with Sailor Moon on it, and leggings.” After the threat of[ corrective rape](https://repository.uclawsf.edu/hwlj/vol30/iss1/8/?ref=lookoutnews.org) — intended to “cure” lesbians of their lack of attraction to men — Kilbride’s mental health plummeted. She said the student was on the same bus route as her and knew where she lived. She began refusing to go to school and considered self-harm, as she had after being assaulted. Her parents wanted to report the threat to local police, but Kilbride said the school allegedly told them it would expel her if they did. It ultimately made little difference. Kilbride soon dropped out of school and was admitted to a psychiatric treatment center in Surprise. Kilbride’s experience is far from unique. Research on the experiences of LGBTQ+ K-12 students in Arizona is limited, but the studies that do exist paint a troubling picture of LGBTQ+ students’ safety in the state’s education system. In 2021, more than one in 10 LGBTQ+ youth in Arizona[ reported](https://maps.glsen.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GLSEN%5F2021%5FNSCS%5FState%5FSnapshots%5FAZ.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) being physically assaulted at school because of their sexual orientation, according to the LGBTQ+ advocacy organization GLSEN. That figure rose to one-in-four when students were asked about physical harassment. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) The[ 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey](https://transequality.org/sites/default/files/AZ%20State%20Report%20FINAL%20-%202.9.17.pdf?ct=t%28AZEdNews%5FSign%5FUp%5Fto%5FReceive%5Fthe%5FE%5FWeekly4%5F26%5F2017%29&mc%5Fcid=2277327fcd&mc%5Feid=d80d1ae850&ref=lookoutnews.org) also found that 24% of transgender Arizona respondents who attended K-12 schools said they had been physically attacked because of their gender identity, while 8% reported sexual assault motivated by their gender identity. To understand the breadth of the problem, *LOOKOUT* spoke with advocates, researchers, teachers, parents, and students about discriminatory harassment and violence against LGBTQ+ students in Arizona’s K-12 schools. We also requested records from four school districts — Scottsdale Unified, Peoria Unified, Tucson Unified, and Phoenix Union — showing how often physical and sexual violence incidents were reported in social worker logs. The records do not identify whether the students involved in those incidents are LGBTQ+, as Arizona school districts do not consistently track victims’ sexual orientation or gender identity in school safety incident logs. Instead, the records provide a broader picture of assault and bullying among students that coincides with LGBTQ+-specific victimization. Our reporting found that: - **Scottsdale Unified recorded nearly 400 student safety incidents involving bullying, harassment or violence during the 2024-25 and 2025-26 school years. More than 150 were assaults, and nearly 70 involved sexual conduct or harassment.** - **Social workers recorded little to no response time for almost all of those incidents. Of the nearly 400 cases, only 10 had any response hours logged — nine bullying incidents and one assault. Most received just one hour of documented response.** - **An Arizona proposition that would restrict restroom and locker room use for transgender students could affect the school climate for gender-nonconforming youth. Research from other states has found increased harassment and victimization associated with similar restrictions.** *LOOKOUT* attempted to reach staff of school districts for comment, but emails either bounced back or were no longer being used. We also attempted to contact people by cell phone, but did not get a response back. ### **The forces behind the crisis** [Studies](https://glisten.org/nscs2025/?ref=lookoutnews.org) show LGBTQ+ students can be reluctant to confide in authority figures about harassment or assault, and that adults often do not take action when students come forward. That can be especially difficult when the incident involves sexual violence, which children may already struggle to discuss or report. “If your school counselor is somebody who is potentially anti-LGBTQ … it’s likely they’re not going to be giving resources for LGBTQ+ organizations, and so even being able to reach students is an issue,” said Carrie Eutizi, a sexual violence response coordinator with the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence. > “I don’t trust teachers anymore, really. I hate school, I hate work. I hate other kids. I hate this, I hate that. I hate pretty much everything except my friends." > \- Violet DuMont, 12, who was harassed and bullied at her school after being open about her transition. The result is that LGBTQ+ students can face harassment at school while also being unsure whether the adults responsible for their safety will intervene. Researchers said Arizona’s policy environment is part of the backdrop for why students may be hesitant to come forward about being victimized, as well as why peer victimization occurs in the first place. The Movement Advancement Project, a nonprofit think tank that tracks LGBTQ+ rights and other democracy-related issues, describes Arizona as having a “particularly hostile policy environment” for queer youth. That environment, according to reports from MAP and the Human Rights Campaign, includes laws restricting discussions of LGBTQ+ topics in schools and a lack of requirements for schools to explicitly enumerate sexual orientation or gender identity among protected classes in anti-bullying policies. Researchers say these policies, along with the public debate surrounding them, can shape the climate in which LGBTQ+ students go to school. “It’s not just about the negative legislation being passed, it’s also about it being debated (and) the way that broader rhetoric is affecting people’s social interactions,” said Tessa Juste, a MAP policy researcher and author of its youth report. “It creates a permission structure to further stigmatize an already stigmatized community.” [Parents of trans youth say bullying starts at the topOften left out of the conversation, they say politicians and other parents are to blame for harassment.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-dccbb1ce-35dd-4e29-a1d7-bdfdd4c5bdf9.png)LOOKOUTGeri Koeppel (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/RayPhoto-4b5b8397-b147-4c5c-bb30-43000ecc4699.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/trans-youth-parental-rights-law-arizona/) ### **Transgender students face particular risks** In November, Arizona voters will decide whether to approve the[ “Protect Girls Sports in Arizona”](https://ballotpedia.org/Arizona%5FProposition%5F318,%5FRequire%5FSchools%5Fand%5FAthletic%5FAssociations%5Fto%5FRestrict%5FUse%5Fof%5FRestrooms,%5FLocker%5FRooms,%5Fand%5FOther%5FPrivate%5FSpaces%5FBased%5Fon%5FSex%5FMeasure%5F%282026%29?ref=lookoutnews.org) measure, which would require all students at schools with athletic teams — regardless of whether they participate in sports themselves — to use restrooms, locker rooms and showers based on their sex assigned at birth. A[ 2019 Harvard study published in the medical journal *Pediatrics*](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8849575/?ref=lookoutnews.org) found that transgender and nonbinary students in grades seven through 12 experience alarming rates of sexual assault in schools: Among 3,673 students surveyed, as much as a quarter of trans boys and nonbinary people who were assigned birth as female reported experiencing sexual assault in the span of a year. Nearly 20% of trans girls also reported assault. Most importantly, the study found that transgender students whose schools restricted their use of restrooms or locker rooms aligned with their gender identity were more likely to experience sexual assault than those without such restrictions. Arizona doesn’t have a bathroom ban for transgender students. But a parent of a transgender boy who wished to remain anonymous for the safety of her family told *LOOKOUT* that when her transgender son attended middle school in Scottsdale Unified School District, he was violently slapped by a classmate who was upset at him for washing his hands in the boys’ restroom instead of the girls’. She believes the student was influenced by adults’ conversations on the subject around him. # Want to Share Insider Information? ## Help keep power accountable. LOOKOUT relies on tips from readers to get our news out. Click on the button below to submit a secure email to our team. Any information you send will be kept confidential in accordance with our ethics guidelines. [Email a Tip ](mailto:editor@lookoutnews.org) She also said her son’s classmate returned to school after being suspended for less than two days. The district’s[ code of conduct](https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1758734840/susdorg/x4kqvimx2pu5ocxozrrr/susd%5Finfo%5FUniform-Code-of-Conduct-Guide%5F20250924%5FEnglish.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) states that students who assault another student can be suspended for one to four days. Twelve-year-old Violet DuMont and her parents, Michelle Callahan and Andy DuMont, lived in Tucson before moving to New Zealand. They are part of a wave of families, in Arizona and elsewhere, leaving the U.S. because of federal policies affecting transgender youth. When Violet started using her new name and pronouns in elementary school, Callahan and Andy DuMont said the pushback from administrators, teachers and other parents was immediate. Andy remembers dropping Violet off at school after notifying the school of her transition. He said the principal shook her head at him from across the parking lot and walked away. “When we finally had a sit-down meeting with the principal and their language resource counselor, they said that I was pushing our beliefs on other parents and that it was making them uncomfortable … that the other families were not cool with us,” he said. He noted that the other families had been the ones to approach him and ask why Violet was wearing makeup and jewelry, despite her having done so before transitioning. Then the bullying began. Violet said she remembers several instances of other children pushing her into the playground’s sandbox, causing her to hit her head, before dumping sand on her hair or dragging her across the sandbox — all while her teachers watched and did nothing, she said. She also said an older girl once tried to pull down her pants in public to expose her sex, an incident she did not tell her parents about until years later. “I dug my fingernails into her wrist so she wouldn’t, and I pulled (my pants) back up. She was like, ‘Oh my God, you scratched me!’ And the teachers were like, ‘Oh hell no!’ So I got sent to the naughty corner,” Violet said. Previously, when she had asked her teachers for help after being hurt on the playground several times, Violet said they told her she needed to “earn respect” from the other students. When her pants were pulled down, she said her teacher dismissed the incident as a “harmless prank.” As a result of the bullying, Violet started suffering from anxiety and behavioral issues. She would lash out at other kids and attempted to run from the school’s playground into the parking lot. She was punished so frequently in kindergarten that she was held back and has since become less interested in learning at school. “I don’t trust teachers anymore, really. I hate school, I hate work. I hate other kids. I hate this, I hate that. I hate pretty much everything except my friends,” she said. [LGBTQ+ Resources for Parents: A Guide to Safe SchoolsMore parents are looking to find a safe space for their children to go to school. We did some of the legwork for you.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-286a8da5-b750-4e52-8644-6b8e9a4043d6.png)LOOKOUTYana Kunichoff (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Safer-Schools-1-2073c80c-f970-406d-9534-4e33a64ed6a0.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/so-your-child-is-queer-a-guide-to-finding-a-safe-school/) ### **Scottsdale as a case study** To see how often harassment and violence appear in schools’ own records, *LOOKOUT* requested social worker logs from Scottsdale Unified, Peoria Unified, Tucson Unified and Phoenix Union districts. Only Scottsdale Unified, where the anonymous parent alleged her son’s assault took place, returned records. The logs show that from the beginning of the 2024-25 school year through the end of the 2025-26 school year, there were nearly 400 recorded school safety incidents involving bullying, harassment and violence by students. More than 150 of those incidents were recorded as assaults, and nearly 70 involved sexual conduct or harassment. Only 10 of the incidents had more than one hour of time dedicated to investigating the incident. Of those 10, nine were bullying offenses and one was an assault. The majority of those received only one hour of time responding to the claims. Additional records requested by *LOOKOUT* found that within one month of the same time period, Scottsdale Unified recorded out-of-school suspensions for 13 sexual harassment incidents, 13 harassment incidents, and 10 assaults. ### **The toll of harassment** Many of the long-term effects of anti-LGBTQ+ harassment and violence in schools are unknown. But a[ study](https://www.thetrevorproject.org/survey-2025/?utm%5Fsource=copy&sid=b47gm5%5F2%5Fg6t%5F0%5F2310.c626d345#sec-1774983130116-c8912b44) by the Trevor Project found that LGBTQ+ youth who reported experiencing physical threat or harm because of their identity had a suicide attempt rate three times higher than those who did not. In[ Arizona](https://www.thetrevorproject.org/state-reports-arizona-2024/?ref=lookoutnews.org), around 40% of LGBTQ+ young people have seriously considered suicide, and 11% have attempted suicide. Juste said addressing the problem requires more than changes to state law. She said research indicates that enumerated anti-bullying protections, cultural competency training for staff and LGBTQ+ student groups are all associated with lower reported harm among LGBTQ+ youth. Madelaine Adelman, a community advocate for Arizona’s LGBTQ+ youth through Just Schools, argued that it requires repealing the state’s parental choice legislation around LGBTQ+ stories. She said that by “cutting queer and trans stories out of the curriculum, you are explicitly expressing that those people are not like us, they’re less than,” setting LGBTQ+ students up for “the kinds of violence that push people out of school.” Finally, Alison Macklin, director of public affairs at the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States, said 30 years of research have found comprehensive sex education to be associated with lower overall rates of bullying and sexual violence in schools. Arizona currently has restrictive laws regarding what can be taught in sex education and does not require it for students. Since leaving school, Kilbride has spent her time trying to address the issue at its root. She now works with Peer Solutions, a youth-led organization focused on preventing violence, child abuse and bullying in schools. “It’s my goal to create this statewide change through Peer Solutions so that no student, whether they’re disabled, non-disabled, straight, LGBT or disabled LGBT specifically, is unable to get the help, support and protection they need … so no student has to face what I went through twice,” she said. #### Correction An earlier version of this story spelled the name of a source wrong. This version is updated to reflect that. We also updated Violet's story in a handful of places to clarify interactions with other students and staff. We regret the errors. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### It’s 90 Degrees At Night. Where are Phoenix’s Homeless Supposed To Go? URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/homeless-phoenix-parks-survive-in-the-heat/ Last updated: 2026-08-25T13:00:31.000Z ****Editor’s note** This story mentions self-harm. Also: LOOKOUT purchased fast food for an interview subject who was hungry. This is not our standard, except in exigent circumstances. Phoenix’s extreme summer heat will kill anyone. But for people experiencing homelessness here, its brutality is all the more inescapable – and finding refuge is an unending endeavor. Homeless Phoenicians spend their days searching for cooling centers, libraries, stores, and other places where they can cool down and access resources. But these places typically close by sunset, leaving homeless people to face the full heat of the night while most everyone else takes refuge indoors. What’s more, recent laws have made people’s ability to obtain respite in public spaces even harder. This year, the City of Phoenix enacted legal penalties for anyone using parks for purposes other than recreation, as well as for those who hand out food or provide medical care to people in parks without a permit. Over the course of a night, *LOOKOUT* asked several homeless Phoenicians how they ended up homeless and what they do to survive the city’s oppressive summer heat. Here is what they told us. ### **Knowing their rights** Born on the Fort Apache Reservation in eastern Arizona, Angela Valencia Casa said that she and her companion, Ernie Hinton Jr., grew up in dysfunction. “Suicide, generational curses and mental trauma is really hard on the rez,” she said, noting that her grandmother was a prisoner of war and showing *LOOKOUT* the self-harm scars covering her and Hinton Jr.’s arms. Casa said that when her dad died, she came to Phoenix thinking it would help her find opportunities, but instead she’s alone and on the streets. She said she and Hinton Jr. used to have access to the American Indian Health Plan, but that it recently got cut. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/08/Washington_NIGHTPARKS_Traze_and_Dwayne_Aug-4--2026.JPG) About a dozen people were scattered through Margaret T. Hance Park past 10 P.M. on a summer night near downtown Phoenix. People spread out in the shadows to sleep or chatted near the playground. Temperatures topped 110 degrees that day, and, even long after sunset, it barely felt cooler than that in the park. Photo by John Washington for LOOKOUT Back when she was first homeless, Casa said it was “OK for homeless, addicts and different nationalities out here.” But in light of police crackdowns on bus stations and public ordinances limiting water and food distribution in parks, she said the situation has gotten worse and that people are always telling them to move. “This is where I speak for my people,” she said. “I’m prideful, I know my rights, and I’m not going to let someone tell me who I can and cannot be and how to live my life … It’s not right for them to fucking just, you know, say we can’t be here.” Hinton said that he and Casa go to cooling centers during the day, and they drink beer to withstand the night. “You can’t sleep out here,” they warned, because if you do, “you might not wake up at all.” ### **Managing the heat** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/08/Washington_NIGHTPARKS_Jim-Vaughan_Aug-4--2026--1-.JPG) Jim Vaughan spoke candidly about the struggles of staying cool, and staying alive, while being homeless throughout the Phoenix summer. Photo by John Washington for LOOKOUT. Three years ago, Jim Vaughan said he fell on bad times and that he hasn’t been able to drag himself out yet. At 56, he spends his nights listening to music at parks, needing to leave by 4:30 a.m. so businesses won’t chase him out. He only sleeps three or four hours a day, he said, usually in parking lots because they’re quiet. He also said that being outside for 12 to 14 hours a day gets you accustomed to the heat. “Don’t get me wrong, it’s hot as hell,” he said. “But it depends on where you go at night, in this heat. How much you can tolerate and how much you’re willing to tolerate.” Living on the streets, Vaughan said he has gotten used to not eating well and always sleeping with “one eye open.” Like many homeless people, stores like Circle K and Kwik Trip are his lifesavers, especially when they let people drink water for free. But he said even these stores can sometimes become dicey. “They’re kind of, I wouldn’t say mean, but they’re always on the lookout for people going in there and stealing stuff,” he said. “I’ll admit, I’ve done it a couple times, just out of sheer desperation. But I try not to.” Above all else, Vaughan said he doesn’t touch drugs and that he doesn’t interact with people at night. He bides his time waiting for the sun to rise and for a library door to open. [Phoenix’s Park Fight Is Really About the HomelessAs Phoenix cracks down on outreach in public parks, advocates, doctors, neighborhood leaders and unhoused residents share concerns over what comes next, and question if the city is helping anyone.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-0705521c-6387-4ea3-9aee-e3b51beb84a0.png)LOOKOUTJack Fernandez (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/P.O.BANNER-84fe0ba5-cad7-4ed8-84be-c0af3a956ae3.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/the-fight-over-phoenixs-parks-is-really-a-fight-over-what-happens-to-the-homeless/) ### **Holding out for hope** John, who wished to be identified by his first name, spent a year and a half in a refugee camp in the Ivory Coast after being forced from his home during the First Ivorian Civil War, a conflict that would[ result](https://worldwithoutgenocide.org/genocides-and-conflicts/ivory-coast?ref=lookoutnews.org) in the deaths of more than 3,000 people. He received refugee status and came to the United States in 2003. John said his doctor told him to come to Arizona because, due to his health, he wouldn’t be able to survive cold weather. Even though he initially worked and had a nice apartment when he first moved to the state, John, now 62, said he became homeless “some years ago” and referenced suffering from a past accident. “When you go down, all the people you help go away,” John said. “You helping people, but when you have an accident or don’t have nothing anymore, they leave you.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/08/Washington_NIGHTPARKS_John_Aug-4--2026.JPG) Originally from Liberia, when John first moved to the US as a refugee a doctor told him he needed a warm climate for his health, and so settled in Phoenix. Now homeless, he crashes in friends' apartments and often spends the evenings drinking beer at bus stops. Photo by John Washington for LOOKOUT Despite facing rejection, John said he’s found new friends who understand his situation and often let him sleep in their apartments. “I’m homeless, but not completely homeless,” he said. When outside, he spends his time drinking and smoking cigarettes with those friends. As he spoke with *LOOKOUT*, one came up to him with a fistful of crumpled dollar bills, asking if John would go into the nearby liquor store and buy him a beer. The friend explained that he was barred from the liquor store. For now, John is just holding out until he becomes eligible to apply for Social Security benefits in December. ### **Becoming youth targets** Traze, who had been living with family members in Page, Arizona before he went to prison in Phoenix, has been homeless for a year, since his mother passed away. He and his friend Dwayne — who are both in their 50s — said they don’t like staying in homeless shelters because “there’s always stealing going on, always racism.” The friends, who were only comfortable sharing their first names, said they are “constantly going in and out from the hospital” to be treated for issues such as dehydration and exhaustion. They also said that nonhomeless people, particularly young people, have targeted them because of their age. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/08/Washington_NIGHTPARKS_Traze_and_Dwayne_Aug-4--2026--1-.JPG) Two close friends, Traze and Dwayne, strip off their shirts and lean on their walkers as they suffer through high evening temperatures. They often join a crew of other homeless people at the corner of Camelback and N 19th Ave. Both in their 50s, they said services for aging homeless people are scarce. Photo by John Washington for LOOKOUT. “My friend, he got tripped and fell,” Traze said. “Nobody was there to help.” He said Dwayne had his wallet stolen just before speaking to *LOOKOUT*: “We’re a target to them.” Dwayne said that he and Travis get water from the light rail station near where they sleep and hop on the buses when they have money to try to stay cool during the night. Travis said he is trying his hardest to get off the streets, but that nobody is able to help. “I wish they would just help the elderly, get us an apartment or something, but they keep telling us you have to be homeless for at least three to five years,” he said. “And we don’t plan to be homeless that long.” [Phoenix City Council Votes to Restrict Harm Reduction OutreachCouncil makes sweeping restrictions on harm reduction outreach and food distribution at city parks — a move critics say will cost lives.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-a5e0fc29-7f4e-4066-92d3-fb7ff2994855.png)LOOKOUTJohn Washington (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/FullSizeRender-a5a210bf-5f18-4885-a975-246c22b851b8.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/phoenix-city-council-votes-to-restrict-food-medical-care-in-parks/) ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### The “Independent” Voices in Arizona’s Voter Guide Aren’t Always So Independent URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizona-voter-manual-has-money-behind-it/ Last updated: 2026-08-19T14:00:52.000Z What can $75 buy? A tank of gas, a pair of shoes — or how about political sway? When Arizona voters open their phonebook-style[ voter publicity pamphlet](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTDBnzC7QO8&ref=lookoutnews.org) this fall, they’ll find ballot measures, fiscal impact summaries of those measures, and an impartial analysis of each referral from the state’s Legislative Council. They’ll also find pages of arguments for and against each proposal, written and submitted by private individuals. Those arguments may look like a chorus of independent voices. But a *LOOKOUT* review of nearly 600 submissions for the 2026 voter guide found that many of those voices trace back to a relatively small network of political committees, lobbying groups, consultants, and advocacy organizations. Just four individuals handled over 200 of those submissions across conservative and progressive groups. More than half of all submissions came from people who submitted five or more arguments across multiple ballot referrals involving elections, transgender athletes, labor unions and DEI policies — often in concert with a politically motivated group, sometimes even from groups outside the state, including Colorado. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) One submitter associated with the Arizona Free Enterprise Club alone filed 108 arguments — about 18% of all submissions reviewed. The Arizona Free Enterprise Club and its affiliated PAC have long shaped conservative politics in the state, supporting stricter voter ID laws and challenging campaign finance reforms. The organization was a plaintiff in a 2011 U.S. Supreme Court case that dismantled part of Arizona’s public financing system for candidates running under the state’s Clean Elections program. It has also claimed court victories protecting Arizona’s 2.5% flat tax and other tax cuts benefiting the state’s highest earners. The concentration of submissions is not, by itself, evidence of wrongdoing. Arizona law allows individuals and organizations to pay the $75 submission fee and coordinate arguments. But the system raises concerns about what voters read when they open the state’s official voter guide, and how much weight to give an argument that appears to come from an individual voter when a political organization wrote, financed, and coordinated it. ****How We Did This Story** **LOOKOUT* utilized Google Pinpoint to create computer-readable documents, transcribe interviews, and find patterns in submission data from the Secretary of State’s office. We also used Claude to create RegEx formulas that were used by a human editor in OpenRefine to clean and fact-check our data. Other states have developed different safeguards for presenting arguments to voters: Colorado has legislative staff summarize major arguments in an impartial analysis; California selects one argument per side; Montana relies on designated committees and requires documentation to support factual claims in individual arguments. Arizona’s system offers no comparable process for independently verifying the claims submitted by individuals or organizations. In fact, in a 2024 press release, the office encouraged voters to seek out and verify information from trusted sources since arguments are “printed exactly as entered.” The 2022 voter pamphlet explicitly states that submitted arguments “are not fact-checked or edited.” In an email statement to *LOOKOUT*, the Secretary of State’s office confirmed there is no fact-checking process for argument submissions. That warning is not insignificant. The 2024 pamphlet contained numerous factual errors about abortion access, tipped workers, undocumented immigrants and elections. In two instances, arguments were submitted under the wrong proposition entirely. The result is a voter guide that carries the authority of an official state publication while containing political arguments that are privately written, paid for and coordinated — and that Arizona does not independently fact-check. ### **How it works** Arizona starts collecting political arguments months before voters ever see them. This year, the Secretary of State’s online portal opened May 22 and closed June 24, giving individuals, political committees and organizations a little more than a month to submit their cases for or against ballot measures. State law requires submissions to be made no later than 27 days before the primary election, which was moved this year to July 21. The requirements are that arguments must be submitted electronically and cannot exceed 300 words. Someone other than the person named in an argument can also foot the bill and be listed as its sponsor. Those arguments must include a sworn statement from the sponsor — two from an organization’s executives or one from the chair or treasurer if the argument is sponsored by a political action committee. And there’s a $75 fee, which is a deposit intended to cover the cost of printing and mailing the pamphlet. If an individual or organization pays the $75 on someone else’s behalf — or reimburses the person who paid it — the argument is considered sponsored. That distinction is important, because the name attached to an argument is not necessarily the person or organization that paid to get it into the pamphlet. Once published, the arguments sit alongside the official ballot language and its corresponding nonpartisan analysis. Supporters get their turn first, followed by opponents. If the legislator or filer behind an initiative submitted an argument, they get the first spot on their respective side. Beyond that, there are few limits. The law does not cap how many arguments a single person or organization can submit, meaning a person or organization can invest an unlimited amount of money as political clout. This year, one person was able to submit more than 100 arguments on behalf of an organization. ### **Only a few truly independent submissions** The most recognizable fights in this year’s voter guide centers on school vouchers, transgender students’ participation in sports, election rules, diversity programs, and teachers’ unions. Though many of those arguments will not eventually get in front of voters’ eyes. For example, most submissions centered on Arizona’s controversial Empowerment Scholarship Accounts. The records reviewed included 204 submissions connected to Proposition 212, known as the Protect Education Act, which was struck down by the court this week for an insufficient number of signatures. Eighty-one submissions related to Proposition 145, a competing legislative referral combining protections for military families’ school-voucher accounts with a sweeping provision that could invalidate an entire future law, was also struck down by the court. That money paid by submitters to get arguments in front of voters does not get refunded. [Who Is Robert Wallace? Inside His Political RiseThe openly gay Republican has built his political career opposing LGBTQ+ inclusion — particularly transgender rights. He’s reposted antisemitic conspiracy theories and claimed to be a reincarnated “Black gangbanger.” Still, he’s been endorsed by sitting and past lawmakers.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-8be555d1-98f9-42cc-bc75-d873d922789a.png)LOOKOUTSreejita Patra (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Stonewall-78d519ba-4386-41ee-a0a1-23c9f0ff26c8.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/robert-wallace-is-fringe-he-also-might-be-the-future/) Even with those ballot initiatives struck down, the use of the publicity pamphlet shows how connected political groups on both sides use the system to sway voters. On the conservative side, arguments were driven largely by established pro-voucher organizations and a newly created political committee formed to defend Arizona’s universal school-voucher program. Many of the people and groups involved trace back to former Gov. Doug Ducey, who made universal vouchers a central part of his education agenda. The network includes organizations Ducey now leads, former members of his administration and political consultants working for several of the committees opposing ESA reform. The campaign also drew substantial funding. One recently created organization in Delaware connected to Ducey contributed $250,000 to the pro-voucher committee AZ Loves ESAs. AZ Loves ESAs told *LOOKOUT* that it encouraged parents, educators and other supporters to submit arguments defending the program. According to finance reports, the committee paid the Secretary of State’s office over $4,000, including multiple $75 deposits. Organizations supporting ESA reform constructed a similar operation. A committee backed by Arizona’s largest teachers’ union and the national teachers’ union received nearly $7.5 million to promote the Protect Education Act. The result on both sides was a collection of seemingly independent arguments supported by a much smaller infrastructure of well-funded committees, professional consultants, and established advocacy groups. In an interview with Eric Chalmers, a consultant for Will of the People and Protect Education, he said the political committees he represents budget money to cover the fees and submit arguments on behalf of supporters. He views the pamphlet as a rare opportunity to reach voters outside the usual stream of campaign mailers, television spots, and digital advertisements competing for their attention. The arguments arrive inside an official state-labeled publication mailed to every eligible voter across Arizona, potentially lending them more attention and credibility than the ordinary political ad. “The media environment is so loud and covered in ads,” Chalmers said. “This is the one thing that’s like, ‘Okay, this comes from the Secretary of State’s Office.’” Beyond education funding and school vouchers, transgender students were once again turned into a political battleground of campaign talking points. Proposition 318, a legislative referral restricting transgender students’ participation in school athletics and access to certain athletic facilities, was the second-most debated topic. The 55 submitted arguments came from a wide range of perspectives: parents, athletes, educators, advocates and faith leaders. However, submission data once again showed many of them were recruited or financed through a smaller network of individuals and organizations. Some of the arguments in support of restricting transgender students came from a right-wing political consultant working on similar ballot efforts in Colorado, Maine, and Nevada. Others came from conservative lobbying organizations and activist groups specifically focused on anti-trans legislation. # Want to Share Insider Information? ## Help keep power accountable. LOOKOUT relies on tips from readers to get our news out. Click on the button below to submit a secure email to our team. Any information you send will be kept confidential in accordance with our ethics guidelines. [Email a Tip ](mailto:editor@lookoutnews.org) The opposing side also coordinated nearly 40 arguments, with Will of the People again leading the charge. Chalmers said the volume of submissions measured organizing strength. He noted that his network generated the most arguments across the six referrals it targeted. “So, I guess, just scoreboard?” Chalmers joked. ### **Overstated facts and exaggerated claims** When it comes to accuracy, some submissions exaggerated potential consequences or made claims that do not match the ballot measure’s language. Proposition 318, which is currently being challenged in court over whether it violates the state’s single-subject requirement for ballot measures, would require K-12 schools and athletic associations to designate sports teams based on the sex listed on an athlete’s original birth certificate. It would bar transgender girls from female sports teams and restrict students from using school restrooms, locker rooms and showers that do not correspond with their sex as listed on their original birth certificate. [Election Distrust is Not Just a Republican ThingNew LOOKOUT survey found fewer than 30% of Democrats and Independents fully trust U.S. elections. Instead of the right’s fraud claims, they blame gerrymandering, voter suppression, money in politics and fears of federal interference.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-7a980286-05a3-4a29-9833-6e21fc1630fd.png)LOOKOUTSreejita Patra (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Copy-of-Stonewall-5ff1edab-5489-46f1-9f0f-abb6ec6c88ba.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/election-distrust-among-democrats/) Supporters argued that the proposition would ensure every student gets to participate in sports. The proposal neither guarantees students a place on a team nor requires schools to offer transgender students an opportunity to compete. Other supporters claimed it will keep males from being inside female private spaces. But the bill is actually much narrower and applies only to schools, athletic associations, and private spaces connected to athletics — not every public restroom in Arizona. Opponents also overstated its effects. Some warned that the proposal would authorize physical examinations before using the restroom or lawsuits against teachers and coaches whenever someone thought a girl looked too tall or strong. The statements are not categorically false, but rather unsupported predictions. The measure contains no physical inspection or medical examination requirement, and it does not give any person a general right to sue an individual teacher based on suspicions about an athlete’s appearance. Submission data for school voucher reform show similar patterns. Opponents of ESA reform repeatedly say the measure would remove 20,000 students with disabilities, even though the proposal explicitly exempts students with disabilities from restrictions. One submission claimed that ESA reform advocates want to “gender transition” students behind their parents’ backs. Supporters, meanwhile, claim the current ESA program has no requirement that funds be spent on education, despite existing rules limiting allowable expenses. Unverified, exaggerated claims are only one facet of what makes Arizona’s General Election Publicity Pamphlet peculiar. Under the authority of the state seal, Arizona provides campaigns and political networks an unusually direct avenue into voters’ mailboxes. Behind the pages of arguments Arizonans will see later this year, a network of money, organizing and infrastructure is working to win an election. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Phoenix Pride Faces Uncertain Future After Bankruptcy Filing URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/uncertain-future-for-phoenix-pride-bankruptcy/ Last updated: 2026-08-17T19:18:33.000Z Earlier this summer, Phoenix Pride, one of the state’s largest LGBTQ+ organizations, [filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy](https://www.lookoutnews.org/phoenix-pride-has-filed-for-bankruptcy/) with hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt and a lawsuit its attorney told a federal judge the organization could not afford to fight. Within a week, the organization had enough cash to pay only three of its four employees. More than two months after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the nonprofit behind one of Arizona’s largest LGBTQ+ celebrations remains open and is preparing for another October festival. However, court records indicate that the organization is operating with little room for error as it approaches an Aug. 26 deadline to lay out its plan to avoid shutting its doors completely. [At a July town hall held at Community Church of Hope in Melrose](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjtBTjkgwE0&ref=lookoutnews.org), Phoenix Pride leadership spent most of the time addressing community concerns about accessibility, relationships with law enforcement, scholarships and changes to the upcoming festival. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Less than 20 minutes of the two-hour town hall were devoted to discussing the looming financial crisis. When asked directly, Board President Daniel Eckstrom acknowledged responsibility for the organization’s debts and a commitment to repaying them: “Just because we filed bankruptcy, it doesn’t mean we washed our hands of it,” he said. “We know that there’s a responsibility. And part of that responsibility is to file Chapter 11 to try to pay them instead of just filing Chapter 7 and closing the doors.” Chapter 11 provides entities with breathing room to continue operations while they attempt to restructure their finances. The alternative is Chapter 7, which generally involves liquidating the organization and attempting to repay creditors. The repayment likely refers to the organization’s largest financial dispute: [a lawsuit filed by Pride Group LLC](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/11ajnW-4JvKRwUHAgueaWGkupyYRmgxcc?usp=sharing&ref=lookoutnews.org), an event services company that said Phoenix Pride owes more than $418,000 for work connected to the 2025 Phoenix Pride Festival. [Phoenix Pride Has Filed for BankruptcyOne of Arizona’s largest LGBTQ+ organization has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy amid financial struggles.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-0f4a47e7-ee48-4e7a-85d3-0a97ccae10bc.png)LOOKOUTLorenzo Gomez (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot_29-5-2026_181751_www.lookoutnews.org-024e25f9-6aa9-4270-a3d9-ae661161c1cf.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/phoenix-pride-has-filed-for-bankruptcy/) At a June 4 hearing, Phoenix Pride’s bankruptcy attorney, JoAnn Falgout, explained that the dispute directly factored into the decision to seek court protection. She said the organization could not afford the costs of fighting the lawsuit and disclosed that it was already short on cash for that week’s payroll. In response, Phoenix Pride Executive Director Mike Fornelli agreed to forgo his pay to ensure that other employees could be paid. In a conversation with *LOOKOUT*, Phil Giles, an Arizona bankruptcy attorney with Allen, Jones & Giles who is not involved in the case, cautioned that the cash shortage was not necessarily proof that the organization is failing and commended Fornelli for his decision to forgo his full pay. “Most debtors in Chapter 11 are suffering from current liquidity issues, so that’s not necessarily unusual,” Giles said. “I think the director did a really good thing.” The bankruptcy filing did not come without warning. [Tax filings for 2023 and 2024](https://phoenixpride.org/financials/?ref=lookoutnews.org) showed substantial losses in both years. Late last year, the organization publicly disclosed a nearly $350,000 budget shortfall, attributing it to declining attendance, sponsorship losses and the broader political climate putting pressure on LGBTQ+ organizations across the country. While Phoenix Pride has yet to file its 2025 tax return, a June monthly report showed the organization expected to continue receiving money, including restricted funds earmarked for its scholarship program. The court allowed it to continue spending those restricted funds for their intended purpose. [Tucson Pride’s Collapse: Years Of Warning Signs Before ShutdownFederal tax records and a former board member points to years of strain that eroded the organization’s stability and trust.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-979cff0d-0c66-40b4-b379-bf7b80b1099b.png)LOOKOUTLorenzo Gomez (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Copy-of-PRESS-VEHICLE-bb69fe41-8c36-487a-960a-0d17c793826f.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/records-show-years-of-warning-signs-before-tucson-pride-shut-down/) In a statement to *LOOKOUT*, Fornelli said the organization is navigating bankruptcy “as thoughtfully and responsibly as possible,” while continuing its programs and preparing for its October festival and parade. “Our mission remains unchanged, and we are focused on ensuring that Phoenix Pride continues to serve, celebrate, and advocate for our community for years to come,” he said. It is not the only queer organization facing difficult decisions. Earlier this year, [Tucson Pride shut down after years of financial struggles](https://www.lookoutnews.org/records-show-years-of-warning-signs-before-tucson-pride-shut-down/) and infighting. In late July, Prism Network, a community organization based in Yavapai County, [decided to dissolve](https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1478296844340940&set=pcb.1478296861007605) after limited resources and declining leadership halted normal operations. At the end of the announcement, the remaining two board members noted there were still some last-ditch efforts to save the organization, although nothing was final. At the town hall, Fornelli explained that expenses for the festival kept getting “higher and higher and higher” until the cost of production exceeded revenue from attendance. The board also said it reduced the festival budget by 75% this year, cutting the main festival from two days to one on Oct. 11, changing venues to the Arizona Center in downtown Phoenix, and shifting its focus toward more local entertainment and vendors. Board members also pointed to [this year’s Rainbows Festival](https://phoenixpride.org/events/rainbows-festival/?ref=lookoutnews.org) as evidence that scaling back events can work, telling town hall attendees that the event exceeded its financial goals. However, the success of Pride’s events likely will not be enough to get Phoenix Pride out of bankruptcy on its own. The organization and its legal counsel must still show the court that it has a realistic path forward. Giles explained that the reorganization plan must indicate a deal that is in the “best interests” of creditors — meaning the amount repaid will be the same as or more than what creditors would receive if the organization were liquidated. “If creditors are better off in a chapter seven where everything is liquidated and they’re paid immediately,” Giles said, “that’s better than forcing creditors to accept payments over three to five years to get the same amount.” In the coming months, the community will likely see what Phoenix Pride’s future looks like. During the final question submitted in advance, Interim Treasurer Maury Rice said that while the organization revamps its budget, “Everything is on the table.” [Phoenix Pride Community Demands Transparency: Fact-CheckAt its first public town hall since 2020, Phoenix Pride addressed finances, policing and trust. A LOOKOUT review found some claims supported by the record — and others that fall short.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-8e7e5b63-a13a-4f41-bdbc-f4e070ed527f.png)LOOKOUTLorenzo Gomez (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_7481-1-1-1ec7fab5-bb04-4cda-8cea-22be2a5c63d0.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/phoenix-pride-held-a-town-hall-heres-which-claims-check-out-and-which-dont/) ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Queer Activists Are Living in a Tree to Stop Trump’s Border Wall URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/lochiel-tree-protesters-against-border-wall-protest/ Last updated: 2026-08-12T13:00:51.000Z Early on the morning of Aug. 10, a crew of activists drank coffee under a series of shade tents and tarps in the tiny Arizona border town of Lochiel. It had stormed overnight, and the tall grass and scattered tents were wet and sparkling in the morning sun. Heavy monsoons had the surrounding valley bursting with green. A horse, silhouetted against the cream of a dawn sky, grazed on a nearby rolling hill across the border in Mexico, and a partially built double border wall rose over the eastern horizon like two shark fins. More than 50 feet above the activists drinking coffee under the shade tents, a person perched on a wooden platform in a giant cottonwood tree leisurely dangled a leg. They had spent the night in the tree, as they had for the previous 12 nights. Storms can be dangerous for anyone teetering among the branches of the cottonwood, as can a nest of bees. And cottonwoods are known to be perilous for climbers or people camping underneath them because of their propensity to drop limbs. But over coffee in the camp kitchen, which also functions as a gathering space and support center, people who have been up in the tree say they find peace in the canopy. Their deep connection to the land, their long commitment to immigrant rights and their fight against various forms of state violence have convinced them the perils are worth it. The real danger, they say, is the project they are bent on halting. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Neither the person currently in the tree nor multiple members of their support crew below would share their names for fear of criminal charges or vigilante attacks, especially as the Trump administration has begun prosecuting people like the activists under a federal directive that could charge them as domestic terrorists. One person has already been[ arrested](https://www.instagram.com/p/DbUkqVLiKbC/?ref=lookoutnews.org) for blocking construction crews in late July. *LOOKOUT* spoke with five people on the ground, some of whom have spent time in the tree stand. We camped overnight with the activists to understand what they were fighting for, what’s at stake for them, and how they think the standoff will end. “Border wall construction was seen as an impossible thing to stop,” said the activist who was perched in the tree during our visit. “And yet, here we are, and people are stopping it.” That person — who is being supplied with water and food by a system of pulleyed buckets and protected from the elements by a sleeping bag and tarp — is currently holding off the completion of a $500 million border wall construction project. They, along with a dedicated support crew of anti-border activists, are now more than two weeks into a tree sit and political encampment in Lochiel, a tiny town about 25 miles east of Nogales. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/08/person-in-tree-sign-2.jpg) A sign hung on the cottonwood warning anyone considering cutting that a person is in the tree canopy. (Photo by John Washington) ### **“Rooted and resolute”** The border wall construction project in the San Rafael Valley, southeast of Tucson, Arizona, is a planned 27-mile span of double wall along the Arizona border. The wall is 30 feet high and runs parallel to another wall, with an approximately 60-foot no-man’s-land buffer zone between them. Miles of the double wall have already been built. The price of the two barriers for the 27 miles is divided between two contracts, both for Fisher Sand & Gravel, and is estimated to cost around $500 million. The contract for the first span of the 27-mile-long wall was for[ $309 million](https://azluminaria.org/2025/10/07/a-jaguar-a-wall-a-sacred-valley-whats-at-stake-in-san-rafael/?ref=lookoutnews.org). The second, parallel wall of the same length is part of a multi-project contract in Arizona worth about[ $1.5 billion](https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/national-media-release/dhs-cbp-continue-strengthen-border-security-five-new-smart-wall?ref=lookoutnews.org). Some of the newly erected panels have already started to[ warp and lean](https://www.hcn.org/articles/a-new-section-of-the-billion-dollar-border-wall-in-arizona-is-bent-out-of-shape/?ref=lookoutnews.org). While work is ongoing — earthmovers and diggers clanking, shoveling and belching exhaust during the day and sometimes at night — the completion of this span of wall is currently being thwarted by the tree sitter. # Want to Share Insider Information? ## Help keep power accountable. LOOKOUT relies on tips from readers to get our news out. Click on the button below to submit a secure email to our team. Any information you send will be kept confidential in accordance with our ethics guidelines. [Email a Tip ](mailto:editor@lookoutnews.org) Kate Scott, one of the key organizers on the ground in Lochiel, said that despite the constant leering, clamoring construction, horn honking, and general unpleasantness of the local construction crews, “a peace permeates this land.” She and others refer to the cottonwood trees as “grandmothers” after what she described as an “Indigenous women youth-led solstice ceremony” that took place in Lochiel in late June. Scott, who is a co-founder of the[ Madrean Archipelago Wildlife Center](https://www.mawcenter.org/?ref=lookoutnews.org), was one of the first activists to try to protect the cottonwoods as part of a broader effort to stop border wall construction. “The bees, the monarch butterflies, the wild oregano,” Scott said, listing the species she and others have marveled at and taken comfort in. “And all the while the grandmothers are guiding us.” Scott reflected on how it was a “great loss” to watch the hundreds-year-old cottonwoods get destroyed. She’d spent much of the summer camping out near or directly underneath the cottonwood. This moment, she said, felt like a tipping point. “I think people will be emboldened by our actions.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/08/Scott-morning-standoff-2.jpg) Kate Scott, one of the key organizers around the fight to stop border wall construction in Lochiel, confronts a construction crew chopping up a tree. (Photo by John Washington) About a half-hour earlier, just after 5 a.m., Scott stood down yet another attempt to widen the road for more construction. A crew with an excavator started knocking down the branches of another nearby tree, and Scott, phone in hand filming the encounter, approached one of the workers on foot. She told him he was breaking the branches of a tree on private property. After a few minutes of back-and-forth, even as the construction crew loaded one large broken branch into a giant dump truck, they moved on to another section of the wall. “We are rooted and resolute,” Scott said afterward. Reflecting on the moment from a camping chair under the tree, she added, “I feel that there are fists coming up all over the country.” [A Trans Woman Detained in a Deadly Arizona Detention Center Refuses to be SilentKarla Saenz alleges neglect and transphobia, but also found fortitude and solidarity inside a detention camp.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-5e5dc8bc-2f2c-4e90-89c6-6de447733c8d.png)LOOKOUTJohn Washington (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2026-03-27-at-6.13.37---PM-1-154d760c-6743-4650-aa8c-5c3061e948a3.webp)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-trans-woman-detained-in-a-deadly-arizona-detention-center-refuses-to-be-silent/) ### **Dodging the law** The predominantly queer and femme activists on the ground and in the tree have been staging events, protests, gatherings and ceremonies in the San Rafael Valley for months. The situation escalated in late July when three of the giant cottonwoods — which probably sprouted long before the border between the United States and Mexico was first drawn — were knocked down by an excavator. The arborcide encapsulated a broader political showdown and invigorated an already committed crew rallying against the wall. Dozens of laws were waived to allow the construction to proceed. Dinah Bear, a Tucson-based environmental attorney and former general counsel for the Council on Environmental Quality, told *LOOKOUT* that not only have[ many environmental laws](https://biologicaldiversity.org/w/news/press-releases/trump-administration-waives-dozens-of-laws-to-bulldoze-border-wall-through-texas-national-wildlife-refuge-2025-08-25/?ref=lookoutnews.org) been waived to allow wall construction to proceed, but many[ procurement and contracting laws](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/10/15?ref=lookoutnews.org) were also waived to grant the permits and contracts. “Sadly, it is not surprising, but it remains shocking that in the name of law and order, the administration has waived 66 federal laws and purportedly all related state and local laws intended to protect Native American gravesites, the environment, wildlife, historic and paleontological resources and basic administrative laws to build double wall in the San Rafael Valley,” Bear said. “In addition, 24 laws and 10 sets of regulations governing the contracting process have been waived as well.” All of it is happening in the context of an unprecedented and increasingly deadly anti-immigrant crackdown taking place throughout the country. Much of the attention in Lochiel has now focused on the one remaining cottonwood still standing in the way of the proposed wall. Despite the focus on the trees, however, Scott and others say this is far more than just an environmental fight to protect a single tree. One activist who has spent time in the tree told *LOOKOUT* that the wall embodied “toxic nationalism and authoritarianism,” and that protesting can show people another way forward. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/08/in-between-the-walls-2.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/08/early-AM-construction-2-2.jpg) (Left) The dead zone between the two 30-foot high walls near Lochiel, Arizona. (Right) Construction crews haul away large branches from a tree. (Photos by John Washington) ### **A history of death in the borderlands** Another person who has spent time in the tree explained the stakes: One person has already been[ arrested](https://www.instagram.com/p/DbUkqVLiKbC/?ref=lookoutnews.org) for blocking construction crews in late July. The activists haven’t been deterred, with one of them saying they saw the wall as “a tool of murder.” In the government's own view, the wall was a means of using death as a deterrent for border crossings. In the 1990s, as some of the early stretches of wall were built along the U.S.-Mexico border, the strategy known as[ Prevention Through Deterrence](https://www.undocumentedmigrationproject.org/background?ref=lookoutnews.org) deliberately funneled migrants into more dangerous and deadly crossing corridors, resulting in a spike in migrant deaths. Due to how remote it is and the lack of robust highways just south of the valley in Mexico, very few migrants have ever crossed in the San Rafael Valley, according to studies conducted by Sky Island Alliance and other environmental groups opposed to wall construction. Much more than a site of human migration, the valley is home to roaming antelope, jaguars, coatimundi, javelina, bears and other species. But those animals’ crossing corridors are being severed by the double wall. “All of it has pushed ordinary people to take extraordinary measures to put their lives on the line to protect a tree that has become a symbol of the future we want, and the future we are ready to fight for,” said Erick Meza, Borderlands coordinator of the Sierra Club’s Grand Canyon Chapter. Meza has been another key organizer in the Lochiel standoff. So while the activists in Lochiel hope to permanently block further construction and save the remaining cottonwood tree on the U.S. side of the line, they also recognize their fight is symbolic. “I hope people will be inspired,” one activist said. “There are always ways people can slow or stop construction. And as soon as more people start resisting, it feels less and less impossible.” It’s not the only standoff at the border. The Tohono O’odham Nation recently issued a[ no-trespassing order](https://www.azfamily.com/2026/08/09/arizona-tribal-nation-warns-federal-border-wall-contractors-not-trespass-lands/?ref=lookoutnews.org) for any nontribal member on its nation, as part of an effort to block a border wall being built on its tribal land. In Texas’ Big Bend, activists are[ pushing back](https://nobigbendwall.org/?ref=lookoutnews.org) against proposed wall construction there. The Lochiel camp sits about 10 miles from where, in 2022, former Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey[ built a border wall of shipping containers](https://azluminaria.org/2023/02/17/how-southern-arizona-environmentalists-and-advocates-blocked-a-border-wall-of-shipping-containers/?ref=lookoutnews.org). Some members of the current tree protest said they were also part of the encampment that slowed and ultimately shut down that project. A federal lawsuit later resulted in the shipping containers being removed. The stunt cost Arizona taxpayers[ $200 million](https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/border-issues/2023/01/10/duceys-shipping-container-barrier-to-cost-az-taxpayers-200m/69785116007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=false&gca-epti=z115001e1188xxv115001d--55--b--55--&gca-ft=6&gca-ds=sophi&ref=lookoutnews.org). It was the first international barrier to go down since the fall of the Berlin Wall and has served as partial inspiration for the tree sit. Multiple activists in Lochiel spoke about other legacies of resistance they’ve been leaning into as inspiration. They mentioned the forest defenders in Atlanta organizing around the[ Stop Cop City](https://stopcop.city/?ref=lookoutnews.org) movement and the[ protest in Appalachia](https://www.selc.org/news/appalachia-cant-be-a-sacrifice-zone-for-an-irresponsible-dinosaur-like-the-mountain-valley-pipeline/?ref=lookoutnews.org) against the Mountain Valley Pipeline. Taking a sip from a steaming coffee mug, an activist said, “The more they repress a community of resistance, the more people will get mobilized, pushing back even harder.” [The Fight Over Phoenix’s Parks Is Really a Fight Over What Happens to the HomelessAs Phoenix cracks down on outreach in public parks, advocates, doctors, neighborhood leaders and unhoused residents share concerns over what comes next, and question if the city is helping anyone.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-1a625c3a-2d91-4c20-a785-443e7816c4be.png)LOOKOUTJack Fernandez (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/P.O.BANNER-782297d2-7a0f-49da-854e-60aad98ba277.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/the-fight-over-phoenixs-parks-is-really-a-fight-over-what-happens-to-the-homeless/) ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Election Distrust is Not Just a Republican Thing URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/election-distrust-among-democrats/ Last updated: 2026-08-11T13:00:21.000Z Distrust in elections has been more recently a defining feature of modern conservative politics. But that’s not the case anymore. Since President Donald Trump and his allies falsely claimed that Joe Biden did not win the 2020 presidential election, conspiracy theories about voter fraud have moved from the political fringe into the mainstream that has reshaped how millions of Americans view the country's elections. Election distrust has largely been portrayed as a conservative phenomenon. But a recent *LOOKOUT* survey of 127 people found that Democrats and Independents also harbor deep skepticism about American elections — just not for the same reasons. While many election deniers on the right point to repeatedly debunked claims of widespread voter fraud, ballot "mules," and illegal voting, Democrats and Independents who took our survey were more likely to cite government actions they believe threaten free and fair elections. Respondents pointed to voter suppression efforts, gerrymandering, the influence of money in politics, Supreme Court decisions that weaken voting protections, and concerns that federal officials could interfere with election administration or intimidate voters as reasons to think election results could be altered or skewed for the foreseeable future. ### **Trusting the process, not the politics** This finding isn't unique to our survey: [Polling from UC San Diego](https://today.ucsd.edu/story/trust-in-elections-declines-across-party-lines-ahead-of-2026-midterms-uc-san-diego-survey-finds?ref=lookoutnews.org) found trust in accurate vote counting ahead of the 2026 midterm elections fell 17 percentage points between 2025 and 2026, with similar declines among Democrats, Republicans and Independents. That's roughly the same level of confidence that the [Center for Election Innovation & Research found among Republicans after the 2020 election](https://electioninnovation.org/research/dec-2022-election-integrity-survey/?ref=lookoutnews.org), when President Donald Trump began claiming widespread voter fraud and sought to overturn his loss through allies in states including Arizona, Pennsylvania and Georgia. Our survey found a similar trend: less than 30% of Democrats and Independents told us they have full trust in the election process as it exists today. But while that top-line number may match conservative election skeptics, as with most things in politics, neither side can agree on why they distrust the results. For most Democrats and Independents who took *LOOKOUT*'s survey, distrust isn't centered on whether ballots are accurately cast or counted, as it has been for Republicans. Instead, it's rooted in the politics surrounding elections — the rules, institutions and people shaping them before and after votes are cast. These respondents cited several recent legal and political developments they believe have weakened the country's democratic safeguards: such as the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in *Louisiana v. Callais*, which narrowed the circumstances of how racially drawn voting districts can be used as a reason to sue under the Voting Rights Act; as well as ongoing battles over election administration in the Southwest and concerns that political actors are increasingly willing to undermine public confidence in election outcomes for partisan gain. They also brought up the possibility of political interference and voter intimidation at polling stations by ICE agents or members of the National Guard: though their presence is [illegal under federal law](https://www.lookoutnews.org/republican-lawmaker-wants-ice-at-polling-places-that-would-be-illegal/), the Trump administration has [refused](https://www.c-span.org/clip/white-house-event/president-trump-says-hes-willing-to-send-ice-national-guard-to-the-polls-in-november/5200208?ref=lookoutnews.org) to rule out the possibility of sending agents anyway. In other words: Democratic and Independent respondents largely trust election workers to abide by the process — they just don’t view the process as fair. For those people who have full trust in the election process, many reported either having worked at polling stations or knowing people who do: “It’s really hard to cry conspiracy when it’s Carol from your neighborhood handling ballots, (though) I am slightly skeptical about how well some volunteers pick up election training,” said a Democrat survey respondent from Arizona who plans to work the polls in the upcoming November election. Overall, more than 75% of respondents did not have complete faith in the upcoming midterm elections, a finding that cut across the political spectrum. Among Democrats, nearly 40% of respondents said they were either unsure or neutral about the reliability of upcoming midterm elections or mostly untrusting of them — suggesting that, in this survey, Democrat respondents expressed less trust in election results than Independents. “The right has co-opted the topic of election security, so I feel like if I come out strongly and say ‘don’t trust the results,’ I’m playing into a larger playbook,” said one Democratic survey respondent from New York City. “But the Trump admin is deeply unpopular among Independents and Democrats, so if the election doesn’t reflect that, it’s going to be curious. On a blunter note: I am worried.” #### ****What our survey can and can’t explain** Readers should not draw substantial statistical conclusions from LOOKOUT’s election trust survey, even among the Democratic and Independent respondents who made up most of the survey. We also acknowledge that because we were able to reach only a small sample of Republicans — especially Trump supporters – and an even lesser number of Libertarians, that key demographics are missing in our analysis. But what the survey can tell us is that, for this snapshot of left-leaning and middle-lane voters, concerns about the integrity of the upcoming midterm elections is a symptom of broader disillusionment in American democracy. Particularly for the far left, Democratic Socialists and progressives, America’s system of representative democracy and electoralism is increasingly being viewed as a victory for the “highest bidder,” rather than something the American people hold power to shape. ### **Arizona as a case study** According to the [Voting Rights Lab](https://votingrightslab.org/election-risk-heat-map/?ref=lookoutnews.org), Arizona is among five states — alongside Michigan, Wisconsin, Georgia and Texas — considered a ‘high-risk target for election manipulation’ in 2026\. Several prominent candidates representing Arizona have a history of election denialism, and there are gaps in election administration laws that have caused problems in the past, such as weak laws regarding election certification. Maricopa County, for example, has an election risk score of 100 in the wake of Recorder Justin Heap’s battles with the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors. His lawsuit against the predominantly GOP board for allegedly “illegally (taking) control of certain aspects of election administration” was [settled](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/election-officials-in-arizonas-largest-county-agree-on-how-to-oversee-vote-ending-legal-battle?ref=lookoutnews.org) in June, giving Heap, a prominent election denialist, more authority over early voting. Several Maricopa Democrats and Independents who responded to *LOOKOUT*’s survey brought up Heap as a concern regarding the outcome of the county’s midterm elections — including those who expressed some level of trust in the process. “The recorder having staff removing ballots and a scanner in a personal vehicle is an example of things that may cause distrust no matter how good our election systems and processes are,” said Tearanie Chinn, a Democrat registered in Phoenix. Another respondent, an Independent who wished only to be identified by her first name, Holland, told LOOKOUT that the battle between Heap and the board has made her watchful of what methods of voting seem most secure. She believes that dropping off her ballot will be the best way to ensure its integrity. Despite worries about the conflict, Arizona Democrats said that they trust most local election officials and processes, and that they fear “outside influence” by the federal government in 2026 above all else. Julie, a registered voter from Chandler, Arizona who wished to be identified only by her first name, wrote in the survey plainly: “What the current administration is doing on so many fronts threatens our democratic process of voting,” she said. “It is horrifying to see what they're doing and planning to do and trying to do.” ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### "Nada ni nadie robará mi identidad" URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/nada-ni-nadie-robara-mi-identidad/ Last updated: 2026-08-10T13:00:38.000Z Los tenis rosados de Karla Saenz no tenían cordones — agentes de inmigracion de Estados Unidos (ICE en inglés) los confiscaron — pero su paso era firme. Tenía hambre pero no estaba lista para comer; su voz estaba cansada, pero rehusó callarse. Agarrando su bolsa negra contra su suéter rosa, se sentó en una mesa de Wendy’s, cerca de una parada de camiones fuera de Eloy, Arizona, y empezó a describir su experiencia en un centro de detención para migrantes. Estaba agotada, pero decidida a seguir luchando. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/08/Untitled-1-1.png) Este artículo fue publicado en colaboración con High Country News. [Read the article in English](https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-trans-woman-detained-in-a-deadly-arizona-detention-center-refuses-to-be-silent/) Antes de ser detenida, Saenz, de 26 años, pasó un año defendiendo activamente a Arbella “Yari” Márquez, una residente de Phoenix desde hace mucho tiempo que estaba recluida en un centro de detención notorio del ICE en Eloy. Allí, Márquez sufría graves problemas de salud — incluida la leucemia — y, según se informó, había perdido más de 70 libras de peso. Márquez es lesbiana y, para Saenz, una mujer trans, la lucha por intentar liberarla fue profundamente personal. Saenz ayudó a organizar la campaña a favor de Márquez, gestionó las visitas, sirvió de enlace con políticos y medios de comunicación, y luchó incansablemente para dar a conocer las condiciones dentro del centro de detención, especialmente para las personas LGBTQ+. Saenz y Trans Queer Pueblo —una organización de justicia racial y de género con sede en Phoenix que trabaja con migrantes trans y queer— lograron hacer la difícil situación de Márquez más visible a nivel nacional, atrayendo la atención de miembros del Congreso y de líderes religiosos de la comunidad. Saenz sabe lo que está en juego. En su país natal de Venezuela, se enfrentó una persecución intensa por ser trans, huyendo a través de múltiples fronteras sudamericanas, según la petición de habeas entregada por sus abogados en abril. Fue violada repetidamente, secuestrada dos veces, y sometida a trabajo forzoso, finalmente escapando en 2024\. Eventualmente, llegó a la frontera estadounidense para empezar el proceso de asilo. Este marzo, Saenz y un voluntario de Trans Queer Pueblo que la acompañaba acudieron a lo que Saenz consideraba una cita rutinaria de control migratorio. Un agente le dijo que estaba siendo detenida, pero no le explicó el motivo, y Saenz rompió a llorar. Una semana después, tras un torbellino de privaciones y traslados, según relató, dio positivo en una prueba de COVID-19 y se encontró aislada en el mismo centro de detención que Márquez. Estaba a apenas unos cientos de metros de la persona por la cual llevaba un año luchando por liberarla, pero incapaz de comunicarse directamente con ella. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Después de salir de su aislamiento, Saenz pasó las próximas seis semanas en la unidad masculina. Márquez, que estaba en la unidad femenina, le mandó una carta, diciéndole que fuera fuerte, que estaba con ella, y que eventualmente las dos iban a salir. Saenz no podía ayudar a Márquez desde adentro. Pero había otras mujeres trans en la unidad masculina con ella, y sabía que ellas también necesitaban su ayuda. --- El Centro de Detención de Eloy, inaugurado en 1994, históricamente ha sido uno de los campamentos más mortíferos en el país. El centro — marcado por un saguaro malsano con brazos caídos al lado de un letrero de CoreCivic, la empresa que lo administra — está rodeado por una vasta zona de aparcamiento y polvo. Está cerca de tres prisiones también manejadas por CoreCivic, ubicado en medio de ranchos y como 10 minutos de Eloy, un pueblo soleado de un poco más de 15,000 personas. Más allá de la doble valla de alambre de concertina y la fachada gris y plana del campamento, los testimonios de las personas detenidas en este centro — con capacidad para 1.600 personas — describen una atención médica deficiente, condiciones insalubres, abusos físicos y frecuentes confinamientos. Tras los primeros cinco días de aislamiento, Saenz relató que pasó semanas sin recibir su tratamiento hormonal ni la medicina que necesitaba para una enfermedad crónica. Denunció una transfobia generalizada y mala calidad de la comida, pero dijo que los guardias hicieron caso omiso de sus quejas. Respondiendo al relato de Saenz, un vocero de ICE escribió un correo electrónico detallado — refiriéndose a ella por su nombre muerto y utilizando pronombres masculinos — diciendo que sus acusaciones “relacionadas a malos tratos y el negarle atención médica son totalmente falsas”. Alegando la privacidad de la paciente, el ICE se negó a hacer comentarios sobre su diagnóstico de COVID-19, pero insistió en que Saenz no presentó ninguna queja formal durante su estancia y que fue detenida por haber faltado a las entrevistas programadas, algo que ella niega. “El personal del centro trata a todos los detenidos por igual, con respeto y dignidad”, escribió en inglés el portavoz del ICE, haciendo hincapié en la palabra “todos”. “Estar detenido es una elección”, añadió el portavoz, diciendo que los migrantes sin autorización deberían abandonar el país voluntariamente. La detención de Saenz se produjo en un contexto de drástica intensificación de las medidas de control migratorio. Desde el inicio del segundo mandato de Trump, el número de ingresos en centros de detención se ha disparado, superando en más de un 60 % a principios de 2026 las cifras del mismo periodo del año anterior. Para las personas transgénero detenidas, la situación es a la vez peligrosa y opaca: ICE dejó de publicar datos sobre personas transgénero bajo custodia en febrero de 2025, lo que hace casi imposible que los defensores de derechos puedan rastrear o protegerlas. [Este grupo comunitario enseña lo que las aulas de Arizona no enseñanCon las escuelas de Arizona atadas por leyes obsoletas, un grupo local de defensa queer se pone creativo — e inclusivo — para enseñar educación sexual.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-e8a7e469-266f-40fd-9f76-9d1b7642d185.png)LOOKOUTDaniel Mills (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Loteria1--1--e76cbf96-fb88-4d12-9cd5-b2e627feeb80.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/este-grupo-comunitario-ensena-lo-que-las-aulas-de-arizona-no-ensenan/) Después de que la campaña de Trans Queer Pueblo a favor de Márquez se extendiera para incluir también a Saenz y se publicara un artículo en LOOKOUT, unos abogados asumieron su caso. Finalmente, tras más de seis semanas de detención, un juez ordenó su liberación el 21 de abril. Al día siguiente fue liberada y, apenas media hora después, se reunió con un representante de LOOKOUT/High Country News en el Wendy's situado junto a la autopista I-10, a unos 45 minutos al sur de Phoenix. La entrevista enseguida, editada para mayor brevedad y claridad, viene de tres conversaciones: una realizada por teléfono mientras Saenz aún estaba detenida, una justo después de su liberación, y una más unas semanas después. Juntas, se trazan la trayectoria de su calvario de 44 días, así como su negativa — a lo largo de todo el proceso — a guardar silencio. ***John Washington para LOOKOUT/High Country News, hablando con Saenz mientras aún estaba detenida:*** ¿Cómo estás? **Karla Saenz:** Mal. **LOOKOUT/HCN:** ¿Por qué? **Saenz:** Porque ha sido un trato inhumano, el convivir con tantos hombres, la discriminación y la transfobia. Me tuvieron aislada por 5 días porque supuestamente tenía COVID, pero yo no presentaba ningún síntoma. Solamente me sacaban para bañarme, y comía dentro de mi celda. No podía hablar con nadie, no tenía nada que hacer, lloraba todos los días. No sabía qué hora era. Me llevaban la comida a diferentes momentos. A veces no me la llevaban. **LOOKOUT/HCN:** ¿Tenías hambre? **Saenz:** Sí. **LOOKOUT/HCN:** ¿Cómo estás llevando todo esto? **Saenz:** He tratado de mantenerme muy fuerte, he tratado de mantenerme con mis ideales, pero es muy complicado luchar aquí sola contra todo cuando no hay derechos humanos, no hay respeto, no hay nada. **LOOKOUT/HCN:** Te arrestaron en la oficina del Servicio de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de los Estados Unidos en Phoenix después que, según ellos, no fuiste a unas entrevistas requeridas. ¿Puedes explicar qué pasó en esa cita? **Saenz:** El chico que me atiende me sienta aparte (con y voluntario de Trans Queer Pueblo), y me dice que vamos a hacer una verificación en inglés. Me pasan a un cuarto y me preguntan mi nombre, mi dirección, y cuando volteo hay un oficial de ICE con guantes y me dice que me tienen que llevar detenida. Me colocaron esposas en las manos, en los pies, en la cintura, me sacaron por la parte de atrás como una criminal. Y ahí comencé a llorar y a temblar de los nervios. **LOOKOUT/HCN:** Miembros de Trans Queer Pueblo dicen que tu detención es una represalia, específicamente por tu apoyo por Arbella “Yari” Márquez. ¿Así es cómo lo ves? **Saenz:** Sí, es una represalia. Es una manera de querer callarnos, pero no van a poder. Me tienen detenida sin tener alguna causa, por ser mujer trans, negra, inmigrante, por alzar mi voz, por no tener miedo. **LOOKOUT/HCN, siguiendo con la conversación justo después de la liberación de Saenz:** Ahora que estás afuera, ¿cómo ves tu experiencia adentro? **Saenz:** Tengo los sentimientos revueltos, pero sí sé que es un asco. Nadie merece estar ahí adentro, nadie. **LOOKOUT/HCN:** Mencionaste que habías pasado los primeros cinco días en confinamiento solitario. Un vocero de ICE dijo que eso era “categóricamente falso”. ¿Cómo respondes? **Saenz:** A ellos no les conviene que la gente afuera sepa lo que pasa adentro. No hay derechos humanos. No hay respeto por nadie, ni por nadie. Ellos hacen con nosotros lo que les da la gana. Hay mucha gente que está aislada, hay mucha gente que está medicada \[en contra de su voluntad\], mucha gente que está muriendo ahí adentro y a ellos no les importa. Ellos te obligan a firmar una salida voluntaria \[un acuerdo para salir del país sin una deportación formal\] y si no te tiran en un cuarto y ya. **LOOKOUT/HCN:** ¿Cuántas veces intentaron obligarte firmar la salida voluntaria? **Saenz:** Más de 10 veces y yo siempre me negué. Rompía la hoja, peleaba, gritaba. **LOOKOUT/HCN:** ¿Mencionaste que habían más mujeres trans en Eloy? **Saenz:** Tres más. **LOOKOUT/HCN:** ¿También detenidas con los hombres? **Saenz:** Sí. Pedimos, por favor, ser tratadas como mujeres. Venimos luchando contra la transfobia. A mí me llamaban, "Señor Carlos Saenz". O sea, vengo luchando por años con eso, vengo huyendo de eso y lo pido, por favor, solo que respeten mi identidad como mujer. Hablé con el manager, hablé con todo el mundo y a ellos no les importó. **LOOKOUT/HCN:** ¿Como era con las otras mujeres trans? **Saenz:** No nos dejaban estar juntas adentro. Pero salíamos las tres a las yardas y llorábamos y nos reíamos. Ellas tienen más tiempo que yo ahí. Las defendí muchísimas veces porque es muy difícil pelear contra un sistema y contra el machismo arraigado de los hombres, y las defendía porque las gritaban, las humillaban. Son mis hermanas. **LOOKOUT/HCN:** ¿Ya que estás libre, que sigue? **Saenz:** Voy a seguir luchando. Ahora en mi corazón, siento un anhelo, siento un deseo porque yo pude salir pero mis compañeras están adentro. Ellas siguen viviendo esa discriminación, esa transfobia. Voy a seguir luchando. La transfobia es muy fuerte ahí dentro. **LOOKOUT/HCN, hablando con Saenz unas semanas después:** ¿Qué ves en tu mente cuando piensas en esa estancia adentro? **Saenz:** Recuerdo todo. Recuerdo dolor, tristeza, desesperación, el trato inhumano que recibíamos, la discriminación y el racismo que vivimos de parte de los guardias de CoreCivic. La transfobia es muy fuerte ahí dentro.Por ejemplo, tienes que usar la ropa bien ancha, no te puedes hacer un nudito en la camisa, no te puedes meter la camisa por dentro porque los guardias te amenazan. **LOOKOUT/HCN:** ¿Te dieron un sostén? **Saenz:** Sí, me dieron un brasier, como 15 días después porque lo pedí. Para todo hay que esperar. **LOOKOUT/HCN:** Con toda esa espera, el aislamiento, las noches... ¿en qué pensabas? **Saenz:** Que no me podía rendir, que debía impartir mi conocimiento con las otras chicas para que pudieran defenderse. Pensaba mucho en ellas. Yo siempre me mantuve muy fuerte porque sentía el respaldo de Trans Queer Pueblo. Pero verlas a ellas tan vulnerables, como los compañeros las trataban, como los guardias las trataban, siempre pensaba en las charlas que podía dar a ellas para educarlas, para que ellas pudieran tener las herramientas para defenderse contra todo. También me ponía triste, lloraba, pero nunca perdí la esperanza de que iba a salir de ese lugar. **LOOKOUT/HCN:** ¿En algún momento pudiste descansar allá adentro, bajar tu guardia? **Saenz:** No, no hay ni paz, ni tranquilidad. Ahí dentro somos la única imagen femenina, los hombres nos tienden a ver como un objeto sexual. Entonces, cuando tenía la oportunidad de compartir con los demás reos, trataba de educarlos y explicarles que somos mujeres, que deben respetarnos como mujeres. Les enseñé a cómo convivir con una mujer trans. **LOOKOUT/HCN:** ¿Y nunca querías tomar un descanso, esconder quien eres? **Karla:** Nunca. Siempre estuve en alto que era una mujer trans, que soy Carla Saenz y que no iba a permitir que nada ni nadie robara mi identidad. **LOOKOUT/HCN:** ¿Cómo te has estado cuidando, sanando, desde que saliste? **Karla:** Cuando salí tenía miedo de salir, volver a mi vida cotidiana, y me sentía muy rara. No podía dormir. Me levantaba llorando. Siento que esa detención me marcó mucho. Aunque siempre me muestre muy fuerte, aunque siempre tenga las herramientas para saber defenderme, siento que nadie merece vivir lo que se vive ahí dentro. Es un infierno. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### A Trans Woman Detained in a Deadly Arizona Detention Center Refuses to be Silent URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-trans-woman-detained-in-a-deadly-arizona-detention-center-refuses-to-be-silent/ Last updated: 2026-08-10T13:00:11.000Z Karla Saenz’s pink tennis shoes no longer had laces — United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confiscated them — but her step was firm. She was hungry but not ready to eat; her voice was tired, but she refused to be silent. Clutching her black purse against her pink sweater, she sat down at a truck-stop Wendy’s outside Eloy, Arizona, and described her experience in immigration detention, just minutes after being released. She was exhausted and yet determined to keep fighting. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/08/Untitled-1.png) This story was published in partnership with **High Country News*. [**Lea este artículo en español*](https://www.lookoutnews.org/nada-ni-nadie-robara-mi-identidad/) Before she was detained, Saenz, 26, spent a year as one of the most vocal advocates for Arbella “Yari” Marquez, a longtime Phoenix resident locked away in a notorious ICE detention camp in Eloy, where she was suffering dangerous health complications, including leukemia, and reportedly losing more than 70 pounds. Marquez is lesbian, and for Saenz, a trans woman, the fight to try to free her was deeply personal. Saenz helped organize the campaign for Marquez, arranged visitations, was a contact for politicians and the media and fought tirelessly to publicize the conditions inside the camp, especially for LGBTQ+ people. Saenz and Trans Queer Pueblo, a Phoenix-based racial and gender justice organization that organizes with trans and queer migrants, put Marquez’s plight on the [national stage](https://www.lookoutnews.org/dozens-of-arizona-officials-call-for-humanitarian-release-of-phoenix-queer-woman-held-by-ice/), drawing attention from [members](https://ansari.house.gov/media/press-releases/at-the-peoples-state-of-the-union-ansari-shares-story-of-yari-who-is-dying-in-ice-custody?ref=lookoutnews.org) of [Congress](https://ansari.house.gov/media/press-releases/icymi-reps-ansari-and-grijalva-hold-community-oversight-briefing-on-mass-detention-centers?ref=lookoutnews.org) and [community faith leaders](https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/immigration/2026/04/24/ice-detainees-poor-health-arizona/89735771007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=false&gca-epti=z116701p119350l115650c119350e1178xxv116701d--50--b--50--&gca-ft=4&gca-ds=sophi&ref=lookoutnews.org). Saenz knows the stakes. In her home country of Venezuela, she faced intense persecution for being trans as she fled across multiple South American borders, according to the habeas petition her lawyers filed in April. She was repeatedly raped, kidnapped twice and subjected to forced labor, finally escaping [in 2024](https://drive.google.com/file/d/12NHclsl5lwCHaWjfrk6H57vVQD09hl5e/view?usp=drive%5Flink&ref=lookoutnews.org). Eventually, she made it to the U.S. border to begin the asylum process. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) This March, Saenz and a [Trans Queer Pueblo volunteer](https://www.tqpueblo.org/en?ref=lookoutnews.org) who accompanied her went to what Saenz thought was a routine immigration check-in. An agent told her she was being detained but not why, and Saenz broke down in tears. A week later, she said, after a whirlwind of deprivation and transfers, she tested positive for COVID-19 and found herself in isolation in the same detention center as Marquez — just a few hundred yards from the person she’d been fighting to free for a year and yet unable to directly communicate with her. After her release from isolation, Saenz spent the next six weeks in the men’s unit. Marquez, in the women’s unit, sent her a letter, telling her to be strong, that she was standing with her, that they would both eventually get out. Saenz couldn’t help Marquez from the inside. But there were other trans women in the men’s unit with her, and she knew they needed help, too. --- Eloy Detention Center, opened in 1994, has historically been [one of the deadliest](https://www.detentionwatchnetwork.org/reports/2024/anthology-abuse-eloy?ref=lookoutnews.org) detention camps in the country. The facility — marked by an unhealthy-looking, [droopy-armed saguaro](https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/1CAHRN6foY86K8hfnV5LDzzwIr5fTNiPO?ref=lookoutnews.org) next to a sign for CoreCivic, the for-profit company that runs it — is surrounded by a vast parking area and dust. It’s not far from three prisons run by CoreCivic, located amid farmland about 10 minutes from Eloy, a sun-baked town of just over 15,000 people. Beyond the camp’s concertina-wire double-fencing and flat gray facade, the accounts of those detained in the 1,600-bed facility [describe](https://www.detentionwatchnetwork.org/reports/2024/anthology-abuse-eloy?ref=lookoutnews.org) inadequate medical care, unsanitary conditions, physical abuse and frequent lockdowns. After the first five days in isolation, Saenz said she spent weeks being denied her hormone treatment along with the medication she needed for a chronic illness. She complained of pervasive transphobia and bad food, but guards ignored her. In response to Saenz’s account, an ICE spokesperson wrote a detailed email — referring to her by her deadname and using male pronouns — saying that her allegations “regarding mistreatment and denied medical care are entirely false.” Citing patient privacy, ICE declined to comment on her COVID-19 diagnosis but insisted that Saenz filed no official grievances while inside and that she was arrested for having missed scheduled check-ins, something Saenz denies. “Facility staff treat **all** detainees equally, with respect and dignity,” the ICE spokesperson wrote, emphasizing “all.” “Being in detention is a choice,” the spokesperson added, saying unauthorized migrants should leave the country voluntarily. [DACA Protections Under New Threat as Deportations IncreaseAs federal officials increase scrutiny of humanitarian programs, immigrants with U visas, DACA and other protections face new uncertainty.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-1791f5a3-b502-43c3-a0cf-6c1778f4558e.png)LOOKOUTJohn Washington (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/AP25162573237195-c1832de9-6a52-479d-95e4-4704c43cebfe.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/they-followed-the-rules-now-theyre-being-targeted-for-deportation/) Saenz’s detention unfolded amid dramatically expanding immigration enforcement. Since Trump's second term began, detention book-ins have surged — running [more than 60% higher](https://www.vera.org/news/ten-things-veras-ice-detention-trends-dashboard-reveals-about-ice-detention-through-march-2026?ref=lookoutnews.org) in early 2026 than the same period the previous year. For transgender detainees, the picture is both dangerous and opaque: ICE [stopped publishing data on transgender people in custody](https://www.vera.org/news/ice-is-excluding-data-on-transgender-people-in-detention?ref=lookoutnews.org) in February 2025, making it nearly impossible for advocates to track — or protect — them. After Trans Queer Pueblo’s campaign for Marquez was extended to Saenz herself and [a *LOOKOUT* article](https://www.lookoutnews.org/ice-detained-a-queer-migrant-rights-organizer-during-a-check-in-then-placed-her-in-a-mens-facility/) was published, attorneys took up her case. Finally, after more than six weeks in detention, a judge ordered her release on April 21\. The next day, she was released, and within a half-hour, she met with *LOOKOUT/High Country News* at the Wendy's off I-10, about 45 minutes south of Phoenix. The following interview, translated from Spanish and edited for length and clarity, is drawn from three conversations: One conducted by phone while Saenz was still detained, one shortly after her release, and another several weeks later. Together, they trace the arc of her 44-day ordeal, as well as her refusal, through all of it, to go quiet. **John Washington for *LOOKOUT/High Country News*, speaking to Saenz while she was still detained:** How are you? **Karla Saenz:** Bad. **LOOKOUT/HCN:** Why? **Saenz:** Because of the inhumane treatment, living with so many men, the discrimination and transphobia. They had me isolated for five days because I supposedly had COVID, but I didn’t have any symptoms. They only let me out to bathe; I ate in my cell, everything in my cell. I couldn’t talk to anyone; there was nothing to do, I cried all day. I didn’t know what time it was. They brought me food at different times. Sometimes they didn’t bring it at all. **LOOKOUT/HCN:** You went hungry? **Saenz:** Yes. **LOOKOUT/HCN:** How are you handling it all? **Saenz:** I’ve tried to stay strong, maintain my ideals, but it’s really complicated to fight alone against everything when there are no human rights, no respect, no nothing. **LOOKOUT/HCN:** You were arrested at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office in Phoenix after they said you had missed required check-ins. Can you explain what happened at the check-in? **Saenz:** The guy tending to me had me sit apart (from the accompanying Trans Queer Pueblo volunteer) and said we needed to do a verification. They took me to a room and asked me my name, address — and then I turned and saw an official with gloves on who said they were detaining me. They put shackles on my hands, ankles, waist, and then took me out the back like a criminal. And I started crying and shaking with nerves. **LOOKOUT/HCN:** Members of Trans Queer Pueblo say your detention is retaliation, specifically for your advocacy for Arbella “Yari” Marquez. Is that how you see it? **Saenz:** Yes, it’s retaliation. It’s their way of trying to silence us, but they won’t be able to. They have me locked up without any reason except I’m trans, Black and an immigrant, because I raised my voice and have no fear. ***LOOKOUT/HCN, continuing the conversation shortly after Saenz’s release:*** Now that you’re out, how do you look back at what it was like inside? **Saenz:** My feelings are all mixed up, but I can say it’s disgusting, and nobody deserves to be held inside — nobody. **LOOKOUT/HCN:** You mentioned that you had spent the first five days in Eloy in solitary confinement. A spokesperson for ICE said that was “[categorically false](https://drive.google.com/drive/u/1/folders/1CAHRN6foY86K8hfnV5LDzzwIr5fTNiPO?ref=lookoutnews.org).” How do you respond? **Saenz:** It’s not in their interest for people on the outside to know what’s happening inside. There are no human rights. There’s no respect for anybody. They do whatever they want with us. A lot of people are isolated, a lot of people are medicated (against their will), a lot of people are dying inside, and they don’t care. They [try to make you sign a voluntary departure ](https://www.themarshallproject.org/2026/05/30/ice-trump-new-jersey-detention?ref=lookoutnews.org)form (an [agreement to leave the country](https://www.justice.gov/eoir/page/file/1480811/dl?ref=lookoutnews.org) without a formal deportation order), and if you don’t, they throw you in a room. **LOOKOUT/HCN:** How many times did they try to get you to sign voluntary departure papers? **Saenz:** More than 10 times. And I always refused. I would rip up the paper, fight, scream. **LOOKOUT/HCN:** You said there were other trans women detained in Eloy. **Saenz:** Three others. **LOOKOUT/HCN:** Also held with the men? **Saenz:** Yes. We asked to please be treated as women. We had come from fighting transphobia on the outside. They kept calling me “Mr. Carlos Saenz.” I've been struggling with this for years, trying to escape it, and all I ask is, please, respect my identity as a woman. I spoke with the manager, with the boss; I spoke with everyone, and they didn’t care. **LOOKOUT/HCN:** What was it like with the other trans women? **Saenz:** They wouldn’t let us be together inside. But we'd go out to the yard together, the three of us, and we'd cry and laugh together. They had been in longer than I had. I defended them so many times. It’s so hard to fight against a system and against the rooted machismo. I defended them because the men cat-called them, humiliated them. They’re my sisters. **LOOKOUT/HCN:** Now that you’re out, what’s next? **Saenz:** I’m going to keep fighting. Right now, I feel in my heart this desire, this need, because I was able to get free, but my sisters are still inside. They’re still living that discrimination, the transphobia. ***LOOKOUT/HCN, speaking to Saenz weeks later:*** What do you see in your mind when you think about that time inside? **Saenz:** I remember everything: the pain, the sadness, the despair, the inhumane treatment we received, and the discrimination and racism we faced from the CoreCivic guards. The transphobia is really intense inside. For example, they make you wear really baggy clothes. You can’t knot your shirt, can’t tuck your shirt in, and if you do, they threaten you. **LOOKOUT/HCN:** Did they give you a bra? **Saenz:** Yeah, they gave me a bra about 15 days after I asked for it. You have to wait for everything. **LOOKOUT/HCN:** With all that waiting, the isolation, the nights, what did you think about? **Saenz:** That I couldn’t give up — that I had to share my understanding with the other girls so they could defend themselves. I thought about them a lot. I’ve always been able to stay strong because I felt that Trans Queer Pueblo had my back. But to see them so vulnerable, how the others inside treat them, how the guards treat them, I just kept thinking about what talks I could give them, or how to educate them so they had the tools to defend themselves against all of it. And I’d get sad, too, and cry, though I never lost hope I’d get out of that place. **LOOKOUT/HCN:** Were you ever able to rest in there, to let your guard down? **Saenz:** No, there’s no peace or tranquility. Inside, we were the only feminine presence, and the men saw us as sexual objects. So, when I had the opportunity to share with the other inmates, I tried to educate them as well, to explain that we were women, and they should respect us as women. I stayed strong and leaned into my knowledge, and I demanded respect. I taught them how to live with a trans woman. **LOOKOUT/HCN:** And you never just wanted to take a break, hide who you are? **Karla:** Never. I always stood firm: that I am a trans woman, that I'm Karla Saenz, and that I won't let anything or anyone rob me of my identity. **LOOKOUT/HCN:** How have you been taking care of yourself, healing, since you’ve been released? **Karla:** When I got out, I was scared to be out again, to return to daily life, and it felt really odd. I couldn’t sleep. I would wake up crying. I can tell that detention really affected me. Though I always present myself as strong, and I know I have the tools to defend myself, I really believe that nobody deserves to live that life inside. It’s hell. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Robert Wallace Is Fringe. He Also Might Be the Future. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/robert-wallace-is-fringe-he-also-might-be-the-future/ Last updated: 2026-08-18T16:45:09.000Z Few modern Christians would boast having been visited by both Jesus and the Hindu deity Krishna. But Robert Wallace isn’t like most Christians — or most anybody. Wallace, an openly gay man who has drawn reputable endorsements despite questionable claims of election fraud — including about his last loss against Arizona Senate Republican Majority Leader John Kavanagh — is not known for holding mainstream beliefs. Kavanagh, who won his primary against Wallace with 85% of the vote on July 21, told *LOOKOUT* that his opponent is a “very, very well-mannered weird person who has zero political knowledge or experience.” Phoenix City Council Member Anna Hernandez, who was once on KTAR News with Wallace, said she believes he is unqualified to hold power at any level due to his opinion that President Donald Trump won the 2020 election. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t space for him in Arizona’s politics. If anything, the state’s consistent and recent wins by [election deniers](https://www.npr.org/2026/07/22/nx-s1-5902198/arizona-primary-results-trump-elections-biggs?ref=lookoutnews.org), [conspiracy theorists](https://azmirror.com/2026/07/24/election-deniers-and-conspiracy-theorists-top-arizonas-republican-nominees-this-year/?ref=lookoutnews.org) and [far-right militia members](https://www.progressarizona.org/the-terrifying-connections-between-arizona-gop-legislators-right-wing-militias/?ref=lookoutnews.org) proves that even though Wallace may be fringe now, he appears to be in the right circles that could catapult him to more mainstream politics in the future. # Want to Share Insider Information? ## Help keep power accountable. LOOKOUT relies on tips from readers to get our news out. Click on the button below to submit a secure email to our team. Any information you send will be kept confidential in accordance with our ethics guidelines. [Email a Tip ](mailto:editor@lookoutnews.org) Despite criticism from his political opponents, Wallace has played a not insignificant role in Arizona’s far-right political landscape. A former ballot chase regional manager for Turning Point Action and secretary for the Arizona Log Cabin Republicans, Wallace is prolific in his involvement with Gays Against Groomers, a national organization known for their contrarian stances within the LGBTQ+ community. The organization has railed against gender-affirming care for minors, queer topics or discussions in school curriculum and Drag Queen Story Hour, accusing the “[modern alphabet movement](https://www.splcenter.org/resources/extremist-files/gays-against-groomers/?ref=lookoutnews.org)” of “indoctrinating” and “grooming” children. Under Wallace’s leadership, the state chapter of GAG has [lobbied](https://azmirror.com/2023/02/17/gop-anti-drag-bill-would-send-performers-to-prison-for-up-to-10-years/?ref=lookoutnews.org) to send drag artists to prison for performing in front of children, [advocated](https://azmirror.com/2025/03/05/contentious-hearing-ends-with-committee-approval-of-transgender-restrictions/?ref=lookoutnews.org) for bills which have barred transgender Arizonans from using bathrooms, locker rooms and domestic shelters aligned with their gender identity, and gotten [drag performances canceled at a Tucson pride-themed event](https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-hate-groups-influence-in-tucson-2/), among other actions. His podcast, “The Dark Side of the Rainbow,” has brought on a gallery of guests, from a Colorado father who said the school influenced his child to “adopt a nonbinary identity,” to Tiffany Justice, the influential leader and co-founder of nationwide anti-LGBTQ+ group Moms for Liberty. He’s also had [QAnon member Shaman Jacob Chansley](https://azmirror.com/2023/07/21/qanon-shamans-sentence-will-not-be-vacated/?ref=lookoutnews.org) on to discuss what they both believe is LGBTQ+ indoctrination of youth. And even with a recent loss behind him, Wallace shows no signs of slowing down with his political involvement. He is slated to run for Fountain Hills’ public school board in November, despite having no children himself and saying he would choose to homeschool them in the event that he does. ### **Standing amongst — and against — his community** Wallace spent most of his formative years in Jackson, Michigan. He said he was raised by Democratic parents and ultimately came to identify as a Republican due to his “odd duck” religious and spiritual beliefs: He is inspired by “esoteric Christian” teachings, or a mystical approach to Christianity. “In Christianity the teaching is to seek, first, the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and (then) all things will be added unto you,” Wallace said. “Through meditative techniques, I was able to learn how to stop my thoughts and perceive the esoteric and astral forms, and spiritual consciousness at will.” He attended Full Sail University in Florida to study computer animation and Collin College to study marketing management, before ultimately attending the University of Metaphysics in Sedona, a non-accredited theological school, where Wallace says he is currently working on a doctorate in comparative religion. ![Portrait of a man wearing a dark suit jacket and white shirt](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/08/1000118653.png) Robert Wallace lost his bid for state senator against sitting Republican leader John Kavanagh. He is now running for school board. Photo courtesy of Robert Wallace. Upon graduation from Collin College, Wallace worked mainly in Information Technology and real estate. But like many new-wave conservatives, he gained an interest in politics during the COVID-19 pandemic, when lockdown requirements and mask mandates “drew (his) attention into what was driving our country and the people who were driving it.” According to his profile on iVoterGuide, an organization which describes itself as “the nation’s largest candidate research organization focused exclusively on informing and mobilizing voters with biblical values,” Wallace [“leans conservative”](https://ivoterguide.com/candidate/89241/race/28167/election/1426?ref=lookoutnews.org) on major political issues. For example, though Wallace has been married to his husband for more than a decade, he wrote in response to an iVoterGuide survey question that he supports the view of marriage as a “God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman” that “no government has the authority to alter.” He said he’s not in favor of nullifying same-sex marriage laws, but that he values “traditional” family structures: “The dynamics and psychology of a male-female parental unit, I think, has a distinct effect on a person,” he said. Wallace said that because of his religious beliefs, he tried “every single way” he could to be straight before ultimately deciding it was impractical not to let love into his life. He also said he has never been so much as sneered at by Republican, Trump-supporting communities for his homosexuality. “It’s never been easier to be a gay person than it is right now,” he said. “Some people might say that’s in large part thanks to activism for rights and things like that. Well, currently I don’t see any rights that are being withheld from gay people.” LGBTQ+ people in Arizona lack legal protections from [hate crimes](https://www.tucsonsentinel.com/local/report/021825%5Flgbtq%5Fhate%5Fcrimes/anti-lgbtq-hate-crimes-arizona-are-increasing-but-theres-no-law-prosecute-them/?ref=lookoutnews.org), [discrimination in employment or public accommodations](https://www.lookoutnews.org/anti-discrimination-bills-for-the-lgbtq-community-have-wide-support-so-why-cant-a-bill-get-passed/), or if they are [targets for verbal harassment within conservative events](https://www.advocate.com/news/rob-smith-targeted-homophobic-tpusa?ref=lookoutnews.org). They have also been [doxxed for being openly queer](https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-teachers-road-to-acceptance-and-fighting-back-against-hate/) in public areas such as schools or libraries. ### **“This guy’s beliefs are out of this world.”** Wallace’s political career officially started in 2021, when he joined former news anchor Kari Lake’s campaign for governor. Lake had garnered the ire of LGBTQ+ communities due to her [comments likening drag artists to pedophile](https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/elections/2022/06/18/arizona-drag-queen-barbra-seville-calls-out-kari-lake-for-hypocrisy/7674085001/?ref=lookoutnews.org)s and promoting laws that would have stripped transgender people of legal recognition. Lake lost her race against Katie Hobbs in 2022 by just 1% of the total vote, and has continued to push that her race was “stolen” from her due to election interference. Wallace also believes that Hobbs lost the 2022 governor’s race, despite Republicans overperforming in other statehouse races. Wallace has repeatedly criticized identity politics, arguing that the government should be looking out for the majority of people's needs and not have straight people enforce "useful" policies for LGBTQ+ people. Yet Wallace has also embraced identity-based organizing himself, leading groups such as Gays Against Groomers and Log Cabin Republicans. He argues those organizations offer a perspective absent from public debate. "We are in literally a battle of identity politics, and it's gotten to a place where they say you can't say the N-word unless you're black (or) you can't call a gay guy a f-g ... if you're not gay, you can't comment on (LGBTQ issues)," Wallace told *LOOKOUT*. "You don't understand our plight, therefore you can have no opinion. And that is really unfair." In 2024, he ran for Fountain Hills Town Council on a platform focused on drug trafficking, illegal immigration and broader public safety concerns, and was endorsed by Moms for America, a far-right Christian organization that rallies around parental choice and anti-LGBTQ+ platforms. He placed dead-last in the primary with less than 4% of 25,000 votes, but was inspired by his loss to run against Kavanagh. Wallace’s biggest gripe? That Kavanagh is a career politician, akin to other lawmakers who fresh-faced challengers running for office have said are out of touch with real issues on the ground. [![Become a Lookout Member banner promoting member benefits](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) “This guy has spent 50 years on the government payroll … he’s never worked at a McDonald’s. He’s never worked at a clothing store. He’s never worked in retail,” Wallace said. “(When) you’re only accumulating jobs where you have more and more power, you never have to live under the results of your power.” For the race, Wallace created a now-defunct website called [StopKavanagh.com](https://web.archive.org/web/20260727045427/https://stopkavanagh.com/) which included videos, news articles, and data on Kavanagh’s statements and record in office. It quoted the state senator’s comments on foreign-born residents, him telling a constituent to “go to Walmart” after she compared her salary to his on a KTAR show, and a video where he is seen saying he plans to run for representative after his senate career: “screw those term limits,” he said. In return, Kavanagh created a website titled [Weird Wallace](https://weirdwallace.com/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExNVZ2dlJ0aU00ZXF3eEo4R3NydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR60uFB2jQMcpOEALEuhN-ReXZGXRDt1Q5ZOeWcJjU7sq%5Ffq4PUtHYF4Ddfbvw%5Faem%5FybevGCVrpWQ-8c6OJbSueA&ref=lookoutnews.org), which prominently displays a Facebook repost by Wallace making antisemitic statements that Jews are responsible for feminism, the LGBTQ+ movement, the COVID-19 vaccine and pornography. It also includes clips from Wallace’s Spiritual Realities podcast about hallucinations and reincarnation, including his comments about his past life as a Black “gangbanger.” ![WeirdWallace.com website featuring AI-generated images and claims about Robert Wallace](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/08/Screenshot-2026-08-04-at-10.20.25---AM.png) The website Sen. John Kavanagh created against Robert Wallace, which documents his religious beliefs and past social media posts. The images in the photos are all A.I. generated. Screenshot from WeirdWallace.com Both websites depict images of their opponents generated by artificial intelligence. “I’ve seen bizarre things, but this guy’s beliefs are out of this world,” Kavanagh said. “(And) he has a one-issue campaign, which is, you know, I've been there too long, I’m too old, it’s time for new blood.” Despite Kavanagh’s smear campaign, Wallace was endorsed by right-wing lawmakers, including former Tucson-area State Senator [Justine Wadsack](https://lookoutphx.substack.com/p/drag-queen-arizona-bills), who said he had a “fresh approach” to politics, and current state Representatives [Lisa Fink](https://www.lookoutnews.org/lisa-fink-new-bill-attempts-to-ban-intersex-people/) and [Rachel Keshel](https://www.lookoutnews.org/outrage-over-charlie-kirk-fueled-extremist-group-resurgence-in-arizona/), both of whom have ties to or promoted Christian nationalist groups. He was also initially endorsed by former Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who later switched his endorsement to Kavanagh. (Wallace told Arizona Agenda [Arpaio dropped his endorsement due to threats](https://www.arizonaagenda.com/p/sheriff-joe-s-flip-flop?ref=lookoutnews.org) by Kavanagh allies, a claim which the senator denied. Arpaio did not respond to requests for comment from *LOOKOUT*.) On election night, Wallace lost his primary challenge to Kavanagh with 15% of more than 30,000 votes, a jump from his town council race. He said he doesn’t “even know how that’s possible,”and denies losing the race. [Islamaphobia, Threatening Conduct from Stonewall AZ ChairRobert Rowley, a self-described Zionist and centrist Democrat, has made posts degrading Muslims, threatened Jewish Democratic members, and has a history of incendiary conduct. Democrats can’t get rid of him.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-77b5c62a-885f-4b8c-bc3b-c6bba53acc6a.png)LOOKOUTJohn Washington (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Stonewall-d7a97231-7521-41ca-8584-93c8a18d225b.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/behind-arizonas-stonewall-democrats-is-a-man-with-years-of-controversy/) “Out of the thousands of people I talked to, a handful were in support of him,” he said. “My real world experience tells me that no, this is not an actual fair representation or reflection of the will of the people.” “The only thing that explains these discrepancies is this continuous lack of consistency and credibility that we're finding with election results which goes back to 2020 and maybe before,” he said, adding that there are some who say there hasn’t been a legitimate election since John F. Kennedy’s election in 1960\. He didn’t say if he was one of those people. ### **A run for school board** Wallace is now running for Fountain Hills school board, which he claims was his original intention back in 2024 when he ran for town council. One of his major goals in that post is to censor books he believes are of an “activist nature” or “there for the purpose of indoctrinating children.” “If I’m in the school board and I see somebody trying to push content that is not just math, science, reading and basic stuff of what a school is there to do … it’s crossing the line and into some form of activism,” he said. Wallace could not name a specific book inside of the school district he is running for that he considered inappropriate, or that he would ban if elected. He couldn’t name examples from other school districts either. He did separately, however, name books like “Genderqueer: A Memoir” by Maia Kobabe and “This Book is Gay” by Juno Dawson as examples of “pornographic” LGBTQ+ propaganda targeted at children. “There is a mindset of people who want to see wholesome, good morals completely eradicated … who want to see all of these do-gooders be completely shaken by all the evils of the human spirit, starting at childhood,” he said. “Genderqueer: A Memoir” is a graphic novel about Kobabe’s experiences with gender identity from adolescence to adulthood, and is typically recommended by publishers, as well as the author, for high-school age kids due to some depictions of sex and masturbation. Meanwhile, “This Book is Gay,” which was written as a guide book for LGBT young people and includes sex education content, is officially for ages 14 and up. Both books have been challenged and banned across school and public libraries nationwide. Fountain Hills Unified District Executive Assistant to the Superintendent Krista Andrae told *LOOKOUT* that it is unlikely either of those books are in any of their school libraries. When asked about his other policy ideas for the school board, Wallace said he plans to ban “boys going into girls’ bathrooms,” and agrees with some of [Kavanagh’s bills](https://www.knau.org/knau-and-arizona-news/2023-03-02/arizona-bill-would-require-separate-bathrooms-locker-rooms-for-transgender-students?ref=lookoutnews.org) regarding the assignment of single-stall bathrooms to transgender students. Beyond that, he said he has not had time to focus on specific positions due to his senatorial campaign. In regard to his future, Wallace said he lacks “personal ambition for politics,” despite showing up in almost every election cycle since 2020\. Still, he says he only plans to run for political office where he sees gaps out of “civil duty,” with a goal for a future where all Americans live under a government and society based on individual rights. “Anybody could fit into it and live their life the way they want to live, without them being persecuted and without persecuting anybody else,” Wallace said. “That’s really what this is all about.” ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Pickles, Porn, and Grass: Check Out These Zines! URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/pickles-porn-and-grass-check-out-these-zines/ Last updated: 2026-07-29T17:02:24.000Z FROM THE MAGAZINE This piece was originally published in the Spring 2026 edition of **LOOKOUT Magazine* I’ve got a tower of zines stacked alongside my bedside table. These self-published booklets are filled with all sorts of content, often featuring queer experiences, resources, and expression. It’s been part of my work at Wasted Ink to not only curate, but foster the development of these kinds of indie-printing jobs within the state. And Arizona has a solid DIY Zine scene that is worth checking out, if you don’t know about it already. To help you out, I’ve painstakingly (I say that because every zine is a work of art) selected 10 of my current favorite pieces that I can’t stop reading. These zines were self-published by creatives from the Phoenix area, Tucson, and Bisbee. I personally love zines that teach me something or use creative artistic elements to draw me in. If they also make me laugh or cry, that’s a win in my eyes. The zines below are educational, inspirational and personal, but they also help me feel less alone in the world: ***“How to Host a Pickle Party,”*** by Jessie Balli, is an incredible mixed-media, hand-sewn zine about pickles and parties. Between pages made from paper lunch sacks, readers will find recipe cards for classic pickle brine and mild and spicy pickle spice, suggestions for gathering with friends, and safety tips about storing pickles. This zine is unique in its construction and encourages skill-sharing. ***“***[***The Sights & Sounds of 69!,***](https://www.lookoutnews.org/what-can-the-colorado-river-offer-queer-communities/)***”*** by SATURNHEX, is a zine featuring 10 risograph colors and a yellow coil binding. Its 63 pages give new meaning to old-time collaged cutouts from magazines spanning the 1940s to the 1980s that were not originally erotic or sexual. This zine is full of puns and is both visually beautiful and hilarious. ***“Token of Gaiety,”*** by [Charlie Pluto](https://www.instagram.com/plut0s.emporium/?ref=lookoutnews.org), is a black-and-white mini zine with drawn art and three handwritten prose poems about adolescent insecurities, what happiness feels like, and loving someone through mental health struggles. This perzine is a delicate invitation into Pluto’s queer world and a breath of positivity. Learn more: IG @plut0s.emporium ***“Surprise Zone of Interest: ‘We Are All Responsible for What Happens in Our Community,’”*** by [Arizona Right Watch](https://substack.com/@arizonarightwatch?ref=lookoutnews.org), is an informative article about the 418,400-square-foot industrial warehouse that the Department of Homeland Security plans to convert into a detention center in Surprise, Arizona. It is a deep dive into the building’s history, the scene at current Surprise City Council meetings, and the ways different communities are protesting the center. Bluesky: [@azrww.bsky.social](https://bsky.app/profile/azrww.bsky.social?ref=lookoutnews.org) ***“17 Years of Pain,”*** by [Kayla Shaggy](https://www.kaylashaggy.gallery/?ref=lookoutnews.org), is a 24-page, black-and-white comic containing illustrations and a handwritten personal story about the author’s journey receiving diagnoses of adenomyosis and endometriosis. The story begins at age 13 and documents their experiences with medical staff, disbelief from friends and family, and the current state of health care in the United States. This zine also touches on gender identity and defines the diseases for readers. ***“Greener,”*** by Angie Dell of [Shut Eye Press](https://www.shuteyepress.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org), is an entire experience. To open the zine, readers must first cut the grass off the top of the green paper envelope. Inside is a colorful accordion zine with artwork and writing about the history of grass and lawns. The envelope also contains a felted grass piece scented with Heretic’s Dirty Grass perfume. The intentional design, informative text and collage art may leave readers feeling nostalgic and reflective about their relationship to grass lawns. ***“Lessons I’ve Learned From Sewing,”*** by [Staceart](http://www.staceart.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org), is an informative zine with six practical lessons, along with photos, about pacing projects, overcoming perfectionism and finding satisfaction in the learning process. It includes references, an epilogue, a resource section and details about Stace’s favorite sewing projects. It is an inspirational, full-color zine with a machine-sewn binding. ***“Testimony 4.5,”*** by Ryan Avery of [Related Records](https://www.relatedrecords.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org), is a black-and-white zine containing screenshots of a text conversation between Ryan and their brother, George, about the movie “Heretic” and their experience growing up LDS. It offers a glimpse into their relationship and their perspectives on changes in the church and missions, including the use of online platforms to proselytize. It is a thought-provoking read. ***“A Photographic Love Letter to Bisbee, Arizona,”*** by [Sara Barber](https://sarabarber.design/?ref=lookoutnews.org), is a full-bleed color zine with bright photos of recognizable spots in Bisbee. From the bulletin board outside the Copper Queen Public Library to murals on Main Street, this zine highlights the town’s distinctive spaces. It showcases European-style architecture against the desert landscape and may inspire readers to visit Bisbee themselves. Learn more: ***“Birds Aren’t Real? Or How to Make Friends and Influence People,”*** by [Kay Rudnick](https://www.instagram.com/mamapedal/?ref=lookoutnews.org), is a playful mini zine about Peter McIndoe’s satirical conspiracy theory that the government replaced birds with drones to spy on citizens. It reminds readers of the importance of fact-checking in a world filled with misinformation. The zine unfolds into a coloring page of a local gas station, prompting readers to decorate it with their favorite birds. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### What Can the Colorado River Offer Queer Communities? URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/what-can-the-colorado-river-offer-queer-communities/ Last updated: 2026-08-18T16:43:03.000Z #### OutBack This is one in a series that uncovers the untold stories of LGBTQ+ life beyond the city, celebrating queer resilience, creativity, and community in Arizona's suburban and rural areas. [Read the full series here. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tag/outback/) Sixteen years ago, when Seneca Kristjonsdottir first started working as a Grand Canyon river guide, being queer on the job could feel isolating. “I was not only the only queer person on the crew, but often, the only female-bodied person on the crew as well,” said Kristjonsdottir, who is from Flagstaff. Today, the canyon feels different. On trips with [Arizona Raft Adventures](https://azraft.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org), Kristjonsdottir said, guides are more likely to reflect the diversity of the people they serve. Crews are often split roughly evenly between men and women, and the company makes an effort to ensure that no one feels like a minority among their colleagues. “When they’re scheduling us, they make an effort \[so\] that most folks don’t feel like a minority on the crew,” Kristjonsdottir said. The change extends beyond the guides. Kristjonsdottir said the company's staff and guests are more diverse than at other rafting companies where they have worked, and everyone is expected to[ follow a strict code of conduct](https://azraft.com/code-of-conduct/?ref=lookoutnews.org) that emphasizes respect and inclusion. For Kristjonsdottir, that represents a broader shift in what it means to feel safe in the wilderness. In the past, they said, safety was largely about navigating whitewater and knowing what to do when someone got hurt in the backcountry. Now, safety includes people feeling they can be themselves. “We need to be physically safe on these trips, which is inherent to folks, but emotional safety is important.” Kristjonsdottir said. The company's code of conduct mandates “honoring each individual’s identity,” including race, gender identity and expression, and prohibits bullying and harassment, among other behaviors. For LGBTQ+ travelers looking to spend days immersed in one of the country's most remote and challenging landscapes, that could make all the difference. ### **Allyship is key** Arizona Raft Adventures offers rafting trips of six to 16 days, running up to the full 226 miles of the Colorado River in the canyon, on paddle and oar rafts or motorized rafts. All details—including pricing—are on its website. [At Lowell, a Hidden Wall Shows Who Gets to Touch the StarsBehind the telescopes and spectacle, a small corridor offers a grander vision of the cosmos.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-424d4cdc-a652-4fa6-8235-8eac28ce63b6.png)LOOKOUTGeri Koeppel (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Diverse_Universe_Wall_IMG_2851-38b67ff8-3400-468e-ae36-4bb9bce5be86.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/at-lowell-a-hidden-wall-shows-who-gets-to-touch-the-stars/) Fred Thevenin and his wife, Alex, bought the company in 2007 from her dad, who founded it in 1965\. They value diversity, equality and inclusion, and train staff on things like removing microaggressions from daily speech and introducing themselves with their pronouns. “It starts with understanding and allyship,” Thevenin said, who added that he’s always trying to hire more people of color as well. Most trips have about 20 people and six crew members, he said. While you’ll be on boats with strangers if you sign up individually, Thevenin said that LGBTQ+ charter tour companies seek them out. You don’t need to enter a lottery for the commercial trips, and a full list of concessioners licensed by the National Park Service is[ online.](https://www.nps.gov/grca/planyourvisit/river-concessioners.htm?ref=lookoutnews.org) And you won’t be rowing yourself on a commercial trip, but Thevenin suggests planning several months to a year out to get in shape. People tend to underestimate how rigorous it is, he said. “I’m a firm believer that the more you put into something, the more you’re going to get out of it,” he said. ![Grand Canyon rafters taking a break at Redwall Cavern along the Colorado River](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/07/AP02100103226.jpg) Rafters take a break from the rapids at Redwall Cavern in Marble Canyon near Grand Canyon National Park, Ariz., Aug. 29, 2002\. The popular spot along the river is about 33 miles from Lee's Ferry. (AP Photo/Brian Witte) Some trips require hiking in and out of the canyon, and lugging heavy bags across a beach to and from the boats can be physically challenging. The guides pack in all the food and prepare meals, sometimes with help from the clients, and everything—even solid human waste—is packed out. Kristjonsdottir, the guide, said, “There are no immediate services: no running water, no internet, no cell service, no flushing toilets the whole time.” Although many people now have phones with satellite connections, she added, clients can only use them inside tents or out of the view of others, and they can’t discuss news from the “outside world.” Thevenin said, “If we can provide an opportunity for our guests to have solitude and wonder and shed the stress of the real world and just embrace the magic of the canyon, it’s a wonderful experience down there.” ### **Raft trips ‘fill the soul’** Kris Martin, 62, a gay woman from Brattleboro, Vermont, has been on seven Grand Canyon river trips, five of which were with Arizona Raft Adventures, and is going again next year. Although the trips are rigorous, she said the company provides a training plan, unlike other outfitters she’s used. “They make it clear this is not easy,” Martin said. However, she added, the trips are well organized, with no excessive drinking, and safety is paramount. “The guides are spectacular,” Martin said. The strong code of conduct is “very comforting,” she added, noting that she’s never felt threatened on trips or afraid to say she has a wife. She made friends with some of the staff and other clients, with whom she’s traveled on repeated trips. She said her work as a palliative care nurse in a cancer ward is emotionally demanding, and the trips make her whole and fill her soul. “It’s really what I live for; it’s what heals me every time I go,” Martin said, adding, “When I go on the river, with no devices, no nothing, I am just me…. It goes so much deeper than a vacation.” **Arizona Raft Adventures** Website:[ azraft.com](http://azraft.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org) Phone: 928-237-2704 Email: info@azraft.com [Love, Visibility and Resistance at the BorderQueer Arizonans continue creating community despite political opposition and geographic isolation.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-625a6abc-7522-455f-a990-3b5bc7fb4440.png)LOOKOUTGenesis Lara (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/data-src-image-07f1d7f1-3dd8-4066-9344-7b44a50246cb-1-f99427f6-e54d-4869-97d8-7cf27f65d540.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/love-visibility-and-resistance-at-the-border/) [An Openly Queer-Friendly Fine Dining Spot Exists in the PinesFor 10 years, it’s been a safe space with modern, big-city vibes in Flagstaff![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-f43f5c6e-c005-4ac4-a7a6-9e49afdaa64f.png)LOOKOUTGeri Koeppel (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Shift-exterior-Dara-Wong-d8f8830a-0910-4626-926b-5193a4a2f9ea.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/an-openly-queer-friendly-fine-dining-spot-exists-in-the-pines/) ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### The Fight Over Phoenix’s Parks Is Really a Fight Over What Happens to the Homeless URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/the-fight-over-phoenixs-parks-is-really-a-fight-over-what-happens-to-the-homeless/ Last updated: 2026-07-22T18:06:47.000Z There are few issues in Phoenix more more contested—and visible—than homelessness. Across the nation's fifth largest city, debates over public parks, outreach, housing, healthcare, and harm reduction have become increasingly divided, with supporters of tighter restrictions arguing that the city must protect shared public spaces and address safety concerns for taxpayers. Critics, though, say new policies are short-sighted and make it harder to provide lifesaving care to people who have nowhere else to go. One of the most contentious of those policies has been a city ordinance in Phoenix that has severely restricted how care and food can be given out in parks. For human rights and harm reduction advocates, they see the move as heartless and evil — proof the city cares or knows little about the people who are most in need, and are willing to put overall public health at risk. And for others, they see the ordinance as a welcome enforcement that may force the city — not grassroots groups — to provide the care they’re supposed to, while also giving them back spaces where they no longer feel safe. We wanted to understand the varying perspectives on the issue, and interviewed four people with different experiences to help settle (or at least give nuance) to the issue of how homelessness is treated and thought about. . These conversations reveal there is no single policy that can solve this issue — largely because of disagreement over what the issue is and what help should look like. Despite that, everyone agrees the current system is failing. ### **How we got here** Phoenix's modern homelessness debate has been shaped by years of court rulings, local politics, and shrinking resources. In 2005, the city centralized many homeless services downtown at what is now Keys to Change, creating a hub for shelter, healthcare, food assistance, and workforce programs. As more people stayed within walking distance of those services, the surrounding encampment grew. [In 2018, the Ninth Circuit's *Martin v. City of Boise*](https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/appellate-courts/ca9/15-35845/15-35845-2018-09-04.html?ref=lookoutnews.org) decision limited cities' ability to enforce anti-camping laws when adequate shelter space wasn't available. Phoenix's downtown encampment — an area colloquially called “The Zone” — grew[ to more than 900 people](https://www.kjzz.org/the-show/2026-06-17/nearly-3-years-after-phoenix-cleared-out-the-zone-heres-what-the-area-looks-like?ref=lookoutnews.org). After nearby businesses successfully sued the city, Phoenix dismantled the encampment, dispersing many residents throughout the city while moving others into designated spaces. The legal landscape shifted again in [2024, when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned *Martin*](https://imla.org/2024/06/supreme-court-overrules-martin-v-boise-in-important-homeless-encampment-case/?ref=lookoutnews.org), giving cities broader authority to prohibit sleeping and storing belongings in public spaces. Arizona lawmakers and local governments soon added new layers. Voters approved Proposition 312, [allowing property owners to seek property tax reimbursement when they believe cities fail to address public nuisances](https://azdor.gov/individuals/proposition-312-arizona-property-tax-reimbursement-non-enforcement-public-nuisance-laws?ref=lookoutnews.org). Then, in May 2026, [Phoenix adopted ordinances restricting where organizations can distribute food and healthcare to unhoused people](https://www.lookoutnews.org/phoenix-city-council-votes-to-restrict-food-medical-care-in-parks/). Some residents argue the measures protect neighborhoods and public parks. But healthcare advocates say they make lifesaving outreach more difficult. At the same time, many of the systems people rely on have become harder to access: Arizona 211 is losing its live operators because of funding cuts; The state's domestic violence hotline has shut down. Shelter beds remain scarce; And SNAP enrollment has fallen dramatically. Against that backdrop, homelessness is something that for anyone navigating financial hardship, is a reality not far away. ## Read Stories From This Series ### ‘They Should Have to Answer to the People They Harm’ URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/they-should-have-to-answer-to-the-people-they-harm/ Last updated: 2026-07-22T17:43:13.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/07/MAHONEY-1.png) For Arlene Mahoney, harm reduction starts with a simple premise: People are going to use drugs, and public health efforts should focus on keeping them alive. Mahoney leads the Southwest Recovery Alliance (SWRA), a peer-led organization that distributes harm reduction supplies to people who use drugs in Phoenix. She is also the co-chair of the research board that guides the University of Arizona’s Harm Reduction Research Lab. Her work puts her at the center of a broader debate over how cities respond to homelessness, substance use, and public safety. Supporters of harm reduction argue that services such as naloxone distribution, sterile supplies, and health education prevent deaths and connect people to resources. Critics argue some of those same programs enable drug use and contribute to public disorder. That debate has increasingly played out in city parks and public spaces, where outreach organizations and unsheltered residents often interact. For Mahoney, those relationships are not separate from public health — they are the foundation of it. Mahoney has also participated in research examining access to harm reduction tools. In 2023, secret shoppers visited pharmacies across Maricopa and Pima counties to examine how often people seeking syringes were denied access despite not needing a prescription under Arizona law. We spoke with Mahoney about the impact of drug policies, why she believes harm reduction is necessary even when people continue using drugs, and what she says everyday residents can do to support their unhoused neighbors. ***LOOKOUT*: Who do you know that's been personally affected by the kinds of things that you're fighting against?** AM: I know a lot of folks, personally, that exist outside of what SWRA does, that have been directly impacted by violent policies like the war on drugs, the park ordinance, the systems that hold the ethic of punisher rather than the ethic of care. We have a lot of the same folks that we see every week for multiple years, and we get to know them on a first name basis and then, one day, they just don't show up anymore. And you hope the reason they're showing up isn't because they overdosed, and then sometimes you find out it is. The city council is going to be complicit in the deaths that are happening and it's social murder ultimately. They know what's going to happen… they should have to answer to the people they are going to harm and ultimately kill. … Phoenix City Council is explicitly banning distribution of intramuscular naloxone and FDA approved overdose reversal medication at a time when Arizona is number one and trending upward for overdose deaths. ***LOOKOUT*: What happens if Phoenix does the same ordinance that Tempe just did?** AM: People are going to die. Preventable deaths, suffer. ***LOOKOUT*: Why harm reduction and not getting people to just not use drugs?** AM: Well, people have used drugs since the beginning of time and no one's ever been able to stop anybody from using drugs. So why not just give people the supplies they need to do it safer? Harm reduction saves lives and isn't exclusively for substance use. A seatbelt is harm reduction. … We don't tell people, you can't drive in a car, we just give them a seatbelt. Same thing with a helmet. Riding a bike could be dangerous, but we give people a helmet, which reduces harm if they get in an accident. It’s the same thing with drug use. Yes, there's risk to doing drugs, but there are tools so you can do it a little bit safer because people are going to do it. ***LOOKOUT*: If there's a success story you want to tell, I'm happy to hear it.** AM: Just seeing people feeling empowered to make informed decisions about their health. Often we'll tell people, “Hey, did you know hepatitis C can live outside your body on the surface for four weeks, or in water for two months?” and people are just like, “whoa, I had no idea.” I tell them that's why you should use a cooker or use a tie, and then they come back and they say to me, “Hey, I told my friend about how hepatitis lives in water and we didn't share a water and instead we used sterile water.” Those feel like much bigger wins than publishing a manuscript. ***LOOKOUT*: What orgs are out there that are making a positive difference?** AM: Oh my God, there's so many. So different harm reduction orgs, you know, like riot does great work, shot in the dark … We know Circle the City is doing great work. SPW \[Sonoran Prevention Works\], AZ Hugs, and Aries Foundation. I know there's a lot of smaller groups too. ***LOOKOUT*: What can people do to help?** AM: So if somebody wants a call to action right now: They can freeze water bottles. When you see folks on the side of the street, give them water. If somebody has a sign and they're asking for money, give them some money. It doesn't matter what they do with the money once you give it to them. Be generous if you can. I know times are hard. Provide water, advocate, educate your neighbors. If you hear a conversation where people are talking about our un-housed neighbors or talking about people who use drugs, and they're getting it wrong, call them in and tell them, “Hey, these are our neighbors,” and don't let the stigma win out, or misinformation. ***LOOKOUT*: If people were to volunteer for your org or one of the orgs you mentioned, what might they end up doing?** AM: Each org is structured differently, so it depends. You can pack \[harm reduction\] kits, that's a great way to volunteer. We have a community night we host bimonthly, and we always have a volunteer opportunity where we ask people to help us pack safer kits for our SSP. It might look like doing testing. It might look like delivering SSP services. It might look like doing a donation drive. It just depends. ***LOOKOUT*: What's one thing you wish people knew?** AM: That people who use drugs are just people … Everyone deserves access to overdose and disease prevention. Using \[drugs\] doesn't mean that you should die from a fatal overdose, especially if there's medication that can prevent or reverse that overdose, and our unhoused neighbors are our neighbors, they just don't have houses. ## Read More Stories From This Series ### What Happens When Your Medicine Has Nowhere to Go? URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/what-happens-when-your-medicine-has-nowhere-to-go/ Last updated: 2026-07-22T17:43:02.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/07/FAUER-2.png) In 2012 Dr. Robert Fauer started giving the homeless what he thought was objectively the most helpful, things like money and blankets. During the COVID-19 pandemic he gave out handwipes Today, as [medical director of Phoenix Street Medicine](https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-education/2026/04/19/how-a-street-medicine-team-influenced-one-medical-students-book/89217220007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z116454p118450c118450e1167xxv116454d--50--b--50--&gca-ft=178&gca-ds=sophi&ref=lookoutnews.org), Fauer sees how the challenges of homelessness often block medical care. *LOOKOUT* writer Jack Fernandez spoke with Fauer at an outreach event Phoenix Street Medicine held alongside Shot in the Dark, a harm-reduction organization. Fauer explained why traditional healthcare often fails patients without stable housing, how street medicine forces doctors to rethink their training, and why housing remains the most effective treatment he knows. ***LOOKOUT*: You often describe healthcare for people experiencing homelessness as "virtually undoable." Why?** Dr. Robert Fauer: You can treat them, but they lose their medicine. It gets stolen. They get beat up. They don't have a place to keep anything. I once found a box of insulin next to the dumpster with an ice pack. Somebody had probably just been discharged from the hospital, tried to keep it cold, and then had no way to store it. *Editor’s note:* [*The City of Phoenix Park’s Code of Conduct*](https://www.phoenix.gov/administration/departments/parks/about-us/code-of-conduct.html?ref=lookoutnews.org) *restricts people to store personal belongings in public spaces. In December last year, they made those rules* [*enforceable by police*](https://www.kjzz.org/politics/2025-12-18/phoenix-makes-some-public-park-rules-enforceable-by-police?ref=lookoutnews.org)*, resulting in misdemeanor charges if violated.* People have so many immediate needs that managing diabetes or blood pressure becomes almost impossible. They're worried about where they're going to sleep, where they're going to eat, whether they're going to be safe. Some people wait in line for breakfast, then lunch, then methadone, then a healthcare appointment. Eventually they just leave because they can't spend the entire day waiting. It’s almost not human. So, I personally haven’t found the answers to this. ***LOOKOUT*: If medicine isn't the biggest need, what is?** Dr. Fauer: Housing. The fastest way to improve someone's health is to get them housed, get them reliable food, and address their mental health and substance use. That's more important than trying to micromanage blood pressure or diabetes. We do a lot of wound care because that's what people need right now. But until somebody isn't worried about survival, medicine only goes so far. ***LOOKOUT*: How has that changed the way you practice medicine?** Dr. Fauer: You have to stop thinking like a textbook. My students are learning to ask, "What is this person's life actually like?" Maybe they're LGBTQ. Maybe they're homeless. Maybe they're another marginalized person. Whatever it is, you have to understand what they're dealing with before you decide what's realistic. I can't stand cookbook medicine. ***LOOKOUT*: What does street medicine look like in practice?** Dr. Fauer: In the summer it's shade, water, and something to sit on. People are sitting on 150-degree concrete. We give out UV-coated umbrellas and thick blankets they can fold up to protect themselves from burns. We do a lot of wound care because people are constantly walking, falling, getting infections. We treat what's in front of us while recognizing we can't solve everything. Other physicians have told me people lose executive functioning after just a couple weeks on the street. I believe a lot of that comes from sleep deprivation. You're sleeping outside, worried about your safety all night. Our job is to keep people as healthy as we can until they can get off the street. ***LOOKOUT*: How have recent city policies changed your work?** Dr. Fauer: We used to give out food, we won’t give out food anymore. I used to carry medicines with me. I will not do that anymore. I may, down the road, and just leave it in the vehicle. I gotta see how this ordinance will be enforced. One or two weekends ago we got hassled by the police because a neighbor made a complaint. I just imagine if one of my students got arrested. ***LOOKOUT*: What would happen in that instance?**Dr. Fauer: I could get kicked out of the university and lose my funding, and space. ***LOOKOUT*: What kinds of care do people need most often?** Dr. Fauer: Almost everything comes back to wounds. People are walking constantly. They're getting burns, cuts, infections. Sometimes we're improvising solutions. I once built a custom wheelchair seat for someone with an amputation and a severe ulcer just to relieve pressure on the wound. ***LOOKOUT*: What's one thing you wish people understood?** Dr. Fauer: Treat people experiencing homelessness like human beings. One thing that always strikes me is that cities build dog parks so dogs have a safe place to exist, but we're reluctant to create spaces where people can safely receive medical care. That says something about how we value people. ***LOOKOUT*: Where do you think things are headed?** Dr. Fauer: There are more people experiencing homelessness every year, and more universities are recognizing they need to train future doctors to care for them. The need isn't going away. ## Read More Stories From This Series ### Move From Water to Water, Shade to Shade URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/move-from-water-to-water-shade-to-shade/ Last updated: 2026-07-22T17:42:52.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/07/McELHOSE-2.png) Robert McElhose has spent years learning the kinds of lessons most people hope they'll never need: where to sleep without drawing attention, how to avoid violence, how to find food, and how to survive a Phoenix summer. He says homelessness is less about living without a house than making hundreds of decisions each day that keep you alive long enough to make another one. *LOOKOUT* spoke with McElhose at an outreach event put on by local harm reduction group [RIOT](https://www.instagram.com/riotphx/?hl=en&ref=lookoutnews.org) about what survival looks like when the street becomes home. ***LOOKOUT*: How long have you been living on the streets in Phoenix?** Robert McElhose: Since 2011\. I've been single for six years. ***LOOKOUT*:: Has it been alone the entire time?** RM: It's hard to have a relationship in this kind of setting. It’s just a bad idea with fentanyl and everything else. ***LOOKOUT*:: What's the first thing someone has to learn to survive?** RM: You have to know your surroundings, and you've got to have a backup plan—even if you've got a shelter. A shelter isn't 100%. Depending on who you are, maybe you've got authority problems, or maybe people just don't like you. ***LOOKOUT*: How do you find a safe place to sleep?** RM: You want a populated area, but at the same time you don't want to be too visible—to the police or to people with influence. Stay on the outskirts of business districts or nicer residential areas. Don't trash the place. Don't draw attention to yourself. In a low \[income\] community, somebody's always trying to bust a grape \[hurt someone\] on making money, dealing drugs, the violence goes hand in hand, especially with fentenyl. We fight for everything that we have, even sometimes our lives, our little lives. If someone says we stole something, but we didn't actually do it, we might die. Guys lose their lives all the time. ***LOOKOUT*: How do you avoid that?** RM: Gotta fight back. You have to fight back. You can't look weak, can’t *be* weak out here, you’ll just get eaten. They’ll take everything you have. ***LOOKOUT*: Do you ever try to hide the fact that you're homeless?** RM: You can’t. I just go through the embarrassment most of the time. You just gotta grin and bear it. You’re not going to be able to handle every situation and keep yourself clean. There’s just no way, depending on the weather and the mistreatment of people that have houses and apartments here. It’s cruel. I've even had a milkshake thrown on me. ***LOOKOUT*: How do you survive the summer?** RM: I stay wet. Move from water to water, shade to shade, with the liver cancer I have to. ***LOOKOUT*: How do you find food?** RM: I check dumpsters behind places where the kitchen staff bags food separately from the trash. If somebody tells you to leave, come back later. Keep the area clean. Take what you need. ***LOOKOUT*: What's your daily routine?** RM: You’ve got to keep your feet in tip top shape. Use foot powder if they're constantly getting sweaty, soaking wet. You want to keep your feet dry. Don't let your shoes or socks slack if you can possibly help it. *LOOKOUT*: What's making you be on your feet so much? RM:I walk back and forth on my dumpster checks. I check out an old area I used to stay in or a new area where it might be more beneficial to myself or somebody else. The dumpster hustles are far. Some of them get set off \[become unavailable\] and then you have to go further and further to find another one. So you're going to be walking a lot. ***LOOKOUT*: What's one change you'd like to see?** RM: I wish people would get down to the real issue: Fentanyl. I know these guys use it and I don't knock them for using anything … You’ve got to have some kind of escape out here. Fentanyl is kind of like heroin, at first, and it's highly addictive. ***LOOKOUT*: What role do outreach events like this play?** RM: They're great. They keep down theft. They help keep down disease. They give people a chance to socialize. When I was a homeless kid, it was more of a community. People took you in and showed you how to survive. You worked together to find food or help somebody who needed it. Now everything's separated. It's more "me" than "us." ***LOOKOUT*: Phoenix recently restricted events like this in city parks. What do you think?** RM: Well, that's the best place to do it at. There’s not much violence with us so I can’t see why. I can see why they don't want kids to see paraphernalia, or to find out what’s going on with this or that. But kids ought to know where they're headed, especially nowadays. But they used to be a good place to sleep. It's a place where you’re safe. ***LOOKOUT*: Is there anything you wish people understood?** RM: You think your life is going to be perfect, because you never know when you're going to end up out here. I see people end up here all the time that just wonder, “What happened?” ***LOOKOUT*: What gives you hope?** RM: If people would just give things a chance, and go after the real issue, fentanyl. Homelessness has been around since the dawn of man, and you aren’t going to change it. The biggest man always had the cave and the girl, everybody else slept outside, anyway. ## Read More Stories From This Series ### ‘Helping Somebody in a Park Doesn’t Help Them’ URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/helping-somebody-in-a-park-doesnt-help-them/ Last updated: 2026-07-22T17:42:35.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/07/TISOT-1.png) Phoenix’s neighborhood block watches are designed to give residents a connection to their community, a connection to local law enforcement, and a voice in how their neighborhood is kept safe. But block watch captains have grown beyond neighborhood cleanups and meetings — building relationships with elected officials, city departments, and law enforcement that can shape decisions about how public spaces are used. Jeff Tisot, president of the East Sunnyslope Community block watch, says those relationships are built over time. Over the past decade, his organization says it has invested more than $3 million into neighborhood projects, grown to more than 500 active members, and worked directly with city officials on issues ranging from public safety to neighborhood improvements. (*LOOKOUT* hasn’t been able to independently verify those numbers.) Block watches can receive up to $15,000 per year through Phoenix’s sales tax-funded Neighborhood Block Watch Grant Program. But for groups like Tisot’s, the influence comes from knowing who to call, how to navigate city systems, and how to organize residents around local issues. “We work very closely with all of our elected officials, our police department, all our city and county departments,” Tisot said. “Even when we disagree with them we still work with them. We don’t fight them, but we don’t lose either.” That approach has helped East Sunnyslope secure projects including participation in Phoenix’s Gated Alley Program and advocate for changes in neighborhood parks. It has also placed Tisot among the residents supporting Phoenix’s Parks and Recreation Ordinance, a policy that has sparked debate over how the city manages public spaces, homelessness, and the organizations that provide services in parks. Tisot said his support for the ordinance comes from concerns about trash, discarded materials, and what he describes as unsafe conditions for families using parks. He said he believes people experiencing homelessness need more support and access to housing and treatment — but he argues that some current outreach efforts do not address the underlying issues. At the same time, his comments highlight a larger moral quandary around the parks debate, which is who decides what parks are for — and if they’re meant to serve everyone equally. ***LOOKOUT*: How is it that you've built these relationships between your community and law enforcement, your community and elected officials?** JT: Persistence, time, and understanding. … You don’t build relationships overnight. ***LOOKOUT*: What is the main reason why you're supporting the ordinance?** JT: It's the trash and biohazards left behind. The fact that the parks are for everybody. We become a product of our environment. I feel for these people. Truly, honest, I do, but I don't want my kids around it. ***LOOKOUT*: Are there any instances you'd like to share about what you've seen at a park?** JT: There’s the drugs, the trash that's left behind. It's overwhelming. … I've been coaching little league football and baseball for 30 years. … The police are not the solution to everything in this world, but I have lost kids on my team because of the amount of homeless people that are there. It's not that they're there, it’s the 85 tons (and I’m exaggerating) of their personal property that they bring with them and leave behind. And the parents say, "Yeah, my kids not playing there. Sorry." That's wrong. I had parents tell me “My kids are not coming to this park.” ***LOOKOUT*: Which park?** JT: That was Palma Park. I haven't had that problem in quite a few years. We've got it cleaned up. I went to the meetings on this ordinance before it happened. One of my big takeaways was, every person for this ordinance, acknowledged the importance of what “the other side” is doing. People need medical help, but they can just walk into a hospital and get medical help. Not one single person from the provider community acknowledged us as a community: families or kids. Not one. ***LOOKOUT*: If you heard them make those acknowledgments, do you think there's a chance that would have had any impact on the final outcome?** JT: No, I still wouldn't have changed my thoughts on it, but it would have said, let's see if we can figure out a way around this, because when they’re providing all these services, people don't come to the park that are paying for the park, that live in the communities. The drug abuse in the homeless community is insane. We should be focusing more on getting them the help they need, whether it's forced or voluntary. … If we could force them somehow to get help, where they might be able to see things differently, get past some of the evils in their life, and be more productive, and self-sustaining, because everybody needs self value and self-worth. I don't think they have any. On the other side of the coin, if I want to get a baseball field, or a community event, I have to get a permit. And if I have a food truck there, I have to get city permits and county permits. ***LOOKOUT*: Do you think the way you apply for a permit should be the same way that these service providers apply for a permit?**JT:Yeah, absolutely. Why not? ***LOOKOUT*: What’s one change you’d like to see?** JT: A reduction in the amount of unhoused people in the city. Helping somebody in a park doesn’t help them. It keeps them where they’re at. It sucks. God bless these people that want to help them. Truly, I get it, but they're not helping them, they're enabling them, they're keeping them where they are at. Giving somebody a toothbrush and a peanut butter jelly sandwich does not help them out of their situation. And the trash these people leave behind is just all over the place. … We need a way to get help to these people, and I mean housing help, not peanut butter and jelly help. ***LOOKOUT*: What if those services are so limited, they just aren't able to get the benefit of those resources for days, weeks, months?** JT: That’s the number one issue, the availability of services. ***LOOKOUT*: Are you pointing to a solution that often just isn't there?** JT: No, I think it's there. Do I know that? No, I don't. This is just my opinion. ***LOOKOUT*: With 9,000-plus people homeless and the supply not popping up anytime soon, where are you wanting to see or not see homeless? Would you say you're not wanting them to be in the parks?** JT: I don't want to see them anywhere. I don't think in this country anybody should go homeless. ***LOOKOUT*: And since they are homeless, where are you comfortable seeing them?** JT: I feel for them. I’m not comfortable seeing them anyplace. I really am not. ***LOOKOUT*: Are you finding needles in the park before the game?** JT: It's been a while since we found needles because fentanyl took over the heroin trade. … Did I? Yes, but now I find the foil, where they're smoking the fentanyl. So I got to pick the foil up. ## Read More Stories From This Series ### A Trans Woman Says She Was Handcuffed to a Wheelchair at an Arizona Immigration Camp URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-trans-woman-says-she-was-handcuffed-to-a-wheelchair-at-an-arizona-immigration-camp/ Last updated: 2026-08-16T19:13:16.000Z A transgender woman detained at Arizona’s Eloy Detention Center told officials she was strapped into a wheelchair, handcuffed and questioned for hours by detention officers after being accused of soliciting sex — an allegation that has not previously been publicly reported. The account, shared by U.S. Rep. Yassamin Ansari during a recent interview with *LOOKOUT*, is among a series of disturbing allegations about conditions inside Eloy. It also raises new questions about how trans people are treated inside immigration detention, where *LOOKOUT* has repeatedly reported on the dangers and indignities they face. Last week, 120 people detained in Eloy Detention Center, an immigration camp in Arizona, signed [a letter](https://tucson.com/news/local/border/article%5F5474e4bd-223c-4dde-817d-912a6cad554c.html?ref=lookoutnews.org) alleging a variety of human rights abuses including prolonged use of solitary confinement, limited access to clean drinking water, innutritious food, and extreme temperatures. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement disputed many of the allegations, but after a [significant reduction](https://www.wola.org/analysis/denouncing-into-the-void-the-dismantling-of-internal-oversight-and-accountability-at-dhs/?ref=lookoutnews.org) in oversight mechanisms for immigration detention, it’s increasingly hard to know what conditions are like inside. The increased opacity has also corresponded with an unprecedented [spike in deaths](https://www.hrw.org/report/2026/06/25/dying-in-detention/rising-deaths-in-an-expanding-us-immigration-detention-system?ref=lookoutnews.org) of people held in US immigration camps. As the Department of Homeland Security seeks to continue expanding detention capacity, some lawmakers such as Ansari have taken it upon themselves to try to provide some level of oversight and accountability. By her own count, she has conducted 11 visits to immigration camps in Arizona. [DACA Protections Under New Threat as Deportations IncreaseAs federal officials increase scrutiny of humanitarian programs, immigrants with U visas, DACA and other protections face new uncertainty.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-169a816c-8bca-4143-95c0-c9c6509ec31d.png)LOOKOUTJohn Washington (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/AP25162573237195-cf0d681a-ac3a-4983-826c-4a32ff4d8cc1.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/they-followed-the-rules-now-theyre-being-targeted-for-deportation/) She has been a vocal and fierce advocate for [Arbella “Yari” Marquez](https://www.lookoutnews.org/dozens-of-arizona-officials-call-for-humanitarian-release-of-phoenix-queer-woman-held-by-ice/), a lesbian woman who has spent more than 15 months in Eloy suffering deteriorating symptoms from leukemia. More recently, she visited with Genesis, a trans woman who has been held for five months in the men’s unit of Eloy Detention Center. According to Ansari, Genesis has been suffering humiliation, exploitation, and solitary confinement. *LOOKOUT* has [repeatedly reported](https://www.lookoutnews.org/judge-orders-release-trans-migrant-eloy-detention-facility/) on the extreme difficulties faced by trans people in immigration detention. (*LOOKOUT* is not using Genesis’ last name due to safety concerns.) As an Iranian-American — the [first Democratic Iranian-American to be elected to Congress](https://ansari.house.gov/about/meet-yassamin?ref=lookoutnews.org) — Ansari has also paid particular attention to the plight of detained Iranian asylum seekers. As [news develops](https://www.citizen.org/news/trump-administration-shares-confidential-information-with-iran-risking-lives-of-asylum-seekers-and-violating-u-s-law/?utm%5Fsource=substack&utm%5Fmedium=email&utm%5Fsource=ActiveCampaign&utm%5Fmedium=email&utm%5Fcontent=We%20Be%20Like%20Michael%20Phelps&utm%5Fcampaign=LOOKOUT%20Newsletter%207%2F8%2F2026%20%28Copy%29) about how the US government has been allegedly sharing information with the Iranian government about those asylum seekers, even as the war continues and people face severe persecution and possible death upon return, Ansari has serious concerns. She spoke with *LOOKOUT* about what she called “illegal” and “insane” immigration policies, as well as the deeply troubling conditions inside the detention camps. This conversation has been edited for length and clarity. **John Washington, *LOOKOUT*: You've now conducted 11 oversight visits to Arizona detention facilities. What has changed as a result, or what accountability mechanisms actually exist when ICE disputes your findings or denies you access?** **U.S. Rep. Yassamin Ansari:** Unfortunately, it's incredibly difficult to make real headway. One of the most important things we can do at this moment with all of the horrific circumstances that we're dealing with is to expose what's happening. Obviously there's a public element of exposing what's happening to change public perception and get more of the American public to speak up and speak out about these issues and demand more from their members of Congress. When it comes to specific cases, it's very difficult. We know where we can make very specific tangible requests of ICE. One prominent example is Yari. With her, for example, we have been following up over and over and over again with very specific requests. Can you release her medical records? Can you allow her to go see an oncologist outside of the center? Each step is so cumbersome because they make it as difficult as possible. It's just a matter of being really diligent and following up and trying to push things forward. We work with immigration groups, like the Florence Project to try to give them information and move the cases forward. ***LOOKOUT:* What can you tell us about Genesis, the trans woman currently detained at Eloy?** **Ansari:** She's 25 years old, originally from Nicaragua, and has been in the US since November of 2022\. \[In Eloy\] she had somebody falsely accuse her of soliciting sex that she alleges is discrimination because of her being transgender. So she was placed in solitary confinement back in June, which she described as horrific and very jarring. She also detailed an experience that I had not heard before which was that she was placed in a wheelchair and handcuffed, belted, and questioned for hours. She let us know that all of this took place on camera, so the footage exists somewhere. She feels many of the employees, even those who are of different races themselves, have treated her and others in a racist and antagonizing way. She works in the kitchen there and she gets paid $3 a day, which is, in my view, essentially slavery. That is how people are forced to make money to buy anything additional they need from the commissary. She said the food looks like vomit and there is often a foul odor to the water. She has seen people's hair falling out and teeth decaying because of the water. I could go on. AC hasn't properly been working for several months. The detainees continue to get used and dirty clothing. And on the topic of being trans, she did request to be placed with the females but was put in the area with other men. ***LOOKOUT:* Genesis is seeking asylum?** **Ansari:** Yes, she has an active case. ***LOOKOUT:* Moving to a related and personal issue for you, recent reporting and a federal lawsuit allege the U.S. has been sharing Iranian asylum seekers' case information with the Iranian government. As an Iranian American member of Congress who also does detention oversight — what's your reaction, and have you encountered Iranian nationals, including LGBTQ detainees, during your Arizona visits?** **Ansari:** I think it's insane. When I've gone to Eloy I've talked to Iranians who are asylum seekers and have been trapped inside the detention centers. I think that this administration, especially Stephen Miller who's the architect of all of these policies related to mass deportation, want to get as many people out of the country as possible. So they will do anything to make that happen, whether it be secret agreements with adversaries in this case, or agreements with countries like Panama and El Salvador, or countries in Africa where they've sent people who have no affiliation to that country whatsoever. [Queer Immigrants Lead Tucson’s Growing Resistance NetworksOften led by queer members, Southern Arizona’s community defense, mutual aid and ICE watch crews are responding to Trump’s anti-immigrant crackdown.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-4a9b206b-a571-486d-af51-70ef9f5bd303.png)LOOKOUTJohn Washington (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Illustration-for-Migrant-Story-01-fb93aa4e-b765-472c-925e-bf13a84c322a.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucsons-queer-immigrant-rights-networks-grow-amid-fear-resistance-and-raids/) ***LOOKOUT*: Is it illegal to share information, to even acknowledge that someone is seeking asylum, with the government of the country they're seeking asylum from? Is there anything Congress can do to stop it?** **Ansari:** First of all, it would have to be proven. But I think definitely that's what this lawsuit is trying to do: take a legal route and prove in court that this is happening. Obviously this is an administration that regularly breaks the law. Much of the oversight work will happen when we're in the majority when we can truly investigate laws that have been broken. I do think if laws have been broken, whether it's in the next Congress or a couple of years from now, people can be held accountable and prosecuted if crimes have been committed. There's nothing more tragic than what is happening to Iranian people in the country. This is a population that rose up and had historic protests in Iran in January, with many thousands scared by the government. Then we have our insane president who actually took to social media to tell Iranian people, “[Help is on its way](https://www.reuters.com/world/china/iranian-mp-warns-greater-unrest-urging-government-address-grievances-2026-01-13/?ref=lookoutnews.org).” That definitely encouraged people because usually when the US President says something it means something to people, especially people who aren't here in the United States and don't follow the fact that he lies with every breath he takes. Early on in the war, many Iranians were very hopeful and thought that perhaps something better would come. But the fact that we have this president who's a pathological liar and has never had a plan or strategy for this war, gave false hope to people early on. The truth is that during this entire time they were all continuing to deport people. When one of those flights was happening, I worked around the clock for a weekend trying to find any possible route to get to Marco Rubio to take people off of the plane. It's such a shame, it's such a moral stain on our country. ***LOOKOUT*: Did you get any response from Rubio or from anyone else?** **Ansari:** There were other members \[of Congress\] who were very helpful, as well as Senator Kelly. We were told through the grapevine that some people were removed from that flight, but it was not something that we were ever able to truly track to see where they are now. ***LOOKOUT:* Was this a flight from Mesa Gateway Airport? And did it occur after the war began?** **Ansari:** Yes, and this was during the war. I'm trying to remember, maybe March sometime. It was so egregious. Not only are you sending people back to a country they were seeking asylum from, but you're doing it at the same time that you're dropping bombs on that country. ***LOOKOUT:* Is there anything you suggest for regular people to do about detention conditions?** **Ansari:** People need to be calling and reaching out to federal elected officials and elected officials at the state level, the city level, about what's happening inside detention centers. And I know that can sound basic, but I don't think that most people are taking the few minutes to make those calls. And those calls really matter. Even in this political environment a lot of pressure on Republican members of Congress could matter, and they just need to hear it. They need to know that people care about what's going on. # Want to Share Insider Information? ## Help keep power accountable. LOOKOUT relies on tips from readers to get our news out. Click on the button below to submit a secure email to our team. Any information you send will be kept confidential in accordance with our ethics guidelines. [Email a Tip ](mailto:editor@lookoutnews.org) ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### LOOKOUT Wins Big in Palm Springs URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/lookout-wins-big-in-palm-springs/ Last updated: 2026-07-14T16:39:08.000Z [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) **PHOENIX —** *LOOKOUT*, the Southwest's nonprofit LGBTQ+ newsroom, earned four honors at the 2026 Association of Alternative Newsmedia (AAN) Awards, one of North America's most prestigious competitions recognizing independent journalism. The newsroom received four awards: - **First Place – AAN Excellence in Journalism** for [***Under the Badge***](https://www.lookoutnews.org/lack-of-standards-transparency-undermines-police-lgbtq-programs/), an investigative series by Celina Jiménez examining how law enforcement agencies across Arizona respond to violence targeting LGBTQ+ people. - **First Place – LGBTQ+ Coverage** for reporter Tori Gantz's [**body**](https://www.lookoutnews.org/outrage-over-charlie-kirk-fueled-extremist-group-resurgence-in-arizona/) of [**work**](https://www.lookoutnews.org/policies-favored-by-the-far-right-ended-up-on-hobbs-desk-and-got-signed-into-law/) [**exploring**](https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-law-that-helped-convert-indigenous-people-is-now-used-to-get-churches-near-and-on-school-grounds/) the intersection of queerness and far-right politics. - **First Place – Newsletter** for *Eyes on the State*, *LOOKOUT*'s legislative newsletter by Tori Gantz tracking hundreds of bills affecting LGBTQ+ Arizonans during the legislative session. - **Third Place – LGBTQ+ Coverage** for *Escaping Arizona*, a [**reported series** ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/queer-arizonans-are-feeling-the-need-to-flee-their-homes-2/)by Joseph Darius Jaafari and Ellie Samsal exploring why LGBTQ+ Arizonans are [**leaving the state**](https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-tucsonan-is-claiming-asylum-in-canada-her-case-could-reshape-how-lgbtq-people-seek-safety-abroad/) amid an increasingly hostile political climate. The awards were announced during the AAN's annual conference in Palm Springs, California, recognizing the best independent journalism from across the United States and Canada. Judges praised *Under the Badge* — partially published in partnership with *Phoenix New Times* —for its "excellent sourcing and storytelling," calling it "the sort of reporting that should drive awareness and change." They highlighted the investigation's ability to connect multiple stories to expose systemic failures in how law enforcement responds to violence against LGBTQ+ people. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/07/7.9-AAN-Awards-DAL_6430.jpg) Exceutive Director for LOOKOUT Jake Hylton accepts the awards in honor of our reporters at the 2026 AAN Awards. Photo by David A. Lee Tori Gantz's first-place-winning reporting, partially published in partnership with Arizona Mirror, was recognized as "remarkable, enterprise-driven work that is original, deeply intentional, well written and deeply reported." Judges praised Gantz's ability to localize national political trends through community-centered reporting, writing that "the selection of stories told me a few things—Tori understands how to work a beat and localize wider issues with compelling, community-driven reporting." Judges also praised *Escaping Arizona* — partially published in partnership with The 19th —for its ambition and reporting, writing that "the scope, ambition and reporting won me over," while adding, "Kudos to what appears to be an incredibly led newsroom. I spent some time reading other folks' work and I'm just so impressed by the work being done by the team at *LOOKOUT*." Meanwhile, *Eyes on the State* was described simply as "a high-quality, well-reported, clear, and well-written newsletter. Essential reading." In addition to the newsroom's honors, *LOOKOUT* founder and Editor-in-Chief Joseph Darius Jaafari received the Spirit of AAN Award, an individual honor recognizing leadership, service and contributions to the Association of Alternative Newsmedia and the independent journalism community. The award recognizes Jaafari's work building *LOOKOUT* into the region's leading LGBTQ+ newsroom and his commitment to strengthening independent, community-centered journalism. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/07/7.9-AAN-Honors--DAL_6581.jpg) Photo by David A. Lee "These awards belong to the community we serve and write for," Jaafari said. "They took chances on us, trusted us in telling their stories, and continue to be our biggest champions." "When we launched in 2022, we believed LGBTQ+ communities deserved ambitious accountability journalism that investigated systems of power while also serving readers with the information they need to navigate their lives," he said. "To have that work recognized on a national stage is an honor, and it shows what's possible when communities invest in local, independent journalism." Founded in 2022, *LOOKOUT* has quickly become the Southwest's leading LGBTQ+ nonprofit newsroom, producing investigative, accountability and service journalism focused on the issues shaping LGBTQ+ life. The newsroom covers politics, health, education, public safety and culture while connecting readers with resources and community across Arizona. The Association of Alternative Newsmedia's annual awards recognize excellence among independent news organizations throughout North America, celebrating reporting, storytelling, design and innovation that strengthen local journalism. **About LOOKOUT** LOOKOUT is the Southwest's nonprofit LGBTQ+ newsroom dedicated to accountability journalism and community-centered reporting. Through investigative, explanatory and service journalism, *LOOKOUT* covers the issues that matter most to LGBTQ+ communities across the Southwest. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Queer Culture was Debated for Eight Hours in State Liquor Board Hearing URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/queer-culture-was-debated-for-eight-hours-in-liquor-board-hearing/ Last updated: 2026-07-10T04:13:24.000Z After nearly eight hours of testimony about cruising and queer culture, the Arizona State Liquor Board's decision on a gay bar that has caught the attention of leather folks across the country ultimately came down to something far less provocative: corporate paperwork. A hearing over Barracks Phoenix—a proposed leather bar in Phoenix's Melrose District—quickly spiraled into a discussion about the definition of "cruising," leather culture and whether businesses can use sex to market themselves before board members finally returned to the question they were actually there to answer: Did bar owner Matthew Moody properly remove his former business partner from the company? The result was less a liquor board hearing than an impromptu lesson in queer history. Patrick Kelly, owner of the adult store Off Chute Too, and Moody spent much of Thursday explaining leather culture, correcting misconceptions and defending queer spaces before a state regulatory board. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) By the end of the day, the Arizona State Liquor Board approved a Series 6 liquor license for Barracks Phoenix, which plans to open across from Fry Bread House on Seventh Avenue. But the approval came with one condition: Moody has 90 days to completely remove former business partner Richard "Scott" Murchison from the company's ownership structure. The hearing, however, rarely stayed focused on corporate law. Much of the testimony centered on Murchison's former ownership of Barracks in Cathedral City, California, where a four-month undercover investigation by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control between late 2023 and early 2024 resulted in 66 administrative allegations involving public sexual activity, nudity and lewd conduct. Moody never owned or managed the California bar, but Murchison's connection to it initially prompted the Phoenix Police Department to recommend denying the Arizona liquor license. To resolve those concerns, Moody and Murchison filed paperwork with the Arizona Corporation Commission on April 28 removing Murchison as an officer and director of Barracks Bar Phoenix Inc., leaving Moody as the company's sole listed director and manager. Phoenix police later withdrew their recommendation, concluding there was "no basis for denial." The Phoenix City Council also declined to protest the application. One thing, however, remained unchanged: Murchison was still a shareholder. That became the central legal issue before the board. One opponent's lawyer, Michael Raine, repeatedly returned to the California allegations as a proxy for a broader debate over queer culture. Leather bars have long served as sexually expressive spaces, often hosting kink events, screening pornography and, in some states, providing designated play areas. Opponents argued those aspects of leather culture meant Barracks Phoenix would inevitably violate Arizona liquor laws. Arizona's LGBTQ+ bars, however, have historically operated under far tighter scrutiny. State liquor laws prohibit sexual activity and sexually explicit performances inside licensed establishments. While enforcement has often varied elsewhere, Arizona's queer bars have long navigated heightened attention over sexuality in ways many straight venues have not. That history extends beyond Arizona. In Seattle, police recently raided several gay bars over alleged sexual conduct, prompting protests from LGBTQ+ advocates who argued queer spaces continue to face disproportionate enforcement. The only formal protest came from Raine's client Stuart Shoen, heir to the U-Haul fortune. Through his company, 18 SAC LLC, Shoen challenged the license on location and personal qualification grounds. Shoen owns the neighboring property, where he stores his and his family’s vehicles, and argued a sex club would negatively affect property value. He disputed that he would take issue with a gay bar, generally. [An Heir to the U-Haul Business Is Trying to Stop a Gay Leather Bar From OpeningStuart Shoen says he’s worried about parking and noise. Court filings from the bar’s attorney suggest something else.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-c11f4685-3fbd-4617-8402-b481335f75b4.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Moody-3-b641d5c0-5586-4e97-8677-b26ff4e2f977.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/u-haul-stuart-shoen-heir-trying-to-stop-barracks-gay-bar/) His attorney spent much of the hearing attempting to tie Barracks Phoenix to the California allegations. He introduced promotional material from a Chicago leather event advertising an "Orgy in Progress" and repeatedly cited cruising and leather culture as evidence the Phoenix business would engage in illegal activity. Moody countered that the materials reflected leather community culture—not Barracks Phoenix's operating plan. At one point during the hearing Moody — who has a background in marketing — seemed to address Shoen, directly, on the door hangers: “That wasn’t for you,” he said. “You don’t get it.” Raine also introduced a *LOOKOUT* and *Phoenix New Times* article as an exhibit, questioning Shoen about reporting that referenced Moody's attorney's allegation that the remaining objections reflected an underlying bias. Shoen testified that the article and subsequent social media attention damaged his reputation, denied the allegations of prejudice and said they contributed to concerns about his personal safety. # Want to Share Insider Information? ## Help keep power accountable. LOOKOUT relies on tips from readers to get our news out. Click on the button below to submit a secure email to our team. Any information you send will be kept confidential in accordance with our ethics guidelines. [Email a Tip ](mailto:editor@lookoutnews.org) At several points, the hearing drifted into explanations of cruising, the hanky code, and leather traditions as board members sought to understand the terminology. As the hours passed, though, it became increasingly clear the board's biggest concern wasn't queer culture. It was ownership. Board questioning revealed Moody and Murchison originally formed Barracks Bar Phoenix Inc. as equal owners. Although Murchison resigned as an officer and director, no stock transfer or buyout had been completed, leaving him as a 50% shareholder in the corporation applying for the liquor license. He also retained a 50% ownership interest in Manly Media Group LLC, which owns the building where Barracks Phoenix plans to operate and serves as the property's landlord. Raine argued those interests meant Murchison still qualified as a controlling person under Arizona liquor law despite no longer holding a management role. Acting Chair Lynn Shulman repeatedly reminded those in attendance that the board's job was not to referee debates about leather culture. The question, she said, was whether Murchison had actually left the business or merely stepped aside on paper. Board members also noted the significant community support for Barracks Phoenix. The Melrose District neighborhood association, local business owners and dozens of residents submitted letters backing the project, describing it as an important LGBTQ+ gathering space that would breathe new life into a long-vacant building. Aside from Shoen's company, no other qualified protests were filed. Eventually, in a 5-1-1 vote, the board approved the liquor license while requiring Moody to fully divest Murchison from Barracks Bar Phoenix Inc. To satisfy that condition, Moody must complete the legal transfer or elimination of Murchison's ownership interest within 90 days and provide documentation showing Murchison no longer holds any financial, ownership or shareholder stake in the company. #### Correction An earlier version of this story misstated the board gave Moody 30 days to remove Murchison. It was 90 days. We regret the error. [Islamaphobia, Threatening Conduct from Stonewall AZ ChairRobert Rowley, a self-described Zionist and centrist Democrat, has made posts degrading Muslims, threatened Jewish Democratic members, and has a history of incendiary conduct. Democrats can’t get rid of him.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-0c6037b4-8e51-49ed-be3a-3eb7e8773bd1.png)LOOKOUTJohn Washington (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Stonewall-ff4e1eaa-dbce-4f1b-b0da-92a31d5e2878.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/behind-arizonas-stonewall-democrats-is-a-man-with-years-of-controversy/) ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### An Heir to the U-Haul Business Is Trying to Stop a Gay Leather Bar From Opening URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/u-haul-stuart-shoen-heir-trying-to-stop-barracks-gay-bar/ Last updated: 2026-07-16T13:08:16.000Z --- *This article was updated July 10 at 12:45 p.m. to include comments from Fry Bread House's owner.* --- **Matthew Moody is in deep shit.** The leather and kink party promoter has spent years building a reputation as one of the region’s go-to DJs for underground queer events, spinning at leather weekends and fetish festivals from coast to coast. These days, though, he's buried in drywall. On a recent Monday morning, Moody wandered through the shell of what he hopes will become one of Arizona's newest queer spaces: Barracks Phoenix. The inside of the building — sitting alongside Seventh Avenue in the heart of Phoenix's Melrose District — still looks more like a construction site than a bar. There are exposed studs framing rooms that don't yet exist. Stacks of vintage artwork lean against unpainted concrete walls. Light fixtures sit disassembled, while boxes cover the wall space of some rooms. Standing near the center of the building, he points to a wall that's already halfway gone. "I got tired of waiting," he said with a laugh. Months of contractor delays eventually pushed him to start swinging the sledgehammer himself. Eventually, he hopes the space will feature a bar that extends the length of the outside patio, anchored by towering Tom of Finland-inspired artwork. Inside, he envisions a dance floor, a leather shop, an event venue that could host community education workshops and bathrooms built to handle packed weekend crowds. Everything is already finished in Moody’s mind. In reality, though, it's still got a long way to go. Nothing can move forward until the paperwork does — and that is the deep shit he’s in. Moody is locked in an expensive legal battle over Barracks that has pushed him to the brink of bankruptcy, he said. At the center of it is a fight with his neighbor, who happens to have one of Arizona's wealthiest last names: Shoen, the heirs to the multi-billion dollar U-Haul fortune. Through his company, 18 SAC LLC, former vice president for his family’s company Stuart Shoen has been the only one formally opposed to Moody's application for a Series 6 liquor license, triggering months of hearings, legal filings, subpoenas and delays that have left the project in limbo. Shoen’s lawyers say they have legitimate concerns against the business, and say Moody has not been forthcoming with all the details. But every delay comes with another bill, Moody said, estimating that he’s already invested close to half a million dollars in the project, buoyed by a second mortgage on his home. After that, there's no money left to finish the project as he envisions it. But the dispute has grown into something much larger than one liquor license, and instead has become a fight over who gets a say in what gets built in Phoenix’s gayborhood, and whether LGBTQ+ spaces can exist there without protest in a Trump 2.0 world. [Queer Culture was Debated for Eight Hours in State Liquor Board HearingThe Arizona State Liquor Board spent hours debating leather culture, cruising, and allegations tied to a California bar before determining the real issue was whether the business had properly disclosed its ownership.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-c1ee0aae-ba78-4687-a436-cff9abd26a7e.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2026-07-09-at-5.03.44---PM-6b54a3f9-da44-463c-9447-bede028d6b2b.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/queer-culture-was-debated-for-eight-hours-in-liquor-board-hearing/) ### **A bar with history** Moody’s original plan wasn't Barracks. It was the Eagle. The Eagle name — part of a historic network of unaffiliated gay leather bars stretching from Tokyo to New York — has long been synonymous with leather culture and queer underground nightlife. Phoenix has had an Eagle before, near 32nd Street and Cactus Road in north Phoenix. [The location closed down in 2008](https://www.yelp.com/biz/eagle-phoenix?ref=lookoutnews.org). Padlock, a dive near Seventh Street and Indian School Road, catered to leathermen for years. Today, Anvil off Thomas Road and 24th Street remains the city's only leather-themed bar. ![Mural with men in leather apparel alongside a motorcycle.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/07/Moody-5.png) Various artwork is strewn across the interior of Barracks without a place to be hung. Photo by Joseph Darius Jaafari for LOOKOUT A new Eagle in Phoenix would have helped position the city as a destination for leather queens, punks, rockers and nightlife enthusiasts from across the country. But the Eagle name comes with its critics: Everyone who’s been to an Eagle has an opinion on what an Eagle “should” be — and everyone has their favorite. In this writer’s opinion, Silverlake has the best patio, New York used to be fun but still has a good rooftop, and Vegas is laughable as a leather bar, but has strong and cheap drinks. (It's notoriously difficult to appease gay men.) So when Barracks near Palm Springs, California, closed in 2024, Moody saw an opportunity. The brand carried deep credibility within the leather community. Moody was a frequent guest DJ at the space, and partnered with Barracks owner Richard "Scott" Murchison to bring the name to Phoenix in the Melrose district, the city’s widely acknowledged gayborhood. Melrose, a stretch of Seventh Avenue, is where LGBTQ+ bars, restaurants and small businesses have survived Arizona’s (and Phoenix’s) consistent pendulum swings between progressive and conservative politics. It's one of the few places in Phoenix where queer life — in the day and at night — has an outwardly visible home. Moody envisions Barracks rounding out a niche within the queer leather community that is deeply ingrained in the LGBTQ+ rights movement’s history, but has been misunderstood by many. "We're losing these spaces," Moody said. "If we don't preserve them, they're just gone." For Moody, the project is rooted in his own experience growing up in a small Iowa town before finding acceptance elsewhere. "I don't want some kid thinking, 'I have to leave Phoenix to be gay,' the way I felt I had to leave Iowa," he said. "This is about the future." ### **The neighbor next door** Before the first drink has been poured, the project has already faced opposition from at least two fronts, both of them neighbors. Public records reviewed by *LOOKOUT* show Shoen purchased the neighboring property in March through his company, 18 SAC LLC. According to Moody and his attorneys, Shoen is using the building to house part of his private automobile collection, and said the use of land is improper, referring to Phoenix’s Seventh Avenue Overlay District that [prohibits private storage garages](https://media.kjzz.org/s3fs-public/7th%20Ave%20Urban%20Main%20Street%20Overlay.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) in an effort to encourage active commercial uses along the corridor. In a response, Shoen’s lawyer, Michael Raine, said the space is used for car storage, saying they “use the property lawfully and according to their interests,” but disputed it being a collection. “Barracks’ attempt to make the Protestor’s use of their property significant seeks to undermine the important role the public plays in liquor licensing and to detract from the sole relevant issue of its own qualifications.” But even before Shoen had purchased the property, The Fry Bread House, located across the street from where Barracks would open, complained about parking and sound. Moody said they made coded remarks about the areas being a “family” neighborhood — something he understands to mean “straight.” “By family, what do you mean?” he said, referencing the discussions with the owner of the restaurant “That phrase has been used against our community multiple times. I mean, family was code for straight. Gay people have families, too.” One of The Fry Bread House’s owners, Jennifer Miller, said in an emailed statement that the characterization of her saying "family" meant "straight" is inaccurate and false, and that the chief complaints with Barracks was parking and noise: "We have proudly supported LGBTQ rights for years," Miller wrote. "Over the past few years, Fry Bread House hosted a Pride event with Native American drag performers, donating part of the revenue to help them compete in Miss Gay USofA. LGBTQ+ authors have read at our restaurant, and we have held back-to-school supply drives for LGBTQ youth. We have LGBTQ staff – past and present – working at our restaurant." "While I understand Mr. Moody’s frustration with my concerns, these legitimate logistical concerns need to be addressed," she said. Records show Moody has addressed the concerns from The Fry Bread House: According to filings with the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control, he secured additional parking through a long-term lease and incorporated sound-mitigation measures into the building's design. Even though Shoen’s legal filings also cite concerns over parking and noise, a large portion of Shoen’s complaints against Barracks appear to be focused on events that never happened in Arizona — and did not involve Moody. Shoen's attorneys have pointed to the history of the original Barracks in Cathedral City, California, as a reason to deny the bar its license. Opened in 1992, Barracks became one of the country's best-known leather bars, drawing visitors from around the world for leather weekends, educational events and nightlife. But after more than three decades in business, it closed in 2024 following an investigation by the California Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control. Documents submitted as part of Shoen’s protest to the Arizona liquor license application show California regulators conducted a four-month undercover investigation after receiving anonymous complaints alleging lewd conduct. The investigation resulted in 66 administrative allegations, including claims of public sexual activity, nudity on an outdoor patio and adult pornography displayed inside the establishment. No criminal charges were filed. Instead, Murchison, the former Barracks owner, agreed to surrender the bar's liquor license and close the business rather than contest administrative revocation proceedings. “Barracks’ problem is that it did not run a ‘leather bar’ in California; it ran a sex club,” wrote Raine in response to *LOOKOUT*’s questions. He referenced the findings of the police sting that showed, “numerous patrons in as many as 60 separate instances over a few days to engage in open sexual activity in pairs and large groups on the premises and Barracks’ constant playing of pornography on their televisions.” When Moody first applied for a Series 6 liquor license, Murchison was listed as a co-founder, director and 50% shareholder of Barracks Bar Phoenix Inc., according to Arizona Corporation Commission records. The connection prompted the Phoenix Police Department to initially recommend denying the application, citing Murchison's regulatory history and ownership in the new company. After those concerns surfaced, corporate records show Murchison resigned as an owner, officer, director and manager of Barracks Bar Phoenix, leaving Moody as the company's sole owner and operator. Shoen’s lawyers claim to have proof that the change in ownership was just in name, only, and referred to Moody and Murchison as continuing to co-own the bar. Murchison still owns a 50% interest in the building, according to the memorandum, but Moody said Murchison has no role in operating the business, hiring employees or making management decisions. He described the arrangement as a landlord-tenant relationship. But removing Murchison was enough for Phoenix police to later withdraw their initial recommendation. They concluded there was "no basis for denial" of the liquor license. Neither the Phoenix City Council nor the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control filed formal objections. Shoen’s lawyers say that the Barracks’ legacy in California is coming to Arizona. Their evidence included a photo of a marketing campaign at a national leather event that had “Orgy in Progress, Enter At Your Own Risk - Barracks Phoenix” on door hangers in a hotel. Shoen’s lawyers argued that marketing is proof the bar is intending to be a sex club. Moody countered that using sex as a marketing tool is something businesses continually do: “They better have never stepped in a Hooters or bought a birthday card at Spencer's Gifts,” Moody retorted. With Barracks' former owner removed from the company, Moody believed the biggest obstacle had been resolved. But after discussions between the two sides, Moody's attorneys wrote that Shoen's legal team indicated he was "not comfortable with the business and its clientele." For Moody, the statement confirmed what he already suspected. "He had no problem buying next to a bar," Moody said. "He only had an issue when he found out it was going to be a gay leather bar." Raine wrote that his client “vehemently denies any concern with Barrack’s general LGBTQ+ themes or clientele.” And in a separate statement, Shoen called the claim defamatory and urged not publishing this story “lest you become a party to it.” In his response, he wrote: “You would be wise to reserve your article and your judgment until after the hearing rather than help another person engage in defamation,” he wrote. “I am not a public figure – I’m a private citizen exercising my legal rights. You should consider that my children may find your article floating around the internet one day. Republishing this kind of thing is not in the public interest, and I take my reputation extremely seriously.” *LOOKOUT* could not independently verify Moody's characterization beyond the statements contained in the legal filings. But Ryan Anderson, Moody’s attorney, wrote in an email that the remaining objections reveal an underlying bias: "In light of SAC's inability to articulate any additional legitimate concerns, its course of conduct makes it increasingly apparent that the opposition is not grounded in the statutory licensing criteria, but rather in generalized discomfort with Barracks' proposed use and its anticipated clientele.” The liquor board will be hearing Shoen’s protest this week. He and his lawyers attempted to subpoena multiple pieces of evidence from Moody and Murchison, as well as postpone the hearing on July 9\. But in a response to Shoen’s lawyers, Director of the Department of Liquor Licenses and Control Ben Henry rebuked the attempts: “During my tenure as director, and for more than ten years preceding me, I have not been able to locate an instance of a director granting subpoenas of this nature,” he wrote, denying the subpoenas and the extension. ### **More than a bar** Shoen currently stands alone in formally opposing Barracks. At the same time, a growing list of community members has lined up in support of Moody and the space. Letters submitted to the Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control and the City of Phoenix describe Barracks as a long-overdue investment in one of the city's historic LGBTQ+ neighborhoods. Patrick Kelley, a nearby business owner and former president of the Seventh Avenue Merchants Association, wrote that Barracks would be "an excellent fit" for the Melrose corridor and strengthen the district's economy. ![A person working on a construction or renovation project, with tools and materials around a framed doorway.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/07/Moody-2.png) Matthew Moody points to a wall that he started tearing out. It’s one of multiple half-finished projects that Moody has started, but has put on hold until his liquor license has been approved. Photo by Joseph Darius Jaafari for LOOKOUT Robert Donat, chair of the Pierson Place Historic District Block Watch, praised Moody for meeting with neighbors, addressing parking concerns and working collaboratively with the surrounding community before construction was complete. Others emphasized what the venue could mean for LGBTQ+ Arizonans. Stephen Land, a longtime nightlife producer, described Barracks as "not simply a bar," but a cultural gathering place where people find mentorship, community and belonging. Opposing the venue because of discomfort with the people it serves, he wrote, would represent "a step backward." Elijah Palles, a licensed clinical social worker and former Mister Phoenix Pride, echoed that sentiment, writing that Arizona's more than 250,000 LGBTQ+ adults deserve spaces where they can gather safely and authentically. "It is deeply concerning," Palles wrote, "when opposition to LGBTQIA+ spaces appears rooted in prejudice rather than legitimate community concerns." For many supporters, the dispute reflects broader changes reshaping Melrose. Long marketed as Phoenix's gayborhood, the district has seen rising property values, new development and changing ownership transform parts of the corridor, raising questions about whether the neighborhood is becoming less queer even as it grows more popular. Moody argues that the lack of dedicated leather spaces has left many community members without a place to gather. "There are so many folks who don't even go out anymore because there isn't a space for them," he said. "Why should they stay?" Supporters say Barracks is one of the few businesses intentionally built around a segment of queer culture that has often been pushed to the margins — even within LGBTQ+ spaces. But until that day comes (or if it comes), Barracks exists mostly as Moody’s dream. For now, its exposed framing, concrete floors and stacks of leather history are waiting for walls to hold it. Moody can already see where everything fits into his grand plan. The question is whether Phoenix will ever get to see it. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Stonewall Democrats of Arizona's Leader Has a History of Incendiary Conduct URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/behind-arizonas-stonewall-democrats-is-a-man-with-years-of-controversy/ Last updated: 2026-08-18T16:49:52.000Z For years, Arizona Democrats have tried to distance themselves from Robert Rowley. They have discussed censuring him, barred him from meetings, attempted to remove him from party positions and condemned his online conduct. Yet Rowley continues to wield influence under one of the most recognizable names in LGBTQ+ politics: Stonewall Democrats of Arizona. Named for the 1969 Stonewall Inn uprising in New York City — the catalyst for the modern LGBTQ+ rights movement — Stonewall Democratic organizations have existed across the country since the founding of the original [Stonewall Democratic Club](https://www.stonewalldems.org/?ref=lookoutnews.org) in Los Angeles in 1975\. Their stated purpose is to amplify queer voices within the Democratic Party, elect pro-equality candidates and advocate for policies that protect and advance civil rights for queer Americans. The Stonewall Democrats of Arizona, meanwhile, is a political action committee led by one man, Robert Rowley, who for years has been a source of controversy and disturbing behavior within the party. *LOOKOUT* spoke with multiple members of the Arizona Democratic Party who said Rowley misrepresents the party’s values and, for years, has been a thorn in the side of Democratic politics in Arizona. [![“Become a Lookout Member” promotional banner offering free swag, event tickets, and a copy of the magazine.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Current and former party members said Rowley has shown a consistent pattern of erratic and offensive behavior. A review of Rowley’s social media presence also reveals persistent Islamophobic themes and violent messaging. Screenshots show that Rowley has referred to Palestinians as animals, or "palimals," and members of the Democratic party told *LOOKOUT* they have been physically threatened by him, including a throat-cutting gesture in front of a party member's child. Despite the accusations, Rowley’s endorsements through the Stonewall Democrats of Arizona still turn heads in Arizona. The recent endorsement of state Rep. Alma Hernández — recently rebuked for her alignment with Republicans in the state House — is proudly placed on her site. The endorsement for Hernandez over the only queer candidate in the race, Rocque Perez, for the Legislative District 20 Senate race is Rowley’s latest move calling into question what the Stonewall Democrats of Arizona, and the man behind it, represent. Rowley did not respond to repeated attempts to contact him for this article. # Want to Share Insider Information? ## Help keep power accountable. LOOKOUT relies on tips from readers to get our news out. Click on the button below to submit a secure email to our team. Any information you send will be kept confidential in accordance with our ethics guidelines. [Email a Tip ](mailto:editor@lookoutnews.org) ### **Who Is Robert Rowley?** The name "Stonewall Democrats of Arizona" implies a broad community mandate that the organization may not actually have; When the organization endorses or condemns a candidate, it is not clear that anyone other than Rowley has signed off. The organization is, according to multiple Southern Arizona members of the Democratic Party, one man's platform: There is no visible democratic governance structure holding Rowley accountable, no membership vote on endorsements and no mechanism for the broader LGBTQ+ community to weigh in. ProPublica's 527 Explorer shows the organization has [never electronically reported individual contributions](https://projects.propublica.org/527-explorer/orgs/465433740?ref=lookoutnews.org) or expenditures. > More recently, community members and Democratic activists have raised alarms of what they call racist posts Rowley made on Instagram about Middle Eastern people, including an image of a cockroach wearing a Muslim headdress, and repeating far-right Islamophobic claims that the civil rights group Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is a terrorist organization. Rowley has led Stonewall Democrats of Arizona since he co-founded it with Richard Adams in 2014, [registering it with the Arizona Secretary of State's Office](https://seethemoney.az.gov/Reporting/Explore?ref=lookoutnews.org#JurisdictionId=0%7CPage%7CPage=11%7CstartYear=2025%7CendYear=2026%7CIsLessActive=false%7CShowOfficeHolder=false%7CView=Detail%7CName=2~201400557%7CTablePage=6%7CTableLength=10) as a political action committee. Within months of the organization's founding, Rowley made headlines. In October 2014, he publicly posted a vulgar slur beneath a Facebook photo of Arizona state Rep. Catherine Miranda, a Latina Democrat. When confronted, Rowley didn't apologize. [He doubled down, writing in a Facebook chat](https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/duval-ditches-gay-rights-group-after-leader-calls-democrat-hispanic-lawmaker-the-c-word-6660839/?ref=lookoutnews.org): "Sorry but I stand by my assessment, Catherine Miranda is a c-nt and she is going to be recalled." [The blowback was swift.](https://tucson.com/news/local/column/steller-homebuilders-get-an-f-for-tusd-?ref=lookoutnews.org) Democratic [gubernatorial candidate Fred DuVal,](https://www.azregents.edu/node/722?ref=lookoutnews.org) who served two terms on the Arizona Board of Regents, had enjoyed Rowley's endorsement and threw an LGBTQ+-oriented fundraiser that Rowley had helped promote. But he cut ties with the Stonewall Democrats of Arizona when the OUT For Fred Committee called Rowley's comments "offensive" and said they had "no place in civil public discourse." Multiple political groups subsequently condemned Rowley’s behavior. That was more than a decade ago. And Rowley's pattern of inflammatory online behavior has continued over the years. "He can be very nice, obliging, polite, and he can be very rude," Barbara Tellman, a longtime Democratic Party member, told *LOOKOUT*. She said the party has considered censuring him and has barred him from entering some meetings. She stressed that his endorsement should carry no weight. Andrew Gardner, a former precinct worker in the Democratic Party, said Rowley has "a long history of saying really unkind comments, veering towards misogynistic and racist." More recently, community members and Democratic activists have raised alarms of what they call racist posts Rowley made on Instagram about Middle Eastern people, including an image of a cockroach wearing a Muslim headdress, and repeating far-right Islamophobic claims that the civil rights group Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is a terrorist organization. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/07/Screenshot-2026-06-30-at-6.53.56---PM.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/07/Screenshot-2026-06-30-at-6.58.13---PM.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/07/Screenshot-2026-06-30-at-6.57.37---PM.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/07/Screenshot-2026-06-30-at-6.54.30---PM.png) Various Islamophobic and racist posts from Robert Rowley's personal Facebook page. (Facebook) Hector Jaramillo, former Legislative District 24 candidate for the state House, noted in an interview with *LOOKOUT* that his district is a majority-Latino district with Muslim residents and Arab American community members. "It is very unfortunate that Stonewall Dems is spearheaded by someone who is against Islam or Arab Americans," Jaramillo said. "We do have people who identify as Muslim in our community. To see the good Stonewall Dems name tarnished by this one man is disheartening." Jaramillo publicly rejected an endorsement from Rowley earlier this spring, writing on Facebook that he made his decision not because of Stonewall Democrats of Arizona’s "stated values, but because of its chair, Robert Rowley." Jaramillo continued, writing that Rowley "has posted hateful things about Muslim and Arab people, laughed at the deaths of others, and dehumanized the people of Palestine and Iran simply because they are seen as the 'opposition.' He has also called for the deportation of American members of Congress because of their proud heritage." Jaramillo mentioned that when he confronted Stonewall Democrats of Arizona about the posts, he was sent a message to "Go f-ck yourself." > "Rowley has been an issue for more than a decade." - Arizona Democratic strategist Rowley is also currently a precinct committeeperson for Legislative District 20 in Tucson, outside of his role as chairman of Stonewall Democrats of Arizona. Multiple Democratic state committee members — who, as precinct committeepersons, hold formal party standing — have tried to limit Rowley’s reach. Others have attempted to censure or remove him. In 2017, Rowley faced two efforts to oust him from his position as a committeeperson. One letter from the same year, sent to the chair of the Pima County Democratic Party, pushed to have him removed from the party because he had endorsed a Republican candidate — the same action by Rep. Miranda that prompted him to call her a "c-nt" and led to his initial condemnation. That same year, a separate effort tried to remove Rowley from his position because of his conduct and alleged embrace of political violence: "He viciously attacks members — not just in the Republican community, but in our community as well," according to an email from a Democratic committee member addressed to Alexis Tameron Kinsey, then-chair of the Arizona Democratic Party. Tameron Kinsey responded, "I personally abhor inflammatory and divisive rhetoric, such as statements Mr. Rowley is accused of making." However, Tameron Kinsey continued, "as the ADP State Chair, I do not have the authority via state law or our bylaws to remove or initiate the removal of a state committee member." In 2025, Rowley was temporarily suspended from the Arizona Democratic Party’s Jewish Caucus Slack workspace "because of his violations of the Slack Community Guidelines," according to an email from the chair of the caucus shared with *LOOKOUT*. On Instagram, Rowley recently posted an A.I.-generated video depicting Jesus bludgeoning President Trump in the head, after which he plunges into a fiery volcano. The post has since been removed. Earlier, in 2017, Gardner – the former precinct worker — said that at a public meeting, Rowley made a menacing throat-cutting gesture at him. Gardner said that his son was sitting next to him at the time Rowley made the threatening gesture. ### **The Race in LD20** Legislative District 20 in Tucson is one of the most reliably Democratic districts in Arizona. The July 21, 2026, primary is, for all practical purposes, the general election. The seat is being vacated by term-limited Sen. Sally Ann Gonzales, and two Democrats are vying for it: state Rep. Alma Hernandez, a four-term incumbent who has reached her House term limit, and Rocque Perez, a former Ward 5 Tucson City Council member and CEO of the Southern Arizona Education Council. ![Grid of Arizona organization and union logos, including Stonewall Democrats of Arizona, highlighting an endorsement of Alma Hernandez.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/07/Screenshot-2026-06-30-at-7.08.30---PM-1-1.png) Robert Rowley touts Stonewall Democrats of Arizona endorsement of Alma Hernandez. The organization appears to have no designated structure for endorsements, and multiple people interviewed said his endorsement should carry no weight. Still, Hernandez placed the controversial figure's endorsement on her website. (Screenshot from [https://www.almaforarizona.com/endorsements](https://www.almaforarizona.com/endorsements?ref=lookoutnews.org)) Into this contested, high-stakes primary stepped Rowley, with an endorsement for Hernandez — and a website page dedicated to condemning Perez, whom he nicknames Rocque "OnlyFans" Perez because of the candidate’s past videos on the website. He also cites past social media posts in which Perez [called for violence against conservative politicians and members of Trump’s family](https://tucson.com/news/local/government-politics/elections/article%5F46da81c7-22fc-4fa8-90a8-3dd833268bd8.html?ref=lookoutnews.org). According to a Facebook page run by Rowley, Arizona Politics, state Rep. Cesar Aguilar called Stonewall Democrats a Zionist organization, to which the account argued Aguilar was antisemitic. Rowley has frequently accused people of antisemitism for criticizing Israel. On the Stonewall Democrats of Arizona website, Rowley published [a lengthy attack page on Perez](http://stonewalldemsaz.org/rperez.htm?ref=lookoutnews.org), citing old social media posts and accusing him and his campaign chair of antisemitism. The page declares: "Stonewall Democrats of Arizona have endorsed Alma Hernandez as a strong ally of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community for re-election, conversely we condemn Mr. Perez and his campaign Chair for their anti-Semitism, vileness and lack of professionalism." Democratic Party members found it ironic that Rowley would call out anyone for offensive language, personal attacks, or inflammatory social media behavior. Central to [Rowley's attack page](http://stonewalldemsaz.org/rperez.htm?ref=lookoutnews.org) is a series of links — including an NBC News story about Rachel Dolezal being fired from a teaching job over an OnlyFans account, and several archived articles with headlines referencing "alleged sex worker" and "gay OnlyFans" — that frame Perez's past OnlyFans account as disqualifying. The rhetoric echoes attacks long used against LGBTQ+ people that link sex work to unfitness around children. One longtime member of Arizona’s Democratic Party, who did not want to be named for fear of retaliation from Rowley, says they and other party members have long felt threatened and harassed by him. “I feel I need to protect myself from him,” they said. They added that it’s time for him to lose his position and relative power in the party. "Rowley has been an issue for more than a decade," they said. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Lawsuit Challenges Arizona Transgender Ballot Measure, Says Lawmakers Concealed its Full Scope URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/lawsuit-challenges-arizona-transgender-ballot-measure-says-lawmakers-concealed-its-full-scope/ Last updated: 2026-08-18T16:51:39.000Z A group of Arizona faith leaders and a political committee are asking a Maricopa County judge to block a proposed constitutional amendment targeting transgender people from reaching voters, arguing state lawmakers violated the Arizona Constitution's "single subject" rule by packaging multiple policies into a single ballot referral, while giving it a title they say obscures its full scope. The lawsuit, [first reported by the Phoenix New Times](https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/arizona-pastors-challenge-gops-anti-trans-ballot-referral-40677332/?ref=lookoutnews.org), was filed Monday in Maricopa County Superior Court, and challenges House Concurrent Resolution 2003, titled the "Protect Girls' Sports in Arizona Act." Plaintiffs argue the measure violates the Arizona Constitution's single-subject rule because it combines restrictions on transgender student athletes with broader limits on who can use school restrooms, locker rooms and changing facilities. [![Promotional banner reading “Become a Lookout Member,” with information about member benefits including free swag, event tickets, and a magazine.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) The plaintiffs — Rev. Sarah Oglesby-Dunegan, Rev. James "Jay" Deskins and the political committee Will of the People — also argue the measure's title is misleading because it references only student athletics despite including provisions affecting access to private facilities. "We are facing a moment in our country, and in this state, where we are faced with making decisions that will either expand or limit human flourishing," Oglesby-Dunegan, a Unitarian Universalist minister and plaintiff, said in a statement. "Our kids are smart — when they see us bully someone, they wonder when they will be next. We all do." If approved by voters, HCR 2003 would require public and private schools to designate athletic teams based on a student's biological sex listed on their original birth certificate, barring transgender girls from participating on girls' teams. The measure would also require schools and athletic organizations to restrict access to restrooms, locker rooms and changing areas based on biological sex. According to the lawsuit, the proposal contains no exceptions for single-occupancy or gender-neutral facilities. The plaintiffs argue lawmakers violated the constitutional requirement that ballot measures address only one subject because the proposal regulates both student athletics and access to school facilities. They also contend the title creates a "substantial danger of fraud" by focusing exclusively on girls' sports while omitting provisions that would affect non-athletes and access to school facilities. Alison Marciniak, executive director of Progress Arizona, criticized the proposal as a political distraction, accusing lawmakers of using transgender Arizonans to divide voters instead of addressing other issues facing the state. The lawsuit asks the court to declare HCR 2003 legally insufficient and prevent Secretary of State Adrian Fontes from certifying it for the November 2026 ballot. If the court agrees, voters would not see the measure in the general election. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Hobbs Signs Bill Making it a Felony to Disturb Religious Services. Advocates are Divided. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/hobbs-signs-bill-that-makes-interrupting-religious-services-illegal-advocates-and-religious-groups-are-divided/ Last updated: 2026-07-16T13:09:12.000Z A new bill [signed](https://azgovernor.gov/office-arizona-governor/news/2026/06/governor-katie-hobbs-legislative-action-update-1?ref=lookoutnews.org) into law by Gov. Hobbs on Monday makes “interfering with a religious service or religious activity” a public offense potentially worthy of a felony, sparking backlash from activists and mixed reactions from religious organizations. [House Bill 4117](https://legiscan.com/AZ/text/HB4117/id/3447771/Arizona-2026-HB4117-Engrossed.html?ref=lookoutnews.org) was initially conceived to address a “rise in antisemitism and the disruption of synagogues,” [according](https://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2026/06/10/critics-say-religious-service-protections-could-run-afoul-of-right-to-free-speech/?ref=lookoutnews.org) to Tucson Rep. Alma Hernandez. Those who violate the law can catch a Class 1 misdemeanor — which carries a six-month jail term — if they “obstruct” worshippers’ ability to enter and exit a religious activity, [including](https://www.kjzz.org/text/politics/2026-06-11/proponents-say-az-bill-would-deal-with-antisemitism-opponents-say-it-could-silence-free-speech?ref=lookoutnews.org) in outdoor and adjacent spaces nearby. The same penalty exists if someone makes “protracted commotion, utterance or display” inside religious venues that disturb services. But the bill also lists scenarios where impeding a religious service can result in a felony, or up to a 18 months in prison: if a person is found to have violated the section more than once, if they threaten or physically intimidate worshippers, or if they obstruct a place of religious worship alongside two or more people. [![Ad for becoming a Lookout member with free swag and magazine subscription offer.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) The bill carves out an exemption to the new section for “peaceful picketing, protesting or other expressive activity,” as well as for law enforcement or first responders called to duty. But while some celebrate the bill as an increased protection for worshippers’ First Amendment rights, others ask what the cost of those protections are — and argue that the bill detracts more rights writ large than it adds. Bill co-sponsors Sen. John Kavanagh, Rep. Teresa Martinez and Rep. Michael Way were not available for comment on this story, while co-sponsor Rep. Keshel declined to comment. ### **A history of religious protesting** Demonstrations against religious institutions have taken place across the United States since its founding. One memorable example of a mass demonstration which occurred in front and inside of a house of worship is from 1989, when a group of more than [7,000](https://www.actuporalhistory.org/actions/stop-the-church?ref=lookoutnews.org) activists from the New York AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power [protested](https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/social-sciences-and-humanities/act-protests-st-patricks-cathedral?ref=lookoutnews.org) the Roman Catholic Archdiocese in response to its opposition toward LGBTQ+ rights, sex education and condom distribution during the AIDS crisis. The activists, many of whom even entered St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Manhattan, staged a mass “die-in” where they chanted, laid on outside streets to block traffic, chained themselves to church pews and even crushed a communion wafer. While at least 111 protestors were arrested for interrupting the mass, the protest was effective in drawing new visibility toward both ACT-UP and the AIDS crisis. # Want to Share Insider Information? ## Help keep power accountable. LOOKOUT relies on tips from readers to get our news out. Click on the button below to submit a secure email to our team. Any information you send will be kept confidential in accordance with our ethics guidelines. [Email a Tip ](mailto:editor@lookoutnews.org) “(People) were now having conversations they would never have had otherwise,” said Arizona’s “Hip Historian” Marshall Shore, who leads the Arizona LGBT+ History Project and lived in New York during the time of the protest. “Whether or not they agreed, or even knew what AIDS was (before), suddenly it was the talk of the town.” [Two LGBTQ+ Groups Are Pushing A Bill That Would Allow Pastors to Discriminate Against Same-Sex PartnersA marriage equality strategy Equality Arizona and ONE Community developed behind the scenes has exposed fractures within the state’s movement toward LGBTQ+ inclusion.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-70504213-0d73-44c8-9af4-45b3dfd2b70c.png)LOOKOUTTori Gantz (she/they)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Untitled-design--45--b1966528-fcfb-4b4f-aa93-fb9434680cd9.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/two-lgbtq-groups-are-pushing-a-bill-that-would-allow-pastors-to-discriminate-against-same-sex-partners/) While protestors in Arizona, including the state’s own ACT-UP chapter, have historically not gone so far as to enter houses of worship or disrupt services, multiple demonstrations have taken place in the “outdoor, adjacent spaces” to religious services that this bill seeks to protect. In 2014, more than 100 protestors [demonstrated](https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/tempe/2014/12/07/steven-anderson-aids-comments-protest/20054875/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z1121xxe1121xxv004958d--54--b--54--&gca-ft=170&gca-ds=sophi&ref=lookoutnews.org) outside of Tempe’s Faithful Word Baptist Church during a Sunday sermon by its pastor, Steven Anderson, who had gone [viral](https://www.wltx.com/article/news/national/pastor-calls-for-killing-gays-to-end-aids/101-298273176?ref=lookoutnews.org) for saying that “executing homos” would help eliminate HIV and AIDS. Now, some of the protest’s primary organizers fear that HB 4117 will discourage people from conducting similar demonstrations. Samantha Trad was chair of Legislative District 26’s West Phoenix Democrats when she organized the protest of the Faithful Word church, and said she remembers singing peace songs with a crowd as some members of the congregation came out brandishing guns. She had felt a lot of fear then, even though nobody was hurt during the demonstration. Today, Trad is concerned that people will use HB 4117 to more easily sue protesters that don’t have the money to fight in court. “It’s so critical now more than ever that people be allowed to protest … that’s the next play in the fascist book, is to not let people gather in large numbers,” she said. “I do think it’s important that people should be safe practicing their religion, (but) I worry that things like this could get muddied.” Evan Clark, the executive director for [Atheists United](https://www.atheistsunited.org/about?ref=lookoutnews.org) in California, helped organize the protest with Trad when he lived in Arizona. He said the new bill is redundant due to preexisting trespassing laws and that it invites potential abuses of freedom. “The definitions around interruption, depending on the organization, could be completely different, and then ultimately we have less free speech in religious spaces, which are one of the spaces that most Americans interact with weekly,” Clark told *LOOKOUT*. He argued that if someone is abused by a pastor and leaves the congregation, they will not be able to speak up during a service to gain accountability without fear of arrest. And that’s not an example from far afield: An event similar to what Clark described took place at Christ Church of the Valley in Peoria last [March](https://www.fox10phoenix.com/news/ccv-members-protest-pastors-support-convicted-sex-offender-seeking-ended-probation?ref=lookoutnews.org), where congregants, including survivors, protested church leaders for supporting a convicted sex offender. Christ Church of the Valley did not respond to requests for comment on the bill. ![A woman speaking outside with two men, one holding a microphone labeled "12 HD" and taking notes.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/06/DSC_2915-copy.JPG) Former D-26 Democrats Chair Samantha Trad, who organized the protest against Pastor Anderson, spoke with journalists from 12 News Arizona. Photo courtesy of Evan Clark ### **Protecting (and chilling) protest activity** Secular AZ, a nonpartisan advocacy organization that works to address complaints regarding separation of church and state, said they believe HB 4117 is constitutional “on its face,” but also that it has the potential to violate First Amendment rights. “The main legal concern (of this bill) is its vagueness,” Sagarika Nandi, a Secular AZ extern, told *LOOKOUT*. “When criminal statutes use broad and undefined terms, like ‘religious activity,’ it increases the risk of inconsistent enforcement and potential chilling of constitutionally-protected speech.” A [memorandum](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1%5F9u3SXydXqJkIaOWOiHXb7U7bhkDyXS2/view?usp=sharing&ref=lookoutnews.org) by Nandi and Dianne Post, the organization’s legal director, states that courts across the country have accepted a wide range of actions as “religious activity,” including the sharing of religious pamphlets and fundraising for donations. Because of this, Post backed up [previous](https://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2026/04/24/bill-to-expand-protection-for-religious-activities-leaves-abortion-clinics-concerned/?ref=lookoutnews.org) claims by activists and legislators that HB 4117 could silence dissent against protestors outside abortion clinics or the Westboro Baptist Church, as well as the suggestion that it could be used against congregants protesting religious leadership. [Hobbs Signed Ten Bills Modeled From Far-Right Playbooks, Including Project 2025The bills identified by LOOKOUT and Arizona Mirror echo language from groups like The Heritage Foundation.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-e5de9c24-cc0b-408e-958f-13707634ce24.png)LOOKOUTTori Gantz (she/they)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Hobbs-budget-signing-070125-2851ab34-4be6-4705-8b1d-8f30662df887.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/policies-favored-by-the-far-right-ended-up-on-hobbs-desk-and-got-signed-into-law/) “Even though they put it in there that (the bill) is not going to violate first amendment rights, that’s going to be exactly the question,” Post said. Sen. Kavanagh (R-Fountain Hills) previously [dismissed concerns from reproductive health advocates](https://walterborolive.com/premium/stories/critics-arizonas-religious-interference-bill-is-a-shield-for-anti-lgbtq-anti-abortion,201919?ref=lookoutnews.org), saying that anti abortion protests do not become religious services just because someone says a prayer. Meanwhile, Mohyeddin Abdulaziz, a cofounder of the [Arizona Palestine Solidarity Alliance](https://azpalnetwork.com/our-team?ref=lookoutnews.org), said he believes HB 4117 will use antisemitism and Jewish religious life as a guise to kill criticism of Israel by activists. The APSA has occasionally protested outside religious spaces in the past, such as in 2024, when the organization and its supporters [demonstrated](https://www.azfamily.com/2024/01/30/activist-groups-discover-their-cars-keyed-following-protest-paradise-valley/?ref=lookoutnews.org) outside Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue. They had protested the synagogue for hosting an event with Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt, who has been criticized for equating anti-Zionism with antisemitism. Congregation Beth Israel did not respond to requests for comment on the bill. Abdulaziz said that APSA’s activism targets the “political activities and actions” taking place in institutions of all kinds — not specifically religious services or houses of worship. “What constitutes an anti-religious protest versus a political protest at an institution that may be defined as a religious place, but the activity there is not religious?” Abdulaziz said. “(This bill) just gives (fascists) another tool to make our activities as human rights organizers much more difficult.” ### **“I’m not naive.”** [Several](https://www.jewishaz.com/community/arizona-jewish-organizations-advocate-for-safe-worship-zones-and-enhanced-hate-crime-legislation/article%5Ff7a0a88a-3007-4c8c-b4d8-6fbf017631b2.html?ref=lookoutnews.org) prominent Jewish organizations have advocated for and been involved in HB 4117’s passage, including ADL Desert Region, Center for Jewish Philanthropy of Greater Phoenix and Jewish Philanthropies of Southern Arizona. ADL Desert Region, in particular, helped legislators workshop the bill from its original language targeting indoor disruptions within a house of worship to be inclusive, to the amended bill encompassing public spaces, according to Sen. Kavanagh’s office. The organization said in a [press release](https://www.instagram.com/p/DZ6DERpGhMg/?ref=lookoutnews.org) that HB 4117 is “an important step forward for Arizonans to access their houses of worship without fear of obstruction and interference.” [![Membership options for Lookout: Insider at $8/month, Leader at $25/month. Includes magazine, swag, event tickets.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/01/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px---1920-x-1080-px---2-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Phoenix’s Dream City Church, which has held multiple far-right political events [including an event in April with President Donald Trump ](https://www.kjzz.org/politics/2026-04-17/live-updates-from-the-turning-point-usa-rally-in-phoenix-featuring-president-trump?ref=lookoutnews.org)and Turning Point USA President Erika Kirk, also told *LOOKOUT* that they support the bill. Meanwhile, the National Council of Jewish Women Arizona and the Council of American Islamic Relations Arizona have said they [oppose it.](https://walterborolive.com/premium/stories/critics-arizonas-religious-interference-bill-is-a-shield-for-anti-lgbtq-anti-abortion,201919?ref=lookoutnews.org). Islamic Community Center of Phoenix President Usama Shami has mixed feelings about HB 4117, both as a leader in the Muslim community and as a Palestinian. Though the Council for American Islamic Relations in Arizona doesn’t support the bill, Shami said that it could be an additional layer of protection for the mosque, which has been subjected to “anti-Islam” [protests](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/photos-2?ref=lookoutnews.org), [physical intimidation](https://www.kjzz.org/kjzz-news/2026-03-09/phoenix-police-increase-patrols-as-they-investigate-incident-at-islamic-community-center?ref=lookoutnews.org) and [vandalism](https://www.nbcnews.com/video/phoenix-mosque-vandalized-584792131659?ref=lookoutnews.org) in the past. But he disagrees with the bill’s protections for outdoor religious activities and said the center was not consulted at any point in its drafting, despite its leaders having approached state senators about creating safe zones in the past. “I’m not naive … I don’t think (HB 4117’s) first intent is to protect the rights of Muslims,” Shami said. “(Our) community and other faith communities can benefit from it if written and implemented properly, but I do understand that there are certain motives to this, and that the people who introduced (the bill) have other things in mind.” ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### They Followed the Rules. Now They’re Being Targeted for Deportation. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/they-followed-the-rules-now-theyre-being-targeted-for-deportation/ Last updated: 2026-07-16T13:09:28.000Z Immigrants who have spent years navigating legal pathways to remain in the United States are finding those same applications used against them, according to attorneys who say the Trump administration is increasingly scrutinizing people with humanitarian protections, including U visa holders, DACA recipients and abused children seeking legal status. At an immigration court hearing in Phoenix's Executive Office for Immigration Review this month, a man holding a U visa — a protected status granted to crime victims who cooperate with law enforcement — was issued a Notice to Appear and placed into removal proceedings. Not wanting to share his name for fear of repercussions, he told *LOOKOUT* after his initial court hearing — where he had no attorney representation — "I thought I was safe. I thought I was good." [![Promotion for Lookout membership offering swag, event tickets, and magazine copies sent to your home.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) U visas are designed to encourage immigrant crime victims to assist police without fear of deportation. But targeting people granted U visas for deportation proceedings may have a chilling effect. The Department of Homeland Security has also signaled increased scrutiny of Special Immigrant Juvenile visas, a protection granted to minors who have been abused, neglected or abandoned. [In a June 3 statement](https://www.dhs.gov/news/2026/06/03/uscis-reveals-rampant-fraud-among-juvenile-immigrant-claims?ref=lookoutnews.org), DHS General Counsel James Percival asked state court judges to apply stricter review to SIJ applications, citing a USCIS fraud report that found nearly 19,000 SIJ petitioners between fiscal years 2013 and 2025 had criminal arrest records. An arrest record, however, is not a criminal conviction. Also included in those allegations of fraud are "known or suspected members" of gangs — a [notoriously slippery category](https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/blog/united-states-frees-venezuelans-el-salvador-prisoner-swap/?ref=lookoutnews.org) that critics say has historically been used to overcriminalize people. Attorneys worry the announcement could deter legitimate applications from vulnerable children. "I went out and told people: This is a warning sign," Mo Goldman, a Tucson-based immigration attorney, told *LOOKOUT*. "They're going after people who are trying to do legal processing, using their legitimate legal immigration applications to go after them." He added that he now advises clients to weigh whether filing certain applications could draw enforcement attention. "Is it a good investment to pay fees to USCIS when they are basically an arm of ICE?" Goldman asked. "They've gone from a service agency to homeland defenders." # Want to Share Insider Information? ## Help keep power accountable. LOOKOUT relies on tips from readers to get our news out. Click on the button below to submit a secure email to our team. Any information you send will be kept confidential in accordance with our ethics guidelines. [Email a Tip ](mailto:editor@lookoutnews.org) A September 2025 rule published in the Federal Register formally codified [expanded law enforcement powers for USCIS](https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/uscis-to-add-special-agents-with-new-law-enforcement-authorities?ref=lookoutnews.org), allowing agency officers to carry firearms, execute search warrants and make arrests — partially transforming a benefits agency into an enforcement arm. Immigration attorneys have documented [ICE arrests](https://www.kpbs.org/news/border-immigration/2025/11/25/ice-agents-arrest-green-card-applicants-in-san-diego?ref=lookoutnews.org) at [green card interviews](https://www.newsweek.com/ice-arrests-green-card-interviews-could-be-back-11452456?ref=lookoutnews.org) in multiple jurisdictions over the past year and a half. ![A group of people wearing tactical gear with "Police" and "HSI" labels walking on a sidewalk.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/06/AP25150720359618.jpg) ICE and HSI police arrive at an immigration court to take someone into custody, in Phoenix, May 21, 2025\. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File) The uncertainty extends beyond the people already facing immigration court proceedings. More than half a million people currently hold DACA protections nationwide, according to the Migration Policy Institute. Research published in 2020 estimated that roughly 39,000 DACA recipients — about 11% of recipients at the time — identified as LGBTQ+. The Williams Institute at UCLA estimated that of the more than 1.1 million people who could have qualified for DACA in 2020, approximately 81,000 were LGBTQ+, including at least 2,000 in Arizona. [Tucson’s Queer Immigrant Rights Networks Grow Amid Fear, Resistance and RaidsOften led by queer members, Southern Arizona’s community defense, mutual aid and ICE watch crews are responding to Trump’s anti-immigrant crackdown.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-14895af7-4b3f-42cc-9b80-96ea3da22bc2.png)LOOKOUTJohn Washington (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Illustration-for-Migrant-Story-01-1c086579-3e8e-497d-9f5e-c89e1c6aeabe.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucsons-queer-immigrant-rights-networks-grow-amid-fear-resistance-and-raids/) For many of those immigrants, advocates say the stakes extend beyond losing permission to work or remain in the country. Some could face deportation to countries where LGBTQ+ people experience discrimination, criminal penalties or violence. Others may be returned to countries they left as children and where they have few, if any, remaining ties. For Karla Toledo, a Tucson resident who has lived in the United States since she was 1 year old, the immediate concern is the approaching July expiration of her DACA status. She has already applied for a renewal, but Goldman, who is also her lawyer, described the situation as being "in a state of limbo.” "Dozens and dozens of DACA recipients are filing for renewals and not getting them approved," he said. He said people with DACA and other forms of protection are newly vulnerable under the second Trump administration. Of those people being detained and deported, he said, "The risk is out there." ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### A Tucson Case is Setting the Stage for Removing Residents Brought to the U.S. as Children URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-tucson-case-is-setting-the-stage-for-removing-residents-brought-to-the-u-s-as-children/ Last updated: 2026-08-18T16:46:49.000Z When Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested Karla Toledo in May without a warrant, they targeted a woman who had lived in Arizona for 30 years. She was a toddler when she was brought here by her parents, which later permitted her to gain protection from deportation under the federal Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, or DACA. Her case was dismissed — at least temporarily — and she was released, but immigration attorneys and elected officials say it signals a new enforcement reality: people previously shielded by legal protections are no longer safe. [![Become a Lookout Member banner promoting member benefits](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Mo Goldman, Toledo's attorney, said at a press conference following her release that the move signals "the level of cruelty this government will stoop to.” Goldman describes the broader pattern as "delegalization" through a systematic effort, stripping protections from immigrants who have followed legal pathways. "It is essentially attrition through enforcement, artificially creating a crisis by foot-dragging on their applications,” he said in an interview with *LOOKOUT*. Toledo's arrest as a DACA recipient isn’t the first such case. In April this year, the Board of Immigration Appeals issued a [precedent-setting decision](https://www.justice.gov/eoir/media/1437801/dl?inline&ref=lookoutnews.org) against Catalina "Xóchitl" Santiago-Santiago, an active DACA recipient that USCIS filed a Notice to Appear — the document that initiates removal proceedings. The appellate judge said terminating a deportation because of DACA status was not reason enough. That ruling followed a [policy memo](https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/policy-alerts/NTA%5FPolicy%5FFINAL%5F2.28.25%5FFINAL.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) from February last year that directed agency employees to no longer exempt any noncitizens — including DACA recipients— from potential removal proceedings, ending the prior practice of shielding people with approved immigration benefits from detention and potential deportation. By June 2025, USCIS reported it had initiated removal proceedings against more than 26,700 people under the new policy. This week, U.S. Congressman Joaquin Castro announced [in a press release](https://castro.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/new-data-castro-sounds-alarm-over-deportation-of-dreamers-with-no-criminal-record-as-daca-turns-14?ref=lookoutnews.org) that at least 85 DACA recipients have been deported since Trump took office again. # Want to Share Insider Information? ## Help keep power accountable. LOOKOUT relies on tips from readers to get our news out. Click on the button below to submit a secure email to our team. Any information you send will be kept confidential in accordance with our ethics guidelines. [Email a Tip ](mailto:editor@lookoutnews.org) USCIS did not respond in time for publication to emailed questions about their expanding enforcement role. There are more than half a million DACA recipients in the country at latest count, according to [recent numbers from the Migration Policy Institute](https://www.migrationpolicy.org/programs/data-hub/deferred-action-childhood-arrivals-daca-profiles?gad%5Fsource=1&gad%5Fcampaignid=46884364&gbraid=0AAAAAD8CHmo0gVV2icSS9%5FFTTV%5FXvB32L&gclid=Cj0KCQjwrs7RBhDuARIsAIVfBD3ojTo3qgZc8rgkx3M8UR3P9PQj5LAS9seDobe%5FmDiQfCuEvA1KiDoaAimmEALw%5FwcB&ref=lookoutnews.org). According to a [2020 report](https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/publications/lgbt-dreamers-daca/?ref=lookoutnews.org), around 39,000 DACA recipients, or [around 11 percent](https://www.nclrights.org/about-us/press-release/ending-daca-puts-lgbt-lives-at-risk/?ref=lookoutnews.org), at the time identified as part of the queer community. And out of the more than 1.1 million residents who could qualify for DACA in 2020, an estimated 81,000 are LGBTQ+, according to the Williams Institute at UCLA. The research estimated at least 2,000 of those people lived in Arizona. And [there has been considerable concern](https://www.americanprogress.org/article/ending-daca-means-lgbtq-dreamers/?ref=lookoutnews.org) for a number of those people now at risk of being sent back to countries where they may face persecution for being openly queer, but also a place where they may have no formal ties. Toledo — who is not queer — has worked with the [Tucson Language Justice Coalition](https://www.tucsonljc.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org) and [Scholarships AZ](https://scholarshipsaz.org/?ref=lookoutnews.org). She said at the press conference after her case dismissal that her immediate plan is to continue that work. “I want to be involved in the community as much as I can,” she said. But her legal status continues to be in peril. On June 3, immigration officials issued her a new notice to appear in court, [restarting the process for removal](https://www.tucsonsentinel.com/local/report/061626%5Fice%5Fdeport%5Ftoledo/ice-relaunches-deportation-case-against-tucson-daca-recipient/?ref=lookoutnews.org). Her DACA status, meanwhile, expires in July. She has already applied for renewal — but renewal processing times have stretched dramatically over the past year and a half. ![Karla Toledo speaking to reporters and supporters outside immigration court in Tucson](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/06/IMG_9078.jpg) Karla Toledo speaks to supporters and the media after her case was dismissed and she was released from detention. June 3, 2026\. Credit: John Washington What once took weeks — sometimes less — now takes an average of more than three months, according to USCIS's own[ processing-time data](https://egov.uscis.gov/processing-times?ref=lookoutnews.org). Attorneys and recipients across the country report real-world waits of six months or more. According to a May 2026[ issue brief](https://www.fwd.us/news/daca-delays-denials-detentions-deportations/?ref=lookoutnews.org) by the immigration advocacy organization FWD.us, DACA recipients whose status lapses before renewal is processed lose their work authorization and, in many states, their driver's licenses. Time spent in the U.S. after a lapse can also be counted as "unlawful presence," potentially barring future legal pathways. The office of Rep. Adelita Grijalva is seeing the delays firsthand: "My constituent services team currently has over 100 open cases related to DACA renewals," Grijalva said in a statement to *LOOKOUT*. "We are seeing significantly longer processing times than in previous years, with some cases pending since last November. This is a clear indication that the Trump administration is deliberately slowing the renewal process." Goldman, Toledo’s lawyer, said the delays are not accidental: "They are intentionally dragging their feet on DACA renewals, trying to create a class of individuals where they have to work under the table.” [Lawmakers Warn Eloy Detention Center Could Be a ‘Death Sentence’Arizona lawmakers and advocates warn her continued detention at Eloy, despite severe medical decline and a history of leukemia, amounts to a “death sentence” as pressure mounts on federal officials to grant humanitarian parole.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-f16acce0-efe2-4c51-b430-639e87f3ec67.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_7083-53af38b8-9492-4e83-9e74-221548142369.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/dozens-of-arizona-officials-call-for-humanitarian-release-of-phoenix-queer-woman-held-by-ice/) ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Stories to Keep You Inspired on the State URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/stories-to-keep-you-inspired-on-the-state/ Last updated: 2026-07-16T13:09:44.000Z Every year, *LOOKOUT* trains community members with little to no journalism experience in the basics of reporting, ethics, and writing. Over the course of one month, participants learn how to conduct interviews, gather information, and produce a journalistically sound Q&A. We call it "Reporting as Resistance." This Spring, 10 people across Arizona participated and finished the program. They learned how to interview with empathy and curiosity, spot bias and sway in social media along their own writing, and edit with ethical and legal reasoning. The following three stories were selected from the Spring 2026 cohort. You can also catch these stories in our Summer 2026 print edition of *LOOKOUT* Magazine. [At This Phoenix Crepe Shop, Politics Are Always on the MenuThe family-run Olla Olla Crepes turned its downtown space into a music venue and mutual aid hub![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-288accd3-b7bc-44f3-b6b4-753ee2601825.png)LOOKOUTMcKinlee Madison Mers (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/crepe-5842531a-6750-44d2-b66a-626911f8bb44.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/at-this-phoenix-crepe-shop-politics-are-always-on-the-menu/) [DragU Downtown Returns, and So Does the CrowdFollowing a controversial 2025 cancellation, Arizona State University’s drag education event came back to the downtown Phoenix campus this spring, reclaiming a space for performance, learning and LGBTQ+ community.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-17b7797e-ed39-4232-bda2-2e64bf31ff62.png)LOOKOUTBen Haynes (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/drag-eacca1d7-d092-47b9-ac23-634ea6a434b1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/dragu-downtown-returns-and-so-does-the-crowd/) [On the Front Lines With Valley Street MedicsVolunteer teams are providing care at protests where heat, age and political tension collide.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-e89d4040-4d23-47ad-84de-169750f82e6b.png)LOOKOUTJack Fernandez (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/medical-3eed1374-23a4-4380-9b1a-73f294f91a52.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/on-the-front-lines-with-valley-street-medics/) The next "Reporting as Resistance" training will be in the Fall of 2026\. ### On the Front Lines With Valley Street Medics URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/on-the-front-lines-with-valley-street-medics/ Last updated: 2026-08-18T16:52:36.000Z Casey and April have seen more than their fair share of political violence against protesters by police. As volunteer medics in different parts of the country, both have witnessed violence such as tear gas and orbital fractures. At their request, Casey is identified by first name only, and April is a pseudonym. They say the injuries they've seen are shocking, but Arizona’s protests present are different: heat-related illness and accidental falls are more typical at Valley demonstrations. And what’s more challenging: They say that is partly because of who is protesting in Arizona, which includes a large older population. [![Promotional banner reading “Become a Lookout Member,” with information about member benefits including free swag, event tickets, and a magazine.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Medical support is a critical asset for any event expecting thousands of attendees, and when politically charged crowds gather in spaces not built for public events, safety issues compound. Shade is inadequate. Water is crowd-sourced. There is nowhere to sit. To the healthy and able-bodied, these can be inconveniences, but since today’s Valley protesters appear to skew older, it makes those seemingly small problems more serious for participants. April is a member of the Phoenix Urban Health Collective (PUHC), where she lends her expertise as a nurse. Casey founded Phoenix Frontline Medics (PFM) in 2022\. These are two of several all-volunteer street medic teams that serve anyone at protests and political events. They have also noticed the need to make protests safer for Arizona’s growing and transplanted older population. *LOOKOUT* writer Jack Fernandez spoke separately with Casey and April about how protests have evolved, what it is like providing care in extreme heat and their takeaways from the Phoenix protest scene. The interviews have been edited for length and clarity. **Jack Fernandez (LOOKOUT):** Of the actions people are doing, what do you think makes a difference? **CASEY:** I’ve changed my mindset a lot over the years. You can’t just go at it one way. There need to be completely peaceful drum-circle-style protests. There need to be ones where you are up in Congress’ face holding signs and yelling at them. There is a sliding scale, and it is important to do it all, because some people are not going to be able to attend the more aggressive protests or they do not want to. Some people have disabilities. So there is a time and place for every kind of protest, and I think it all works. **LOOKOUT:** Is there a relationship between what is making your job as a hospital nurse more difficult and what is making your activist work more difficult? **APRIL:** Capitalism is making my life and my job and everything more difficult. This is not new information. Cutting people’s health care costs everybody more money, with worse outcomes. You have people who are afraid to go to the doctor or the hospital because they do not want to be whisked off by ICE, which is a very valid concern. **LOOKOUT:** How do you find upcoming events to support? **CASEY:** The last thing on anyone’s mind, typically, is medical support at events. That is why we proactively look for events. Typically there is no formal coordination. I am in a lot of groups. I am in, I think, 50-something Signal groups. **LOOKOUT:** How is it that you look visually separate from the protests? **CASEY:** With our team, you are either at an event as a protester or as a medic, and you are never going to cross those two roles. When we are there, we are wearing our uniforms. We wear no pins, no buttons. We do not hold signs. We do not chant. We do not yell. We do not flip people off. It is as if the event itself is not happening. We are there to look for people in need and help them. **LOOKOUT:** What is it you wish people knew about the value of these different forms of action? **CASEY:** It is OK to protest in more than one way at the same time. If you do not like how protests are being done, help spark another protest that is more your style and get like-minded people involved. It is OK to have several types of protests at several spots, several topics, several groups and several times. It does not have to be one thing at a time. **LOOKOUT:** Were folks a bit older at the last No Kings? **CASEY:** Yeah, definitely. It was an older population, and the people who took falls were older, and it complicates things. We have to be mindful to get a patient’s history and what medications they are on. The elderly are typically on quite a few medications, and anything that affects clotting is a big consideration for us. **LOOKOUT:** If someone went to all the No Kings and they were looking for more and they were a neighbor of yours, where would you point them? **APRIL:** I would point anybody to what already exists. Look at who has been doing work in your community for a long time. Maybe you should not look at whoever is blasting a sign. Maybe you should look for who is actually doing work in your community. **LOOKOUT:** What differences have you seen in terms of how effective a demonstration is? **APRIL:** We are not here to police the movement. If somebody wants to do something and this is how they want to express themselves, we are not going to go out of our way to say, “No, do not do it like that.” I think there are a lot of lessons to be learned from people who have been around a long time. ### [GO BACK TO ALL STORIES FROM THIS COHORT](https://www.lookoutnews.org/stories-to-keep-you-inspired-on-the-state/) ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### DragU Downtown Returns, and So Does the Crowd URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/dragu-downtown-returns-and-so-does-the-crowd/ Last updated: 2026-06-17T18:02:11.000Z As the first pair of heels clicked down the staged runway set in the middle of a gymnasium typically used for basketball practice, the energy among spectators rose into a roar. Music blared from speakers set around the room, and the queen commanding attention never missed a beat as she lip-synced to every word. For some in the crowd, it was their first time seeing a drag queen perform. For others, it was a familiar experience. For several people, it was the moment they finally exhaled a breath they had been holding for more than a year. Arizona State University’s DragU Downtown event returned to campus last month after being canceled 48 hours before showtime a year earlier. The cancellation cited incomplete paperwork and a lack of security. It came as the federal government was in the early stages of pressuring public universities to cut diversity, equity and inclusion-related initiatives, with threats to funding if institutions did not comply. ASU’s decision drew criticism across the university community, including social media posts from employees and a public letter from the president of the university’s LGBTQ+ faculty-staff association condemning the cancellation. DragU Downtown offers students an opportunity to experience a drag show while learning about show etiquette, drag history and how the community has evolved over time. Events like this take months to coordinate, and after the 2025 cancellation, the planning team worked to ensure it would not happen again. *LOOKOUT* writer Ben Haynes spoke with Meg McDermott, a graduate support coordinator at ASU who oversees DragU Downtown, to learn more about the event, its history and why its return matters. **Ben Haynes (*LOOKOUT*): For those unfamiliar, what is DragU Downtown?** **Meg McDermott:** DragU has always been a student-led, student-run event that creates a space where ASU students can experience drag in a welcoming, educational way. It is not just a show, but also an intentional learning opportunity about drag culture, etiquette and history. Our staff recruits several local drag artists to come to campus for the event, and we work closely with them to ensure their performances and insights provide a meaningful experience for everyone in attendance. DragU has been hosted on the downtown Phoenix campus for several years, but I got involved after the 2023 show. I supervised the student worker who organized the show and told them that if they needed support the next year, I would be happy to help. I have experience in event management and several connections to the Phoenix drag community, and it felt like a good fit. **LOOKOUT: Why is this kind of space important on a college campus?** **McDermott:** I think back to the first drag show I ever went to. It was a transformative experience. There was an overwhelming sense of authenticity and joy in the air. I remember how freely the performers expressed themselves and how the crowd supported them unconditionally. It felt unlike anything I had experienced before. Knowing that I can bring that experience to students, especially those who may not otherwise have access to it, means everything to me. It gives them a place to just be. **LOOKOUT: Let’s talk about the 2025 show. You helped plan that show to be bigger and better than ever, and then it didn’t happen. What were the first warning signs?** **McDermott:** There were no warning signs. The rug was essentially pulled out from under us. We had a planned schedule of events for the week leading up to the drag show, starting with a screening of *Paris Is Burning* and a discussion of drag history on Tuesday evening, a drag brunch on Wednesday morning and the official show Wednesday night. On Tuesday morning, as I was getting ready for work, I received a call from my student event leader, who said he had just been informed that the university was canceling the event and that there was nothing they could do. After I realized it was not a joke, I thought, “Absolutely not. They will not do this.” I immediately called our faculty advisor for the event, who agreed we were not canceling. From there, he and I dropped everything and set up a boardroom in my office, which became our “situation room” for the next two days as we tried to figure everything out. **LOOKOUT: What reasons did the university give for the cancellation?** **McDermott:** There was a lot of mixed information. It came down to paperwork not being submitted on time. The university requires all paperwork to be submitted two weeks before the event, and we submitted ours 13 days before. They also cited safety concerns and said we lacked an adequate safety plan. That was not accurate. We had hired private security from the Arizona Center, installed metal detectors and put in additional safety measures. An executive leadership representative for the downtown campus also joined our security walkthrough and approved everything in advance, so the reasoning did not add up. The timing was notable, given that universities receiving federal funding were being questioned and threatened over DEI-related practices. **LOOKOUT: So the event is canceled, and you have called the performers and vendors. Students are disappointed. Was there ever a moment when you felt like walking away?** **McDermott:** Never. I do not accept “no” for an answer. I will not allow our community to be erased or silenced. I started thinking about how to make sure this would not happen again, and the idea of a nonprofit came to mind. If we created one, we would not have to rely on ASU for support, and we could operate differently. I began contacting community partners, starting with The Queer Center, which agreed to take our team under its wing. After joining forces with them, we launched “Drag University,” a nonprofit focused on providing students with educational opportunities on queer history and access to safe spaces and resources. **LOOKOUT: How did it feel to see DragU Downtown return this spring?** **McDermott:** It was incredibly rewarding. The turnout was strong, the energy was there, and it meant a lot to people to have these spaces available. It felt like a win in the middle of the challenges the federal government has created for the LGBTQ+ community over the past year. Many students were experiencing drag for the first time, and watching their faces light up when the performers interacted with them made everything worth it. It reminded us why we do this work and gave us the drive to keep creating these spaces in the future. ### [GO BACK TO ALL STORIES FROM THIS COHORT](https://www.lookoutnews.org/stories-to-keep-you-inspired-on-the-state/) ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### At This Phoenix Crepe Shop, Politics Are Always on the Menu URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/at-this-phoenix-crepe-shop-politics-are-always-on-the-menu/ Last updated: 2026-06-17T22:41:54.000Z In downtown Phoenix, a restaurant born after the COVID-19 pandemic is serving crepes with a side of activism. Local governments have created barriers between philanthropic efforts to support people in need and reductions in public assistance. At Olla Olla Crepes, owners say crepes and politics go together. Olla Olla Crepes is a family-run restaurant specializing in crepes with a Mexican twist. By night, the shop transforms into a DIY music venue, giving local and touring bands a platform and building community. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) *LOOKOUT* writer McKinlee Madison Mers spoke with owner and head chef Joy Sanjuanero while she was preparing for the restaurant’s recurring event, “Too Spicey for Icey.” The event features about 30 vendors and local bands and raises money to support Arizona families affected by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Olla Olla has raised funds and provided food support for families affected by reductions in food assistance programs in Arizona. The restaurant has also featured limited-edition themed crepes, including one inspired by Palestine. After attending one of the restaurant’s benefit events, Mers wanted to learn what drives its push for local change and, as Sanjuanero describes it, “a safe, open space.” *This interview has been edited for length and clarity.* **McKinlee Madison Mers (LOOKOUT):** I heard you recently moved. How’s it going? **Sanjuanero:** It’s been going good. It was a transition point where we had to figure out equipment, the move and the new layout, and just get our bearings. We’re very grateful a lot of band members and the local community worked with us through the transition and were patient. We’ve finally found our footing. **LOOKOUT:** How did Olla Olla first become involved in hosting benefit shows? **Sanjuanero:** It wasn’t long after we opened. We started with crepes, but we were approached early on about using our space. Eventually, it became such a big thing that we created a formal process so people could book us. Benefit shows are clearly structured. Everyone knows what it means, the expectations and what we are trying to accomplish. More than anything, we want to be an open space for everybody. There are no exceptions. We do not tolerate hate or prejudice. If we see that, people are banned. It is about providing a safe space and having a good time. **LOOKOUT:** What made Olla Olla decide to step in and help people? I saw on Instagram you’ve done food drives for families affected by cuts to food assistance programs in Arizona. **Sanjuanero:** We were raised in a family that gives back. We always knew we were in a more privileged position, and that comes with responsibility. We are not afraid to talk about politics. People say you should not mix business and politics, but the economy and politics are so intertwined. Trying to avoid that is hurting businesses, families and communities. We are open about supporting and giving back. **LOOKOUT:** From the perspective of a small business helping the community, do you feel Arizona leaders are doing enough? If not, what could they do better? **Sanjuanero:** There are community members doing good work, and I do not want to discount that. But there is still a lot of room for growth and improvement. We cannot let up just because some leaders are doing work. We need to keep talking about these issues so pressure does not drop. Small business owners should stay vocal about the ongoing need for leadership to address community needs. **LOOKOUT:** Do you feel being a small business comes with greater responsibility to help the community? **Sanjuanero:** I do. Small businesses rely heavily on the local community. Every person who comes in, I am grateful for. Not giving back would not be okay. **LOOKOUT:** Have you faced backlash because of your politics? **Sanjuanero:** Sure. We have had some rude passersby who have made comments about the LGBTQ+ community, and I am part of it, so I have no tolerance for that. But for the most part, the community has been supportive. We are helping uplift vulnerable communities and give them a space, and that is important. **LOOKOUT:** How do you think the community you serve responds to your work? **Sanjuanero:** People are grateful. They thank us and help maintain the space because they know how important it is. We have had a lot of vocal supporters. **LOOKOUT:** How does it feel to be an open space welcoming everyone? **Sanjuanero:** It feels really good. I did not always grow up knowing where I would be welcome. I do not want anyone to feel that way here. I want everyone to feel like this is their space and they can be fully themselves. ### [GO BACK TO ALL STORIES FROM THIS COHORT](https://www.lookoutnews.org/stories-to-keep-you-inspired-on-the-state/) ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Join Our Drunken Live Blog of the Republican Governor's Primary Debate URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/join-our-drunken-live-blog-of-the-republican-governors-primary-debate/ Last updated: 2026-06-18T01:58:00.000Z [*Jump to the live blog*](#live-blog) Well, chalk it up to being a small newsroom — or to the fact that sometimes we need a minute to come up for air. We fully intended to live-blog every major debate this election season. But it turns out that running a newsroom while simultaneously fact-checking candidates in real time is not for the faint of heart (or the chronically overbooked). All of that is to say: we're back. And we're returning for what may be one of the most consequential Republican primary contests in Arizona this year. Will GOP voters choose Rep. Andy Biggs, the far-right election denier who has built his campaign around attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives and secured endorsements from President Donald Trump, Turning Point Action, and every member of Arizona's Legislative Freedom Caucus? Or will they stick with Rep. David Schweikert, a longtime incumbent whose endorsements come from more traditional conservative organizations, including the American Conservative Union and Americans for Prosperity Action? Ken Miceli and Scott Neely, two local business owners, are also in the runnings but are considered long shots in the polls. Biggs and Schweikert are recognized as the two frontrunners in the race. And Biggs has largely been viewed as the leading choice heading into the race, but tonight's debate offers voters one of their clearest opportunities yet to see the candidates make their case side by side. We'll be following along in real time. Now, the rules for tonight's game: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/06/Drinking-Game---1-.png) ### Live Blog *This blog will start at 6 p.m. on June 17, 2026\.* Time - john washington, staff writer ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Washington_John-029-2.jpg) 5:59: Here we go yall! I've got a three-fingers of Del Bac Whiskey with one ice sphere and am ready to watch. Time - john washington, staff writer ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Washington_John-029-2.jpg) 6:03: There seems to be some delay... Standby. Have a sip if you're thirsty. TIME. - SREEJITA PATRA, SCRIPPS FELLOW 6:02: Hey ya’ll, it’s Sreejita! I’m a new fellow here with LOOKOUT joining John for tonight’s live blog. I have a bottle of Malibu by my side😉 Time - john washington, staff writer ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Washington_John-029-2.jpg) 6:07: okay, technical issue. Our link isn't working. you can watch here: [https://www.12news.com/video/news/live\_stream/arizona-gop-governor-debate/75-7d4d5ccd-a9c0-4a08-8c83-197088eb90e8](https://www.12news.com/video/news/live%5Fstream/arizona-gop-governor-debate/75-7d4d5ccd-a9c0-4a08-8c83-197088eb90e8?ref=lookoutnews.org) Time - john washington, staff writer ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Washington_John-029-2.jpg) 6:08: Biggs is claiming both that he's the most conservative candidate on the stage and that he's willing to work across the aisle. That's rarely the stance he takes outside of debate stages. [https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-biggs-unveils-america-first-contract-most-comprehensive-republican](https://biggs.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-biggs-unveils-america-first-contract-most-comprehensive-republican?ref=lookoutnews.org) Time - john washington, staff writer ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Washington_John-029-2.jpg) Moderator takes a dig at Neely, noting how few votes he got in last primary campaign. He counters by claiming that he's a builder. He boasts that he "got a smashed hand" while building the border wall. TIME. - SREEJITA PATRA, SCRIPPS FELLOW Big drink at 6:12: Scott Neeley is not like other girls! TIME. - SREEJITA PATRA, SCRIPPS FELLOW Big drink at 6:13: Neither is Miceli, apparently. Time - john washington, staff writer ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Washington_John-029-2.jpg) 6:14 "I would not be sitting here if it were not for the veterans," says Miceli. I'm fact-checking that and... he is in fact standing. TIME. - SREEJITA PATRA, SCRIPPS FELLOW 6:15: \[visual\] Scott holds up his plan for fixing the water crisis Time - john washington, staff writer ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Washington_John-029-2.jpg) 6:16: Schweikert says we don't have a water crisis and then... we do have a water crisis. He notes nearly 50% of AZ water goes to growing cattle feed. He says of the no-crisis/crisis "It is manageable. It is not going to be free." TIME. - SREEJITA PATRA, SCRIPPS FELLOW 6:18: Biggs backs Hobbes on 3-year data center moratorium. That's not on the drink list but take a drink anyway! Time - john washington, staff writer ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Washington_John-029-2.jpg) 6:17: our live debate link is now working. Time - john washington, staff writer ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Washington_John-029-2.jpg) 6:20: CORRECTION. Miceli is indeed sitting. Sorry yall, I missed the opening statement and establishing shots. Time - john washington, staff writer ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Washington_John-029-2.jpg) 6:23 Neely advocates for "micro-nuclear" power, and says he won't allow any further data center construction unless they build their own desal plants. That is an idea bandying around the data center world: [https://blog.equinix.com/blog/2025/03/20/how-data-centers-can-use-alternative-water-sources/](https://blog.equinix.com/blog/2025/03/20/how-data-centers-can-use-alternative-water-sources/?ref=lookoutnews.org) Time - john washington, staff writer ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Washington_John-029-2.jpg) 6:24: Schweikert says AZ ranks 43rd in affordability. We're actually worse, coming in at 45: [https://www.azfamily.com/2026/04/17/arizona-affordability-crisis-new-report-ranks-state-45th-nation/](https://www.azfamily.com/2026/04/17/arizona-affordability-crisis-new-report-ranks-state-45th-nation/?ref=lookoutnews.org) He adds that you don't "magically" make things more affordable. That claim holds up to a fact check. Time - john washington, staff writer ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Washington_John-029-2.jpg) 6:27: Moderator claims income tax accounts for half of the state budget. Biggs calls her out, and says it's far less than that, and his own numbers are closer than hers. [https://www.cbpp.org/research/state-budget-and-tax/tracking-the-fallout-from-state-tax-cuts-0?item=30618](https://www.cbpp.org/research/state-budget-and-tax/tracking-the-fallout-from-state-tax-cuts-0?item=30618&ref=lookoutnews.org) Time - john washington, staff writer ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Washington_John-029-2.jpg) 6:29: Biggs said that Hobbs told New York Times that Arizona was out of water. In fact, she said, “We are not out of water and we will not be running out of water.” [https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/01/climate/arizona-phoenix-permits-housing-water.html/](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/01/climate/arizona-phoenix-permits-housing-water.html/?ref=lookoutnews.org) Time - john washington, staff writer ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Washington_John-029-2.jpg) 6:32: Both Neely and Miceli advocate for decreased or even eliminated property taxes. Currently no US state is without property taxes. [https://taxfoundation.org/data/all/state/property-taxes-by-state-county/](https://taxfoundation.org/data/all/state/property-taxes-by-state-county/?ref=lookoutnews.org) TIME. - SREEJITA PATRA, SCRIPPS FELLOW 6:33: New drink idea at 6:32: Take a sip every time Miceli says he’s a businessman. Time - john washington, staff writer ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Washington_John-029-2.jpg) 6:35: Schweikert claims all of Affordable Care Act funds were borrowed. It's much more complicated than that. [https://www.cbo.gov/](https://www.cbo.gov/?ref=lookoutnews.org) TIME. - SREEJITA PATRA, SCRIPPS FELLOW 6:33: Schweikert asks his opponents to read a budget and stop with the “word salad.” Cat fight! Time - john washington, staff writer ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Washington_John-029-2.jpg) 6:38: Miceli makes some bold claims, including that people making $60 or $80k can buy houses and then.... something about being able to buy a house with $10k in cash. TIME. - SREEJITA PATRA, SCRIPPS FELLOW 6:39: Neely advocates expansion of ESA’s, including merging the program with trade school training programs. Time - john washington, staff writer ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Washington_John-029-2.jpg) 6:41: "The present economy is going to be governed by robots." -Scott Neely Time - john washington, staff writer ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Washington_John-029-2.jpg) 6:43: Biggs attacks Hobbs for "crushing education." He joins the other candidates in backing ESAs, and calls for further expansion. Unclear about what that expansion would look like. TIME. - SREEJITA PATRA, SCRIPPS FELLOW 6:44: Fact check: ESAs in Arizona are funded at 90% of state per pupil funding, not 70% Time - john washington, staff writer ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Washington_John-029-2.jpg) 6:48: Biggs talks about "the Florida standard" of voting integrity. DeSantis did sign a close version of the much debated federal SAVE Act. [https://www.flgov.com/eog/news/press/2026/governor-ron-desantis-signs-florida-save-act-strengthen-election-integrity-and](https://www.flgov.com/eog/news/press/2026/governor-ron-desantis-signs-florida-save-act-strengthen-election-integrity-and?ref=lookoutnews.org) Time - john washington, staff writer ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Washington_John-029-2.jpg) 6:50: Miceli asks how many dead people are currently voting. The answer is none. TIME. - SREEJITA PATRA, SCRIPPS FELLOW BIG DRINK at 6:50: Scott Neely is America First! TIME. - SREEJITA PATRA, SCRIPPS FELLOW 6:51: Sip FIVE TIMES for all the things Katie Hobbs has done. TIME. - SREEJITA PATRA, SCRIPPS FELLOW 6:53: Schweibert is right! According to independent voter project, there is almost 1 percentage point more of Independents in the state than Republicans. Time - john washington, staff writer ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Washington_John-029-2.jpg) 6:54: Closing statements in. Lots of word salad, to quote Schweikert. Overall it was pretty civil. They didn't really hit at Hobbs too hard either. Get back with us for ongoing drunken debate coverage. Finish your drink, if you've any left. ### Love, Visibility and Resistance at the Border URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/love-visibility-and-resistance-at-the-border/ Last updated: 2026-06-20T14:29:31.000Z Partnership This story was published in partnership with the ACLU of Arizona, a nonpartisan civil rights organization. When Miss Nature’s Arizona Pride Tour returned to Yuma this spring, about 100 people attended the drag show. In Nogales, a smaller crowd opened “Body Language,” a queer art exhibit that launched local Pride Month celebrations. But in Douglas, residents often drive about 50 miles to reach the nearest LGBTQ+ support group, underscoring uneven access to community spaces across the region. #### OutBack This is one in a series that uncovers the untold stories of LGBTQ+ life beyond the city, celebrating queer resilience, creativity, and community in Arizona's suburban and rural areas. [Read the full series here. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tag/outback/) LGBTQ+ residents and organizers across Arizona’s border say local efforts are building connection, even as political and social barriers make those spaces harder to sustain. Ayanna Desquitado, a community organizer with the ACLU of Arizona, noted that access to those spaces is closely tied to a queer person’s ability to exercise their constitutional rights. “It’s having freedom of expression without having some sort of narrative or harm pushed on them as a result,” they said. For local performers Robbie Rodriguez and Elise De La Torre, known as drag sisters Inky and Poison Oshanns, the stop in Yuma provides a platform for the queer community – and turnout reflects strong demand. “These events are really special to me because I get to see a glimmer of community. But I do wish that we did more,” Rodriguez said. ## Finding liberation and belonging Growing up in Nogales, Juan Miguel Garcia rarely saw other gay people around him, so he turned to television. Around 2010, he noticed queer people portrayed as fully realized characters rather than punchlines, helping him imagine an authentic future for himself. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/06/data-src-image-ecb616f1-ddd9-4608-90df-a7f9f9140f8d.jpeg) **With his painting, "This is not Eduardo," Nogales artist Juan Miguel Garcia explores the conventional beauty standards that he said are also very present among the LGBTQ+ community. Image by Genesis Lara.* "Unfortunately, we know it's something that can be taken away at any minute," he said. De La Torre said social media was key for finding other queer people. But drag – introduced to her by Rodriguez – ultimately helped her understand her identity. “Doing drag helped me discover that I was trans,” De La Torre said. “It sparked a sense of euphoria in me… and I felt like I didn’t want to take the drag off.” Douglas resident Wolfgang Paradox spent their teenage years in Dubai, where same-sex relationships and transgender expression are criminalized. After moving to Arizona, they began exploring their gender identity, but the nearest support group was 50 miles away in Sierra Vista – requiring long drives to maintain that network. > “Clearly we are making a difference because the arsonist was acting, in my opinion, to silence the work that we’re doing." - Rev. John Caleb Collins Residents said border towns lack community spaces in general – making connection harder. Jaynee Anne Monarrez and her wife Pamela Santos, Nogales residents, noted their identities are not limited to the LGBTQ+ community, and urged for spaces that allow connection through overlapping interests. [Sedona’s Big Gay Art Show Is More Than RainbowsJuried exhibit includes over 50 works from artists around the nation![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-626e295b-c88a-494e-89b7-0045efb42103.png)LOOKOUTGeri Koeppel (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/JulieRichard_CEO_SAC-3344de39-6173-4b2c-a969-920d9563d7ce.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/sedonas-big-gay-art-show-is-more-than-rainbows/) “We need to experiment with different things to see what works and what doesn’t,” Monarrez said. “The goal is not to segregate.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/06/data-src-image-82c51fda-69c8-43fa-9f89-42d28c92c1b9.jpeg) **Community members gather at Sunny's Bookstore in Yuma for "Sunny's Salon," a monthly gathering with agendas that can range from book swaps, adult spelling bees, trivia, and bookish craft nights. Photo courtesy of CJ Alberts.* Sunny's Bookstore in Yuma and La Linea Art Studio in Nogales build that type of environment. While the aesthetics may reference queer culture and identity, Sunny’s owner CJ Alberts said their activities go beyond an LGBTQ+ focus. “Having obvious markers for people to find themselves… puts you at ease so you know you’re entering a space that is more aligned with your values and identity than not,” she said. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Those efforts to create safe and inclusive spaces are essential for organizing support for LGBTQ+ people. Desquitado noted that “hearing from someone directly, especially if it's someone within your community, makes the issue real and creates a lot more empathy to the situation.” ## When visibility meets hostility But visibility can also invite opposition. “It's easy to villainize certain groups of people when you don't understand them,” Desquitado said. When allies requested the Nogales City Council’s permission to [paint a rainbow crosswalk](https://www.nogalesinternational.com/news/council-nixes-rainbow-crosswalk-measure/article%5F9e39e31a-0d68-11ef-b02e-2ff9a22449d1.html?ref=lookoutnews.org) on a city street, faith-based opposition emerged. Elected officials denied the request, ruling it out as a driving hazard. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/06/data-src-image-4983982b-8ca9-455b-a0bb-e31e667fa3a2.jpeg) **Inky Oshanns reads to a group of children during drag story hour at Sunny's Bookstore in Yuma. Photo courtesy of CJ Alberts.* De La Torre and Rodriguez said their art of drag also comes with hostility – including backlash when they performed at [an all-ages drag brunch](https://youtu.be/pVIWwXCP-L8?si=ToSWNTj8TqzfgSs6&ref=lookoutnews.org), as well as an adults-only drag show at a former church. Rodriguez said, “as drag queens, there’s always the politics behind the drag. …It’s being a glamorous projection with a message.” And in 2024, [a federal jury convicted a man](https://www.justice.gov/usao-az/pr/douglas-man-who-burned-two-churches-convicted-hate-crimes-and-arson?ref=lookoutnews.org) of arson and hate crimes for setting fire to two churches in Douglas – crimes fueled by his opposition to women and LGBTQ+ people in leadership roles. Rev. John Caleb Collins, vicar of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church at the time of the arson and a member of the LGBTQ+ community, said the church hosted Pride events in an area he described as having “quiet ambivalence” toward queer people. “Clearly we are making a difference because the arsonist was acting, in my opinion, to silence the work that we’re doing,” he said. [In Cottonwood, a Former Church Becomes a Queer Gathering Space.In a town better known for wine tasting rooms and Old West charm, a former church now anchors a growing queer arts and nightlife scene in the Verde Valley.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-c286d258-2db9-4f8d-a6dd-42bbfea08d22.png)LOOKOUTGeri Koeppel (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/display2-71a94b6f-7e72-4fb2-8193-5238382ec3af.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/in-cottonwood-a-former-church-becomes-a-queer-gathering-space/) Collins' experience reflects a broader reality: LGBTQ+ organizing often faces setbacks, but rarely disappears entirely. “There are people who will rise to the occasion, who will be courageously vulnerable in responding to acts of violence… and that gave me hope,” Collins said. “Someone can take away our buildings, but they cannot take away our love.” ## Waves of activism Across Arizona’s southern border, community groups have faded and reappeared over generations. Aissa Huerta, director of La Linea, recalls efforts in Nogales – from informal LGBTQ+ meetups to Gay-Straight Alliance clubs that periodically appeared in schools. Organizing had been relatively quiet, until La Linea developed new programming focused on visibility – including the “Body Language” exhibit for this year’s Pride Month. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/06/data-src-image-cf99f650-d938-4324-be56-e55d0b524200.jpeg) **Jaynee Anne Monarrez, left, and her wife Pamela Santos entered a journal entry and a painting for the "Body Language exhibit at La Linea Art studio in Nogales. Image by Genesis Lara.* “But it shouldn’t be left only to private organizations,” Huerta said. “It should be a constant initiative on behalf of our local government, on behalf of the people that represent us.” In Yuma, organizer Peyton Ortiz said queer events declined during the pandemic, prompting her to lead a Pride march that drew about 200 people in 2021. She founded CCSS – Citizens Curating Safe Spaces – to sustain year-round programming with partners including Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) and One n Ten. Ortiz said CCSS has occasionally welcomed people from San Luis, a smaller border town about 25 miles away that, like Douglas, lacks local LGBTQ+ resources. Paradox said those farther networks help counter isolation in small border communities. “The opposite of community is isolation, and the lack of (gathering) spaces causes this deep isolation,” Paradox said. “The more public spaces that people have to gather… the more you're going to organically be able to find community.” [Discover A Hidden Gem | LGBT-Friendly Bed & BreakfastFor more than two decades, life partners Patrick Dome and Karl Schmitt have offered queer travelers — and everyone else — a place in Cochise County.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-1163a58b-30a5-4058-8e39-d76af6f23d88.png)LOOKOUTGeri Koeppel (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Casa-de-San-Pedro-b597bc5e-e7d1-4f30-8e1e-d660b8d87e9a.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/in-rural-arizona-a-gay-couple-built-a-haven-for-nature-lovers/) [The Bisbee Seance Room Provides Strange MagicSkeletons, taxidermy, and flamboyant showmanship collide in Magic Kenny Bang Bang’s immersive, campy, and spooky magic show.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-4de84ed9-c972-4d83-8072-1b488db3f476.png)LOOKOUTGeri Koeppel (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Kenny-Seance-Room-GK-8286f78c-e3e1-4ed4-a9a0-b1400c834129.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/the-bisbee-seance-room-provides-strange-magic/) #### Correction An earlier version of this article wrote Elise De La Torre's last name incorrectly. We regret the error. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### How Mohave County Circumvented Library Policy to Purge LGBTQ+ Books URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/mohave-county-commissioners-reject-lgbtq-books-banned/ Last updated: 2026-06-08T23:12:02.000Z When Brian Walter requested a book from his local library, he didn't expect an email informing him the title had been "weeded" — a library term typically used for removing outdated, damaged or unused materials from circulation. But the book wasn't removed because it was worn out or unpopular. Instead, it was one of dozens of titles pulled from Mohave County library shelves after county supervisors rejected a donation that had already been accepted, cataloged and added to the collection — a move critics say allowed elected officials to sidestep the library district's established review process for challenged materials. By using a little-known provision governing donations, the Mohave County Board of Supervisors removed books it deemed inappropriate without triggering the policy normally used to evaluate complaints about library materials. While supporters of the effort say they are protecting children from sexually explicit content, records obtained by *LOOKOUT* show many of the targeted titles centered on LGBTQ+ characters and themes. And while the claimed intent has been removing books from the hands of youth, the books have been removed entirely from libraries — including for consenting adults. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) The controversy began during a [February 2026 meeting of the Mohave County Board of Supervisors](https://www.kdminer.com/news/mohave-county-supervisor-deems-donated-children-s-book-unacceptable/article%5F5f008a48-ee52-4e30-bb26-2a6742dd4bf5.html?ref=lookoutnews.org), when Supervisor Ron Gould pulled a routine agenda item involving $19,021.50 in donated books from the consent calendar. Gould objected to one title in particular: *The Beautiful Something Else* by Ash Van Otterloo, a middle-grade novel featuring a nonbinary child and a transgender aunt. He said the book uses magic to “explore self-discovery, acceptance and finding your true self. I think that book is unacceptable for eight-year-olds.” The donation consisted of books that had already been received, cataloged and added to library collections between July and December 2025\. [The board ultimately voted to reject the donation](https://www.kdminer.com/news/supervisors-reject-13-donated-children-s-books-for-public-library-citing-inappropriate-content/article%5Fd37966f2-c11b-4980-bf3a-cff3acf7749f.html?ref=lookoutnews.org), setting off a chain of events that led to the removal of dozens of books from library shelves across the county. Sarah Ferry, a community advocate, filed complaints with the American Library Association and the Arizona Governor's Office, arguing the board's action lacked clarity and failed to provide adequate public notice. She also noted in her notes that the board’s decision resulted in more books removed than the public was told. In response, the governor's office said it could not intervene because Gould is a duly elected county official. # Want to Share Insider Information? ## Help keep power accountable. LOOKOUT relies on tips from readers to get our news out. Click on the button below to submit a secure email to our team. Any information you send will be kept confidential in accordance with our ethics guidelines. [Email a Tip ](mailto:editor@lookoutnews.org) Gould also did not respond to a request for an interview from *LOOKOUT*. The dispute also exposed tensions between elected officials and the Mohave County Library District's advisory structure. Erin Roper, a member of the library's Citizens Advisory Committee and a professional librarian, presented supervisors with a petition containing 588 signatures opposing the removals. She told the board that public feedback was "overwhelmingly against government censorship" and argued parents — not government officials — should decide what their children read. “If we allow the government to bypass professional policy, to remove 20 books now, we open the door for any future government to remove anything they personally dislike later,” Roper said, according to agenda minutes. “Political values change, but our commitment to professional standards should remain constant.” Another member of the community mentioned during a meeting that Gould’s argument to protect children from books he said were inappropriate was, “Nothing more than a political dog whistle meant to play upon people's fears and well-meaning virtue so that they look the other way while their rights are taken.” For Walter, the debate quickly moved beyond policy. The Kingman resident said he attempted to obtain *The Beautiful Something Else* through interlibrary loan after hearing about the controversy. He later received an email informing him the book had been removed from the collection. "I can't just go to Amazon," Walter said, referencing his lack of finances to buy books. "Our tax dollars support the library." Gould has argued the board acted within its authority [under an Arizona law that gives county supervisors the power](https://law.justia.com/codes/arizona/title-11/section-11-906/?ref=lookoutnews.org) to accept or reject donations. But records obtained by *LOOKOUT* show the decision had broader consequences than simply declining a gift. In correspondence sent to community members, Library Director Jake Barillaro explained that because the books were classified as rejected donations, the specific copies had to be removed from circulation. For titles without additional copies in the system, the result was complete removal from county collections. Critics say that process allowed the board to [remove materials without using the library district's established review procedures.](https://www.kdminer.com/opinion/susan-stone-proposed-book-banning-in-mohave-county/article%5Fadc8f092-3843-4f2a-b7bd-878654944ab9.html?ref=lookoutnews.org) Adopted in 2013, the policy outlines a formal process for challenging library materials, including review by an ad hoc committee made up of librarians and community members. Barillaro confirmed in the letter the board did not use that process before voting on the books, but has been used in previous challenges, he said, leading opponents of the board's action to argue supervisors bypassed an established system designed to evaluate contested materials. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/06/gould-06032025.webp) Mohave County Commissioner Ron Gould (above) was the first to pull books from the list of donations. He specifically targeted a book with LGBTQ+ characters, saying they were inappropriate for the public, as his main reason. Illus At the center of that criticism is what opponents describe as a procedural loophole. Because the books entered the system as donations, supervisors were able to reject them under their authority over county gifts rather than through the library's established reconsideration process. The result was the same as a successful book challenge — the books disappeared from shelves — but without the professional review typically required under district policy. Gould has said the dispute is not primarily about procedure but about whether the books belong in a taxpayer-funded public library. In an emailed letter to the editor of Havasu News, Gould wrote: "The question before us is should the board accept inappropriate books for children from an unknown donor and place them on the shelves of a property tax funded government library?" Supporters of the removals contend taxpayers should not be required to fund books they consider inappropriate for minors. Emails obtained by *LOOKOUT* show some supporters justified the removals with anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric. In one email to Gould, [Pastor Roy Hagemyer](https://twccaz.com/leadership?ref=lookoutnews.org) urged supervisors to remove and destroy the books, describing them as "abominations" and "perverted." Gould thanked Hagemyer for the message. Questions also emerged about the scope of the board's action. During its March 2 meeting, supervisors voted 3-2 to reject what was described as 13 books. However, supporting documents provided to the public and library staff listed 20 unique titles. Barillaro later explained that multiple copies and series volumes increased the total number of physical books affected. In all, staff removed 36 books from library shelves countywide. The list extended beyond LGBTQ+ titles and included popular manga series such as *My Hero Academia* and *Haikyu!!*, along with the young adult series *Hush, Hush*. The discrepancy between the number discussed publicly and the number ultimately removed became another point of contention for critics, who argued residents were not given a clear understanding of the board's actions before the vote. The controversy continues to evolve. Board Chairman Travis Lingenfelter, who initially voted against the removals because he had not individually reviewed the books, has since proposed broader policy changes. Among them are requirements for parents to periodically reauthorize library accounts for minors and a content-rating system for materials containing what the proposal describes as "mature themes." Those proposals have raised concerns among librarians and free-expression advocates, who argue they would place additional barriers between young readers and library materials. They also question the bureaucracy and technical systems available to do what the board has requested. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Sedona’s Big Gay Art Show Is More Than Rainbows URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/sedonas-big-gay-art-show-is-more-than-rainbows/ Last updated: 2026-06-18T14:15:12.000Z #### OutBack This is one in a series that uncovers the untold stories of LGBTQ+ life beyond the city, celebrating queer resilience, creativity, and community in Arizona's suburban and rural areas. [Read the full series here. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tag/outback/) Sedona is known for its majestic red rocks scenery and mysticism, but during Pride month in June, it’s also one of the most openly queer-friendly spots in Arizona, thanks to the Big Gay Art Show in the heart of uptown. The juried exhibit, which runs June 5-28 at the Sedona Arts Center, features 51 emerging and professional artists from around the nation, said Julie Richard, the organization’s CEO. Many artists will attend the opening reception from 4 to 6 p.m. on Friday, June 5, she noted, in case people want to meet them. She estimated about a third of the artists are local, but many make the trip from elsewhere. “We’ve always been a place where creativity and individuality are celebrated,” said Richard, who identifies as an ally. “We feel everyone deserves to feel seen and respected and welcome.” ### **Art by and for the queer community** Works for the Big Gay Art Show can be works by LGBTQ+ artists or allies, but they must be relevant to the queer community, Richard noted. “That doesn’t mean everything has to be rainbows, \[but\] we do get a lot of rainbows,” she laughed. Many pieces have a love theme, she said. Sometimes the connection is obvious by appearance, other times it’s via a title, she said. Or, the artist will provide a backstory: A landscape or abstract painting might resonate with them and their partner, Richard said. “The story behind the piece is just as important as the piece itself,” she added, “and we look for that.” ![Mixed-media artwork featuring a seated figure beneath a symbolic human form, exploring themes of identity, spirituality, and self-discovery.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/06/Leo-Vincent-1st-place-2025.jpeg) Leo Vincent won first place in the Big Gay Art Show in 2025 for his acrylic, "Ecstasy of Surrender." Credit: Leo Vincent The jury chooses a variety of styles, content and media, and looks for pieces that are out of the ordinary, Richard said. One artist this year creates hanging works from chain mail, she said, and they also received many entries this year from fiber artists. Most works are for sale; prices range from the low hundreds to the “many thousands” of dollars, Richard said. Cash prizes of $500, $250 and $150 are given for first through third place, and there’s a People’s Choice award and five honorable mentions. Leo Vincent, 67, of Cottonwood, who entered for the first time last year and won first place for an acrylic painting, submitted another this year. “Unspoken Word” depicts a cowboy and an Indian from the chest up in black and white against a crimson background. Vincent said it’s an honor to be part of the show, and he explained that it shows how much more freedom queer people have today than when he was young. His generation lived through the Stonewall uprising and AIDS epidemic, he said, and gay bashing was much more common, even just two or three decades ago. “I like going to these events and meeting people, especially the younger generation, and having conversations with them,” Vincent said. “A lot of them know the history, but a lot of them don’t.” He added, “By participating in shows like this, we can show our pride through our artwork.” ![Artwork titled Unspoken Word by Leo Vincent, depicting two figures against a vibrant red background at Sedona's Big Gay Art Show.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/06/Unspoken-Word-by-Leo-Gagne-BGAS26.jpeg) “Unspoken Word” by Leo Vincent is one of over 50 works on display at the Big Gay Art Show at Sedona Arts Center June 6-28\. Credit: Leo Vincent. ### **Sedona’s growth as an arts hub** Sedona has long been an arts hub. In the mid-1950s, Dr. Harry Wood, chair of Arizona State University’s art department, and Nassan Gobran, an instructor, brought an accredited six-week summer art program from the university to the area. The Sedona Arts Center was an outgrowth of that, Richard explained, and was incorporated in 1958\. Today, the center is not only a gallery but also a learning center, with roughly 1,400 students—80 percent of whom are from outside Arizona— annually attending classes and workshops. The Big Gay Art Show began in 2012 as part of Sedona Pride, which has since disbanded. For many years, Richard said, it ran for only two or three days over the July 4 holiday weekend. There was no show in 2020 due to COVID, she said, and Sedona Arts Center was asked to take it on in 2021. Previously, the show featured mostly Sedona artists and everyone was accepted, but the center changed it to a national, juried event. It was also moved to June, the traditional Pride month, and expanded to multiple weeks. Richard said after the show was expanded, many artists told the center how grateful they were to see their community, individuality and creativity being celebrated. “That really, really resonated with me,” she said. “That made me feel really good about what we are doing.” Despite the battles LGBTQ+ people continue to face, particularly in light of the current sociopolitical climate, the center has never received negative feedback about the show, according to Richard. “It’s always been very positive,” she said. “That shows there is a lot of support in Sedona for this community.” ### **Big Gay Art Show** When: Opening 4-6 p.m. Friday, June 5; regular hours are noon to 5 p.m. daily through June 28 Where: Sedona Arts Center, 15 Art Barn Road, Sedona, AZ 86336 Contact: 928-282-3809; sedonaartscenter.org ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Phoenix Pride Has Filed for Bankruptcy URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/phoenix-pride-has-filed-for-bankruptcy/ Last updated: 2026-05-30T01:18:42.000Z Phoenix Pride, the nonprofit behind Arizona’s largest annual queer celebration, is heading to bankruptcy court, marking another blow to Arizona’s already struggling Pride infrastructure and raising new questions about the future of large-scale LGBTQ+ nonprofits in the state. [In a press release](https://www.instagram.com/p/DY8A4Izjkvc/?ref=lookoutnews.org) from the organization's board of directors, they said, “Rising operational costs, economic uncertainty, shifts in sponsorship and fundraising partly due to the current political climate and administration, and increasing demands on nonprofit organizations have created circumstances we can no longer navigate alone.” [Phoenix Pride Community Demands Transparency: Fact-Checking Claims About Finances And AdvocacyAt its first public town hall since 2020, Phoenix Pride addressed finances, policing and trust. A LOOKOUT review found some claims supported by the record — and others that fall short.![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)LOOKOUTLorenzo Gomez (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_7481-1-1-739a8525fbf611cfaa6876d25d3946beaac216cf3f1a45452f7cd4da0374d781.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/phoenix-pride-held-a-town-hall-heres-which-claims-check-out-and-which-dont/) [The filing](https://bkdata.com/business-bankruptcies/phoenix-arizona/05-28-2026/phoenix-incorporated-05375?ref=lookoutnews.org), submitted Thursday in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Arizona, showed that Phoenix Pride was seeking Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, allowing time to continue operations while restructuring its debts under court supervision. Unlike Chapter 7 bankruptcy, which typically results in cessation of operations, Chapter 11 permits organizations to continue operating while they reassess finances to meet debt obligations. The filing temporarily pauses debt collection efforts and legal actions against Phoenix Pride. In other words, Phoenix Pride is not closing its doors, but attempting to straighten out its finances under court supervision. “Chapter 11 gives us the opportunity to reorganize our finances while continuing operations and working toward a path forward,” the press release said. “Our mission has not changed.” [Tucson Pride’s Collapse: Years Of Warning Signs Before ShutdownFederal tax records and a former board member points to years of strain that eroded the organization’s stability and trust.![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)LOOKOUTLorenzo Gomez (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Copy-of-PRESS-VEHICLE-fab828f8868993949f1d96cac943cca4cc3077eac577d84d18a8e661befc699b.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/records-show-years-of-warning-signs-before-tucson-pride-shut-down/) Court documents directly list three creditors with unsecured claims, or entities saying Phoenix Pride owes them money. They include roughly $11,770 owed to a Wells Fargo Business Elite Card account and $1,600 owed to Oracle Event Group. The largest debt is a disputed claim of $418,886.31 tied to Pride Group, LLC, an Arizona-based event services company. A disputed claim means the two organizations disagree about the amount of money owed. The details of the dispute have not been disclosed. The bankruptcy filing comes during a period of growing financial pressure for Pride organizations and LGBTQ+ nonprofits nationally, many of which have faced rising operational costs, declining sponsorship dollars and increasing political scrutiny in recent years. For many community members, the bankruptcy filing may feel less like a surprise amid an already turbulent year. In November, Phoenix Pride [publicly announced](https://www.facebook.com/story.php/?story%5Ffbid=1271110761720175&id=100064637893489) a $350,000 budget shortfall, declining festival attendance and the loss of major sponsors. At a [January town hall](https://www.lookoutnews.org/phoenix-pride-held-a-town-hall-heres-which-claims-check-out-and-which-dont/), residents questioned the organization's finances, transparency and long-term vision, reflecting a larger conversation about confidence in highly visible Pride organizations. The filing also comes months after [Tucson Pride shut down](https://www.lookoutnews.org/records-show-years-of-warning-signs-before-tucson-pride-shut-down/) following years of financial strain and leadership problems. The sequence of events raises new questions about the sustainability of some of the state's largest LGBTQ+ organizations as they navigate rising costs, strict budgets, internal struggles and community trust Many details surrounding Phoenix Pride’s financial condition remain unclear. Additional filings in the coming weeks could provide a clearer picture of the nonprofit’s finances, the disputed debt claim and whether future Pride events or programming could be affected. Phoenix Pride has served as one of Arizona’s most prominent LGBTQ+ organizations. As it enters a tricky new chapter, the future and long-term stability of large-scale Pride organizations across the state remain an open question. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### An Openly Queer-Friendly Fine Dining Spot Exists in the Pines URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/an-openly-queer-friendly-fine-dining-spot-exists-in-the-pines/ Last updated: 2026-05-20T16:32:22.000Z #### OutBack This is one in a series that uncovers the untold stories of LGBTQ+ life beyond the city, celebrating queer resilience, creativity, and community in Arizona's suburban and rural areas. [Read the full series here. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tag/outback/) Most of Arizona’s mountain towns aren’t known for their culinary scene or queer-friendly vibe. But Flagstaff checks both boxes, and one reason for that is [Shift Restaurant & Bar.](https://shiftflg.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org) Situated in the Babbitt Building in the heart of downtown, just off Route 66, Shift displays a giant Pride flag on its window and trans flags throughout. Owner Dara Wong, who identifies as a bisexual woman of color (Chinese on her dad’s side, Jewish on her mom’s), donates to and advertises with Flagstaff’s Pride in the Pines—slated for June 20 this year—and offers space at her sister business around the corner, Oeno Wine Lounge, for Pride events. Many of the staff are queer, too. “I feel the restaurant is an extension of myself, and I’m not afraid to hide that,” Wong said. She added, “We try to let it be known that we’re a queer-supporting business.” ### **A place for trying new things** Shift celebrated a decade in business on April 1 this year, building its success on providing a cosmopolitan fine-dining and drinking experience for tourists and summer visitors accustomed to urban amenities. Wong said she wanted to emulate the vibe of European bistros, which exude vibrant energy and a sense of community, along with serving exceptional food. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/shift-9.jpg) Dara Wong owns Shift Restaurant & Bar in Flagstaff, which offers a queer-friendly creative culinary experience. Photo: Shift The 49-seat eatery offers eclectic chef’s tasting menus, creative desserts, small-batch spirits, interesting mocktails and a sophisticated wine list that includes Arizona bottles. “Seasonality’s our biggest goal,” Wong said, “but from there, we like to think about supporting small farms or small producers.” She added that minimizing waste is another focus. The restaurant composts, and Chef Tamara Stanger raises chickens and ducks that provide eggs and eat the kitchen’s vegetable scraps, Wong noted. While Stanger generally is in charge of the main plates, Wong, a pastry chef, handles the desserts. She opens from 8 to 11 a.m. on the first Saturday of the month for a bake sale, and she’s big into savory sorbets made from cilantro, parsley, tarragon, tomato, sorrel, carrot and carrot tops. Chip Chang, a queer woman of color who’s lived in Flagstaff for five years, said she takes friends and family from bigger cities to Shift for its more unusual offerings like the sorbet, as well as for simpler yet expertly executed items like the bread board with olives—a food she didn’t use to enjoy but has been learning to like. Shift is “a place where people can try new things and open up their mind and perspective,” Chang said. “I think that relates a lot to queer identity and queer politics, right?” ### **Shifting personally and professionally** Wong has made many personal and professional shifts throughout her life. Born and raised in Boulder, Colorado, Wong swam competitively at the University of Denver and got a bachelor’s degree in business management. But, she admits, college wasn’t easy because she has dyslexia. After working in hospitality during college, Wong decided that was what she loved, so she switched gears. She attended culinary arts school and worked in fine dining, including at the now Michelin-starred Frasca in Denver and at Sweet Basil in Vail. In the mid-2010s, Wong moved to Flagstaff with a former male partner and worked at various restaurants, including Tourist Home Urban Market, and the couple opened Shift together. They married in 2016, but divorced in 2018, and now Wong is the sole owner. Another life change came when Wong joined a gym and met her future wife, Sierra Wong. In September, the couple will celebrate their fourth anniversary. Meanwhile, Shift has been such a success that it’s difficult to get in on weekends without a reservation. Wong bought a wine bar on the next block in 2022 so staff can send guests to Oeno while they wait. [At Lowell, a Hidden Wall Shows Who Gets to Touch the StarsBehind the telescopes and spectacle, a small corridor offers a grander vision of the cosmos.![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)LOOKOUTGeri Koeppel (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Diverse_Universe_Wall_IMG_2851-749a289395e79aaf2aa76fdbf03b90a76affafd84cdf44ffd0a0e5d045133bc8.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/at-lowell-a-hidden-wall-shows-who-gets-to-touch-the-stars/) [Valley of the Moon Brings Magic to the DesertValley of the Moon has been delighting kids, punks, and queer folks for nearly 100 years—proof that whimsy isn’t just for storybooks.![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)LOOKOUTGeri Koeppel (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Valley-of-the-Moon-3ddfab43ad1482bd2110a597df3345597d3822bf85b368b4afa9f2d3a69a4c0e.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-magical-playground-for-the-wild-weird-and-wonderful/) When asked how customers have responded to Shift being openly queer-friendly, Wong said no one has confronted her about it, but it’s possible some have done a quiet “unfollowing” or “unsupporting.” She added, “The people, though, that do support it, really support it. It really brings out the queer community even more when they see that flag, because they feel safe and welcome.” **Shift Kitchen & Bar** *Address: 107 N. San Francisco St. No. 2, Flagstaff, AZ 86001* *Hours: 5-9 p.m. daily* *Contact: 928-440-5135;* [*shiftflg.com*](http://shiftflg.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org) ### MuckRock Selects LOOKOUT for National Election Accountability Reporting Cohort URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/muckrock-selects-lookout-for-national-election-accountability-reporting-cohort/ Last updated: 2026-05-20T15:09:20.000Z The Southwest's leading LGBTQ+ newsroom, [*LOOKOUT*](https://www.lookoutnews.org/), has joined a new national investigative reporting initiative from [MuckRock](https://www.muckrock.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org) aimed at strengthening local accountability journalism ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The nonprofit transparency and public records organization announced Tuesday that *LOOKOUT* is one of four newsrooms selected for its inaugural Election Accountability Cohort, a yearlong partnership designed to provide investigative resources, public records support and advanced research tools to local outlets covering pivotal races across the country. The program comes as many independent and nonprofit newsrooms continue to face staffing shortages, shrinking budgets and limited access to investigative infrastructure. Through MuckRock’s Sunlight Research Desk, participating newsrooms will receive hands-on support for deep-dive election reporting, including investigative consultation calls, workshops, AI-powered document analysis tools and access to premium public records request services. Founded in 2022 by Joseph Darius Jaafari, *LOOKOUT* has quickly become a major force in Arizona accountability journalism, focusing on LGBTQ+ communities, anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, education, prisons, policing and state politics. The newsroom has won multiple journalism awards and built a statewide reputation for deeply reported investigations centered on queer Arizonans. “LGBTQ+ Arizonans have a lot riding on 2026, from the statehouse to the ballot box,” said Jake Hylton, *LOOKOUT’s* executive director, in a statement announcing the partnership. “Partnering with MuckRock and the Sunlight Research Desk means we can do the slower, in-depth, document-driven reporting behind the races that will most shape our communities’ futures.” The cohort also includes Arizona Agenda, Arizona Luminaria and Planet Detroit. MuckRock said two additional openings remain for newsrooms in competitive battleground states. Each participating newsroom will receive a subsidized support package valued at roughly $16,000, funded in part by the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### For a New Generation, RENT Still Feels Radical URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/for-a-new-generation-rent-still-feels-radical/ Last updated: 2026-05-19T00:51:53.000Z When the musical *RENT* debuted in 1996, it was a riotous and revolutionary wake-up call, centering the lives of people of color, queer artists and people living with HIV in Manhattan’s derelict East Village. Jonathan Larson, the show’s creator, lived in a no-heat fourth-floor walk-up on Greenwich Street and died suddenly from an aortic dissection the night before *RENT*’s Off-Broadway debut. Despite its gritty subject matter, *RENT* became a massive commercial success. The musical went on to become one of the longest-running shows on Broadway, grossing more than $280 million and spawning national tours and a 2005 film adaptation. Yet even as complex queer stories have gained visibility, the daily lives of queer Americans remain shaped by discrimination and political backlash. Chris Chavez, director of *RENT* at Mesa Encore Theatre, aims to confront those themes head-on in the company’s current production. Chavez, who previously directed *Angels in America* at Fountain Hills Theater, frames the musical as the story of outsiders building community and fighting for human rights through radical art. Thirty years after *RENT*’s debut, Chavez and his largely young cast are exploring what the musical means in today’s political climate. What can modern audiences learn about resistance from a show created in an era when queer people were still fighting for visibility and survival? In Arizona, lawmakers have repeatedly failed to pass statewide nondiscrimination protections that would prohibit businesses from denying services, including housing, to LGBTQ+ people. Meanwhile, rent in the East Village — where the musical is set — has more than quadrupled since the mid-1990s, making the neighborhood inaccessible for many struggling artists and queer people today. *LOOKOUT* writer Royal Young spoke with Chavez about *RENT*’s legacy, the state of queer rights 30 years later, and why the musical remains a spark for activism and chosen family. --- **Royal Young:** Did you have a personal journey that led you to directing *RENT*? **Chris Chavez:** When Mesa Encore Theatre put out a call for directors, I applied. My vision for the show was to treat *RENT* as an ongoing act of political resistance. Theater itself is a radical tool for visibility and collective defiance. Today, marginalized communities — particularly people of color, queer and trans people, and people living with HIV who still face stigma — are still being silenced in 2026\. *RENT* speaks directly to that, and I see it as a call to action. I feel like this production extends beyond the stage and into the real world. As a queer Chicano growing up in the Southwest, I always knew about the show, but I didn’t necessarily understand the impact it had in larger cities. [Lady Bunny’s Take: Drag, Politics, and Queer ResistanceThe nightlife legend talks about the golden age of NYC drag, why mainstream LGBTQ+ orgs are failing, and how America keeps using trans people as a political pawn.![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)LOOKOUTRoyal Young (they/them)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/Screenshot-2025-02-12-at-2.01.31-PM-3-1-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/pronouns-drag-queen-story-hour-lady-bunny/) **RY:** What does *RENT* in Phoenix in 2026 bring that feels updated or unique compared with the original production in downtown New York? **CC:** It’s been a really cool journey. Most of my actors are in their 20s or early 30s, so they didn’t grow up when the show first came out. *RENT* is now such a musical theater staple that they know it, but it’s been incredible educating them about the time period — what the AIDS crisis was really about, how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go. Watching them learn has been amazing. **RY:** I’d love to rewind to 1996\. I grew up in downtown Manhattan, and I remember seeing *RENT* with my dad when I was about 11\. As a nonbinary kid who didn’t yet have language for who I was, seeing that spectrum of queerness onstage was shocking in the best way. What was your experience growing up as a queer Chicano in the Southwest? **CC:** I was in college when I first started reading about this new musical, *RENT*, in magazines. I randomly picked up the original cast recording at a mall record store and became obsessed with it. Later that year, our college theater program traveled to Texas, and I realized the *RENT* tour was stopping in Dallas. We drove an hour to see it in 1997. At the time, I wasn’t fully out. It was the first time I had seen queer people of color onstage, along with a gritty realism you never really saw in musical theater before. To this day, it influences the kinds of shows I want to direct. **RY:** How much has changed for queer people in the past 30 years? How much has changed for poor artists? I grew up in the neighborhood where *RENT* takes place, and now I can’t afford to live there anymore. Rent is literally still screwing us. The show carries a very real message about surviving and paying your bills. For trans, nonbinary and queer people of color, the more marginalized identities you hold, the harder it can be just to survive. **CC:** I agree. Gentrification is far worse than it was 30 years ago. One criticism people have today is the title song, “Rent,” because they think it sounds entitled. What they don’t understand is the history behind it — queer people being pushed out of housing, or losing apartments after partners died of AIDS because they weren’t legally recognized as family. It’s a protest song. **RY:** *RENT* reminds audiences that everyone deserves basic human rights — housing, food and access to medicine — because the story hinges on people not having heat or medication. That’s still a reality for many people. **CC:** Absolutely. At the time *RENT* was written, AZT — the first FDA-approved HIV treatment — was still relatively new. Those medications cost thousands of dollars, which is one reason the characters are struggling financially. Access has improved, but affordability is still an issue. **RY:** There’s also been a resurgence of attacks on queer rights, especially targeting trans and nonbinary people. But what has changed for the better? I think we now have more language to describe the queer spectrum, and our community has grown. We still face persecution, but we always have. [Inside the Queer Org Giving Arizona’s Youth a Fighting ChanceNate 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.![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)LOOKOUTRoyal Young (they/them)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Untitled-design--25--a27c19842ecebf51915ece06fb46870fd20f3c77f413a5c73676f897495ddd27.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/fighting-anti-lgbtq-bias-through-a-simple-end-goal-hope/) [TC Tolbert: Tucson Poet Laureate Celebrates Queer PoetryFrom growing up in Tennessee to creating staying power in Southern Arizona, TC Tolbert is on a mission to let us all be kind to ourselves.![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)LOOKOUTRoyal Young (they/them)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Untitled-design--21--79342dd9ec33686b21314b8007611f4dc441d8ab0e8b1e35200d35edd39efcca.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/how-poetry-and-practice-has-helped-tucsons-queer-poet-laureate/) **CC:** Every queer generation has its battles. Previous generations had Stonewall and the AIDS crisis. Now we’re dealing with the current political climate. It’s the same story in a different place and time. But we also have more access to medication, stronger community networks and more openness around identity. *RENT* speaks to the importance of identity and chosen family. **RY:** Do you think finding identity and chosen family can be an antidote to the times we’re living through? **CC:** Absolutely. Every character in the show comes from a different background, but what connects them is their art. Living in difficult conditions also bonds them together. Artists are often treated like outsiders or black sheep, but we’re fighting many of the same battles. Creating together is what unites us. In difficult times, community is what saves us. That’s why this show still resonates. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### AZ Corp. Comm. Republican Primaries Focus on Data Centers and “Large Load" Users URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/republican-az-corporation-commissioner-debates-may/ Last updated: 2026-06-18T14:11:46.000Z [*Jump to the live blog*](#live-blog) Welcome to the second week of the Drunken Debates! On Tuesday, May 19, we'll be guzzling down liquor and live blogging the Republican primary debates for the Arizona Corporation Commission. The Arizona Corporation Commission has long been one of the state’s most powerful — and least understood — elected bodies. The five-member commission regulates utilities like APS and Southwest Gas, oversees pipeline and railroad safety, and decides how aggressively Arizona moves toward renewable energy. Because commissioners are elected statewide, the body has increasingly become a political battleground over utility rates, clean energy mandates, and the future of Arizona’s power grid. Republicans have controlled the commission for years, often with support from utility and business interests. In recent election cycles, conservatives aligned with the Arizona Freedom Caucus and Turning Point USA have pushed candidates who argue renewable energy mandates and “green agenda” policies are driving up costs for ratepayers. But that message has not always resonated with voters. In other Arizona utility-related races — including recent Salt River Project board elections — candidates backed by far-right groups and anti-green-energy messaging suffered major losses. Critics argued voters were more concerned with rising utility bills and grid reliability than culture war politics. This year’s Corporation Commission race continues those fights. Republican incumbent commissioners Kevin Thompson and Nick Myers are seeking reelection while facing a challenge from state Rep. Ralph Heap, a Freedom Caucus-aligned conservative who has campaigned heavily against renewable energy policies and what he calls the “Green New Deal” approach to energy regulation. Heap is not participating in the debate. Now, the rules for tonight's game: ![Drinking game rules for the Arizona Corporation Commission Republican Primary debate, featuring sip, big drink, and finish your drink prompts related to election debate topics.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Drinking-Game-Rules-May-14--2026-Superintendent-of-Public-Instruction-Democratic-Primary-1.png) ### Live Blog 6:58 p.m. - Joseph darius Jaafari, editor in chief ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) And that's the debate! A lot more sober than I want to be, but I at least got one drink finished. 6:55 p.m. - Joseph darius Jaafari, editor in chief ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) My takeaway is that it's pretty clear that Myers and Thompson are teaming up in this race against Heap, who is the outsider. Going to be very curious to see what happens if Heap indeed ousts one of them in July, and what the conversation might be then. 6:55 p.m. - Joseph darius Jaafari, editor in chief ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) Myers making a jab at Heap being the rookie in the room when his campaign has been less about what both men have been speaking on tonight and more about culture war issues is the only reference we've seen against him tonight. 6:50 p.m. - john washington, staff writer ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Washington_John-029-2.jpg) Kevin Thompson wants to “get into the energy mix.” And Nick Myers calls the Corporation Commission the Rodney Dangerfield of offices. I need a drink y’all and I’m going to take one. 6:50 p.m. - Joseph darius Jaafari, editor in chief ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) A Rodney Dangerfield joke is such a Gen X moment that I feel sorry for anyone who did not get that. 6:48 p.m. - john washington, staff writer ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Washington_John-029-2.jpg) We got very close to “government overreach" just now. I’ll count that as a big sip. 6:48 p.m. - Joseph darius Jaafari, editor in chief ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) Not only is that bill not passed, it never got passed the Senate committee. Debating this seems a bit moot. 6:47 p.m. - john washington, staff writer ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Washington_John-029-2.jpg) Kevin Thompson says that it sucks to be Californian. And moderator calls him on it. Let’s have a drink. 6:44 p.m.- john washington, staff writer ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Washington_John-029-2.jpg) Ooh, we got some finger-pointing at California. Take a sip! 6:41 p.m. - Joseph darius Jaafari, editor in chief ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) AG Kris Mayes' time in office is likely going to be marked by using her power to sue in favor of consumers, consistently. So, whether or not it's as Myers says (the lawsuits are just political) it definitely has boosted her brand. 6:40 p.m. - Joseph darius Jaafari, editor in chief ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) This is one of the most informative and civil debates I've seen in a while — and not nearly as wild as expected (probably because the Turning Point candidate isn't here) — so I'm endorsing John's skirting of the established rules to just find any reason to drink. 6:39 p.m. - john washington, staff writer ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Washington_John-029-2.jpg) “It chapped me to no end,” Nick Myers says of Solana’s grandfathered energy agreement. A phrase worthy of a sip. 6:36 p.m. - Joseph darius Jaafari, editor in chief ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) FYI, that as of 2013, the Solana plant was one of the largest electricity creators in the WORLD: [https://www.kjzz.org/2013-11-06/content-9634-aps-opens-new-solar-plant-near-gila-bend](https://www.kjzz.org/2013-11-06/content-9634-aps-opens-new-solar-plant-near-gila-bend?ref=lookoutnews.org) 6:35 p.m. - john washington, staff writer ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Washington_John-029-2.jpg) They’re really skirting around AI with all the data center talk, but not quite landing on it, and we got another large load, so have a sip y’all. 6:35 p.m. - Joseph darius Jaafari, editor in chief ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) For context: A megawatt measures electricity demand at a single moment. One megawatt can power roughly 800 to 1,000 homes, a large school, or a grocery store. Data centers often require hundreds of megawatts, comparable to small power plants. 6:32 p.m. - Joseph darius Jaafari, editor in chief ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) For those of you, like me, who may not be in on the wonk of water: Water credits in Arizona utility regulation aren’t literal bill credits. They usually refer to financial adjustments tied to water use rights or infrastructure costs. In cases before the Arizona Corporation Commission, utilities may recover expenses for water systems or large industrial contracts through rates. These credits can offset costs or allocate water-related investments, especially for power plants and big energy users like data centers. 6:30 p.m. - john washington, staff writer ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Washington_John-029-2.jpg) Both men attended a “large load workshop,” and they keep dropping the term, and they’re not hitting any of the other sip or big sip markers, so take another couple swigs — and think of their wives. 6:30 p.m.- Joseph darius Jaafari, editor in chief ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) "Water is for fighting, whiskey is for drinking" is the best line I've ever heard and I'm using it forever now. 6:29 p.m. - Joseph darius Jaafari, editor in chief ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) Some background on the record energy usage last year from ACC's website: the state hit record-high electricity demand during August 2025’s extreme heat, surpassing forecasts for the year. Arizona Public Service, Salt River Project and Tucson Electric Power all broke previous demand records as temperatures climbed above 117 degrees in Phoenix. [https://www.azcc.gov/news/home/2025/08/09/arizona-electric-utilities-set-record-high-demand--again--demand-soars-above-original-forecasts-for-2025](https://www.azcc.gov/news/home/2025/08/09/arizona-electric-utilities-set-record-high-demand--again--demand-soars-above-original-forecasts-for-2025?ref=lookoutnews.org) 6:27 p.m.- Joseph darius Jaafari, editor in chief ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) Really should have made "large loads" a sipper 6:25 p.m. - john washington, staff writer ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Washington_John-029-2.jpg) Two more “large load users”. It’s a sonorous phrase, imo, and I like drinking to it. 6:24 p.m. - Joseph darius Jaafari, editor in chief ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) It's interesting that there has been a capitulation away from keeping data centers, specifically, accountable. Instead, it's been a bit of a holistic focus at all companies that use a large amount of energy. 6:24 p.m.- john washington, staff writer ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Washington_John-029-2.jpg) We got another “large load user” and I’m going to ask you all to take a big drink with me. 6:22 p.m. - Joseph darius Jaafari, editor in chief ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) Fact check: The Arizona Corporation Commission is constitutionally required to set “just and reasonable” utility rates under Article 15, Section 3 of the Arizona Constitution. The constitution does not explicitly say utilities are guaranteed profits or rate hikes, but Arizona courts have interpreted it to mean regulated monopoly utilities are entitled to a “fair and reasonable return” on their investments 6:19 p.m. - Joseph darius Jaafari, editor in chief ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) A [****News 12**](https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/valley/aps-households-are-using-less-energy-but-paying-23-percent-higher-costs-arizona/75-a44c4dd4-a293-4f3c-9999-a4aca1545ede?ref=lookoutnews.org) story that came out earlier this year shows that Arizona Public Service data found residential customers used 5.5% less electricity since 2022 but are paying 23% more per kilowatt-hour, while business usage — largely driven by data centers — jumped 22%. Consumer advocates argue homeowners are unfairly absorbing costs tied to booming industrial demand. APS disputes the analysis, saying rate design is more complex and that data centers pay through contracts and infrastructure investments. The debate is fueling calls for more transparency at the Arizona Corporation Commission. 6:17 p.m. - john washington, staff writer ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Washington_John-029-2.jpg) Thompson said “levalize” which is not in Merriam Webster’s. My wine is going to go stale, so I’m going to drink for ‘levalize’ 6:15 p.m. - Joseph darius Jaafari, editor in chief ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) For those who don't know what it means when they say "formula rates:" a formula rate plan, or FRP, is a utility pricing system adopted by the Arizona Corporation Commission that allows utilities to adjust customer rates every year using a pre-approved formula instead of waiting for traditional rate cases every few years. 6:13 p.m.- Joseph darius Jaafari, editor in chief ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has escalated her fight with the Arizona Corporation Commission over utility rates and energy policy. Mayes has filed rehearing requests, lawsuits and interventions targeting utility hikes, renewable energy rollbacks and a controversial data center deal. Myers has accused Mayes of overstepping constitutional authority for political gain. [https://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2026/04/09/attorney-general-mayes-sparks-turf-war-with-arizona-corporation-commission/](https://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2026/04/09/attorney-general-mayes-sparks-turf-war-with-arizona-corporation-commission/?ref=lookoutnews.org) 6:12 p.m. - Joseph darius Jaafari, editor in chief ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) From this morning's Tucson Agenda, that talks about Tucson Electric Power (TEP), which is pushing the Arizona Corporation Commission to approve “formula rates,” a system that would let the utility adjust rates annually instead of every few years through lengthy rate cases. Critics, including Residential Utility Consumer Office and Kris Mayes, warn the move could lead to steady increases with less oversight, pointing to Illinois, where lawmakers later scrapped a similar system. 6:10 p.m. - Joseph darius Jaafari, editor in chief ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) Both of these guys seem to have wives who may be quite upset, it sounds like. 6:08 p.m. - john washington, staff writer ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Washington_John-029-2.jpg) “We are **ratepayers* just like everyone else” Take a sip y’all! 6:07 p.m. - john washington, staff writer ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Washington_John-029-2.jpg) I’m going to take a sip for “large loads” just because I’m thirsty. I encourage you to join me. 6:07 p.m. - Joseph darius Jaafari, editor in chief ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) Speaking of rates, and the protests just mentioned. Protesters and customers rallied outside the Arizona Corporation Commission against Arizona Public Service’s proposed 14% rate increase, arguing it would burden working families while subsidizing energy-hungry data centers. APS says higher rates are needed for infrastructure costs. Public hearings will continue through June, with a final commission vote expected in December. 6:05 p.m. - john washington, staff writer ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Washington_John-029-2.jpg) A lot of near misses, but nary a sip yet! 6:05 p.m. - Joseph darius Jaafari, editor in chief ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) Myers mentioned his fight with a water utility company that sparked his interest. He became involved in Arizona utility politics after battling Johnson Utilities over rural water access. Residents accused the company of restricting standpipe use to a family-linked hauling business, increasing costs. The Arizona Corporation Commission ordered access restored amid wider complaints over spills, poor service and infrastructure failures. More on that here: [https://www.azcentral.com/story/money/business/energy/2022/07/08/nick-myers-arizona-corporation-commission-primary-2022-candidate/7458571001/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z114339e1198xxv114339d--48--b--48--&gca-ft=233&gca-ds=sophi](https://www.azcentral.com/story/money/business/energy/2022/07/08/nick-myers-arizona-corporation-commission-primary-2022-candidate/7458571001/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z114339e1198xxv114339d--48--b--48--&gca-ft=233&gca-ds=sophi&ref=lookoutnews.org) 6:01 p.m. - Joseph darius Jaafari, editor in chief ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) Both Thompson and Myers are currently on the commission and it's very interesting that Thompson starts his opening statement thanking Arizonans for voting for BOTH of them. I'm reading that as they're in a united front against Heap. 5:58 p.m. - john washington, staff writer ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Washington_John-029-2.jpg) I’m on the drink tab tonight, and will be playing along with a Car Sur from Argentina, a beautiful, saline, and herbaceous orange wine from Argentina. I got a tall pour from Westbound at Tucson’s MSA Annex, where (just across the way at Desierto books) in less than two weeks I’ll be in conversation with two great poets as part of LOOKOUT’s first Tucson-specific festival. Get tickets (for free) here: We’ll see how much poetry comes from the debate tonight…. And I’ll be hounding y’all to take sips or down your drinks. 5:57 p.m. - Joseph darius Jaafari, editor in chief ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) And what am I drinking tonight? It's a Jack and Coke kind of night. I'm already two espresso martinis in because it's been that kind of Tuesday. If all goes well, I might still be fine to drive in a few hours. Either that or my husband will have to call a Lyft for me if tonight's debate is anything like last week's Republican Superintendent for Public Schools debate, which started with a full chug of a drink in the first minute. 5:52 p.m. - Joseph darius Jaafari, editor in chief ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) Alright everyone, I'm back at my local watering hole ready to dig deep into this debate. This race has been interesting so far, if only because of the stories around it. Rep. David Marshall was supposed to be one of the Republicans running to replace one of the commissioner seats, but quit his job as a legislator and tossed this campaign so he could, instead, be the Navajo County recorder. That appointment has been heavily contested and its unclear if he's going to get the position. But there's also another person who simply won't show up tonight: Rep. Ralph Heap, who is being backed by Turning Point Action. For those who need a reminder, the PAC had their butts paddled a bit in the SRP Election, where only two of their preferred candidates won seats despite outspending progressive and clean energy candidates nearly 10-1\. That board is now clean-energy policy advocates as the majority. ### Horne and Yee Turn Debate Into a Fight Over D.E.I., Finances, and Phonics URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/follow-our-drunk-live-blog-for-the-superintendent-of-public-instructions-republican-debates/ Last updated: 2026-08-16T19:32:05.000Z [*Jump to the live blog*](#live-blog) Tonight, we're live-blogging from two different parts of the state: Phoenix and Tucson. Joseph is up in Phoenix on the patio of Sauvage drinking wine, John is at home nursing his own glass. Tonight’s debate between Tom Horne and Kimberly Yee is expected to be part education policy forum, part conservative grievance Olympics and, if recent campaign rhetoric is any indication, at least several uninterrupted minutes about D.E.I. The two Republicans battling for Arizona superintendent of public instruction are both longtime statewide officeholders, but they’re entering the stage tonight with very different political styles. Horne, the incumbent schools chief and former attorney general, has built his reelection campaign around fighting “wokeness” in schools, targeting diversity initiatives, critical race theory, bilingual education and transgender athletes in sports. His campaign website casts the race as a broader culture war over the future of public education, with repeated warnings about “political indoctrination” and “radical ideology.” Yee, Arizona’s current state treasurer, has largely framed her campaign around school choice, financial literacy and expanding educational opportunities through voucher-style programs. But Horne has increasingly tried to drag the race into D.E.I. territory, accusing Yee of being tied to diversity initiatives through a national treasurers association committee — an attack that already previewed the tone of tonight’s showdown. So if you’re watching along at home, maybe pace yourself before the first “critical race theory” mention lands 12 minutes in. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Drinking-Game-Rules-May-14--2026-Superintendent-of-Public-Instruction-Democratic-Primary.png) ### Live Blog 7:02 p.m. - john washington, staff writer ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Washington_John-029-2.jpg) Drink update: I finished my glass of red, but had to sneak swigs to follow the barrage of claims and accusations. Overall, the debate was fast and spicy, each candidate throwing barbs, and yet on policy, they frequently agreed: yes to ESA, yes to phonics, yes to higher teacher pay, yes to charters. The attacks were mostly personal, or were about the current state of Arizona classrooms, not so much what needs to be done to improve them. Did Yee outflank Horne from the right, which some people expected? Not really. She certainly appeared more polished, but Horne took his shots and landed some blows. Yee definitely outperformed, but Horne has the incumbent advantage. I’d guess it’ll be a close race. 6:57 p.m. - john washington, staff writer ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Washington_John-029-2.jpg) Horne’s closing statement didn’t seem much like a closing statement. I think he thought he was still responding to the last question. The moderator turns to Yee who folds her hands on the lectern, smiles, and delivers. She says voter should back “someone who has the competence, not the chaos,” to manage Arizona schools. "I’m equipped and ready,” she adds, and the moderator shuts it down. 6:56 p.m. - Joseph darius Jaafari, editor in chief ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) Alright everyone, 56 minutes of marathon drinking, with about a 15 minute breather in between. I counted 3 full drinks, a full drink's worth of sips, and two big drinks. So, if you're anything like me, you downed 4.5 glasses of liquor, and are ready to crawl into bed with a bottle of Tylenol. 6:55 p.m. - Joseph darius Jaafari, editor in chief ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) Big drink time. Yee pivoting away from the accusations of D.E.I. -alignment to her time managing dollah-dollah-bills. 6:55 p.m. - john washington, staff writer ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Washington_John-029-2.jpg) “It’s not in the dumps, as many people say,” Horne says of the state of Arizona education. 6:52 p.m. - john washington, staff writer ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Washington_John-029-2.jpg) Yee has been polished and fast-talking (often with a smile on her face) throughout. Horne has had some verbal stumbles, is beginning to rely more on his notes, slowing down a bit, struggling to finish some sentences. After his latest verbal stumble, Yee says viewers can see the contrast on the stage, again calling out the state of education in Arizona, lamenting the status quo 6:51 p.m. - john washington, staff writer ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Washington_John-029-2.jpg) Yee wants to bring Home Ec and Shop Class back into our schools. Alternative pathways to teaching is a program, Yee says, that would bring tradespeople into the classroom to help teach, for example, welding. Horne likes these programs as well, saying he greatly expanded them while in office. He boasts about a “traveling road show” that 40 companies participated in, describing how they explained to students what skills they needed to get a well-paying job right out of highschool. 6:50 pm - Joseph darius Jaafari, editor in chief ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) Hold on. I have to get another bottle of wine for these last 10 minutes. 6:49 pm - Joseph darius Jaafari, editor in chief ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) I'm solidly four drinks in within 50 minutes, and I think I'm regretting coming up with this idea. 6:47 pm - john washington, staff writer ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Washington_John-029-2.jpg) Yee jumps on the bandwagon, says we should no longer invest in companies that rely on DEI. But… the reality may be different, according to Pew Research: [https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2023/05/17/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-in-the-workplace/](https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2023/05/17/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-in-the-workplace/?ref=lookoutnews.org) 6:46 pm - john washington, staff writer ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Washington_John-029-2.jpg) The specter of Chinese calling the shots: “can you imagine a world like that?” Horne muses. That would be the result of the philosophy of DEI winning, he says. 6:45 pm - Joseph darius Jaafari, editor in chief ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) Critical race theory mentioned -- that's a sip! 6:44 pm - john washington, staff writer ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Washington_John-029-2.jpg) Horne takes some shots at bilingual instruction. We brought it up from 5% to 35%. “Bilingual is not the best way,” he says. He adds that various school districts are not following the law and not relying on English immersion for ESL students. He then turns to the ills of “social emotional learning.” Yee agrees with the problems of social emotional learning, and adds that DEI is a serious problem. Yee proffers a letter: proof! she says, that she never chaired a committee about DEI. As soon as she wields the letter, Horne digs in his pocket and brings out his own letter. Horne points to the letter with a picture of Yee as engaged in something DEI related. The moderator shuts it down: no props on the podium! The convo shifts back to DEI, which Horne says is “a terrible thing.” 6:44 pm- Joseph darius Jaafari, editor in chief ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) That testy bit is a reminder of a Peoria school board meeting. Throw back another drink. 6:42 pm- Joseph darius Jaafari, editor in chief ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) Throw back them dranks! DEI mentioned three times in a minute. 6:40 pm - Joseph darius Jaafari, editor in chief ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) I'm making an executive decision and saying that because Horne says "bilingual is not the best way" that it's a big sip. 6:38 pm - john washington, staff writer ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Washington_John-029-2.jpg) Horne admits that Arizona is at the bottom for state funding, but claims that it ranks much higher in terms of student testing, saying AZ is in the middle. Yee takes a dig, says that “the study my opponent is trying to remember,” and then names the study. She admits that in math AZ is in the middle in terms of ranking, but says we’re just not doing well enough, saying that AZ students are below average for reading. They then begin discussing early childhood reading methods, focusing on the importance of phonic instruction. Horne says he challenged Yee to find a single school in the state that doesn’t use phonics, and Yee counters that while that’s on the books, the reality in the classroom is that some schools “might not be following the law… because they have kids who are not reading.” This seems to be the state-based study they mentioned: [https://www.nationsreportcard.gov/reading/states/achievement/?grade=4](https://www.nationsreportcard.gov/reading/states/achievement/?grade=4&ref=lookoutnews.org) 6:37 pm - Joseph darius Jaafari, editor in chief ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) Really should've had Hooked on Phonics as one of the drinking rules... 6:32 pm - john washington, staff writer ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Washington_John-029-2.jpg) How to fund under-funded schools? Yee leans into her experience as treasurer, saying she prioritizes in-person contact with cities and towns and their school districts to help them manage their funds and understand what they need. Horne claims they did a study finding schools that spend more on teacher salaries and less on administration have better educational outcomes. This seems to be that study: [https://www.azed.gov/communications/horne-more-money-classroom-improves-student-performance](https://www.azed.gov/communications/horne-more-money-classroom-improves-student-performance?ref=lookoutnews.org) 6:28 pm- john washington, staff writer ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Washington_John-029-2.jpg) Horne is “big on School Resource Officers,” SROs, or police in schools. He says he’s lobbying for yet more, noting there are over 500 police currently in Arizona schools. 6:27 pm - john washington, staff writer ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Washington_John-029-2.jpg) Yee calls SROs a “wonderful compliment to a school.” She says they not only protect schools from outside threats, but can help stop fights in schools. There is, however, a large body of studies about the problems of SROs, including the criminalization of students. More here: [https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1163923.pdf](https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1163923.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) 6:20 pm - john washington, staff writer ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Washington_John-029-2.jpg) Horne and Yee both lament underfunded schools. Yee says more district money should be focused on classrooms and teachers. Horne notes there’s a lot of money in the state land trust, and salaries could be raised without raising taxes. That is, the lapsed funding from Prop 123\. Moderator notes that the superintendent can’t directly affect teacher salary rates. Yee focuses on poor teacher retention rates, taking a shot at Horne, saying he’s established this unfortunate status quo. Yee herself then leans into the need for Prop 123, and the moderator establishes that they agree on that issue. 6:19 pm - john washington, staff writer ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Washington_John-029-2.jpg) The state has never gotten involved in private schools,” Horne says, saying there could be 1st amendment violations if they did. That’s certainly disputed, or at least more complicated than presented. [https://bsmknighterrant.org/2024/01/30/does-the-first-amendment-apply-to-private-school-students/](https://bsmknighterrant.org/2024/01/30/does-the-first-amendment-apply-to-private-school-students/?ref=lookoutnews.org) 6:15 pm - john washington, staff writer ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Washington_John-029-2.jpg) According to a recent report, currently “no effective auditing process exists to prevent unallowable items from being approved” in the ESA program. Read more here: [https://www.azfamily.com/2026/05/14/arizona-esa-voucher-program-audit-reveals-oversight-concerns/](https://www.azfamily.com/2026/05/14/arizona-esa-voucher-program-audit-reveals-oversight-concerns/?ref=lookoutnews.org) 6:14 pm - john washington, staff writer ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Washington_John-029-2.jpg) Talking about the ESA program, Horne says he put in guardrails at the beginning: “Every expenditure needs to be for a legitimate educational purpose,” he said of the initial setup. He blames Yee for being willing to pay for Rolex watches purchased under the ESA program. Yee counters and says Horne likes to “twist words.” Yee says she wants to create a “more updated, technological platform” that would automatically screen potentially suspect purchases. 6:14 pm - Joseph darius Jaafari, editor in chief ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) Yeesh, another TWO sips as Yee mentions school choice twice... again 6:14 pm - Joseph darius Jaafari, editor in chief ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) Time for another TWO sips as Yee mentions school choice. 6:14 pm - Joseph darius Jaafari, editor in chief ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) Time for a sip as Horne mentions parents' choice. 6:09 pm - john washington, staff writer ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Washington_John-029-2.jpg) The debate is off to a testy start. Horne and Yee trade accusations of misrepresenting public funds. Both are embracing the use of AI. 6:08 pm - john washington, staff writer ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Washington_John-029-2.jpg) Some technical difficulties, and I’ve barely begun drinking. But I’ve got a full glass of Côtes du Rhône and am tuned back in… 6:04 pm - john washington, staff writer ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Washington_John-029-2.jpg) Yee focuses on her own history, but makes two implicit comments about trustworthiness of Horne, saying "We need a leader we can trust. 6:03 pm- Joseph darius Jaafari, editor in chief ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) Already off to the start with throwing back a full drink, and two sips. Horne mentions trans kids in sports, wokeness, and said D.E.I. three times in literally the first minute. 6:02 pm- john washington, staff writer ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Washington_John-029-2.jpg) Here we go...! Tom Horne, with the first opening statement, begins declaiming "leftwing craziness" and claims Yee formerly supported DEI.” 6:00 pm - Joseph darius Jaafari, editor in chief ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) As a reminder, our website doesn’t allow for \*actual\* live-blogging, so you’ll have to refresh the page for updates. So best to open up the debate in a different window. One day, we’ll make enough money to have a real website. 5:58 pm - Joseph darius Jaafari, editor in chief ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) Fully expecting with the rule set tonight to be completely tossed by the 30 minute mark. 5:45 p.m. -joseph darius jaafari, editor in chief ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) We're 15 minutes out from the Republican debate with Tom Horne and Kimberly Yee. Grab your drinks and the rules (above) and get settled in. John Washington will be doing some light live blogging and fact-checking, I'll be the drink counter. ### Dems in Superintendent Debate Battled Over Vouchers, Rural Student Needs: Blog URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/follow-our-live-blog-for-the-superintendent-of-public-instructions-dem-debates/ Last updated: 2026-05-14T19:09:00.000Z ***Because of limitations of our website, users will have to refresh to get updates from our live blog. Please open the debate in a separate window or tab to follow along without interruption.** [*Jump to the live blog*](#live-blog) Welcome to the start of the 2026 drunken primary debates. The actual debates are being put on by the Arizona Media Association and Clean Elections. The drinks? On you. Tonight, we're live-blogging from the patio of The Rock, the neighborhood Cheers-type gay bar in Phoenix's Melrose District. We've been here since 4 p.m. getting our fact-checking pages ready, just in case the night gets away from us and we'll need to start copy-pasting full sentences. The two Democrats competing to become Arizona’s next superintendent of public instruction each bring decades of education experience, and similar visions of the future, but only Ruiz has been able to secure the endorsements of dozens of lawmakers, including some of the most progressive voices in Arizona politics, such as U.S. Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva and State Sen. Analise Ortiz. Ruiz is a former math teacher and past president of Glendale Community College with 35 years of experience in education. A third-generation Arizonan raised in South Phoenix, Ruiz says she is running to bring an educator’s perspective and “responsible leadership” to the office. Newby is a behavior analyst, educator and longtime coach who says his campaign is focused on strengthening Arizona’s public school system through increased funding, teacher retention and expanded student support services. His platform includes restoring full-day kindergarten, expanding career and technical education programs, increasing access to school counselors and pursuing a permanent fix to the state’s Aggregate Expenditure Limit. Now, the rules for tonight's game: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Drinking-Game-Rules-May-13--2026-Superintendent-of-Public-Instruction-Democratic-Primary.png) ### Live Blog 6:52 p.m. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) Altogether, a fairly standard and less-than-controversial debate tonight. Ruiz came to the debate tonight with multiple plans and seemed much more polished than Newby. But Newby got some good points in on rural schooling that could have gotten him above Ruiz on that front. As for my drink roundup: I counted finishing 1.5 Nutrl's. I might have missed a few baby sips along the way. But my money is on tomorrow night's debate between current Superintendent Tom Horne and Kimberly Yee might have a lot more chugging involved. We'll see you here tomorrow night at 6 p.m. for the Republican primaries. 6:51 p.m. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) Small sip, Ruiz mentioned "collaboration." Technically the game said "bipartisan" collaboration — but we live in Arizona. We know what that means. 6:48 p.m. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) Newby is running heavily on expanding CTE (Career and Technical Education) programs in the state. For those who need a primer: those are programs teaching trade and workforce skills include welding, nursing, automotive, cybersecurity, aviation, and coding. 6:45 p.m. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) So far neither candidate has mentioned Tom Horne's name, directly — only as "the current superintendent." Which is an interesting play. Also it sucks for our game because I really thought that's how we were going to lose our mental faculties. 6:42 p.m. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) Horne said in 2023 that social and emotional learning was not part of the "core education" of schools, and aimed to get rid of it. Last year, he stripped D.E.I. language from teaching standards. 6:40 p.m. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) Keep in mind that Republicans passed a mental health education law in 2021 that the MAGA-wing of the Republican party are trying to repeal. That has gained traction in the legislature as social and emotional learning has been lumped in as "D.E.I." without any evidence. 6:38 p.m. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) A note on Arizona's school make up: 2022 numbers showed that 47% of students in AZ schools are Hispanic — 5% more than White students. 6:35 p.m. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) A note on early childhood learning: plenty of research shows that getting kids into school early, especially in pre-school programs, lowers poverty, recidivism, and negative social health outcomes. Here's a 2024 study from the University of Virginia that dives into it: [https://education.virginia.edu/news-stories/investigating-long-term-effects-early-childhood-education](https://education.virginia.edu/news-stories/investigating-long-term-effects-early-childhood-education?ref=lookoutnews.org) 6:35 p.m. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) Former math teacher, grab a sip! 6:30 p.m. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) Another big drink, every child every zip code! 6:29 p.m. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) That counts as a big drink, asking the Dems if they support school choice. 6:25 p.m. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) School Resource Officers has been a contentious discussion. Progressive Democrats want less security on campus, but there has been increased problems in safety. Arizona actually ranks 47th in student safety. Horne is currently seeking $40 million in increased funding for safety. 6:23 p.m. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) What's been interesting so far has been seeing the very different approaches of these two people on the debate stage. Ruiz definitely feels like she's coming from a place of more plans -- Elizabeth Warren style. While Newby seems to more have ideas. 6:18 p.m. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) Teacher pay is actually near the bottom nationally in Arizona, if you adjust for inflation, according to a 2026 Consumer Reports analysis. 6:17 p.m. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) "TEACHER SHORTAGE"! DRINK! 6:15 p.m. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) Technically there have been a few hiccups in the livestream, so that should be two full drinks y'all should finish. I'm settling with half a drink. 6:13 p.m. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) Newby says there would be a lot more oversight. Currently, there has been oversight, mainly through public media reports. What media reports have shown has been money spent on things for parents who are homeschooling their kids, or children who already attended private schools. So, shout out to independent media there. 6:10 p.m. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) Oh, because teacher shortage was brought up, make sure to get a few sips in. 6:08 p.m. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) The teacher's "snitch line" got brought up. That was launched in 2023 to much hubbub by Tom Horne, who was trying to eradicate diversity education inside of public schools. 6'06 p.m. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) Arizona has long faced a teacher shortage. According to the state's department of education, more than 1,000 teachers have left the profession. In 2022, an ASU study found that more than 70% cited low pay. The average pay is $65,000\. 6:05 p.m. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) One thing that was taken off the drinking list was Ruiz's mention of "35 years in the classroom" That would have been the second sip of the night. 6:02 P.M. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) We're already starting off with the differences between Newby and Ruiz. Ruiz seems more poised out of the gate. But also, we got our first sip of the night with Ruiz's mention of leadership. 5:41 p.m. ![CTA Image](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/Jaafari_Joseph-007-1.jpg) Alright, LOOKOUT readers. We're starting the night. About 20 minutes out from the debates, and I've got two cans of Nutrl, and a few bottles of water at the ready (because I'm almost 40 years old). Tonight should be a fairly straight-forward night from Democrats. We're expecting some digs at Tom Horne, the current Superintendent of Public Instruction, as well as possibly some lashing out at state lawmakers for not pushing for more funding of public schools. As a primer, Arizona has seen a smattering of public school closures over the past year. Many signs point to the expansion of the school voucher program which has ballooned the costs of state spending (though it hasn't increased the spending-per-student average that advocates would like to have seen). And while Horne has been in power, student readiness hasn't increased under his leadership. Recent reports from Consumer Reports show Arizona is ranked dead last (or close to last) in almost every measure — which is the same place, and in some cases worse, than when Horne came into power. We'll dive into those numbers if they come up. But until then, settle in. ### Tucson’s Queer Immigrant Rights Networks Grow Amid Fear, Resistance and Raids URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucsons-queer-immigrant-rights-networks-grow-amid-fear-resistance-and-raids/ Last updated: 2026-07-16T13:08:34.000Z Immigrant communities and their allies have been targeted, attacked and energized in the past year. They have met the Trump administration’s crackdown with resistance in the streets, developing or expanding mutual aid networks, running legal campaigns, and growing ICE watch and rapid response groups across many cities — along with myriad other forms of community resistance. Southern Arizona has a long history of such community defense, from early Indigenous resistance to Spanish colonizers, to the Sanctuary Movement protecting migrants from Central America in the 1980s, and the rise of groups like No More Deaths and Derechos Humanos in the 2000s. Today, building on that history, old and new groups alike are stepping up to keep themselves and their neighbors safe, while working toward a more just society where the rights to dignity, security and movement are protected. [![Invitation to become a Lookout member with incentives like swag, event tickets, and a magazine subscription.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Much of that immigrant rights work is increasingly organized by the LGBTQ+ community. “Queer and trans communities have created structures of collective care in the face of these systems that fail us,” said Ren Manning, co-director of Borderlinks. Borderlinks, in addition to offering popular education about the borderlands to students and religious groups from around the country, has become a hub for immigrant rights groups in Tucson — a place where people meet, strategize and support one another. “From my experience as a trans person, Jewish person, organizer and educator over this last decade,” Manning said, “I know deep in my bones that our collective safety comes from solidarity, not violence, walls or militarism.” Here is a roundup of some of those groups: ## [**Borderlinks**](https://www.borderlinks.org/who-we-are?ref=lookoutnews.org) For 35 years, Borderlinks has worked to build movements for migrant justice, primarily through “popular educational programs which center direct lived experience of local organizers and communities impacted by border militarization,” Manning said. The organization also participates in multiple coalitions on local campaigns and has expanded its role in recent years. # Want to Share Insider Information? ## Help keep power accountable. LOOKOUT relies on tips from readers to get our news out. Click on the button below to submit a secure email to our team. Any information you send will be kept confidential in accordance with our ethics guidelines. [Email a Tip ](mailto:editor@lookoutnews.org) ## [**Mariposas Sin Fronteras**](https://mariposassinfronteras.com/?amp=1&ref=lookoutnews.org) This organization supports migrants, focusing on LGBTQ+ people, especially transgender women of color fleeing persecution or violence. One organizer, Jocelyn, said “accompaniment” is central to their work. That includes emotional support, legal orientation and visitation for people in immigration detention centers. When individuals are released, the group helps with reintegration, including temporary housing. Jocelyn said the work supporting migrants and fighting for LGBTQ+ rights and racial justice is deeply intertwined. “When we defend immigrant rights, we’re also defending queer rights to live with dignity, security and freedom,” Jocelyn said. “Our history is deeply connected with the fight for racial justice.” ## [**Pima Resists ICE (PRICE)**](https://www.instagram.com/price%5Faz/?ref=lookoutnews.org) Pima Resists ICE was formed in October 2025 as a coalition of organizations and advocates in Southern Arizona. The group focuses on preventing the opening of an ICE detention center in Marana. PRICE grew out of relationships formed through Derechos Humanos, as organizers recognized a need for more political advocacy, particularly in northwest Tucson and Marana. When news of a potential new detention center emerged, organizers mobilized quickly. ## [**Coalición de Derechos Humanos**](https://derechoshumanosaz.net/?ref=lookoutnews.org) A grassroots organization promoting the human and civil rights of migrants, Derechos Humanos works against “the militarization of our southern border home” and combats discrimination and human rights abuses affecting both citizens and noncitizens. The group’s Colectivo de Familias Arcoiris initiative provides community education on gender and sexual diversity, focusing on the needs of Latino LGBTQ+ youth within Spanish-speaking immigrant communities in Tucson and Southern Arizona. ## [**Tucson Community Rapid Response**](https://www.rapidresponsetucson.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org) The Tucson Community Rapid Response network operates a 24-hour hotline (520-221-4077) for immigrants facing arrest by local law enforcement or federal immigration agents. The group provides a way to respond to fear and anxiety in the community. After receiving reports of enforcement activity, trained observers go to the scene to document interactions. Following arrests or detention, volunteers offer support to families. According to its website, the network aims to mobilize the broader Tucson community to serve as witnesses to immigration enforcement actions, uphold immigrants’ rights, and connect affected residents with resources. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### What Salt Lakes Can Teach Us About Queer Life, Grief and Living Beautifully URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/what-salt-lakes-can-teach-us-about-queer-life-grief-and-living-beautifully/ Last updated: 2026-06-18T14:01:09.000Z Arizona author Caroline Tracey’s debut book, *Salt Lakes: An Unnatural History*, is hard to classify. It is a nature book about salt lakes — ranging from Utah’s Great Salt Lake to the former Lake Texcoco in what is now Mexico City to the fast-drying Aral Sea between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. It explores the history of these briny bodies of water, their ecological importance and their imperiled state as climate change and development threaten them and the many organisms — tiny shrimp, buzzing flies and birds — that inhabit them. But the book is also a queer coming-of-age story, chronicling Tracey’s drifting away from her longtime boyfriend, her budding interest in queer culture, and her relationship with her now-wife. What ties the threads of salt lakes and Tracey’s coming of age together — and provides a prismatic lens for readers to follow her nuanced, sometimes esoteric observations of the world — is “queer ecology.” Tracey has a doctorate in geography and conducted research for the book in Argentina, Kazakhstan, Mexico and beyond. She is a [writer at Border Chronicle](https://www.theborderchronicle.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org) and lives in Tucson. The following conversation has been edited for length and clarity. **John Washington (LOOKOUT): How do you define “queer ecology”?** **Tracey:** For me, it’s three things. One is identifying animals that have nonnormative or nonheteronormative family structures and reproductive practices. Another is recognizing the vitality of unusual or damaged landscapes. And the third is a perspective on doing science that I take from a trans hydrologist, Cleo Woelfle Hazard, who talks about making practices of mourning developed in queer and trans communities translatable into science. As climate change accelerates, scientists face a lot of change and loss in their fieldwork, and it’s helpful to have a framework for dealing with that emotionally. **LOOKOUT: What does queer human culture teach us about mourning, and how do we apply that to nature?** **Tracey:** Queer and trans traditions of mourning really stem from the AIDS crisis, a very different era of queer life than we’re in today. The queer social networks I’m in don’t foreground mourning. And I think when you talk to people from older generations, they sometimes feel frustrated that younger people don’t have the same sense of gravity. But there is still a sensitivity to the ephemeral — the understanding that things, politically and environmentally, can be lost. In a moment like this, when there are political rollbacks and people are worried about their futures, that awareness gets activated. People know not to take things for granted. **LOOKOUT: What can nature teach us about being gay?** **Tracey:** All kinds of reproductive forms and family structures exist in nature, and those things are natural. There’s no reason to prohibit them. Environmentalism teaches us that we want more biodiversity — more complexity, more creatures filling different niches. That’s also true in human life. **LOOKOUT: Did being a cowboy help you come out? You write that working as a cowboy “allowed me to inhabit myself queerly before making any utterance to the effect.”** **Tracey:** I always really wanted to be a cowboy. Part of the draw was aesthetic — I liked the landscape, the clothes, the tools. I relished every sensory element of it. There is and isn’t a gendered aesthetic in cowboy culture. Everyone has to participate in a kind of masculinity to do the work. If you go to the Tucson rodeo, you’ll see rhinestones, embroidered jeans, pink cowboy boots. But in the day-to-day work, there’s something more equalizing. You have to be prepared, practically, for whatever the day brings. **LOOKOUT: Talk to me about the “queer quotidian.”** **Tracey:** When I would go to queer friends’ houses, especially older people, I was curious about how they built their lives. What does commitment look like when it’s not about marriage or kids, but a kind of constancy? How do you derive meaning outside that heteronormative forward motion? The queer quotidian became my way of understanding that. I noticed a lot of attention to daily life and sensory pleasure — caring about what dishes you eat off, what fabric you wear. That attention to detail became a counterbalance to the pressure to always be moving forward. **LOOKOUT: Any recommendations for readers who may also want to vivir bonito?** **Tracey:** Detail is a big part of it. It doesn’t have to be consumptive or Instagram-driven. It can be simple. Maybe you don’t have many objects, but you care deeply about the ones you have. It’s about imbuing everyday tasks with meaning. **LOOKOUT: Where are we at with salt lakes these days?** **Tracey:** It’s rough. The American West had a severe snow drought this year, with record-low snowpack. There’s concern in Utah, but the legislative session left many Great Salt Lake advocates disappointed. Recently, there’s been talk of a federal push to “[Make the Great Salt Lake Great Again](https://utahnewsdispatch.com/2026/02/23/trump-promises-to-work-with-utah-make-salt-lake-great-again/?ref=lookoutnews.org),” including a potential billion-dollar rescue package. There’s a lot of interest in technological solutions, but less political will for more straightforward approaches like buying water rights. The challenge is the entrenched system of large-scale agriculture and water allocation. Saving salt lakes, like saving the Colorado River, will require a willingness to change that we’re not fully seeing yet. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Arizona Lawmakers Advance Religious Protest Bill Amid National Push on ‘Anti-Christian Bias’ URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizona-lawmakers-advance-religious-protest-bill-amid-national-push-on-anti-christian-bias/ Last updated: 2026-07-16T13:11:41.000Z Standing on a public sidewalk with a loudspeaker near anything that could conceivably be described as a religious gathering could come with a felony soon. [**HB 4117**](https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/57leg/2R/adopted/S.4117JUDE.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) started its life as a bill to protect churchgoers from having services disrupted. But it’s been transformed into a Senate “strike-everything” amendment, which removes the original words and replaces it with new bill language, often with little or no relation to the original bill. Now, it’s something considerably more expansive, creating a new criminal offense called "interfering with a religious service or activity." [![Advertisement for Lookout membership with offers of swag, event tickets, and magazine delivery.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) That last word, “activity,” has abortion clinics, civil liberties advocates, and LGBTQ+ rights groups on edge — but why? ### **What the bill does** Under the strike everything bill, it’s a Class 1 misdemeanor — the highest misdemeanor classification, carrying up to six months in jail and $2,500 in fines — to intentionally obstruct, block, or impede someone's ability to enter or exit a place of religious worship, or to engage in disorderly conduct that disrupts a religious service or activity. That can be reasonably read as walking into a church, mosque, or temple and stage a loud protest that interrupts services. But a "place of religious worship" isn’t confined to four walls, according to the bill text: it’s any public or private location where “an organized religious service or activity is occurring or about to occur.” The penalty jumps to a Class 6 felony — the lowest felony classification, but still a felony — if the person has a prior conviction, commits the offense “in concert” with another person, or uses force, threats of force, or physical intimidation. The bill has Planned Parenthood Arizona [**sounding the alarm**](https://roselawgroupreporter.com/2026/04/bill-to-expand-protection-for-religious-activities-leaves-abortion-clinics-concerned/?ref=lookoutnews.org). Protesters often gather outside its clinics. Many of them pray. Many of them bring Bibles. Many attempt to engage — or accost — patients and staff. Would interrupting their “religious activity” make you a criminal? The implications don't stop at reproductive health clinics: Phoenix Pride every year has a designated protest zone outside the parade, but the protests have been drowned out by loud speakers; Drag shows have drawn the ire and activity of evangelical churches, such as in Cottonwood where churchgoers formed an alliance with gun-carrying militia outside an all-ages performance. They were confronted and told to leave. Under the bill's current language, any of those interactions could have been considered a felony depending on the police officer, county attorney, or judge handling the case. But even if it gets Democratic votes and passes with Hobbs' signature, it would face scrutiny in the courts. “It is drafted so vaguely and broadly that I don't think it would withstand the simplest of constitutional challenges,” Jeremy Helfgot, longtime political and policy strategist who works with organizations in LGBTQ+ community, told *LOOKOUT.* [![Promotion for "LOOKOUT" memberships with benefits like swag, magazine issues, event access, and support for queer journalism.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/01/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px---1920-x-1080-px---2-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) “The concept isn’t horrible,” Helfgott added. “Religious institutions should be protected, communal acts of faith should be protected, but they need to be protected in ways that are safe and effective.” Calling it “bad policy,” Helfgot said, “I sleep well at night knowing that Hobbs is wielding the veto stamp. Anybody who looks at the language and has a solid head on their shoulders is going to see it’s just not at all tenable as a piece of legitimate policy.” Katelynn Contreras, policy strategist at ACLU Arizona, told *LOOKOUT,* “People who protest political events in churches, such as Donald Trump’s recent speech at Dream City Church, could face criminal charges” if this bill becomes law. She added that people protesting abortion clinics “could receive additional protections by claiming their protest is religious activity, while counter-protestors could be charged with crimes for disrupting ‘religious activity,’ such as engaging in chants that drown out a speaker’s prayer or disrupt a vigil.” The bill does carve out an exemption for peaceful picketing or protesting. Supporters, including the Anti-Defamation League's Desert Region, say the intent is narrowly tailored enough. Senate Majority Leader John Kavanagh (R-Fountain Hills) who wrote the strike-everything amendment, [**told the Arizona Capitol Times**](https://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2026/04/24/bill-to-expand-protection-for-religious-activities-leaves-abortion-clinics-concerned/?ref=lookoutnews.org) that some concerns raised — such as someone reading the Bible on a public sidewalk — would not constitute a religious service or activity under the bill: "They're hallucinating," Kavanagh said of those who raised concerns. But those carve-outs aren’t in the bill, and would ostensibly leave it up to whomever is enforcing the law to make that decision. That’s how Alexander Kolodin (R-Scottsdale) saw it as well. Speaking on the House Floor in February, he [**called the bill**](https://www.azleg.gov/videoplayer/?eventID=2026021144&startStreamAt=52885&ref=lookoutnews.org) “dangerous on 1st Amendment grounds.” He added, “This bill sweeps far too broadly and criminalizes far too wide a class of people.” # Want to Share Insider Information? ## Help keep power accountable. LOOKOUT relies on tips from readers to get our news out. Click on the button below to submit a secure email to our team. Any information you send will be kept confidential in accordance with our ethics guidelines. [Email a Tip ](mailto:editor@lookoutnews.org) ### **It's not just Arizona** HB 4117 is one of at least 22 similar bills introduced across the country during the 2025 or 2026 legislative sessions, according to the Arizona Capitol Times. The wave of legislation followed a widely circulated incident in January in which protesters disrupted a church service in Minneapolis. That brought criminal charges to two reporters, including [**former CNN host Don Lemon**](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/don-lemon-pleads-not-guilty-to-civil-rights-charges-in-anti-ice-minnesota-church-protest?ref=lookoutnews.org). Critics argued the feds were using religion as an excuse to target political opponents. [Satirical Content Bill HB2133 Draws ScrutinyThe bill, HB2133, would require anyone who uploads adult content to get permission from the people depicted.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-262.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Untitled-design--1-.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/an-arizona-bill-could-restrict-uploading-satirical-content-of-politicians-the-governors-office-is-eyeing-it/) On April 30, the Trump administration's Task Force to Eradicate Anti-Christian Bias — established by [**executive order**](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/02/eradicating-anti-christian-bias/?ref=lookoutnews.org) in February 2025 — published a [**565-page report**](https://www.justice.gov/opa/media/1438506/dl?inline&ref=lookoutnews.org) arguing that the Biden administration had demonstrated systemic anti-Christian bias across federal agencies. The report, chaired by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, framed prosecutions of anti-abortion protesters under the federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act as part of that alleged bias. The Trump DOJ has moved to [**curtail FACE Act enforcement**](https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-reveals-biden-administrations-weaponization-federal-law-against-pro-life?ref=lookoutnews.org), which establishes a safety perimeter around medical facilities. The task force's report and the Arizona bill are operating in the same current: one that frames Christian religious practice as uniquely endangered, and the legal system as a tool to protect it — even when that means expanding criminal liability for anyone who ends up on the other side of that protection. This isn't the only place where Arizona's legislature is navigating the church-state line. Legislators are also advancing [**HB 2266**](https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/57leg/2R/bills/hb2266p.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org), which, as we reported in a previous “Eyes on the State,” would require all school districts to adopt policies allowing students to be excused for religious instruction — shifting the standard from "may" to "shall". The LifeWise Academy, an explicitly evangelical Christian program whose stated mission is to "reach public school students with the gospel" during the school day, has been expanding in Arizona and has a direct interest in that legislation. ### **Where things stand** Whether any amendments narrow the definition of "religious activity" enough to address critics' concerns — without making the bill so narrow it no longer does what its sponsors want — remains the central legislative tension. Meanwhile, state legislators are [**off for the month**](https://azmirror.com/briefs/arizona-legislature-heads-home-for-a-month-with-budget-shutdown-clock-ticking/?ref=lookoutnews.org) as budget talks have stalled. They plan to return to the Capitol in June. They have until June 30 to pass a budget and avoid a shutdown. [License Plates Are Funding Anti-LGBTQ GroupsA multi-state analysis shows at least $7 million in specialty plate revenue has been directed to groups backing anti-LGBTQ+ campaigns.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-261.png)LOOKOUTJohn Washington (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Thumbnails--15--copy.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/state-program-steers-millions-in-license-plate-revenue-to-extremist-groups/) ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Phoenix City Council Votes To Restrict Food, Medical Care in Parks URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/phoenix-city-council-votes-to-restrict-food-medical-care-in-parks/ Last updated: 2026-05-20T16:09:30.000Z In a marathon session that lasted more than seven hours, the Phoenix City Council voted 6-3 in favor of an ordinance that would criminalize unauthorized food distribution and medical care in the nation’s fifth largest city. The vote comes after a months-long battle that drew dozens of public comments and warnings from health advocates who said unambiguously that the ordinance would let people go hungry, suffer, and die. At the city council meeting, more than five dozen speakers weighed in on the ordinance in a discussion that stretched late into the night. One speaker with the Cactus Youth Baseball League was for the ordinance: “This is not about excluding anyone, but about making sure spaces designed for children are protected.” [![Advertisement for Lookout membership with offers of swag, event tickets, and magazine copies.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Others showed up explaining how they were worried about their kids not being able to play in the parks, about food waste, and fear of discarded needles. But opponents to the ordinance — including medical workers and public health experts — were the overwhelming majority of those who showed up to speak, including the President and CEO of Valle del Sol and a community organizer with ACLU Arizona. Councilwoman Anna Hernandez asked frequent and probing questions to city officials and members of the public, making clear she was against the ordinance. Hernandez told *LOOKOUT* during a short recess from the meeting that there is a “lack of evidence” behind the ordinance. The other council members, including the mayor, were either for the ordinance or were silent during the debates. # Want to Share Insider Information? ## Help keep power accountable. LOOKOUT relies on tips from readers to get our news out. Click on the button below to submit a secure email to our team. Any information you send will be kept confidential in accordance with our ethics guidelines. [Email a Tip ](mailto:editor@lookoutnews.org) Councilmember Betty Guardado, while acknowledging the ordinance is not perfect, said her intent was in “Taking control of a situation that without structure creates even greater risks.” She frequently cited needles in parks, and said she’s heard “so many concerns from so many residents.” One youth, speaking with his mother, told a story of being accidentally stuck by a needle in the park. “It was a nightmare,” his mother said afterwards. ![People are gathered near a table with a purple cloth, distributing pizza.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/IMG_8807.jpeg) Councilwoman Anna Hernandez’s office brought food to share with people attending the city council meeting. Hernandez quipped that such food distribution could be criminalized by June 1\. (Photo by John Washington) But a clear majority of speakers called on council to vote against the ordinance and also repeal it entirely in favor of a community-led process that addressed homelessness and care in parks. ### **The vote** The vote is the latest chapter in a months-long dispute that began when *LOOKOUT* first reported on a draft ordinance in November 2025 that would have banned all medical care in city parks. That initial proposal drew swift backlash from harm reduction workers, HIV prevention advocates, and public health experts. > “I will not support a policy that the predictable outcome will be that people suffer and die.” > — Councilwoman Anna Hernandez In December 2025, the Phoenix City Council voted overwhelmingly to pass a narrowed version of the proposal — the Safe Medical Treatment in Parks Ordinance — over nearly six hours of public comment and a lone dissenting vote from Councilwoman Anna Hernandez of District 7\. That version of the ordinance restricted medical care in parks and increased penalties to Class 1 misdemeanor charges, but its effective date was delayed to allow for stakeholder outreach. In March 2026, the city delayed the effective date again — to June 1, 2026 — and published a revised, expanded draft. The new proposal added food distribution to the list of restricted activities and defined medical treatment as any act involving needles, syringes, medical sharps, or that produces medical waste. It capped permits at two per park per calendar month and required that medical treatment occur only in parking lots or hardscape areas, inside enclosed structures with a tarp or impermeable floor – restrictions advocates say are debilitating impediments. ![A person wearing a black t-shirt with a cross stands in front of a building with arched windows.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/IMG_8803.jpeg) Lance Brace, of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross Orthodox Church, distributes good in the parks 4 or 5 times a month. He does not plan to apply for a permit but will not stop distributing food. (Photo by John Washington) The ordinance also prohibits the possession of a needle or syringe in a park without proof of a valid prescription, and bans the sale, distribution, or exchange of syringes or needles — effectively outlawing needle exchange programs. Studies show that needle exchange programs radically [reduce infection rates](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5129746/?ref=lookoutnews.org) of HIV and Hepatitis C without increasing overall drug use. At one point during the vote, Councilwoman Laura Pastor asked other councilmembers if they would entertain separating out food and medical service requirements. When no other council members responded, she cowed back: “I guess not.” ### **Against the ordinance** Health workers and harm reduction organizations have argued consistently that the ordinance will cause preventable deaths. At an April 1 meeting of the Fast-Track Cities Committee — a global network of more than 600 cities working to reduce HIV and STI transmission — participants described the measure in stark terms. Will Knight, Decriminalization Director of the National Homelessness Law Center, brought up another concern during the call to the public. Knight said the ordinance violates freedom of expression and freedom of religion. He said that Donald Trump’s own agency, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, or SAMHSA, “is not as bad on street medicine right now as the City of Phoenix.” Knight added that the ordinance “shocks the conscience.” ### **For the ordinance** Councilmember Ann O'Brien has been among the ordinance's most vocal defenders. "Residents deserve to feel confident that when they go to a city park it will be safe and clean," she [has said](https://www.azfamily.com/2026/03/16/phoenix-delays-park-medical-care-ban-city-providers-near-compromise/?ref=lookoutnews.org). "Parks exist for families, children and residents to enjoy. Parks are not the proper location for needle exchanges or treating open wounds." The city maintains the ordinance is not a ban but a permitting framework. A city spokesperson previously [told LOOKOUT](https://www.lookoutnews.org/phoenix-council-considers-criminal-penalty-for-giving-out-food-medical-care-in-city-parks/): "The City of Phoenix is committed to providing safe, clean, and welcoming community spaces for all residents. The proposed Medical Treatment and Food Distribution in Parks Ordinance is intended to establish a framework to ensure these services are provided in a safe and organized manner." Councilmember Guardado emphasized that the ordinance still allows services through the permit system. "We're not saying don't ask for a permit. We're not saying that you're banned from our parks," she [has said](https://www.abc15.com/news/local-news/phoenix-city-council-considers-ban-on-medical-treatment-in-parks-without-permits?ref=lookoutnews.org). The ordinance takes effect on June 5, 2026 [effective date](https://www.phoenix.gov/administration/departments/parks/about-us/medical-treatment-and-food-distribution-in-parks.html?ref=lookoutnews.org). ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Dozens of Arizona Officials Call for Humanitarian Release of Phoenix Queer Woman Held by ICE URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/dozens-of-arizona-officials-call-for-humanitarian-release-of-phoenix-queer-woman-held-by-ice/ Last updated: 2026-06-18T14:13:38.000Z At least three dozen elected officials in the Arizona Legislature and city of Phoenix are demanding the immediate humanitarian release of a queer woman in ICE custody who is not being given adequate medical care, according to multiple sources. Arbella “Yari” Rodríguez Márquez is a legal resident whose health has reached a critical state after more than 14 months in ICE custody. In a formal letter dated April 27, 2026, the Arizona Legislative Democrats’ LGBTQIA+ Caucus, joined by dozens of other lawmakers, urged federal authorities to approve humanitarian parole for Márquez, who is currently held at the Eloy Detention Center. The lawmakers warned that Márquez’s continued detention, despite documented evidence of her worsening medical conditions and a history of leukemia, is effectively a "death sentence". [LGBTQIA+ Caucus LetterThirty six members of the state legislature signed in support of release of Arbella “Yari” Rodríguez2026-04-28\_LGBTQIA CAUCUS Letter\_Arbella Rodriguez Marquez.pdf899 KBdownload-circle](https://www.lookoutnews.org/content/files/2026/05/2026-04-28%5FLGBTQIA-CAUCUS-Letter%5FArbella-Rodriguez-Marquez.pdf "Download") Signed by leaders such as Rep. Brian Garcia and Sen. Priya Sundareshan, the letter claims that the facility is not equipped to provide life-saving care for her deteriorating state. This legislative push follows a similar demand from Phoenix City Councilwoman Anna Hernandez, who recently called on the Department of Homeland Security to release Márquez so she can receive emergency treatment. U.S. Representative Yassamin Ansari, who invited Márquez’s partner, Sonia Almaraz, to the State of the Union earlier this year, has also been a vocal advocate, describing the medical neglect at Eloy as "absolutely appalling”. Márquez, a lesbian woman deeply embedded in Phoenix’s LGBTQ+ arts and music scene, was taken into custody on February 10, 2025, while returning through the Nogales border. Despite having no criminal history and maintaining legal residency for over two decades, she was stripped of her residency and placed in removal proceedings. # Want to Share Insider Information? ## Help keep power accountable. LOOKOUT relies on tips from readers to get our news out. Click on the button below to submit a secure email to our team. Any information you send will be kept confidential in accordance with our ethics guidelines. [Email a Tip ](mailto:editor@lookoutnews.org) Since her detainment, witnesses describe a harrowing account of Márquez's medical decline while inside: Márquez has lived with chronic lymphocytic leukemia since 2013, but since her detention, her condition has spiraled. She has reportedly lost over 70 pounds, suffers from hematemesis (vomiting blood daily), and now requires a walker to move. Beyond leukemia, she has been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and lymphedema while in custody, yet advocates claim she has been denied basic treatment, with officials reportedly offering only Tylenol for her pain. ICE officials have not responded to multiple requests from *LOOKOUT* regarding Márquez’s health inside. ![Sonia Almazar speaks at a press conference outside the ICE Field Office in Phoenix, advocating for the medical release of her partner, Arbella “Yari” Rodriguez Márquez.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/05/IMG_7079.jpeg) Sonia Almaraz, the partner of Arbella “Yari” Rodríguez Márquez, speaks in support of medical release in November 2025 outside of the ICE Field Office on Central Avenue. (Photo by Joseph Darius Jaafari) The public campaign, led by the LGBTQ+ migrant rights group Trans Queer Pueblo, has gained significant momentum, with an online petition garnering over 2,700 signatures. The pressure campaign has not been without controversy; fellow organizer Karla Saenz was recently detained in what advocates called a "retaliatory" arrest for her work on Márquez’s behalf, though a federal judge ordered Saenz’s release last month after *LOOKOUT* reported on her detention. Márquez’s partner and community continue to plead for her life: ”We just want her out," Almaraz said recently, adding that every additional day in Eloy is a day of "cruelty, negligence, and violence.” ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Is Scouting America Defending its Brand? Or Sending a Message? URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/queer-scouts-boy-scouts-trademark-lawsuit-pete-hegseth/ Last updated: 2026-05-20T15:59:07.000Z A small Arizona-based travel company, Queer Scout, is battling the nation’s largest youth program, Scouting America, in a “David and Goliath”-style trademark dispute. But details surrounding the case — particularly those tied to the federal government’s attacks on diversity, equity and LGBTQ+ civil rights — have raised questions about whether the case is simply political optics. Scouting America, formerly branded as The Boy Scouts of America, filed a federal civil lawsuit in the Northern District of Texas, accusing the small business of trademark infringement and dilution. The suit was filed just before Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth criticized Scouting America for allowing diversity and equality measures into its programs, announcing it had agreed to significant changes in order to maintain government relationships. The civil lawsuit was filed two years after Scouting America initiated a trademark dispute with Queer Scout. That case has been suspended by the federal trademark board until the civil case has been determined. The crux of Scouting America’s complaint is a claim protecting its “famous” family of “Scout” brands, and that the term “Queer Scout” causes consumer confusion, leading the public to believe the travel agency is affiliated with or sponsored by the youth organization, according to court records. However, Queer Scout’s owner Sam Castañeda Holdren and his attorney, Jeremy Kapteyn, argue the two businesses occupy entirely different spaces: Queer Scout provides nightlife tours, cultural excursions and social events for adults, none of which resemble a youth development program. Kapteyn said there are hundreds of active federal trademark registrations using the word “Scout,” yet Scouting America appears to be “cherry-picking” its enforcement. He added that truly famous trademarks — such as Nike or Coca-Cola — routinely challenge any use of their brand. Scouting America, he said, does not apply the same treatment to their trademark. In a past legal dispute, Scouting America settled a case against the Girl Scouts, which argued that the word “Girl” sufficiently distinguished its brand from other scouting organizations. “Queer Scout is at least as distinct, if not more, than Girl Scouts,” Kapteyn said, suggesting Scouting America is now ignoring its own legal precedent to target Holdren. Kapteyn said the harms in the case are overwhelmingly one-sided. For Holdren, the litigation has placed his business in a holding pattern, diverting resources meant for international expansion into mounting legal fees. Holdren said securing representation has required a retainer of $25,000, a significant sum for a small business that [has relied on a GoFundMe campaign to stay afloat](https://www.gofundme.com/f/stand-with-queer-scout?ref=lookoutnews.org). Kapteyn estimated that full-scale federal trademark litigation could cost tens of thousands of more dollars. In contrast, he questioned whether the youth organization can prove meaningful damage to its brand, as they’re claiming in court documents. He said it will be difficult for Scouting America to demonstrate financial loss or dilution when the two entities operate in different spheres: Queer Scout provides adult-oriented nightlife tours and cultural excursions, while Scouting America focuses on youth development. He said trademark cases have “a basis in consumer protection where you don’t want consumer confusion.” No reasonable person, he said, would mistake Queer Scout’s gay bar crawl in Medellín for a youth program. The most troubling aspect of the case, though, is not the legal theory but the timing. # Want to Share Insider Information? ## Help keep power accountable. LOOKOUT relies on tips from readers to get our news out. Click on the button below to submit a secure email to our team. Any information you send will be kept confidential in accordance with our ethics guidelines. [Email a Tip ](mailto:editor@lookoutnews.org) Holdren, Queer Scout's owner, pointed to a specific timeline that he said suggests his company is being used as a political shield by Scouting America. On Feb. 2, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell posted on social media platform [X that Scouting America and the Department of War](https://x.com/SeanParnellASW/status/2018495511360053609?s=20&ref=lookoutnews.org) were in final agreements to continue their relationship after the organization agreed to remove "social justice, gender-fluid ideological stances" from its policies. The next day, Feb. 3, Scouting America Executive President and General Counsel Joseph A. Kirkman authorized the civil suit against Queer Scout, according to court records. On Feb. 25, Scouting America filed their civil lawsuit against Queer Scout outside of the process of trademark decision making. Two days later, on Feb. 27, 2026, the Department of War’s website posted an article and video of Department Secretary Pete Hegseth issuing a public message stating that Scouting America had agreed to remove diversity measures from its organization, including no longer allowing girls to join, removing a diversity and equity badge, and limiting sex designation to male and female. For months, the group had been pressured by the federal government to abandon diversity measures, including allowing girls into the program and expanding its focus beyond Christianity. In a memo leaked to NPR, Hegseth threatened to remove federal support in the form of medical and logistical aid for the National Jamboree in West Virginia. In exchange, the organization would be allowed to continue activities on government property. "As the case develops, it is increasingly being viewed within the LGBTQ travel space as more than a typical naming dispute," said a press release from the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association, which brought attention to Queer Scout's case in an email to their members. "For many operators and stakeholders, the case is emerging as a potential warning of how identity-based travel brands may be challenged as the sector continues to grow." Holdren said his case is a bellwether for what queer-owned companies can continue to expect: “When an LGBT-owned business becomes the target of a sweeping lawsuit like this, during a moment of public pressure around inclusion, I think that context matters." #### Correction An earlier version of this story referred to Queer Scout as Queer Scouts. This story has been updated to reflect that change and we regret the error. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### ICE Said She Wasn’t Pregnant. Then She Miscarried. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/ice-said-she-wasnt-pregnant-then-she-miscarried/ Last updated: 2026-04-28T18:28:34.000Z Beatriz Pastrana Candela was pregnant when Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested her last November. Days after being processed at the Eloy Detention Center in Central Arizona, they said she was lying. Medical and corrections staff repeatedly told her she wasn’t pregnant, she said. And then she had a miscarriage. Five months later, she’s still locked up. “I’m depressed, sad,” Pastrana recently said of her current emotional state. She said she often thinks about the child she lost, daydreaming about holding the child. For now, she is trying to stay strong and get back to her three children on the outside. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Interviews with Pastrana and her family — including her sister, partner and her 14-year-old child — as well as medical records shared with *LOOKOUT* and *Phoenix New Times* showed that she was almost three months pregnant when she was detained by ICE and confirmed that she had a miscarriage at the Eloy facility. But ICE has been notably silent on her case. Pastrana claims that she told medical staff, the arresting agents and detention staff multiple times that she was pregnant and in pain. She said they dismissed her pain, said she was lying or told her to drink more water. Pastrana’s case is not unique, but rather one in a pattern of multiple pregnant individuals who have been tracked as being given inadequate care while held in ICE detention facilities, [according to a report from Georgia Sen. Jon Ossoff](https://www.ossoff.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/260114%5FReport%5FPatterns%5Fv5.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org), whose office looked into the mistreatment of pregnant individuals held in immigration facilities since January 2025\. Arizona Rep. Adelita Grijalva called Patrana’s treatment “a shocking failure of basic humanity*.*” Saying that she has repeatedly raised concerns about conditions at Eloy, in an emailed statement, Grijalva told *LOOKOUT* and *Phoenix New Times* that Pastrana’s “experience reflects a broader and deeply troubling reality: more pregnant women are being held in detention, where too many are facing neglect instead of care.” ### **‘It’s a total lie’** Federal immigration agents pulled over Pastrana at a hotel she worked at last November in Tempe. In her car were two other women — one of them, allegedly, was someone immigration agents were tracking. Pastrana is undocumented. She first fled violence in the Mexican state of Guerrero and came to the U.S. in 2019, and she is currently applying for protective relief. Her partner is a recipient of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA. Guns drawn and slowly approaching the car, ICE agents told the women to get out of the vehicle and then arrested them. Pastrana said no warrant was shown to her. *LOOKOUT* and *Phoenix New Times* requested copies of the warrant and arresting documents for the women; ICE responded that they do not provide such documents, and instead confirmed that “ICE officers followed standard procedures during the arrest, using only the necessary force required to safely place Pastrana into custody.” [Pima County Sheriff Under Fire Over Election ActionsA county-led investigation found that Sheriff Chris Nanos, a Democrat, used his office for political gain and violated codes of conduct during his reelection campaign.![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)LOOKOUTJohn Washington (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/AP26036699294462.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/scoop-records-show-pima-county-sheriff-used-his-authority-against-political-rival-during-heated-election/) “Right when they grabbed me, I told them I was pregnant,” Pastrana said.She says that a female ICE agent didn’t believe her. “She said a lot of people say that so they won’t arrest them.” But it was true — she was pregnant, according to medical records. Another ICE agent shackled Beatriz’s hands, waist and feet. She says they weren’t violent but were still rough with her. Again, she said, she told the officers she was pregnant. “They were acting like I was some criminal,” she says. She was kept shackled for about five hours. # Want to Share Insider Information? ## Help keep power accountable. LOOKOUT relies on tips from readers to get our news out. Click on the button below to submit a secure email to our team. Any information you send will be kept confidential in accordance with our ethics guidelines. [Email a Tip ](mailto:editor@lookoutnews.org) Agents took her to a small holding cell with the two other women from the car. It was in the holding cell when she started feeling a pain in her stomach. She was thirsty, and the corrections officers refused to give her any water beyond the small drinking fountain, which she said was warm and tasted bad. The pain in her stomach increased, and she was eventually transferred to Florence, and then later Eloy Detention Center in Central Arizona. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-27-at-4.39.33---PM.png) A selfie of Beatriz Pastrana Candela, who had a miscarriage while in the Eloy Detention Facility and said that she didn't receive any medical care. (Photo from Instagram courtesy of Beatriz Pastrana Candela) At the time, Pastrana was shy of twelve weeks pregnant, according to the medical documentation shared with *LOOKOUT* and *Phoenix New Times.* She says that was confirmed again when she arrived at the detention center and received a pregnancy test. Just a few days into her stay in Eloy, she said the pain in her stomach became severe. She told medical staff she needed to see a doctor. That was when the confusion began, she says: Despite previously testing positive on a pregnancy test, staff told her she was not pregnant. “It’s a total lie,” she said a member of the medical staff said to her when she complained again about the pain. Another time, she was prescribed to drink water, and a corrections officer told her that a doctor didn’t want to see her, she said. Not until she made further complaints, and her own insistence that she was bleeding, did medical staff finally offer her an exam. ICE transported her to a medical facility outside of the detention center, where a doctor confirmed her fear: She miscarried. In a statement to *LOOKOUT* and *Phoenix New Times, ICE* said that, *“*Claims that Ms. Pastrana was denied care, or that her requests for help were ignored, are categorically false**. …** ICE detention standards are among the highest in the nation.” The loss was confirmed through medical paperwork obtained by her sister and shared with *LOOKOUT* and *Phoenix New Times*. Almost five months later, Pastrana remains at Eloy, still detained, still processing what happened to her. Pastrana was planning on surprising her partner, Carlos Medina, with the news of the pregnancy on Christmas. Medina said he and Pastrana had been trying to have a child, and that the double blow of her arrest and the miscarriage is extremely hard. Medina added that it’s been even harder on Pastrana’s three other children. He said that Pastrana has repeatedly told both him and her kids, “I’ll stay here until the last hope,” even if it means remaining, for now, behind bars. [Trump Has Promoted More Deportations. One Couple’s Story Highlights the Human Toll.As immigration took center stage, a Phoenix woman’s trip to the nation’s capital spotlighted her detained partner’s declining health and broader criticisms about LGBTQ+ safety in custody.![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)LOOKOUTJohn Washington (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w1200/2026/02/Almaraz-2-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/during-state-of-the-union-trump-promoted-more-deportations-one-couples-story-highlights-the-human-toll/) “I just want them to know how hard it is,” said Pastrana’s 14-year-old son. He spoke to people who support immigration arrests and mass deportation: “I want them to know what it’s like to be separated from your mom who loves you, to not be able to be with her.” An 8th grader at a Phoenix-area school, her son says he’s trying to focus on his studies and graduate from middle school, but he feels a sadness and a burden. “I need to start to work to support the family,” he said. “I just hope my mom gets out soon.” ### **Pregnant and Detained** Since January 2025, ICE has detained and deported [at least 363 people who were pregnant, postpartum or nursing](https://www.hrw.org/news/2026/03/20/us-ramps-up-deportation-of-pregnant-people?ref=lookoutnews.org). [At least 16 miscarriages](https://www.womensrefugeecommission.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/What-ICEs-Data-Really-Shows-1.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) in ICE detention were recorded in roughly the same period. Since no documents were filed in her case, [that number does not include Pastrana.](https://detentionpregnancytracker.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org) Pregnant people generally were not held in ICE detention until six months ago, though there were exceptions, including some that ended in tragedy. Rubia Morales-Alfaro had [a miscarriage in a detention](https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/donald-trump-war-pregnant-migrants-arizona-watchdog-project-22008900/?ref=lookoutnews.org) center in 2017, as the *Phoenix New Times* reported last year. A [July 2021 ICE Directive](https://www.ice.gov/directive-identification-and-monitoringpregnant-postpartum-or-nursing-individuals?ref=lookoutnews.org) provides guidance on how to deal with pregnant, postpartum and lactating individuals. An expert with the Women’s Refugee Commission, however, said that since the Obama administration, there has been a presumption against detention, meaning that pregnant women should generally not be detained unless there is an exigent circumstance or some compelling legal reason. “ICE’s own standards are unambiguous on the detention, monitoring, and treatment of pregnant, postpartum, and nursing women in detention,” according to a [September 2025 letter](https://www.murray.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/09182025-Letter-to-Sec.-Noem-on-Pregnant-Postpartum-and-Nursing-Women-in-ICE-Custody-FINAL.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) from 29 U.S. Senators sent to former Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. The letter, expressing “grave concerns” over the practice, adds that ICE should not detain pregnant individuals “except under very limited circumstances.” “Medical research links ICE detention to high rates of pregnancy complications, with physicians finding serious risks to both fetal and maternal health,” according to the same letter. “These already serious risks are heightened by the deteriorating conditions inside detention facilities, including severe overcrowding, reports of inadequate food and water, and lack of emergency medical care.” The 2021 ICE directive did more than counsel against detaining pregnant people: It also contained numerous restrictions and requirements on ICE facilities that do detain pregnant individuals, including requiring access to certain forms of medical care and prohibiting most uses of restraints. It also directed ICE to produce semi-annual reports on the number and treatment of pregnant people in immigration detention. That reporting to Congress has now ceased. While the directive hasn’t officially been rescinded, under the second Trump administration, pregnant detainees are increasing, and multiple reports reveal they are not receiving the medical care or basic nutrition they need. One woman was transported to a gynecologist and was kept shackled the whole time, according to [a recent report](https://www.womensrefugeecommission.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/What-ICEs-Data-Really-Shows-1.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org). Pregnancy can be a dangerous time in general, said Zain Lakhani, Director of Migrant Rights and Justice of the Women’s Refugee Commission: “Even under the best of circumstances, women when pregnant are vulnerable to a wide variety of complications that can be hazardous to the fetus or to them.” Lakhani explained there was a rangelarge set of requirements:, and "if you're going to detain these women, you have to be keeping regular eyes on them to make sure it's still OK and safe for their pregnancies,” she said. “When you have these women who are really vulnerable to life-threatening pregnancy complications and you're putting large numbers of them in detention, the risk that something is going to go catastrophically wrong is high.” ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### State Program Steers Millions in License Plate Revenue to Extremist Groups URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/state-program-steers-millions-in-license-plate-revenue-to-extremist-groups/ Last updated: 2026-05-20T16:05:26.000Z PARTNERSHIP This story was reported in partnership with Uncloseted Media, a nonpartisan, investigative, LGBTQ-focused news publication. [Subscribe here.](https://www.unclosetedmedia.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org) A *LOOKOUT* and Uncloseted Media investigation has found that millions of dollars from various state motor vehicle departments are being funneled into far-right groups that use that money to lobby lawmakers and fund litigation that defeat equity measures for millions of people across the country, including for women, people of color and, more specifically, LGBTQ+ people. And it’s all being done through what’s on the back of people’s cars. In a nationwide sampling of state specialty license plate financial data since 2020, more than $7 million has gone to groups that have helped champion anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, funded litigation that struck down conversion therapy bans, and promoted Christian nationalist values that have direct ties to nationally recognized anti-queergroups. The findings of the newsrooms include: - Many specialty state license plates fund organizations that have indirect ties to extremist groups, although Uncloseted Media and *LOOKOUT*’s investigation found that four states give money to Southern Poverty Law Center-designated hate groups, including the American Family Association (AFA) and members of the Family Policy Alliance. Those states are: Arizona, Montana, Florida and Mississippi. - Since 2019, Arizona’s “In God We Trust” license plate has given more than $1.4 million to Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF). The group is most well known for supporting legislation that bans trans youth from gender-affirming care and access to gender-aligned bathrooms and youth sports, and for recently winning their case in the U.S. Supreme Court, striking down Colorado’s conversion therapy ban. - A majority of states in the U.S. have a specialty license plate that has brought in tens of millions of dollars for the Choose Life movement, a Christian conservative anti-abortion campaign that has been supported by ADF. To be clear, specialty license plates are different from popular “vanity” license plates. Those license plates—celebrating status as a “RCKDRMR” or boasting being “2KEWL4U”—have specific rules that prevent duplication or offensive terms. (Though, there have been arguments over what is considered “offensive.”) But every state also has a series of specialty license plates that are used as fundraisers for special causes or groups: California has license plates for coastal protection access and firefighters; New York has a plate for Lupus Awareness and Autism Awareness. [![Advertisement for Lookout membership offering swag, tickets, and a magazine.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) For these plates, fees paid to the state are redirected to organizations that have applied to have the license plate made and met the qualifications. In Arizona, for example, groups that want to create a specialty license plate must get a lawmaker to sponsor legislation establishing the license plate into the state register, raise $32,000 for setup fees and have the design approved by the state Motor Vehicle Division. Not every group achieves that goal. If they’re successful—and with the governor’s signature—$17 of every plate purchase goes to the organization. A similar process exists in Montana, where any qualifying nonprofit can launch a plate with a $4,000 deposit, and there are few mechanisms to revoke it beyond low circulation or failure to meet broad “public welfare” criteria. But in states across the nation, that apolitical process is now a cash-grab for anti-LGBTQ+ groups. In Montana, for example, the Montana Family Foundation earns $25 from each “In God We Trust” specialty license plate—raising more than $400,000 since 2019—while advancing laws that define sex as binary, restrict gender-affirming care for minors and limit trans people’s access to restrooms. Down in Florida, two specialty license plates have given over $450,000 to Florida Family Voice, a group that publicly supports the state’s “Don’t Say Gay” law. And in Mississippi, the AFA—which operates media outlets like American Family Radio and American Family News, formerly known as OneNewsNow, and has a long record of promoting anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric—launched a specialty plate that nets the group $24 per plate and has already generated more than $8,000 since rolling out this year. But politicians have taken notice: In Arizona, for example, Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed a bill recently that would have allowed a state license plate’s funds to go to Turning Point USA. She [argued that license plates “should remain nonpartisan.” ](https://mcusercontent.com/44a5186aac69c13c570fca36a/files/d225bfe6-2fdb-ae75-91bb-c28c6e238ae8/SKM%5FC751i26030614260.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) But there’s the rub: License plates have been funding partisan political projects for more than a decade. ## **A NATIONAL CAMPAIGN** It’s unclear where the first “In God We Trust” specialty plate appeared. What is known is that the version in Arizona has been arguably the most successful. Between 2012 and 2019, ADF’s “In God We Trust” license plate flew under the radar and only came under scrutiny in 2019 when an Arizona Department of Transportation spokesperson said [ the organization had collected $827,000](https://cronkitenews.azpbs.org/2019/02/13/in-god-we-trust-specialty-plates/?ref=lookoutnews.org) in five years. Originally approved in 2008, ADF started gathering money through the license plate when it was officially rolled out in 2012\. But the idea gained popularity in 2016 under the banner of the [Project Blitz campaign](https://web.archive.org/web/20190131155136/http://cpcfoundation.com/first-freedom-coalition-project-blitz/), a national coalition of Christian organizations that aimed to get “In God We Trust” on as many public surfaces as possible, [including cars](https://web.archive.org/web/20190203152633/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/26/opinion/project-blitz-christian-nationalists.html?login=email&auth=login-email), claiming it was the national motto for the country. The campaign continued. In 2017, the Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation—[one of the main organizations behind Project Blitz](https://www.blitzwatch.org/?ref=lookoutnews.org)—had proposed model legislation that would have continued the success of ADF’s campaign by [pursuing a “National Motto Display Act”](https://web.archive.org/web/20181226014551/https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwfCh32HsC3UYmV0NUp5cXZjT28/view) that would display “In God We Trust,” in public buildings and on license plates across the U.S. (The caucus has also [proposed model legislation](https://journals.tulane.edu/tjls/article/view/3716/3487?ref=lookoutnews.org) that banned gender-affirming care for all transgender Americans as far back as 2016\. It also promoted legislation that favored heterosexual relationships and marriages.) According to the secular group Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, ADF has [aligned itself with Project Blitz](https://www.au.org/wp-content/uploads/migration/2020-02/Project%20Blitz%20Primer%202020%202.4.20.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) and has [filed amicus briefs alongside the Congressional Prayer Caucus Foundation](https://adflegal.org/case/city-bloomfield-v-felix/?ref=lookoutnews.org) in religious freedom cases. ADF has been using Arizona as its home base for its conservative Christian, anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ+ positions since it was founded in 1994\. The organization was created by 35 Christians, including Alan Sears, who co-authored the 2003 book “The Homosexual Agenda: Exposing the Principal Threat to Religious Freedom Today.” The nonprofit has drafted gender-affirming care bans across the country and [helped write](https://www.unclosetedmedia.com/p/kristen-waggoner-the-woman-who-helped?ref=lookoutnews.org) Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill, which limits classroom instruction about sexual orientation or gender identity. Since 2019, Arizona’s open records website shows ADF has received $1.4 million in disbursements from specialty plates. *LOOKOUT* and Uncloseted Media reached out through email to ADF seeking clarification on how much money they’ve brought in total with their specialty plates, and how they’ve used that money. They did not return a comment. “This is money that was, and continues to be, used to weaponize religion against vulnerable people,” Nick Fish, the president of American Atheists, told *LOOKOUT* and Uncloseted Media. State Sen. Juan Mendez (D-Tempe) sponsored a bill to remove the plate in 2019\. The bill [died in committee](https://legiscan.com/AZ/bill/SB1463/2019?ref=lookoutnews.org). --- ### How License Plates Fund Anti-LGBTQ+ Groups Multiple nonprofit groups across the nation have been using license plates as an opportunity to raise tens of thousands—sometimes even millions—of dollars to support causes that would restrict LGBTQ+ civil rights. Many of those groups have a traceable footprint back to Arizona-based Alliance Defending Freedom, as shown in the chart below. ![A network diagram connects various organizations with Alliance Defending Freedom, featuring specialty license plates.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/04/Connections-InfographicLOOKOUTWhite.png) Illustration by Joseph Darius Jaafari and Hope Pisoni --- ## **IN MONTANA, FLORIDA AND MISSISSIPPI WE TRUST** The strategy itself is not new. The anti-abortion group Choose Life, Inc. first introduced their specialty license plates [ in Florida in 1998](https://web.archive.org/web/20060912101844/http://www.flr.law.ufl.edu/pdf/jacobs-article.pdf). Today, “Choose Life” plates are available in [33 states and Washington, D.C.](https://www.choose-life.org/?ref=lookoutnews.org), often marketed as supporting adoption while directing funds to anti-abortion organizations, including affiliates of Choose Life America Inc. and the Family Policy Alliance, a coalition of conservative Christian organizations in 39[ states](https://familypolicyalliance.com/allies/?ref=lookoutnews.org) that [opposes](https://glaad.org/gap/family-policy-alliance/?ref=lookoutnews.org) marriage equality, transgender rights, sex consent education and [bans on conversion therapy](https://familypolicyalliance.com/issues/2025/10/08/the-battle-for-families-continues-discover-the-latest/?ref=lookoutnews.org). As of 2019, Choose Life America, Inc.[ reported raising $28 million nationwide](https://www.choose-life.org/benefits.php?ref=lookoutnews.org). And—with the help of ADF—they have fought for their ability to have plates in multiple states, including [Arizona](https://adflegal.org/press-release/court-orders-approval-ariz-choose-life-license-plates/?ref=lookoutnews.org), [New York](https://adflegal.org/case/children-first-foundation-v-fiala/?ref=lookoutnews.org) and [New Jersey](https://adflegal.org/press-release/nj-choose-life-license-plates-case-renewed-courtroom/?ref=lookoutnews.org). ADF also defended [North Carolina](https://adfmedia.org/press-release/nc-asks-us-supreme-court-affirm-right-issue-choose-life-license-plates/?ref=lookoutnews.org)’s plate from a legal challenge by the American Civil Liberties Union. And while states have been slow—or altogether unconcerned—in stopping political groups’ maneuverings using specialty license plate funds to pay for lobbying or lawsuits, groups have accelerated their push into the cash cow for their own political gains. In similar fashion to ADF, the Montana Family Foundation is collecting $25 for every license plate sold that features a waving flag and an image of the Liberty Bell with the phrase “In God We Trust.” # Want to Share Insider Information? ## Help keep power accountable. LOOKOUT relies on tips from readers to get our news out. Click on the button below to submit a secure email to our team. Any information you send will be kept confidential in accordance with our ethics guidelines. [Email a Tip ](mailto:editor@lookoutnews.org) Since the organization launched in 2002, they have helped pass or promote state laws that [define sex as binary](https://montanafreepress.org/2026/03/30/montanas-new-sex-definition-bill/?ref=lookoutnews.org); that [criminalize gender-affirming care](https://www.ktvh.com/news/montana-bill-would-criminalize-transgender-medical-treatment-under-the-age-of-16?ref=lookoutnews.org) to anyone under 16 years old; and that [ban](https://www.mtpr.org/montana-news/2017-06-21/conservative-group-calls-for-government-regulation-of-bathrooms?ref=lookoutnews.org) [trans people](https://dailymontanan.com/2025/03/27/governor-gianforte-signs-bathroom-bill-transgender-athlete-ban/?ref=lookoutnews.org) from their gender-aligned restrooms. The organization is allied with the Family Policy Alliance. Since Montana Family Foundation began making money from the license plates in 2019, they have raised over $400,000\. Montana has a much simpler process for introducing new specialty plates than Arizona: Any 501(c)(3) can [submit](https://mvdmt.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/MV118-Specialty-License-Plate-Instructions.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) an [application](https://mvdmt.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/MV115-Sponsor-Specialty-License-Plate-Application-04.26F.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) to the Department of Justice’s Motor Vehicles Division along with a $4,120 deposit and fees. So long as they meet a [small list of requirements](https://mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title%5F0610/chapter%5F0030/part%5F0040/section%5F0750/0610-0030-0040-0750.html?ref=lookoutnews.org), including that “the primary purpose of the organization … is service to the community through specific programs that promote improving public health, education, or general welfare,” they will likely be approved. Currently, state law only allows for existing plates to be [revoked](https://mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title%5F0610/chapter%5F0030/part%5F0040/section%5F0740/0610-0030-0040-0740.html?ref=lookoutnews.org) if they either violate these requirements or drop below 400 total plates in circulation. In Mississippi, meanwhile, all standard license plates previously read “In God We Trust.” But that changed in 2023 after a [lawsuit brought by American Atheists](https://www.mississippifreepress.org/in-god-we-trust-absent-on-new-mississippi-license-plates-after-atheists-lawsuit/?ref=lookoutnews.org). In response, the American Family Association last year launched a new specialty plate bearing the slogan, which gives them $24 per purchase. The AFA owns and operates conservative media organizations which frequently promote anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and misinformation. In a [2015 article](https://afa.net/the-stand/culture/2015/04/distinguishing-between-homosexuals-the-lgbtq-agenda/?ref=lookoutnews.org), their vice president declared that “homosexuality is a sin” and that “the LGBTQ+ agenda imposes sexual anarchy.” And in 2019, they published an [article](https://afa.net/the-stand/culture/2019/01/the-inescapable-link-between-homosexuality-and-pedophilia/?ref=lookoutnews.org) about "the inescapable link between homosexuality and pedophilia." Already, the group has gained over $8,000 in plate sales in less than five months of receipts, according to publicly available data. Florida has two license plates that fund [Florida Family Voice](https://www.flfamily.org/about-ffv/?ref=lookoutnews.org) (FFV)—a state-level affiliate of the Family Policy Alliance. According to the group’s [website](https://www.flfamily.org/summer-internships-and-student-opportunities/?ref=lookoutnews.org), proceeds from the state’s “In God We Trust” and “America the Beautiful” specialty plates fund scholarships for young people to participate in Patriot Academy, a right-wing educational program that [aims](https://www.patriotacademy.com/about/?ref=lookoutnews.org) to “train citizens to understand and influence government policy with a Biblical worldview.” FFV has also hosted [a summit](https://www.flfamily.org/uncategorized/empowering-parents-to-protect-children-responding-to-critical-race-theory-transgender-ideology/?ref=lookoutnews.org) in collaboration with Project 2025 authors The Heritage Foundation on “empowering parents to protect children” from “transgender ideology,” and they were [strong supporters](https://www.flfamily.org/uncategorized/breaking-news-gov-ron-desantis-signs-parents-rights-in-education-bill-into-law-despite-fierce-opposition/?ref=lookoutnews.org) of the state’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill. The funds for the two plates—more than $3.8 million combined—go to the In God We Trust Foundation and America The Beautiful Fund, both nonprofits led by Christian activist couple Martin C. and Janet Boire. Since 2017, the two groups have [together](https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/261209622?ref=lookoutnews.org) [donated](https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/871295756?ref=lookoutnews.org) over $453,000 to FFV, as well as $154,000 to TPUSA, according to their tax filings. The newsrooms reached out to the Family Policy Alliance, Montana Family Foundation and American Family Association on questions about their anti-LGBTQ+ work and the money brought in from their specialty plates. They did not return a comment. ## **OTHER STATES** *LOOKOUT* and Uncloseted Media also identified license plates in other states that fund groups that tangentially support anti-LGBTQ+ advocacy. In Alabama, a specialty license plate emblazoned with the “Don’t Tread on Me,” or Gadsden Flag, donates [more than $40](https://www.al.com/news/2019/04/dont-tread-on-me-car-tag-brought-in-85000-last-year-for-roy-moores-foundation.html?ref=lookoutnews.org) of its proceeds to the Foundation for Moral Law, a Christian conservative nonprofit that advocates against marriage equality. They’ve also filed amicus briefs supporting several ADF cases, including the one that [overturned Colorado’s conversion therapy ban](https://morallaw.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Chiles-v.-Salazar2.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org), as well as others pushing for states to [out](https://adflegal.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/vitsaxaki-v-skaneateles-central-school-district-2025-06-13-amicus-brief-foundation-for-moral-law.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) LGBTQ+ kids to their [parents](https://adflegal.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/heaps-v-delaware-valley-rhs-boe-2025-07-03-appellate-amicus-foundation-for-moral-law.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) and grant [foster care licenses](https://adflegal.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/wuoti-v-winters-2025-06-06-amicus-brief-of-foundation-for-moral-law-in-support-of-appellants.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) to couples who refuse to accept trans identities. The group was founded by former Alabama Chief Justice Roy Moore, who was [suspended](https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/alabama-chief-justice-suspended-over-gay-marriage-stance-n657511?ref=lookoutnews.org) from his position for violating the Supreme Court’s legalization of gay marriage and later fell into political irrelevancy after several women and girls [accused](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/13/us/politics/roy-moore-alabama-senate.html?ref=lookoutnews.org) him of sexual assault or harassment. Uncloseted Media and *LOOKOUT* were unable to identify contact information for Roy Moore, but reached out to his wife, Foundation for Moral Law president Kayla Moore, via email, and received no response. Like Montana, specialty plates in Alabama are approved by a [simple application process](https://www.revenue.alabama.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/General-Procedures-of-the-LOC-07-27-2021.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org), though they notably claim that they do not consider applications from “political organizations.” The Christian Home School Association of Pennsylvania (CHAP), a state [affiliate](https://my.hslda.org/groups/s/account/0010b00002c3gj5AAA/christian-homeschool-association-of-pennsylvania?%5Fgl=1%2A1duk59e%2A%5Fgcl%5Fau%2AMjEzMTQ0ODk2My4xNzc1NDk3NzM2%2A%5Fga%2AODM3Mzg1Nzc2LjE3NzU0OTc3MzY.%2A%5Fga%5F66NHF3EZCC%2AczE3NzYxMTI2MjIkbzIkZzEkdDE3NzYxMTI2NjIkajIwJGwwJGgw%2A%5Fga%5FBZL1PHRDT6%2AczE3NzYxMTI2MjIkbzIkZzEkdDE3NzYxMTI2NjIkajIwJGwwJGgw&ref=lookoutnews.org) of the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA), also has a specialty plate. Co-founded by former ADF CEO Michael Farris, HSLDA [advocates](https://www.unclosetedmedia.com/p/christian-homeschoolings-hidden-currents?utm%5Fsource=publication-search) for Christian home schooling and has [fought](https://web.archive.org/web/20120629074828/http://www.hslda.org/hs/state/de/201206260.asp) for the parental [right](https://web.archive.org/web/20170622225750/https://www.hslda.org/cms/?q=bill/senate-bill-689-and-house-bill-1084-bills-ban-spanking-instrument) to spank children with an instrument. CHAP’s website states that they [oppose](https://chaponline.com/our-belief/?ref=lookoutnews.org) gay marriage and gay sex. Advocacy groups aren’t the only ones raking in funds. Virginia also sells license plates that fund [Liberty University](https://www.dmv.virginia.gov/vehicles/license-plates/search/liberty-university?ref=lookoutnews.org), a private evangelical college with strong connections to the anti-LGBTQ+ right. Students at the college are required to agree to a code of conduct called [The Liberty Way](https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2022/06/liberty-university-already-hostile-lgbtq-students-quiet-change-rules-make-worse/?ref=lookoutnews.org), which bans “statements and behaviors that are associated with LGBT states of mind,” including holding hands with a person of the same gender or using pronouns different from those assigned at birth. The university has [especially strong ties](https://www.splcenter.org/resources/extremist-files/liberty-counsel/?ref=lookoutnews.org) with [Liberty Counsel](https://www.unclosetedmedia.com/p/liberty-counsels-deep-network-of?ref=lookoutnews.org), the Christian legal group that petitioned the Supreme Court to [overturn gay marriage](https://www.unclosetedmedia.com/p/liberty-counsel-has-prepared-to-take?ref=lookoutnews.org) last year. ## **A LEGAL PRECEDENT** States have taken racist license plates off the road in the past. In 2015, the Supreme Court [ruled](https://www.nytimes.com/2015/06/19/us/supreme-court-says-texas-can-reject-confederate-flag-license-plates.html?ref=lookoutnews.org) that Texas could refuse a request by the Sons of Confederate Veterans to release a specialty license plate in the state featuring the Confederate battle flag. The ruling allowed Maryland and Virginia to [rescind and recall](https://www.kpbs.org/news/2015/10/16/maryland-to-be-the-third-state-to-phase-out?ref=lookoutnews.org) similar Confederate flag plates in their own states, creating a legal precedent for the removal of plates that didn’t align with state values. “Public funds should promote the public good,” said R.G. Cravens, senior research analyst with the SPLC. “As budgets tighten everywhere, states should prioritize support for inclusive civil society and democratic institutions, not subsidizing anti-LGBTQ+ extremists.” And not everyone who is deeply religious or conservative is on board. One Arizona woman, Roxanne Grona, who describes herself as a conservative Christian, said she wouldn’t want to give money to groups that use religion as a cudgel to do harm against queer people: “I had an incident with a great-grandchild that has chosen a different way of life than I would have chosen,” she said. “In no way, if I bought an ‘In God We Trust’ license plate, would I want any money to do anything to harm that child or anyone else’s child.” *Additional data reporting by Joseph Darius Jaafari, LOOKOUT* [![Promotion for LOOKOUT membership, detailing Insider and Leader membership benefits and prices.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/01/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px---1920-x-1080-px---2-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) ### At Lowell, a Hidden Wall Shows Who Gets to Touch the Stars URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/at-lowell-a-hidden-wall-shows-who-gets-to-touch-the-stars/ Last updated: 2026-04-22T18:37:38.000Z #### OutBack This is one in a series that uncovers the untold stories of LGBTQ+ life beyond the city, celebrating queer resilience, creativity, and community in Arizona's suburban and rural areas. [Read the full series here. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tag/outback/) Space is everywhere these days. With NASA’s Artemis II moon launch, a new season of “For All Mankind,” and the sci-fi blockbuster “Project Hail Mary,” it seems Americans are in the midst of a space craze. In Flagstaff, though, that out-of-this-world yearning is year-round at Lowell Observatory, where the dwarf planet Pluto was discovered nearly a century ago. Visitors have long been able to see the telescope built in 1928-29 that led to Pluto’s discovery. But on the second floor of the Astronomy Discovery Center, the Diverse Universe Wall features 72 placards with brief bios and images of people who have contributed to our understanding of space. Included is a broad representation of gender identities, illustrating how anyone — from any background — can help us understand ourselves and our place in the cosmos. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Among those in that history? Queer people whom you may have not known about. “I was kind of taken aback by the diversity among the scientists and people on that wall,” said Ryan Randazzo, media relations and marketing project manager for Discover Flagstaff and a member of Lowell Observatory. “For me, it broke some stereotypes about what type of people do science like this.” ### **A broader representation of space explorers** When the idea was floated to feature people involved in astronomy and space exploration, the team at Lowell Observatory wanted to broaden representation beyond Nicolaus Copernicus, Albert Einstein and others, said Samantha Christensen, public program content manager at Lowell Observatory. “We liked the idea of highlighting people who had contributed to astronomy or our knowledge of the universe, but we … wanted to do something different,” she said. “We decided we wanted to highlight people who maybe weren’t so well-known, and also, one of our goals was to have anyone who steps in front of the wall to see themselves reflected back.” Michael West—who’s no longer with Lowell—selected, researched and wrote about all the people included on the Diverse Universe Wall, and the Lowell leadership team reviewed the placards. West reached out to everyone who was still alive, which is about half of them, to get their permission. Sally Ride is memorialized as “the first known LGBTQ astronaut, although this was only revealed after she died in 2012.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/04/unnamed--2-.jpg) One of the memorials on the Diverse Universe wall discussing Sally Ride as the first known LGBTQ+ astronaut. (Photo by Geri Koeppel) Jan Eldridge, a nonbinary transgender astrophysicist, is quoted on a plaque describing their work studying “exploding binary stars while exploding the myth of a gender binary.” Christensen said that although some visitors don’t notice the placards, “almost every time I’m in the building, there’s a handful of people who are really absorbed in the exhibit and take the time to read all or nearly all of the panels.” ### **Seeing stars — and planets, galaxies and more** The Diverse Universe Wall is one part of the 44,000-square-foot, $53.4 million Astronomy Discovery Center, which also includes hands-on exhibits, interactive galleries, a rooftop planetarium and telescope viewing. There’s also an open deck for nighttime stargazing, the Origins Gallery — featuring a suspended piece of art depicting the universe’s evolution — and the Lowell Universe Theater with movies and live presentations. Of course, no visit is complete without seeing the Clark Telescope, which arrived in 1895, a year after the observatory was founded, and the Pluto Discovery Telescope, used to find the dwarf planet in 1930. The Pluto Discovery Telescope also has an underdog story in the sciences: Clyde W. Tombaugh, who found the celestial body, was a 24-year-old Kansas farm boy and self-trained astronomer. His determination, DIY mindset and lack of formal education are part of what makes Lowell and its programs so approachable, and the additions carry on that tradition. “With our new visitor center, the Astronomy Discovery Center, we were very intentional about wanting people to feel welcome when they step in the doors and not feel intimidated,” Christensen said. “We want to make the wonders of the universe accessible to everyone.” ### **Lowell Observatory** Address: 1400 W. Mars Hill Road, Flagstaff, AZ 86001 Phone: 928-774-3358 Hours: Noon to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Monday (closed Tuesdays) [Valley of the Moon Brings Magic to the DesertValley of the Moon has been delighting kids, punks, and queer folks for nearly 100 years—proof that whimsy isn’t just for storybooks.![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)LOOKOUTGeri Koeppel (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Valley-of-the-Moon.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-magical-playground-for-the-wild-weird-and-wonderful/) [Bullhead City’s Queer Sanctuary Takes RootMystic Energies Healing has grown from a local storefront into a national hub for LGBTQ connection and spiritual healing.![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)LOOKOUTGeri Koeppel (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w1200/2026/03/Mystic-Energies-retail-1.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/bullhead-citys-queer-sanctuary-takes-root/) ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Federal Judge Orders Release of Trans Organizer Spotlighted in LOOKOUT Report URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/judge-orders-release-trans-migrant-eloy-detention-facility/ Last updated: 2026-04-22T15:17:35.000Z A federal judge has ordered the immediate release of Karla Saenz, a transgender Venezuelan migrant and immigrant rights organizer whom [*LOOKOUT* reported on earlier this year](https://www.lookoutnews.org/ice-detained-a-queer-migrant-rights-organizer-during-a-check-in-then-placed-her-in-a-mens-facility/), after she was detained by ICE in March, held for more than a month in a men’s unit at the Eloy Detention Center and denied medical care. The ruling came Tuesday after the government’s lawyers effectively conceded the case. On April 17, government officials named in the case — including the warden of the ICE detention center where Saenz is held — did not contest her central claims that her detention was “arbitrary and capricious,” that the government failed to follow its own regulations before revoking her parole, and that her detention violated her due process rights. “Respondents have conceded that this Court should grant Ms. Saenz all the relief she has asked for,” her attorneys wrote. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) The federal judge, Krissa M. Lanham — a Biden appointee — agreed with Saenz’s lawyers, both federal public defenders who represented her after reading about her case in *LOOKOUT*. (One of her lawyers, Keith Hilzendeger, was a *LOOKOUT* board member from 2023 to 2024.) The ruling can be appealed. Growing up in Venezuela, Saenz, 26, said she faced violence and constant discrimination for being transgender. She fled first to Colombia, then traveled overland to the United States in 2024 with her partner. After crossing into Texas, she turned herself in to Border Patrol and requested asylum. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/04/Screenshot-2026-04-22-at-8.09.59---AM.png) **Karla Saenz, an organizer with Trans Queer Pueblo, was taken into custody March 9 during a routine appointment with immigration officials in Phoenix. (Photo courtesy of Trans Queer Pueblo)* Her asylum claim, according to one of the court documents, is based on years of persecution, enslavement and repeated rape. She was kidnapped by two separate gangs — the Revolutionary Armed Forces, or FARC, in Colombia and another gang in Chile, where she went to try to find her sister, who had also been kidnapped. In Colombia, two of her transgender friends were murdered. Saenz told *LOOKOUT* that returning to Venezuela would be “suicide.” Her asylum case is ongoing. Saenz was arrested March 9 during what she and her supporters say was a routine immigration check-in at a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office in Midtown Phoenix. She was accompanied by Cristen Pointer, a volunteer with Trans Queer Pueblo, an LGBTQ+ migrant rights group. [Phoenix Trans Migrant Woman Held in Men’s ICE Facility.Advocates say the Phoenix organizer complied with immigration requirements and suspect her detention as retaliatory.![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)LOOKOUTJohn Washington (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2026-03-27-at-6.13.37---PM-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/ice-detained-a-queer-migrant-rights-organizer-during-a-check-in-then-placed-her-in-a-mens-facility/) Pointer said agents took them both to a back room, told Saenz she had an arrest warrant — but did not produce one — then put her in handcuffs and removed her. Advocates with Trans Queer Pueblo have consistently argued that Saenz’s detention was in retaliation for her advocacy work, specifically her campaign for the release of Arbella “Yari” Rodríguez Márquez, a queer woman and longtime Phoenix resident who has been held at Eloy for more than a year while living with leukemia that has progressed dramatically in custody, including significant weight loss and other deteriorating health conditions. Yari now struggles to walk and vomits blood daily. # Want to Share Insider Information? ## Help keep power accountable. LOOKOUT relies on tips from readers to get our news out. Click on the button below to submit a secure email to our team. Any information you send will be kept confidential in accordance with our ethics guidelines. [Email a Tip ](mailto:editor@lookoutnews.org) Saenz said she was arrested for advocating for Márquez and others. “They detained me for no other reason than I’m trans, Black and a migrant,” she said. “For speaking out, for not being scared.” ICE officials said in a statement to *LOOKOUT* that she was “not complying with the conditions of release.” She and her supporters, as well as her attorneys, dispute that account, saying she had consistently complied with her supervision requirements. Her attorneys argued that the parole revocation was made without notice or an opportunity to contest it and without following the agency’s own procedural rules. The government never directly disputed those charges, which her legal team argued amounted to a concession. Saenz spent her time in detention in a men’s unit at Eloy after what she described as five days in solitary confinement — a claim ICE called “categorically false” in an emailed statement. ICE also defended the placement, citing President Donald Trump’s executive order declaring that the federal government recognizes only two sexes. Inside Eloy, Saenz told *LOOKOUT* she was denied the hormone therapy she has taken for years, as well as medication for a chronic illness. She described being harassed by both guards and fellow detainees. [Trump Has Promoted More Deportations. One Couple’s Story Highlights the Human Toll.As immigration took center stage, a Phoenix woman’s trip to the nation’s capital spotlighted her detained partner’s declining health and broader criticisms about LGBTQ+ safety in custody.![](https://static.ghost.org/v5.0.0/images/link-icon.svg)LOOKOUTJohn Washington (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w1200/2026/02/Almaraz-2-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/during-state-of-the-union-trump-promoted-more-deportations-one-couples-story-highlights-the-human-toll/) One guard, she said, threatened to force her to shower in front of men. She said she often stayed in her cell to avoid confrontation and did not shower for her first two days in the men’s unit because she lacked privacy. “It’s been inhuman treatment to have to live with so many men, to live with so much discrimination and transphobia,” she said. Emem Maurus of the Transgender Law Center told *LOOKOUT* that the Trump administration’s decision to stop tracking transgender detainees has made it nearly impossible for advocates to monitor conditions or push for protections. “Now that nobody’s being classified as trans, we can’t even look in certain detention centers for them,” Maurus said. “It’s just harder to find them. It’s harder to advocate for them.” A 2015 ICE memorandum directed the agency to provide a “respectful, safe, and secure environment” for transgender detainees and prohibited discrimination based on gender identity. It also mandated tracking transgender people detained by ICE. That standard has not been enforced under the current administration. Saenz and advocates with Trans Queer Pueblo say other transgender people remain detained at Eloy and elsewhere under dire conditions. Maurus said their current invisibility “pushes a lot of people to self-deport, even when they probably had options, because they’re thinking, ‘I don’t want to die in here.’” In her petition, Saenz asked not only for her release but also for an injunction preventing ICE from re-detaining her without complying with due process requirements. Saenz’s partner told *LOOKOUT* after learning of her impending release: “Tomorrow my life is being freed.” For Saenz, the ruling closes a chapter that began with a check-in and turned into more than a month of what she and her advocates described as deliberately punitive, torturous confinement. She vowed to keep fighting — for herself and for others like her locked inside the detention system. “I’m speaking for them,” she said. “I’m fighting for them.” *LOOKOUT* has reached out to ICE for comment on the court ruling. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Phoenix Council Considers Criminal Penalty for Giving Out Food, Medical Care in City Parks URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/phoenix-council-considers-criminal-penalty-for-giving-out-food-medical-care-in-city-parks/ Last updated: 2026-04-22T05:53:19.000Z In a small room on the 18th floor of Phoenix City Hall, about 20 people gathered to discuss a newly expanded proposed city ordinance that would severely restrict both food and medical provision in city parks. [The ordinance](https://www.phoenix.gov/content/dam/phoenix/parkssite/documents/safemedicaltreatment/3.27.26%20Medical%20Treatment%20and%20Food%20Distribution%20in%20Parks%20Ordinance.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) — which *LOOKOUT* was first to report on in December — is scheduled to be discussed and voted on at the May 6 City Council meeting. It would allow only two permits per park per month for organizations to conduct basic medical care or distribute food, an expansion of its earlier draft that caused widespread concern among health practitioners. Critics say the restrictions could lead to increased hunger, outbreaks of illness, and death. The April 1 meeting was part of the Fast-Track Cities Committee, a global network of more than 600 cities and municipalities working to reduce HIV and STI transmissions through urban health initiatives. It included Phoenix councilmembers Debra Stark and Laura Pastor, who previously voted in favor of the ordinance. [![Promotion for Lookout membership with benefits like swag, event tickets, and magazine copies.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Pastor told *LOOKOUT* after the meeting that she heard the concerns raised but was cautious about commenting further. “Some of the great work Fast Track has been doing may be hindered by some of the items in here,” she said. On how she would vote, she added: “I will decide probably the day I walk up there and weigh my pros and cons,” she said. A city spokesperson told *LOOKOUT*, “The City of Phoenix is committed to providing safe, clean, and welcoming community spaces for all residents. The proposed Medical Treatment and Food Distribution in Parks Ordinance is intended to establish a framework to ensure these services are provided in a safe and organized manner.” But “safe and organized” isn’t how most members of the Fast-Track committee see the ordinance, as their frustration during the meeting was palpable. Attendees questioned why the City Council did not consult stakeholders before drafting the ordinance. They raised concerns about restricting food distribution, limiting permits, and the origins of several additional provisions. Angel Algarin, a professor at Arizona State University’s Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation, called the ordinance “despicable.” ### **A history of expanding restrictions** The newly expanded ordinance comes from a [measure passed in December](https://www.lookoutnews.org/hiv-advocates-warn-phoenix-ordinance-prioritizes-fear-over-public-health/) that focused solely on restricting medical care — a process that was already contentious. In November 2025, an initial draft proposed banning all medical care in city parks, as well as the distribution of information related to medical care or harm reduction. [*LOOKOUT* obtained and published a leaked copy of the proposal.](https://www.lookoutnews.org/exclusive-leaked-draft-reveals-council-plan-to-ban-harm-reduction-kits-in-phoenix-parks/) Among its provisions: a ban on distributing drug-testing kits, clean needles, alcohol pads and rapid HIV tests in parks — services that mutual aid groups like R.I.O.T. Phoenix rely on to reach people who use drugs and those experiencing homelessness. The draft would have barred any “person, group or organization” from inviting, promoting or organizing events intended to provide medical treatment to the public, raising concerns among civil rights advocates that the language could be used to target individuals simply carrying harm reduction supplies. # Want to Share Insider Information? ## Help keep power accountable. LOOKOUT relies on tips from readers to get our news out. Click on the button below to submit a secure email to our team. Any information you send will be kept confidential in accordance with our ethics guidelines. [Email a Tip ](mailto:editor@lookoutnews.org) The day before the Dec. 17 council vote, members amended the proposal to narrow its scope, specifying that restrictions applied to treatment involving diagnosis or aid to people with illnesses or wounds. However, the revision also increased penalties, turning civil citations into Class 1 misdemeanor charges. Despite nearly six hours of public comment — most from health workers and harm reduction advocates — the council voted overwhelmingly to approve the ordinance. Councilwoman Anna Hernandez cast the lone dissenting vote. Phoenix Parks and Recreation Director Cynthia Aguilar — now deputy city manager — acknowledged during that meeting that the city did not consult outside stakeholders, including medical providers or harm reduction groups, when drafting or revising the ordinance. The rule was originally set to take effect in March 2026 but has since been delayed until June. Now, just months later, the city has returned with an even broader proposal. ### **What the new ordinance does** The expanded ordinance adds food distribution to the list of restricted activities and defines “medical treatment” as any act that “involves the use of needles, syringes, other medical sharps, or produces medical waste.” It caps permits at two per park per calendar month and requires medical treatment to take place only in parking lots or hardscape areas, inside enclosed structures with “a tarp or other impermeable floor” — a provision Becky Lutz, community outreach manager for Spectrum Medical and a committee member, described as “another restrictive way to stop us from doing services to people that are being deemed unworthy.” The ordinance also prohibits possession of a needle or syringe in a park unless a person can prove the medication is “currently and validly prescribed” to themselves or someone in their direct care — a requirement advocates worry could violate HIPAA protections. It further bans the “sale, distribution, or exchange of syringes or needles,” effectively prohibiting needle exchange programs, with a narrow exception for participants in a state-authorized overdose and disease prevention program who can verify the needle’s origin. An exception remains for the distribution of intranasal naloxone — an opioid overdose reversal drug — in both emergency and non-emergency situations, as well as for first responders and licensed professionals at separately permitted city events. [![Promotional flyer for "Lookout" memberships with two tiers: Insider at $8/month and Leader at $25/month, offering magazines and event access.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/01/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px---1920-x-1080-px---2-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) “This ordinance is completely in opposition to the mission of this program. Full stop,” said Jack Palmer of Circle the City during the Fast Track Cities meeting. He noted that in the past eight months alone, more than 100 people tested positive for hepatitis C through outreach conducted in parks. Arlene Mahoney, executive director of Southwest Recovery Alliance, told *LOOKOUT* that restricting access would cause severe harm: “We are meeting people where they're at, keeping people safer, reducing overdose deaths and transmission of HIV and Hep C, reducing soft tissue infection, providing sharps disposal,” she said. She also [pointed to research showing syringe services programs reduce syringe waste](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0376871619301978?ref=lookoutnews.org) in surrounding communities. Lutz, with Spectrum Medical, said the state had 900 HIV-positive tests last year, including through park outreach. She said if the ordinance goes through, an HIV outbreak is sure to happen: “Instead of finding needles, they’re going to find dead bodies.” The ordinance’s effective date has been pushed to June 1, 2026. Residents can weigh in at three upcoming community meetings: April 8 at Sunnyslope, April 14 at Cesar Chavez Community Center and April 16 in a virtual session. The City Council is set to vote May 6\. Find [more info about the meetings](https://www.phoenix.gov/administration/departments/parks/about-us/medical-treatment-and-food-distribution-in-parks.html?ref=lookoutnews.org) and fill out a [survey to share your opinion](https://engage.zencity.io/phoenix-az/en/engagements/f74e3ce5-4fbe-41ab-90fd-35110ee12b2b?utm%5Fmedium=referral%5F%5F;!!LkjWUF49MRd51%5Fry!bCkxpH3x1h7AMHLc1VUxgmbJTtTh2w4AEpzaxsiBqGG5DkC7NWpE1VrZtae6TI3bv-Z7mh8MIAxQtdiKjikbJTzVcleEDno-7Vs$&ref=lookoutnews.org). [Arizona Health Care Policy Bill | HIV Advocacy | LOOKOUTProviders warn the city’s park ordinance could undermine HIV prevention efforts targeting unhoused residents.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-259.png)LOOKOUTCelina Jiménez (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Untitled-design--43-.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/hiv-advocates-warn-phoenix-ordinance-prioritizes-fear-over-public-health/) [Phoenix City Council Draft Proposes Ban on Harm Reduction KitsAn initial draft of the proposal to LOOKOUT revealed sweeping changes to how community orgs can provide harm-reduction supplies and testing at city parks.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-260.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Phoenix_City_Council_Chambers-1-1.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/exclusive-leaked-draft-reveals-council-plan-to-ban-harm-reduction-kits-in-phoenix-parks/) #### Correction An earlier version of this piece misstated a quote from Arlene Mahoney. It also states that of the 900 HIV cases in Arizona found in 2025, most were found in parks. That was incorrect. There is no available quantitative data to know how many cases were identified in parks. We regret the errors. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### SCOOP: Records Show Pima County Sheriff Used His Authority Against Political Rival During Heated Election URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/scoop-records-show-pima-county-sheriff-used-his-authority-against-political-rival-during-heated-election/ Last updated: 2026-04-22T05:48:06.000Z An administrative investigation conducted by Pima County’s Human Resources Department found that Democratic Sheriff Chris Nanos violated ethical guidelines and codes of conduct by using his office for political gain. The findings were leaked to *LOOKOUT* before being publicly available. The violations stem from incidents in 2024, when Nanos was running for reelection against former Pima County Sheriff’s Lt. Heather Lappin, a Republican. Nanos placed Lappin on paid administrative leave in October 2024, just weeks before a tight election and after early voting had begun. [![Advertisement for Lookout membership with benefits like swag, event tickets, and a magazine.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) At the time, Pima County Supervisor Matt Heinz called the move a “reckless and vindictive action against his political rival” and “an attempt to smear and silence his opponent.” The Pima County Board of Supervisors voted to ask the Arizona Attorney General’s Office to investigate whether Nanos violated state or federal law. The Attorney General’s Office did not pursue an investigation at the time, but the county’s internal investigation — released this week and supplied to *LOOKOUT* by two different people within county government — found that “the preponderance of evidence supports a finding that Sheriff Nanos used his authority and department resources for political gain.” Lappin was given the documents this week, she said, and told *LOOKOUT* that Nanos’ “abuse of authority and misuse of department resources are deeply concerning,” she said. “Integrity and public trust are fundamental requirements of leadership, particularly for the top law enforcement officer in the county. Nanos disregarded these basic principles to mislead the public for his own political gain.” She added that, had voters known more about Nanos at the time, “I believe that I would have overcome the less than 500-vote margin and would now be serving the people as their sheriff.” Nanos was not the only Sheriff’s Department employee found in violation of ethical standards. Five other officials — all of whom worked under Nanos — were also found to have violated codes of conduct. [SCOOP: Pima County Sheriff’s Office Collaborated With Border Patrol Despite Claims It Doesn’t, Lawsuit Alleges.Pima County’s top cop says he doesn’t tell his deputies to enforce federal immigration laws. A court case says deputies handed over people, anyway.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-258.png)LOOKOUTJohn Washington (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/AP26037633637636.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/scoop-pima-county-sheriffs-office-collaborated-with-border-patrol-despite-claims-it-doesnt-lawsuit-alleges/) Those officials are Chief Scott Lowing, Capt. Sharlene Reis, Capt. Christy Anderson, Capt. Benjamin Hill and former Chief Harold James. Nanos placed Lappin on leave because, according to an October 2024 press release, she was aware that another Sheriff’s Department employee, Sgt. Aaron Cross, was campaigning against Nanos. The department accused Cross of engaging in partisan political activity while wearing clothing that was, or resembled, a department-issued uniform. According to the department, such activity violated the Hatch Act. A press release announcing the internal investigation into Cross and Lappin also referenced this reporter, claiming the reporter — [without evidence](https://azluminaria.org/2024/10/16/jail-reporting-by-arizona-luminaria-journalist-targeted-in-sheriff-election-dispute/?ref=lookoutnews.org) — had “colluded” with Lappin “to facilitate payment to an inmate in exchange for a news story.” # Want to Share Insider Information? ## Help keep power accountable. LOOKOUT relies on tips from readers to get our news out. Click on the button below to submit a secure email to our team. Any information you send will be kept confidential in accordance with our ethics guidelines. [Email a Tip ](mailto:editor@lookoutnews.org) After a recount of the 2024 race, [Nanos won by 481 votes](https://www.tucsonsentinel.com/local/report/120624%5Fsheriff%5Frecount/nanos-wins-recount-pima-county-sheriffs-race/?ref=lookoutnews.org). Since then, Nanos has faced ongoing controversy. A separate investigation by the Attorney General’s Office found he may have violated multiple rules. He has also faced criticism for his handling of an investigation into Nancy Guthrie, as well as for a lack of transparency and potential constitutional violations related to his [department’s collaboration with federal immigration officials](https://www.tucsonsentinel.com/local/report/120624%5Fsheriff%5Frecount/nanos-wins-recount-pima-county-sheriffs-race/?ref=lookoutnews.org), which *LOOKOUT* was first to report on last week. He has also been found to have misrepresented his work history multiple times, including past suspensions decades ago for misconduct, including severely beating a man during an arrest. Heinz told LOOKOUT he is again referring Nanos to the Arizona Attorney General, alleging he lied under oath about his work history. Heinz also notified the Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training Board, the state’s law enforcement regulatory agency. Cross told LOOKOUT the county’s findings amount to vindication for Lappin. Calling for Nanos’ immediate resignation, Cross added, “Unfortunately, Nanos gets to decide his own punishment and those of his senior commanders, so nothing will be done.” Neither Nanos nor the Sheriff’s Department responded to requests for comment. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### These People Publicly Injected Hormones to Make a Statement URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/these-people-publicly-injected-hormones-to-make-a-statement/ Last updated: 2026-04-22T05:43:51.000Z In a medical show of force, people who take injectable hormone medication — from transgender and gender-expansive folks to cisgender people — gathered on the steps of Tucson City Hall on Tuesday to take their shots publicly in the third annual Trans Day of Visibility Public Hormone Jab. The event was meant to demystify the protocol of people who take medically prescribed hormones, especially as state and federal lawmakers continue to ban care for trans youth and, in some states, have been able to eliminate the medical care altogether for consenting transgender adults. No known public officials attended. # Want to Share Insider Information? ## Help keep power accountable. LOOKOUT relies on tips from readers to get our news out. Click on the button below to submit a secure email to our team. Any information you send will be kept confidential in accordance with our ethics guidelines. [Email a Tip ](mailto:editor@lookoutnews.org) And while the event took place during Transgender Day of Visibility — observed annually on March 31 to celebrate transgender people and raise awareness of the discrimination they face — it also happened on the same day the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling that limited states from enacting rules to eliminate conversion therapy for queer people (a debunked practice of junk science that has[ shown to cause severe mental side effects.](https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2024/09/conversion-practices-lgbt.html?ref=lookoutnews.org)) Noah Defino, a trans man who received an injection administered by his partner during the event, said the Supreme Court’s ruling created urgency: “It feels important to show up publicly and to be seen for who you are as a way of supporting other people,” he said. “It feels good to demystify what being trans is and share my life experiences so that people can understand and be more accepting.” ### **Standing Up in Force** The Public Hormone Jab was first held during a Transgender Day of Visibility public march in Tucson in 2023 and welcomed anyone who used hormones in any form — injections, pills or patches — with people who didn’t use the drugs forming a circle around participants as a sign of support. The event’s organizer, who asked to remain anonymous for their safety, said the idea came from a post they saw on Lex, a queer social platform, while visiting their hometown of Philadelphia: “I saw someone post a similar event,” they said. “So I got a group of trans folks together who were interested, and we did it during a big TDOV march in 2023.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/04/WEB_20260331_TheJab_KathleenDreierPhotography_IMG_0187.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/04/WEB_20260331_TheJab_KathleenDreierPhotography_KDP_0285.jpg) (Left) **Noah Defino and Sean Bottai at Tucson City Hall following the event. Bottai administered Defino's testosterone injection during the gathering. (Right) The event's organizer receives a hormone injection during the Trans Day of Visibility Public Hormone Jab at Tucson City Hall on Tuesday. Photo by and courtesy of Kathleen Dreier.* The organizer said the event is intended as a correction to widespread public misunderstanding of hormone use: “Kids get taught ‘women get estrogen, men get testosterone’ — but actually all humans have a mix of those and other sex hormones, which are never discussed,” they said, adding that there is little known about how hormones affect the body — though in fact there is a body of research on how hormones affect people, from hormone replacement therapy for those who have had a pregnancy to treatment for people who suffer from depression. For example, hormone therapies exist for menopause, low testosterone, thyroid conditions, fertility and bone density. In March 2015, Angelina Jolie wrote in The New York Times about turning to hormone therapy after surgical menopause. “Taking hormones should be a mundane practice, and nobody should be paying attention to each other’s needs around it,” the organizer said. “But since so many people care and get in trans people’s business about it, I’ll give a show.” ### **Others Stand With Tucson’s Trans Community** Defino said the experience shifted from nerve-wracking to affirming once people began to arrive: “I was nervous, but I got excited knowing that I was seeing people and connecting to a new community,” he said. Defino is eight years into testosterone therapy, and said his relationship to taking hormones in public has shifted dramatically over time: “It’s been a hard and wonderful journey — from doing it in secret, to being able to do it around friends and a partner, to now doing my testosterone shot in public with a bunch of strangers from my community.” Bottai urged queer community members to step up and support each other and said allied folks needed to “stand in solidarity with them — not just for visibility but for physical safety.” The organizer said they hope cisgender attendees leave with more than solidarity. “I encourage everyone to be able to access the sex hormones they need to get the body results they want,” they said. “It’s not only about looks — it’s about what your specific body needs.” [![Promotion of LOOKOUT memberships, offering benefits like swag, magazine issues, event access, and supporting queer journalism.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/01/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px---1920-x-1080-px---2-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) ### **Trans Health Care as a Political Target** The Supreme Court’s Tuesday ruling struck down Colorado’s conversion therapy ban, opening the door to legal challenges against similar bans nationwide. For those who take hormone therapy, the decision by the court appeared to double down on the Trump administration's rules surrounding medical [treatment of trans people in federal prisons](https://www.themarshallproject.org/2026/02/19/transgender-federal-prisons-care-ban-policy?ref=lookoutnews.org), with appointed leaders saying that transgender people will be given anti-depressants instead of their medically prescribed treatment — a practice that conversion therapy advocates support." The administration has also moved to restrict gender-affirming care through executive actions targeting health care access in federal programs. The Department of Defense has reinstated a ban on transgender military service, and federal agencies have rolled back anti-discrimination protections covering gender identity. ![Someone is administering an injection into another person's abdomen.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/04/WEB_20260331_TheJab_KathleenDreierPhotography_KDP_0272.jpg) **A participant receives a hormone injection during the Trans Day of Visibility Public Hormone Jab at Tucson City Hall. Photo by and courtesy of Kathleen Dreier.* In Arizona, trans residents have faced restrictions on youth health care, limitations on public space access, and ongoing legal challenges to birth certificate changes and insurance coverage for gender-affirming care. At the event, Sean Bottai —who administered an injection to his partner, Defino — said the ruling and broader political climate were central to his decision to attend: “Once those freedoms and rights start to erode for one population, all populations will end up losing freedoms and protections.” [State regulators consider conversion therapy “unprofessional conduct,” but so far have not prevented it.Despite local counselors advertising different kinds of conversion therapies online, no one has been investigated for it.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-256.png)LOOKOUTJosephine Jaye McAuliffe (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/ConvtherapyIllo-1-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizona-board-behavioral-health-conversion-therapy/) [Arizona counselors use “sex addiction” to practice conversion therapy, critics say.A LOOKOUT investigation finds that a specific group of religious-based counselors are possibly violating their certifications and licenses.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-257.png)LOOKOUTJosephine Jaye McAuliffe (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/SEXADDICITIONILLO-1-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizona-counselors-practice-sex-addiction-conversion-therapy/) ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### ICE Detained a Queer Migrant Rights Organizer During a Check-In, Then Placed Her in a Men’s Facility. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/ice-detained-a-queer-migrant-rights-organizer-during-a-check-in-then-placed-her-in-a-mens-facility/ Last updated: 2026-05-20T15:58:05.000Z Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested a Phoenix-based immigrant rights organizer during a scheduled check-in earlier this month, a move fellow organizers say is retaliation for her role in pushing for the release of another queer detainee. Karla Saenz, an organizer with Trans Queer Pueblo, was taken into custody March 9 during a routine appointment with immigration officials in Phoenix, according to an eyewitness and Trans Queer Pueblo volunteer. “They took us to a back room and said Karla had an arrest warrant but they did not provide one. They handcuffed Karla and took her away,” [said Cristen Pointer](https://www.tqpueblo.org/general-8?ref=lookoutnews.org), who was with Saenz when she was arrested. [![Ad for becoming a Lookout member, offering swag, event tickets, and a magazine subscription.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Saenz is now being held at the Eloy Detention Center, a sprawling immigration facility about 60 miles southeast of the city. ICE officials have claimed Saenz missed prior check-ins, according to advocates familiar with the case. But she and her supporters dispute that account, saying she had consistently complied with supervision requirements, including showing up for her appointments. Advocates and members of Trans Queer Pueblo argue the detention is retaliatory, pointing to Saenz’s visible role in organizing against immigration enforcement and detention practices in Arizona. ICE did not immediately respond to questions about the arrest. “She’s still feeling very positive and willing to fight both legally and publicly,” said a member of Trans Queer Pueblo who did not want to be named for fear of retaliation. # Have Insider Info? Share it With Our Team. ## Help Us Hold Power Accountable Have a tip for our reporters? Submit any documents or insider tips by clicking on the button below. [Email a Tip ](mailto:editor@lookoutnews.org) For the first two days in detention, Saenz — a transgender woman — was held in a men’s-only ward, according to her friends and family. They said she also contracted COVID-19 while inside. Saenz has been a prominent and visible supporter of Arbella “Yari” Marquez, whose case recently drew attention after immigration authorities detained her despite years of living in the United States with her partner and community. In detention, Marquez’s leukemia has returned. She is now regularly vomiting blood and has lost more than 70 pounds, according to letters from Marquez and statements from her friends and loved ones. “These attacks disproportionately impact already marginalized communities and undermine community engagement and silence dissent,” said Luz Canela, communications director for Familia Trans Queer Liberation, in a press release. [Joseph Wardenski Defends Transgender Correctional OfficerWhen Kaden Vitellaro joined the state prison system, he thought it would be a lifelong career. Instead, he says he was harassed, misgendered, and driven out — and the state used federal policy to justify it.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-255.png)LOOKOUTCelina Jiménez (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Tucson_Sandstone_Sign-1.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-trans-male-correctional-officer-was-told-to-wear-a-womens-uniform-and-use-the-wrong-restroom/) Since Saenz’s detention, shockwaves have moved through the organization’s network of members and supporters, many of whom live under the same system of regular immigration check-ins. Saenz is currently detained at the Eloy Detention Center, one of the largest immigration detention facilities in the country. The facility has long drawn criticism from immigrant rights advocates over detention conditions and the role of private prison contractors in operating immigration facilities. It has also come under renewed scrutiny in recent weeks following the death of a detainee in ICE custody. Eloy is one of the nation’s deadliest detention centers. A recent report from the Florence Immigration & Refugee Rights Project cited the facility’s consistent “medical neglect, mistreatment during mental health crises, broken air conditioning in the midst of the Arizona summer, verbal and physical abuse by guards, and aggressive and invasive strip searches.” [![Membership options for LOOKOUT magazine offering swag, events, and magazines. Insider: $8/month, Leader: $25/month.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/01/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px---1920-x-1080-px---2-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) In early March, a Haitian man detained at another detention center in Arizona died after reportedly struggling for weeks to receive treatment for severe tooth pain. The man, identified as Emmanuel Damas, began complaining of pain in mid-February before his condition worsened, and he was eventually transferred to a hospital, where he died. Damas’ death has prompted calls from lawmakers and advocacy groups for an investigation into medical care inside ICE detention facilities. “A toothache should not be a death sentence,” U.S. Rep. Adelita Grijalva, who represents southern Arizona, said in a press release about Damas. “How many more people have to die at federal detention facilities before we say enough is enough?” U.S. Rep. Yassamin Ansari, who represents south Phoenix and [invited Marquez’s partner to attend this year’s State of the Union](https://www.lookoutnews.org/during-state-of-the-union-trump-promoted-more-deportations-one-couples-story-highlights-the-human-toll/), has visited Eloy multiple times and called out the medical neglect and other abuses. “The way ICE treats people in detention is absolutely appalling, especially transgender individuals. It’s sickening and deeply un-American,” she told LOOKOUT in a statement. Ansari said she has visited detention centers in Arizona seven times, finding inhumane treatment in all of them. “ICE and companies like CoreCivic and GEO Group quite literally have billions of dollars and yet are choosing to treat human beings like animals. I won’t stop exposing and fighting against Trump’s cruel mass deportation agenda,” she said. [Trump Has Promoted More Deportations. One Couple’s Story Highlights the Human Toll.As immigration took center stage, a Phoenix woman’s trip to the nation’s capital spotlighted her detained partner’s declining health and broader criticisms about LGBTQ+ safety in custody.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-253.png)LOOKOUTJohn Washington (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Almaraz-2-1-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/during-state-of-the-union-trump-promoted-more-deportations-one-couples-story-highlights-the-human-toll/) [LGBTQ+ Asylum Seeker Alleges Abuse at Arizona Detention CenterA gay Russian asylum seeker says he fears torture or death if deported. Arizona advocates say his case is part of a disturbing trend.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-254.png)LOOKOUTNatalia Rodriguez (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/46051478501_d97b5964dc_b-1-1.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/lgbtq-asylum-seeker-alleges-abuse-at-arizona-immigration-detention-center/) Immigration detention poses particular dangers for LGBTQ+ migrants, especially transgender and nonbinary people. Reports and lawsuits have documented cases of harassment, isolation and denial of gender-affirming medical care inside immigration detention facilities. In some cases, LGBTQ+ detainees have been placed in prolonged solitary confinement. In Eloy, for example, an openly gay detainee claimed multiple instances of abuse in an [official complaint filed against CoreCivic last summer](https://www.lookoutnews.org/lgbtq-asylum-seeker-alleges-abuse-at-arizona-immigration-detention-center/). Organizations like Trans Queer Pueblo have spent years campaigning against the detention of LGBTQ+ migrants. Members of Trans Queer Pueblo and allied immigrant rights groups are now calling for Saenz’s release and demanding transparency from immigration authorities about the circumstances of her arrest. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Lawsuit Counters Pima County Sheriff's Claims on Border Patrol URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/scoop-pima-county-sheriffs-office-collaborated-with-border-patrol-despite-claims-it-doesnt-lawsuit-alleges/ Last updated: 2026-05-20T16:08:01.000Z Civil rights lawyers are accusing deputies with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department of handing people over to Border Patrol, despite repeated claims from its top cop Sheriff Chris Nanos that it does not collaborate with federal police to enforce immigration violations. Court documents filed by the ACLU of Arizona against Nanos on Wednesday detail incidents between 2021 and 2023 in which deputies contacted and coordinated with Border Patrol agents regarding people who were suspected of no crime. In one incident, five men on a construction company’s property told a security guard they were looking for work. The guard called both the Sheriff’s Department and Border Patrol. When sheriff’s deputies learned that Border Patrol wouldn’t arrive for more than an hour, they offered the men a ride to a Taco Bell — then told Border Patrol agents to meet them there and take the men into federal custody, according to the lawsuit. [![An advertisement for becoming a Lookout member, offering free swag, tickets, and their magazine.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) In another incident laid out by lawyers for the ACLU, a deputy made contact with a group of Spanish-speaking men on the side of a road, acknowledged the men were under no criminal suspicion, but still called Border Patrol to have them removed. A third incident was triggered when a 911 caller reported seeing 25 to 45 Hispanic individuals with foreign accents congregating behind a Dollar General store — a location for “people who are not of the United States” to get picked up, the lawsuit quotes one deputy as saying. “PCSD deputies appear to have engaged in unconstitutional coordination with federal immigration authorities, generally against Spanish-speaking individuals who cannot produce U.S. identification but are under no suspicion of criminal wrongdoing,” the ACLU brief states. Nanos did not immediately respond to requests for comment. ![A sheriff in uniform stands next to a vehicle with red lights on.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/03/AP26040556679990.jpg) A member of the Pima County Sheriff's Department stands by his truck on Monday, Feb. 9, 2026 in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ty ONeil) The case unfolds against the backdrop of an intensifying national debate over the role of local law enforcement in federal immigration enforcement. Since the start of the second Trump administration, the federal government has pushed state and local agencies to expand cooperation with immigration authorities, with local lawmakers often acquiescing to the request. (For example, state Sen. Wendy Rogers, R-Flagstaff, [sponsored a bill to mandate Arizona sheriffs](https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/57leg/2R/bills/sb1474s.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.) Pima County, which includes 130 miles along the U.S.-Mexico border, has been a focal point of that pressure, with its sheriff among the local officials most vocal in resisting Trump’s requests. [He has repeatedly told the public](https://news.azpm.org/p/azpmnews/2025/1/16/223328-sheriff-nanos-says-he-will-not-enforce-federal-laken-riley-act/?ref=lookoutnews.org#:~:text=%E2%80%9CI%20do%20not%20have%20the,Border%20Patrol%2C%E2%80%9D%20Nanos%20said.) that his department does not enforce federal immigration law, that deputies have no desire to serve as de facto federal immigration agents, and that immigration status is “not a concern” to his office, according to the lawsuit. He told the [*Arizona Daily Star*](https://tucson.com/news/local/government-politics/article%5F1f1647b9-05fc-4635-91f3-50dded900edf.html?ref=lookoutnews.org) last July, for example, adding that his agency specifically refuses to cooperate with ICE and considers detention requests “unconstitutional.” But the incidents documented in Wednesday’s court filing tell a more complicated story. Pima County Supervisor Jen Allen told *LOOKOUT* she found the incidents “very disturbing.” “We have been repeatedly assured by the sheriff that his agency wants nothing to do with enforcing civil immigration infractions, yet the complaint shows a different story,” Allen said. “We need to be able to trust our sheriff at his word and know that his agency is dedicated to public safety for all Pima County residents, regardless of skin color, language, or what ID they may or may not have on hand.” [ACLU Lawsuit Against Pima County SheriffRead the lawsuit in full hereACLU PCSD lawsuit.pdf296 KBdownload-circle](https://www.lookoutnews.org/content/files/2026/03/ACLU-PCSD-lawsuit.pdf "Download") The incidents of deputies calling Border Patrol are drawn from Sheriff’s Department reports produced through litigation — records that the department resisted turning over for nearly five months [after the ACLU first requested them last May](https://azluminaria.org/2025/07/30/aclu-sues-pima-county-sheriff-seeking-transparency-about-calls-to-border-patrol/?ref=lookoutnews.org). Earlier that same month, this reporter wrote for Arizona Luminaria that the Sheriff’s Department was [violating its own seven-year-old policy](https://azluminaria.org/2025/05/15/pima-sheriff-border-patrol-tracking-policy/?ref=lookoutnews.org) by not keeping track of how many people its deputies hand over to immigration officials. Soon after publication, [the department changed its policy.](https://azluminaria.org/2025/07/09/pima-sheriff-border-patrol-policy-change/?ref=lookoutnews.org) Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos told the news outlet at the time that tracking such handovers was unnecessary: “The need does not exist,” Nanos said. Following the ongoing lawsuit seeking disclosure of those reports, the ACLU is asking the court to declare that Nanos violated Arizona Public Records Law by not producing the records. John Mitchell, immigrants’ rights attorney for the ACLU of Arizona, told *LOOKOUT* the findings so far in the lawsuit are “unsettling.” [![Become a Lookout member for $8 or $25/month, offering magazine issues, events, and swag.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/01/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px---1920-x-1080-px---2-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) “Equally shocking is that Sheriff Nanos appears to have no policies about when or how to contact immigration,” Mitchell said. “For a county that extends to the U.S.-Mexico border, this is unconscionable. If you don’t train deputies on the clear limits of their authority, how can you know if they are respecting those limits?” Though the claims against Nanos date back as far as five years, local police leaders have echoed similar assertions since Trump’s aggressive immigration crackdown over the past year. They have said they do not collaborate with Department of Homeland Security officers to enforce federal immigration laws. But multiple groups — including LGBTQ+ civil rights advocates focused on migrants — have documented anecdotal cases in which local police across the greater Phoenix area have handed people over to DHS during traffic stops. [Trump Has Promoted More Deportations. One Couple’s Story Highlights the Human Toll.As immigration took center stage, a Phoenix woman’s trip to the nation’s capital spotlighted her detained partner’s declining health and broader criticisms about LGBTQ+ safety in custody.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-251.png)LOOKOUTJohn Washington (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Almaraz-2-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/during-state-of-the-union-trump-promoted-more-deportations-one-couples-story-highlights-the-human-toll/) [In Surprise, Residents Push Back Against Proposed Detention CenterWorries over racial targeting, lost clientele, and roaming ICE agents loom as DHS plans to move into Phoenix suburb.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-252.png)LOOKOUTJohn Washington (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_8383-1-1.JPG)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/in-surprise-residents-push-back-against-proposed-detention-center/) Organizations such as Trans Queer Pueblo in Phoenix, Mariposas Sin Fronteras in Tucson, and the national group Familia: Trans Queer Liberation Movement have raised concerns about police collaboration with federal law enforcement since the first Trump administration. At that time, the president issued an executive order expanding local police authority to detain undocumented people. [A 2017 report from the Center for American Progress](https://www.americanprogress.org/article/police-entanglement-immigration-enforcement-puts-lgbtq-lives-risk/?ref=lookoutnews.org), a progressive think tank, warned the policy would increase police contact with LGBTQ+ people, and specifically transgender migrants who face higher rates of violence than their cisgender peers. The revelations come at a particularly fraught time for Nanos, as recent reporting from the [*Arizona Republic* claims he recently lied under oath](https://archive.ph/U0ndl?ref=lookoutnews.org#selection-729.0-761.171), misrepresented his work history on a resume, and faced repeated suspensions for misconduct during his early years as a police officer in the 1980s. The Pima County Board of Supervisors this week took the unusual step of compelling him to answer questions about his work history. Failing to do so could be grounds for his dismissal. A petition is also circulating calling for Nanos’ recall. “In light of what we now know about his work history and willingness to give false testimony, I’m not all that surprised that he may not be fully transparent with the community about this issue,” Matt Heinz, Pima County District 2 supervisor, told *LOOKOUT*. He added that sheriff’s deputies turning over people to Border Patrol is “directly in opposition to what the vast majority of this community wants.” ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### A Magical Playground for the Wild, Weird, and Wonderful URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-magical-playground-for-the-wild-weird-and-wonderful/ Last updated: 2026-04-22T05:46:39.000Z #### OutBack This is one in a series that uncovers the untold stories of LGBTQ+ life beyond the city, celebrating queer resilience, creativity, and community in Arizona's suburban and rural areas. [Read the full series here. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tag/outback/) Unicorns. Wizards. And secret tunnels. That’s just some of the magic at Tucson’s Valley of the Moon — a full-blown fever dream of a magical cloudland where imagination takes center stage, sometimes literally. Tucked into midtown Tucson, this enchanted historic fairyland is a two-and-a-half-acre oasis featuring theater productions, tours and markets. Think gardens, sculptures and figurine-laden alcoves that transport visitors into another dimension. [![Advertisement for becoming a Lookout member, offering swag and a magazine.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) And honestly, it kind of does. From preschoolers to teens and adults, Valley of the Moon attracts “everyone who has a sense of whimsy and wonder,” said Dante Crossroad, a board member, community access steward and head of the theatrical department. It has also become a haven for the LGBTQ+ community and others since the 1930s. Above all, the goal is to promote the idea that “kindness to all is the golden key to happiness,” Crossroad said. ### **Historic roots** Valley of the Moon was founded by George Phar Legler, an Indiana native who moved to Tucson in 1917\. He worked on the railroad and later served as a part-time postal clerk, according to the organization’s website. He died in 1982. The inspiration began when Legler created an early, smaller version outside the window of a 14-year-old girl who was dying of tuberculosis. After her death, her father asked Legler to help his grieving wife. Legler decided to create “a place where everyone could express their imagination and heal the mind and spirit,” according to the website. He built Valley of the Moon from 1923 to 1932, enlisting the help of men experiencing homelessness, who traded labor for room and board. ![A whimsical cat figurine dressed in medieval attire, playing a stringed instrument, surrounded by lights and rocks.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/03/Valley-of-the-Mooon-bunny.jpeg) The grounds of Valley of the Moon in Tucson are strewn with whimsical creatures, like this bunny that harkens back to the time when the founder ran a live bunny theater. Photo: Geri Koeppel There, Legler staged primarily one-man shows. In the 1940s, he added the Bunnyland Theater, which featured live fashion shows with tailor-made outfits, according to an August 1947 article in *California Rabbits Magazine*. Today, Valley of the Moon is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a Tucson Historic Landmark. It is run by the George Phar Legler Society Inc., which includes eight directors and a cadre of volunteers. ### **Get a “unicorn sound bath”** Volunteers at Valley of the Moon handle everything from leading tours to maintaining the grounds and performing in biannual productions. With a grant from the Robert B. McMillen Foundation, Crossroad was hired in January 2026 for a temporary role to expand public access to the site. [Bullhead City’s Queer Sanctuary Takes RootMystic Energies Healing has grown from a local storefront into a national hub for LGBTQ connection and spiritual healing.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-247.png)LOOKOUTGeri Koeppel (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Mystic-Energies-retail-1.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/bullhead-citys-queer-sanctuary-takes-root/) [In Rural Arizona, a Gay Couple Built a Haven for Nature LoversFor more than two decades, life partners Patrick Dome and Karl Schmitt have offered queer travelers — and everyone else — a place in Cochise County.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-248.png)LOOKOUTGeri Koeppel (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Casa-de-San-Pedro-1.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/in-rural-arizona-a-gay-couple-built-a-haven-for-nature-lovers/) Currently, the grounds are open for free at various times on the first Saturday of each month. Themes vary, but Crossroad said the first Saturday in May is always popular because of the Beltane celebration — a Gaelic May Day tradition — which sometimes features performances from the Hags of Tucson and Cirque Collective. The third Sunday of each month features a free Magical Marketplace in the parking lot, with local arts and crafts vendors from 2 to 5 p.m. Historic docent tours are also available; tickets start at $5 and are free for members and children ages 7 and younger. Other paid events include wellness classes such as qigong, an ancient Chinese breathing practice, and meditation. The venue also hosts “unicorn sound baths” led by Resident Unicorn Richard Crummitt of Tucson, as well as summer day camps for children. The property is also available to rent for private events. ### **A group supporting each other** The biggest draws at Valley of the Moon are its interactive, roaming original theater productions, which run from 6 to 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 5 to 7 p.m. on Sundays in April and October. This spring’s production, “Fantastical Creatures Great and Small,” follows a veterinarian apprentice who travels far from home to treat not dogs and cats, but dragons, unicorns, and jackalopes. Watercolor Golightly of Tucson said she and her 8-year-old child will both appear in the April production. “Something that’s really important to me as a mom is having my child in versatile places that show art and community and acceptance and all different types of people,” Golightly said. [In Cottonwood, a Former Church Becomes a Queer Gathering Space.In a town better known for wine tasting rooms and Old West charm, a former church now anchors a growing queer arts and nightlife scene in the Verde Valley.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-249.png)LOOKOUTGeri Koeppel (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/display2-3.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/in-cottonwood-a-former-church-becomes-a-queer-gathering-space/) [A MAGA Stronghold. A Queer Baker. And the Best Cinnamon Rolls In Northern Arizona.In a town where rainbow flags are rare, The Bearded Baker has become a sanctuary for queer visibility, and seriously good bread.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-250.png)LOOKOUTGeri Koeppel (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Bearded-Baker-with-goods-1-4.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-maga-stronghold-a-queer-baker-and-the-best-cinnamon-rolls-in-northern-arizona/) Valley of the Moon fits the bill. “When my child started expressing that they wanted to be wearing dresses and have long hair and do things that most people relate with femininity, it was extra important to have safe places where they could freely experiment with what it is to be a human being with no fear of judgment,” Golightly said. “And that is something that we have at Valley.” She added: “There are a lot of gender-fluid people at Valley and a lot of gender-nonconforming folks. And there’s punk rockers, and there’s Mormons, and they all support each other and hold each other. “It’s about what we have in common, but it’s also celebrating how unique and different and delightful everyone is.” ### **Valley of the Moon** Address: 2544 E. Allen Road, Tucson, AZ 85716 Contact: wizard@tucsonvalleyofthemoon.net #### Correction An earlier version of this article misstated the hours of operation. We regret the error. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### An Arizona Bill Could Restrict Uploading Satirical Content of Politicians. The Governor’s Office Is Eyeing It. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/an-arizona-bill-could-restrict-uploading-satirical-content-of-politicians-the-governors-office-is-eyeing-it/ Last updated: 2026-04-22T05:51:58.000Z A bill with bipartisan support could give Arizona politicians broad control over how people post adult content online, and Gov. Katie Hobbs’ office has quietly contacted lobbyists about it, which they said signals an interest in signing the measure. HB2133, which passed out of the house with a supermajority vote, would require anyone who uploads adult content — whether real, illustrated, or AI-generated — to obtain consent from every person depicted. Its sponsor, Rep. Nick Kupper (R-Surprise) frames the legislation as a measure to combat revenge porn and child sexual abuse material. But lawmakers, civil liberties advocates, and technology experts warn the law’s broad language would sweep in streaming platforms, social media services, and ordinary users, potentially censoring legal speech. Despite those warnings, insiders say Hobbs’ office has contacted lobbyists to get the bill in shape to go to her desk. A spokesperson for the governor, Christian Slater, disputed that characterization: “Your sources are wrong,” he said. “The governor hasn't taken a position internally or otherwise. As the governor's office does with any piece of legislation, we are engaging stakeholders and legislators on HB2133.” [![Ad for Lookout membership offering free swag, event tickets, and a magazine.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) But two local lobbyists who spoke with *LOOKOUT* said the Hobbs administration has in the past only reached out when there is intent to sign a bill. Hobbs has been staunch in her support of signing bipartisan legislation, which this measure has, with a supermajority vote in favor in the House. Slater would not comment further on Hobbs’ intentions regarding the bill. "The House voted this bill out with a supermajority," said Marilyn Rodriguez, a partner at the progressive lobbying firm Creosote Partners. "I think the Governor will sign it." If the bill passes and is signed, lawmakers in opposition said it could have wide-ranging consequences for major streaming platforms, potentially sparking costly court battles. “This isn’t just about adult content websites,” said Sen. Analise Ortiz (D-Phoenix). “Any TV show or movie with a PG-13 or R rating will have to think about this.” In a Senate committee hearing debating the bill, Ortiz asked if even a satirical clip — such as a *South Park* scene depicting President Donald Trump and Satan having sex — could be considered a violation, forcing users or platforms to secure consent from public figures or risk legal action. # Want to Share Insider Information? ## Help keep power accountable. LOOKOUT relies on tips from readers to get our news out. Click on the button below to submit a secure email to our team. Any information you send will be kept confidential in accordance with our ethics guidelines. [Email a Tip ](mailto:editor@lookoutnews.org) Kupper responded that the bill would require users to get Trump’s consent before posting. Technology and civil liberties experts said that admission is a bright red flag. Kate Ruane, director of the Center for Democracy and Technology’s Free Expression Project, said the bill’s definition of “synthetic” content — any visual depiction altered or created using AI or digital technology — is vague and could encompass parody, satire, or public-interest citizen reporting. “That introduces a whole new host of issues that will create a gigantic burden for speech that is happening on a lot of very big platforms that allow sexual content,” Ruane said, referencing websites such as Reddit, BlueSky, and X. “It will be up to the whims of political actors to determine what content is covered by sexual content that is harmful to minors.” Platforms could face pressure to preemptively remove content or block Arizona users entirely, which happened last year when Hobbs signed a bill that required age verification for websites that show adult sexual content. “What we're dealing with here is the potential for significant jawboning, essentially, on the part of motivated politicians who wish to erase certain speech from the internet,” Ruane said. “What you could get is just gigantic blocking of content.” HB2133 would require platforms to verify consent for every individual depicted, creating a significant compliance burden. One state lobbyist, who asked not to be named, gave an example: If a user posted art, such as nude photos taken by Robert Mapplethorpe or Andy Warhol, the bill would require consent from the models. [![Membership options for "LOOKOUT" magazine offering swag, event tickets, and magazine issues. Prices: $8 or $25/month.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/01/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px---1920-x-1080-px---2-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) The bill also puts companies in compliance with federal law in a catch-22: Adult content websites in the U.S. already maintain records under federal law, but Kupper’s bill would force those companies to destroy documentation and potentially violate federal regulations. Kupper’s office did not respond to an email requesting comment on the bill and possible amendments. But Mike Stabile, director of public policy at the Free Speech Coalition, which represents the adult entertainment industry, said during a committee hearing that he was working with Kupper on amendments to align the bill with federal record-keeping laws. [Hobbs Signed Ten Bills Modeled From Far-Right Playbooks, Including Project 2025The bills identified by LOOKOUT and Arizona Mirror echo language from groups like The Heritage Foundation.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-245.png)LOOKOUTTori Gantz (she/they)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Hobbs-budget-signing-070125-1.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/policies-favored-by-the-far-right-ended-up-on-hobbs-desk-and-got-signed-into-law/) [Gov. Hobbs Signs Arizona LGBTQ Bill Amid Criticism – LOOKOUTThe bill, HB 2112, says it would restrict sexual materials online for minors, but the Project 2025 playbook which the bill is modeled from mentions “transgender ideology” as pornographic.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-246.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/53447489827_1d07a8b983_k-2.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/gov-hobbs-signs-bill-advocates-say-targets-lgbtq-people/) But most concerning for free speech advocates is how HB2133’s language mirrors elements of Project 2025's Mandate for Leadership, a Heritage Foundation framework that calls for broad regulation of online sexual content. Ortiz said the bill represents “authoritarian overreach” and a misuse of the guise of child protection. “This has nothing to do with protecting kids, and we need to get serious about real policies that will actually keep our kids safe,” she said. “This bill is not it.” ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Bullhead City's Queer Sanctuary Takes Root URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/bullhead-citys-queer-sanctuary-takes-root/ Last updated: 2026-05-20T16:02:47.000Z #### OutBack This is one in a series that uncovers the untold stories of LGBTQ+ life beyond the city, celebrating queer resilience, creativity, and community in Arizona's suburban and rural areas. [Read the full series here. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tag/outback/) In the far northwestern corner of Arizona, just minutes from the Nevada border, a lesbian couple has turned a metaphysical shop into an unlikely hub for queer connection — drawing clients from across the country to a city where LGBTQ+ visibility remains sparse. Mystic Energies Healing, a metaphysical boutique and wellness center offering tarot readings, Reiki, somatic healing and spiritual coaching, has grown from a small local venture into a destination with clients across the country. It originally opened in February 2022, but expanded three years later to a larger space and has customers from across the United States. Today, it blends a retail shop, classes, and healing modalities, including one-on-one coaching, both in-person and online. [![A banner promoting Lookout membership, offering swag, event tickets, and a magazine.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) For owners Nikolle and Christina Morrigan, opening the shop was about creating the kind of space they once needed themselves. They said their aim is to help others live their true lives — just as they’ve done. “It’s a sacred space for healing, empowerment, and a place for people to come and feel like they’re part of a community,” Christina said.“The most important part is that they learn that who they are is OK and that they don’t have to strive to be something different. The bottom line is, I want people to be able to remove their masks, because society teaches us to wear so many (of them).” ### **‘Tarot helped save my life’** Christina admits that the queer community has little presence in Bullhead City, in the far northwestern corner of Arizona, about a 10-minute drive from Laughlin, Nevada. One reason the couple put down roots there is that Nikolle’s family is there. She moved to Bullhead City from California in 1990\. Christina relocated from Indiana in 2012, and they met in 2016 when Nikolle was assigned to Christina’s classroom as colleagues. (Nikolle was a special education teacher for 18 years; Christina was a teacher and autism coach.) [In Rural Arizona, a Gay Couple Built a Haven for Nature LoversFor more than two decades, life partners Patrick Dome and Karl Schmitt have offered queer travelers — and everyone else — a place in Cochise County.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-240.png)LOOKOUTGeri Koeppel (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Casa-de-San-Pedro.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/in-rural-arizona-a-gay-couple-built-a-haven-for-nature-lovers/) Together, they have eight children and 13 grandchildren. “My master’s is in applied behavior analysis,” Christina said. “I think that’s where we stand out a little bit. We combine spiritual with analytical.” ![Two women pose for a black and white portrait, one standing, the other seated.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/03/Mystic-Energies-owners-3.jpg) Nikolle and Christina Morgan own Mystic Energies Healing in Bullhead City, Arizona. Credit: Mystic Energies Healing She said she found her spiritual path in Bullhead City, which led her and Nikolle to start the business. “Mystic Energies was basically born out of my own health struggles and issues with codependency and depression and anxiety and feeling like I didn’t belong anywhere,” Christina said. “Once I found ways to heal myself, I wanted to heal others.” She began offering Reiki from her home and at yoga studios before the couple opened the business, and also offered tarot readings from her home as a tool for self-discovery, personal growth and healing. “Tarot helped save my life,” Christina said. [![Promotion for LOOKOUT membership options, offering benefits like exclusive swag, magazine issues, and event access.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/01/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px---1920-x-1080-px---2-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) She uses it in one-on-one spiritual coaching and said tarot cards guide “shadow work.” The latter is a term coined by Swiss psychologist Carl Jung to describe a process that reveals parts of ourselves we deny—anything from trauma to gender identity to a passion for painting—and allows us to accept ourselves. “If we’re rejecting and denying parts of ourselves, we can’t fully show up as our authentic selves,” Christina said. “Shadow work helps us realize who we truly are and why we’re here… and what makes us tick, what makes us act the way we do, our behaviors, our patterns, how we project on others. It’s deep.” [A MAGA Stronghold. A Queer Baker. And the Best Cinnamon Rolls In Northern Arizona.In a town where rainbow flags are rare, The Bearded Baker has become a sanctuary for queer visibility, and seriously good bread.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-242.png)LOOKOUTGeri Koeppel (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Bearded-Baker-with-goods-1-3.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-maga-stronghold-a-queer-baker-and-the-best-cinnamon-rolls-in-northern-arizona/) The way she uses tarot isn’t about fortune-telling, but reading people’s energy. “We have free will,” Christina said. “If we don’t like what the cards say, we can go out and make different choices and change the trajectory of our life…. It’s a good tool to help people see where they need to course correct.” ### **Crystals, classes, coaching online and IRL** Mystic Energies Healing sells crystals, tarot and oracle decks, loose-leaf herbs, tea blends, essential oil sprays, altar supplies, incense, statues of deities, Christina’s “spelled” bracelets (with different intentions and energies) and Nikolle’s hand-poured intention candles. On top of a Facebook group where people can call dibs on items before they hit the shelves, there is also a monthly membership for $88 that includes an “embodiment” toolkit, which teaches about the archetype of the month from the tarot and how to embody it. But beyond the items they sell, the events at Mystic Energies Healing is what has drawn people to their store. “A lot of classes are held on Zoom, so you don’t have to be local to attend,” Christine said. At least half of their clients don’t live in the area. [In Cottonwood, a Former Church Becomes a Queer Gathering Space.In a town better known for wine tasting rooms and Old West charm, a former church now anchors a growing queer arts and nightlife scene in the Verde Valley.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-243.png)LOOKOUTGeri Koeppel (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/display2-2.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/in-cottonwood-a-former-church-becomes-a-queer-gathering-space/) [How a Tiny Arizona Town Became Home to a National Queer Arts ExhibitionAn LGBTQ+-owned gallery in Tubac has become a hub for similar artists, even after some locals pushed back.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-244.png)LOOKOUTGeri Koeppel (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Bill-Davis-Bruce-Baughman-1-2.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/how-a-tiny-arizona-town-became-home-to-a-national-queer-arts-exhibition/) Brianna and Dani Guerrero, who married in 2022, attended new moon and full moon rituals, interactive tarot classes, and other events when they lived locally, and now that they live in North Carolina, they stay connected via Zoom. She added that Dani took Christina’s one-on-one coaching, which helped her through a difficult time in her life. “The shop has been influential in our lives, in our marriage, in our individual growth,” Brianna said. “It’s just such a welcoming place. And I think that it’s also a place where you can really learn a lot about yourself.” --- ### **Mystic Energies Healing** *Address: 3750 Highway 95, Suite 105, Bullhead City, AZ 86442* *Hours: Noon-6 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, noon-4 p.m. Saturday* *Contact: magick@mysticenergieshealing.com;* [*Facebook page*](https://www.facebook.com/groups/213377505964398) ### Turning Point Targets SRP Election Shaped by Unequal Voting URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/turning-point-targets-srp-election-shaped-by-unequal-voting/ Last updated: 2026-04-07T00:18:20.000Z #### ****WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW** - Not everyone who has SRP is eligible to vote, depending on where you live. [****Follow this link to see if you’re eligible.**](https://www.srpnet.com/about/governance-leadership/elections/how-to-vote?ref=lookoutnews.org) - If you have APS, you might be able to vote in the election. - If you are eligible, you will not get a ballot automatically. [****Follow this link to request a ballot by March 9.**](https://www.srpnet.com/about/governance-leadership/elections/how-to-vote?ref=lookoutnews.org) - Voting begins March 11, with all ballots due back by April 7\. Nearly half of the 1.1 million customers served by the state’s largest utility company are barred from voting in an upcoming election that has drawn support from Turning Point Action, using the race to remove what they claim to be “radical environmentalists” from utility leadership. SRP users in large portions of the Valley’s more politically progressive areas in downtown centers — such as Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe, Chandler and Glendale — are not eligible to vote in the April 7 Salt River Project election, which will help determine the leadership in one of Arizona’s largest public utility companies. At the same time, some property owners who are not SRP customers are eligible. [![An advertisement encouraging people to become a Lookout member, highlighting benefits like swag and magazine delivery.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Unlike most elections, voting eligibility for the Salt River Project, or SRP, election is not tied to residency, but to a century-old land ownership agreement connected to historic agricultural parcels. It also deviates from standard elections, as eligible voters must request a ballot individually (being on the state’s early voter list does not qualify someone to receive a ballot), and residents can only vote if they are property owners. Voting rights groups, meanwhile, have raised questions about equity and who has a say in their public utilities. Advocates and candidates say those rules — combined with typically low turnout — make the election unusually consequential despite its low public profile. ### **Who’s backing whom?** Both the water and power divisions of SRP are governed by a board and a council, which set utility rates and internal policies, respectively. This year’s election includes races for board president and vice president, seven board seats and 15 council seats. Turning Point Action — the lobbying and political arm of the far-right Christian-conservative group Turning Point USA — has endorsed nine candidates, including those under the [Elected Leadership for SRP](https://www.electedleadershipforsrp.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org) banner. Those include Christopher J. Dobson for board president and Barry E. Paceley for vice president, and Kelly Cooper and Rusty Kennedy for at-large board seats. Other endorsed candidates include Nina Mullins, Mark V. Pace, Paul Rovey, Nicholas J. Vanderwey and Leslie C. Williams. # Want to Share Insider Information? ## Help keep power accountable. LOOKOUT relies on tips from readers to get our news out. Click on the button below to submit a secure email to our team. Any information you send will be kept confidential in accordance with our ethics guidelines. [Email a Tip ](mailto:editor@lookoutnews.org) They face opposition from a slate of candidates called the [SRP Clean Energy Team](https://srpcleanenergy.org/?ref=lookoutnews.org), which includes former Arizona Corporation Commissioner Sandra Kennedy for president and current at-large board member Casey Clowes for vice president, along with Nicole Brown, Lupe Conchas, Allison Gullick, Regina Gutierrez, Melissa Harlan, Kathy Mohr-Almeida, Randy Miller and Krista O’Brien. The team has also endorsed Ken Clark and John and Sara Travise. Although SRP elections are officially nonpartisan, those running describe the contest as carrying broader political implications related to energy policy and governance. And online, the race has drawn attention from Arizona’s far-right political faction. Far-right former state senator from Tucson Justine Wadsack posted on social media with Turning Point Action members saying that the SRP election was a test to get Congressman Andy Biggs, a MAGA conservative, elected to governor. And Turning Point Action Chief Operating Officer Tyler Bowyer wrote on social media that his goal in the race was to significantly increase Trump-aligned conservative voter participation in the election, arguing that the outcome could influence Arizona’s energy direction. “My goal is to out-register the Democrats 10-1 for the (SRP) election,” he wrote on his social media profile on X. “We need to get the radical environmentalists out of AZ and prevent them from dramatically increasing our utility rates.” It is unclear how much money Turning Point Action has put into the race: Josie Mitz, a spokesperson for the Clean Energy Team, told [Axios that they expect to be outspent](https://www.axios.com/local/phoenix/2026/02/24/srp-election-clean-energy-business-slate-turning-point?utm%5Fsource=newsletter&utm%5Fmedium=email&utm%5Fcampaign=newsletter%5Faxioslocal%5Fphoenix&stream=top) 10 to 1\. The public information officer for the Maricopa County Recorder’s Office, which tracks campaign finance spending, didn’t return a series of emails *LOOKOUT* sent over several weeks. And no campaign finance reports have been released publicly, yet. [Religion in Public Schools: Arizona Church Access Sparks DebateAfter a school district near Tucson voted to allow an LDS seminary on district property, questions arose about how it’s even allowed.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-239.png)LOOKOUTTori Gantz (she/they)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Untitled-design--3--1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-law-that-helped-convert-indigenous-people-is-now-used-to-get-churches-near-and-on-school-grounds/) Clean-energy advocates said Turning Point Action is attempting to take advantage of a voting system that shuts out areas populated by largely progressive, younger voters, as well as renters. Turning Point did not respond to emails for comment. ### **Unequal voting rights** SRP elections operate under a system created more than a century ago, when the Phoenix area consisted largely of farms and small settlements. Today, SRP functions as two interconnected entities: the Salt River Valley Water Users’ Association, a private corporation formed in 1903, and the Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power District, a political subdivision of the state established in 1937\. Neither entity is regulated by the Arizona Corporation Commission. ![Map of Phoenix area with numbered districts and various regions labeled.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/03/Screenshot-2026-03-05-at-12.03.12---PM.png) A screenshot of the SRP voter map. Marked out grey spaces within the black outlines are areas ineligible for voting in the April 7 election. Credit: SRP Voting rights stem from early agreements in which farmers pledged land as collateral for federal infrastructure loans used to build canals and the Roosevelt Dam. Those landowners received voting power proportional to their acreage — a system that remains in place even as farmland has been subdivided into suburban neighborhoods. Under the system, voting strength corresponds to land ownership. Owners of large properties may cast hundreds of votes, while a homeowner on a quarter-acre lot receives one-quarter of a vote, divided among co-owners if applicable. For example, someone who owns a 300-acres gets 300 votes, whereas the owner of a single-family home on a quarter-acre lot gets one-quarter of a vote. If two people own that home, that vote is split. The exception is four at-large seats — two of which are being voted on this April — in which every voter is counted as one whole vote. But only eligible landowners who actively request a ballot receive one, and SRP elections — held every two years — typically see turnout of about 5%. [ASU LGBTQ+ Students Fear Fallout After Charlie Kirk’s DeathQueer students at ASU and UArizona say the death of the Turning Point founder heightens their concerns about violence and rising hostility.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-238.png)LOOKOUTAnnika Miyata (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_6851-1-1.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/after-charlie-kirks-killing-arizona-students-brace-for-fallout/) “When I talk to people about it and tell them what’s going on, they get pretty irate that nobody told them about their (rights),” said Ken Clark, who is running for the board. “Power likes to maintain power. If you’re part of this … multigenerational group of people who have been able to dominate the board based on the fact that you own more land, why would you want other people to participate in that election?” Because many downtown neighborhoods throughout the Valley were not developed from those original agricultural parcels, residents there are often excluded from voting eligibility. Suburban communities built on converted farmland are more likely to qualify. But that isn’t always the case: In Phoenix’s Ahwatukee Foothills — which wasn’t developed until decades after the agreement with landowners was inked — or outlying areas such as Fountain Hills and Queen Creek, only a small portion of residents are eligible to vote in the April 7 election. SRP did not respond to emails for comment. [![Membership advertisement for Lookout featuring Insider and Leader options, detailing benefits and pricing.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/01/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px---1920-x-1080-px---2-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) ### **Who is left out** A review by *LOOKOUT* found that many of the areas ineligible to vote in the upcoming election include precincts that heavily favored former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 general election. In Phoenix, the Edison, McDowell, Lowell, and Westward Ho districts are ineligible to vote; each of those precincts supported Democrats by more than 70%. Parts of Glendale’s Tuckey, Myrtle, and Imes districts are also excluded from voting, and those areas likewise voted for Harris. In Chandler, parts of the Commonwealth, Danyell, and Carla Vista districts — where Harris received roughly 55% to 60% of the vote — are also ineligible. To be sure, some Republican-leaning areas are also excluded. The entirety of suburban Fountain Hills, where Donald Trump received nearly twice as many votes as Harris, is also unable to participate in the election. [Turning Point USA Chapters Influence Arizona Classrooms – LOOKOUTThe conservative youth group has deepened its reach inside Arizona schools over the years, creating tension, alarm, and worry for students and staff.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-237.png)LOOKOUTNatalia Rodriguez (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Turning_Point_sign_-42195180564--3.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/as-arizona-students-return-turning-point-usas-influence-looms-over-classrooms/) Still, the map of ineligible areas — shaped largely by patterns of urban development — means that many urban centers, where progressive voters are more concentrated, have been left out of the election. Several candidates and advocates interviewed said SRP’s governance structure reflects historical conditions that no longer align with the region’s current demographics, which have grown rapidly and become far more diverse over the past decade. Advocates note that homeownership disparities may also affect participation rates. A report from the [Urban Institute](https://www.urban.org/research/publication/why-are-there-gaps-lgbtq-homeownership?ref=lookoutnews.org), for example, found LGBTQ+ adults are less likely to own homes than straight and cisgender adults, potentially narrowing the eligible electorate further. Nick Arnold, political committee chair for the Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter, said the limited electorate makes turnout especially influential. As an openly gay man, he said he was worried about how the politics of Turning Point could influence conversations about utilities. “This is an election where relatively small numbers of voters can shape decisions affecting a large population,” Arnold said. “This board can play a major role in bringing costs down, and it’s, at a very bare minimum level, unproductive to have the politics of MAGA involved in a conversation about, ‘How can we run a productive and affordable grid in Arizona?’” Homeowners can [check their eligibility using SRP’s election website](https://www.srpnet.com/about/governance-leadership/elections/how-to-vote?ref=lookoutnews.org). Eligible voters must request a ballot at the same website. #### Correction An earlier version of this article said Nick Arnold worked for Climate Cabinet. He no longer works for the organization, and this article has been updated to reflect his current position. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Trump Has Promoted More Deportations. One Couple’s Story Highlights the Human Toll. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/during-state-of-the-union-trump-promoted-more-deportations-one-couples-story-highlights-the-human-toll/ Last updated: 2026-03-10T19:37:22.000Z In President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address Tuesday night, he promised swift deportations and touted his administration’s immigration crackdown: “We’re getting them the hell out of here fast,” Trump said of migrants. “We don’t want them.” As Trump spoke for nearly two hours, repeatedly invoking gory scenes of violence, Phoenix resident Sonia Almaraz was half a mile away thinking about her partner, Arbella “Yari” Marquez, who is detained at the Eloy Detention Center in central Arizona. Over the years she has been locked up, Marquez’s leukemia has returned. She is now regularly vomiting blood and has lost more than 70 pounds, according to letters from Marquez and statements from her friends and loved ones. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) To advocate for her, Almaraz traveled to the nation’s capital as a guest of Arizona Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari, who announced she would skip Trump’s address and instead attend the [People’s State of the Union](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/watch-live-democratic-lawmakers-join-peoples-state-of-the-union-rally-during-trumps-address?ref=lookoutnews.org) — an alternate event protesting the president that aimed to highlight the stories of constituents impacted by federal policy. In a statement explaining her decision, Ansari said, “I’m skipping Trump’s State of the Union because I refuse to legitimize his corrupt, authoritarian regime.” As politicians gathered in Washington, D.C., Marquez’s health “keeps on deteriorating,” Almaraz said. While Marquez’s story has been highlighted in local media multiple times, one key aspect has been consistently downplayed or overlooked: the couple’s sexual identity. The reality for everyone in immigration detention is dangerous, and [increasingly deadly,](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2026/jan/04/ice-2025-deaths-timeline?ref=lookoutnews.org) but queer people face particular hardship. A [2024 report](https://immigrantjustice.org/research/report-no-human-being-should-be-held-there-the-mistreatment-of-lgbtq-and-hiv-positive-people-in-u-s-federal-immigration-jails/?ref=lookoutnews.org) from the National Immigrant Justice Center found conditions for LGBTQ+ and HIV-positive people “routinely include high rates of physical and sexual violence, improper and prolonged solitary confinement, and inadequate medical care, among other forms of systemic abuse and neglect.” The report found that a third of all LGBTQ+ people surveyed suffered sexual abuse, physical assaults or sexual harassment. In Louisiana, queer migrants held in the [South Louisiana ICE Processing Center in Basile said](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/oct/16/ice-immigration-queer-trans-louisiana?ref=lookoutnews.org) they were coerced into a forced labor program earning $1 a day while also being stalked and harassed by staff. [In Surprise, Residents Push Back Against Proposed Detention CenterWorries over racial targeting, lost clientele, and roaming ICE agents loom as DHS plans to move into Phoenix suburb.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-235.png)LOOKOUTJohn Washington (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_8383-1.JPG)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/in-surprise-residents-push-back-against-proposed-detention-center/) Marquez has received attention, most notably from Ansari, who has visited her twice in detention. After a November visit, [the congresswoman said Marquez was too weak ](https://ansari.house.gov/imo/media/doc/yari%5Fletter%5Fto%5Facting%5Fdirector%5Ftodd%5Flyons.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org)to stand on her own and vomited blood during the visit. Since then, conditions have not improved, according to Almaraz. She said officials have taken Marquez to an oncologist, but she has not been provided proper treatment for her leukemia, lymphedema and arthritis. “They just keep her on Tylenol,” she said, adding that Marquez went more than a month without her prescribed pain medication. “It’s medical neglect.” ### **“A death trap”** Before her detention, Marquez was deeply embedded in Phoenix’s LGBTQ+ community. She worked as a graphic designer, played bass in a band, DJed local events and helped run an LGBTQ+ zine. She and Almaraz met in 2013 through music: Almaraz sang and played bongos in the band where Marquez played bass. “She loves her community,” Almaraz said. “She’s always been there for everybody.” That connection to the community was severed last year, when Marquez, Almaraz and another friend were detained. Marquez was a lawful permanent resident who had lived in the United States for more than two decades with no criminal record when she was taken by Border Patrol last year after crossing the border from Mexico back into the United States. Another passenger in the car was undocumented, and all three were taken into custody — including Almaraz, who was later released after being detained four hours, she said. Since then, Almaraz said, Marquez has been stripped of her green card. Local advocacy groups such as Trans Queer Pueblo, a queer and immigrant rights group, have protested outside downtown Phoenix’s ICE facility, held press conferences and worked to elevate Marquez’s story in hopes of securing her release. They and other advocates say the detention center — where [two people have died](https://www.aila.org/library/deaths-at-adult-detention-centers?ref=lookoutnews.org#2025) in the last year — is unsuitable for someone with an advanced illness. [Arizona Senate Chairman Silences Speaker After He Calls Anti-Trans Bill “Genocidal”The speaker’s removal came as genocide scholars warn that anti-trans laws mirror early warning signs — a framework GOP leaders refused to let be discussed.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-234.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2026-01-29-at-9.03.42---AM.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizona-senate-speaker-after-he-calls-anti-trans-bill-genocidal/) “Eloy Detention Center is a death trap, where LGBTQ people are segregated, denied adequate medical care, and forced into silence,” said Trans Queer Pueblo member Italia Miranda at a press conference last spring. Since returning to the White House, the Trump administration has begun removing targeted protections for LGBTQ+ people in immigration detention. Immigration and Customs Enforcement [changed requirements](https://theintercept.com/2025/03/27/ice-trans-immigrant-detainees/?ref=lookoutnews.org) for how it treats detained transgender people. The agency also [stopped providing information](https://theintercept.com/2025/07/11/ice-transgender-immigrants-data-trump/?ref=lookoutnews.org) about how many transgender people it is detaining, even as reporting has revealed they suffer [torturous mistreatment](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trump-ice-trans-immigrants-medical-neglect%5Fn%5F69851c88e4b06f7f7bb7cdbc?ref=lookoutnews.org). In December, Trans Queer Pueblo members stood outside the ICE processing center on Central Avenue in Phoenix and read from a letter Marquez had written describing her health: “My health has worsened. I am nothing like I used to be, and I feel that even the sparkle in my life has disappeared,” Marquez wrote in the letter, a copy of which in Spanish was given to *LOOKOUT*. “I look in the mirror and tears roll down my cheeks when I see how much I have deteriorated … I am too pale and constantly have bruises all over my body. I feel weak and dizzy. My stomach hurts. My feet are always swollen, which prevents me from walking properly. My eyesight is getting worse. I feel like something is burning inside my kidneys, and lately, I’ve been vomiting blood on a daily basis.” *LOOKOUT* has reached out to the Department of Homeland Security multiple times for comment on Marquez’s status and has not received a response. ### **“We just want her out.”** Almaraz and Marquez’s story was one of several highlighted during the People’s State of the Union this week, held on the National Mall. In addition to Ansari’s decision to skip the speech, Tucson-based Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva also announced she would forego President Trump’s State of the Union address and give her guest ticket to a U.S. citizen of Somali descent, [Mubashir Khalif Hussen, who was detained by federal immigration agents in Minnesota](https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/aclu-sues-federal-government-to-end-ice-cbps-practice-of-suspicionless-stops-warrantless-arrests-and-racial-profiling-of-minnesotans?ref=lookoutnews.org) — a move intended to spotlight the human toll of escalating enforcement operations. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/01/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px---1920-x-1080-px---2-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) In a written statement, Grijalva said she [could not “sit silently while Trump gaslights the American people](https://grijalva.house.gov/media/press-releases/grijalva-to-skip-state-of-the-union-us-citizen-who-was-detained-by-ice-in-minnesota-to-take-her-place?ref=lookoutnews.org) with lies about how great everything is,” arguing that communities are living in fear and that the real state of the union should be protested, not applauded. Across the country, roughly 70,000 people are currently held in immigration detention as the Trump administration pushes to expand capacity and meet aggressive arrest quotas. Administration officials have frequently described those targeted for detention as the “worst of the worst,” language that rankles families like Almaraz’s. [Republican Lawmaker Wants ICE at Polling Places. That Would Be Illegal.The proposal would station ICE at early voting sites, Election Day polls and ballot drop boxes, even though Arizona and federal law strictly limits law enforcement activity at voting locations.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-236.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Untitled-design--47-.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/republican-lawmaker-wants-ice-at-polling-places-that-would-be-illegal/) Each of those 70,000 people, Almaraz said, is someone’s partner, child or friend — a person ripped from a community. “I just think I’m a voice not only for Yari, but for others in detention getting neglected,” she said. “Just to let them know — the medical neglect, the inhumane treatment they go through in detention centers. I just want to be a voice, let the people out here know how horrible are the conditions they live.” At the People’s State of the Union, members of Congress who boycotted the president’s speech lifted up stories like Marquez’s — stories that rarely make it into the official address. “We raise our voice not only for immigrants, but for LGBTQ people,” Almaraz said. As the president spoke inside the Capitol, railing against migrants and outlining his vision for the nation, Almaraz held onto a simple hope. “We just want her out.” ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Arizona Lawmaker’s Email Shows An Attempt to Ban Drag for “Fun” URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizona-lawmakers-email-shows-an-attempt-to-ban-drag-for-fun/ Last updated: 2026-03-23T05:35:34.000Z A leaked email from a state representative who is running for Secretary of State shows him coordinating amendments to a bill that would make it a Class 4 felony for adults to allow minors to attend drag performances — but doing so more for political theatre than public safety. Kolodin — a far-right lawmaker and member of the state’s Freedom Caucus who [is running against current Secretary of State Adrian Fontes](https://azmirror.com/2025/03/31/arizona-freedom-caucus-member-kolodin-running-for-secretary-of-state-in-2026/?ref=lookoutnews.org) — made [amendments to HB 2589 to redefine “drag performance” as “adult oriented performance”](https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/57leg/2R/adopted/H.2589FloorKOLODIN%5FMerged.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) and changed the legal standard from “knowingly” to “intentionally.” [![Promotion to become a Lookout member, offering swag, event tickets, and a magazine.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) The [original HB 2589 would have criminalized a minor viewing a drag show](https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/57leg/2R/bills/hb2589p.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org), entering a venue where one occurred, or performing for a minor, defining “drag show performance” broadly to include exaggerated gender expression or performances harmful to minors. The amended version introduced to the House swapped the drag terminology for “adult oriented” and retained felony penalties, broadening the bill’s scope. But after receiving the amendments, Kolodin instructed Nathan McRae, a research analyst for the majority party, to keep "the drag show terminology, but has the rest of my changes,” adding, “I’m trying to figure out what would be most fun with the Democrats. That could be a good time.” The e-mail was given to *LOOKOUT* through a source at the Capitol. ![Email conversation discussing a floor amendment related to HB 2589 and drag show terminology.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/02/7879515614335693032-1.JPG) A screenshot of the email sent from Rep. Alexander Kolodin to research analyst Nathan McRae, asking to keep in language from the original bill referring to drag shows. While existing Arizona law already restricts minors from adult venues such as sex shops, strip clubs, and burlesque shows, Kolodin’s email shows how he attempted to classify drag performances in the same criminal category in an attempt to essentially troll Democrats. *LOOKOUT* attempted to reach Kolodin through his legislative email, but did not receive a response back. Advocates say the bill — which is likely to pass the Legislature — is dead on arrival at the desk of Gov. Katie Hobbs, who has vetoed similar bills in the past. LGBTQ+ advocates and civil rights groups denounced Kolodin’s email, saying it was below the office: “State laws impact people's lives in a way they feel each and every day, whether we're talking about tax levies, education policy, or in this case, one lawmaker's desire to 'have fun' with the opposition party at the expense of LGBTQ+ people,” said Bridget Sharpe, Human Rights Campaign’s Arizona State Director. [“A Clear Attack On The Queer Community Under Pretext”Republicans in a House Committee said a drag ban was to protect children. Democrats called them on their bluff.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-233.png)LOOKOUTLorenzo Gomez (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/020426_GOMEZ_DRAGBILL_2-1.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-clear-attack-on-the-queer-community-under-pretext/) “Freedom of expression is at stake and Arizonans deserve legislators who will take their jobs seriously, not advance a culture war agenda at the expense of a group he doesn't like,” she said. Jeremy Helfgot, a local political and policy strategist who works with interests in the LGBTQ+ community, said that the email from Kolodin exposes another example of Republicans using children's safety as a straw-man. "Seems that every time that Republicans go out to 'own the libs,' they end up owning themselves," he said, adding that the email was "utterly atrocious and abusive culture war politics." Madelaine Adelman, president and board chair of the youth advocacy group Just Schools, said that Kolodin's email is a bellwether for what to expect from the lawmaker if he were to become Secretary of State: "LGBTQ+ students, and their friends, educators, families, neighbors, and coworkers are paying attention as they prepare for election season." ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### In Surprise, Residents Push Back Against Proposed Detention Center URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/in-surprise-residents-push-back-against-proposed-detention-center/ Last updated: 2026-04-22T05:49:45.000Z Lupita’s Mexican Restaurant is less than a mile from a newly proposed immigration detention center in Surprise, Arizona. Initially built as a warehouse, it would be used by the Department of Homeland Security to hold people captured by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Marta, a cook and cashier there, said a massive prison holding immigrants would be bad for business. But the impact on the restaurant wasn’t her primary concern. Marta, who asked to be identified only by her first name because of fear of retaliation, is also worried about what more ICE agents roaming the local streets would mean for her neighbors. Speaking in Spanish, she said a detention center down the street would be “very scary.” She was particularly worried about what she called the terrorizing effects on local schoolchildren. And with studies showing that [communities with immigration detention centers see more immigration arrests](https://www.ilrc.org/resources/if-you-build-it-ice-will-fill-it-link-between-detention-capacity-and-ice-arrests?ref=lookoutnews.org), she said the children were “going to be so scared.” Last month, [DHS purchased the warehouse](https://www.azfamily.com/2026/01/29/records-ice-buys-surprise-warehouse-facility-70-million/?ref=lookoutnews.org) — more than 418,000 square feet, equivalent to nearly seven football fields — in the northwest Phoenix suburb. The vacant building, surrounded by tidy landscaping and fields of empty parking lots, is one of many in a newly constructed industrial strip of the town. Dysart High School and Dysart Middle School are just a mile away. Even closer, about 100 yards away, is a housing development. Next door to the proposed detention center is a cheer academy, where kids as young as 3 years old come to practice. DHS’s purchase caught residents by surprise. The detention center would be part of the Trump administration’s unprecedented immigration crackdown, which includes the rapid expansion of detention capacity. In late January, the number of people locked in immigration detention centers [surpassed 70,000](https://tracreports.org/immigration/detentionstats/pop%5Fagen%5Ftable.html?ref=lookoutnews.org), almost twice as high as a year ago. A recent ICE memo, offering details of the massive ramp-up of detention, noted the price tag for warehouses in Arizona and other states [will be more than $38 billion](https://www.governor.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt971/files/inline-documents/merrimack-detention-reengineering-initiative.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org). DHS purchased the Surprise warehouse for $70 million. While Arizona hasn’t experienced the same violent enforcement operations that have taken place in Minneapolis, Chicago, Los Angeles, or elsewhere, ICE watch groups have noted a recent increase in immigration arrests in Phoenix and Tucson. Residents and leadership in Surprise are still wrapping their heads around what it all may mean for their community. At the same time, city residents in an area long considered [a hotbed of "NIMBY-ism"](https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2024/01/15/phoenix-area-housing-nimby-not-in-my-backyard-opposition-apartments/70171279007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z115047e1165xxv115047d--55--b--55--&gca-ft=159&gca-ds=sophi&ref=lookoutnews.org) are pushing against the detention center and demanding action from local and state governments to stop DHS from moving into Surprise. ### **Looking for answers** In the wake of the purchase, Surprise Mayor Kevin Sartor [wrote a letter Feb. 11](https://content.civicplus.com/api/assets/az-surprise/dce3a401-973a-4d22-893a-9aa078963612?ref=lookoutnews.org) to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and ICE’s acting director, Todd Lyons, requesting details on the transaction: what was the intended use of the warehouse? Does it comply with zoning and land-use laws? What was the “expected level of coordination and support required from local law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services”? As of Feb. 20, according to a Surprise spokesperson, DHS had not responded. Sartor wasn’t the only politician seeking information. Three members of Congress — Reps. Paul Gosar (R-CD9), Yassamin Ansari (D-CD3), and Adelita Grijalva (D-CD7) — [wrote to Noem seeking information](https://stanton.house.gov/%5Fcache/files/b/3/b3c69ebc-d971-4b2f-9dd4-2fbadd0ed999/9452C203C85F05EAB9426BF6A3CC2817FD64A8291EBFCA1F5C05DFBFCF848D03.2026.02.05-letter-to-dhs-ice-re-surprise-warehouse.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) and expressing concern, as did Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes. ![A modern industrial or commercial building with large windows, located in a parking lot under a clear blue sky.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/02/IMG_8372.JPG) The warehouse bought by DHS is only a couple hundred yards from a housing development. Feb. 17, 2026\. Credit: John Washington In her letter, Mayes warned that she has the authority to “compel the abatement of activities considered a public nuisance.” In their letter, members of Congress asked DHS to describe whether the department “provided advance notice of the planned purchase to the City of Surprise, Maricopa County, or neighboring jurisdictions. If not, explain why advance coordination did not occur and identify who made that decision.” U.S. Rep. Abe Hamedeh, a Republican who represents Surprise and other parts of north Phoenix, has not publicly commented on the detention center, and did not respond to emails from *LOOKOUT*. As the community waits for answers, some are considering leaving town. *LOOKOUT* spoke with residents of the neighborhood almost directly across the street from the warehouse. Two said they would move if the detention center opened. “It’s not right. There’s a school right here,” one man said on condition of anonymity because he feared retaliation. “I’m Chicano, I already know what it feels like to be a target,” he said. “Nobody wants that thing here.” He told *LOOKOUT* that he went to high school in Surprise and is particularly worried about the impact the detention center, and heavier ICE presence along with it, would have on local children. ### **Demanding action** At the Feb. 3 Surprise City Council meeting — days after the purchase announcement was reported — more than 1,000 people showed up to stand against the detention center, with around 100 speaking during the call to the public. Weeks later, on Feb. 17, the city council meeting wasn’t as heavily attended, but residents of Surprise and greater Phoenix filled the chamber, spilling into the hallway and the sidewalk outside. Despite a handful of people speaking in support, the public was overwhelmingly against more ICE presence in town. Signs spotted inside included: “No Human Warehousing in Surprise,” “De-ICE Arizona,” and “If you allow them to do this to others, they will eventually do this to you.” ![A city council meeting in Surprise, Arizona with attendees listening to a speaker.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/02/IMG_8385.JPG) Residents of Surprise and Greater Phoenix turned out to express their concern about a detention center coming to town. Feb. 17, 2026\. Credit: John Washington Multiple speakers called out the [torturous](https://www.aclu.org/news/immigrants-rights/inside-an-ice-detention-center-detained-people-describe-severe-medical-neglect-harrowing-conditions?ref=lookoutnews.org) and [deadly conditions](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2026/jan/04/ice-2025-deaths-timeline?ref=lookoutnews.org) in detention centers, often pleading with council members to stop the warehouse from being converted. There is precedent in pushing back against expanding ICE detention. In late 2025 and early 2026, a series of jurisdictions in Plains states — some conservative strongholds — blocked ICE from converting warehouses into new detention centers: [Oklahoma City](https://oklahomavoice.com/2026/01/27/oklahomans-denounce-potential-ice-processing-center-at-okc-city-council-meeting/?ref=lookoutnews.org), the [Choctaw Nation in Oklahoma](https://nondoc.com/2026/01/14/city-of-durant-choctaw-nation-take-action-against-rumored-ice-facility/?ref=lookoutnews.org), and [Kansas City, Missouri](https://www.kcur.org/politics-elections-and-government/2026-02-09/kansas-city-agency-cuts-ties-with-company-selling-warehouse-for-ice-detention-center?ref=lookoutnews.org), all passed ordinances or made enough of a stink to ban or block ICE from buying buildings. A city outside Dallas signaled it was [rejecting a DHS bid on a warehouse](https://www.cbsnews.com/texas/news/ice-detention-center-hutchins-dallas-texas-warehouse/?ref=lookoutnews.org). A city manager in Georgia said he [won’t turn on the water for ICE](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/18/ice-detention-center-warehouse-georgia?utm%5Fsource=substack&utm%5Fmedium=email). Both Chicago and Minneapolis banned ICE from using city property. Locally, [Pima County supervisors recently passed a resolution](https://www.tucsonsentinel.com/local/report/021826%5Fpima%5Fice/supes-move-toward-banning-ice-enforcement-pima-county-property/?ref=lookoutnews.org) against ICE using county land or property. In Marana, a small city north of Tucson, residents are also [trying to stop another detention facility from opening](https://azluminaria.org/2025/10/27/possible-immigration-detention-center-at-former-marana-prison-draws-community-outcry/?ref=lookoutnews.org). Last year, the state of Arizona sold an abandoned prison to a for-profit prison company, Management and Training Corp. Community forums and city council meetings over the past months have been the site of consistent attempts to convince local officials to block ICE from locking up people in Marana. One organization, [Pima Resists I.C.E](https://www.instagram.com/price%5Faz/?ref=lookoutnews.org)., was established with that singular focus. But Surprise has an added element: residents have long fought other kinds of development that would lessen their home values. In 2023, residents in the local group [Voice of Surprise fought back against a planned affordable housing development](https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/surprise/2024/03/07/az-supreme-court-says-surprise-affordable-housing-complex-is-legal/72867494007/?ref=lookoutnews.org), complaining of improper zoning. Beyond those bureaucratic concerns, there is the worry of what it means when ICE is operating directly across from your home. One homeowner, living within a few hundred yards of the proposed detention center — and speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of retribution — is a retired elementary schoolteacher. She identified as Hispanic and said she raised three girls in the neighborhood. “A lot of people are nervous,” she said, noting that next door was a rental house where a young family lived. “What kind of place is this to raise kids? Someone knocks on your door and it could be agents in masks? No one wants to live like that.” The woman said she used to fly the American flag from her garage. She has since taken it down. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Republican Lawmaker Wants ICE at Polling Places. That Would Be Illegal. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/republican-lawmaker-wants-ice-at-polling-places-that-would-be-illegal/ Last updated: 2026-02-17T23:46:53.000Z When the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced last week that it would hold a press event in Arizona focused on “election security,” voting rights advocates braced for the worst: Organizers feared federal officials would once again invoke long-debunked claims about noncitizens voting and float the idea of deploying Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to polling locations. That scenario never materialized. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem instead appeared to promote the federal SAVE Act, which would require proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote. But days later, at the Arizona Legislature, a proposal surfaced that closely mirrors what civil liberties groups had feared. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) [Senate Bill 1570](https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/57leg/2R/proposed/S.1570ROGERS%20SE.1.PDF?ref=lookoutnews.org) would require each Arizona county recorder and county board of supervisors to enter into a written agreement with a federal immigration law enforcement agency to ensure a federal immigration law enforcement presence at every location “where ballots are cast or deposited” during the 2026 general election. The law was originally introduced by Sen. Jake Hoffman (R-Queen Creek) as a bill that would outlaw diversity initiatives, but has been rewritten as a striker bill by Sen. Wendy Rogers (R-Flagstaff). The amended bill immediately received widespread condemnation from voting rights groups who said this was a tactic to intimidate voters. “Politicians with bad ideas who are incapable of winning the hearts and the minds of the voters have decided that they can retain power by keeping Americans from voting,” said Alex Gulotta, Arizona state director for All Voting Is Local. “They want to militarize our polling places to create terror and fear because they know they cannot win fair and square.” [“A Clear Attack On The Queer Community Under Pretext”Republicans in a House Committee said a drag ban was to protect children. Democrats called them on their bluff.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-232.png)LOOKOUTLorenzo Gomez (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/020426_GOMEZ_DRAGBILL_2.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-clear-attack-on-the-queer-community-under-pretext/) Under SB 1570, federal immigration agents would be stationed at early voting sites, Election Day polling places, and ballot drop boxes during all hours that voting occurs. The measure states agents may observe election activities and perform lawful duties within the scope of their federal authority, and may not interfere with casting or depositing ballots “except as otherwise authorized by law.” It declares that “maintaining the integrity of elections conducted in this state is a compelling state interest.” The bill does not explicitly authorize agents to question, detain or arrest voters solely to determine eligibility, but it includes a clause permitting actions otherwise allowed under state or federal law. If the bill were to pass both chambers and be signed into law, it would face immediate legal hurdles. Arizona law [sharply restricts policing activity at polling locations](https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/57leg/2R/summary/S.1570JUDE%5FSTRIKERMEMO.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org). State statute prohibits electioneering within 75 feet of a polling place while polls are open. Election marshals — not outside law enforcement — are responsible for preserving order from the opening of polls until ballots are counted. Police may be contacted only in exceptional circumstances. State law also prohibits entering a polling place on Election Day while carrying a deadly weapon unless specifically authorized. Federal law [likewise bars the deployment](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/592?ref=lookoutnews.org#:~:text=18%20U.S.%20Code%20%C2%A7%20592%20covers%20troops,profit%2C%20or%20trust%20under%20the%20United%20States) of armed troops or federal law enforcement at polling places except to repel an armed enemy of the United States. Legal observers say immigration agents who attempt to identify or arrest voters at the polls would be violating state and federal protections against voter intimidation. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/01/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px---1920-x-1080-px---2-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Sen. Lauren Kuby (D-Tempe) said masked ICE agents outside polling locations would amount to intimidation. She questioned how masked and armed federal agents at voting locations would cause trouble: “How many examples do we need of ICE questioning people they don't think look or sound like they should be there?” [Arizona’s 2026 Session Opens With Renewed Push to Restrict LGBTQ+ RightsWith vetoes from Gov. Katie Hobbs looming, some legislators are reviving old proposals that have once failed, and turning to ballot measures to push them through.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-231.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/arizona-state-capitol-museum-facebook-2015-1.webp)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizonas-2026-session-opens-with-renewed-push-to-restrict-lgbtq-rights/) There is also likely to be pushback from county election officials, said Joel Edman, strategic initiatives director at Progress Arizona, who said the administrative burden of negotiating agreements with federal agencies is significant. It remains unclear whether the bill would become law if it clears the Senate and House. An email to the governor’s press team asking whether she would sign the measure was not returned by publication time, but voting rights and election protection groups said there is little reason to believe the governor will sign it. “It's obviously a racist waste of time,” said Edman. SB 1570 is scheduled to be heard in committee tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Members of the public may attend to make a statement or register their opinion through the state’s Request to Speak system. #### Correction An earlier version of this story misspelled Joel Edman's last name. We regret the error. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### In Rural Arizona, a Gay Couple Built a Haven for Nature Lovers URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/in-rural-arizona-a-gay-couple-built-a-haven-for-nature-lovers/ Last updated: 2026-03-23T05:29:23.000Z #### OutBack This is one in a series that uncovers the untold stories of LGBTQ+ life beyond the city, celebrating queer resilience, creativity, and community in Arizona's suburban and rural areas. [Read the full series here. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tag/outback/) Whether you’re looking for a remote romantic getaway or somewhere to unplug, reconnect with the great outdoors and escape from the insanity, it can be tricky to find a place in rural Arizona that is LGBTQ+-friendly. But southeast of Tucson in Hereford — a bucolic desert town next to the San Pedro Riparian Preserve — is Casa de San Pedro B&B, owned by Patrick Dome and Karl Schmitt, life partners for 44 years. The two bought the property sight unseen in 2002 as a retirement business and moved down from Seattle. They’ve nurtured a chill haven for birders, hikers, bikers and anyone looking for a breather from city life. Although they don’t market specifically to the gay community, Schmitt says their inn attracts people who are accepting, friendly, and worldly. “We’re really lucky; we get really wonderful guests,” he said. “Our guests tend to be on the liberal end of the spectrum because they’re interested in nature. They’re not isolationists stuck in their own little niche.” Schmitt said 50 percent of their guests return to visit (the average rate for a B&B is 10 percent). “It’s a wonderful getaway: Relaxing, rejuvenating, away from the chaos of the world,” he said. ### **A Hub For Bird Nerds** Beyond being gay-owned and operated, Casa de San Pedro B&B has a slew of attractions. First and foremost, it’s nestled next to the San Pedro River and is a destination for birders from around the country and the world. It’s also close to other popular birding sites, including Ramsey Canyon and Ash Canyon Bird Sanctuary. Dome and Schmitt have documented 335 species in the vicinity. They keep 12 feeders up year-round and install 14 hummingbird feeders from March through November for migration, when up to 15 species pass through the state. “Bird seed and bird feeders are a major expenditure,” Schmitt said, laughing. “A lot of sugar water.” [In Cottonwood, a Former Church Becomes a Queer Gathering Space.In a town better known for wine tasting rooms and Old West charm, a former church now anchors a growing queer arts and nightlife scene in the Verde Valley.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-228.png)LOOKOUTGeri Koeppel (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/display2.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/in-cottonwood-a-former-church-becomes-a-queer-gathering-space/) Casa de San Pedro—with rates averaging around $215-230 a night, depending on the day of the week and season—typically fills months in advance during peak bird migration months, March through May, as well as in August. But the owners say winter also offers robust birding, including the opportunity to see thousands of migrating Sandhill cranes within a 30-minute drive. If you’re not a birder, the inn is worth a trip for the vibes alone. Situated on 36 acres, it features 10 rooms and a suite plus access to the house, which is tastefully decorated with Mexican tile and hand-carved furnishings. The common areas feature overstuffed sofas, a fireplace, a TV (none of the guest rooms except for the suite have them), an electronic piano, a coffee and tea bar, and a daily array of homemade pies. The grounds include a serene pool and spa, and you can borrow binoculars. The owners also pride themselves on their sustainable practices, such as electrical vehicle chargers, water conservation measures and solar panels, which they said cut their electric bill from $1,150 to $78 a month. ### **Go For The Mountains, Stay For the Pie** Joyce Bolinger and Lavina Tomer of Tucson, who have been together 22 years and married in 2018, have been regulars since a couple of years after Casa de San Pedro opened. “They do make it feel very much like it’s your home,” Bolinger said. “It’s like if you had some wealthy relatives who have a beautiful place in the country…. You have all the comforts you could ask for.” She admits she’s not as much of a birder as Tomer, but has become more enthused about wildlife. [How a Tiny Arizona Town Became Home to a National Queer Arts ExhibitionAn LGBTQ+-owned gallery in Tubac has become a hub for similar artists, even after some locals pushed back.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-229.png)LOOKOUTGeri Koeppel (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Bill-Davis-Bruce-Baughman-1-1.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/how-a-tiny-arizona-town-became-home-to-a-national-queer-arts-exhibition/) “There’s a pond with bullfrogs,” Bolinger said, and she raved about the bat houses. “One year, we went, and there were thousands of bats that would come out at sunset.” She added, “You don’t have to be a birder to appreciate the environment.” Bolinger said she held a fundraiser at the inn several years ago for an LGBTQ+ center in Tucson. “It makes me happy that it’s so LGBTQ-friendly,” Bolinger said. However, staying at a B&B can be uncomfortable if you’re not outgoing or concerned about other guests’ acceptance of you. Bolinger usually doesn’t love sharing breakfast with strangers, she noted, but over the years has met the “nicest people” at Casa de San Pedro. “I haven’t sat at a table with anyone that I haven’t enjoyed,” Bolinger said. She also praised the food. Schmitt is the culinary wiz behind the multi-course breakfasts, which Bolinger rates as “fabulous,” and holiday dinners, which they offer to guests on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve and Valentine’s Day for about $65 plus tax and tip. Dome, meanwhile, is the pie guy. Guests' favorites, he said, include pecan, strawberry rhubarb and chocolate ganache. “They weren’t that good when I first started,” Dome admits, adding humbly, “I got a little better at it fast.” ### **“Live and Let Live”** Surprisingly, neither of the Casa de San Pedro owners had a background in hospitality when they purchased the B&B. Schmitt worked for the U.S. Air Force as a healthcare administrator and later founded his own consulting firm, developing computer systems for healthcare. Dome was in retail, selling fine jewelry, and later joined Schmitt’s firm as a project manager. Dome and Schmitt have become integral to the Cochise County community through their advocacy for conservation and promotion of local historic sites and businesses, Bolinger noted. They have extensive knowledge of the area and its attractions, from birding sites to restaurant recommendations. [A MAGA stronghold. A queer baker. And the best cinnamon rolls in northern Arizona.In a town where rainbow flags are rare, The Bearded Baker has become a sanctuary for queer visibility, and seriously good bread.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-230.png)LOOKOUTGeri Koeppel (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Bearded-Baker-with-goods-1-2.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-maga-stronghold-a-queer-baker-and-the-best-cinnamon-rolls-in-northern-arizona/) Schmitt said they’ve been welcomed and accepted by local denizens, noting that people in the area have a “live and let live” philosophy. The attitude tends to be, “leave me alone, and I’ll leave you alone,” he said. “Just be honest about who you are, and we’re good.” *Casa de San Pedro B&B* *8933 S. Yell Lane, Hereford, AZ 85615* *bedandbirds@gmail.com* *520-366-1300* ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Skipping Your Taxes Isn’t A Good Protest. Redirecting Them Might Be. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/tax-protest-and-boycott-isnt-a-good-protest-redirecting-arizona-tax-charities/ Last updated: 2026-02-11T16:48:44.000Z As images of immigration enforcement raids circulate online and the federal government advances policies that many LGBTQ+ people see as hostile to their existence, a familiar question is resurfacing in progressive spaces: Why pay taxes to a government trying to erase you? Across social media, calls for a modern-day “tax strike” have gained traction, framing federal tax nonpayment as both a moral protest and constitutional speech. Some argue withholding taxes is a lawful act of civil disobedience and a way to starve federal departments from the funds they rely on. The idea isn’t new. Tax resistance has a long history in the United States, from Henry David Thoreau’s refusal to pay taxes that funded slavery and war, to mass protests during the Vietnam War. Tax boycotts surged again during the Trump administration’s first term when activists cited opposition to the President’s border wall as justification for withholding federal income taxes. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) But while the impulse is rooted in conscience, the consequences are often misunderstood. Tax professionals and legal experts say much of the advice circulating online today blurs the line between lawful protest and illegal evasion — and that the real-world outcomes of tax boycotts often look very different than intended. To understand what a tax strike actually means — legally, financially and politically — *LOOKOUT* spoke with Phoenix-based tax professional and enrolled agent Amanda Renfrew, who runs the local company [TheTaxPerson](https://thetaxperson.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org). She breaks down what’s legal, what isn’t, and how people who want to protest government policy using their tax money can use existing tax codes to support their communities without risking devastating penalties. Here’s our conversation: --- **Joseph Darius Jaafari:** Let’s talk about this “tax strike” we’re seeing online. How do you understand people are being told it works? **Amanda Renfrew:** I’ve seen a lot of advice on TikTok, which should always be taken with caution. The messaging is usually: use your voice and boycott taxes. I understand the sentiment — the IRS is often seen as “the man,” controlling finances and government power. And what’s being said online is that nonpayment is a First Amendment issue and a legal way to protest by not paying taxes. **Joseph Darius Jaafari:** That matches what I’ve seen. The advice often says: pay your 2025 taxes, then mark yourself as exempt going forward and put the money into a high-yield savings account. But what’s the problem with that? **Amanda Renfrew:** Several problems. First, you can’t just tell your employer you’re exempt unless you truly owed no tax last year and expect to owe none this year. If a W-4 is incorrect, employers must ignore it, and the IRS can issue a lock-in letter telling them how much to withhold. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/02/IMG_7208-2-1.jpeg) Amanda Renfrew, a federally enrolled agent and owner of TheTaxPerson, argues that people should protest paying their taxes by legally using the tax code. One way? Arizona allows taxpayers to redirect their funds to organizations they support. Photo courtesy of Amanda Renfrew Second, financially it doesn’t work. High-yield savings might earn 4–5% if you’re lucky. IRS interest on late payments or underpayments is currently about 7%, updated quarterly. Add failure-to-pay penalties and you’re losing money quickly. **Joseph Darius Jaafari:** So, there is a definite risk for anybody who wants to do this. **Amanda Renfrew:** Exactly. Saying “I won’t pay taxes because of free speech” doesn’t work. Courts consistently say you must still follow tax laws. Tax avoidance is legal — using deductions, credits, and structures to reduce what you owe. Tax evasion is illegal nonpayment or underpayment. You can’t do that. **Joseph Darius Jaafari:** But there are cases where courts have accepted that. **Amanda Renfrew:** Only if you eventually pay — but interest and penalties still apply. Also, the idea you’re “off the hook” after a certain number of years is false if behavior is fraudulent or intentionally frivolous. Courts have repeatedly rejected First Amendment arguments. In *United States v. Lee* in 1982, religious objections didn’t override the need for a functioning tax system. In *Jenkins v. Commissioner* a year later, penalties were upheld despite free-exercise claims. And In *Wall v. United States*, also in the ‘80s, objections to paying a “war tax” failed — personal beliefs don’t excuse tax obligations. > When cuts happen, (Congress is) more likely to hit areas like education or parks — not military, national security, or law enforcement. Boycotts tend to reduce funding for programs Congress ranks lower priority. > \-Amanda Renfrew, Phoenix tax specialist **Joseph Darius Jaafari:** Basically, there’s not really a way around this if you think you can do this, legally. **Amanda Renfrew:** I’ve never seen a First Amendment argument successfully remove the pay-as-you-go requirement or penalties. There are more effective ways to use your voice. **Joseph Darius Jaafari:** But removing the legalities of this, some people say that they don’t care of those legal repercussions. They argue that if enough people stopped paying their taxes, funding would be cut from agencies like ICE or prisons. Is that realistic? **Amanda Renfrew:** Not really. It depends on Congressional priorities. There’s already roughly a $600 billion annual tax gap from underpayment and non-filing. Historically, Congress responds by increasing IRS enforcement because the government needs revenue. When cuts happen, they’re more likely to hit areas like education or parks — not military, national security, or law enforcement. Boycotts tend to reduce funding for programs Congress ranks lower priority. **Joseph Darius Jaafari:** What I’m hearing you say is that someone protesting for a more equitable system might find that their actions may likely backfire. **Amanda Renfrew:** Absolutely. My counterpoint is simple: use the tax code to amplify your voice creatively or fund causes you care about, locally. Arizona allows taxpayers to direct state tax liability to approved organizations through tax credits. These include charities, foster care groups, and public schools. You donate directly, keep the receipt, and claim a dollar-for-dollar credit on your state taxes. The money never goes to the state. **Joseph Darius Jaafari:** So if I owe state taxes, I can donate that to organizations instead of giving that tax money to the state? **Amanda Renfrew:** Yes. Instead of lawmakers allocating that money, you can [direct it to qualified groups](https://azdor.gov/sites/default/files/document/CREDITS%5F2026%5Fqco.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) supporting mental health, housing, medical care, or prevention services. For example, Prisma Community Care supports HIV care and queer health. Child Crisis supports foster children. Each credit category has caps, but often we can allocate most or all of your liability to causes you choose. And you can verify current caps and organization lists with the Arizona Department of Revenue or a tax professional. [Records Show Years of Warning Signs Before Tucson Pride Shut DownFederal tax records and a former board member points to years of strain that eroded the organization’s stability and trust.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-225.png)LOOKOUTLorenzo Gomez (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Copy-of-PRESS-VEHICLE.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/records-show-years-of-warning-signs-before-tucson-pride-shut-down/) **Joseph Darius Jaafari:** I just want to make this simple for me. So, I’m going to use simple numbers, as an example. Let’s say I make $50,000, and because we have a flat tax of 2.5% in Arizona, I owe $1,250 in state taxes. What you’re saying is I can donate that money across organizations that are qualified by the state, then file and get reimbursed? ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/02/IMG_8218-1.jpeg) Renfrew argued that there are ways to protest using the existing tax code. As a small business owner, for example, she branded whistles and "Know Your Rights cards and did an event handing them out. The total cost she labeled as a marketing expense. Photo courtesy of Amanda Renfrew. **Amanda Renfrew:** Essentially, yes. What I usually do is calculate my Arizona state tax liability first, then make any tax-credit-eligible donations. I include those on my return to offset what I owe to the state. Arizona is generally pretty quick at processing returns, and a lot of the credits let you make donations up until April 15 and still apply them to the prior tax year. [Just make sure to double-check the current rules and keep your receipts.](https://azdor.gov/tax-credits/credits-contributions-qcos-and-qfcos?ref=lookoutnews.org) **Joseph Darius Jaafari:** Are there other clever tactics that people can do to reduce their tax liability? **Amanda Renfrew:** Small business ownership unlocks legitimate tax advantages. And you can use tax rules to support causes you care about. For example, I acquired official “Know Your Rights” cards and packaged them with branded safety whistles and friendship bracelets. These are distributed through the Rainbow on Wheels shuttle we sponsor. These qualify as marketing expenses while supporting community awareness and small businesses. Events can also amplify impact. For example, collaborating with RoRo Dogs and GayPHX radio, we created a glitter “glammed-up” hot dog fundraiser benefiting one•n•ten LGBTQ youth charity. We underwrote the event, distributed safety resources, fed the community, and created space for conversation — while creating legitimate business deductions and cross-promoted our businesses in a memorable way. **Joseph Darius Jaafari:** So, it’s about being creative on what can work both as a business expense as well as have impact on causes you care about. **Amanda Renfrew:** Exactly. Supporting small businesses strengthens the economy and can be tax-efficient. Community collaborations can create impact while turning real expenses into legitimate deductions. I love this trifecta. It’s what makes my role as a tax professional and advisor particularly meaningful. **Joseph Darius Jaafari:** Anything else people should know? **Amanda Renfrew:** Extensions extend time to file — not time to pay. Taxes owed are still due by April 15\. Paying something, even an estimate, shows good faith and can reduce penalties. #### Correction An earlier version of this article mis-named Amanda Renfrew as Amber in cut-lines. We regret the error. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### "A Clear Attack On The Queer Community Under Pretext" URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-clear-attack-on-the-queer-community-under-pretext/ Last updated: 2026-02-05T00:15:11.000Z --- *Updated Feb. 4, 2026 at 5:05 p.m.* Republicans on Wednesday cast drag performers as immoral and predatory during a House committee hearing, invoking familiar rhetoric that equated drag with grooming and accused performers of subliminally pushing children to be transgender. But Democrats pushed against those arguments in an oftentimes testy back-and-forth that eventually revealed the true target of a bill that would limit drag performances: LGBTQ+ people. The bill, [HB 2589](https://legiscan.com/AZ/text/HB2589/id/3319245?ref=lookoutnews.org), would criminalize allowing a minor to view a drag performance or enter a venue where one is taking place. Violations would be classified as a Class 4 felony, a designation typically reserved for serious violent and property crimes. Arizona is not alone. Lawmakers in South Carolina are considering similar legislation this session, including SB 733, which mirrors Arizona’s proposal, and SB 47, which would prohibit state funds from supporting literacy programs involving drag performers, such as Drag Queen Story Hour. Democrats argued the committee selectively invoked parental rights while stripping them away when it came to LGBTQ+ families and communities. Rep. Alma Hernandez (D-Tucson), in a pointed exchange, said the committee had spent hours debating parental choice only to abandon it when convenient. “We spent three hours talking about parents' rights,” Hernandez said. “And now it’s, ‘just kidding, we care about this.’” [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) “It is not our job to sit here and target one community,” she added, directing her remarks to Rep. Lupe Diaz (R-Benson), who had framed the bill as a matter of morality. “If it wasn’t about the gay community or the trans community, you wouldn’t just say what you did.… You talk about the Constitution, but you only apply it when it’s convenient.” For more than half an hour before public testimony began, lawmakers traded barbs and debated whether the state should regulate morality, sexuality, and religion. “We do regulate morality,” said bill sponsor, freshman Rep. Michael Way (R-Queen Creek). “Why do we do that? Because we want to protect children from predators.” Hernandez said she doesn’t believe that the government is entitled to regulate everything that makes her colleagues uncomfortable: "I believe in the separation of church and state." ### Drag Performers, Parents Testify Their Fears Outside that ideological clash, the stakes were made visible in the room itself. Heels on and faces painted, drag performers from across Arizona packed the House hearing to oppose the bill that would make it a felony for minors to attend — or even be present at — their performances, placing shows in the same criminal category as aggravated assault and robbery. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/02/020426_GOMEZ_DRAGBILL_3.jpg) Anna Molly, a drag performer, spoke out against a bill that would make it a felony to perform in front of a child. Anna Molly performs in front of youth often, said that they make it clear to performers what is allowed and is not allowed at all ages shows. Photo by Lorenzo Gomez Performers said they organized carpools, coordinated testimony and filled the hearing room to prevent the bill from advancing quietly — and to force lawmakers to confront how the policy would function in real life, not just in theory. One of those performers, Anna Molly, took to the floor in a chainmail headpiece, a billowing white dress and drawn-on mustache. “If this bill is passed, if I performed in front of someone younger than 18 years of age, looking like this,” she said, “I could be convicted alongside people who commit certain types of aggravated assault and misconduct involving weapons.” Republican committee members questioned Molly about the rules and regulations governing all-ages drag shows. Molly, who said she has hosted and performed in numerous all-ages events, described the strict standards performers follow to avoid sexually explicit content in front of children. Way asked why such rules are in place. “Because of people like you!” a performer from the gallery shouted, which prompted the committe chairman to demand their immediate removal. Francisco Lopez, a parent, told lawmakers he was struggling to understand why the state would threaten him with a felony for making decisions about his three children. “I believe that I have the God-given right to make a decision for what’s best for my children,” Lopez said. He said he did not believe taking his children to a drag bingo event should place him in the same category as violent offenders. Way questioned him using hypothetical examples, asking whether he would consider it appropriate for children to tip performers wearing skin-tight leather clothing. Way appeared to be referencing a widely circulated 2022 incident at a Dallas gay bar, where a venue advertised a family-friendly drag event. A video showed performers in body suits receiving tips from attendees, including minors. “Parents should have the right to make those decisions for themselves,” he pushed back, adding that children are capable of understanding what they see when guided by their families. A Flagstaff-based 28-year-old drag artist who performs as Miasma said the bill relies on fear-driven assumptions that conflate drag with sexual content. “The underlying assumption here is a conflation between queerness and promiscuity,” she said. Miasma described performing at all-ages events, including an annual celebration at Flagstaff’s Heritage Square, where her shows focus on costuming and character work. “Kids love that kind of artistry. They love seeing people dress up,” she said. “To that kid, I’m a Disney princess right now.” Dolor Darling, a local drag queen and organizer with the Arizona Students’ Association, attended the hearing to hold lawmakers from both parties accountable — particularly in an election year. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/01/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px---1920-x-1080-px---2-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Darling said the bill relies on a flattened view of drag that ignores how performers already differentiate between adult and family-friendly spaces: “There’s a reason why on drag show posters you see ‘21-plus,’ ‘18-plus,’ ‘family-friendly.' I’m not going to do burlesque for a child.” Both performers pointed to contradictions in how the bill defines drag, particularly its focus on “gender expression that differs from the person’s biological sex or normal gender presentation.” Darling, who performs as a female persona, said the bill would not apply to her in practice because she was born female. Miasma, a transgender woman, said it would — both in and out of drag — opening the door to broad criminalization of gender-nonconforming expression. “If I’m out in public wearing a dress and a kid is near me, how does that work out?” Miasma said. “If cross-dressing in and of itself was sexually explicit, they wouldn’t need another rule saying you also can’t be sexually explicit.” The bill extends beyond performers and venues to parents and guardians who allow their children to attend — or potentially encounter — a drag performance. ### A Pattern Across the Nation HB 2589 is part of a [broader wave of model legislation](https://www.lgbtmap.org/equality-maps/criminaljustice/drag%5Frestrictions?ref=lookoutnews.org) introduced nationwide in recent years. Similar measures have passed in Tennessee and Montana, while states including Florida, Texas and Arkansas have enacted restrictions on “adult performances” that critics say are used to target drag. The proposal is one of [23 bills LOOKOUT is tracking](https://app.skywolf.ai/reports/3d42006b-2cad-4ad2-b6f6-e85498e46e97/130?from=reports-list&ref=lookoutnews.org) this session that would limit LGBTQ+ civil rights or advance priorities long promoted by conservative advocacy groups in Arizona. A similar Arizona bill in 2023 sought to classify drag as burlesque and was vetoed by Gov. Katie Hobbs. Lawmakers then [also tried to argue that their bill didn’t target LGBTQ+ people](https://azmirror.com/2023/03/22/arizona-republicans-say-their-anti-drag-show-bills-dont-target-drag-shows/?ref=lookoutnews.org). Way has also introduced legislation this session to [further restrict access to pornography](https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/57leg/2R/bills/hb2587p.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org), aligning with proposals outlined in Project 2025’s “Mandate for Leadership,” a policy blueprint backed by the Heritage Foundation and allied organizations, including Alliance Defending Freedom, the Family Research Council and the American Legislative Exchange Council. Way also holds a [near-perfect score on Turning Point USA’s legislative tracker,](https://www.tpaction.com/scorecard/legislators/michaelway?ref=lookoutnews.org) which ranks lawmakers based on adherence to the group’s platform blending Christian ideology with public policy. Way did not respond to requests for comment, but during the hearing he maintained a position that drag was dangerous and sexual in nature. Despite forceful pushback from Democrats, the bill advanced on party lines through the Republican-controlled House Judiciary Committee. Rep. Brian Garcia (D-Tempe) said the bill was a “clear attack on the queer community under pretext,” he said. “I look forward to the governor’s veto.” In a follow-up with *LOOKOUT,* Garcia went on to say, “We want to talk about supporting children? Let's talk about the cost of childcare. Let’s talk about the real issues.” After the hearing, he and other legislators led the performers to the public gallery in the House, where they were introduced one-by-one and commended for their advocacy. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### LOOKOUT Joins 50+ Newsrooms Calling for Charges Against Don Lemon, Georgia Fort to Be Dropped URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/lookout-joins-50-newsrooms-calling-for-charges-against-don-lemon-georgia-fort-to-be-dropped/ Last updated: 2026-02-02T17:23:40.000Z *LOOKOUT* is one of more than 50 local, nonprofit and investigative news outlets nationwide calling on federal authorities to drop all charges against journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort—an extraordinary show of solidarity at a moment many in the industry say poses a direct threat to press freedom. Lemon and Fort were arrested after covering a Jan. 18 protest at a church in Minneapolis, where a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement official serves as pastor. Both journalists have maintained they were not participating in the protest, but doing exactly what journalists are constitutionally protected to do: observe, document and seek comment during a newsworthy event. They now face charges including allegedly obstructing a place of worship and, more alarmingly, federal conspiracy charges. In a joint letter, the undersigned outlets—ranging from The Guardian US and The Marshall Project to deeply local newsrooms like Block Club Chicago, Injustice Watch and Wisconsin Watch—condemned the arrests as “spurious and unwarranted” and warned of the chilling effect such prosecutions could have on journalists nationwide. For *LOOKOUT*, an Arizona-based LGBTQ+ newsroom built on accountability journalism, signing the letter was necessary. Criminalizing routine reporting sets a dangerous precedent, particularly for independent and community-based journalists who already face outsized risks. As the letter states, a free press is foundational to democracy. Allowing journalists to be arrested for doing their jobs undermines that principle, and threatens all of us who rely on journalism to hold power to account. You can read the letter below: 🗞️ As media outlets that regularly report on newsworthy events, we, the undersigned, vigorously condemn the recent arrests of journalists Don Lemon and Georgia Fort. Lemon and Fort were arrested after covering a January 18 protest at a church in Minneapolis. They were conducting the constitutionally protected activities of a working journalist: observing, recording and documenting a newsworthy event and attempting to obtain quotes from participants. Their arrest on charges of allegedly obstructing a place of worship, and even worse, under federal conspiracy law, alarm all of us who believe in the First Amendment and seek to do our jobs without fear of obstruction by law enforcement or retaliation by agents of the government. The principle of a free press animated the founding of the United States of America 250 years ago, and countless Americans have fought valiantly for it. We cannot allow colleagues to be subjected to spurious and unwarranted arrest for committing acts of journalism. We call on federal authorities to drop all charges against Lemon and Fort and to publicly affirm their unqualified support for the work of professional journalists in this critical time. Below are the news outlets who have signed: THE CITY Grist The 19th New York magazine, part of Vox Media LLC The Cityside Journalism Initiative CalMatters NY Focus Epicenter Documented The Intercept Dallas Free Press Florida Trident The Jersey Vindicator Cardinal News El Paso Matters Wasau Pilot and Review Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting InDepthNH.org Lookout News ByThe Xylom The Lens ecoRI News The Providence Eye San Francisco Public Press Block Club Chicago Injustice Watch South Side Weekly Invisible Institute The TRiiBE La Voz Chicago New Bedford Light Vox Populi The Trace Center for Investigative Reporting The Jersey Bee Capital B Wisconsin Watch Milwaukee Neighborhood News Service San Francisco Public Press Philadelphia Hall Monitor The Guardian US The Journal of Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater The Marshall Project Boston Institute for Nonprofit Journalism FaVS News East Lansing News ### Despite Harassment, Phoenix’s Gayborhood Plans To Stand Against ICE on Friday URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/despite-harassment-phoenixs-gayborhood-plans-to-stand-against-ice-on-friday/ Last updated: 2026-02-26T21:24:31.000Z Audrey Corley pulled out her phone and clicked on the contact that had sent her a harassing message. “This is just one of them,” she said, joking that she had saved the number as “Trumper #1.” Corley said she has not let the harassment — which has been constant since she announced her support for a boycott against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement — affect her personally. Still, the volume of calls and messages her businesses have received since announcing their participation in the Jan. 30 economic protest against immigration enforcement has been striking. [![An advertisement to become a LOOKOUT member - Free swag, tickets to events, and a copy of our magazine sent to your home.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Since media coverage highlighted Corley’s three businesses — the lesbian bar Boycott, the women’s sports bar Title 9 and the tapas restaurant Dahlia — she said she and her staff have received 10 harassing messages. “That’s a lot, Audrey,” a reporter said. She shrugged. “I don’t operate like that,” Corley said, adding that her focus has been on her team’s safety. While her staff remains steadfast in their decision to participate, she said safety has become a more immediate concern. The harassment Corley has faced stems from her decision to take action against ICE and its continued enforcement actions nationwide — and recently in Arizona — in the way she knows best: through an economic strike. The Party for Socialism and Liberation in Phoenix helped organize the boycott, which includes far more than Corley’s businesses. A majority of businesses in the Melrose District — Phoenix’s LGBTQ neighborhood — have chosen to limit hours, donate profits from the day to local migrant-serving nonprofits, or close entirely. “When we heard about the call for a national shutdown, especially what happened in Minnesota, there was so much energy behind it,” said Michel Ramos, a member of PSL Phoenix, who was gathered outside Title 9 for a press conference announcing widespread business shutdowns across the city. “Over the past month especially, people are starting to connect the dots as things keep happening one after another,” Ramos said. “People are more willing to talk about organizing, about self-defense, about protecting ourselves because it’s clear no one else is going to do that for us.” ![Man standing outside a brightly painted building with a mural at night, orange traffic cones lining the sidewalk.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/01/IMG_7648.JPG) Dania Duran, also a member of PSL Phoenix, said the scale of participation — particularly among small businesses — signals widespread frustration with the system. “They’re ready to put it all on the line and fight for something,” Duran said, adding that she has spoken with businesses across the Valley, from east to west, including in Melrose. While many people have viewed the past week of ICE activity in Arizona — including federal agent raids at Zipps Sports Grills earlier this week — with fear and anger, Duran said she has found reason for hope. “I’m beyond excited that people are looking past their fear,” she said. “They’re looking beyond the idea that they might lose business for a day, which, in these times, is a real concern.” While the national shutdown is aimed at drawing the federal government’s attention, Duran said she also sees the boycott as a way to pressure local officials who have offered muted responses to ICE enforcement in the state. “Gov. Katie Hobbs has expressed that her hands are tied and there’s not much she can really do,” Duran said. “But I do believe that after tomorrow, that’s going to change.” ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Arizona Senate Chairman Silences Speaker After He Calls Anti-Trans Bill “Genocidal” URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizona-senate-speaker-after-he-calls-anti-trans-bill-genocidal/ Last updated: 2026-03-23T05:32:03.000Z A community member was forcibly removed from an Arizona Senate Governing committee hearing yesterday after condemning a Republican-backed resolution targeting transgender people and accusing GOP lawmakers of advancing “genocidal” policies. Albert Levenshon was speaking against SCR 1006, a resolution that would restrict transgender youth from using bathrooms that align with their gender identity and could criminalize the use of preferred pronouns. His comments were directed at Republican members of the committee. “I am against the adoption of SCR 1006,” Levenshon said. “This bill and others introduced in this Legislature this year and in years past — as well as similar laws passed in Republican-controlled states — are nothing more than further actions by your party attempting to carry out a genocide of transgender and intersex queer people.” [![Promotional banner for Lookout membership offering swag, event tickets, and a magazine.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Senate Government Committee Chairman Jake Hoffman immediately interrupted Levenshon’s testimony, striking the gavel and saying, “I’m going to stop you right there.” When Levenshon attempted to cite recent reporting — including from *LOOKOUT* — that references the Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention and Genocide Watch, which has warned that anti-trans laws in the U.S. reflect “early stages” of genocide, Hoffman cut him off again. [What Would a Trans Genocide Look Like? A Holocaust Educator Says We’re Already Seeing It.Arizona lawmakers are advancing bills that regulate how trans people live, and even exist. A Tucson Holocaust museum director explains why genocide scholars find them worrying.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-223.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Shepherd-Headshot-2-1.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/i-asked-a-holocaust-educator-what-a-trans-genocide-looks-like-before-its-obvious/) As security approached, another committee member attempted to raise a point of order questioning why Levenshon was being removed. Hoffman refused to recognize it until Levenshon sat down. “You’re done,” Hoffman told him. “I have a First Amendment right to speak,” Levenshon screamed while being removed. Sen. John Kavanagh, the Fountain Hills Republican who sponsored the resolution, then instructed security to remove him. “Get him out of here,” Kavanagh said. “You are being removed from this room,” Hoffman told Levenshon, later adding that the committee would “engage in civil debate” and that the remarks were “absolutely uncalled for.” Sen. Lauren Kuby, a Democrat from Tempe, said Petersen “sparked” the confrontation and the speaker’s removal. Hoffman rejected her objection, ruling it out of order. “You are not recognized,” Hoffman said. “That is not a point of order.” You can view the moment on [Capitol TV services at the 1:46:00 minute mark.](https://www.azleg.gov/videoplayer/?eventID=2026011099&ref=lookoutnews.org) Levenshon’s removal came just one day after *LOOKOUT* published an in-depth Q&A with Lori Shepherd, executive director of the Tucson Jewish Museum and Holocaust Center, examining how genocide is defined — and how recent statements made by genocide scholars and institutions that track human rights warned how the United States culturally and politically is in "early stages" of genocide. In that interview, Shepherd laid out the internationally recognized framework used by genocide scholars, including the definition established by Raphael Lemkin, who coined the word “genocide” in 1948 after the Holocaust. Genocide, she said, is not limited to mass killings, but includes the intentional, systematic destruction of a group through policies that cause serious bodily or mental harm or deliberately inflict conditions of life meant to make survival impossible. [Here’s Why More LGBTQ+ People Are Learning Self-DefenseFor many queer and trans people, learning to defend themselves is a practical path in facing political hostilities. But it’s also been helpful in feeling better about their bodies.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-224.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Copy-of-PRESS-VEHICLE--1--1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/heres-why-more-lgbtq-people-are-learning-self-defense/) Shepherd also detailed the “ten stages of genocide,” developed by Genocide Watch founder Dr. Gregory Stanton, emphasizing that genocide does not start with extermination — it starts with classification, discrimination, dehumanization, and government-backed policies that isolate and target a group. Stanton was one of the scholars who warned about American politics echoing genocidal tactics in other countries. When asked directly about transgender people, Shepherd noted that trans people — who make up less than half of one percent of the population — have been subjected to hundreds of bills nationwide regulating where they can use the bathroom, access health care, or exist in public. That volume of legislation, she said, constitutes dehumanization and polarization — early warning signs that genocide scholars monitor closely. Shepherd also warned that denial is not a final stage, but one that appears from the very beginning. “If we wait for someone else to decide whether this is genocide,” she said, “it may already be too late.” It was those same scholarly warnings — including findings from the Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention — that Levenshon attempted to reference before Senate leaders cut off his testimony and ordered him removed from the room. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Phoenix Pride Held a Town Hall. Here’s Which Claims Check Out and Which Don’t. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/phoenix-pride-held-a-town-hall-heres-which-claims-check-out-and-which-dont/ Last updated: 2026-02-26T21:20:41.000Z For the first time since 2020, Phoenix Pride held a public town hall to address growing concerns from the city’s LGBTQ+ community, including recent financial losses, police presence at Pride events and the rising cost of its flagship festival. The town hall, held Jan. 22 at the Parsons Center in downtown Phoenix, drew a small in-person audience — which some attendees attributed to limited promotion — while a larger number of people watched online via Facebook Live. Phoenix Pride’s town hall marked a unique public acknowledgment of community frustration. It also highlighted persistent tensions around policing, decision-making, and how community input is incorporated. Phoenix Pride said it plans to continue holding surveys and town halls into 2026, with its next [Town Hall scheduled for May 19, 2026](https://www.instagram.com/p/DUCP7-qjyix/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==). [![An advertisement to become a LOOKOUT member - Free swag, tickets to events, and a copy of our magazine sent to your home.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Throughout the meeting, board members and staff emphasized rebuilding trust and a desire to return to a more grassroots approach. And while some statements made by Phoenix Pride’s leadership that night were supported by public records, others conflicted with nonprofit law, city regulations, or the organization’s own history. Below, *LOOKOUT* fact-checked the key claims made during the town hall. --- ## **CLAIM: Phoenix Pride delayed posting its 2024 I.R.S. Forms** **What was said:** In response to questions suggesting Phoenix Pride may have been less transparent with its 2024 financial information, Executive Director Mike Fornelli said the organization had only recently received official copies of its 2024 I.R.S. Form 990\. He cited an extended audit process, the death of the organization’s longtime accountant, and a two-week IRS e-filing outage. Phoenix Pride has [since posted the filings online](https://phoenixpride.org/financials/?ref=lookoutnews.org). The documents show the organization reported a loss of more than $476,000 in 2024\. While operating deficits are not uncommon for nonprofits, this marks the second consecutive year Phoenix Pride has ended with a loss. 🔍 ****Fact-check:** There is no evidence Phoenix Pride deliberately withheld its 2024 tax filings. Nonprofits are not legally required to post I.R.S. forms publicly, though doing so is considered a best practice since they must provide the last three years to the public for inspection. Organizations are also routinely granted filing extensions, and delays in posting tax documents are not viewed by tax professionals as an indicator of financial misconduct. --- ## **CLAIM: Attendance declines drove Phoenix Pride’s recent budget deficits.** **What was said:** Audience members questioned whether rising production costs — including large stages, national headliners and security spending — had outpaced what the local community could sustain. Several asked whether Phoenix Pride planned to scale back and return to a more grassroots model instead of competing with larger Pride festivals in other cities. Interim Treasurer Maury Rice described the annual festival as the organization’s “signature rebound,” but said attendance fell to about 24,000 in 2025, down from roughly 38,000 in 2022, resulting in significantly less revenue. 🔍 ****Fact-check:** This claim is difficult to independently verify. Board members cited declining attendance as the primary cause of the budget shortfall. While tax filings show the festival is Phoenix Pride’s largest expense, the organization has not released a detailed breakdown of production or security costs, making it impossible to assess how those expenses have changed relative to attendance. --- [![An advertisement to become a LOOKOUT member, detailing insider membership information as well as leader membership information.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/01/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px---1920-x-1080-px---2-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) ## **CLAIM: Police presence inside Pride events is legally required.** **What was said:** At the 2025 festival, attendees circulated complaints about uniformed officers maintaining a visible presence inside festival grounds, including driving golf carts through event areas or having a booth. Phoenix Pride staff said the City of Phoenix requires law enforcement for permitted events involving street closures and city property, and that the organization pays for off-duty officers. “Part of the licensing process is to create a security plan that ensures the safety of everybody that’s there,” said Stella Kowalczyk, Phoenix Pride’s director of community engagement. “It’s just the law.” In a follow-up, Fornelli said law enforcement makes up a small percentage of event personnel and is present to help attendees feel safe. He cited community response teams, Phoenix police, FBI monitoring and drone surveillance. He also referenced Homeland Security during the town hall, later clarifying in an email to *LOOKOUT* that he meant the Phoenix Police Department’s Homeland Defense Bureau within its Strategic and Tactical Services Division. That division is not affiliated with immigration enforcement. Phoenix Pride’s [website states the organization is committed](https://phoenixpride.org/events/pride-festival/?ref=lookoutnews.org) to notifying attendees if Immigration and Customs Enforcement is present at or near events. Fornelli said off-duty officers are selected through an LGBTQ+ coordinator and are instructed that their role is safety, not arrests. Development Director Landen Smith acknowledged community concerns but said Phoenix Pride is complying with city requirements. 🔍 ****Fact-check:** This claim requires context. City permitting rules generally require traffic-control plans for large events, which often require law enforcement. However, whether officers should be used in parks for events is less cut-and-dry. For example, the City of Phoenix Parks Department’s website states that when alcohol is served in city parks, event organizers are required to hire an off-duty police officer — [but applications also allow for licensed security as an alternative](https://www.azliquor.gov/forms/lic%5Fspecialeventapp%5Faccess.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org). At Heritage Square, where the Rainbow Festival is held, city rental materials list both off-duty police and city-approved licensed security as options when alcohol is served. [City regulations also allow flexibility](https://www.phoenix.gov/content/dam/phoenix/cityclerksite/documents/license-services/special%20event%20application.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) in how security requirements are met, meaning uniformed police presence inside festival grounds is not always mandatory, just that any security used must be licensed by the state’s Department of Public Safety. --- ## **CLAIM: As a 501(c)(3), Phoenix Pride cannot exclude participants.** **What was said:** While board members did not cite specific incidents, criticism has circulated online regarding the inclusion of Phoenix police booths, corporate sponsors, and groups such as the Log Cabin Republicans. Leadership said Phoenix Pride cannot exclude participants because it is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. 🔍 ****Fact-check:** This claim is false. [Federal law requires 501(c)(3) organizations to remain nonpartisan](https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/lobbying?ref=lookoutnews.org) and prohibits them from endorsing or opposing political candidates. It does not require nonprofits to admit every vendor, sponsor or participant. Organizations may set neutral participation standards aligned with their mission. Phoenix Pride acknowledged during the town hall that it has declined vendors it deemed not mission-aligned, though leadership did not specify which groups. --- ## **CLAIM: As a nonprofit, Phoenix Pride cannot engage in lobbying.** **What was said:** When asked about advocacy, leadership described lobbying rules as a “gray area” and said the organization lacks the institutional knowledge to engage in it. Leaders said Phoenix Pride prefers to direct people to organizations such as Equality Arizona for policy and advocacy work. 💡 ****Fact-check:** This framing is inaccurate. [Congress and the I.R.S. allow](https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/federal-law-protects-nonprofit-advocacy-lobbying?ref=lookoutnews.org) tax-exempt organizations to engage in limited legislative lobbying and policy advocacy, provided it does not constitute a substantial portion of their activities or exceed spending thresholds. And Phoenix Pride has engaged in advocacy work in the past, publishing letters for and against bills in the legislature. That said, Phoenix Pride is not required to act as an advocacy organization and may choose to rely on other groups, such as Equality Arizona, to lead policy efforts. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### What Would a Trans Genocide Look Like? A Holocaust Educator Says We’re Already Seeing It. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/i-asked-a-holocaust-educator-what-a-trans-genocide-looks-like-before-its-obvious/ Last updated: 2026-01-28T18:07:29.000Z Earlier this year, a bombshell claim ripped through the news cycle: the founder of Genocide Watch — and former president of the International Association of Genocide Scholars, a body that monitors genocide and mass human rights abuses — warned that transgender people in the United States are in the “early stages” of genocide. The assessment moved fast, jumping from academic circles to podcasts, social media influencers, and finally activist spaces, where it was amplified, flattened, and — in some cases — distorted. What was supposed to be a warning grounded in decades of genocide scholarship became something closer to a moral Rorschach test, dismissed outright or escalated into apocalyptic rhetoric. I wanted to slow that moment down and ground it. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) What does “early stages” actually mean? What does it not mean? And as Arizona lawmakers introduce, hear, and advance more than a dozen bills aimed squarely at regulating how trans people access health care, move through public space, and live their lives, does it comport with the framework of how genocide scholars describe a mass extinction of a people? So, I spoke with Lori Shepherd, executive director of the Tucson Jewish Museum and Holocaust Center, whose work centers on Holocaust education and the warning signs of genocide. Shepherd doesn’t argue that the U.S. is replaying history beat for beat. What she does say is more unsettling: that the mechanisms, patterns, and justifications she teaches every day — not only from the Holocaust, but from more recent genocides — are increasingly visible here, embedded in local politics, bureaucratic language, and laws that quietly strip people of the right to exist as themselves. In the conversation that follows, Shepherd walks through how genocide is defined, how it develops, and how it can be stopped — long before mass violence becomes undeniable. Drawing from the framework of the ten stages of genocide used by scholars and educators worldwide, she explains why policies that may appear abstract, bureaucratic, or “merely political” are often the earliest warning signs. We talk about how dehumanization works, how governments manufacture fear to consolidate power, and why waiting for an official declaration of genocide has historically meant waiting too long. This isn’t a thought experiment or a history lesson sealed in amber. It’s a practical framework for understanding the present — and a reminder that what happens at school board meetings, statehouses, and city councils can matter just as much as what unfolds on the world stage. Here’s our conversation: --- **Joseph Darius Jaafari:** For people who may not be familiar with the museum, what role does it play in Tucson? Who is it for? **Lori Shepherd:** The Tucson Jewish Museum and Holocaust Center is a regional history museum that focuses on Holocaust education. We have a fourfold mission. The first aspect of our mission is to teach the Holocaust and other genocides in order to help create a more peaceful future. The second is to educate and enlighten people about the history of Jews in Southern Arizona and their involvement in the settlement of the region. The third is to preserve the oldest synagogue in Southern Arizona, built in 1910, when Arizona was still a territory. [Here’s Why More LGBTQ+ People Are Learning Self-DefenseFor many queer and trans people, learning to defend themselves is a practical path in facing political hostilities. But it’s also been helpful in feeling better about their bodies.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-219.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Copy-of-PRESS-VEHICLE--1-.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/heres-why-more-lgbtq-people-are-learning-self-defense/) And finally, we work with our diverse communities to help create a safer, stronger Southern Arizona for all of us. Some days that feels like a lot, but all of it is vitally important. **Joseph Darius Jaafari:** When people hear the word “genocide,” it’s often immediately associated with Jewish history. Why do you think that is, and what happens when we try to apply that word more broadly? ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/01/20221130_121238.jpg) Shepherd spends most of her time teaching youth about the history of genocide, mainly through the Holocaust. But on a recent visit, students were the ones to point out that current laws and trends look similar to what is happening to trans people. Photo courtesy of Tucson Jewish Museum and Holocaust Center. **Lori Shepherd:** I think that association makes sense. The Holocaust — the Shoah — was the largest genocide in history. While there were genocides before it, and sadly many after it, nothing reached the magnitude of devastation of the Holocaust. So when people hear the word genocide, it’s understandable that their minds go first to the Jewish people of Europe. But of course, there were genocides before — the Armenian Genocide, for example — and genocides that are still happening today. The word genocide itself didn’t exist before the Holocaust. It was coined by Raphael Lemkin in 1944 because existing terms like “mass murder” or “war crimes” did not adequately describe what had happened to the Jewish people. He began developing the term before the Holocaust had even ended. By December 1948, the United Nations adopted his definition in the Genocide Convention, which established how we would define and understand genocide going forward. > A genocide can begin anywhere along these stages, but it can also be stopped anywhere along them. > \- **Lori Shepherd** **Joseph Darius Jaafari:** You spend a lot of time teaching this history. When you talk about genocide today, how do you define it — especially given how often the word gets used? **Lori Shepherd:** First, it’s important to understand the definition of genocide. As a journalist, yourself, you have to ask yourself when it’s appropriate to use that word. It gets used frequently — by politicians, on social media — but it has a very specific legal definition. Genocide is the intentional, systematic destruction, in whole or in part, of a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. That word “intentional” is crucial. It is the intent to destroy a targeted group. [Arizona Leaders Resist Antifa Label for Trans AmericansElected leaders vow to protect transgender residents after Trump’s federal order falsely linking them to domestic terrorism.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-220.png)LOOKOUTZach Bradshaw![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/usa-trump-1-1.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/state-leaders-push-back-against-trump-efforts-to-label-trans-americans-as-terrorists/) For an act to constitute genocide, it includes killing members of the group, intentionally causing serious bodily or mental harm, deliberately inflicting conditions of life calculated to bring about physical destruction, imposing measures to prevent births, or forcibly transferring children to another group. These are very specific guardrails. **Joseph Darius Jaafari:** Beyond the definition, you also teach about the stages of genocide. Can you walk us through that framework? **Lori Shepherd:** After the Holocaust, Dr. Gregory Stanton developed what were originally called the eight stages of genocide, now expanded to ten. He is the founder and director of Genocide Watch and continues this work today. These stages don’t always happen in a strict order, but all of them occur in genocides. The first stage is classification — dividing people into “us” and “them.” Then comes symbolization, where groups are forced into identifiable categories. During the Nazi genocide, that meant yellow stars, but symbolization can take many forms. Next come discrimination and dehumanization. Discrimination must be systematic — driven by governments and institutions — not just individual prejudice. Dehumanization follows, when people are equated with animals or vermin. Jews were depicted as rats during the Holocaust; during the Rwandan genocide, people were called cockroaches. After that comes organization, where governments create groups — police, military, paramilitary — to enforce discriminatory policies. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/01/TJMHC-Holocaust-Center.jpg) Students visit the Tucson Jewish Museum and Holocaust Center to learn not just about the Holocaust, but also genocides from around the world after WWII. Photo courtesy of Tucson Jewish Museum and Holocaust Center. **Joseph Darius Jaafari:** When you say “organization,” does that include local governments and law enforcement, not just national leaders? I think of the local state laws and elected leaders who are passing similar laws and trying to do the same thing that the federal government has been attempting to do, sometimes to a harsher degree. **Lori Shepherd:** Absolutely. In fact, one thing we share here that not everyone likes to hear is that the Nazis developed the Nuremberg Laws by studying Jim Crow laws in the United States. They examined how Black Americans were legally classified and discriminated against. Some of those laws were actually considered too extreme for Nazi Germany to implement. This is why honest, non-revisionist history matters. The United States went down a path that could have led to genocide, but the difference is that we eventually stopped it — through the Civil Rights Act and other pushbacks. A genocide can begin anywhere along these stages, but it can also be stopped anywhere along them. [Charlie Kirk Death Fuels MAGA Rhetoric – LOOKOUTFrom fiery speeches in Glendale to rising threats in Phoenix, Kirk’s death has become a flashpoint, reshaping Republican rhetoric and raising alarms for LGBTQ+ Arizonans.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-221.png)LOOKOUTClarissa Sosin (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_7111-copy-1-1.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/you-are-wickedness-maga-leaders-tie-faith-politics-and-hostility-after-kirks-death/) **Joseph Darius Jaafari:** Recently, genocide scholars like Dr. Gregory Stanton have said that trans people are experiencing early stages of genocide. What was your reaction when you first encountered that idea? **Lori Shepherd:** My first reaction was remembering a school tour. When I asked students who they saw being dehumanized today, they mentioned people of color, immigrants, and then almost unanimously said the trans community. That was painful but also eye-opening. I looked into it further and shared with students that in 2024, hundreds of laws were introduced at state and local levels to police how trans people access health care, use bathrooms, and live their lives. Trans people make up less than one percent of the population. The sheer volume of legislation targeting them is dehumanization. It’s also polarization — when governments use propaganda to turn the majority against a group. Polarization makes societies easier to control. It distracts people from corruption and broader harm, and it leads to persecution and, ultimately, extermination. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/01/unnamed.png) Dr. Gregory Stanton, who founded Genocide Watch, expanded the eight stages of genocide to 10\. He is also the one who said that transgender Americans are facing early signs of genocide. Image from GenocideWatch.net > When I asked students who they saw being dehumanized today, they mentioned people of color, immigrants, and then almost unanimously said the trans community. That was painful but also eye-opening. > **\-Lori Shepherd** **Joseph Darius Jaafari:** A lot of people think extermination only means mass killings. Is that the only way genocide manifests? **Lori Shepherd:** If we go back to Lemkin’s definition, genocide includes deliberately inflicting conditions of life intended to destroy a group. That doesn’t require mass murder. It can mean preventing people from living as their authentic selves. Another key stage woven throughout all ten stages is denial. Denial starts at the beginning — “That’s not what we’re doing” — and continues all the way through extermination. It’s constant. **Joseph Darius Jaafari:** Do you think our culture is too rigid in how we understand genocide? For example, there is the term “femicide” to address the intentional murder of women and girls. Do we need to look at what’s happening right now and give it a different definition? **Lori Shepherd:** Usually I say it’s up to the UN Genocide Convention to decide what constitutes genocide. And we’re working within the definitions of what we have right now. But the problem is that if we wait for someone else to make that determination, it may already be too late. **Joseph Darius Jaafari:** Historically, that seems to be the case. **Lori Shepherd:** It is. When students ask what they would have done during the Holocaust, I tell them: what you’re doing right now is what you would have done then. Are you standing up against antisemitism? Against identity-based hate? That’s your answer. **Joseph Darius Jaafari:** Given where we are now, do you think it’s possible — or even useful — to pinpoint exactly which “stage” we’re in? **Lori Shepherd:** You know, I saw a meme this morning and it had the stages of genocide with step 7 circled and said “we are here.” And I don’t think it’s our place to say that, because I don’t think anyone can definitively say, “You are here.” What I do know is that we are in frightening times, and this is a moment where we must be using our voices. [LGBTQ Bar Threat Spurs Arrest Amid Charlie Kirk TensionsPolice say the man admitted to making the threat, claiming he wanted to target the LGBTQ community as a result of online rhetoric from political leaders.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-222.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-09-18-at-3.36.10---PM-1-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/phoenix-police-arrest-man-accused-of-threatening-lgbtq-bar-amid-post-kirk-tensions/) **Joseph Darius Jaafari:** With all of that in mind, where do you find hope? **Lori Shepherd:** I find hope in young people. I see it in students, protests, and community actions. People are pushing back. That gives me hope. **Joseph Darius Jaafari:** As we wrap up, is there anything else you want people to be thinking about right now? **Lori Shepherd:** Today is International Holocaust Remembrance Day — 81 years since the liberation of Auschwitz. It’s heartbreaking that we’re still fighting these same battles. But our survivors remind us there is a better world, and that’s why we keep doing this work. #### Correction An earlier version of this article misspelled Ms. Shepherd's name. We regret the error. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Here’s Why More LGBTQ+ People Are Learning Self-Defense URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/heres-why-more-lgbtq-people-are-learning-self-defense/ Last updated: 2026-03-23T05:26:41.000Z April Gendill never thought she would be the kind of person to pick up a gun. In past years, she said, she was more likely to argue that firearms should be melted down altogether. That changed when Donald Trump returned to the White House. Within his first month back in office, Trump and his administration enacted a wave of executive orders and policy changes targeting LGBTQ+ people, particularly transgender Americans. The actions included banning trans people from military service and sports, stripping LGBTQ+ history and references from federal websites, dismantling diversity initiatives across the federal government, rescinding Biden-era protections against gender-based discrimination, forcing passport gender markers to match those listed on birth certificates, removing references to transgender people from the Stonewall National Monument website, and labeling gender-affirming care as “child abuse” on the Department of Health and Human Services website. The list goes on. Since then, the administration and aligned conservative groups have mounted what advocates describe as an all-out assault on LGBTQ+ existence. GLAAD [documented 213 attacks against LGBTQ+ people](https://glaad.org/trump-accountability-tracker?ref=lookoutnews.org) in 2025 tied to Trump administration actions, one of the largest coordinated information and policy campaigns against the community in recent memory. For Gendill, the shift translated into fear. [![Promotion for becoming a Lookout member, with benefits like free swag and magazine copies.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) As a trans woman who describes herself as “visibly” trans—an in-group term meaning strangers can tell she has transitioned—she said the past year has brought more stares, more double-takes and a growing sense of unease in public. Going outside became something to brace for. That anxiety eased only after she began taking self-defense seriously. She said she had always carried around a butterfly knife, but started going to a gun range and learning how to safely handle a firearm. And that's when everything changed. Gendill is not alone. [Unanswered Death of Marcus Freiberger: LGBTQ Hate Crime?Rumors swirled after a Phoenix yoga teacher went missing and was later found dead. But his loved ones say they’re still in the dark — and the police stopped looking.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-216.png)LOOKOUTCelina Jiménez (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Untitled-design--4-.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/the-unanswered-death-of-marcus-frieberger/) Across Arizona and the country, queer and trans people are enrolling in self-defense classes at a noticeable clip, from firearms training and gun clubs to jiu-jitsu, boxing and martial arts. The motivations are familiar: heightened fear, political instability, rising hate crimes and a sense that help may not come when it is needed. *LOOKOUT* spoke with 10 people who have taken up self-defense in different ways. Nearly all said they were preparing for worst-case scenarios. But many described an unexpected benefit: self-defense helped them feel more comfortable in their bodies, particularly those navigating transition or rebuilding a sense of physical autonomy. And while the outcome is consistent—you probably do not want to corner any of them in a dark alley—there is something distinct about queer people trained in self-defense: the emergence of community protectors. ### **A Body I Can Work With** Every Sunday night, Rae Sombras, 24, an assistant coach with [Rainbow Warriors](https://mastodon.social/@RainbowWarriors?ref=lookoutnews.org), a Phoenix-based queer martial arts group, helps lead Tang Soo Do classes inside a space intentionally built for LGBTQ+ people. Though people join for self-defense, its effects go beyond learning how to bring someone down in a pinch. “A lot of us come in with complicated relationships to our bodies,” Sombras said. Training, he added, helps people reconnect with themselves at every stage of transition or embodiment. “You stop seeing your body as a problem to fix. It becomes a tool you’re learning to understand.” Rainbow Warriors was founded in 2022 by Silver Drinan, 36, who began training informally with friends outdoors. The goal was simple: movement, breath and safety. “Most fitness spaces are built around shame,” Drinan said. “Or proving something. I wanted a place where people could build strength without being punished for existing in their bodies.” That approach keeps people coming back. ![A diverse group of individuals in martial arts attire striking fighting poses, promoting LGBTQ safety and inclusivity.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/01/Screenshot-2026-01-25-at-10.06.25---PM.png) Members of the Rainbow Warriors, which meets every Sunday night to teach LGBTQ+ community members free martial arts and self defense. Image from Rainbow-Warriors.org Cosette Claybaugh, 30, joined the group about six months ago after moving to Arizona and feeling isolated. She had trained in jiu-jitsu before but said those gyms felt transactional. [A Brutal Attack In Phoenix On Queer ArizonansA gay man was knifed after allegedly being called a homophobic slur. The Maricopa County Attorney said it’s not enough to charge his attacker.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-217.png)LOOKOUTCelina Jiménez (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Almaraz3-1-3.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/gay-man-brutally-attacked-in-phoenix-no-prosecution/) “I would pay, show up and leave,” she said. “There wasn’t space to talk about mental health or physical limitations.” At Rainbow Warriors, instructors encourage listening to the body, modifying movements and speaking openly about neurodivergence, injury and burnout. “For the first time, my body wasn’t something I had to fight,” Claybaugh said. “It was something I could work with.” > “You can talk your way out of a lot of situations...But you can’t talk your way out of genocide.” > \-Cayce Kenney, > Tucson Pink Pistols member Members described the training as unexpectedly meditative. Repetition and controlled movement, they said, quieted their anxieties and sharpened their focus. “It’s not about aggression,” Claybaugh said. “It’s about control—of my movements, my reactions, my confidence.” The benefits extend beyond the mat. Members report improved mental health and accountability rooted in care rather than pressure. When someone misses class, others check in, not to guilt them, but to make sure they are OK. “That kind of care,” Claybaugh said, “is what makes it sustainable.” ### **"I'm Living Again"** For many queer and trans people who ended up choosing to enroll in self-defense classes, the fear did not arrive all at once. It crept in—first as doomscrolling, then canceled plans, then days when leaving the apartment felt optional and later, risky. Cayce Kenney, 45, a nonbinary member of the Tucson chapter of Pink Pistols, said that by late 2024, most of their life had moved online. Community existed, but largely through screens. “I was scared,” Kenney said. “I didn’t know if it was going to be safe to be me, or for my friends to be themselves.” Kenney found [Tucson Pink Pistols](https://tucsonpinkpistols.org/?ref=lookoutnews.org), an LGBTQ+-focused firearms education group, while scrolling Reddit at 3 a.m., unable to sleep. The post was from Gendill, who founded the Tucson chapter in early 2025 after struggling to find firearms spaces that did not feel hostile or far-right. “It was queer. It was led by a trans woman,” Kenney said. “That mattered. It felt like the safest place to learn how to protect myself and be less afraid.” [![Membership options for LOOKOUT magazine include insider and leader tiers, supporting lgbtq safety and queer journalism.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/01/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px---1920-x-1080-px---2-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Before that moment, Kenney had never seriously considered owning a gun. They had shot recreationally with friends but viewed firearms as a hobby, not a tool for survival. That changed with Trump’s return to office and the acceleration of anti-trans rhetoric and policy. “You can talk your way out of a lot of situations,” Kenney said. “But you can’t talk your way out of genocide.” The fear translated into hesitation around everyday errands, unfamiliar places and being visibly queer in public, and it later turned into isolation inside Kenney's apartment. What changed was not just training, but re-entering the world alongside others who shared that fear. The first shift came before Kenney ever touched a firearm. It started in Pink Pistols’ Discord server, with conversation, shared anxiety, shared humor and people checking in on each other. “The fear didn’t disappear,” Kenney said. “But it softened.” The second shift came at the range. The first time Kenney fired their own pistol, something clicked. “It was like a moment of calm,” they said. “I thought, OK. I can defend myself." Gendill said she sees that transformation often. She founded the group after being harassed in public during Trump’s first term, an experience that shattered her belief that visibility alone could keep her safe. “I went from being, you know, take all guns and melt them down to now I run this gun club” she said. ![Logo with a pink triangle and text promoting LGBTQ safety through self-defense, associated with Pink Pistols.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/01/Screenshot-2026-01-25-at-10.04.05---PM.png) The slogan and logo for the national Pink Pistols organization, which has multiple chapters throughout the country. Image from PinkPistols.org At first, owning a firearm did not feel empowering. It felt heavy and uncomfortable. Training changed that relationship. “The more I practiced, the more confident I felt,” Gendill said, adding that she feels more present now with her firearms training. That presence matters. Gendill said many members initially join Tucson Pink Pistols afraid to leave their homes. Over time, she has watched people stand taller, move through public spaces with less hesitation and rebuild routines that fear had quietly erased. She said it’s not only about using the weapon, specifically, but rather the goal is to not feel helpless. > “Hope is a terrible strategy. If someone has already decided to hurt you, letting it happen isn’t de-escalation. It’s gambling.” > \-John O'Hagan, who runs a weekly free self-defense class for marginalized groups in Phoenix Both Kenney and Gendill emphasized that Pink Pistols is not a militia or a paramilitary group. The organization is nonpartisan and focused on firearms safety, education and harm reduction. Members repeatedly said they hope never to use their weapons outside of target practice. [Lack of Standards Undermines Police LGBTQ Programs - LOOKOUTAcross Arizona, police departments tout LGBTQ+ liaison programs as trust-building tools. But a LOOKOUT and Phoenix New Times report reveals inconsistent roles across departments.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-218.png)LOOKOUTCelina Jiménez (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/DSC06072-1-4.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/lack-of-standards-transparency-undermines-police-lgbtq-programs/) But right now, they argue, learning self-defense is not theoretical. “I don’t carry everywhere,” Kenney said. But knowing that they can, it changes how they move through the world. What ultimately pulled Kenney out of isolation was not just the gun, but the combination of training and community: range days, group chats, shared meals and people who would show up if something went wrong. Now, Kenney said, “I’m living again.” ### **Not Counting On Hope** The modern LGBTQ+ rights movement is often described as joyful and nonviolent—Pride parades, rainbow flags, celebration as resistance. But its origin story is messier. Stonewall was a riot. Bricks flew. Heels landed. People fought back. That tension between nonviolence and self-defense is not unique to queer liberation. In his book *This Nonviolent Stuff’ll Get You Killed: How Guns Made the Civil Rights Movement Possible*, author and activist Charles E. Cobb Jr. argues that while nonviolence was central to civil rights gains, it existed alongside an underappreciated tradition of armed self-defense, particularly in communities where the state refused protection. And where it has been mentioned in modern media, [it was often misreported](https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/16/us/black-panthers-50-years.html?ref=lookoutnews.org). That context matters as queer people today face scrutiny for learning how to defend themselves. John O’Hagan, a black belt instructor who runs a free Sunday night jiu-jitsu class for LGBTQ+ and other marginalized people at Gracie Arizona, started the program shortly after the 2024 election. When he offered a similar class years earlier, only a handful of people showed up before it fizzled out. This time, nearly 50 packed the mat. “I’m a boring, straight, cis white guy,” O’Hagan said. “I have every privilege available to me. And I’m surrounded by people who don’t.” O’Hagan, who has trained in jiu-jitsu for about 16 years and also runs a real estate brokerage out of Phoenix, said the decision came down to responsibility. “I kept asking myself, what can I actually do?” he said. “Helping people with real estate doesn’t help folks who are terrified. But this does.” The class, co-taught with fellow black belt Jeff Hazel, is intentionally designed for people who would never feel safe walking into a traditional fight gym. The goal is explicit: self-defense as a right. “A lot of us are taught that if you fight back, you’re just as bad as your attacker,” O’Hagan said. “That’s not true. If someone puts their hands on you, you have the right to make that stop.” That message cuts against both narratives of queer passivity and the moral panic surrounding armed LGBTQ+ people. In recent months, far-right media has exaggerated isolated incidents into claims that mainstream media has picked up, calling it an [organized “trantifa” movement](https://www.newsweek.com/what-trantifa-far-left-movement-transgender-violence-1807032?ref=lookoutnews.org). That fear has filtered into government rhetoric; a [Department of Justice memo recently](https://www.thefire.org/news/doj-plan-target-domestic-terrorists-risks-chilling-speech?ref=lookoutnews.org) labeled “gender ideology” as radical and linked it to domestic extremism. “That’s the thing,” said Sombras, the assistant coach for Rainbow Warriors. “If a trans person hits someone back, it gets twisted.” While O’Hagan respects people who choose pacifism, he rejects the idea that enduring violence is safer. “Hope is a terrible strategy,” he said. “If someone has already decided to hurt you, letting it happen isn’t de-escalation. It’s gambling.” Self-defense, he said, is not about winning fights or proving toughness. It is about awareness, boundary-setting and knowing what to do if avoidance fails. “If you can talk your way out of a situation, that’s a win,” he said. “But if someone grabs you, you should have an answer.” Defending oneself carries legal and social risk, particularly for trans people. O’Hagan does not minimize that. “I’d rather deal with the aftermath than attend a funeral,” he said. “We don’t need permission to defend ourselves.” Over time, he has watched students change. People who arrived anxious and withdrawn now help lead warmups, welcome newcomers, and take up space with confidence. “That doesn’t come from nowhere,” O’Hagan said. “That comes from training, community and knowing, deep down, that you’re not helpless.” He calls it resistance without slogans: not looking for fights, but not shrinking either. “It’s not arrogance,” O’Hagan said. “It’s knowing that when things go bad, you’re not just counting on hope.” ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Records Show Years of Warning Signs Before Tucson Pride Shut Down URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/records-show-years-of-warning-signs-before-tucson-pride-shut-down/ Last updated: 2026-02-26T21:23:08.000Z The end of Tucson Pride marks the collapse of one of Southern Arizona’s most visible LGBTQ+ institutions — and public records suggest it did not happen overnight. Tax filings and interviews point to years of financial losses, governance problems and missed reporting requirements that ultimately left the organization without nonprofit standing or community confidence. For some in the community, the decision felt sudden. For others, it confirmed long-standing concerns about the organization’s leadership and [finances that public records](https://apps.irs.gov/app/eos/details/?ref=lookoutnews.org) suggest had been building for years. When the announcement dropped, longtime drag performer and former board member Tempest DuJour — best known for her appearance on *RuPaul’s Drag Race* Season 7 — said she was initially saddened by the news. [![An advertisement to become a LOOKOUT member - Free swag, tickets to events, and a copy of our magazine sent to your home.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/01/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px---1920-x-1080-px---2-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) “But I am not surprised at all by this announcement,” she said. DuJour said she served on the Tucson Pride board several years ago and stepped away after what she described as persistent governance and financial problems. In an interview with *LOOKOUT*, she said the organization’s collapse reflects years of instability rather than a sudden crisis. Those concerns are reflected in the organization’s tax filings. A review of federal records shows signs of financial and operational strain well before Tucson Pride’s decision to dissolve, including repeated losses, community concerns and lapses in required reporting. The Tucson Lesbian & Gay Alliance — the organization’s legal name — [has not filed a federal tax return since 2020](https://apps.irs.gov/app/eos/details/?ref=lookoutnews.org). Under IRS rules, nonprofits that fail to file for three consecutive years automatically lose their tax-exempt status, a penalty Tucson Pride incurred in 2024, according to IRS records. That loss left the organization without official nonprofit standing as it [postponed its 2025 festival and later canceled it entirely](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-pride-postpones-festival-amid-financial-troubles/). Earlier filings point to ongoing management and financial challenges. [In 2017](https://apps.irs.gov/pub/epostcard/cor/860769004%5F201712%5F990EZ%5F2018100215756189.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org), Tucson Pride disclosed an “excess benefit transaction,” an IRS designation used when a nonprofit reports that an officer, director or other insider received a financial benefit that did not comply with IRS rules. The filing does not identify who was involved or how the issue was resolved. > "I am not surprised at all by this announcement." > \-Tempest DuJour > Former Tucson Pride Boardmember [In 2018](https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/860769004/201913229349200146/IRS990EZ?ref=lookoutnews.org), the organization reported a loss of more than $27,000 after expenses outpaced revenue. The following year, it reported its highest revenue on record — more than $170,000 — but still did not end 2019 in the black. Nearly all of that revenue went toward producing the Pride festival, tax records show. IRS filings from 2019 and [2020](https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/860769004/202113059349200641/IRS990EZ?ref=lookoutnews.org) also show Tucson Pride loaned money to its president and later reported partially recovering the funds while taking a loss, without explaining the circumstances. [Tucson Pride Postpones Festival Amid Financial TroublesThe organization behind Arizona’s first Pride admits tax filing lapses, funding gaps, and event conflicts forcing a delay in this year’s annual Pride festival.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-215.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-10-21-at-10.02.24---PM-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-pride-postpones-festival-amid-financial-troubles/) DuJour said those disclosures mirror what she witnessed during her time on the board, describing an organization that struggled to maintain stability even as it continued to stage large-scale public events. Despite her criticism, she said she does not believe all volunteers or board members acted in bad faith. Still, she said the decision to dissolve the organization rather than open it to new leadership felt troubling, particularly given Pride’s role in the community. To her, the closure signals retreat at a moment when visibility remains critical. “I think there is most certainly still a need for Pride,” DuJour said. “You don’t just quit.” She said Pride has historically served as one of the few public spaces where LGBTQ+ people could feel affirmed and safe — and that walking away entirely sends the wrong message. In a statement posted to Facebook, Tucson Pride said the decision “was not made lightly.” April Gendill, a Tucson resident and president of [Tucson Pink Pistols,](https://tucsonpinkpistols.org/about/?ref=lookoutnews.org) said the closure highlights broader challenges facing LGBTQ+ organizations. She said the loss of visible institutions sends a damaging signal at a time when many LGBTQ+ people already feel isolated. “The queer community has been largely abandoned at this point,” Gendill said. “We have no resources.” As businesses and grantmakers pull back, she said, the burden increasingly falls on the community itself. The issue is not unique to Tucson. Last year, Phoenix Pride announced six-figure revenue losses, citing declining sponsorships and ticket sales. Community members online also raised concerns about leadership decisions and board governance. Similar distrust surfaced in 2024 in Flagstaff, where Pride in the Pines faced backlash after inviting former-first lady Dr. Jill Biden to speak and later removing pro-Palestinian protesters from the event. “The community is going to have to come together and support the organizations they want to see survive,” Gendill said. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Two LGBTQ+ Groups Are Pushing A Bill That Would Allow Pastors to Discriminate Against Same-Sex Partners URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/two-lgbtq-groups-are-pushing-a-bill-that-would-allow-pastors-to-discriminate-against-same-sex-partners/ Last updated: 2026-01-31T18:05:23.000Z Two of the state’s longest-running LGBTQ+ rights advocacy organizations have been crafting language for a potential marriage equality referral with religious exemptions since the fall, despite initial concerns from a chair of the LGBTQIA Caucus. During the legislative interim, Equality Arizona and ONE Community developed a new approach to removing the state’s constitutional ban on same-sex marriage: adding carveouts for religious objectors, which would allow pastors or people who certify marriages to reject to perform them if they have a sincerely held religious belief against it. Equality Arizona [President Michael Soto](https://www.lookoutnews.org/equality-arizona-michael-soto/), who is also on the ONE Community advisory board, said their push to propose a state-level marriage equality referral with religious liberty exemptions is “straightforward” and “proactive.” He said the language draws from the federal Respect for Marriage Act (RFMA) and the Supreme Court’s 2015 ruling in *Obergefell v. Hodges*, which established the constitutional right to marry for LGBTQ+ people. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Late last year, the Supreme Court declined to take up a case challenging that decision. Kim Davis, a former Kentucky clerk who made the appeal, has long argued that “[religious convictions](https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/25/25-125/366933/20250724095150195%5F250720a%20Petition%20for%20efling.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org)” conflict with the decision. In 2022, former President Joe Biden signed into law the RFMA, revoking the Defense of Marriage Act and affirming the validity of same-sex and interracial marriages. Even if the court decided to hear Davis’ case and later overturn *Obergefell*, same-sex marriage would still be protected at a federal level. But without *Obergefell*, states like Arizona could [refuse to recognize same-sex](https://www.lookoutnews.org/getting-your-marriage-documents-in-order-is-a-good-idea/) marriages. [Arizona’s 2026 Session Opens With Renewed Push to Restrict LGBTQ+ RightsWith vetoes from Gov. Katie Hobbs looming, some legislators are reviving old proposals that have once failed, and turning to ballot measures to push them through.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-212.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/arizona-state-capitol-museum-facebook-2015.webp)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizonas-2026-session-opens-with-renewed-push-to-restrict-lgbtq-rights/) But the RFMA didn’t originate with LGBTQ+ rights groups. In fact, it also outlines broad exemptions for religious organizations, a strategy political insiders dubbed ‘the Utah compromise.’ At the time many activists described the federal legislation as “a way for Republicans to hide behind the language of inclusion while cementing further protections for religious individuals to discriminate against LGBTQ+ Americans,” [Theia Chatelle reported](https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/respect-for-marriage-act-religious-exemptions-republicans/?ref=lookoutnews.org) for *The Nation*. State Rep. Brian Garcia (D-Tempe) called an earlier version of Equality Arizona and ONE Community’s policy draft that was leaked to *LOOKOUT* “a rollback.” [Respect for Marriage Act AZ language - DRAFT - 12-2025A copy of the draft bill presented to lawmakers that would help codify same-sex marriage into law. Respect for Marriage Act AZ language - DRAFT - 12-2025.pdf19 KBdownload-circle](https://www.lookoutnews.org/content/files/2026/01/Respect-for-Marriage-Act-AZ-language---DRAFT---12-2025.pdf "Download") Garcia told *LOOKOUT* that when a fellow Democratic lawmaker first contacted him with early notes about another marriage equality initiative, he let her know of the problems he had with the religious exemption language and the provision to stop people from legal action on that specific issue. “I'm generally not a fan of passively allowing discrimination on those grounds and others without a recourse,” said Garcia, who added that the contents of LGBTQ+-related bills require a strict analysis. “Anti-LGBTQ folks are really creative and innovative in weaponizing the legal structures in a way, obviously, to benefit them but also to a detriment to us.” Since then, Soto said the groups met with the LGBTQIA Caucus to present “a draft document for potential legislation that would ensure marriage equality in Arizona is codified into law. There was a request for a two-word change to the language, which we happily obliged.” Rep. Sarah Liguori (D-Phoenix) confirmed that Soto and ONE Community President Angela Hughey expressed their interest in working on marriage equality with her. “As those policy conversations developed, I engaged members of the LGBTQ+ caucus, individually and collectively, to seek their guidance.” “Throughout this process, I have been clear with all involved that I will follow the lead of my LGBTQ+ caucus colleagues,” Liguori said. “Marriage equality is critically important, particularly at a time when we have seen a push in the courts and a pattern of this administration challenging long-standing rights. Above all, any approach to protecting marriage equality in Arizona must be done thoughtfully, collaboratively, and with LGBTQ+ leadership at the center.” The Legislature’s LGBTQIA Caucus leadership had in previous sessions led the efforts to amend discriminatory language from the [state constitution](https://civics.asu.edu/arizona-constitution/unabridged?ref=lookoutnews.org#ARTICLEXXX) to include same-sex marriages. Last year, Garcia filed a resolution that would have asked voters in 2026 if they wanted to repeal Arizona’s marriage requirement and replace it with a simple marriage equality protection. “That has been kind of the standard in the mirror for other states,” Garcia said, of his policy approach. “The reason that, previously, Leader De Los Santos and then me, subsequently, \[were\] putting out our version of the bill is because we've consistently gotten the feedback that this is the version to move forward.” Sen. Lauren Kuby (D-Tempe) introduced a companion bill in the Senate around the same time, but leadership in both Republican-controlled chambers failed to schedule either for a committee hearing. [Extremist Groups Reemerge Amid Backlash to Charlie Kirk ShootingAfter calls for retribution over Kirk’s death, dormant far-right groups in Southern and Northern Arizona ignited to target locals.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-213.png)LOOKOUTTori Gantz (she/they)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Untitled-design--33-.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/outrage-over-charlie-kirk-fueled-extremist-group-resurgence-in-arizona/) For that reason, Soto said, “One approach, deleting discriminatory language from the constitution and adding simple protection language, has been tried before. We have participated in many of those efforts and learned firsthand why they failed. “To be clear, we do not oppose this type of bill; we are offering an additional strategy that may move us closer to our shared goal of protecting marriage equality.” Neither Soto nor Hughey, both registered lobbyists at the Capitol, signed in to support the measure, according to records from the Request to Speak system. Equality Arizona and ONE Community have a history of crafting LGBTQ+-related bills with religious carveouts–and finding centrist lawmakers to pitch them at the Legislature. For example, the past several years they’ve endorsed a bill to add sexual orientation and gender identity to the current public accommodations law that would’ve also allowed religious organizations, including nonprofit businesses, to openly discriminate against transgender, gender-diverse, and LBGTQ+ people. Some drafts of the bill also contained a section to ban conversion therapy. It’s never advanced far at the Legislature. (In fact, no [expansive anti-discrimination bills](https://www.lookoutnews.org/anti-discrimination-bills-for-the-lgbtq-community-have-wide-support-so-why-cant-a-bill-get-passed/) in Arizona have gained traction.) “Being a freshman member this last session, I remember that particular bill, and my thought at the time was: We need every single approach to protect our communities,” said Garcia, who didn’t sign onto it. “It was brought to my attention particular language \[was\] hidden in that bill–separate but equal language. That was a stark reminder and realization that, no, we need to be way more intentional, way more thoughtful about how we're approaching these pieces of legislation.” In the first half of 2025, at least nine states entertained bills and resolutions contesting marriage equality, according to Lambda Legal. At its June convening, [the Southern Baptist Convention](https://slate.com/life/2025/06/southern-baptist-convention-2025-sbc-gay-marriage.html?ref=lookoutnews.org), the nation’s largest Protestant denomination, called for the reversal of *Obergefell*. After *Obergefell*, 17 states tried to pass a “Pastoral Protection Act,” according to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). Only one, Florida, [enacted it](https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2016/0043?ref=lookoutnews.org) [as law](https://laws.flrules.org/2016/50?ref=lookoutnews.org). Though, the statewide LGBTQ+ rights advocacy organization took a stance against it. “Pastors and other ministers from across the state told members of the House Civil Justice Committee that the bill is not only unnecessary -- but also a divisive attack on LGBT families,” it said in a statement made while the 2015 session was ongoing. “Other speakers warned that the bill could become a vehicle for other religious exemptions meant to undermine civil rights laws.” [Hobbs Signed Ten Bills Modeled From Far-Right Playbooks, Including Project 2025The bills identified by LOOKOUT and Arizona Mirror echo language from groups like The Heritage Foundation.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-214.png)LOOKOUTTori Gantz (she/they)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Hobbs-budget-signing-070125.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/policies-favored-by-the-far-right-ended-up-on-hobbs-desk-and-got-signed-into-law/) The Texas Supreme Court [approved new language](https://www.txcourts.gov/media/1461440/259082.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) in October that allows judges to “publicly refrain” from performing same-sex weddings due to their religious beliefs. Few other LGBTQ+ rights advocacy organizations in Arizona have backed Equality Arizona and ONE Community’s former bills with religious exemptions. The ACLU of Arizona, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), GLSEN, Lambda Legal, AZ Trans Youth Parent Organization, and Secular Arizona [launched a separate](https://www.acluaz.org/press-releases/media-advisory-advocates-call-expanded-protections-gay-and-trans-arizonans/?ref=lookoutnews.org) anti-discrimination effort in 2024 that has since run parallel to the former. It’s been stagnant as well. “Broad religious exemptions open the door to brazen discrimination against LGBTQ+ people,” said HRC's Deputy Director of Regional and State Campaigns Bridget Sharpe, arguing that religious freedom is already a constitutional right. “We can and must eliminate Arizona's ban on marriage equality without leaving the door open to discrimination.” ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### In Cottonwood, a Former Church Becomes a Queer Gathering Space. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/in-cottonwood-a-former-church-becomes-a-queer-gathering-space/ Last updated: 2026-01-22T03:19:42.000Z #### OutBack This is one in a series that uncovers the untold stories of LGBTQ+ life beyond the city, celebrating queer resilience, creativity, and community in Arizona's suburban and rural areas. [Read the full series here. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tag/outback/) Cottonwood, Arizona, with a population of about 12,000, is a destination for tourists with its Old West downtown packed with wine tasting rooms, restaurants and funky shops. And beneath its dusty Southwestern charm, there’s been [growing queer acceptance](https://www.lookoutnews.org/cottonwood-penny-peace-drag-queens/) that has helped it become a haven for community members who yearn for the desert. Enter [Queen B Vinyl Cafe,](https://queenbvinylcafe.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org) which opened on Oct. 25, 2024: The multifaceted, 2,800-square-foot former church displays a floor-to-ceiling Christian cross painted in trans flag colors to set the tone. At this cafe — and record store, barbershop, and event venue — you can browse nearly 5,000 LPs by obscure artists, hand-chosen by co-owner and manager Jennifer Keenan, who also programs live shows ranging from music, poetry and spoken word to an art club, comedy and metal drag burlesque. And while most shows are all-ages, the venue has generally skirted controversy by ensuring any racy content is for adults only. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/01/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px---1920-x-1080-px---2-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Keenan, who lives in Jerome, said she’s been in the area for 20 years, “and when I came here, you hung out in the Walmart or Sonic parking lot. There was a movie theater here for a minute, but we don’t even have a movie theater here anymore. “That’s why I felt it was important to start this neighborhood cafe spot that has more than just food, more than just wine. Whatever you’re into, you’ll find something you like there.” ### **Records and tats to Pride shirts and pie** If her surname sounds familiar, that’s because Jennifer Keenan is married to Maynard James Keenan, the singer for Tool, A Perfect Circle and Puscifer. He’s also the founder of Arizona-based [Caduceus Cellars](https://caduceus.org/?ref=lookoutnews.org) and [Merkin Vineyards](https://merkinvineyards.org/?ref=lookoutnews.org). The couple also owns the sophisticated and scenic Merkin Vineyards Hilltop Winery & Trattoria, Four Eight WineWorks and a soon-to-open gin distillery in their former hot chicken restaurant on Cottonwood’s Main Street. But Queen B Vinyl Cafe, which opened Oct. 25, 2024, is Jennifer Keenan’s baby. It began as Puscifer the Store in nearby Jerome, but when it moved to Cottonwood, “We wanted a little bit of separation from the band,” Keenan explained. The Puscifer logo is a “Queen B,” so that stuck. [A MAGA stronghold. A queer baker. And the best cinnamon rolls in northern Arizona.In a town where rainbow flags are rare, The Bearded Baker has become a sanctuary for queer visibility, and seriously good bread.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-211.png)LOOKOUTGeri Koeppel (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Bearded-Baker-with-goods-1-1.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-maga-stronghold-a-queer-baker-and-the-best-cinnamon-rolls-in-northern-arizona/) Keenan admits to many sleepless nights going down rabbit holes in search of new music. She stocks a dizzying array of genres, including electronic, spoken word, world music and more. The staff, many of whom are queer, spin tunes, and there’s a listening station for discovering new sounds. The shop also sells apparel, 80 percent of which is made in the in-house silkscreen, direct-to-garment printing and design studio. Many of the designs are by employees who receive commissions, and Keenan said they sell many house-made Pride shirts. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/01/IMG_2695.jpeg) The record store acts as a pop up space for musicians traveling through central Arizona, many of them hardcore or punk bands that the are otherwise wouldn't have a space to play. Photo Courtesy of Queen B Vinyl. The cafe menu features breakfast and lunch staples (think: French toast, quiche, a burger), ramen and baked goods made with ingredients from Keenans’ own farm and local suppliers. It also hosts ongoing dining events like pop-up sushi nights, a brunch club, and four-course prix-fixe meals with coffee or wine pairings. For the coffee drinks, they start with a Loring S7 Nighthawk—“the Ferrari of roasters,” Keenan said—and specialize in a lighter roast. It also houses a barbershop in the space, Barbifer, where guest tattoo artists, DJ’s and hair color specialists often set up shop. ### **A place for goths, punks, metalheads—and drag** A robust schedule of live events at reasonable prices—usually $10 to $20—draws audiences from around Arizona to Queen B Vinyl Cafe. Keenan said they once hosted a doom metal band called [Kthulhu](https://www.instagram.com/kthulhu%5Faz/?hl=en&ref=lookoutnews.org) from Dewey, and one of the performers, Count Whorelock, asked if they could take their “metal drag” show there. “And I was just like, ‘Those two words are amazing together. Yes!’” Keenan recalled. Another performer in Metal-Esque, who goes by Lucretia, said the act has morphed into more of a variety show with a rotating cast of “queens, kings, creatures, everything under the sun,” she said. Sometimes, they perform with live metal bands. “The nice thing about the fusion show and having live metal bands is you draw in the regular ally metalheads or the random metalhead who wanders in and stays for the show,” said Lucretia, who lives in Prescott. “We’re friends with all the goths, punks, metalheads. All of our friends are super supportive … and then they tell all their friends.” [How a Tiny Arizona Town Became Home to a National Queer Arts ExhibitionAn LGBTQ+-owned gallery in Tubac has become a hub for similar artists, even after some locals pushed back.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-210.png)LOOKOUTGeri Koeppel (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Bill-Davis-Bruce-Baughman-1.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/how-a-tiny-arizona-town-became-home-to-a-national-queer-arts-exhibition/) Her partner, whose drag name is Titty Roosevelt, liked experimenting with makeup and special effects, so Lucretia helped him discover his drag persona. She said many of their friends are cosplayers, so they often get costume inspiration from drag and burlesque shows. This March will mark the first anniversary of Metal-Esque, and they’re planning another show in the springtime. “I’m so, so grateful for that space and very happy that Jen keeps wanting us back,” Lucretia said. “In Prescott, we’ve had a lot of protestors at our shows, and we’ve lost a lot of venues. It’s rough.” Queen B Vinyl Cafe, she added, “really changed our lives, as corny as that sounds…. And it makes us feel not so alone in the world and all that good stuff.” ***Queen B Vinyl Cafe*** ***Address:* *102 Pima St., Cottonwood, AZ 86326*** ***Hours:* *Cafe, 7 a.m.-8 p.m. daily; record shop, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. daily; Barbifer, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; events vary*** ***Contact:* *queenbvinylcafe.com; cafe, 928-634-1173; record shop, 928-639-3516*** ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### How a Mesa Dance Studio Grew From One Room Into A Queer Creative Hub URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/how-a-mesa-dance-studio-grew-from-one-room-into-a-queer-creative-hub/ Last updated: 2026-01-20T16:30:36.000Z When Leah and RaeRae Bancod-Roman first began teaching dance out of a small room inside a ballet studio, they were among their only students. In the early days of their studio, the two Filipina women were determined to follow their dream of running a dance space of their own — even if it meant working full time elsewhere until the studio gained traction. Along the way, they fell in love. This September marked 15 years of The Jukebox Grounds, a Mesa dance studio known for its high-energy classes and what RaeRae describes as a “tangible, lovey-dovey” atmosphere. [How Muralist Shela Yu Embraced Her Queer, Chinese American StoryA queer Chinese American artist from Mesa, Yu blends identity, healing, and creativity to make space for visibility — and for play — in Arizona’s desert arts scene.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-208.png)LOOKOUTAnnika Miyata (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/YUHERO-2.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/how-muralist-shela-yu-embraced-her-queer-chinese-american-story/) When the two began dating just months after launching The Jukebox, Leah initially kept their relationship private, worried it could affect how their families and students viewed them. “I come from a Catholic and conservative family, so being able to come out and be proud of who I am definitely took some time,” Leah said. “It was hard to hide it,” she said. “If you love somebody, people are going to feel it. You can hide the label, but we couldn’t hide how we felt toward each other — especially at The Jukebox, because that’s where we felt most comfortable.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/01/3--1-.jpg) Leah and RaeRae Bancod-Roman. Courtesy of Jukebox Grounds For a long time, they told no one. The couple grew close with families at the studio, but when asked whether they were together, Leah said she would deny it. That changed during a dinner with the parents of the studio’s kids crew. “I forget how it came up, but I said that we were together,” Leah said. “His name was Grant, and he was like, ‘I knew it!’” Rather than rejection, the couple was met with enthusiasm — a response that challenged Leah’s fears. “I had all these thoughts and fears in my head that people were going to judge us or not want to be at the studio anymore,” she said. “But the way they completely accepted it and were excited and happy we finally said it — that made me know I could share it with the rest of our community.” [These Arizonans Are Shaping Local Queer Asian CultureThrough art, music, and community projects, these creators are amplifying queer Asian voices and reshaping Arizona’s cultural landscape.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-207.png)LOOKOUTAnnika Miyata (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/ASIANAMERICANHERO-4.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/these-arizonans-are-shaping-local-queer-asian-culture/) Not hiding who they were opened new creative doors for the studio. “It trickled down to the dancing itself — being braver, more confident and unapologetic,” RaeRae said. “It translated into the art we created and the stories we told.” Before committing fully to their dream, Leah and RaeRae once debated whether to pursue stable careers or take a leap of faith. A T-Mobile advertisement helped tip the scales. “Do what you love,” it read. Shortly afterward, RaeRae found an online listing for a dance studio director. They applied and won over the hiring manager with persistence. Leah, who had dreamed of opening a dance studio since age 13, saw it as a sign. “We were like, ‘This is it. Let’s go all in,’” Leah said. “There is no plan B.” The Jukebox began as a single rented room. With few students at first, the couple worked extra jobs — from telemarketing to canvassing — to keep the studio afloat. Over time, enrollment grew, fueled by community support. They became involved in local dance events, built industry relationships and supported fellow dancers. Eventually, they expanded into a dojo twice the size of their original space. The move came with a name change — from The Jukebox to The Jukebox Grounds — reflecting a new foundation. “The more we grew into bigger spaces, the more we let other people share in that dream,” RaeRae said. “The Jukebox became a collective of what we wanted to build as a community.” Today, The Jukebox Grounds offers a wide range of hip-hop styles, houses a recording booth and serves as a creative hub for local artists. Reflecting their own journey, Leah and RaeRae envision the studio as a place where creatives can “be exactly who they are and know they’re supported.” ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Arizona Bill Would Make Possession of Poppers a Felony URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizona-bill-would-make-possession-of-poppers-a-felony/ Last updated: 2026-02-26T21:16:43.000Z The Arizona Legislature is set to hear a bill next week that would make amyl nitrites — commonly known as “poppers” — illegal in the state, escalating penalties for a substance long sold in a legal gray area and closely associated with LGBTQ+ nightlife and sexual culture. [House Bill 2191](https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/57leg/2R/bills/HB2191P.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org), scheduled for a hearing in the House Judiciary Committee on Jan. 21, would classify the possession or use of poppers as a class 5 felony — or in certain circumstances as a misdemeanor — an offense that can carry prison time and thousands of dollars in fines. The bill would also ban the sale of nitrous oxide, often called “laughing gas.” The bill is sponsored by Chandler Republican and Majority Whip Rep. Julie Willoughby. The proposal comes as federal scrutiny of poppers has intensified over the last year, at the same time amyl nitrites have become more popular among younger people. In March 2025, several manufacturers abruptly shut down operations following reported intervention by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Double Scorpio, an Austin-based poppers manufacturer, said it had “stopped all operations following a search and seizure at our offices by the FDA,” according to reporting from NBC News and KXAN after being raided by the administration. Other poppers brands reportedly scrubbed websites or limited their online presence amid fears of a broader crackdown. [![An advertisement to become a LOOKOUT member - free swag, tickets to events, and a copy of our magazine sent to your home.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Although poppers are illegal to sell for recreational use under federal law, they have persisted for decades through a loophole allowing them to be marketed as commercial products, such as nail polish remover, leather cleaner or air freshener. The small bottles — often resembling energy shots — are widely sold at sex shops, smoke shops and convenience stores. In a 2021 advisory, the FDA urged consumers not to purchase or use nitrite-based products, citing risks including dangerously low blood pressure, heart rhythm disturbances, oxygen deprivation, seizures, coma and death — especially when used alongside other sex-enhancing drugs, such as Sildenafil. Public health researchers have also warned that some poisonings occur when people mistakenly ingest the liquid instead of inhaling it. But the recent enforcement actions have drawn scrutiny because the FDA operates under the Department of Health and Human Services, now led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has repeatedly promoted the scientifically disproven claim that poppers — rather than HIV — caused AIDS. In public statements and a 2023 video, Kennedy falsely claimed that early AIDS deaths were driven by poppers use and a so-called “gay lifestyle,” dismissing HIV as the cause. Medical experts and advocates have widely condemned those claims as dangerous misinformation, noting that HIV was conclusively identified as the cause of AIDS in the 1980s. LGBTQ+ advocates and public health groups have raised concerns that aggressive criminalization could drive poppers further underground, increasing harm rather than reducing it. If HB 2191 advances, Arizona would be among the few states to explicitly make possession of poppers a felony, transforming a loosely enforced federal ban into a severe state-level criminal offense. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### A Phoenix Gay Bar Announced A Plan to Use Artificial Intelligence. Should They? URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-phoenix-gay-bar-announced-a-plan-to-use-artificial-intelligence-should-they/ Last updated: 2026-01-20T20:41:52.000Z Is there a reason for a bar to use artificial intelligence? According to Stacy’s at Melrose, an LGBTQ+ bar in Phoenix’s Melrose District, the answer is yes. In an announcement on Instagram, the bar promoted its soon-to-be chatbot powered by Google Gemini — cheekily named MOTHR — that would serve as the go-to for questions about the bar’s hours, performances and events, according to the announcement. What sets MOTHR apart from other chatbots you might find elsewhere? For one, it's got a “sassy” tone that one might find from a tongue-in-cheek drag queen emcee, as opposed to the monotone, purely informational chatbots you might find on other websites. [![An advertisement banner prompting you to become a LOOKOUT member, noting free swag, tickets to events, and a magazine.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) But since the announcement, community members online have turned against Stacy’s and criticized their decision to install an A.I.-based chatbot. They argue that queer spaces should be sensitive to — if not downright eradicate — using the technology. Last Friday, community members gathered outside Stacy’s on Melrose to protest the bar’s decision, with a goal to “pack the bar.” The bar responded online with a less-than-well-received message on how A.I. is a frontier that is part of the foreseeable future, whether we like it or not. Stacy's is far from the only LGBTQ+ space in the city that uses A.I. for social media — a handful of other bars use the technology for promotional flyers or generating their online content. Stacy's, however, appears to be taking the brunt of the community's ire. And the online chaos, in-person frustrations, and community discussions have raised existential questions on how queer spaces use A.I., what the technology’s role can be for small businesses that cater to queer people, and who should be the decision-makers on what's allowed — and in this case not allowed — for using A.I. ### MOTHR’s Inception Brandon Slayton, co-owner of Stacy's, told *LOOKOUT* that MOTHR’s implementation was in the works for months. It came from a need for optimization, he said. Due to the bar’s wide variety of events happening on all days of the week, it became tedious to constantly update the site. Slayton says his experiences in advertising informed his decision to implement the chatbot. He noted that building a custom web app could take six months to complete in his past projects. With A.I. tools, such as prompting a large-language-model like ChatGPT or Google Gemini to build technical code to build a webpage, it’s quicker to make. “All the development time that would take to implement something like that, in the last year, has been essentially democratized,” he said. “The tools that you’re able to use with A.I. … you’re really able to implement these web applications that are professional-grade.” [In the Face of A.I., Can Zines Save Queer Stories?From A.I.-generated censorship to disappearing web pages, queer communities are using D.I.Y. zines to ensure their stories are not lost.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-206.png)LOOKOUTCharissa Lucille (they/them)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/WIZD-Zine-Photos-1--1-.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/in-the-face-of-a-i-can-zines-save-queer-stories/) On Jan. 3, the MOTHR announcement went public, along with a brief caption noting the bot’s purpose: helping staff with schedules, updating the website and other internal work. But later down the line, it’s supposed to work like a Frequently Asked Questions page serving performers and guests, answering their questions about showtimes, drinks and closing hours. Immediately after posting, online users took to the comments section to denounce the bar’s decision. They argued the bar was taking jobs away and were contributing to environmental harm in the region. Following that initial post, Stacy’s turned their comments off. That didn’t stop users from questioning their reason behind the implementation on photos posted days after the announcement. ![An image of the Instagram page for crusin7th, a bar in Phoenix, Arizona.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/01/Screenshot-2026-01-14-at-12.31.26---PM.png) Other bars across the city, including Cruisin' 7th in Midtown Phoenix, have used A.I. for multiple promotional posts and flyers, as seen in the above screenshot from their Instagram page. Some comments expressed disappointment toward the bar they consider a safe space, while others demanded that Stacy’s step back from MOTHR completely: “So are you gonna turn the comments on that gross AI post orrrrr,” said one post. Two days later, the bar responded to those comments with a long-form explanation and defense as to why they’re implementing MOTHR. Some reasons include reducing burnout and technological shifts in the business landscape. Concerns about environmental impact and current generative A.I. use were also addressed in the note. Slayton is aware that the negative response is largely charged by the chatbot’s A.I. source. But he said that the business won’t be shying away from using A.I., especially at a time when it feels like it can’t be avoided. Instagram and Facebook have Meta AI, Adobe Creative Cloud has Firefly. *LOOKOUT* reached out to other bars across Phoenix that have been more brazen in the use of generative A.I. in more substantial ways, such as Cruisin' 7th which regularly uses A.I. for their social media images and in-bar promotions, but did not hear back. [How Muralist Shela Yu Embraced Her Queer, Chinese American StoryA queer Chinese American artist from Mesa, Yu blends identity, healing, and creativity to make space for visibility — and for play — in Arizona’s desert arts scene.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-205.png)LOOKOUTAnnika Miyata (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/YUHERO-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/how-muralist-shela-yu-embraced-her-queer-chinese-american-story/) “We have this ticking clock now, everybody is figuring out how to use it,” he said. “AI is going to change things so drastically that we can’t comprehend how it’s gonna change things. I’d rather be aware of it, utilizing it, riding the wave and being comfortable with it.” ### The In-Person Backlash Drag performers Jacon the Box and Daddy Satan organized the demonstration following the bar’s announcement of the A.I. helper. The demonstration itself saw no more than a dozen people, but demonstrators got a few honks from cars on the street as well as support from bar-goers on their way to the Drag Race watch party. One demonstrator would shout “We have anti-A.I. pins …” that on occasion would pull someone on their way inside, taking a pin before walking inside. > “Chatbots have been around for ten years. We didn’t create anything new, we just gave it a name.” > \-Brandon Slayton, Stacy's at Melrose co-owner Jacon the Box, whose real name is Jacon Holtz, said the goal with the demonstration was not to "cancel" the bar, but instead educate customers on the decisions being made inside Stacy’s. Her flyers online encouraged people to pack the bar and tip their performers and bartenders. Outside, she reminded demonstrators and onlookers that “this conversation deserved nuance.” In an address to demonstrators, Holtz mentioned A.I.’s impacts on the environment along with some statistics involving Gemini, MOTHR’s power source. “Living in a desert, our water is sacred to us,” she said. “Especially when our globe starts to heat up, we’re gonna be the first ones to feel those effects.” Safety was also top of mind for Holtz. She mentioned its use by government agencies such as ICE. The agency is reported to have partnered up with Palantir Technologies to create the platform ImmigrationOS, which [uses A.I. to streamline deportations through tracking and data mining](https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/blog/ice-immigrationos-palantir-ai-track-immigrants/?ref=lookoutnews.org), according to the American Immigration Council. “When we continue to desensitize ourselves to A.I., it leaves major gaps in our safety and thinking,” said Holtz. “Allowing AI to slowly creep into our spaces could end up jeopardizing them and leaving us exposed.” [After Funding Threats, Desperado LGBTQ+ Film Festival Makes Phoenix ComebackCanceled amid federal DEI funding fears, Arizona’s only LGBTQ+ film festival is back as an independent event. LOOKOUT first reported on the festival’s closure , which sparked national outrage.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-204.png)LOOKOUTGrant Johnson (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/GJ010626-5.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/after-funding-threats-desperado-lgbtq-film-festival-makes-phoenix-comeback/) Holtz knows that the technology is nearly unavoidable and is aware of its possible benefits, but believes individuals could play their part in doing smaller things to protect themselves from harmful use, whether it’s by declining privacy statements or unchecking boxes that allows generative A.I. to train itself using user-generated data. Last week, X’s Grok A.I. came under fire for the creation of nonconsensual sexual images of people. Days later, PBS reported that the Pentagon would be [implementing Grok into its network. ](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/pentagon-embraces-musks-grok-ai-chatbot-as-it-draws-global-outcry?ref=lookoutnews.org) “It’s not a net-100 negative, but we do need to realize where the line should be drawn,” Holtz said. What's unclear, though, is who should be the ones drawing those lines. ### What’s next for MOTHR? Slayton said there aren't any plans to further develop MOTHR beyond a sassy chatbot helper, or increase its use of other A.I. tools. He said he’s still learning as the chatbot takes shape. “She’s gonna do what she’s doing, and whenever people ask questions she’ll answer them and we’ll see how it goes from there,” he said. “It was just meant to be a tool that’s helpful.” In response to mentions of A.I.-generated graphics on televisions, he says it’s done under certain circumstances, and in a way that ensures a pair of eyes is still editing and keeping things looking right. The bar’s main focus remains on the individuals and the happenings inside the bar, Slayton said. Stacy’s remains a place for queer people to come and enjoy themselves, and for it to continue doing that, the team is adopting new tools to be able to compete and remain a sustainable business, according to the note from the bar. “Chatbots have been around for ten years. We didn’t create anything new, we just gave it a name.” ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Arizona’s 2026 Session Opens With Renewed Push to Restrict LGBTQ+ Rights URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizonas-2026-session-opens-with-renewed-push-to-restrict-lgbtq-rights/ Last updated: 2026-02-26T21:18:14.000Z Arizona lawmakers opened the 2026 legislative session Monday with a familiar slate of culture-war bills targeting LGBTQ+ people — proposals that largely failed in past years but are resurfacing with new legal tactics and higher stakes. *LOOKOUT* is tracking nine proposed bills so far that would restrict the civil rights of queer Arizonans. Most of the bills have formerly failed at the Capitol, mostly by veto from Gov. Katie Hobbs. One of them, sponsored by Rep. Janae Shamp (R-Surprise) — a lawmaker who has [platformed QAnon conspiracies](https://azmirror.com/2023/05/30/az-senator-janae-shamp-who-spearheaded-qanon-linked-covid-hearing-spread-qanon-online/?ref=lookoutnews.org) and [was spotted at the Jan. 6th insurrection at the U.S. Capitol](https://azmirror.com/2023/06/16/arizonas-sen-shamp-was-there-on-jan-6/?ref=lookoutnews.org) — would make doctors personally liable for the cost of gender-affirming surgeries if a patient later detransitions. The bill persists despite a substantial body of research showing detransition is rare and less commonly regretted than many routine medical procedures, like knee or back surgery, where doctors are not forced to foot the bill if a patient changes their mind. [![An advertisement to become a LOOKOUT member - Free swag, tickets to events, and a copy of our magazine sent to your home.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) That bill — also sponsored by Shamp — passed through the statehouse last year [but vetoed by Gov. Katie Hobbs last year](https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/56leg/2R/summary/H.SB1511%5F070824%5FVETOED.DOCX.htm?ref=lookoutnews.org). Still, doubling down on misleading narratives about mass detransition has proven to be a point of policy for the lawmaker. Shamp introduced another piece of legislation that would also force insurance companies to cover all costs related to detransition, while also creating a government registry of people who have undergone the procedure. Other proposals this year lean on the language of “parental rights,” including bills that would allow parents to access minors’ confidential medical records, even in cases involving sexually transmitted infection testing or treatment, where privacy has long been considered critical to public health. This year’s session also includes new efforts to weaponize the courts against LGBTQ+ inclusion. One bill would [allow private citizens to sue organizations](https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/57leg/2R/bills/hb2135p.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) with damages of $100,000 for adopting diversity policies, including respecting pronouns that differ from a person’s sex assigned at birth. The measure, HB 2135, is sponsored by Rep. Michael Way (R-Queen Creek), who in the past helped push through legislation that would have eliminated DEI programs across state agencies, public schools and universities — [a bill Gov. Katie Hobbs ultimately vetoed](https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/83340?Sessionid=129&ref=lookoutnews.org). Among the most aggressive proposals are new bills being introduced in the state, including one from from Sen. Mark Finchem (R-Yavapai County) that would [ban gender-affirming care for minors outright](https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/57leg/2R/bills/sb1095p.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org), including hormones and therapy. Arizona law already restricts surgical care for minors — procedures for which there are few (if any) documented cases in the state. Finchem’s bill goes further, targeting some of the most basic forms of care available to trans youth, including hormones, puberty blockers, and therapy — interventions that have been proven to be safe and effective in treating gender dysphoria. But the bill drawing the most attention from LGBTQ+ advocates is a Senate resolution from Sen. John Kavanagh (R- Fountain Hills). After years of unsuccessfully pushing bathroom bills and pronoun bans through the Legislature, Kavanagh is trying a different tactic: sending the issue straight to voters. Similar measures have passed lawmakers before, only to be vetoed by Hobbs. As a resolution, this one would bypass the governor entirely and land on the November ballot if approved. A nearly identical proposal came within one vote of passage in 2024 before Sen. Ken Bennett of Prescott broke ranks and killed it. That vote kept the measure off the ballot — and, in the end, cost Bennett his seat. On the opposite end, Rep. Brian Garcia (D- Tempe), who is part of the Legislative LGBTQ+ Caucus, is proposing two bills that would expand rights for queer people, including [eliminating the requirement](https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/57leg/2R/bills/hb2222p.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) to show proof of a sexual assignment surgery to change someone’s birth certificate, a move that would align the state’s rules with recent court precedent. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Counterprotesters Disrupt GOP ICE Announcement at Arizona Capitol on Opening Day URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/counterprotesters-disrupt-gop-ice-announcement-at-arizona-capitol-on-opening-day/ Last updated: 2026-01-20T20:27:51.000Z In a show of political force, counterprotesters opposing a planned announcement by the Pinal County attorney to protect federal immigration officials disrupted a Republican press conference at the Arizona Capitol early Monday, forcing GOP lawmakers and supporters inside the Senate building on the first day of the legislative session. Pinal County Attorney Brad Miller had planned to announce the support of a bill that would make obstructing the work of a federal immigration officer a felony. Miller's department has already worked alongside ICE law enforcement through expanding the agency’s role in deportation efforts across Arizona via a 287g agreement at the [county jail since 2016](https://www.ice.gov/doclib/287gMOA/287gJEM%5FPinalCoAz2020-06-09.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org). In 2025, Miller signed[ into another agreement in August last year](https://www.ice.gov/doclib/287gMOA/PinalCountyAOAZ%5FTFM%5FMOA%5F08282025.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) with ICE that allows law enforcement to question and detain people who they suspect to be in the state illegally. He was joined by Republican lawmakers Alex Kolodin, Matt Gress — the only openly gay Republican in the state Legislature — and John Gillette, who last year drew criticism for making racist and disparaging comments about people of color in an online post. The counterprotest began about 30 minutes before the scheduled press conference and was partially organized by groups involved in recent large-scale demonstrations, including 50501 Arizona, which helped organize the No Kings rally at the Capitol and other cities statewide. [![An advertisement banner prompting you to become a LOOKOUT member, noting free swag, tickets to events, and a magazine.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) The crowd included a brass band, military veterans, faith leaders, political organizers and other activists and residents. As protesters surrounded Republicans on the Senate lawn, Miller attempted to address reporters, but chanting and noise drowned out his remarks. The group eventually moved inside the Senate building, where protesters pressed against the windows, holding signs and chanting through bullhorns. Inside, the press conference continued where Miller announced his support for a bill that would make it a felony to interfere the work of any ICE officer in the process of their work. "ICE is making Arizona safer," Miller said, pointing to street level apprehensions against those who he said were all "illegal aliens, many with prior records of sexual assault and illegal reentry." ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/01/IMG_7427.JPG) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/01/IMG_7410.JPG) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/01/IMG_7425.JPG) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/01/IMG_7426.JPG) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/01/IMG_7327.JPG) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2026/01/IMG_7399.JPG) Monday marked the opening day of the legislative session. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### After Funding Threats, Desperado LGBTQ+ Film Festival Makes Phoenix Comeback URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/after-funding-threats-desperado-lgbtq-film-festival-makes-phoenix-comeback/ Last updated: 2026-01-07T17:26:20.000Z Arizona’s only LGBTQ+ film festival will return later this month after a wave of community support and local funding revived an event that was nearly canceled amid federal threats over diversity, equity and inclusion programs. The Desperado LGBTQ+ Film Festival will be held on Jan. 30-31 (updated from Jan. 24-26) at the Third Street Theater in downtown Phoenix, marking a new chapter for the festival that was founded in 2009 at Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC). The festival was among cultural programs shuttered in early 2025 after federal executive orders from President Trump threatened funding for programs tied to diversity, equity and inclusion. Event organizers announced in July that the 17th annual festival would be canceled, citing fears that continuing could jeopardize federal funding for the college. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) [*LOOKOUT* was the first outlet to report on the festival’s closure](https://www.lookoutnews.org/desperado-film-festival-shuttered-amid-trumps-push-to-dismantle-dei-programs/) in July last year, which drew nationwide coverage and condemnation of the school district and the Trump administration. The closure also led the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ film festival, NewFest, to [establish a free online festival for Arizonans](https://www.lookoutnews.org/newfest-steps-in-after-arizona-lgbtq-film-festival-canceled-by-diversity-ban/). “The college has always been extremely, extremely supportive of the initiative,” said festival co-director Dale Heuser, a faculty member who advises the college's Pride Club that created the festival. “Technically, the executive orders really aren't supposed to impact student clubs, but because we received so much financial support from the college, it kind of put us in a different light.” For PVCC, that meant not only halting Desperado, but also freezing other cultural events and specialty scholarships. But the announcement sparked an unexpected wave of support. “We had so much community outreach from people wanting us to keep the festival going,” Heuser said. “The amount of emails that we've received from different organizations offering their theater or help finding grants was really quite astonishing.” [LGBTQ Film Festival Continues After Arizona BanWith Desperado cancelled due to Maricopa Community College’s capitulation toward Trump, the nation’s largest queer film festival is bringing free virtual screenings to Arizona audiences.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-202.png)LOOKOUTTuesday Mahrle (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-09-03-at-7.09.55---AM-1-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/newfest-steps-in-after-arizona-lgbtq-film-festival-canceled-by-diversity-ban/) That response convinced organizers to bring Desperado back as an independent event, separate from the college. The festival secured a grant from the City of Phoenix Office of Arts and Culture, and several local sponsors stepped up to help fill funding gaps. Finding a venue proved to be the biggest challenge. After multiple recommendations, organizers settled on the Third Street Theater, which is operated by the Phoenix Center for the Arts. The theater recently underwent renovations, including new seating, a new sound system and a new projector. “One of the challenges for Desperado being at Paradise Valley is that we're so far north, and we've always known that with a central location, we’d do better,” Heuser said. “It's easy parking, and it's right off the light rail. It's also a decent-sized theater that holds around 175 people. It just made sense.” While past festivals were student-led initiatives, the separation from PVCC means students won't play as large a role in the 2026 event. However, Heuser said organizers made necessary adaptations to keep the festival alive. The 2026 festival will be smaller than in previous years, featuring five film events instead of the typical 10 to 12\. Heuser described the decision to downsize as strategic, given the new venue and uncertain market. “There's a lot of really good films that didn't make the cut, just because we only had a limited number of slots,” Heuser said. One highlight will be “It’s Dorothy!,” a documentary exploring the cultural connection between “The Wizard of Oz” and the LGBTQ+ community. The film features one-on-one interviews with multiple actors who have played Dorothy over the years. The director, Jeffrey McHale, who has local ties, will attend the screening. [Desperado Film Festival Shutters Amid DEI Policy ChangesParadise Valley Community College ends Desperado after 16 years, linking the decision to compliance with federal policies against diversity programming.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-203.png)LOOKOUTTuesday Mahrle (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Untitled-design--28--2.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/desperado-film-festival-shuttered-amid-trumps-push-to-dismantle-dei-programs/) “The Wizard of Oz is just such a big part of gay culture,” Heuser said. “The film talks about the whole tie with Judy Garland and the queer community, and how it ties into the Stonewall riots, and it's part of our history.” Filmmakers who have screened their work at previous Desperado festivals recall the warm reception and sense of community the event fostered. “Desperado really is a great festival,” said Regan Latimer, director of “Bulletproof: A Lesbian's Guide to Surviving the Plot.” Her film, which explores queer representation on TV and its impact on the LGBTQ+ community, screened during the 16th annual festival. “Events like Desperado give you an opportunity to come together and meet other people like you and you get to see your stories on screen.” Organizations including Phoenix Pride, Equality Maricopa, Trans Spectrum of Arizona, and the Phoenix Film Festival are helping promote the 2026 event through social media and their networks. Despite the challenges of operating independently, early response to the festival has been strong. Organizers have already sold nearly 60 all-access passes, an unusually high number for this point before the event. Heuser said they kept the all-access pass price lower than normal to encourage people to try the new venue. Deborah Craig, co-director of “SALLY!,” a documentary about feminist activist Sally Gearhart that won Best Documentary at the 2025 festival, said the community’s response to save Desperado demonstrates the importance of perseverance. “When times are hard, we cannot give up hope, and hopefully film festivals help spur that hope,” Craig said. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### HIV Advocates Warn Phoenix Ordinance Prioritizes Fear Over Public Health URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/hiv-advocates-warn-phoenix-ordinance-prioritizes-fear-over-public-health/ Last updated: 2026-03-23T05:28:11.000Z On a Thursday morning in February 2025, Lee-ann Dunton and her colleagues with R.I.O.T. Phoenix — a local harm reduction group that sets up in parks and other locations across the Valley — were staffing a table near University Park in Tempe. The table typically offers clean needles, alcohol pads, rapid HIV testing kits, medical information on where to receive free care, and birth control. As they were setting up, a bicyclist rushed over asking for naloxone, a medication used to rapidly reverse opioid overdoses. The bicyclist had noticed a man in the park who appeared not to be breathing and suspected an overdose. The man, however, was behind locked park gates. Dunton had to locate people on the other side of the gate to pass along the medication and administer the dose. [![Banner promoting a membership with benefits like swag, event tickets, and magazine copies.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Dunton said the situation could have turned out very differently. Ten months later — just two weeks before the new year — the Phoenix City Council passed an ordinance Dunton fears will make situations like this more common, and potentially more deadly. Beginning in March 2026, providing “unsanctioned” medical care in public parks will be considered a Class 1 misdemeanor. Once the ordinance takes effect, R.I.O.T. and other mutual aid groups that regularly set up booths, tables or vans in or near city parks to provide free, accessible services — including HIV care — will no longer be able to do so without a permit. The problem, according to many of the groups providing care, is that park permits are already issued inconsistently, if at all. Several organizations, including R.I.O.T., say city officials often ignore their requests, particularly because their work serves unhoused people — the population the ordinance appears to target. While [some residents have testified](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1e-EZJTpl%5FI&list=PL22YB12L5NbTuJ%5FGPTxBJU4CKDII3fIB4&index=2&ref=lookoutnews.org) that they feel parks have become unsafe due to unhoused people using them for shelter rather than recreation, public health advocates argue the city has left those residents with few alternatives. Parks, they say, are often the last places where people know they can reliably access immediate care and basic resources. [Phoenix City Council Considers Ban of Life-Saving Care in ParksAn initial draft of the proposal to LOOKOUT revealed sweeping changes to how community orgs can provide harm-reduction supplies and testing at city parks.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-199.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Phoenix_City_Council_Chambers-1.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/exclusive-leaked-draft-reveals-council-plan-to-ban-harm-reduction-kits-in-phoenix-parks/) Health workers have also raised concerns that the city failed to consult outside health organizations while drafting the ordinance, including HIV service providers that rely on parks for pop-up testing. Those efforts are part of the city’s stated goal to have [95% of the HIV-positive population aware of their status, treated, and virally suppressed](https://www.phoenix.gov/administration/departments/humanservices/programs-services/strategic-initiatives/help-us-end-hiv-in-phoenix.html?ref=lookoutnews.org) over the next four years. But a significant portion of the population is also the unhoused population, [of which 13% are living with the virus](https://www.lookoutnews.org/inside-arizonas-unconventional-fight-with-hiv-rates/), according to state data. But many don’t get treatment while in shelters or in need of housing: a recent [*LOOKOUT* analysis found that of all HIV-related deaths](https://www.lookoutnews.org/lookout-report-maricopa-hiv-deaths-reveal-gaps-in-care-for-the-unhoused/) in Maricopa County over the past five years, roughly one-quarter involved people experiencing homelessness. The ordinance has left providers like Dunton deeply concerned about their ability to continue offering care. “I’m sure you’ve heard the harm reduction phrase: ‘Meet people where they’re at,’” Dunton told council members during a Dec. 17 meeting. “Well, people are at Phoenix parks.” ### **What the ordinance does** In November 2025, a draft ordinance was introduced that would have banned all medical care on city park grounds, as well as the distribution of information related to medical care or harm reduction. *LOOKOUT* obtained and [published a leaked copy of the proposal](https://www.lookoutnews.org/exclusive-leaked-draft-reveals-council-plan-to-ban-harm-reduction-kits-in-phoenix-parks/). Public health advocates warned it would undermine the city’s efforts to expand HIV prevention among unhoused residents and limit outreach at Pride events and community markets. They also cautioned that the ordinance would severely restrict the distribution of life-saving harm reduction supplies in areas where they are most needed. Advocates further raised concerns about the ordinance’s broad definition of “care.” In Tempe, similar language has previously been used to cite groups for distributing food and water to unhoused residents — [a practice that is being challenged in court](https://www.abc15.com/news/region-southeast-valley/tempe/arizona-non-profit-that-feeds-the-homeless-files-lawsuit-against-tempe?ref=lookoutnews.org). The day before the council vote, members [amended the proposal to narrow its scope](https://phoenix.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=15032789&GUID=643986B0-63B3-407E-BA96-A8D8CDA62251&ref=lookoutnews.org). The revised language specifies that the restriction applies to medical treatment involving the diagnosis of, or aid to, people with illnesses or wounds. The amendment allows organizations to distribute medical information. However, the revised version also added criminal penalties. While the draft obtained by LOOKOUT would have resulted in civil citations, the version presented to the public introduced a Class 1 misdemeanor for violations. ### **Concerns fall on deaf ears** During the council meeting, dozens of speakers — many of them mutual aid workers and medical providers — testified about the ordinance’s potential consequences. Mayor Kate Gallego and most council members said the ordinance addressed constituent concerns that parks had become sites for drug use and dealing, though no conclusive evidence was presented to support those claims. Vice Mayor Ann O’Brien said in a written statement that the ordinance would save lives. > **"This ordinance is going to kill more people, plain and simple."** > — Stacey Champion > Mutual aid provider and advocate “Our parks have become sites of medical activities that were never designed to occur in these spaces,” O’Brien wrote. “A child’s playground is not the most appropriate location to provide needle exchanges and medical treatment. This ordinance … recognizes that compassion must be paired with coordination.” But critics say coordination was precisely what was missing. Phoenix Parks and Recreation Director Cynthia Aguilar acknowledged during testimony that neither the city nor the department consulted outside stakeholders — including medical providers or harm reduction groups — when drafting or amending the ordinance. *LOOKOUT* contacted Councilwoman Laura Pastor’s office to ask about the drafting process but did not receive a response before publication. [LOOKOUT Report: Maricopa HIV Deaths Reveal Gaps in Care for the UnhousedNearly a quarter of HIV-related deaths in Maricopa County involved people who were housing insecure, but limited data and threatened housing programs leave the scope of the crisis largely unseen.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-200.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Untitled-design--39--1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/lookout-report-maricopa-hiv-deaths-reveal-gaps-in-care-for-the-unhoused/) “I just don’t think this is sustainable in any manner,” said Stacy Champion, a former independent advocate and mutual aid provider for Phoenix’s unhoused community. “The city is doing its best to criminalize existing while unsheltered. It’s outrageous to me that they wouldn’t want advocates to keep people alive.” Champion also questioned O’Brien’s invocation of compassion, citing Arizona’s rising number of heat-related deaths. Nearly half — [49%](https://www.maricopa.gov/ArchiveCenter/ViewFile/Item/5934?ref=lookoutnews.org) — of all heat-related deaths in 2024 involved people experiencing homelessness. “This ordinance is going to kill more people, plain and simple,” Champion said. “There’s no doubt in my mind there will be more preventable deaths that could have been stopped with simple wound care or hydration.” Despite nearly six hours of public comment — much of it from public health workers and harm reduction advocates — the council voted overwhelmingly to approve the ordinance. Members agreed to delay enforcement for 90 days to allow for amendments. The rule is set to take effect in March 2026. > **"These decisions are all being made out of fear."** > \- Lee-ann Dunton > R.I.O.T.Phoenix Councilwoman Anna Hernandez of District 7 cast the lone dissenting vote, calling the decision short-sighted. “I don’t know why anyone would support this ordinance as written, or support it without knowing what the final language will be,” Hernandez said. “The only party that will benefit from this is our Police Department, which will have yet another tool to criminalize homelessness.” Earlier in the meeting, council members also approved a separate rule allowing police to arrest people for using park equipment for purposes other than those intended. Advocates said the measure would disproportionately target unhoused residents. Hernandez again cast the sole dissenting vote. ### **HIV Care At Risk** One of the ordinance’s lesser-discussed effects is what happens when clean needle exchange programs — such as those run by R.I.O.T. — are pushed out of public parks. Injection drug users remain among the highest-risk groups for HIV transmission, according to the state’s 2021 annual HIV analysis, the most recent statewide report available. Arizona also ranks among the higher states for the percentage of residents who [report engaging in high-risk activities associated with HIV transmission](https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/measures/HIVriskbehaviors/AZ?ref=lookoutnews.org), including intravenous drug use and prostitution, according to United Health Foundation rankings. [Inside Arizona’s Unconventional Fight With HIV RatesArizona’s public health workers are replacing outdated clinic models with street-level outreach to reach people who might otherwise fall through the cracks.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-201.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Untitled-design--38--1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/inside-arizonas-unconventional-fight-with-hiv-rates/) The same data show Arizona ranks eighth nationally for HIV prevalence among people 65 and older. Grassroots groups say they are often more effective than traditional medical providers at reaching people who use drugs. Research supports that claim: A [2021 study found medical providers were significantly more likely to prescribe PrEP](https://www.contagionlive.com/view/in-rural-areas-people-who-inject-drugs-may-have-less-knowledge-and-more-stigma-about-prep-for-hiv-prevention-than-in-urban-settings?ref=lookoutnews.org) — a medication regimen that prevents HIV infection — to sexually active gay men than to people who use drugs. The study called for broader, targeted outreach to drug users, including expanded access to HIV prevention information and services. Public health advocates argue the ordinance runs counter to scientific evidence and on-the-ground needs, favoring what they describe as NIMBY-driven pressure from residents who testified that parks feel unsafe without presenting data. HIV service providers, including Aunt Rita’s Foundation and Spectrum, said in statements to *LOOKOUT* that they are concerned about how the ordinance could affect their ability to provide care — particularly as federal funding cuts under the Trump administration have already strained services. It also remains unclear how the ordinance will affect grassroots programs such as Team Friendly, which distributes drug-testing strips and other harm reduction supplies, or Urban Front, which offers rapid HIV testing through pop-up events. Questions also remain about licensing requirements for HIV testing at Pride events held in public parks. Advocates say the uncertainty has created confusion — and growing frustration — among those working to help the city meet its own public health goals. “There’s such a misalignment between departments in the city,” Dunton said. “Public health is doing its best to fight infections and support the work we do, and then the council passes policies that undermine it. These decisions are all being made out of fear. #### Correction An earlier version of this article misidentified the name of the organization, R.I.O.T., as "Riot!". We regret the error. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Inside ReStory: A Conference Promoting Conversion Therapy in Arizona URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/inside-restory-a-conference-promoting-conversion-therapy-in-arizona/ Last updated: 2026-02-26T21:21:54.000Z Linda Seiler stood at the front of Radiant Church in Surprise on Nov. 8 and recounted what she described as a pivotal day in junior high, when she said she had three options: run away; have surgery and live as a boy; or stay with her family and live in despair. The audience waited for the third option — the one they had come to hear about — her time in what is widely known as conversion therapy. Seiler never called it that, though. Instead, she described it as a “transformation.” [![An advertisement to become a LOOKOUT member - Free swag, tickets to events, and a copy of our magazine sent to your home.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) The distinction may seem like semantics, but conversion therapy has resurfaced this year as [more states enact bans ](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/07/us/politics/conversion-therapy-state-bans.html?ref=lookoutnews.org)on the discredited practice while the Supreme Court considers a case that could overturn those bans. In that case, [*Chiles v. Salar*](https://www.thetrevorproject.org/blog/chiles-v-salazar/?ref=lookoutnews.org), private religious therapists in Colorado are arguing that a state law banning conversion therapy infringes on their right to speak openly about religion, which denounces LGBTQ+ people. Opponents cite evidence from multiple medical organizations showing that efforts to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity are associated with higher rates of anxiety, depression and suicide. Professional associations, including the [American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry](https://www.aacap.org/aacap/Policy%5FStatements/2018/Conversion%5FTherapy.aspx?ref=lookoutnews.org#:~:text=As%20a%20result%2C%20%E2%80%9Cconversion%20therapies,without%20any%20pre%2Ddetermined%20outcome.) and the [American Psychological Association](https://www.apa.org/topics/lgbtq/evidence-against-conversion-therapy?ref=lookoutnews.org), consider conversion therapy professional misconduct. Many states have banned it for licensed therapists. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/12/restory-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/12/images--1-.jpeg) (Left) A photo taken from the Restory Conference on Nov. 8 with Linda Seiler speaking up front. (Right) An invite to the conference. Yet practitioners such as Seiler have sought to avoid those laws by changing the language used to describe the practice, critics say.Some have turned to calling the practice “reparative therapy,” others couch it into “sexual addiction therapy.” In Arizona, *LOOKOUT* reported last year that those definitional differences have allowed conversion therapy to be practiced by both licensed and unlicensed providers across Arizona, even with an executive order banning the state from providing recourses—such as licensing—to those medical providers. Regardless of terminology, critics say the practices share a common goal: using religious or therapeutic frameworks to change a person’s sexual orientation or suppress gender dysphoria. [State regulators consider conversion therapy “unprofessional conduct,” but so far have not prevented it.Despite local counselors advertising different kinds of conversion therapies online, no one has been investigated for it.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-196.png)LOOKOUTJosephine Jaye McAuliffe (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/ConvtherapyIllo-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizona-board-behavioral-health-conversion-therapy/) Seiler, who earned a Ph.D. in intercultural studies from Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, brings credentials that supporters cite as academic credibility. *LOOKOUT* sent a reporter to attend the ReStory Southwestern Conference to listen to Seiler’s seminar. We contacted Seiler multiple times seeking comment. She did not respond. At her five-hour seminar during the “ReStory Southwestern Conference,” she made the case for conversion therapy — without using those words — through a quasi-academic framework and anecdotes from her own life, arguing that religion can erase LGBTQ+ identities. The conference illustrated how much the practice has re-entered the country’s conversation after years of being castigated by medical professionals, especially as religious groups have made headways in public policy carveouts, specifically for discrimination against LGBTQ+ people. ### **Academic Language, All Dubunked** As a minister for the [Assemblies of God](https://ag.org/?ref=lookoutnews.org), the world’s largest Pentecostal denomination, Seiler views the world as a spiritual battlefield, but uses academic language to couch anti-LGBTQ+ ideas in her lessons. For example, she referenced neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to reorganize itself—to argue that LGBTQ+ identities are not “inborn and immutable,” though no scientific evidence supports this. Medical experts and researchers dispute those claims.She asserted that “20% of this generation is adapting some form of an LGBTQ identity because it's cool.” A 2022 study from the [American Academy of Pediatrics](https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/150/3/e2022056567/188709/Sex-Assigned-at-Birth-Ratio-Among-Transgender-and?ref=lookoutnews.org) found no credible evidence for that claim. While it’s true that more youth are identifying as queer,Gallup data released in February show the figure[ is less than 10%](https://news.gallup.com/poll/656708/lgbtq-identification-rises.aspx?ref=lookoutnews.org) — up from 3.5% in 2012\. Sociologists attribute the rise to shifting social attitudes toward LGBTQ+ people. But Seiler attributed the increase to the [debunked “rapid onset gender dysphoria”](https://www.jahonline.org/article/S1054-139X%2823%2900492-5/fulltext?ref=lookoutnews.org#:~:text=Thus%2C%20although%20a%20young%20person's,transgender%20and%20gender%20diverse%20identities.&text=Funch%2C%20D.P.,%E2%88%99%20Marshall%2C%20J.R.&text=In%20summary%2C%20the%20ROGD%20hypothesis,landscape%20of%20gender%2Daffirming%20care.) theory, a conservative concept that emerged from online critics of transgender civil rights. Seiler also pulled from what was once considered fringe beliefs, linking transgender identities to “bestiality,” and [referenced another debunked claim](https://www.edweek.org/leadership/litter-boxes-in-schools-how-a-disruptive-and-demeaning-hoax-frustrated-school-leaders/2022/11?ref=lookoutnews.org) made by politicians — including ones in Arizona — that “elementary schools have been placing litter boxes in school bathrooms” and later suggesting that sex educators' shift from the “genderbread person” to the “gender unicorn” signals a move “towards bestiality.” Seiler also cited a 2007 study by Wheaton College psychologists Mark Yarhouse and Stanton Jones, which claimed “religiously mediated sexual orientation change” was possible in 38% of participants. The study involved 98 participants, nearly a third of whom dropped out, and all were self-selected from an “ex-gay” ministry that later disbanded and renounced its philosophy. Christian organizations like Baptist Press and Focus on the Family vaunted the study as an indication of conversion therapy’s feasibility, which “contradict the commonly expressed view that sexual orientation is not changeable, and that the attempt to change is highly likely to result in harm,” the researchers claimed. But [fact-checkers](https://exgaywatch.com/2007/11/a-critique-of-jones-and-yarhouses-ex-gays-part-1/?ref=lookoutnews.org) have highlighted significant [flaws](http://www.boxturtlebulletin.com/2007/09/17/785?ref=lookoutnews.org) in the study’s execution. [Arizona counselors use “sex addiction” to practice conversion therapy, critics say.A LOOKOUT investigation finds that a specific group of religious-based counselors are possibly violating their certifications and licenses.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-197.png)LOOKOUTJosephine Jaye McAuliffe (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/SEXADDICITIONILLO-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizona-counselors-practice-sex-addiction-conversion-therapy/) Relative to the 4,000 people [Stanford Medicine ](https://med.stanford.edu/news/all-news/2024/09/conversion-practices-lgbt.html?ref=lookoutnews.org)studied last year to verify the link between conversion therapy and depression, Jones and Yarhouse’s sample population was only 98 people, with almost a third of the sample group dropping out of the study before its conclusion. The group was also self-selected from the study’s financial backer, an “ex-gay” ministry called “Exodus International,” which sought to support people with unwanted sexual attractions before [disbanding and renouncing](https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2013/06/20/193922536/gay-therapy-ministry-shuts-down-says-weve-hurt-people?ref=lookoutnews.org) their philosophy in 2013. Clinton Anderson, associate executive director for the American Psychological Association’s Office on Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity in 2007, told Baptist News Global: “Even if you think it's an excellent study, why would they choose not to have it published in the peer-reviewed literature? That's where it belongs. Otherwise, I don't think I understand where they're coming from, as far as science and making a contribution to it.” ### **Critics Speak Out** In addition to ministry work, Seiler serves as executive director of ReStory Ministries, a tax-exempt nonprofit [endorsed by the Assemblies of God ](https://restoryministries.org/?ref=lookoutnews.org)and its Arizona Ministry Network. The network advertised her seminar and promoted ReStory as a “ministry partner,” citing its mission to “create healing communities” by equipping churches and pastors with “resources and training that addresses LGBT.” Most of those resources are spiritual counseling programs that critics say amount to conversion therapy. “It’s like the boogeyman,” Seiler said at Radiant Church. “Nobody can define what it is.” It’s true that “conversion therapy” as a practice hasn’t been defined by established medical groups like The American Psychiatric Association or the American Psychological Association— two of the preeminent medical organizations that establish standards for the industry. But since homosexuality was removed from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders in 1973 as a mental illness and gender dysphoria replaced gender identity disorder in 2013 as something that could be treated through medical and psychological care, both groups have opposed any attempts at conversion therapy, “refers to attempts to change a person's sexual orientation, gender identity, or related behaviors,” saying they are not based in evidence. Nate Rhoton, CEO of Phoenix-based one•n•ten, which provides support for LGBTQ+ youth, called Seiler’s approach “selective science” and said people like her are “looking for any excuse to deny people their freedom and humanity.” “The same logic has been used throughout history to justify discrimination against many communities,” he said. “Science was never the real motivation; control and prejudice were.” While Seiler frames evidence-based gender-affirming care as a “demonic stronghold” that promotes “normalization of LGBTQ,” shifting issues from morality to civil rights, Rhoton said this rhetoric emboldens extremists and legitimizes “policies that deny youth access to care, censor curriculum, and criminalize families who affirm their children.” [Without licenses, conversion therapists in Arizona operate with relative impunity.A national organization is tracking more than 90 active conversion therapists in Arizona, majority of whom do not have a license.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-198.png)LOOKOUTJosephine Jaye McAuliffe (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/AdobeStock_299803128.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/conversion-therapy-in-arizona-without-a-license/) Joshua Kelison, founder of the Sexual Orientation and Gender Institute of Arizona, said Seiler’s lack of training in psychology or medicine means her teachings are “theoretical at best.” He works with patients who have undergone religious conversion tactics and developed depression and post-traumatic stress. “The research is clear that it actually does more harm than good,” Kelison said. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Dentro de la lucha poco convencional de Arizona contra el VIH URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/dentro-de-la-lucha-poco-convencional-de-arizona-contra-el-vih/ Last updated: 2026-01-05T17:32:56.000Z El sol se puso y las luces de discoteca comenzaron a parpadear. En minutos, bailarinas go-go subieron a cajas negras cortas en el patio de Pat O’s Bunkhouse en Midtown Phoenix. Se movían al ritmo de la música, sacudían sus caderas y recibían propinas de un público escaso sentado en las mesas del patio. Los asistentes —principalmente hombres gays, con algunas mujeres esa noche— socializaban antes de las horas de fiesta nocturna. Pero las bailarinas tenían otra misión más allá de las propinas: hacer que la gente se realizara pruebas de enfermedades de transmisión sexual. Después de sus presentaciones, se acercaban a los asistentes —especialmente a quienes les dieron propina o les guiñaron el ojo durante toda la noche— para hablar sobre pruebas de VIH y ETS. Puede que a algunos les dejara cierta frustración sexual, pero es uno de los intercambios de una campaña de salud pública. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Las bailarinas forman parte del programa PUMP! de Ripple PHX, que aprovecha un principio simple —que el sexo vende— e intenta combinarlo con iniciativas de salud pública. Al hacerlo, pone un rostro familiar frente a un problema conocido que no tiene una solución única. “Las bailarinas go-go han estado bailando en cajas en espacios queer durante décadas”, dijo Jeremy Bright, codirector ejecutivo de Ripple PHX. “Las bailarinas pueden tender un puente y dar credibilidad a los servicios de VIH porque no son trabajadores de salud para personas que desconfían del gobierno y los sistemas médicos.” Es uno de varios enfoques nuevos en Arizona para responder al aumento de las tasas de transmisión de VIH. Según el informe anual de VIH 2023 del Departamento de Servicios de Salud de Arizona, 19,894 personas vivían con VIH o SIDA en 2022\. Ese año se registraron 975 casos nuevos, frente a 852 en 2021\. La tasa de incidencia aumentó de 11.4 a 13.2 casos por cada 100,000 habitantes. La mayoría de las nuevas infecciones ocurrieron en los condados de Maricopa y Pima, pero las zonas rurales y desatendidas —como el condado de Pinal, que tuvo la tasa de incidencia más alta con 17.6 por 100,000, principalmente entre personas encarceladas— también se ven afectadas. Los trabajadores de salud pública dicen que las pruebas en clínicas tradicionales no son suficientes. Para responder a esta situación, las organizaciones de Arizona están adoptando estrategias utilizadas en estados como Luisiana, Misisipi y California —donde las tasas de VIH siguen siendo de las más altas del país— llevando las pruebas directamente a personas que podrían no buscarlas por su cuenta. ### **Se necesitan soluciones fuera de lo común** Desde que Donald Trump asumió la presidencia este año, los defensores del VIH han advertido que el financiamiento para pruebas, prevención y atención podría estar en riesgo. En gran medida, esos temores se han materializado. El desmantelamiento de USAID —un programa humanitario internacional que apoyaba la atención del VIH en el extranjero a través de PEPFAR— recortó millones de dólares que antes ayudaban a las personas a iniciar la profilaxis previa a la exposición, o PrEP, que puede reducir la transmisión de VIH en más del 99% si se toma correctamente. PEPFAR representaba aproximadamente el 90% del acceso a PrEP en países de bajos ingresos, según Physicians for Human Rights. Desde los recortes, se estima que 149,000 personas han muerto debido a la pérdida de servicios de VIH, incluyendo alrededor del 10% que eran niños, según el PEPFAR Impact Tracker, una iniciativa de Impact Counter que analiza los efectos de las reducciones de financiamiento de EE. UU. En Estados Unidos, las estructuras de financiamiento también se han vuelto inestables. Las organizaciones que atienden a hombres gay y bisexuales, personas trans y mujeres afroamericanas —grupos con mayor riesgo de transmisión de VIH— han visto desaparecer subvenciones federales mientras la administración apunta a programas de salud pública que asocia con diversidad, equidad e inclusión. Esto se suma a la hostilidad general hacia las comunidades LGBTQ+, especialmente en torno a la atención médica. Este año fue la primera vez que el Día Mundial del VIH/SIDA no fue reconocido como una observancia federal, por ejemplo. Y las subvenciones enfocadas en personas trans han sido eliminadas de los sitios web, enfocándose solo en personas “LGB”. El presupuesto federal propuesto para 2026 también busca eliminar todo financiamiento para servicios de VIH —excepto el financiamiento de Ryan White, que brinda atención y servicios de VIH a personas bajo el nivel de pobreza— y dirigir los fondos únicamente a las ciudades con mayor número de casos. Ese enfoque, según profesionales médicos, deja atrás a las comunidades rurales donde el número total de casos puede ser menor, pero las tasas de incidencia pueden ser significativamente más altas —similar a lo que ocurre en Arizona. A principios de este año, el problema se intensificó cuando el gobierno federal congeló una subvención clave de los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades que respalda la prevención y pruebas de VIH a nivel nacional. Para grupos como Ripple PHX, la congelación significó que casi $150,000 desaparecieron de la noche a la mañana. Aunque el financiamiento finalmente se restauró, la interrupción subrayó lo precario que se ha vuelto el apoyo federal y por qué los defensores locales dicen que deben depender de estrategias innovadoras para llegar a las personas con mayor riesgo. ### **¿Dónde están las personas?** “Conoce a las personas donde están” es un cliché de marketing, pero en la prevención del VIH es una necesidad práctica. Menos jóvenes reciben educación sexual en la escuela, contribuyendo en parte al aumento de ETS en todo el estado. Los hombres de 25 a 34 años tienen las tasas más altas, con afroamericanas, latinas y LGBTQ+ desproporcionadamente afectadas. Pero más alarmante para los trabajadores de salud pública es que los datos estatales muestran un aumento de incidencia entre personas menores de 24 años. Eso significa que para atender a esa población se requiere aparecer en los lugares donde los jóvenes realmente van: bares, clubes sexuales, partidos de béisbol y bares go-go. Desde que PUMP comenzó en agosto de 2024, el 20% de las personas que recibieron servicios en sus eventos dijeron que están “en riesgo de VIH, pero nunca se han hecho una prueba de VIH o no se han hecho una prueba en un año o más”, dijo Bright. “Esas son las agujas en el pajar que estamos buscando.” La unidad móvil de pruebas de Spectrum Medical, con base en Phoenix, tiene un programa similar a través de su van de pruebas. El personal visita lugares de alto riesgo varias veces por semana, incluyendo FlexSpas, OffChute, Pleasure World, universidades, así como centros de enfriamiento y ministerios que atienden a personas sin vivienda estable. (Los datos estatales muestran que se estima que el 13% de todas las personas sin hogar viven con VIH.) “Hemos visto un rápido crecimiento mensual en el volumen de pruebas en sitios nocturnos y emergentes”, dijo Ray Delgado, director senior de comunicaciones y desarrollo comunitario de Spectrum Medical Care. Al igual que Ripple PHX, Delgado dijo que un tercio de las personas que prueban en la van móvil nunca se habían realizado la prueba de VIH o han pasado más de un año sin hacerlo. “Eso es, ya sabes, bastante alto”, dijo Delgado. “Porque muchas personas en la comunidad ya están en PrEP o podrían estar haciéndose pruebas de ETS. Pero, sabes, estas personas son nuevas. Son nuevas en este tipo de ruta de salud para comenzar los medicamentos correctos y manejar cualquier problema que puedan tener en su salud sexual.” ### **Una solución replicable** Aunque gran parte del enfoque en las pruebas de VIH ha sido sobre hombres gays, existen otros enfoques que han demostrado ser efectivos para ampliar el alcance más allá de las comunidades LGBTQ+. Mientras que los hombres que tienen sexo con hombres siguen siendo los más en riesgo —especialmente hombres negros y latinos— otros grupos también se ven afectados. En Arizona, más del 60% de las infecciones por VIH entre mujeres se transmitieron heterosexualmente, afectando desproporcionadamente a mujeres negras, según estadísticas más recientes del Departamento de Salud de Arizona. Estrategias similares han funcionado en otros lugares para enfocar la atención en comunidades menos mencionadas en riesgo. En Los Ángeles, por ejemplo, los equipos de pruebas visitan barberías para capacitar a barberos sobre cómo hablar con jóvenes hombres negros sobre la importancia de hacerse la prueba de VIH y reducir el estigma del virus. En Nueva Orleans, el departamento de salud se asocia con estilistas y salones con objetivos similares. Ese tipo de enfoques innovadores no siempre son bien recibidos. Hace más de una década, en el condado de San Mateo, el departamento de salud utilizó aplicaciones de citas gay para iniciar conversaciones con hombres, usando fotos de stock. Una vez que los usuarios se involucraban, los funcionarios revelaban que la persona con la que hablaban no era real —era un empleado del gobierno intentando discutir sobre salud sexual. Pero pensar fuera de la caja para abordar el momento crítico de la atención del VIH en Arizona es un requisito a estas alturas, dicen los expertos en salud. La asociación de Prisma con Social Spin Foundation, un servicio de lavandería sin fines de lucro en el Valle, lleva pruebas y educación sexual a espacios cotidianos como lavanderías. “Al llevar especialistas de apoyo entre pares a Social Spin, podemos identificar intersecciones de riesgo, como uso de sustancias o inseguridad habitacional, y conectar a las personas con recursos más allá de solo pruebas de VIH”, dijo Michael Greathouse, líder senior de programa y médico en Prisma. En Social Spin, los trabajadores de Prisma ofrecen pruebas rápidas sin costo, apoyo entre pares y conexiones con atención de salud mental, educación sobre PrEP y atención primaria. Según Greathouse, alrededor del 10% de las personas alcanzadas a través de estos esfuerzos han comenzado PrEP, el protocolo médico que puede reducir la transmisión del VIH hasta en un 99% si se usa correctamente. ### **Mejor que no saberlo** Mientras tanto, Aunt Rita’s Foundation ha sido pionera en pruebas caseras en todo el estado, enviando kits gratuitos a residentes rurales, jóvenes, personas de color y comunidades nativas. “Esto permite que las personas se realicen la prueba en la privacidad y comodidad de su hogar sin enfrentar discriminación o estigma”, dijo la directora ejecutiva Stacey Jay Cavaliere. “Les da la información que necesitan para tomar decisiones informadas sobre su salud en el futuro.” Desde que ofrecen el servicio de kits caseros, han entregado 1,000 kits cada año, dijo Cavaliere, ayudando a superar barreras vinculadas al transporte, finanzas y estigma. Ese tipo de opciones ha demostrado ser efectivo en ciudades como Nueva York, donde el departamento de salud se asoció con la app de citas gay Grindr para que los usuarios recibieran kits de prueba en casa a través de la app. En ese caso, la colaboración resultó en una campaña de la app para ofrecer recordatorios sobre cuándo hacerse la prueba. Pero los kits caseros tienen sus límites. Por un lado, es difícil dar seguimiento a las personas si resultan positivas y llevarlas a atención inmediata. Aunque los kits de Aunt Rita’s incluyen pasos de seguimiento en caso de un resultado positivo (o negativo), hay muy poco que se pueda hacer para obligar a alguien a acudir a atención si no está en una clínica. También existe el estrés psicológico de recibir un resultado positivo sin alguien cerca: “Es un momento increíblemente estresante”, dijo Cavaliere. Ninguno de estos programas, por sí solo, es una panacea para la creciente tasa de VIH en Arizona, pero en conjunto ayudan a resolver uno de los mayores problemas que preocupan a los profesionales de la salud sexual: que las personas no conozcan su estado. A nivel nacional, se estima que el 13% de quienes viven con VIH no conocen su estado, según los números más recientes de los Centros para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades. Este tipo de programas, al menos, ayuda a mitigar ese problema, dijo Cavaliere: “Preferimos que las personas conozcan su estado y tengan acceso a recursos que no hacerse la prueba en absoluto.” ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Phoenix City Council Considers Ban of Life-Saving Care in Parks URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/exclusive-leaked-draft-reveals-council-plan-to-ban-harm-reduction-kits-in-phoenix-parks/ Last updated: 2026-01-20T20:43:18.000Z Phoenix City Council will address a proposal to prohibit handing out drug-testing kits and provide HIV testing in parks at their Dec. 17 council meeting. The city council released their meeting agenda on Thursday evening, which included an updated version of a proposal that was originally leaked to *LOOKOUT* and had far-reaching prohibitions for all organizations — including city-run programs — to provide medical care in parks. The ordinance would bar any “person, group or organization” from inviting, promoting, advertising, sponsoring or organizing an event intended to provide medical treatment or care to the public. It would also prohibit the exchange of syringes and needles, the operation of needle-exchange programs, and the distribution of harm reduction supplies such as alcohol wipes or drug-testing kits. That original draft has been updated to carve out allowances for city-run programs that are sponsored or authorized by the city, but penalizes others who provide such care with a Class 1 misdemeanor. The new wording has raised concerns among public health and civil rights advocates. Because the proposed ordinance would criminalize items such as alcohol sanitation pads and drug-testing kits, advocates worry police could use it to levy criminal charges against people carrying those items without evidence of intent. They point to [similar instances in which Phoenix police](https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/a-sexy-outfit-can-get-you-arrested-in-phoenix-especially-if-youre-black-16634887/?ref=lookoutnews.org) have used the city’s indecent conduct ordinance to arrest people accused of — but not caught in the act of — prostitution. Others say that the wording of the ordinance, which prohibits providing "medical treatment or care" is too vague – and could rope people in who are providing community care for the unhoused, such as passing out food or water. It's not unfounded: last year in Tempe, the leader of a community organization was [arrested for providing food](https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/tempe/2024/08/02/az-hugs-founder-arrested-feeding-people-experiencing-homelessness-tempe-parks/74624802007/?ref=lookoutnews.org) to unhoused people at a local park. "I think this is overall very concerning that this is a direction we’re going as a city," said Councilwoman Anna Hernandez, who represents District 7\. "I was caught very off guard that we are going to have this discussion and vote on these items." Those close with members of city council said Hernandez, a Democrat, is the only sitting member who opposes the ordinance as its written, which is set to be discussed at the Dec. 17 City Council meeting, scheduled for 2:30 p.m. It remains unclear which council member introduced the proposal, but Hernandez said she was made aware of the ordinance "weeks ago," but didn't receive any language on it until recently. [![An advertisement banner prompting you to become a LOOKOUT member, noting free swag, tickets to events, and a magazine.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Public health groups say the measure could have dire consequences for organizations that use public spaces to provide harm reduction services. The draft includes an exception for medical personnel and first responders acting in their official capacity, as well as family members and anyone delivering naloxone — the opioid overdose reversal drug — to someone in need. Health organizations say the rule would force significant setbacks to harm mitigation strategies, including mobile testing units or pop-up testing in parks, as well as festivals held in public parks, including LGBTQ+ festivals that focus on HIV and STI care and treatment. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/12/Image-1.jpg) A copy of the original proposal that would prohibit harm reduction on city parks. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/12/IMG_7135.jpeg) A copy of the current ordinance proposal set for debate on Dec. 17\. It would also affect other LGBTQ+-focused community organizations that provide basic harm reduction services, such as drug-testing strips to detect fentanyl or alcohol pads and clean needles. But city-run programs would remain safe, such as Phoenix’s efforts as a Fast-Track City, a global health initiative that aims for 95% of residents living with HIV to know their status, be on treatment and reach viral suppression by 2030. Council members Laura Pastor and Debra Stark, who both serve on the Fast Track Ad Hoc Committee initiative and were the original signatories on the initiative, did not respond to emails from *LOOKOUT* requesting additional information on the drafted or final policy. *Additional reporting by Tori Gantz* *Updated Dec. 13, 9:57 a.m.* #### Correction An earlier version of this article misstated the time that the Phoenix City Council will decide on the ordinance. It will be on Dec. 17 at 2:30 p.m., not 10 a.m. We regret the error. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### LOOKOUT Report: Maricopa HIV Deaths Reveal Gaps in Care for the Unhoused URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/lookout-report-maricopa-hiv-deaths-reveal-gaps-in-care-for-the-unhoused/ Last updated: 2025-12-10T13:37:27.000Z It was an early January morning when Vanessa Thigpen was found dead near some railroad tracks at 44th Avenue and the I-10 Freeway. The night before, she had found refuge in a tent with a friend — something she often did, according to investigatory reports. She had been living on the streets for a year since losing her home and was having difficulty finding a new place to live because she did not have any identification, according to police interviews. The friend she stayed with the night before told investigators she was fine when he left the morning of Jan. 9\. Later, a passerby noticed something was wrong: Thigpen was not breathing. Police arrived, and she was pronounced dead. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) According to the autopsy, Thigpen died of complications from a methamphetamine overdose. But she also had an HIV diagnosis that exacerbated her health problems. It is unclear whether she was receiving treatment, but she became Maricopa County’s first death of 2025 with HIV listed as a contributing factor. Two others have died since — one in hospice care, another in a detention facility — who have had HIV listed on their medical examiner records as a manner of death or contributing cause. Going back five years, Thigpen is among more than a dozen unhoused people or those near homelessness who died with HIV listed as playing some part in their deaths. Less than a month before her death, Kamron Dashee died from inhaling the fungus that causes valley fever, but his advanced HIV — leading to AIDS — was also listed. He was found next to a Walgreens. A few months earlier, another unsheltered man died of heat exposure on the pavement outside a local business; his HIV status also was listed as a contributing factor. Other cases are more cut-and-dry, with illnesses that — though unconfirmed — likely were made worse with an underlying HIV diagnosis, such as meningitis, pneumonia, and sepsis. *LOOKOUT* reviewed medical examiner records, autopsy reports, preliminary investigatory reports, and toxicology reports and found that of the 54 deaths reviewed at the Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office between January 2020 and May 2025 in which HIV was a primary or contributing cause of death, nearly a quarter of the people who died struggled with housing — a figure not previously reported by local media. Only three people were identified as dying directly from HIV or illnesses associated with the virus. And a handful of cases inside hospitals involved elderly patients who fell, hit their heads, and died of blunt force trauma. In those records, HIV was also listed as a contributing cause of death. (Medical examiners list [contributing causes of death](https://name.memberclicks.net/assets/docs/MANNEROFDEATH.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) — health factors that do not directly relate to someone’s manner of death — because a person’s death can be exacerbated by underlying health conditions. But for those living with HIV, illnesses or injuries of any sort, which are considered [opportunistic infections](https://hivinfo.nih.gov/understanding-hiv/fact-sheets/what-opportunistic-infection?ref=lookoutnews.org), can worsen the ability to recover.) The number of those who died with HIV listed on their reports highlights long-standing challenges in getting treatment to people living on the streets or those with difficulty finding permanent housing, and growing concerns among public health workers about federal funding shortfalls that threaten HIV and housing services for the most vulnerable. Interviews conducted by *LOOKOUT* with public health experts and housing-sector workers — all of whom requested anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly and feared repercussions for their organizations — point to a systemic issue: HIV outreach efforts still overwhelmingly target gay men. Meanwhile, unhoused people or those experiencing housing insecurity — many navigating drug dependency and inconsistent access to medical care — are often left out of HIV-prevention and treatment strategies. “This needs to be addressed on multiple fronts,” said one outreach worker with a Maricopa County medical provider. “This isn’t just a problem for gay men, and these deaths show it.” It's true that men who have sex with men remain the most at-risk group in Arizona, with Black and Latino men disproportionately affected, according to state health data. But the state collects little information about how many unhoused people are living with HIV, obscuring the true scope of the problem. The limited data available is almost surely incomplete, researchers say. For example, this year [Maricopa County reported](https://azmag.gov/Portals/0/Documents/MagContent/2025-PIT-Count-Report-Final.pdf?ver=cNSxRHU46E0tUfCwLwv%5Ftg%3D%3D&ref=lookoutnews.org) that 147 of the 9,734 people in its point-in-time count self-disclosed as living with HIV. [As older Arizonans living with HIV grows, so does their isolation.In 2023, 17% of all people diagnosed with HIV were over the age of 50\. It’s both a concern and a realization for some that more should be done.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-194.png)LOOKOUTFitzwilliam Anderson (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2024-08-12-at-12.51.32-PM-1-2.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/older-lgbtq-arizona-hiv/) A more detailed 2024 Homelessness Management Information System report provided to *LOOKOUT* shows that of 54,000 unhoused people surveyed statewide, 565 self-disclosed an HIV diagnosis. Half were between ages 25 and 44\. Eighteen were minors. Public health workers say the actual number is almost certainly higher. Self-disclosure, they note, often leads to significant undercounts — especially for stigmatized health conditions like HIV. At one outdoor shelter, 21 people are currently living with HIV, a city contractor overseeing the program said — a figure he has not seen in his 10 years working in supportive housing. Most public health workers agree that getting people into care is complex and requires more than testing populations and driving them to pick up medication. They argue the state needs to invest in housing-first strategies, which would place unhoused people — especially those most at risk — in government-funded housing with access to drug treatment, job-placement services, and direct medical care. “It’s the evidence-based practice that we know works,” the contractor said. [Inside Arizona’s Unconventional Fight With HIV RatesArizona’s public health workers are replacing outdated clinic models with street-level outreach to reach people who might otherwise fall through the cracks.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-195.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Untitled-design--38-.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/inside-arizonas-unconventional-fight-with-hiv-rates/) But those funds are at risk, currently. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development recently released a notice of funding opportunity that significantly cut grant funds for permanent housing. Funding for permanent housing currently is capped at 90% of rental costs. HUD had proposed reducing that funding cap to 30%. Attorney General Kris Mayes, along with other state attorneys general, [sued the Trump administration,](https://www.azag.gov/press-release/attorney-general-mayes-sues-over-hud-policy-would-push-more-arizonans-homelessness?ref=lookoutnews.org) arguing it violated the law by slashing congressionally appropriated funds. HUD [rescinded the decision](https://www.hud.gov/hud-partners/community-coc?ref=lookoutnews.org), saying the reversal would “allow the department to make appropriate revisions.” ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### How a Tiny Arizona Town Became Home to a National Queer Arts Exhibition URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/how-a-tiny-arizona-town-became-home-to-a-national-queer-arts-exhibition/ Last updated: 2025-12-08T17:20:54.000Z #### OutBack This is one in a series that uncovers the untold stories of LGBTQ+ life beyond the city, celebrating queer resilience, creativity, and community in Arizona's suburban and rural areas. [Read the full series here. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tag/outback/) There’s no Pride parade in Tubac, Arizona—no gay district, no drag bar, none of the usual markers of queer community. But this small town of 1,500 is home to a longstanding LGBTQ+-owned business that used to host the annual queer arts festival, a reminder that queer people have always lived—and continue to thrive—in even the most unexpected places. The people who started the festival (which is still ongoing), Bruce Baughman and Bill Davis, have been life partners for 30 years and are also the co-owners of Bruce Baughman Studio & Gallery, where Baughman is the artist and Davis is the gallery director. The two moved to the tiny Santa Cruz County town from Michigan and created a cozy multi-room space for art lovers that eschews the sterile, white-walled experience in favor of color, couches, and conversation. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) “We wanted to feel like you're in someone’s home, so you’re a little more relaxed,” Davis said. “They can sit and they can look at the pieces and take their time. It’s like an extension of our own private home. We want people to feel like they’re welcome.” And while their art space and festival they helped start have become local standouts, they’ve also drawn criticism from traditionalists who would prefer LGBTQ+ people stay out of sight. Still, the owners have pushed through the backlash, carving out a unique queer haven in Arizona’s Patagonia region. ### **Art is bold, intense, diverse** Baughman said he learned to paint as a child from his mother and aunt. “I’ve painted all my life,” he said. “I learned when I was a kid; I don’t even remember learning.” In 1996, Baughman, a Michigan native, opened a gallery in Saugatuck, Michigan, which can be described as “the Provincetown of the Midwest.” In 2001, he opened another in Tubac. Over the years, the Tubac galley has moved and grown, and he closed the Saugatuck space in 2015\. [Rainbow Bliss Botanicals: Redefining Wellness NaturallyOwner Chloe Bee uses plant medicine to offer alternatives to pharmaceuticals, while creating a queer-friendly space for connection and learning.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-192.png)LOOKOUTGeri Koeppel (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Rainbow-Bliss-Chloe-Bee-1.JPG)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/how-rainbow-bliss-botanicals-rewrites-the-rules-of-wellness/) Davis, originally from Chicago, was in the commercial printing business and met Baughman when the artist developed an interest in doing print reproductions. Baughman is known for an unusual technique he picked up while living in Europe called “reverse painting,” in which he applies acrylic paint to a clear panel. He alsomainly worksin acrylics on canvas, applying the paint most often with a palette knife rather than brushes. Baughman’s paintings are bold, displaying myriad styles. Most are representational, falling into the Impressionist and Expressionist camps, but he also produces abstract works. His sunrises and sunsets are the most popular, though. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/12/Baughman-Desert-Thunder.jpeg) Bruce Baughman's "Desert Thunder" exemplifies his technique of reverse painting on a clear surface. Credit: Bruce Baughman Studio & Gallery “The air is so magical out here, you get these beautiful, intense colors,” Davis said. “Bruce captures that, and people relate to that.” Baughman explained, “We live up on a big hill—mountain, I guess—and we have views all the way around… That gives me inspiration.” Anne and Bob Smith of Tucson, who also have a home in Tubac, have collected Baughman’s works since the late 2000s. Anne said he’s a “very diverse and gifted artist.” She added, “We have 13 of his paintings, and people come to our house, and they can’t believe they’re all by the same artist.” Baughman’s works come in two standard sizes—36 inches square and 40 inches square—and four standard prices: the smaller ones are $3,200 with frame; the larger ones are $3,400 framed. ### **Continue To Be Seen** For three years running, each June from 2021-23, Bruce Baughman Studio & Gallery partnered with the Tubac Center of the Arts to host “Proud to Be Seen,” a national juried exhibition of works by LGBTQ+ artists and allies. “We were hesitant doing the show initially because it is a small community, rural Arizona, and we didn’t know what to expect,” Davis said. “We put a banner up, and it riled up some people.” The Tubac Chamber of Commerce heard from people who were upset about it. One email was from a client of theirs, Davis said, and another was from a nearby business whose owners they considered friends. [A MAGA stronghold. A queer baker. And the best cinnamon rolls in northern Arizona.In a town where rainbow flags are rare, The Bearded Baker has become a sanctuary for queer visibility, and seriously good bread.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-193.png)LOOKOUTGeri Koeppel (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Bearded-Baker-with-goods-1.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-maga-stronghold-a-queer-baker-and-the-best-cinnamon-rolls-in-northern-arizona/) “That was an eye-opening thing for me,” he recalled. In the end, the exhibit was a success. And the complaints backfired, Davis added, because many people boycotted the business that spoke against the show. “The only signmaker in town, who is a lesbian, said, ‘I’m not doing your signs for you anymore, sorry,’” Davis said. Now, the exhibit—which draws artwork from coast to coast—has become an annual event, though Baughman and Davis last year handed the baton to the Black Dog Gallery to host it. Although “Proud to Be Seen” is in June, fall through spring is the prime tourist season in Tubac. Most galleries are open daily from September through May. Davis also recommends visiting during the annual Festival of the Arts, which will celebrate its 67th year from Feb. 4-8, 2026\. It’s southern Arizona’s longest-running arts festival, featuring about 600 artists. Other annual events include the Tubac Center of the Arts Open Studio tour, spring and fall artwalks, a Taste of Tubac food festival, and more. Visit [tubacaz.com](http://tubacaz.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org) for a list of events. Though Tubac is doable as a day trip, the Tubac Golf Resort—where 1996’s *Tin Cup* starring Kevin Costner was filmed—is known for its adorable adobe casitas, expansive scenery and well-regarded restaurant, Stables Ranch Grille. And if you stop by the gallery, Baughman and Davis will give you the lowdown on all of the best local must-hit spots to make the most of your time. **Bruce Baughman Studio & Gallery** Address: 19 Tubac Road, Tubac, AZ 85646 Hours: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. daily Contact: 520-398-3098; [brucebaughmangallery.com](http://brucebaughmangallery.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org) ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Inside Arizona’s Unconventional Fight With HIV Rates URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/inside-arizonas-unconventional-fight-with-hiv-rates/ Last updated: 2025-12-01T17:09:34.000Z The sun set and the disco lights started strobing. Within minutes, go-go dancers climbed onto short black boxes on the patio of Pat O’s Bunkhouse in Midtown Phoenix. They bounced to the music, shook their butts, and took tips from a sparsely populated crowd sitting at the patio tables. The patrons—mostly gay men, with a few women that night—mingled ahead of the late-night party hours. But the dancers had another mission beyond tips: getting people tested for sexually transmitted diseases. After performing, they stepped down and approached patrons—especially those who tipped or winked at them all night—about HIV and STD testing. It may have left some people with some sexual frustration, but it’s one of the trade-offs of a public health campaign. The dancers are part of [Ripple PHX’s PUMP! program](https://www.instagram.com/p/DQ%5FG%5FFyEYV0/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==), which leverages a simple principle—that sex sells—with an attempt to merge it with public health initiatives. By doing so, it puts a familiar face onto a familiar problem that doesn’t have a singular solution. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) “Gogo dancers have been dancing on boxes in queer spaces for decades,” said Jeremy Bright, co-executive director of Ripple PHX. “The dancers are able to bridge the gap and bring credibility to HIV services because they're not healthcare workers for folks who mistrust government and medical systems.” It’s one of several new approaches across Arizona responding to rising HIV transmission rates. According to the Arizona Department of Health Services’ 2023 HIV annual report, 19,894 people were living with HIV or AIDS in 2022\. There were 975 new cases that year, up from 852 in 2021\. The incidence rate rose from 11.4 to 13.2 cases per 100,000 residents. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/12/Jinx---Ronin.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/12/Cullen.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/12/Jeru.jpg) The purpose of PUMP! is to get familiar faces in LGBTQ+ areas to entice people to get tested. For RipplePHX, it's meant an increase in people who go to bars, but may never get tested or are up to date on their sexual health knowledge. Images provided by Ripple PHX. Most new infections occurred in Maricopa and Pima counties, but rural and underserved regions—such as Pinal County, which had the highest incidence rate at 17.6 per 100,000, largely among incarcerated people—are also affected. Public health workers say traditional clinic-based testing isn’t enough. To meet the moment, Arizona organizations are adopting strategies used in states such as Louisiana, Mississippi and California—where HIV rates remain among the highest in the country—by bringing testing directly to people who might not seek it on their own. ### **Out of the Box Solutions Needed** Since President Donald Trump took office this year, HIV advocates have warned that funding for testing, prevention and care could be at risk. To a large extent, those fears have played out. The dismantling of USAID—an international humanitarian program that supported HIV care abroad through PEPFAR—cut millions of dollars that once helped people start pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, which can reduce HIV transmission by more than 99% when taken correctly. PEPFAR accounted for about 90 percent of PrEP access in low-income countries, [according to Physicians for Human Rights](https://phr.org/our-work/resources/on-the-brink-of-catastrophe-u-s-foreign-aid-disruption-to-hiv-services-in-tanzania-and-uganda/?ref=lookoutnews.org). Since the cuts, an estimated 149,000 people have died due to loss of HIV services, including about 10 percent who were children, according to the [PEPFAR Impact Tracker](https://pepfar.impactcounter.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org), an initiative by Impact Counter analyzing the effects of U.S. funding reductions. In the United States, funding structures have also become unstable. Organizations serving gay and bisexual men, transgender people, and Black women—groups at highest risk for HIV transmission—have seen federal grants disappear as the administration targets public health programs it associates with diversity, equity and inclusion. This comes alongside broader hostility toward LGBTQ+ communities, especially around health care. This year marked the first time World AIDS Day was not recognized as a federal observance, for example. And grants focusing on transgender people have been scrubbed from websites, with only focuses on “LGB” people. The [proposed 2026 federal budget also aims to eliminate all funding for HIV services](https://hivhep.org/press-releases/house-republicans-go-way-beyond-presidents-budget-by-ending-all-hiv-prevention-slash-aids-care-by-20/?ref=lookoutnews.org)—except in the case of Ryan White funding, which provides HIV care and services to those below the poverty level—and instead direct funds only to the cities with the highest case counts. That approach, medical professionals say, leaves behind rural communities where total case numbers may be smaller but incidence rates are often significantly higher—similar to what Arizona is experiencing. Earlier this year, the problem intensified when the federal government froze a [key Centers for Disease Control and Prevention grant](https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizonas-health-department-issues-stop-work-orders-for-hiv-testing-across-the-state/) that supports HIV prevention and testing nationwide. For groups like Ripple PHX, the freeze meant nearly $150,000 vanished overnight. Although the funding was eventually restored, the disruption underscored how precarious federal support has become—and why local advocates say they must rely on innovative strategies to reach the people most at risk. ### **Where Are The People At?** “Meet people where they’re at” is a marketing cliché, but in HIV prevention it’s a practical necessity. Fewer young people are getting sex education in school, partially contributing to statewide increases in STDs. Men ages 25 to 34 have the highest rates, with Black, Latino, and LGBTQ+ communities disproportionately affected. But more alarming for public health workers is how state data also shows rising incidence among people younger than 24. [Poor sex education and outreach is to blame for HIV increase in Arizona, advocates say.State health department data shows HIV transmissions up by almost 20%, going the opposite way of the nation where the virus is slowing.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-189.png)LOOKOUTLisa Abelar (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/shutterstock_2418978793-1.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizona-hiv-rising-sex-education/) That means to address that population, it requires showing up in places where young people actually go—bars, sex clubs, baseball games, and gogo bars. Since PUMP started in August 2024, 20% of people who received services at their events have stated that they are “at-risk for HIV, but have either never received an HIV test or haven't been tested in a year or more,” said Bright. “Those are the needles in the haystack we're looking for.” Spectrum Medical’s Phoenix-based mobile testing unit has a similar program through their mobile testing van. Staff visit high-risk locations multiple times a week, including FlexSpas, OffChute, Pleasure World, universities, as well as cooling centers and ministries that serve those without stable housing. (State data shows that an estimated 13% of all unhoused people are living with HIV.) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/12/2024SouthWestCenterTestingEventBrickRoadCoffee-6.jpg) A member of Prisma Community Care's outreach team conducts HIV testing at Brick Road Coffee, a coffee shop in Tempe. (Courtesy of Prisma Community Care). “We’ve seen rapid month-over-month growth in testing volume at evening and pop-up sites,” said Ray Delgado, senior director of communications and community development at Spectrum Medical Care. Similar to Ripple PHX, Delgado said that a third of the people they test at the mobile van have either never been screened for HIV or have gone longer than a year without an HIV test. [As older Arizonans living with HIV grows, so does their isolation.In 2023, 17% of all people diagnosed with HIV were over the age of 50\. It’s both a concern and a realization for some that more should be done.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-190.png)LOOKOUTFitzwilliam Anderson (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2024-08-12-at-12.51.32-PM-1-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/older-lgbtq-arizona-hiv/) “That is, you know, pretty high,” said Delgado. “Because a lot of people in the community are already on PrEP, or might be getting STI tested. But, you know, these people are new. They're new to this sort of health pathway of getting on the right medications to sort of manage any issues that they might have in terms of their sexual health.” ### **A Replicable Solution** While much of the focus around HIV testing has been around gay men, there are other approaches that have been effective in broadening outreach beyond LGBTQ+ communities. While men who have sex with men remain most at risk—especially Black and Latino men—other groups are also affected. In Arizona, more than 60 percent of HIV infections among women were transmitted heterosexually, disproportionately impacting Black women, according to Arizona Department of Health statistics most recently updated. Similar strategies have worked elsewhere to help focus outreach on those less talked about communities at risk. In Los Angeles, for example, testing teams [visit barbershops to train barbers on how to talk to young Black men](https://www.ourtownsfoundation.org/a-safe-place-to-talk-raising-hiv-awareness-through-barbershops/?ref=lookoutnews.org) about the importance of getting HIV tested and reducing the stigma around the virus. In New Orleans, [the health department partners with beauticians and salons](https://louisianahealthhub.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/EHE-Orleans-Parish-Plan%5Ffinal-11-30-20-1-1.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) for similar goals. Those kinds of innovative approaches aren’t always well received. More than a decade ago in San Mateo County, the [health department used gay dating apps](https://www.smdailyjournal.com/news/local/county-goes-online-to-lure-gay-men-into-outreach-health-officials-set-up-false-website/article%5F720ea6e2-2254-5488-9698-a09f5577c2bc.html?ref=lookoutnews.org) to initiate conversations with men, posing with stock photos. Once users engaged, officials revealed that the person they were talking to wasn’t real—it was a government employee attempting to discuss sexual health. But thinking outside the box for addressing the critical moment for HIV care in Arizona is a requirement at this point, say health experts. Prisma’s partnership with Social Spin Foundation, a [nonprofit laundry service in the Valley](https://socialspinfoundation.org/?ref=lookoutnews.org), brings testing and sexual health education into everyday spaces like laundromats. “By bringing peer support specialists to Social Spin, we can identify intersections of risk, like substance use or housing insecurity, and connect people to resources beyond just HIV testing,” said Michael Greathouse, senior program and medical lead at Prisma. [Hate Crimes in Arizona: Gaps Affecting LGBTQ+ ProtectionsWith no lifeboat in sight, some HIV prevention programs may shutter because of federal funding cuts.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-191.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/492225071_1090454306447750_4809744171098163188_n-1-1.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizonas-health-department-issues-stop-work-orders-for-hiv-testing-across-the-state/) At Social Spin, Prisma workers offer no-cost rapid testing, peer support, and connections to mental health care, PrEP education, and primary care. According to Greathouse, about 10 percent of people reached through these efforts have started PrEP, the medical protocol that can reduce HIV transmission by up to 99 percent when used correctly. ### **Better Than Not Knowing** Aunt Rita’s Foundation, meanwhile, has pioneered at-home testing statewide, mailing free kits to rural residents, youth, people of color, and native communities. “This lets people self-administer a test in the privacy and comfort of their home without dealing with discrimination or stigma,” said Executive Director Stacey Jay Cavaliere. “It gives people the information they need to make informed decisions about their health moving forward.” Since [offering the service of at-home testing kits](https://hivaz.org/get-tested/free-home-test-kit/?ref=lookoutnews.org), they have delivered 1,000 kits each year, Cavaliere said, helping overcome barriers tied to transportation, finances, and stigma. Those kinds of options have proven to be effective in cities like New York, where the city health department partnered with the [gay hookup app Grindr to get people tested](https://www.vice.com/en/article/grindr-convinced-me-to-take-an-hiv-test/?ref=lookoutnews.org) with at-home testing kits users could order through the app. In that case, the partnership resulted in a campaign by the app to offer users notifications and reminders for when to get tested. But at-home testing kits have their limits. For one, it’s difficult to follow up with people if they test positive and get them into immediate care. Though the kits Aunt Rita’s sends out offers follow-up steps in the event of a positive (or negative) test, there is very little that can be done to coerce someone into going into care if they are not in a clinic. There is also the psychological stress of testing positive without someone around: “It’s an incredibly stressful moment,” Cavaliere said. None of these programs, alone, are a panacea to the rising HIV rate in Arizona, but altogether they do help solve one of the biggest problems sexual health professionals worry about: people now knowing their status. Across the nation, of those living HIV, 13% are estimated not knowing their status, according to the Centers for Disease Control’s most recent numbers. These kinds of programs, at the very least, help mitigate that problem, said Cavaliere: “We would rather have people know their status and supply them with resources than not get tested at all.” ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### A Tucsonan is Claiming Asylum in Canada. Her Case Could Reshape How LGBTQ+ People Seek Safety Abroad. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-tucsonan-is-claiming-asylum-in-canada-her-case-could-reshape-how-lgbtq-people-seek-safety-abroad/ Last updated: 2026-01-20T20:32:31.000Z When Hannah Kreager crossed the U.S.-Canada border on April 19, she carried little more than a friend’s promise of a safe bed. The 22-year-old transgender woman from Tucson, Arizona, said she left amid fears that federal policies under the Trump administration could put her at risk—particularly after rumors circulated that Trump might [declare martial law on April 20](https://www.thepinknews.com/2025/04/09/this-is-why-people-think-donald-trump-might-be-about-to-declare-martial-law/?ref=lookoutnews.org). After seeing those rumors, she said her father told her, “I’m getting you out of here by the 20th.” Kreager’s journey is part of a growing wave of transgender Americans seeking asylum outside the United States. LGBTQ+ advocates say these cases highlight the urgency of these cases, but also the legal complexity of claiming refugee status from a country long considered safe. [![An advertisement banner prompting you to become a LOOKOUT member, noting free swag, tickets to events, and a magazine.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) There are at least two cases being fought in Canada—one of them is Kreager’s. Under the country’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, Kreager and her lawyer, [Yameena Ansari](https://ansarilaw.ca/?ref=lookoutnews.org), must prove a “well-founded fear of persecution.” Because Canadian immigration law does not explicitly list gender identity or sexual orientation among protected categories, her team is arguing that transgender Americans constitute a persecuted social group. But the path to refugee status is complicated for Americans like Kreager because of the [Safe Third Country Agreement](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/mandate/policies-operational-instructions-agreements/agreements/safe-third-country-agreement.html?ref=lookoutnews.org), a 2002 pact that bars refugees from claiming asylum in Canada if they enter from a country such as the United States. The agreement rests on the assumption that the U.S. can protect its citizens from persecution. [Kreager’s legal team argues](https://macleans.ca/politics/canada-asylum-trans-americans/?ref=lookoutnews.org) that this assumption does not hold in her case and says the agreement should be reviewed to account for the federal reach of the Trump administration’s anti-LGBTQ+ policies into states. Immigration courts have previously ruled that anti-LGBTQ+ policies occur on a state-by-state basis, and that people living in states with restrictive laws can simply move to a more supportive state. Arizona’s politics complicate those assumptions. Although the state does not have as many laws restricting transgender life as Texas or Florida—two states where limits on trans life have prompted travel warnings for LGBTQ+ people—political shifts in Arizona could create a different landscape if Republicans win the governor’s and attorney general’s offices in 2026. ![An image of a blonde woman with glasses, smiling.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/11/Screenshot-2025-11-26-at-11.22.22---AM.png) Hanna Kreager (photo from GoFundMe) But even moving to another state may not be realistic with the federal government targeting transgender Americans, including by entertaining a rule that would nullify passports for anyone with a gender marker different from the one they were assigned at birth, or expelling transgender people from federal benefits such as military health insurance. Those sweeping changes, migration experts say, [have led to an increase in asylum claims](https://www.rainbowrailroad.org/the-latest/annualreport-2024?ref=lookoutnews.org) that reflect both the severity and the geographic spread of threats facing transgender people in the United States. Zara, a biracial Black transgender woman originally from Oregon—a state often considered a safe destination—offers another lens on the federal government’s expansive reach. She requested that her last name be omitted because of a past history of abuse. Zara fled to Canada after the 2024 election, citing fears that Trump’s incoming administration would implement [CPAC 2023’s call to “eradicate transgenderism.”](https://www.vice.com/en/article/cpac-transgenderism-speaker-called-for-eradication/?ref=lookoutnews.org) She says she experienced systemic racism and transphobia across multiple states, including Ohio and Texas, both traditionally conservative. But it was in Portland, Oregon—often portrayed as a liberal safe haven—where she said she experienced enough harassment and bigotry to feel unsafe in her daily life. [Arizona’s LGBTQ Community Faces Pressure to Leave The StateInterviews with over a dozen queer people who have left or are considering leaving reveal unease about the state’s politics.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-187.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/image--30--1-2.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/queer-arizonans-are-feeling-the-need-to-flee-their-homes-2/) “Proud Boys would come into neighborhoods to intimidate us, and the police would collaborate with them,” Zara said, describing[ Portland police’s refusal to intervene](https://theintercept.com/2021/08/23/portland-police-proud-boys-protest/?ref=lookoutnews.org) in persistent violence from far-right groups during protests in 2021\. She recounted multiple instances in which people openly accosted her on the street with racial slurs and threats of violence. Her attempts to organize locally to protect Black trans people were often met with discomfort or indifference. ![An image of a person in a rainbow dress holding two signs indicating that they are a black, trans refugee.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/11/Zara1.jpg) Zara (above) protests for her right to claim asylum in Canada. She is one of a handful of Americans doing so and testing the legal claims that America is safe for gender nonconforming people. (Photo courtesy of Zara) “With how resource-stripped everyone was, it wasn’t like these spaces were able to provide me the support I needed when I was vulnerable,” she said, noting Oregon’s [struggles to operate statewide LGBTQ+ programs](https://portlandtribune.com/2025/10/09/two-years-on-oregons-transgender-health-care-law-faces-obstacles/?ref=lookoutnews.org) amid the Trump administration’s attempts to withhold funding and subpoena clinics. Cait Glasson, a Canadian transgender activist who has been lobbying for recognition of transgender and nonbinary asylum-seekers, says recent judicial developments may signal openings for change. Glasson points to the case of Angel Jenkel, a nonbinary American who recently [received a stay on a refugee claim.](https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-judge-halts-deportation-non-binary-american-trump-gender-edicts/?ref=lookoutnews.org) “The judge wouldn’t issue a stay if they didn’t think there was probable cause,” Glasson said. She compared it to her experience in 2023, when she organized a parliamentary petition calling for formal recognition of transgender and nonbinary people for refugee status. The petition gathered more than 160,000 signatures, but the government largely dismissed it, arguing that [existing law in the U.S. already provides protections](https://www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en/Petition/Details?Petition=e-4268&ref=lookoutnews.org). Still, Glasson said she has seen conditions in the United States deteriorate since 2023, making legal protections for transgender refugees increasingly urgent. She likened the situation to historical cases in which Canada denied asylum to Jewish refugees fleeing the Holocaust, with devastating consequences: “They went back to Europe, where at least a third of them were killed,” she said. “We can’t let something like that happen again.” [Prominent Tucson Family Advocating for Trans and Migrant Rights Flees U.S.Fearing mass deportations and anti-trans policies under a potential second Trump term, the Trujillo family says the U.S. is no longer safe for their son — or for themselves.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-188.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-04-08-at-11.26.31-AM-2.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/prominent-tucson-family-advocating-for-trans-and-migrant-rights-flees-u-s/) Legal experts say each asylum case carries the potential to establish precedent. Kreager is confident that a win in her case could open doors for other transgender Americans and could prompt a reinterpretation of parts of the STCA. Zara framed her efforts similarly: “What I’m doing is to ensure an alternative path for Black trans people, so that there is another place to go that is safer. I’m clearing the hedge so at least there is a path to walk.” #### Correction An earlier version of this article misquoted Zara by leaving out a portion that specifically alluded to Black trans women. The story has been updated to reflect that change. It also has been updated to clarify that Canadian immigration law—not Canadian law, generally—doesn't list gender identity as a persecuted social group. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Mesa Recall Shows Scapegoating Trans People Remains A Potent Strategy for Far-Right Republicans URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/mesa-recall-shows-scapegoating-trans-people-remains-a-potent-strategy-for-far-right-republicans/ Last updated: 2026-01-20T20:34:29.000Z Shortly after the early November elections, LGBTQ+ advocates went online to argue that anti-trans rhetoric [“didn’t work”](https://www.notus.org/2025-election/anti-transgender-attacks-republicans-virginia-new-jersey?ref=lookoutnews.org) this time, pointing to wins across the country for Democrats who campaigned on other policies. In Mesa, the question of how far that kind of messaging could go was on the ballot for people in District 2—which covers the central east area of one of the nation’s largest growing suburbs—to recall a city council member. Turning Point Action, the political arm of Turning Point USA, led the campaign with signature collection and canvassing for Dorean Taylor. Taylor was known in conservative political circles for her work in the 2024 election cycle, when she worked for Turning Point Action’s “Chase the Vote” project, a get-out-the-vote effort for right-wing Republicans. She later helped cure ballots on behalf of the organization in the days after voting closed. With backing from Turning Point Action and aligned groups like the Center for Arizona Policy, Taylor won her race two weeks ago to become the city’s newest council member and replaced former seat holder Julie Spilsbury, who was re-elected in 2024 with more than 65% of the vote. [![An advertisement banner prompting you to become a LOOKOUT member, noting free swag, tickets to events, and a magazine.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Most news coverage of the recall race between Taylor and Spilsbury focused on claims that Spilsbury was out of touch with conservative residents, citing her support for former Vice President Kamala Harris. But that narrative didn’t take hold until far-right groups such as Turning Point Action became more involved in the recall, a *LOOKOUT* review found. Though Spilsbury, also a Republican, received more money from local groups and individual donors than her opponent, Turning Point Action doubled down on flyering and text message campaigns that labeled Spilsbury as someone not representative of the current Republican Party. The organization used gender and sexuality as a main reason to recall Spilsbury. In the end, it worked. Taylor was sworn in at a special council meeting on Monday. [Arizona Leaders Resist Antifa Label for Trans AmericansElected leaders vow to protect transgender residents after Trump’s federal order falsely linking them to domestic terrorism.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-185.png)LOOKOUTZach Bradshaw![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/usa-trump-1.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/state-leaders-push-back-against-trump-efforts-to-label-trans-americans-as-terrorists/) ### **How Turning Point Jump-Started the Recall** Turning Point Action was involved in the recall effort before Taylor even entered the race. In November 2024, the organization’s chief operating officer, Mesa resident Tyler Bowyer, posted on X, formerly Twitter: “I think we should recall Julie Spilsbury.” Days before President Donald Trump’s second administration began, Bowyer doubled down and disclosed his key motivation: “I think we can get more signatures to remove Julie Spilsbury from office than she got votes because she endorsed \[Harris\],” he wrote. Two weeks later, Mesa resident JoAnne Robbins—who was photographed in front of Mesa City Hall with Turning Point Action leadership—filed a recall petition application against Spilsbury. [*The Arizona Republic*](https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/mesa/2025/06/07/petition-filed-to-oust-mesa-councilmember-julie-spilsbury/76777390007/?gnt-cfr=1&gca-cat=p&gca-uir=true&gca-epti=z119937p119050c119050d00----v119937b0050xxd005065&gca-ft=171&gca-ds=sophi&ref=lookoutnews.org) reported that Robbins said Spilsbury’s Harris endorsement “played a role” in her decision and that she enlisted Turning Point Action to help pay for signature gatherers. However, Robbins’ petition cited different reasons: Spilsbury’s votes on three previously approved ordinances, which included repurposing a hotel into a temporary shelter, and raising council salaries and utility rates. While the latter two measures passed unanimously, two council members who voted in line with Spilsbury didn’t face recall efforts. The Turning Point Action leaders seemed pleased: “I am told that the recall has been filed for Julie Spilsbury, the Mesa City Councilwoman in commercials supporting Kamala Harris,” Bowyer posted, pointing to Spilsbury’s positions on immigration, transgender rights, housing and the city’s utility rate surcharge. By mid-February, Turning Point Action had created a page on its website dedicated to the recall, listing local events for potential signature collectors. *LOOKOUT* reached out to Robbins and Taylor. Neither responded for comment before publishing. ### **A Recall Fueled by Anti-Trans Messaging** While mainstream media coverage often framed the recall as a partisan fight, Turning Point Action and allied groups centered trans people in their messaging. Turning Point Action paid for literature circulated during the signature-gathering phase that falsely accused Spilsbury of governing on a “pro-trans agenda” and mischaracterized the 2021 nondiscrimination ordinance as affirmative action for trans people. The group later deployed organizers to deliver handwritten postcards across the district. One read: “Taylor 4 Mesa because boys don’t belong in girls bathrooms,” signed “Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point.” > Julie Spilsbury ushered in policies that put Men in Women’s spaces > > On the “Lift and Love” LGBTQ+ podcast, she made clear she’s influenced by people outside of her district (& AZ) that were big money political operators. > > She voted to put men in girls bathrooms. [pic.twitter.com/xI684xpmpn](https://t.co/xI684xpmpn?ref=lookoutnews.org) > > — Tyler Bowyer (@tylerbowyer) [October 19, 2025](https://twitter.com/tylerbowyer/status/1979932324918685854?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=lookoutnews.org) In April, Taylor addressed the Mesa mayor and city council to demand they repeal the 2021 nondiscrimination ordinance, an effort Arizona Right Watch, an online watchdog account, said specifically targeted trans people. The political arm of Center for Arizona Policy—a conservative organization aligned with Alliance Defending Freedom, the Heritage Foundation and other far-right groups—created an anti-Spilsbury website with voting information and claims that “Julie Spilsbury has undermined Mesa’s trust and acted out of step with our values.” Much of the content spreads false information about trans people. An infographic contrasts positions attributed to each candidate, incorrectly equating “women’s and girls’ privacy in bathrooms, showers and locker rooms” with trans-exclusionary “private spaces,” and listing additional anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ+ talking points related to sports. Center for Arizona Policy Action was among several organizations endorsing Taylor. (Turning Point Action didn’t officially endorse either candidate.) The East Mesa group Legislative District 10 Arizona GOP censured Spilsbury in September and endorsed Taylor weeks later. Around the same time, Taylor attended at least one Turning Point Action event “held in honor of the late Charlie Kirk’s birthday,” reported *Deseret News.* On a local podcast, the host described conversations with petition circulators who claimed that to secure signatures they only needed to mention the nondiscrimination ordinance, which was inaccurately framed as allowing “men in women’s bathrooms.” Turning Point Action’s political action committee also sent text messages urging Mesa residents to vote for Taylor: “Charlie Kirk was working to stop the radical trans takeover of Mesa. That’s why he supported the removal of Julie,” read one message the progressive political group Indivisible Mesa screenshotted and reposted. Additionally, Turning Point PAC Arizona funded a video featuring testimonials from young people questioning Spilsbury’s 2021 vote on the nondiscrimination ordinance. The final frame displayed misinformation alongside the message, “Mesa daughters deserve to be protected.” Even in the final days before ballots were due, Turning Point Action canvassers posted online about conversations with voters. Some of those contained anti-trans remarks. [Behind Arizona’s Anti-LGBTQ School Board Proposals – LOOKOUTArizona’s crusade against queer people in schools isn’t spontaneous, it’s being orchestrated with the help of a little-known organization with ties to other far-right groups.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-186.png)LOOKOUTTori Gantz (she/they)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/COALITION-1-3.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/the-quiet-coalition-behind-arizonas-anti-lgbtq-school-board-proposals/) ### **Months of Disinformation, A Tight Finish** As the race entered its final stretch, Spilsbury struggled to counter the flood of messaging targeting her. She wrote online, “Lies won. Money won,” and said she raised more than $100,000, an amount “unheard of for a Mesa council race.” *LOOKOUT* additionally reached out to Spilsbury, who didn’t respond for comment. Spilsbury received $94,207 in contributions from early July to the last day of September. Taylor netted less than one-third of that total, including personal money she contributed. In Mesa’s first city council recall election, voters cast more than 18,000 ballots. The ballot-by-mail election cost the city $52,143 to conduct, and Taylor won by 762 votes. “It wasn’t enough,” Spilsbury said. “I had dozens and dozens of people canvassing, knocking doors, making phone calls, writing postcards, defending me on Facebook, trying to correct the disinformation and lies being spread about me.” ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### How Federal Policy Is Quietly Rewriting Queer Life on Campus URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/how-federal-policy-is-quietly-rewriting-queer-life-on-campus/ Last updated: 2025-11-12T16:05:59.000Z On a rainy Thursday evening in October, around fifty students and faculty gathered inside a theater at Arizona State University’s Tempe campus to hear John D’Emilio, an early scholar of gay, lesbian, and women’s studies, talk on the status of queer history in the United States. D’Emilio—whose 1988 book “Intimate Matters: A History of Sexuality in America,” was used in the 2003 Supreme Court case striking down sodomy laws—visited at a moment when federal and state pressures have resulted in dismantling civil rights in the name of diversity, equity and inclusion. For queer people, their civil rights to healthcare, public accommodations, and travel are most pressing: Earlier this year, the Trump administration issued an executive order declaring only two recognized sexes in the U.S.— male and female—revising policies to remove other gender identifiers from federal forms. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) And while ASU continues to offer LGBTQ+ programming through academic degrees, community groups, and the Queer X Humanities initiative, the university is sending mixed signals about its willingness to comply with the administration’s demands. Queer X Humanities, who hosted the event, is an initiative of the ASU Humanities Institute launched in 2022 by co-directors Sa Whitley and Julia Himberg. It seeks to “\[foster\] queer and transgender scholarship, interdisciplinary collaboration, and critical dialogue about LGBTQIA2S+ culture, history, and politics.” D’Emilio’s lecture, titled, “Finding Our Past: How LGBTQ History Has Grown as a Field of Study,” presented an overview of the discipline’s beginnings, largely born of women’s studies programs in the 1970s. According to D’Emilio, backlash against the LGBTQ+ community is often cyclical. “Historians are not able to predict the future,” he told the audience, “but history teaches us that over the last 75 years, periods of intense repression lead to every stage of activism.” > “We're in this unprecedented situation where universities are being held hostage." > Mary Fonow, Emeritus Professor at Arizona State University In March, ASU students and advocates alleged LGBTQ+ resources on university websites were disappearing or redirected to the Rainbow Coalition, a student-led coalition that advocates for the LGBTQ+ community on campus. University officials reject that resources have "disappeared" and instead say they’ve been consolidated. In April, ASU’s Global Education Office, which supports study abroad programs, altered language in digital resources that helped navigate LGBTQ+ students’ safety concerns in host countries. The resources changed[ “LGBTQIA” to “LGB”,](https://goglobal.asu.edu/students/lgb?ref=lookoutnews.org) removing references to trans and gender-nonconforming students. A spokesperson for ASU said the changes were made without university approval and the original language reinstated. Still, these incidents reflect a pattern under the second Trump administration of LGBTQ+ resources being modified by universities nationwide without clear explanation as to why. On October 1st, the Trump administration sent a handful of universities a proposal titled, “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education.” If signed, the compact would give the universities priority for federal grants in exchange for agreeing to a list of demands. Among the demands are that “institutions commit to defining and otherwise interpreting ‘male,’ ‘female,’ ‘woman,’ and ‘man’ according to reproductive function and biological processes.” [LGBTQ Advocacy Group Equality Maricopa ReturnsThe nation’s largest community college system disbanded the group in February under new federal guidance. Now, Equality Maricopa is charting its own path statewide.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-183.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-08-25-at-9.57.33---AM-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/after-maricopa-community-colleges-dei-crackdown-equality-maricopa-returns/) University of Arizona was one of nine schools who initially received the proposal. The university gave a soft rejection to the offer after significant pushback from university officials, student groups, and the Pima County Board of Supervisors, who described the proposal as an unacceptable attempt at federal overreach. ASU was not one of the universities who officially received the offer, but it was subsequently announced that they were in discussions with the administration over the compact and were asked to provide input. In an interview with the [State Press](https://www.statepress.com/article/2025/10/politics-higher-education-compact-viability?ref=lookoutnews.org), ASU President Michael Crowe signaled it is not likely they would sign the proposal, but he is committed to working with the administration to improve higher education. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/11/Fonow_1-1.jpg) Mary Fonow, a professor at ASU who has taught gender studies, said that universities are experiencing more hostility than she's ever experiences. (Photo by Daniel Mills) Although backlash against LGBTQ+ programs is not new, some aspects—like threatening or withholding federal funding in its entirety over such programs—are unprecedented, said academics in the field. Mary Fonow, Emeritus Professor at ASU, also attended D’Emilio’s lecture. She received her Ph.D in 1977 from Ohio State University and, like D’Emilio, was an early scholar in the field. In 2004, she joined ASU as Director of the Women’s and Gender Studies Program, eventually founding ASU’s School of Social Transformation in 2008\. She agreed that backlash is not new, but in prior years didn’t feel like it was ever that serious, adding that criticism against women’s studies in the past often revolved around reproductive rights. “The thousands of students that flocked to the courses was enough validation for me,” she said. But in the past five years, she said that’s changed. She never observed hostility towards the field in her decades in academia on the level that she sees it now. [Behind Arizona’s Anti-LGBTQ School Board Proposals – LOOKOUTArizona’s crusade against queer people in schools isn’t spontaneous, it’s being orchestrated with the help of a little-known organization with ties to other far-right groups.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-184.png)LOOKOUTTori Gantz (she/they)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/COALITION-1-2.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/the-quiet-coalition-behind-arizonas-anti-lgbtq-school-board-proposals/) “We're in this unprecedented situation where universities are being held hostage,” she explained. “They're being denied access to grants that are important for scientific research, for everybody's research. Really, I don't believe the American people wanted to see the destruction of universities or the takeover of universities.” Fonow said she was not shy during her time at ASU about expressing to university administrators the need to protect programs. “Everybody was totally supportive and nobody \[wanted\] to undo the progress that’s been made,” she said. Now that she is retired and not regularly communicating with administrators, she’s not so sure. She said that if the schools continue to have events curated for LGBTQ+ communities, “I know they have to be cautious about it.” ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Queer People Are Hardest Hit By Federal SNAP Freeze. How Many In AZ, Though, Is Unclear. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/queer-arizonans-among-those-hit-hardest-by-federal-snap-freeze/ Last updated: 2025-11-24T18:03:19.000Z Hundreds of thousands of Arizonans remain unsure how they’ll afford groceries after SNAP benefits were frozen amid the government shutdown — a crisis only deepened after the U.S. Supreme Court issued a stay on last week’s federal court order that had required limited November payments. The result: food stamps remain in limbo for hundreds of thousands of people who still haven’t received assistance this month — many of them members of Arizona’s LGBTQ+ community. But it's unclear how many there are actually are. More than 2.1 million LGBTQ+ Americans across the nation are on SNAP benefits, according to a 2025 study done by the Williams Institute of UCLA. But granular statewide data is more difficult to find, making the impacts of food insecurity and the need for governmental assistance virtually unknowable. But in Arizona, a handful of LGBTQ+ people have stepped forward and been open online with their difficulties in getting SNAP benefits—putting a face to the issue. For people like Presley Nassise, the freeze hit hard and without warning. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Nassise said it was “a very dehumanizing way to find out that you will not be able to afford food next month.” Although Nassise works full time as a tattoo artist and part time as an assistant manager at a thrift shop, it’s still a struggle to keep up with bills and rising costs: “When I was an apprentice, which was just two years ago, I quite literally had no food in my fridge or pantry.” Granted SNAP benefits in April, Nassise called the assistance “absolutely lifechanging,” with being able to to cook more healthy foods, and have the “dignity of choice.” The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, helps eligible residents afford groceries based on income, employment, and immigration status. Nationally, LGBTQ+ people are disproportionately affected by food insecurity. A UCLA Williams Institute report found that a [higher percentage of LGBTQ+ adults rely on SNAP benefits than non-LGBTQ+ adults.](https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/press/lgbt-snap-benefits-press-release/?ref=lookoutnews.org) Last Monday, [the Trump administration said that they will provide partial SNAP benefits](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/trump-administration/federal-judge-orders-trump-administration-pay-snap-benefits-contingenc-rcna241187?ref=lookoutnews.org) for November after a federal judge ruled that the administration must disburse funding for the program. That funding was later halted through a stay by the Supreme Court, and [has been extended recently](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/supreme-court/supreme-court-extends-temporary-pause-4-billion-snap-payments-november-rcna243071?ref=lookoutnews.org) to allow for Congress to fully fund the program. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/11/Screenshot-2025-11-12-at-8.52.42---AM.png) Food piled up throughout King Pigeon and Thrift Vintage, where they held a food drive the day that SNAP benefits were cut from people. (Photo by Annika Miyata) “These are real people in our communities,” Nassise said. “This isn’t some mythical entity that can’t afford food — this is your next door neighbor.” As uncertainty grows, local businesses have stepped in. Nassise’s employer, King Pigeon Thrift & Vintage, organized a food drive that collected about a thousand pounds of donations. “I cried at work, because I knew where my next meal was going to come from,” he said. [Queer-Friendly Businesses and Community Groups Fill the Gap as SNAP Benefits Freeze Hits ArizonaOn EBT? Want to help in the SNAP shutdown? Here are some places that are pulling together.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-182.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/image-from-rawpixel-id-3261521-original-1-1.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/queer-friendly-businesses-and-community-groups-fill-the-gap-as-snap-benefits-freeze-hits-arizona/) The all-day drive offered sandwich kits, produce, and pantry staples — no ID or proof of eligibility required. “The one silver lining of the freeze and the shutdown,” Nassise said, “is that I’ve seen in real time what community and mutual aid support look like.” Food drive attendee Murphy Acosta said that even though she doesn’t qualify for SNAP, events like King Pigeon’s help her and her partner survive. Her partner, Cody Villarreal, works two jobs but said rising costs make it hard to keep up. “It just feels like what you want to do is handicapped by the fact that you have to make more and more money and you have less and less time to enjoy yourself,” Villareal said. Phoenix resident Mary Blake, who also attended the drive, called the freeze “cruel and inhuman.” “Food insecurity should not be a thing,” Blake said. “Trying to punish people for being poor, even though they may be working full time and trying to care for their children, it’s just unacceptable.” ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### A MAGA Stronghold. A Queer Baker. And the Best Cinnamon Rolls In Northern Arizona. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-maga-stronghold-a-queer-baker-and-the-best-cinnamon-rolls-in-northern-arizona/ Last updated: 2026-02-11T12:25:24.000Z #### OutBack This is one in a series that uncovers the untold stories of LGBTQ+ life beyond the city, celebrating queer resilience, creativity, and community in Arizona's suburban and rural areas. [Read the full series here. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tag/outback/) Although Kingman is in one of Arizona’s most reliably red districts, it’s also home to one of the state’s proudest LGBTQ+ businesses: The Bearded Baker. If you’re driving by en route to Las Vegas or other destinations, pull off and pick up some goodies from Gideon Freeman, whose inspiring backstory, unwavering queer advocacy and tempting baking prowess have made him popular among the LGBTQ+ community and beyond. A cottage business, The Bearded Baker doesn’t have its own brick-and-mortar. But you can find the products around town. Freeman’s extensive product line includes more than a dozen flavors of sourdough bread along with bagels, cinnamon rolls, cheesecake, cookies, cream puffs, croissants, donuts, eclairs, muffins, sponge cake and more. Almost everything is under $10. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) The biggest selection is at West of 3rd, a woman-owned “regenerative lifestyle market” known for being a strong queer-friendly business, and Mudd on 66 (both in Kingman), as well as Oddly Classy Creations in Fort Mohave, farmers markets and the occasional pop-up. “He's always made our space feel safe and welcoming for everyone, and we love that about him,” West of 3rd co-owner Sarah Ferry said of Freeman. “People tell us all the time that our shop feels like a sanctuary, and he's a huge part of why that's true.” **“It feels like I’m doing magic”** Born and raised in a conservative Baptist family in Kingman, Freeman began decorating cakes at age 15 and eventually got a job doing it for a major grocery chain. After he came out, his family wouldn’t talk to him for many years. An unhealthy relationship in the mid-2010s led Freeman to drug addiction, homelessness, and a 10-month prison stint, which he credits for teaching him kindness and acceptance. He’s now openly polyamorous in a relationship with two partners—Lugh Deleeuw and Rowdy Short—who “fall under the trans umbrella,” as Freeman put it. They also help with The Bearded Baker. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/11/Bearded-Baker-trio.jpg) Gideon Freeman (center; he/him) is The Bearded Baker in Kingman, AZ, and his life partners Rowdy Short (left; they/them) and Lugh Deleeuw (he/him) also help with the business. Photo courtesy of The Bearded Baker. Being forced to rebuild his life led Freeman to rediscover his love of learning to bake. After getting laid off from another bakery, he spent his last $40 on ingredients and started a Facebook page under the name *That* Bearded Baker (“The” Bearded Baker was already taken). On July 1, 2019, Freeman got his official business tax ID number. Over time, he invested in equipment, bought a house and set up a room for baking. He credits friends and supporters for giving him a chance, including West of 3rd which provided shelf space and eventually a refrigerator in the store for treats like cheesecake and tiramisu. Freeman said what he loves most about baking is learning new things and developing new recipes. “The science behind it, it feels like I’m doing magic and magic spells,” he said. Local customer Rochelle Phillips said she doesn’t usually like sourdough, but says The Bearded Baker’s is “awesome.” “He has so many different flavors and kinds,” she said. “I don’t know what he does to it, but I eat the whole loaf.” But beyond the bread? There’s the community support, which Phillips said she also appreciates Freeman’s allieship of the LGBTQ+ community:he has a transgender son of her own. **Buy the cinnamon rolls** You’re much more likely to see a MAGA hat than a rainbow flag in Kingman. But it’s crucial for Freeman to be visible, because “other people being visible … and not being afraid has really opened the door for me to accept myself. He has served on the local Pride board, which organized the city’s first festival in 2020, just before the pandemic. And Freeman’s bout with addiction and homelessness made him a fervent supporter of unhoused people in Kingman. “After having been homeless, I couldn’t go anywhere in the city and see somebody on the side of the road and not take an extra look,” he said. “There are so many things that are not your fault.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/11/Bearded-Baker-by-Deen-Zooka-Photography.jpg) Gideon Freeman is The Bearded Baker in Kingman, AZ. He sells his bread and treats at West of 3rd and other outlets in Kingman, AZ. Photo by Deen Zooka Photography. Though Freeman is vocal about LGBTQ+ issues and rights on his Facebook page, he said for every 10, 20 or 50 followers he loses, he eventually gains scores more. The posts are intended to promote “conversation rather than controversy,” he explained. Freeman said when people clap back at him for his views, he asks questions like, “Do you have a personal experience of how a trans person has harmed you or why this policy would affect you negatively?” he said. “No one has ever been able to answer those questions for me.” And ultimately, food is the great equalizer. Freeman said that even though some customers boycott his business after paying attention to his posts, they often relent: “They will speak their shit and then still eventually come back and buy the cinnamon rolls, because they like them.” #### ****The Bearded Baker** Retail locations: West of 3rd, 224 E. Beale St., Kingman, AZ 86401; Mudd on 66, 217 E. Andy Devine Ave., Kingman, AZ 86401; and Oddly Classy Creations, 4470 S. Highway 95, Unit 6, Fort Mohave, AZ 86426. Contact: [facebook.com/thatbeardedbaker](http://facebook.com/thatbeardedbaker) ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### How Muralist Shela Yu Embraced Her Queer, Chinese American Story URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/how-muralist-shela-yu-embraced-her-queer-chinese-american-story/ Last updated: 2025-11-03T13:00:31.000Z Growing up in Mesa, Yu often felt out of step with her peers. Her queer identity, paired with her Chinese heritage, made her feel like an “oddball,” a label that stuck until she embraced both. “There is a beauty of freedom of expression that exists within the LGBTQ+ community,” Yu said. That freedom shaped how she creates, allowing her to live and work outside social norms. Her identities converge in her art: “What I'm doing now is just trying Asian American women in the setting of the orange desert,” Yu said. “It seems so simple to me. It’s like, that is my story because I was born and raised here.” [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Her connection to place and identity came full circle in October 2024, when she painted a mural in Mesa’s Asian District — a surreal experience for someone who grew up in the area before the neighborhood even existed. Yu works across murals, paintings, and music, reflecting on her identity and what it means to be a person. She is also a founding member of WAV Collection, or WAVCO, an independent Asian American music collective in Arizona. She said building community through projects like WAVCO was a “Godsend” for herself, as she had grown up battling stereotypes and expectations of who she was supposed to be. And since WAVCO’s inaugural performance event in August 2024, WAVCO has become a platform for local Asian American artists. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/11/Climate-Power-Mural.-Picture-includes-Yu-s-assistant--Mario-Garcia.-Photo-credit-Above-AZ.jpeg) A mural done by Shela Yu telling the story of climate resilience in Arizona. Photo by Mario Garcia. Courtesy of Above AZ. “Realizing our shared challenges and our shared growth, I find that really invaluable as someone who felt like such an oddball growing up in Mesa being an artsy fartsy Chinese-American kid who had, like, colorful hair,” Yu said. For years, Yu hesitated to call herself an artist, but a chance encounter with a friend’s daughter helped her see the impact of public art. “I am adding to this tapestry of what I would consider art that supports human growth and connectivity,” she said. Before working full-time as an artist, Yu spent a decade in the healing arts — as a caregiver, yoga teacher, and massage therapist — before the pandemic closed her practice. That pause allowed her to return to painting and music, rekindling a creative relationship she had lost touch with over the years. Her journey is ongoing. “I do believe that creativity has to come from a place of playing,” Yu said, noting that her identity as a queer Asian American woman can feel like a double-edged sword, carrying both responsibility and limitations. “I get to choose to call myself an artist because this is what I’m choosing to live my life as,” adding that her personal journey of self-discovery isn’t quite over: “I think I'm still navigating that.” ## Read the full series on Arizona's queer Asian culture creators below: [These Arizonans Are Shaping Local Queer Asian CultureThrough art, music, and community projects, these creators are amplifying queer Asian voices and reshaping Arizona’s cultural landscape.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-180.png)LOOKOUTAnnika Miyata (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/ASIANAMERICANHERO-2.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/p/dca85547-185d-4b94-a3f7-85b1d597d514/) ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### The Queer Chef Reviving Arizona’s Less-Discussed Chinese History URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/the-queer-chef-reviving-arizonas-less-discussed-chinese-history/ Last updated: 2025-11-12T22:00:03.000Z For decades Chinese chorizo was a staple food in Tucson’s Mexican and Chinese communities. But by the end of the 20th century, it had almost completely disappeared. With the Chinese Chorizo Project, Tucson chef Feng-Feng Yeh wants to revive this once lost historical food. Once a New York fashion designer, Yeh’s connection to Chinese chorizo is a story of homecoming and solidarity. [![A promotional banner showing people holding magazines and tote bags, encouraging readers to support local news, included on a page featuring Chinese Chorizo–related content.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) After years in the fashion industry, Yeh returned to Tucson during the pandemic. Finding a grant for community-based projects led her to think about her own community – one she said she had hardly learned of while in school. Learning about the Asian community “was like not a thing, really, back then when I was growing up,” Yeh said. “I had felt really alienated.” To find out about the role the Chinese community played in Tucson’s history was surprising to her. Yeh discovered through the Tucson Chinese Cultural Center that Chinese grocers throughout Arizona had played a not-insignificant role in their communities, helping uplift their neighbors in times of economic hardship. Yet, she found that these grocers and their legacies were lost to time, living on in only memories. Yeh founded the Chinese Chorizo Project in 2021, bringing back a once-beloved food and reminding Arizona of its rich cultural history. “To be able to carry a lost part of history is very powerful,” Yeh said. ### **The history of Chinese chorizo** Amidst discrimination and xenophobia, Chinese chorizo was formed out of partnerships between Mexican and Chinese communities. According to the [Tucson Chinese Cultural Center](https://www.tucsonchinese.org/history?ref=lookoutnews.org), Chinese immigrants first arrived in Tucson by the 1860s, first working as miners. Many would later become grocers or farmers. Living under policies such as the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, Chinese individuals faced violence and xenophobia. Chinese-operated grocery stores, both in Tucson and Phoenix, became a crucial element of neighborhood life, providing valuable services such as credit to customers unable to immediately pay. These Chinese grocers adapted to the Southwest, creating Chinese chorizo, which was often created from scrap meat and tailored to local tastes with Mexican spices. “They really did try to cater to their community,” Yeh explained, describing the relationship between Mexican and Chinese communities as symbiotic. “I thought this chorizo thing was like this beautiful metaphor for this immigrant experience.” Yeh said that after 1950, the number of Chinese grocers fell from over 100 to just five or less today, due to competition from larger grocers and owners encouraging their children to pursue other professions. “They all became obsolete \[...\] they don't exist anymore like how they used to,” Yeh said. With hardly anyone left to produce it, Chinese chorizo became lost in history. ### **The Chinese Chorizo Festival** In 2021, Yeh launched the Chinese Chorizo Festival in Tucson. Alongside chefs Maria Mazon and Jackie Tran, Yeh said she prepared hundreds of pounds of meat and vegan chorizo, which was distributed to Tucson restaurants for them to make Chinese chorizo dishes. Yeh didn’t expect to receive such a warm response. “Lots of different people who I didn't know were coming up to me and telling me, ‘Thank you’ for being able to be seen,” Yeh said. In recognition of Chinese chorizo’s significance to Tucson, in 2023, the Pima County Board of Supervisors named October ‘Chinese Chorizo Month.” At the heart of the Chinese Chorizo Project’s mission is intersectionality, demonstrating how marginalized communities worked together in the face of oppression. ![A colorful illustrated poster for a community workshop featuring bold lettering and graphic silhouettes, promoting an event tied to the Chinese Chorizo Project.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/11/fengfeng2.webp) A poster from the Chinese Chorizo Project.annik As a food borne out of solidarity between Mexican and Chinese communities, Chinese chorizo occupies a unique place in Arizonan history, which Yeh has leveraged to create educational opportunities. “It helps to keep people thinking about the common threads that we have,” Yeh said. One vehicle Yeh is utilizing to draw attention to these connections is public art. In June, the Chinese Chorizo Project unveiled a shade sculpture in Eastlake Park as part of *¡Sombra! Experiments in Shade*, a public art project designed to bring heat relief to Phoenix communities. Once home to numerous Chinese grocers, Eastlake Park has significant ties to marginalized communities and the Civil Rights movement. In preparation for *¡Sombra!*, Yeh found that residents in historically redlined districts, like Eastlake Park, experienced higher rates of heat related deaths than those living in other Phoenix residential areas, a trend she said continues in the present. ![A vibrant red sculptural shade structure in a park, with patterned cut-outs that echo motifs used in the Chinese Chorizo Project.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/11/Eastlake-16.png) **¡Sombra! Experiments in Shade*. “To be able to tell that story and make this link to how these racist practices have affected us, even into today, was really important,” Yeh said. The shade structure pays homage to the shared history of Asian and Black communities in the area, highlighting significant figures like Wing F. Ong, the first Chinese American to be elected into state legislature, and pastor and civil rights advocate Warren Stewart, Sr. “The foundation of us solving critical issues like the heat crisis is to actually appreciate and understand each other's histories and stories, good and bad, and to understand that we have been existing together,” Yeh said. The Chinese chorizo shade structure will be on display until November. ### **Erasure, solidarity and community.** At the surface, Chinese chorizo may just be food, but it represents the reclaiming of lost history and the active fight against erasure. “I wasn’t taught this history,” Yeh said. “Had I known all of this history growing up, it would have changed my outlook on my own identity.” As a queer artist and chef, Yeh’s work is part of a broader conversation about teaching intersectional history. ![A person poses inside a brightly decorated art installation featuring produce crates, posters, and patterned signage inspired by the Chinese Chorizo Project.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/11/FengFeng.jpg) Historical records of Tucson’s LGBTQ+ history are sparse – Yeh said she’s consulted leaders in Tucson’s LGBTQ+ community and come up with few results, highlighting the need to keep the past alive. “We have to continually check on \[history\] and take care of it, so that it doesn't get lost, so that people can continue to remember it and to learn from history,” Yeh said. Reclaiming Chinese chorizo’s once-lost history is just one aspect of carving out space for queer Asian voices. Yeh pointed to stereotypes and fetishization as a problematic aspect of the LGBTQ+ community that she hopes can be resolved with more representation. “By doing work through Chinese chorizo or like just in general, having more voices of the Asian community within the LGBTQ community, I think it gives our community more depth and more range.” Still, Yeh acknowledged that there is still more to be done for Asians in the LGBTQ+ community. “I encourage the Asian LGBTQ community to really be vocal and really make your presence noticed,” Yeh said. “We just need to be heard. We need to have more presence.” ## Read the full series on Arizona's queer Asian culture creators below: [These Arizonans Are Shaping Local Queer Asian CultureThrough art, music, and community projects, these creators are amplifying queer Asian voices and reshaping Arizona’s cultural landscape.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-181.png)LOOKOUTAnnika Miyata (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/ASIANAMERICANHERO-3.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/p/dca85547-185d-4b94-a3f7-85b1d597d514/) ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### These Arizonans Are Shaping Local Queer Asian Culture URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/these-arizonans-are-shaping-local-queer-asian-culture/ Last updated: 2026-01-20T16:31:58.000Z Arizona’s story is often told through wide brushstrokes — deserts, canyons, and the politics of the present. But beneath the surface exists histories that rarely make it into the mainstream narrative. Among them are the histories of Asian communities, whose presence in the state stretches back more than 150 years. Chinese immigrants arrived in the 1860s, first drawn to mining and railroad work, later opening grocery stores, restaurants, and farms that became critical hubs of economic and cultural life. They navigated systemic discrimination, the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, and xenophobic violence, yet forged alliances with other marginalized communities, including Mexican, Black, and Indigenous neighbors. Japanese, Filipino, Korean, and South Asian families arrived later, contributing to the state’s labor, culture, and community networks. Their legacies, though foundational, are often overlooked, erased, or remembered only in fragments. Within these histories exists another layer: queer Asian Arizonans. For decades, LGBTQ+ representation in Arizona — and nationally — has been dominated by the stories of white, urban gay men. But queer identity exists in every culture, and Asian communities have long harbored stories of resilience, creativity, and survival that intersect with sexuality and gender. These narratives often remain hidden, constrained by cultural expectations, generational trauma, and historical erasure. In Arizona, though, queer Asian artists, musicians, and chefs are stepping into visibility, reclaiming both space and history. Their work is more than self-expression; it is cultural reclamation, a means to honor ancestors, bridge communities, and reshape public memory. Consider the work of multidisciplinary artist Shela Yu, originally from Mesa, who paints, performs, and creates to highlight the lives of queer Asian American women in Arizona’s desert landscapes. Through murals, paintings, and music, she transforms personal identity into communal visibility, turning creativity into a practice of care and connection. In Tucson, chef and sculpture-artist Feng-Feng Yeh is reviving a decades-old recipe of Chinese chorizo, a food born from collaboration between Mexican and Chinese communities in the Southwest. Beyond the kitchen, Yeh uses this culinary history to have conversations about intersectionality, immigrant resilience, and the shared struggles of marginalized communities. Meanwhile, Phoenix-based musician Cameron Jeong blends Latin rhythms, Eastern scales, and fluid, gender-inclusive identity into music that defies categorization, using sound as a tool for healing and visibility. These creators exemplify how queer Asian voices in Arizona are reclaiming space — physical, cultural, and historical. Their stories remind us that identity is never singular: it is intersectional, layered, and expansive. They challenge the narrow lens through which history is often viewed, proving that Arizona’s queer stories are as diverse as its landscapes, as complex as its cultural heritage, and as vital as any in the broader LGBTQ+ movement. LOOKOUT’s *Queer, Asian, Arizonan* series lifts up these voices, highlighting how art, food, music, and activism intersect to create visibility, connection, and resilience. These stories honor histories that have too often been silenced, amplify present voices, and shape the future of what it means to be queer and Asian in Arizona. Read our series below: [The Queer Chef Reviving Arizona’s Less-Discussed Chinese HistoryChinese chorizo is being reborn in Tucson through Feng-Feng Yeh’s mission to preserve history, build visibility, and celebrate intersectional identity.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-176.png)LOOKOUTAnnika Miyata (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/FENGFENGHERO.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/p/a1e7976e-33eb-4bb3-aa2a-88e34ca2b7c8/) [How Muralist Shela Yu Embraced Her Queer, Chinese American StoryA queer Chinese American artist from Mesa, Yu blends identity, healing, and creativity to make space for visibility — and for play — in Arizona’s desert arts scene.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-177.png)LOOKOUTAnnika Miyata (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/YUHERO.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/p/2dc2e17b-b7fb-41e2-8860-87a7c2c970fc/) [This Artist’s Sound Is A Love Language To IdentityAs a Chinese-Mexican and queer musician in Arizona, Cameron Jeong uses music as medicine to blend cultures, genres, and identities in an attempt to help others feel seen.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-178.png)LOOKOUTAnnika Miyata (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/ASIANAMERICANHERO--2-.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/p/975cbab8-d95a-457f-a90f-3621086bad40/) [How a Mesa Dance Studio Grew From One Room Into A Queer Creative HubFifteen years after opening with almost no students, Leah and RaeRae Bancod-Roman have turned The Jukebox Grounds into a thriving Mesa dance studio — and a space where authenticity fuels art.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-209.png)LOOKOUTAnnika Miyata (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/4.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/how-a-mesa-dance-studio-grew-from-one-room-into-a-queer-creative-hub/) ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### This Artist’s Sound Is A Love Language To Identity URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/this-artists-sound-is-a-love-language-to-identity/ Last updated: 2025-11-03T16:13:48.000Z Cameron Jeong always knew she wanted to be a performing artist. From an early age, she found comfort in sound and movement. “I definitely felt very comfortable on stage, performing and channeling creativity through music.” Based in Arizona, the Chinese-Mexican musician combines Western influence, Eastern scales and Latin rhythm. But her art is also an act of visibility for herself and for others who don’t fit into boxes. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Being in a queer relationship empowered Jeong to freely express herself, particularly through music. “I try to be more inclusive,” Jeong said, referring to her usage of gender-neutral pronouns in her songs. “My fluidity is kind of married into my music and being genre-less.” Her song “Chrysalis” uses they/them pronouns, a small but deliberate way of making the queer community more visible. Her fascination with the healing power of music grew out of personal struggle. Diagnosed as bipolar and living with a hormone imbalance, Jeong found that performing was the best outlet for her to connect with others. That realization led her to study the transformative power of music, even working on projects that explore music as a form of “daily medicine.” “It was crazy how some people really connected with me through the way that I would dance or the way that I would sing,” Jeong said. “I felt really seen.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/11/Photo-by-@neilschwartzphoto--.jpg) Photo by Neil Schwartz, courtesy of Cameron Jeong. Visibility remains one of her biggest motivators in her career. “I was so in touch with my Mexican side and not as in tune with my Asian roots,” Jeong said. She said her current musical efforts reflect her deliberate efforts to “stop thinking in a box” and embrace her identity as a queer Hispanic and Asian artist. As a member of WAV Collective, an independent Asian American music collective in Arizona, she’s creating the visibility she didn’t see while growing up on the Mexican border. “It’s been an incredible blessing,” she said. “It's also really important right now in the political climate when there's so much division to really build that community and enhance our voices in a peaceful manner.” Ultimately, Jeong wants her music to help people connect with themselves and each other. “I’m just hoping that my music lets people’s boundaries and borders down,” Jeong said. ## Read the full series on Arizona's queer Asian culture creators below: [These Arizonans Are Shaping Local Queer Asian CultureThrough art, music, and community projects, these creators are amplifying queer Asian voices and reshaping Arizona’s cultural landscape.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-179.png)LOOKOUTAnnika Miyata (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/ASIANAMERICANHERO-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/p/dca85547-185d-4b94-a3f7-85b1d597d514/) ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Queer-Friendly Businesses and Community Groups Fill the Gap as SNAP Benefits Freeze Hits Arizona URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/queer-friendly-businesses-and-community-groups-fill-the-gap-as-snap-benefits-freeze-hits-arizona/ Last updated: 2025-10-29T16:51:50.000Z As the federal government pauses November SNAP benefits amid a funding lapse, queer-owned businesses and community organizations across Arizona are stepping in to feed neighbors in need. Here are some queer-aligned and allied businesses stepping up to help out: ### Know about more community groups offering support across the state? Email joseph@lookoutnews.org so we can update this list. **King Pigeon Thrift & Vintage** (4739 N Central Ave, Phoenix; open 10 a.m.–6 p.m. daily; [@kingpigeonthriftandvintage](https://www.instagram.com/kingpigeonthriftandvintage?ref=lookoutnews.org)) Through Nov. 1, King Pigeon is accepting nonperishable donationsoffering 10% off or a $10 gift card for donors. On Nov. 1 at 9 a.m., anyone affected by the SNAP freeze can pick up sandwich kits and groceries. Leftover items will go to community fridges and food banks. **Lovebite Dumplings** (116 E Roosevelt St, Phoenix, Phoenix; open 11 a.m.–4 p.m. daily; [@lovebitedumplings](https://www.instagram.com/lovebitedumplings?ref=lookoutnews.org)) From Nov. 1–8, free meals will be provided to anyone with an EBT or SNAP card. The small business encourages “pay it forward” donations to help cover costs. **Farm Express Mobile Markets** ([farmexpressmobilemarkets.org](https://www.instagram.com/farmexpressmobilemarkets?ref=lookoutnews.org)) On their Instagram page, Farm Express mobile markets, which is run by Activate Food Arizona, said that all donations to Activate Food Arizona would be given directly to families to buy their own groceries during the SNAP shutdown, giving them “more choice, more dignity and more care.” **Boycott Bar** (4308 N. 7th Ave., Phoenix; open 4 p.m.–2 a.m.; 602-555-0490; [@boycott\_bar](https://www.instagram.com/boycottbar?ref=lookoutnews.org)) The lesbain bar is hosting a food drive Tuesday, Nov. 4, from 6–9 p.m., Boycott Bar has pledged $1,000 in relief funds and is accepting community donations to support local families. **Empower AZ + LUCHA ACE** Their "Neighbor to Neighbor: Food for Every AZ Family" event on Saturday, Nov. 1, 9–11 a.m. offers community food distribution for families affected by the SNAP freeze. The event address is private, but interested participants can [sign up here](https://www.mobilize.us/luchaace/event/865642/?referring%5Fvol=1803668&share%5Fcontext=dashboard-event-details&sharer%5Frole=2&ref=lookoutnews.org) for details. **The Coronado PHX** (2245 N 12th St, Phoenix; open 1–5 p.m. daily; [@thecoronadophx](https://www.instagram.com/thecoronadophx?ref=lookoutnews.org)) Starting Nov. 1, The Coronado said on their Instagram page that they are offering meals to anyone with a SNAP or EBT card. Through a “Pay It Forward” program, patrons can donate $10 to provide a burrito and chips + salsa for someone in need. Meals are available from 1–5 p.m. daily Nov. 1–8, and the business will reassess the program based on demand. Donations can be made in-person or through their website. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### In the Face of A.I., Can Zines Save Queer Stories? URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/in-the-face-of-a-i-can-zines-save-queer-stories/ Last updated: 2025-10-29T15:31:39.000Z If you’ve been online this year, you might have experienced a barrage of popups announcing new artificial intelligence features: Your search engine results might have A.I. answers pinned at the top and you might have seen an A.I.-generated video of bunny rabbits bouncing on a trampoline. People are using A.I. for anything imaginable like writing love poems, press releases, professional emails, food recipes, and some are going as far as finding romantic companionship from robotic reassurance. And while some people call A.I. tools an “advancement” — with the ability to help people create, think, connect , and even love — [others are calling it “the death of the internet,”](https://medium.com/@ignacio.de.gregorio.noblejas/is-ai-slowly-killing-the-internet-the-dead-internet-theory-f89a5d6326b8?ref=lookoutnews.org) and have desires to go back to “old tech” and, with that, older ways of consuming news, media, and entertainment. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) And then there are the human impacts: In addition to being fraught with environmental impacts, A.I. chatbots fueled two recent incidents of suicide [including teenager Adam Raine](https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/26/tech/openai-chatgpt-teen-suicide-lawsuit?ref=lookoutnews.org) in California and a murder-suicide by [Stein-Erik Soelberg in New York](https://nypost.com/2025/08/29/business/ex-yahoo-exec-killed-his-mom-after-chatgpt-fed-his-paranoia-report/?ref=lookoutnews.org). The way the internet is changing is also playing a part in erasing LGBTQ+ history. “AI is created within an already oppressive system, which means it will likely exacerbate inequities and inequalities in representation on the internet, and in the digital history books, for all marginalized people, including LGBTQIA+ communities,” said Ames Meeks, co-director of Arizona Queer Archives in Tucson. “Not having accurate and adequate representation has repercussions for future generations of queer people, who will not have a shared or clear history.” By February 2025, more than 8,000 web pages across a dozen U.S. websites were removed, many of which held data specific to LGBTQ+ people and many contained words like “inclusion” or “transgender.” In addition to the recent web page changes taking place this year, a wider wiping of internet content is occurring. Pew Research Center states 38 percent of webpages existing in 2013 are no longer accessible and one in five government webpages contain broken links to references and other sources. The overall removal of webpages along with other scrubbing of queer information and art references across the web means both A.I. tools and humans alike have less online sources to pull from when gathering information. In short: Queer histories are being erased from our online spaces faster than we can capture them. In its place, do-it-yourself styled zines have filled that gap for people. India Johnson runs Late Night Copies Press with her partner Aiden Bettine out of Minneapolis and publishes zines about queer history and archives, do-it-yourself culture, and erotica. [Native Drag Artists Demand More Than Token SupportAs mainstream drag has become sanitized for mass audiences, Native performers are holding to their authenticity. They’re also calling out showrunners failing to assist native performers compared to their white peers.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-173.png)LOOKOUTLorenzo Gomes (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Indigenous-Drag-Story-Hour-1--1--1.JPG)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/native-drag-artists-demand-more-than-token-support/) “We've really only been able to see ourselves in print for 50-ish years. That's not a lot of time, and we should fiercely defend our ability to tell our own stories and shape our own narratives, as well as retain ownership over them after publication,” Johnson said. “I feel like each generation of LGBTQ people has to discover print for itself.” That’s where zines have entered the conversation. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/10/WIZD-Zine-Photos-3--1-.jpg) Photo by Charissa Lucille Zines are black and white or colorful, small self-published, independent booklets that contain any topic and medium under the sun. Zines can be bright containers of writing, photographs, comics, lists, poems, collage and anything in between. They contain personal writings, recipes, dreams, stories, illustrations and more. And for the people making zines, they can be an antidote to decaying online spaces and AI-generated writing and art. Another reason why zines are powerful? “Because it isn’t a person,” wrote Cathy Fastwolf in her article “A.I. Will Never Write a Zine,” published in the zine “The Future is Zines” in 2023\. “A.I. will never write a health zine about covid or mental illness, because A.I. has no unique flesh body, no thought or feeling linked to individual brain cells. It can’t bond with other zinesters or discover how its individual identity fits into a larger zine community, because intrinsic to the definition of zines is the concept of do-it-yourself. And A.I. has no original self with which to do it.” Zines have a long history of being one of the only media showcasing queer experiences. Older examples include “Fire!!” conceived by Langston Hughes and Richard Nugent in 1926, and Edythe Eyde’s, aka Lisa Bean, 1947 “Vice Versa” zine for lesbians. Zines are unedited historical documents of queer art, societal struggles, and cultural lexicons spanning many decades. They cannot be easily erased, tracked, or banned. The relevance of zines and independent publishing is reiterated with each passing year of censorship, sanitation, and discrimination. To combat ongoing erasure, independent and academic libraries preserve queer histories by cataloguing and digitally archiving zines, audio transcriptions, videos, photographs, and more. Some archives are open to the public to visit and some are stored in searchable online databases. Nationally, you can find queer archives at LGBTQ Iowa Archives & Library, Gerber Hart Library & Archives, and Tretter Trans Oral History Project to name a few. In Arizona, there are numerous queer archives including Arizona Queer Archives, Arizona State University’s Bj Bud Memorial Archives, Wasted Ink Zine Library’s Queer Collection, and Arizona LGBT+ History Project. But where zines have in the past been used as just a way to express community art or political messaging, those involved in zine archives said they see more people making zines, and using them in different ways — as alternative sources for trustworthy news. [LGBTQ Film Festival Continues After Arizona BanWith Desperado cancelled due to Maricopa Community College’s capitulation toward Trump, the nation’s largest queer film festival is bringing free virtual screenings to Arizona audiences.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-174.png)LOOKOUTTuesday Mahrle (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-09-03-at-7.09.55---AM-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/newfest-steps-in-after-arizona-lgbtq-film-festival-canceled-by-diversity-ban/) Charlie Alexander, a co-owner of Transgender/Nonbinary Education & Trainings in Albuquerque, says zines are being more valued within the last few years as people move toward community interdependence: “I have co-written multiple zines on transition-related topics as a way to combat misinformation especially during this political moment when it has become harder to find information on transition.” Meeks, with Arizona Queer Archives, said they’re seeing more people, groups, and organizations create zines in response to the 2024 election, surveillance, censorship, and A.I. They recently received a $3,000 grant from Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona stART to support this effort and collaborate with 6 local organizations to create zines. Even news outlets are beginning to use zines to widen their readership. One zine published early August 2025 titled “Starved For Care”was created by the Investigative Reporting Lab at Yale in collaboration with Arizona Luminaria. This zine artistically details the experiences of Mary Faith Casey who was jailed in Pima County on charges tied to her homelessness. Casey didn’t receive proper medical care and eventually she died. The zine discusses additional potential negligence in Pima County jails and highlights numerous similar instances across the nation. In a world of evolving tech-fueled surveillance, erasure, and misinformation, self-published paper zines are here to stay. A.I. might not be the advancement we want and need. The next time you catch yourself doom scrolling or about to ask A.I. a question, maybe consider picking up a zine instead or make one of your own. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Este grupo comunitario enseña lo que las aulas de Arizona no enseñan URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/este-grupo-comunitario-ensena-lo-que-las-aulas-de-arizona-no-ensenan/ Last updated: 2026-01-05T17:37:43.000Z En una sofocante tarde de martes de julio, decenas de personas LGBTQ+ de habla hispana se reunieron en Trans Queer Pueblo, en el centro de Phoenix. Los ventiladores zumbaban, la gente se secaba el sudor de la frente y vasos de agua de jamaica y horchata chocaban contra sillas metálicas plegables mientras la temperatura se mantenía por encima de los 100 grados después del atardecer. Aun así, el ambiente era alegre. El público reía y aplaudía mientras el Coordinador de Justicia en Salud, Aron Castillo, pasaba un micrófono, pidiendo a cada persona que se presentara y compartiera un mito que hubiera escuchado sobre el sexo. Una persona bromeó diciendo que antes pensaba que la gente religiosa no tenía sexo. Otra mencionó ideas erróneas de larga data sobre las infecciones de transmisión sexual. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) “Para muchas de nosotras y nosotros, no hablábamos de sexualidad con nuestros padres”, dijo Castillo. “Crecimos con mitos para asustarnos. Esa fue la educación que tuvimos”. Castillo ayudó a organizar el evento de esa noche, “Sex Ed Lotería”, una versión del tradicional juego mexicano tipo bingo. En lugar de gallos o diablos, las cartas mostraban imágenes de salud sexual con etiquetas en español —“condón interno”, “el consentimiento”, “anticonceptivos”. Cuando se cantaba una nueva carta, las personas organizadoras leían su definición. Quienes ganaban se llevaban premios como juguetes sexuales, vibradores y botellas de lubricante aromatizado. La idea es simple: hacer que el aprendizaje sea divertido, accesible y, sobre todo, inclusivo. ### La brecha de educación sexual en Arizona Esa inclusividad está en gran medida ausente en las escuelas de Arizona. El estado apenas ha comenzado a desmantelar leyes arraigadas en la discriminación anti-LGBTQ+. En 2019, Arizona derogó una ley de décadas que prohibía las representaciones positivas de relaciones entre personas del mismo sexo en las escuelas públicas, tras una demanda presentada por estudiantes y Equality Arizona. Dos años después, la Legislatura también eliminó una disposición que exigía a las escuelas “promover el honor y el respeto por las relaciones heterosexuales monógamas”. Pero siguen vigentes reglas restrictivas sobre educación sexual. La ley estatal permite que las escuelas aborden la transmisión del VIH, pero exige que promuevan la abstinencia por encima de los anticonceptivos o de la PrEP, un medicamento usado más comúnmente por hombres gay, pero disponible para cualquier persona para prevenir el VIH. Y no existe ningún mandato para impartir educación sexual en absoluto, lo que deja a algunos estudiantes sin instrucción alguna y a otros con cursos que, según personas críticas, son inadecuados, politizados y excluyentes para la juventud LGBTQ. Las personas defensoras también señalan disposiciones vagas, como las prohibiciones de “actos y prácticas sexuales anormales, desviadas o inusuales”, que, dicen, podrían utilizarse para atacar a estudiantes queer. “Cuando pensamos en educación sexual, pensamos en enseñarles a niños pequeños cómo ponerse un condón cuando ni siquiera están listos todavía. Pero es mucho más que eso”, dijo Sheily Quiñonez, coordinadora de medios de Trans Queer Pueblo. Señaló que en los programas escolares suelen faltar lecciones sobre el consentimiento, la diferencia entre sexo consensuado y no consensuado, y la importancia del placer. ### Construyendo salud comunitaria En Trans Queer Pueblo, la educación comunitaria se ve distinta. La Junta Comunitaria semanal del grupo ofrece un espacio para aprender sobre temas que van desde la salud hasta los derechos laborales —y también para simplemente compartir una comida gratuita juntas y juntos—. Eventos como Sex Ed Lotería se combinan con servicios directos. La organización también administra una clínica de salud gratuita que ofrece acceso a hormonas, condones y productos menstruales. Algunas personas asistentes dijeron que fue a través del programa que se enteraron por primera vez de que la PrEP puede ser utilizada por personas más allá de los hombres gay, o incluso de que existen los condones internos. Ese vacío de conocimiento es precisamente lo que el grupo espera cerrar. “Hemos fallado a nuestra gente en nuestras comunidades y en nuestras escuelas”, dijo Quiñonez. “Y por eso Trans Queer Pueblo está tratando de cambiar eso hoy, de llevar el conocimiento a nuestra comunidad”. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### This Grassroots Group Teaches What Arizona Classrooms Won’t URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/this-grassroots-group-teaches-what-arizona-classrooms-wont/ Last updated: 2025-11-12T21:57:12.000Z On a sweltering Tuesday evening in July, dozens of Spanish-speaking LGBTQ+ community members gathered at Trans Queer Pueblo in central Phoenix. Fans whirred, people wiped sweat from their brows, and cups of hibiscus tea and horchata clinked against foldable metal chairs as the temperature lingered above 100 degrees after sunset. Still, the mood was bright. The crowd laughed and cheered as Health Justice Coordinator Aron Castillo passed around a microphone, asking each person to introduce themselves and share a myth they’d heard about sex. One attendee joked that they used to think religious people don’t have sex. Another mentioned long-standing misconceptions about sexually transmitted infections. [![Promotional banner encouraging readers to become a Lookout member, featured alongside coverage of a Grassroots Group focused on community education.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) “For a lot of us, we didn't speak about sexuality with our parents,” Castillo said. “We grew up with myths to scare us. That’s the education that we had.” Castillo helped organize the night’s event, “Sex Ed Lotería,” a spin on the traditional Mexican bingo-style game. Instead of roosters or devils, the cards featured sexual health images labeled in Spanish — “condón interno” (internal condom), “el consentimiento” (consent), “anticonceptivos” (contraceptives). When a new card was called, organizers read out its definition. Winners walked away with sex toys, vibrators, and bottles of scented lubricant as prizes. The idea is simple: make learning fun, accessible and, most importantly, inclusive. ### **Arizona’s sex ed gap** That inclusivity is largely missing from Arizona schools. The state only recently began dismantling laws rooted in anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination. In 2019, Arizona repealed a decades-old law that barred positive portrayals of same-sex relationships in public schools, following a lawsuit from students and Equality Arizona. Two years later, lawmakers also stripped a provision requiring schools to “promote honor and respect for monogamous heterosexual relationships.” [The State of Inclusive Sex Education in ArizonaFormer students tell their stories on how the state’s restrictive sex education programs affected their lives and relationships![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-171.png)LOOKOUTShelby Rae Wills (they/she)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/KapuaIoane-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/how-arizonas-sex-education-classes-prepared-and-failed-students/) But restrictive sex ed rules remain. State law allows schools to cover HIV transmission but requires that they promote abstinence over contraceptives or PrEP, a medication most commonly used by gay men but available for anyone to prevent HIV. And there’s no mandate to teach sex education at all, leaving some students with no instruction and others with courses critics say are inadequate, politicized and exclusionary toward LGBTQ youth. Advocates also point to vague provisions, such as prohibitions on “abnormal, deviate, or unusual sexual acts and practices,” which they say could be weaponized to target queer students. “When we think of sex education, we think about teaching little kids about how to put on a condom when they're not even ready yet. But it's more than that,” said Sheily Quiñonez, a media coordinator with Trans Queer Pueblo. She said lessons on consent, the difference between consensual and non-consensual sex, and the importance of pleasure are usually missing from school-based programs. ### **Building community health** At Trans Queer Pueblo, community education looks different. The group’s weekly *Junta Comunitaria* (community meeting) offers space for people to learn about topics ranging from health to workers’ rights — and to simply share a free meal together. Events like Sex Ed Lotería are paired with direct services. The organization also runs a free health clinic that provides access to hormones, condoms and menstrual products. [Attempting to avoid LGBTQ+ issues, school districts are denying basic sexual health education.Superintendents pointed to anti-LGBTQ+ culture wars and fear of repercussions as reasons why kids are not being taught sex-ed.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-172.png)LOOKOUTShelby Rae Wills (they/she)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/AdobeStock_379034656.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/sex-education-denied-because-lgbtq-issues/) Some attendees said they first learned through the program that PrEP can be used by people beyond gay men, or that internal condoms even exist. That knowledge gap is exactly what the group hopes to close. "We have failed our people in our communities and our schools,” Quiñonez said. “And this is why Trans Queer Pueblo is trying to change that today, to bring in the knowledge to our community.” ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Extremist Groups Reemerge Amid Backlash to Charlie Kirk Shooting URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/outrage-over-charlie-kirk-fueled-extremist-group-resurgence-in-arizona/ Last updated: 2025-10-22T13:00:26.000Z In the hours after far-right activist Charlie Kirk was shot at a Utah university, prominent right-wing figures called for retribution. And in Arizona, once-dormant extremist groups began to resurge. Within minutes of Kirk’s shooting, far-right politicians and activists flooded social media with unfounded claims that the “far-left” was to blame: School-shooting conspiracy theorist Alex Jones declared, “This is war” on his Infowars channel. Chaya Raichik, the operator of the anti-LGBTQ+ account Libs of TikTok, issued a similar post on X. And Steve Bannon, the former advisor to President Donald J. Trump, told viewers on his livestream that “Charlie Kirk’s a casualty of war. We’re at war in this country.” Then Stewart Rhodes, founder and leader of the anti-government extremist group Oath Keepers—and a former clerk for Arizona Supreme Court Justice Mike Ryan—also appeared on Infowars. He said he intended to restart his militia to provide public “protection” for political figures such as Kirk. The next night, a far-right extremist group in Southern Arizona resurfaced online for the first time in more than three years. Within a few weeks, another extremist group in Northern Arizona had told supporters to show up at a school board meeting. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) The pattern echoed past moments in Arizona politics, where online outrage prompted by national right-wing figures played out among residents in cities and towns across the state. There, local extremist groups seized the opportunity to reassert themselves. Even though neither of the actions materialized, one local elected official was forced to temporarily relocate. ### **A Tucson-based Extremist Group Reemerges** On Sept. 11, the day after Rhodes’ directive for militias to reactivate, one group in Arizona that calls itself the “Arizona Armed Milita \[sic\]” posted to its Facebook page, targeting Tucson Vice Mayor and City Council Member Lane Santa Cruz, who is nonbinary, because of an Instagram story Santa Cruz shared from their personal account the night Kirk died. The extremist group accused Santa Cruz of mocking Kirk’s death and urged its followers to protest outside of Tucson City Hall the following Monday. Before that week, the group’s Facebook page had been inactive since 2022, when it had spread disinformation about drag performers at a Tucson Children’s Museum event. Screenshots from Santa Cruz’s story—including a repost from pastor-turned-activist John Pavlovitz that referenced Kirk’s dismissal of “empathy” as a “made-up, new-age term”—circulated rapidly among conservative networks. Scott Pressler, a gay man known for propagating far-right conspiracy theories who’s also part of the movement pushing to separate trans people from LGBTQ+ rights, used his platform to ask people in Tucson if “this is who you want representing you.” Pressler’s post was shared by thousands of users on Truth Social, the American alt social media platform owned by Trump’s technology company. Locally, former state Sen. Justine Wadsack (R-Tucson) and current state Rep. Rachel Keshel (R-Tucson) called for Santa Cruz to resign. Keshel’s statement, amplified by the Arizona House of Representatives Republican Party’s X account, accused Santa Cruz and a staffer of fueling “horrendous events” and partially blamed the political left for Kirk’s assassination. She doubled down, tagging U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and the FBI’s X accounts in a request to “take a closer look at hate speech and rhetoric like this being classified as incitement of violence.” Later that afternoon, the story of Santa Cruz’s post twice made the news on local TV station KVOA. By Sept. 13, *LOOKOUT* learned that Santa Cruz and their staff were forced to relocate due to threats and harassment. “The misrepresentation of my Instagram story has resulted in an online mob and direct threats toward me, my family, and my staff,” Santa Cruz said in an email to *LOOKOUT*. “I had to close my Ward 1 office and move my team to remote work. I also left my home out of an abundance of caution once I found that my address was leaked online.” Santa Cruz said the story at the center of conservatives’ campaign—“Krama, if you know you know. diosito te maldiga”—was misinterpreted. “Nowhere in that post do I reference \[Kirk\],” Santa Cruz said. “The intentional misspelling of ‘karma’ was a childhood reference \[to a word\] that people I grew up with often misspelled and believed it meant ‘God be damned.’ … It was familiar only to those who share that context, not a comment condoning the assassination.” But on the morning of Sept. 15, no extremist group members appeared at city hall. Instead, counter protesters, police wearing “community network” patches, and television crews gathered in anticipation of a confrontation that never came. ## HOW IT ALL UNFOLDED ### **A Similar Presence in the Chino Valley** Despite Santa Cruz’s clarification, their stories proliferated in internet echo chambers, and people continued to say that they celebrated Kirk’s shooting. Some Kirk fans launched online efforts to identify and punish others accused of making similar remarks, like in Chino Valley where the far-right group The Lions of Liberty commended the school district’s decision to recommend firing a teacher who had allegedly posted a message on social media critical of Kirk. In a statement, Chino Valley Unified School District said the post was made by an off-duty district employee using a personal device. The district recommended terminating the worker at the Oct. 13 governing board meeting, according to the statement. The Lions of Liberty, an anti-government extremist group that’s known for having attempted to “monitor” ballot boxes during the 2022 midterm elections and was later sued by the League of Women Voters of Arizona for voter intimidation, called on the school district to “investigate” other teachers for any messages referencing Kirk, and urged its followers to attend the school board meeting to put pressure on dismissing the employee. However, attendees at the board meeting said no one from The Lions of Liberty showed up. Rather, counter-protesters arrived at the governing board meeting in solidarity with the employee. Calls to punish critics of Kirk have sprouted up across the internet, primarily from far-right accounts, lawmakers and political influencers. Drop Site News reported that at least 50 people across industries, like schools, universities, airlines, tech firms, and government agencies, were facing firings, suspensions, or investigations as of mid-September over alleged comments about Kirk’s assassination. A short-lived website calling itself the “Charlie Kirk Data Foundation” encouraged users to submit the social media profiles of people who promoted or glorified political violence. It claimed to be a “lawful data aggregator” rather than a “doxxing website.” For those on the receiving end of internet harassment, the threats are grave: “The harassment has real impacts,” Santa Cruz said. “We’re living with that reality every day.” *Additional reporting by Joseph Darius Jaafari* ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Tucson Pride Postpones Festival Amid Financial Troubles URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-pride-postpones-festival-amid-financial-troubles/ Last updated: 2025-10-22T05:04:30.000Z Tucson Pride, the state’s oldest LGBTQ+ organization and the producer of Arizona’s first Pride celebration, announced Monday that it’s moving its 2025 parade and festival from Nov. 22, 2025, to early 2026\. The decision, Tucson Pride’s board said in a press release on Tuesday, comes after months of logistical and financial challenges that made the original date untenable. The reasons for the move were both logistical and financial, according to the release: November’s planned parade would have overlapped with El Tour de Tucson, one of the city’s largest annual events that also requires road closures and significant police staffing. Without the ability to secure a parade permit, Tucson Pride leaders opted to delay the full event rather than proceed without the parade. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) “This move isn’t just about changing dates—it’s about ensuring Pride’s long-term sustainability,” said Board President Jeff Fulgham. “By moving to February, we’re creating the time and stability needed to deliver a celebration that reflects the strength and joy of Tucson’s LGBTQIA+ community.” While the full parade and festival are now scheduled for February 2026, organizers said they’ll still host smaller Pride-themed gatherings this November “to keep the spirit alive and the community connected.” But the organization—which is also third-oldest Pride celebration in the United States—has faced financial problems. Last year's Pride festival coincided with a heatwave that drove down attendance and revenue, leaving Tucson Pride with debt that it’s now resolving through an incoming bequest, according to the release. The group also temporarily lost its nonprofit status after missing filings between 2021 and 2022, though a CPA firm is finalizing the paperwork for reinstatement. On top of that, national declines in LGBTQIA+ sponsorships and donations have hit local fundraising efforts hard, according to the release. Tucson Pride’s board said the extra months will give them space to rebuild leadership capacity and strengthen operations. “We’ll come together for smaller events this November and reunite in full force for the parade and festival on February 21,” Fulgham said. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### OUTWATCH Festival Returns With a Message: “Home Is What You Make It” URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/outwatch-festival-returns-with-a-message-home-is-what-you-make-it/ Last updated: 2025-10-15T17:21:27.000Z After a bruising year for Arizona’s LGBTQ+ community marked by political attacks, rising polarization, and burnout among organizers, *LOOKOUT —* Arizona's only LGBTQ+ news organization *—* is answering back with its third annual OUTWATCH Festival, a three-day event centered on joy, connection, and collective healing. Held Nov. 7–9 across Phoenix, the 2025 festival’s theme, “The Homecoming,” reclaims a tradition often reserved for school spirit and straight nostalgia. But *LOOKOUT*’s take is different. “Forget the corsages and fake crowns,” said Joseph Darius Jaafari, *LOOKOUT*’s founder and editor in chief. “This homecoming is about reclaiming your space and celebrating the family you choose.” That concept of belonging without conformity is the beating heart of this year’s festival. While past OUTWATCH events focused on visibility and political defiance, 2025’s programming aims to rebuild fractured connections within the community itself. “What we’ve heard is that people feel fragmented,” Jaafari said. “They don’t know about other groups, or they just don’t get along. So we’re creating space for play, laughter, and conversation. Those are the things that remind us we’re on the same team.” The weekend kicks off Friday with “A Year in Review,” a town hall and panel that brings together advocates, legal experts, and activists to talk about the state of LGBTQ+ rights in Arizona. Speakers on the panel include elected representatives, community organizers, nonprofit directors, and business leaders, and also includes a volunteer fair for attendees to register their help. "When we did a town hall earlier this year, people's main complain was that they left feeling a bit helpless," Jaafari said. "So this time we're gathering nonprofits that need help to show up and get people signed up on various projects where attendees feel they can be most valuable." Saturday’s event, “A Night in the Park,” invites attendees to release some tension with a community kickball game, a community dinner, and a movie screening. "We've heard that our community doesn’t see each other because we’re divided by politics, religion, or points of view. By putting people into games where they have to compete and collaborate, we break down those walls. At the end, we share a meal, a laugh, and remember that connection matters more than the differences that separate us," Jaafari said. The festival closes Sunday with “Homecoming,” a daytime dance party at Central Records featuring D.C.-based DJ Tommy C of Honcho and The Needle Exchange, with food, drinks, and performances. The Friday and Saturday events are free to the public, but require a reservation since the locations are being held secret for safety precautions. Tickets to the dance party at Central Records can be [bought online here.](https://www.eventcreate.com/e/outwatch2025?ref=lookoutnews.org) Sponsored by Be Well Family Care and One Arizona, Jaafari said OUTWATCH Fest reflects LOOKOUT’s mission: journalism that doesn’t just inform but also strengthens community ties. “We can’t just keep writing about pain,” Jaafari said. “We also have to build spaces where people can see each other again—sweat together, laugh together, and remember why we’re fighting in the first place.” Media Contact: Jake Hylton, Executive Director, LOOKOUT jake@lookoutnews.org ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### LGBTQ+ Youth Feel They Are Being Forced Out of Nogales URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/lgbtq-youth-feel-they-are-being-forced-out-of-nogales/ Last updated: 2025-10-15T16:43:44.000Z One evening near Nogales, Arizona, Idaly Banuelos stood with her father at a Gloria Trevi show across the border in Sonora. The stage lights dimmed, and a group of drag performers appeared, glitter catching in the spotlight. Banuelos, still a child, turned to her dad with wide-eyed curiosity. “Are they men or women?” she asked. It was her first glimpse of drag, her first sense that gender expression could stretch beyond the rules she had been taught in catechism class back home. In Nogales, where tradition and religion shape almost every corner of daily life, it was a moment that cracked open the possibility of something different. For Banuelos and many other queer youth raised in this small desert city, those glimpses mattered. They came rarely and often from outside Nogales, a place that can feel as isolating as it is tight-knit. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) ### **A town rooted in tradition** Nogales is a border city that blends Mexican American culture with agriculture, history, and faith. It is small enough that “everyone knows everyone,” as locals like to say, yet large enough to be considered a city. To grow up here is to live under the gaze of family, friends, neighbors, and the church. With a majority Hispanic population, religion is everywhere. Catholicism and Christianity guide community life, from baptisms before babies can chew their first bites of food to Sunday sermons and catechism classes. Children learn about Jesus, the Bible and cultural events such as Día de los Reyes and Semana Santa. The milestones of Catholic life — baptism, communion, confirmation — arrive in steady succession, so ingrained that for most children, catechism feels less like a religious rite and more like another after-school hangout. But the lessons sink in nonetheless. Among them: being queer is a sin. In Nogales, queerness is not taught, celebrated or even discussed in most homes. Instead, it shows up as the punchline to a joke, the subject of insults on school playgrounds or whispers in church pews. For LGBTQ+ youth, the first real exposure to queerness often comes through TV shows, internet searches or rare moments of discovery beyond town lines. Banuelos began questioning her sexuality in middle school, but she didn’t have the words to name her feelings. She worried about being outed against her will or facing rejection from family. She knows how lucky she was: her mother loved and supported her, no matter what: not something every queer person in Nogales can relate to. Still, homophobia was everywhere. She remembers students ridiculing members of the Gender and Sexuality Awareness Club in high school. She remembers how easily the word “gay” was tossed as an insult. For Banuelos, the COVID pandemic became a turning point. Isolated from the routines of Nogales, she began exploring her identity more deeply. Moving away for college gave her the freedom to find a community that embraced her (something she had never experienced at home.) She saw it happen to others, too: “Multiple people leave Nogales and later come to discover or embrace their queer identity,” she said. It reinforced what she already felt: that many hide or suppress their sexuality while living here. ### **Religion’s shadow** The weight of Catholic teaching lingered. “That’s not a fear I’ve gotten over until recently, like in the last year,” Banuelos said, describing the church’s message that being gay meant eternal damnation. “It wasn’t just the church teaching its students how to have a connection with God, they were teaching you how you should view the world — which damaged my perception of it,” she said. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/10/Nogales-Church-Sacred_Heart_Church-1897-2.jpg) The message, she added, was clear: “If you don’t follow these exact things, you’re going to hell. And it’s just really scary and a lot of pressure to put on young kids.” Eventually, separating from Catholicism allowed Banuelos to shed some of that fear. It wasn’t until she met her girlfriend that she felt free enough to say, “I would risk going to hell to experience love.” Not everyone carried the same burden of faith. Michelle Granados grew up in Nogales, too, and attended church and catechism as a child. But she never believed in what she was being taught. “When I would go to catechism, it was so unserious for me. I was just there because I was forced to go, but it wasn’t like I was really taking it in,” she said. Religion didn’t shape her understanding of her sexuality. Instead, she worried about what her parents might think, whether her family would accept her, whether she’d be able to have children like a straight couple. Even with those fears, Granados loved Nogales for its sense of community and shared immigrant roots. Compared to how immigrants are treated in other parts of the country, she felt grateful to grow up there. But in queer spaces, that same community often vanished. By her senior year of high school, Granados was in her first same-sex relationship. She didn’t expect backlash. Pop culture seemed to suggest her classmates would accept it. She was wrong. As whispers spread, Granados felt stripped of her privacy. Students made inappropriate comments about what she and her partner did at sleepovers. At parties, they followed the couple to see if they’d kiss. “I felt like I was 15 again, like a freshman walking into a classroom with upperclassmen. I felt different and like everyone knew my business,” she said. It wasn’t scrutiny that straight couples faced, Granados added. And for many students, seeing a queer relationship firsthand was more jarring than watching it play out on a TV screen. “I felt like I had no privacy anymore. Here I am trying to explore a relationship where it’s already hard on both of us from our families and we can’t even come to a friend’s party and be ourselves away from the scrutiny eyes because they’re here too,” she said. ### **Silence at home, slurs at school** Miguel Soto’s story runs parallel. Like Banuelos and Granados, he began thinking about his sexuality in middle school. But the hostility around him — slurs from classmates, remarks from family — made it clear he could not be openly queer. “It was definitely a ‘hide it’ type of thing,” Soto said. Unlike most kids in Nogales, Soto never went through catechism. He was baptized, but that was it. People were often shocked to learn it. Still, he wasn’t free from what he called “Catholic guilt.” The cultural weight of religion hung over him even without weekly classes. “People in Nogales are just uneducated and that leads to ignorance,” Soto said. “So, it’s kind of this endless cycle of uneducated people in the town, and those who don’t leave stay there and perpetuate the same cycle.” The pandemic offered Soto something unexpected: time to reflect and a platform to express himself. He started a TikTok account and quickly built a following of 20,000\. For once, he didn’t have to hide. One day, he posted a video announcing he was bisexual. He didn’t expect people from Nogales to see it. They did. But nothing changed, he said. He stayed true to himself and let people think whatever they wanted. ### **Signs of change** For all the challenges Banuelos, Granados and Soto faced, they see glimmers of hope for the next generation. “My little sister’s generation was completely different,” Banuelos said. “She was able to make a huge queer friend group, which I would have never imagined to have in high school.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/10/Nogales-Pride-Insta-Shot.png) Still, LGBTQ+ visibility remains scarce in Nogales — in media, in government, in daily life. And many who identify as queer don’t stay. “A big part of it is because if you are queer you’re probably not going to stay in Nogales — you’re probably going to move away and try to expand somewhere else,” Banuelos said. Leaving, though, doesn’t mean abandoning the town. For some, it’s the first step in imagining what Nogales could become. Leaving Nogales doesn’t mean giving up on it, it might just be the first step toward changing it. ### Native Drag Artists Demand More Than Token Support URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/native-drag-artists-demand-more-than-token-support/ Last updated: 2025-10-15T16:07:29.000Z Drag is more than performance. It’s more than wigs, heels, and painted faces. In the 1950s, drag performers challenged ideas of masculinity and femininity, influencing conversations on women’s liberation and gay rights. They explored gender not just for themselves, but as a social statement. During the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s and 1990s, drag became bold, political, and in-your-face. Performers used humor and extravagance to push back against government neglect while entertaining communities devastated by the crisis. Shows like *RuPaul’s Drag Race* propelled drag into the mainstream, shifting focus away from the politics and toward pageantry. . Today, with far-right attacks on drag and LGBTQ+ rights, some performances have returned to their roots as acts of resistance. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) For Indigenous drag performers, though, that resistance has always been there. Indigenous drag artists weave culture into their art, challenging Western narratives and affirming that Two-Spirit, trans, and queer people have existed in Native communities long before labels. Amid [legislation targeting drag, gender-affirming care, and LGBTQ+ protections](https://www.aclu.org/legislative-attacks-on-lgbtq-rights-2025?ref=lookoutnews.org), Indigenous queer people face compounded threats—not only erasure but violence. Threats to sovereignty, including [mining on sacred Apache lands](https://apnews.com/article/supreme-court-arizona-oak-flat-copper-mining-apache-64bb0d7c2bbf544f707ce3a421b67209?ref=lookoutnews.org) and the ongoing [Missing and Murdered Indigenous People](https://www.bia.gov/service/mmu?ref=lookoutnews.org) crisis, add to the danger. A [study by the Sovereign Bodies Institute and the California Rural Indian Health Board](https://www.sovereign-bodies.org/%5Ffiles/ugd/6b33f7%5Fbc2e17b8500049a6bc64d055272d0649.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) found Native 2SLGBTQ+ people are far more likely to experience sexual assault, domestic violence, and neglect. Jurisdictional gaps often leave cases unresolved. For Indigenous drag artists reclaiming space today, the fight is intersectional and complex. In Crownpoint, New Mexico, [Lady Shug](https://www.instagram.com/ladyshugdrag/?ref=lookoutnews.org), a Diné drag queen and grassroots organizer, confronts these challenges head-on. Through performance and mutual aid, she provides visibility and care in a world that often denies queer and Indigenous people both. Shug fights erasure and the commodification of queerness. Her message: Indigenous queer people have always been here, and they need more than tokenized support. While mainstream drag is often sanitized for mass audiences, artists like Shug create spaces on their own terms—on stage, in their communities, and on their land. ### **Baby Shug** “Growing up in a time where the white man was superior, you learn to keep your head down,” Shug said during one of our weekly calls from her home in Crownpoint, part of Dinétah, the Navajo homeland. The connection was spotty; [nearly 13,000 families](https://payneinstitute.mines.edu/electricity-access-in-the-navajo-nation/?ref=lookoutnews.org#:~:text=Many%20Navajo%20Tribal%20members%2C%20some,Energy's%20Office%20of%20Indian%20Affairs.) on the reservation live without stable electricity or running water. Raised with both traditional Diné and Christian practices, Shug was taught to hide her queerness. In private, she wrapped a towel around her head to mimic long hair and slipped into her grandmother’s heels. In public, she kept her head down. “To be out and queer was never something that I was raised around or exposed to,” she said. Queerness and Indigeneity felt mutually exclusive. It wasn’t until she left the reservation for Las Vegas that Shug began to unlearn these ideas. Under the guidance of her drag mother, Coco Vega, she worked behind the scenes—tracking tips, fixing wigs, operating spotlights. When a performer bailed one night, the spotlight flipped on her, and she found herself lip-syncing on stage to Cassie’s *Me & U.* [Parents who evacuated their kids during drag story hour say lawmakers are the real dangerAfter a recent bomb threat at a coffee shop filled with children, parents and LGBTQ+ groups are pushing back against homophobic rhetoric amplified by Republicans.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-168.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/lookout-logo-3-6.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/drag-queen-arizona-bills/) “I was like, ‘This feels so weird, but incredibly right,’” she said. Soon, she was performing seven nights a week across the Las Vegas Strip. But the success came at a cost. “I didn’t see people that looked like me, talked like me, smelled like me, acted like me,” Shug said. Indigenous representation was almost nonexistent. Predominantly white spaces often pushed her to take on caricatures of Asian and Latine people. Dressing as a geisha or impersonating Latin icons felt inauthentic and wrong. “There were just no spaces for Indigenous people at the time,” she said. It was time to reconnect with her homeland, between the four sacred mountains of the Diné—Sisnaajiní, Tsoodził, Dook’o’oosłííd, and Dibé Nitsaa. Here, she rekindled her relationship with culture and her queer identity. ### **“We’re the piece that is missing.”** The lack of space for Indigenous performers may seem paradoxical, given the long history of gender fluidity in Indigenous cultures. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/10/LadyShugLandaLakes1--1-.jpg) Drag performers Lady Shug and Landa Lakes. Photo courtesy of Lady Shug. For millennia, Native communities have recognized gender-nonconforming people. The [Māhū of Hawai‘i](https://www.manoanow.org/kaleo/special%5Fissues/the-m-h/article%5Fba191154-0dd9-11e8-ba11-bbb0d1090a78.html?ref=lookoutnews.org), the [Muxes of Oaxaca](https://voices.uchicago.edu/202304gnse15002-06/2023/11/08/mexicos-third-gender-a-broad-overview-of-muxes/?ref=lookoutnews.org), the [Hijra of South Asia](https://rpl.hds.harvard.edu/religion-context/case-studies/gender/third-gender-and-hijras?ref=lookoutnews.org), and the [Náádleeh of the Diné](https://ictnews.org/opinion/the-struggle-to-be-nadleehi-a-two-spirit-person?ref=lookoutnews.org) are examples of identities that hold cultural and spiritual significance. These roles were never modern trends—what might even be called “woke” today—they were vital to community life. At the Phoenix Indian Center’s Arizona American Indian Excellence in Leadership Awards, Diné drag artist [Navi Ho abandoned her scripted speech](https://www.instagram.com/naviho602/?ref=lookoutnews.org) for the 2024 Person of the Year award. Instead of a simple thank you, she challenged Arizona’s 22 federally recognized tribes: “We’re the piece that is missing because society doesn’t want us to be there. And by bringing us back, we make the circle continue.” Navi said embracing drag and the Náádleeh identity—a Diné term roughly translating to someone who embodies both feminine and masculine traits—helped her reconnect with her culture. Her activism began with the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence—one of the nation’s oldest mutual aid nonprofit groups best known for dressing up in nun-like apparel and white-painted faces—where she met [Sister Loose Clarita](https://www.instagram.com/loose%5Fclarita/?ref=lookoutnews.org), an Indigenous-Mexican drag artist and organizer in Los Angeles. Clarita offered historical context on gender fluidity among the Zapotec, Mexica, and Maya, emphasizing that these identities were essential to community life—acting as medicine people, childcare providers, and cultural leaders. Clarita said colonization nearly erased this spiritual significance. “Anything that we want to say about it is going to be examined and portrayed through the gaze of a colonizing Western \[system\],” she said. Even the term “Two-Spirit,” [coined in 1990 at the Intertribal Native American/First Nations Gay and Lesbian Conference](https://www.theindigenousfoundation.org/articles/the-history-of-two-spirit-folks?ref=lookoutnews.org), is an umbrella term that does not fully encompass the diversity of gender identities across tribes: “Illusion, imagination and creativity cannot be limited by that space. It lives in many different ways and realms,” Clarita said. Shug echoed this perspective, often resisting labels and pronouns set aside for her because she simply lives as a human being. Both queens understand the nuance of language but recognize a gap in knowledge between Indigeneity and the broader LGBTQ+ community. Clarita emphasized: [Lady Bunny’s Take: Drag, Politics, and Queer ResistanceThe nightlife legend talks about the golden age of NYC drag, why mainstream LGBTQ+ orgs are failing, and how America keeps using trans people as a political pawn.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-169.png)LOOKOUTRoyal Young (they/them)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-02-12-at-2.01.31-PM-3-1-1-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/pronouns-drag-queen-story-hour-lady-bunny/) “Anything that we create is going to be flawed, but maybe this is a way where we can make space for all of us who have an attachment to our ancestral backgrounds and experience gender in a non-normative way.” ### **“I want to be her.”** For performers like Clarita and Shug, the call to action is clear. The most celebrated drag performers are often cisgender, white, and male-presenting out of drag, while Indigenous and Two-Spirit artists continue fighting for recognition and safety in their own territories. Their question to the wider community is: what are you doing to platform these voices and support their struggles? After returning to Dinétah to care for her grandmother, Shug witnessed persistent injustices—unhoused relatives, unsolved murders, and absent LGBTQ+ protections. The experience didn’t just trouble her—it compelled action. She joined mutual aid efforts but soon noticed a pattern: “I was just the token, queer nonbinary person so they could feel inclusive, but I never had a voice,” she said. Meeting Klee Benally, a prominent Indigenous activist, changed her approach. “He told me, ‘You’re already doing it through your drag.’” With that encouragement, Shug began grassroots organizing on her own terms. She founded [The Shug Challenge](https://www.instagram.com/ladyshugdrag/?ref=lookoutnews.org)—a mutual aid initiative supporting queer youth, elders, and unhoused people across the reservation. Shug often pays out of pocket, delivering groceries, distributing hygiene products, and providing HIV medication. Her work fills gaps that state and tribal systems often fail to address. “If we came together, all as relatives, we would be moving forward quicker,” she said. By 2023, she launched a tour with Chickasaw drag artist Landa Lakes called [*La La Land Back*](https://www.sitesantafe.org/en/events/lala-land-back/?ref=lookoutnews.org), performing while advocating for Indigenous sovereignty. She also appeared on HBO’s [*We’re Here*](https://www.hbo.com/were-here?ref=lookoutnews.org) and co-founded the [first Indigenous chapter of Drag Story Hour](https://carlemuseum.org/visit/events/indigenous-drag-story-hour?ref=lookoutnews.org). Her impact was spreading. [What can we learn from Arizona’s elder drag queens? A lot.It hasn’t always been as accepting to do drag. And with new attacks on the art form, some of Arizona’s longest performing drag artists have some advice to give.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-170.png)LOOKOUTFitzwilliam Anderson (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/bjbudarchives2--1--1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/what-can-we-learn-from-arizonas-elder-drag-queens-a-lot/) At the 2025 Miss Phoenix Pride pageant, the movement’s influence was visible. Rita DeMornay, 26, of the Akimel O’odham tribe, became the first transgender Indigenous person to win the title. Her win exemplified that Indigeneity and queerness are not mutually exclusive. Drag, for her, is a platform to highlight issues such as the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People epidemic. “Although drag is my career and fun, I also want to highlight what we go through as Native American people,” she said. DeMornay now dedicates herself to giving back to her communities. Experienced performers like Shug and DeMornay pave the way for younger generations to express themselves without hiding aspects of their identity. Angel Lust, 20, a Diné performer living in Flagstaff, recalls late nights doing makeup at home only to take it all off to avoid being caught by her parents. Her journey to gender fluidity began with low-rider magazines and ’90s hip hop. Now, Lust incorporates hoop dancing into her acts, acknowledging her upbringing while staying true to her aesthetic. She looks to Shug as a blueprint: “I want to be her,” she said. ### **Coming Together as One** Call it drag, call it cross-dressing, call it trans. No matter the term or the context it is used in, Indigenous people in this space existed then, they exist now, and they will—one hopes—continue to exist. For performers like Shug, it is now up to their allied communities to double down, stand behind them, and platform their work to the masses. Amid all of her jokes and tangents, she left our final call on a serious note. Shug referenced the Navajo Nation, which—like many tribes—still has no [protections for LGBTQ+ people](https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/21/us/navajo-nation-marriage-equality-legislation-cec?ref=lookoutnews.org). Same-sex marriage isn’t recognized. There are no anti-discrimination laws. “Before I leave this earth, I would love to see that my tribe accepts and protects our people through the laws,” Shug said. “But the laws don’t really hold me down. I’m going to continue to be who I am, protected or not.” ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### He Lets Strangers Ask Him Anything About Being Trans. Even the Offensive Stuff URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/transgender-ask-me-anything-arizona-teacher/ Last updated: 2025-10-02T10:00:02.000Z It’s hard to offend Eric. He’s a father to a sassy child, a professor who guides often-skeptical college students, and a transgender man. From tasteless jokes to accusations of child grooming — both in person and, more broadly, in the media — Eric has “heard it all,” he says. And that makes him the perfect person for the project he’s been leading for the past eight months: answering uncomfortable questions about his gender identity. Since the start of the year, Eric has traveled across Southern Arizona hosting “ask me anything” sessions about transgender people, cheekily titled “Trans 101.” [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) So far, he has held only a handful of the sessions, mostly in houses of worship and progressive-leaning spaces, blending casual conversation with audience Q&As. The goal — create empathy for a stranger — is one of the most effective ways to ease cultural tension, experts say. He sees it as his way of contributing at a time when anti-trans laws and rhetoric are at historic highs, [which has ramped up even more](https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2025-09-16/charlie-kirk-railed-against-transgender-rights-his-killing-has-further-fueled-the-fight?ref=lookoutnews.org) in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination. His approach also reflects a long-standing practice in conflict resolution: Sitting face-to-face with people who may not understand you. It also makes him an easy target for far-right protesters who have targeted transgender people and teachers with online vitriol [and violence](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/23/turning-point-usa-assault-david-boyles?ref=lookoutnews.org). For that reason, Eric’s last name has been removed from this story. “I want to open a space where people can ask really basic questions,” he said. “Because I think basic things are what prevent them from engaging with complicated things.” ### **‘I am working for my life’** Around 6 p.m. on April 10, the temple pews at the Tucson Jewish Museum and Holocaust Center began to fill with people. The audience ran the gamut: young to old, gothic to preppy, queer to straight. Some came to support transgender family members or friends, expecting someone in the crowd might disparage them. Lynn Davis, the center’s director who invited Eric to speak, thought the turnout was inspiring. “It was a lot of the people who I would say were the ‘movable middle,’” she said. “There were people there with not much connection — or not much direct connection — to the transgender community, but they had a commitment to humanity and making the world a better place. They wanted to learn something.” Davis first heard of Eric through her son, a university student who had him as a professor. Davis’s son, she said, was struck by how clearly Eric explained complex ideas to undergraduates. When Davis approached Eric to speak at the museum, he mentioned that he had begun holding small Q&As in his personal time. “I jumped at the opportunity to host him,” she said. On the night of the museum’s Q&A, Eric stepped onto the stage and opened with a plea. “My hope is that I can convince one, two, three, four people in this audience to care what happens to people like me, because if you don’t, there’s no place for us here,” he said. “If you know a group, an individual, a poker club, a walking party — anybody who could benefit from what I’m saying tonight, please ask me to do it. I am working for my life.” [It’s OK to Have Mixed Feelings Charlie Kirk is DeadTherapists say it’s normal for marginalized communities to feel conflicted, or even nothing at all, after the death of someone who spent years targeting them.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-166.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/49286389217_e40d759544_k-1-1.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/its-ok-mixed-feelings-charlie-kirk-is-dead/) Eric told the audience of about 50 that no question was off-limits. After sharing his story and the process of his own transition in his early 20’s, the questions began. One audience member asked: “In the last election, Trump successfully played on the prejudices of using pronouns as a weapon, but is it possible that the public wasn’t ready?” Eric replied that it was possible. He explained the types of pronouns, adding that it’s OK to not be fully up to date. “Language changes quickly and it’s hard for people when they’re older to change,” he said. “And I see a lot of people pushing 50 here. So that makes sense.” The questions kept coming: “How long have transgender people been here?” “What do we know about puberty blockers and surgeries?” “If medical intervention had been available when you were a kid, would you have done it?” These weren’t groundbreaking, but they reflected the namesake of “Trans 101.” “He made it so easy and permissible to ask questions,” said A. Michael Hutchins, a Tucson resident who has been working with LGBTQ+ Tucsonans for more than 40 years. “He provided a space to ask things that otherwise wouldn’t have been asked.” For Davis, any anxiety she might have had melted away after the first questions were answered: “It was a magical night,” she said. Afterward, one audience member, who Davis said may have needed the most guidance on his views of transgender people, thanked her for bringing Eric. “I felt it really impacted him,” she said. ### **How simple conversations lead to empathy** In the wake of Kirk’s assassination, lawmakers and commentators have praised the far-right influencer for engaging in “civil discourse.” But Kirk’s campus tours often devolved into heated debates in which each topic had a winner and a loser. Even the banner hanging over him when he was shot read: “Prove Me Wrong.” That approach — trying to “win” with facts — doesn’t work in fostering real conversation, said Amanda Ripley, [co-founder of Good Conflict](https://www.thegoodconflict.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org), an organization that trains people to navigate high-conflict situations. “If yelling at people, shaming them on social media, or putting lawn signs proclaiming your side as morally superior worked, we wouldn’t be here,” she said, speaking generally about arguments. “The goal is to understand the other person and see if they can understand me. If you can get there, it’s a massive game changer.” Americans across the political spectrum agree that civil conversation is rare. Pew Research found that the [political values have dramatically widened](https://www.pewresearch.org/2025/05/08/americans-trust-in-one-another/?ref=lookoutnews.org) the gap between people, with negative views of people in either opposite party going well past the 50% mark. . On the left, [op-eds have urged](https://lahstalon.org/why-i-couldnt-be-friends-with-a-trump-supporter/?ref=lookoutnews.org) cutting ties with people who voted for President Donald Trump. In 2018, Pew found that liberals didn’t feel that talking politics with conservatives was worth it, [citing higher rates of stress and less opportunity to find common ground](https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2018/11/05/more-now-say-its-stressful-to-discuss-politics-with-people-they-disagree-with/?ref=lookoutnews.org). On the right, former New York Times columnist Bari Weiss, now head of the Free Press, has [argued liberals are intolerant](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/15/opinion/letters/bari-weiss-new-york-times.html?ref=lookoutnews.org) of opposing viewpoints. Some lawmakers have declared that “[unity is no longer an option.](https://azmirror.com/2025/09/16/arizona-democrats-say-they-feel-unsafe-around-gop-lawmaker-email-rejecting-a-plea-for-unity/?ref=lookoutnews.org)” The problem, experts say, is that people struggle to see one another’s humanity. Without that, conversation is nearly impossible. “The word ‘conversation’ sounds really small, but it’s an umbrella that includes some of the most powerful tools we know of in the human condition,” Ripley said. Social media and information silos, she added, make it easy to see people as enemies — and once someone is seen as dangerous, even engaging with them can feel like “disloyalty,” she said. Nolan Higdon, a media professor and author of [*Let’s Agree to Disagree*](https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9781003250906/let-agree-disagree-nolan-higdon-mickey-huff?ref=lookoutnews.org)*,* said productive conflict requires recognizing shared values and sitting with discomfort, not just trading facts. “Even if you can’t fully grasp each other’s experiences, you can at least respect and confirm that they exist,” he said. Without that, he warned, democratic ideals are at risk. “Civil conversations are needed for democracy,” he said. “When they fail to exist, it’s a sign democracy is falling. But these conversations will take time.” [As Arizona Students Return, Turning Point USA’s Influence Looms Over ClassroomsThe conservative youth group has deepened its reach inside Arizona schools over the years, creating tension, alarm, and worry for students and staff.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-167.png)LOOKOUTNatalia Rodriguez (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Turning_Point_sign_-42195180564--2.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/as-arizona-students-return-turning-point-usas-influence-looms-over-classrooms/) Research shows even brief conversations can shift perspectives. In Higdon’s book, he mentions how in South Florida, [SAVE Miami adapted a canvassing model from the Los Angeles LGBT Center](https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/azeenghorayshi/conversation-changes-transgender-attitudes?ref=lookoutnews.org), sending 56 canvassers to more than 500 homes to talk about transgender rights. Each conversation lasted 10 minutes, and follow-up surveys showed participants had reduced prejudice toward transgender people up to six months later, compared with those who never spoke to canvassers. Those results, according to the study, were greater than the change in Americans’ feelings toward gay people between 1998 and 2012, when same-sex marriage was being hotly contested in multiple states. ### **‘I want to change what they know’** Eric said conversations like his must happen now, though he doesn’t see his role as changing minds. “I want to change what they know,” he said. “But I don’t think I’m trying to convince anyone that I’m worth surviving.” Asked how society reached this moment on transgender rights, Eric was blunt: The left, has shut down curiosity, while the right has weaponized that silence and cast transgender people as villains. That dynamic has left the “movable middle” hesitant to ask questions that might help them understand the cultural shift. “There’s kind of a political line that says, ‘Here’s how you’re supposed to talk about, feel about, and relate to trans people,’” he said. “That makes it hard for people who may have challenges with some of these issues.” He pointed to debates about transgender girls in youth sports as an example. “People feel strongly about this, and it touches a lot of nerves,” he said. “It’s like, we’re supposed to care about this, but we’re not sure why. That’s the feeling.” The purpose of his sessions, Eric said, is to meet people who might otherwise see LGBTQ+ people only through sensational headlines, and give them a place to learn and have even, candid conversations. That, he said, opens the door to more nuanced discussions and gives people tools to respond when they hear harmful rhetoric. “So when you hear a transphobic joke, you are able to stop that person,” Eric told the audience. “Say, ‘Hey, I know and love a transgender person. And that’s not funny.’” ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### State Leaders Push Back On Trump Efforts Labeling Trans Americans as Terrorists URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/state-leaders-push-back-against-trump-efforts-to-label-trans-americans-as-terrorists/ Last updated: 2025-11-12T21:48:08.000Z Arizona officials are vowing to protect transgender residents after President Donald Trump issued an executive order linking them to terrorism, calling the move unconstitutional. Trump’s [executive order last week](https://www.whitehouse.gov/articles/2025/09/president-trump-isnt-backing-down-from-crushing-radical-left-violence/?ref=lookoutnews.org) classified “Antifa” — short for “anti-fascist” — as a domestic terrorist organization, citing a series of alleged violent acts across the U.S., including shootings, arson, and attacks on political and law enforcement targets. The order specifically mentions transgender individuals in connection with some incidents, such as a shooting at a Minnesota Catholic church and an explosive attack outside the Alabama attorney general’s office. Experts say these claims are misleading, and Antifa is not a formal organization. The order also [follows the conservative trend of blaming mass shootings on transgender people](https://www.them.us/story/vast-majority-mass-shooters-cis-men-far-right-misinformation-trans?ref=lookoutnews.org), despite them making up [less than 1% of mass shooters](https://www.politifact.com/article/2025/sep/09/trans-people-mass-shootings-gun-violence/?ref=lookoutnews.org) and are far more likely to be victims than perpetrators. [![Advertisement for becoming a Lookout member, offering swag, event tickets, and a magazine copy.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) The move from the administration closely mirrors a Heritage Foundation policy proposal to classify[ transgender people as “violent extremists,”](https://x.com/ItsYourGov/status/1968794332871233876/photo/1?ref=lookoutnews.org) as well. The White House [followed up the executive order with a National Security Presidential Memorandum](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/09/countering-domestic-terrorism-and-organized-political-violence/?ref=lookoutnews.org) on Sept. 25, 2025, directing federal agencies to investigate and disrupt networks it claimed are responsible for domestic terrorism and political violence. The memo framed these activities as motivated by “anti-Americanism, anti-capitalism, and anti-Christianity; support for the overthrow of the United States Government; extremism on migration, race, and gender; and hostility towards those who hold traditional American views on family, religion, and morality.” [‘You Are Wickedness’: MAGA Leaders Tie Faith, Politics, and Hostility After Kirk’s DeathFrom fiery speeches in Glendale to rising threats in Phoenix, Kirk’s death has become a flashpoint, reshaping Republican rhetoric and raising alarms for LGBTQ+ Arizonans.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-164.png)LOOKOUTClarissa Sosin (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_7111-copy-1.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/you-are-wickedness-maga-leaders-tie-faith-politics-and-hostility-after-kirks-death/) Advocates immediately [criticized the memo and executive order.](https://19thnews.org/2025/09/project-2025-heritage-foundation-transgender-attack/?ref=lookoutnews.org)But even with the executive order and memorandum, the federal government has no mechanism to prosecute individuals for domestic terrorism without evidence of a violent crime, [legal experts said](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-designating-antifa-terrorist-organization/?ref=lookoutnews.org). A [2023 congressional report noted that](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/09/countering-domestic-terrorism-and-organized-political-violence/?ref=lookoutnews.org), unlike foreign terrorism, there is no formal federal charge for domestic terrorism. The FBI defines domestic terrorism as “violent, criminal acts … to further ideological goals stemming from domestic influences.” Authorities cannot charge people with domestic terrorism or membership in a terrorist group unless they commit a violent act advancing an ideological goal. Arrests based solely on association would amount to profiling, which has already prompted lawsuits over unlawful detentions by federal agents. Linking transgender people to terrorist groups has raised questions about statewide policy at home: How would law enforcement ensure public safety if a portion of the state’s residents are labeled terrorists? How would the state balance cooperation with federal agencies while ensuring that its residents are not unfairly targeted? Advocates warn that conflating transgender Arizonans — [which represent a higher share than the national average](https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/visualization/lgbt-stats/?topic=LGBT&area=4&ref=lookoutnews.org#density) — with terrorism could expose them to harassment, discrimination, or unwarranted law enforcement scrutiny, even though there is no credible evidence of a broader threat from the community. Attorney General Kris Mayes called the Trump administration’s efforts unconstitutional. “Targeting or surveilling any American based on who they are rather than what they’ve done would fly in the face of the bedrock constitutional protections guaranteed by the First and 14th amendments,” a spokesperson for Mayes said. “Transgender Arizonans deserve the same rights, dignity and legal due process as every other Arizonan.” [U.S. Study Shows the Impact of Abortion Restrictions on LGBTQ+ ArizonansA new national survey finds that queer people face tougher obstacles in receiving certain medical care—most notably abortions.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-165.png)LOOKOUTNatalia Rodriguez (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/52177383098_c0e7bc24fc_k-1.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/how-lgbtq-arizonans-pay-the-price-for-state-health-care-restrictions/) Mayes’ office labeled the Heritage Foundation policy “extreme, unsupported and very likely unconstitutional” and urged federal officials to “abide by the Constitution” and reject efforts to villainize Americans based on gender identity. Asked whether she would intervene if the FBI targeted transgender Arizonans, Mayes’ office said she would “have no part in any attempt to weaponize federal agencies against innocent Arizona citizens.” Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego also emphasized protecting the constitutional rights of all Arizonans. “I believe that transgender Americans are a vital aspect of Phoenix’s community and deserve equal rights,” she said in a statement. “Attempts to dehumanize or scapegoat are anathema to my values, and I will always work to protect their humanity.” ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### The Bisbee Seance Room Provides Strange Magic URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/the-bisbee-seance-room-provides-strange-magic/ Last updated: 2025-10-01T13:00:07.000Z #### OutBack This is one in a series that uncovers the untold stories of LGBTQ+ life beyond the city, celebrating queer businesses and community in Arizona's suburban and rural areas. [Read more stories here](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tag/outback/). October is the busiest month of the year for The Bisbee Seance Room. Owner Magic Kenny Bang Bang regularly sells out the intimate space during the spooky season, delighting and flabbergasting visitors with tales of the haunted city of Bisbee, Arizona, and mind-bending magic tricks. The dimly lit room is done up to resemble a Victorian-style parlor adorned with vintage photos, ghostly paintings, a real human medical skeleton (named Henrietta) in a coffin hanging on a wall, and abundant oddities and taxidermy, including a bear, a bobcat and a turkey—the latter of which gazes out from its perch on an old Wurlitzer jukebox. In the center of the room is a red velvet-draped table that can seat 20\. Scattered on top are various sizes of wood boxes, metal tins, books, decks of cards and a Ouija board. “You learn a lot about Bisbee’s rich, haunted history and you get to see a close-up magic show,” Kenny said, with a few elements from the “golden age of seance” in the 1900s. Kenny added, “Am I contacting the spirits? Maybe; maybe not. We don’t know. You have to see for yourself.” ### **Showmanship key to success** The Bisbee Seance Room is not strictly an LGBTQ+ business. But Bisbee has become a queer destination, with its rainbow crosswalks and frequent drag shows, an increasingly popular Gay Pride Parade in June, and the Mineshaft Bear Week. And Kenny’s business is the number one attraction there. “Bisbee is very accepting,” Kenny said. “It’s eclectic; it’s a complete artists community. There are a lot of artists and people like myself pursuing their dream and making a good go of it. There’s a lot of gay business owners there.” One of the things that Kenny has mastered is showmanship, which any fan of drag can appreciate. Kenny exudes an old-timey Wild West gambler aesthetic, from his real rattlesnake hat to a bullet bracelet with live rounds. His Ouija board belt buckle was custom-made at The Mad Cow Company in Bisbee. “I’m an outlaw first and foremost,” he said. “I play by my own rules.” As the roughly 45-minute immersive show begins, he shines a flashlight on old photos and spins yarns about local lore, murders and ghosts. He draws the audience into the tricks, calling them by name and spellbinding them with seemingly impossible feats of mind-reading. “There are magicians who are technically good at what they do,” he said, “but they may not have the personality for it.” Alex Mastrangelo, who owns queer hotspot Gene’s Place bar next door with his partner, Katie, said, “You don’t always feel comfortable sitting at a table with strangers, but he makes that experience work. Kenny’s very good at making everyone in the room feel included.” He added that Kenny is always in character and is “the kind of guy you want at your party because he gets people to talk to each other.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/09/Bisbee-rainbow-crosswalk-GK.jpeg) Bisbee, in deep red Cochise County, ironically is one of Arizona's most LGBTQ+-friendly cities. (Photo by Geri Koeppel) ### **Haunted Bisbee makes perfect backdrop** Originally from New Jersey, Kenny got the magic bug as a child when his grandfather showed him his first card trick. “It was always sort of a hobby that became an obsession that is now a career,” he said. It’s not surprising that Kenny has worked as a sommelier, which also requires a fair amount of flamboyance. He also has a degree in English literature from the University of Colorado, which lends itself to a talent for storytelling. Kenny, who splits his time between Bisbee and Tucson, started the show as a seasonal attraction at the Hotel Congress in Tucson in October 2014 and soon wanted to do it full-time all year. The Bisbee Seance Room officially opened in August 2016\. Kenny chose to launch in the quirky, artsy outpost partly because of its haunted history and its connection to Harry Houdini. [Rainbow Bliss Botanicals: Redefining Wellness NaturallyOwner Chloe Bee uses plant medicine to offer alternatives to pharmaceuticals, while creating a queer-friendly space for connection and learning.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-163.png)LOOKOUTGeri Koeppel (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Rainbow-Bliss-Chloe-Bee.JPG)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/how-rainbow-bliss-botanicals-rewrites-the-rules-of-wellness/) The legendary magician performed at the Lyric Theater in Bisbee in 1919, when it was one of the biggest, most glamorous towns in the West during the heyday of the gold, silver and copper mines. The original hand-painted sign advertising the show leans against the back wall of the room. Next year marks the business’s 10th anniversary, and it’s also the 100th anniversary of Houdini’s death on Halloween, so look for some special events. The Bisbee Seance Room is open Thursday through Saturday evenings 52 weeks a year. Book ahead for the Halloween season. Kenny also does a residency twice a year in New Orleans. He’s also doing some exclusive shows in February at the reportedly haunted Oliver House in Bisbee, so contact them for information. “I love what I do,” Kenny said. “I want to share my talent with everyone.” ## **The Bisbee Seance Room** **Showtimes:** 6, 7 and 8 p.m. Thursdays and 6, 7, 8 and 9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays **Address:** 26 Brewery Ave., Bisbee, AZ 85703 **Contact:** For seat reservations, call or text 520-203-3350 **Online:** [thebisbeeseanceroom.com](http://thebisbeeseanceroom.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org), [Facebook,](https://www.facebook.com/bisbeeseanceroom) [Instagram](https://www.thebisbeeseanceroom.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org) ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### The Disconnect Between Political Backing and What LGBTQ+ Voters Want URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/the-disconnect-between-political-backing-and-what-lgbtq-voters-want/ Last updated: 2025-10-16T18:06:53.000Z Former candidate and state Rep. Daniel Hernandez (D-Tucson) lost this summer’s special primary election to represent the people of Southern Arizona’s 7th Congressional District at the United States Capitol. After the primary votes were tallied, Hernandez called to congratulate Adeljita Grijalva, daughter of the late Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-Tucson), and conceded. He then encouraged his supporters to unite around Grijalva in this week's general election. It’s the second time in four years Hernandez failed to capture enough of the vote to advance to a general election for a spot in the U.S. House of Representatives, though this cycle he was defeated by a much greater margin. [![Promotion for becoming a Lookout member, offering swag, event tickets, and magazine copies.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) In a 2022 primary race to represent the state’s 6th Congressional District, a seat currently held by Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-Tucson), Hernandez was runner up to former state Sen. Kirsten Engel (D-Tucson), who won with a 24.3 percentage-point lead. This year, Hernandez took third, trailing Gen-Z political organizer Deja Foxx by 8.8 percentage-points and former Pima County supervisor Grijalva by 47.9 percentage-points. LGBTQ+ people have since been posing questions about how Hernandez, an out gay man, used his identity as a political platform, and whether his campaign actually represented the views that LGBTQ+ people living in western Tucson and parts of Yuma, Nogales, Avondale, and Tolleson share on governance. Hernandez ran to the right of leading candidates Grijalva and Foxx, who spoke to more progressive ideas that reflect the district’s voter base. A[ *LOOKOUT* review from April](https://www.lookoutnews.org/trans-and-nonbinary-tucson-residents-favor-social-services-over-police-funding-survey-finds/) found that transgender and gender-diverse residents in Tucson overwhelmingly support initiatives like reduced police funding in favor of investment in social services, childhood programs, and harm reduction strategies for drug users. In a March poll on Tucson’s $28 million budget shortfall, nearly 4,000 residents responded, including 190 who identified as trans and gender diverse. Overwhelmingly, the trans and gender-diverse respondents cared about community investment, less law enforcement, and sustained free bus fares. Hernandez’s campaign platform didn't reflect a similar need for a strong social safety-net. Instead, he took a pro-business stance that landed him to the right of his progressive opponents. In contrast, the campaign of 25-year-old first-time candidate Foxx focused heavily on social services and health care access, human rights, and a generational shift in public office leadership. On the campaign trail, Grijalva held firm to her father’s roots as an environmental advocate, and spoke out with demands for affordable housing and immigration equity. [Deja Foxx’s Views on Palestine Resonate in Arizona CD7 RaceFor those who put a high priority on human rights, Deja Foxx appears to lead![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-160.png)LOOKOUTNatalia Rodriguez (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Untitled-design--27-.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/voters-zero-in-on-palestine-lgbtq-rights-in-cd7-race/) Both Grijalva’s and Foxx’s platforms appeared to be more directly aligned with the issues LGBTQ+ people in Tucson said they cared about. Yet this spring, LGBTQ+ political action committees (PACs) gave Hernandez their money, in addition to groups rooted in the progress of Israel, labor unions, and moderate Democrats. In total, Hernandez’s campaign received about $1.09 million in donations, with more than 15% coming from non-individual donors, such as PACs. Mission-driven PACs with a tie to LGBTQ+ rights, such as the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, Equality PAC, and Honor PAC sent in nearly a quarter of that non-individual donor money. Honor PAC is an organization focused on “helping facilitate the dialogue on LGBTQ+ and Latina/o/e issues throughout California and beyond.” LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, a national organization that operates to elect LGBTQ+ candidates; Equality PAC, the political arm of the nation’s Congressional Equality Caucus; and Equality Arizona, one of the state’s longest-running LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, all announced their support for Hernandez the same week he entered the primary race. After, they gave Hernandez’s campaign thousands of dollars. The only lesbian and nonbinary political action committee, LPAC, endorsed Foxx, and the Christopher Street Project, a newly established national trans electoral advocacy organization, backed Grijalva as its frontrunner. [Daniel Hernandez Earns Key Endorsements In Congressional BidVictory Fund, Equality Arizona, and Equality PAC back Hernandez in crowded special election to replace the late Rep. Raúl Grijalva.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-161.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/DH-headshot-1-1.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/daniel-hernandez-earns-key-endorsements-in-congressional-bid/) Another$19,675 was posted to Hernandez’s campaign reserves by LGBTQ+ leaders in business and advocacy positions. *LOOKOUT* identified about 93% of those individual donors as having local roots. Equality Arizona President Michael Soto, for example, donated $3,500 into Hernandez’s bid. Former state lawmakers Cesar Chavez (D-Phoenix) and Robert Meza (D-Phoenix), an LGBTQ+ Victory Fund board member, each contributed $3,500. The day Hernandez announced his candidacy, former Tempe mayor Neil Giuliano, an LGBTQ+ Victory Institute board member, spent $2,000. “I made a personal contribution because he’s a friend,” said Giuliano, who said he worked alongside Hernandez during his time in the statehouse. “I found him to be open to listening to ideas and views that we were putting forth” related to education, transportation, and workforce development. Of his “litmus test” for political donations, Giuliano said, “I want someone who's going to work with everyone to get solid public policy accomplished on behalf of the people that they serve.” “It's not any one particular issue or one particular viewpoint or one particular position they may have taken on something,” Giuliano said. Former Republican state Rep. Steve May said he has known Hernandez “since he entered public life,” and also collaborated with Hernandez at the Legislature. While there, Hernandez co-founded the LGBTQ+ Caucus, advocated for legislation to prohibit discrimination against LGBTQ+ people in the workplace, and managed to pass Arizona's now-defunct lower-income housing tax credit. “He was able to accomplish some of his objectives, because he learned the system and worked through the system,” said May, who gave $500 to Hernandez’s campaign. However, May said, Hernandez faced an uphill climb against Grijalva, who previously served on the Tucson Unified School District Governing Board for 20 years. She was also endorsed by establishment and socialist Democrats, including U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. “Grijalva is a leftist, and I think that's what they want,” May said. “I don't know if he ever had a chance in a Democratic primary anywhere, but especially down in that district, unless he were to flip-flop and become someone who really he wasn't. He didn't do that.” Despite the election results, May said, “We need people to run.” “I'm glad we had an openly gay guy speaking openly about being gay and running for public office. That matters,” May said. “Just because you can't win the election doesn't mean you shouldn't run.” [Arizona Youth Confront Lawmakers Over Anti-LGBTQ+ Moves — Including From DemocratsDozens of parents and queer youth stood beside lawmakers to challenge the continued rise of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and show force in community.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-162.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_5476-1-1.JPG)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizona-youth-confront-lawmakers-over-anti-lgbtq-moves-including-from-democrats-2/) Greater Phoenix Equality Chamber of Commerce President Michael Mazzocco contributed several small amounts throughout Hernandez’s campaign that totaled $450, and volunteered to door knock on some weekends. Mazzocco is a candidate to represent Phoenix's 4th City Council District. “His pragmatism is much aligned with mine in just approach: community driven; being pro-business but also supporting workers’ rights; and first and foremost, LGBTQ+ representation and voice matter so much,” Mazzocco said, adding that he’s “personal friends with Daniel.” “Being a southern Arizona born and raised person, Hispanic and LGBTQ were the top three reasons that I thought he was the perfect candidate,” Mazzocco said. Now, Mazzocco said, he stands behind Grijalva. *LOOKOUT* reached out to Hernandez via email, text message, and left a voicemail for him to discuss his campaign. Hernandez said he couldn’t speak to press because he’s a finalist for a new job. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### ‘You Are Wickedness’: MAGA Leaders Tie Faith, Politics, and Hostility After Kirk’s Death URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/you-are-wickedness-maga-leaders-tie-faith-politics-and-hostility-after-kirks-death/ Last updated: 2025-10-16T18:04:14.000Z When Matt Hailay, 30, first suggested to his husband that the two of them go to Pat O’s Bunkhouse Saloon, a popular LGBTQ+ bar in Melrose on Sunday, his husband hesitated. Just days earlier Phoenix police arrested a man for allegedly threatening to “shoot up” a different local LGBTQ+ haunt, Cruisin’ 7th, citing Charlie Kirk’s assassination as his motivation. And that afternoon, a mere 20 minute drive away, more than 200,000 of Kirk’s supporters gathered at and around State Farm Stadium to mourn their slain icon. “It is scary when we’re thinking about going somewhere locally,” said Hailay. “We are a purple state. Who is and isn’t safe to be around isn't always clear.” [![An advertisement for becoming a Lookout member, offering swag, tickets, and a magazine.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Hailay managed to convince his husband and the two went out for a few drinks, saying that they needed to not be afraid to leave their homes: “We’ve got to just, like, keep our community up and going.” After a parade of the most powerful figures in the Republican party and conservative media made it clear that political life in America will not be the same as it was after Kirk's violent killing, the question hanging over LGBTQ+ communities in Arizona is what they should prepare for. Although most of the speeches recited at the packed State Farm Stadium during the five-hour long memorial did not directly talk about LGBTQ+ issues, the lead up to the event took a darker tone placing the blame for Kirk’s death at the feet of queer people and their community: The Heritage Foundation released a report that falsely said Tyler Robinson, Charlie Kirk’s alleged shooter, was transgender. Other reports focused on Robinson’s alleged relationship with his transgender roommate. Representatives called on transgender people to be “institutionalized.” The site DropSite reported the FBI was preparing to label transgender people violent enemies of the state. And President Donald J. Trump said transgender people were more dangerous than Al Qaeda. [No Plan To Boost Patrols In Melrose Despite Threats To LGBTQ+ CommunityLGBTQ+ businesses take safety into their own hands as extremist threats intensify before Charlie Kirk’s funeral.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-158.png)LOOKOUTNatalia Rodriguez (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-09-20-at-6.49.23---AM-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/no-plan-to-boost-patrols-in-melrose-despite-threats-to-lgbtq-community/) Trump continued that line of aggressive language on Sunday late in his sprawling speech at the stadium—one in which he promised that God would be coming back to America, and directly referenced LGBTQ+ issues. “Some of the very people who called you a hater for using the wrong pronoun were filled with glee at the killing of a father with two beautiful young children,” Trump said. ### **“You Are Wickedness”** In death, Kirk has become a martyr for the far-right movement, and has been normalized in the pages of many newspapers which have whitewashed his record of making nakedly racist and homophobic statements. And if the politically stage-managed memorial Sunday—which was part religious service, part political fundraiser, and part call to action by the Trump administration—was any indication of the party’s future, it’s that MAGA leaders are weaving a fire-and-brimstone brand of Christianity into politics that is uniquely hostile to LGBTQ+ people. It’s not a completely new direction for Kirk’s organization, which did not have a favorable view of transgender issues or gay rights before he was murdered on Sept. 10 at a college campus in Utah. In a speech, Kirk referred to transgender people as a ["throbbing middle finger to God" ](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/charlie-kirks-rhetoric-inspired-supporters-enraged-foes-2025-09-13/?ref=lookoutnews.org)and in another instance said that being trans is a "delusion." "Cis is a slur. 'Sex assigned at birth' is a logical fallacy. Gender Affirming Care is child mutilation,” Kirk said. “Minor Attracted Persons are pedophiles. [Trans is a mental delusion.](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/19/opinion/kirk-killing-trans-trump.html?ref=lookoutnews.org) Reclaim the language they stole from us." In an online back-and-forth over Pride Month, Kirk [hinted at stoning](https://x.com/patriottakes/status/1800678317030564306?ref=lookoutnews.org) as an answer to homosexuality by referring to Bible verse. Karli Carnley, 20, was one of the hundreds of thousands of Kirk and Trump supporters who made the pilgrimage to Glendale to pay their respects to Kirk. Carnley, who drove overnight from San Diego with her aunt and arrived at the stadium at 4:30 a.m. to wait in line, said that she’s been furious about Kirk’s assasiantion. “No one seems like they can talk to each other anymore without having a massive fight,” she said, while looking for water in the massive crowd. Carnley, who has a friend in her life who transitioned from male to female, said she thinks most people misunderstand Kirk's position on the issue: “I can understand how some people think he’s transphobic,” Carnley added. “But he really just thinks they are lost souls.” Inside the stadium there was no ambiguity about where the MAGA architects were leading the party in a post-assasination world. Stephen Miller, Trump’s deputy chief of staff for policy, likened Kirk supporters to “the storm.” He delivered an apocalyptic speech directed at what he characterized as the country’s enemies. “You are wickedness. You are jealousy, you are envy, you are hatred. You are nothing,” the chief advisor said. “You can build nothing. You can produce nothing. You can create nothing. We are the ones who build. We are the ones who create. We are the ones who lift up humanity.” ### **Out of Many, One** ![A colorful pride flag with the word "PRIDE" on it, set against a partly cloudy sky.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/09/IMG_2588-copy-1.jpg) A Pride flag flies outside Pat O's Bunkhouse in Phoenix's Melrose District. The neighborhood's queer community and residents have had increased anxiety since someone was arrested for threatening to shoot up a gay bar to send a political message. (Photo by Clarissa Sosin) The combative language from speakers is why Leo Mountbatten, Hailay’s husband, thought Kirk was divisive and not in line with what he says he believes America stands for: “e pluribus unum,” the Latin phrase that was the U.S.’s official motto meaning “out of many, one,” until lawmakers changed it to “In God We Trust” in 1956\. [After Charlie Kirk’s Killing, Arizona Students Brace for FalloutQueer students at ASU and UArizona say the death of the Turning Point founder heightens their concerns about violence and rising hostility.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-159.png)LOOKOUTAnnika Miyata (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_6851-1.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/after-charlie-kirks-killing-arizona-students-brace-for-fallout/) “If he were to focus on that, more than ‘this is different from us,’ I think he’d be alive today,” he said from the patio at Pat O’s. “And I truly believe the way forward from this horrific tragedy is that we focus on forming one people from many people.” Mountbatten was a Republican who voted for President George W. Bush twice until he became a Democrat in 2008 and voted for President Barack Obama. He said he sympathizes with the wife and children Kirk leaves behind and grieves their loss. “As a husband and a father I feel that I’m sorry that that happened to him,” he said. “But at the same time being a husband and father is not a pass for being a horrible person.” ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### No Plan To Boost Patrols In Melrose Despite Threats To LGBTQ+ Community URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/no-plan-to-boost-patrols-in-melrose-despite-threats-to-lgbtq-community/ Last updated: 2025-10-16T18:10:12.000Z Phoenix police said they have no plans to increase patrols in the Melrose district this weekend, even as local LGBTQ+ bars heighten security in response to threats and escalating anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric in the lead-up to Charlie Kirk’s funeral, which is being held in Glendale on Sunday. In an email to *LOOKOUT*, the Phoenix Police Department confirmed that there will not be an increase in security for any specific business, but establishments can contact their local precinct and request a “patrol watch” from officers in their area, according to a statement from PPD’s public information sergeant Rob Scherer. “If there are over-arching concerns from the LGBTQ+ community, I would encourage them to contact the Community Engagement Bureau and/or the LGBTQ+ Advisory Board to communicate those concerns to PPD,” Scherer wrote. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Promotion for becoming a Lookout member, offering swag, event tickets, and magazine copies. In contrast, Tempe police told *LOOKOUT* they have proactively stepped up patrols for vulnerable communities, including reaching out to a handful of LGBTQ+ businesses to see if they needed extra security. “As it relates to the LGBTQ+ community in Tempe, we have received only one request for support, which was promptly addressed,” Tempe Police Cmdr. Kim Hale wrote in an email to *LOOKOUT*. Officers with Tempe Police contacted a local LGBTQ+ coffeehouse that confirmed they had no threats or worries, but appreciated the outreach. It's unclear if Phoenix Police did any similar outreach. With Kirk’s funeral expected to draw tens of thousands of mourners — including members of the Trump administration and the president himself — LGBTQ+ Arizonans say the moment feels especially volatile. Since Kirk’s death, multiple members of the Trump administration have leaned into transphobic language and placed blame for his assassination on the transgender community, including calls to have the [FBI designate transgender people](https://www.kenklippenstein.com/p/fbi-readies-new-war-on-trans-people?ref=lookoutnews.org) as “violent extremists” and [institutionalize transgender people](https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/two-republican-congresspeople-call?ref=lookoutnews.org). [Man Arrested for Threat To Shoot Up LGBTQ+ Bar Wanted to “Send A Message,” Charged with TerrorismPolice say the man admitted to making the threat, claiming he wanted to target the LGBTQ community as a result of online rhetoric from political leaders.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-157.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-09-18-at-3.36.10---PM-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/phoenix-police-arrest-man-accused-of-threatening-lgbtq-bar-amid-post-kirk-tensions/) (Kirk’s shooter was not transgender. Early reports said the bullets were inscribed with messages the administration described as “transgender ideology,” but the markings turned out to be manufacturer engravings.) Many fear gathering in public spaces as extremist rhetoric fuels harassment and threats. Online, queer residents have urged their friends to stay home and not go out this weekend to avoid any possible confrontations or protests. In the absence of a broader police response, some businesses are taking their own precautions. Stacy’s @ Melrose, another popular LGBTQ+ bar, placed armed security at its doors ahead of Thursday’s Euphoria dance party, which is centered on uplifting trans communities. An employee said those guards will remain stationed through the week. The announcement comes days after a Phoenix man threatened to “shoot up” Cruisin’ 7th, a well-known queer bar, citing online conspiracies that blamed transgender people for political violence. The man, 49-year-old Treven Gokey, allegedly told crisis line workers he was “triggered” by the assassination of Charlie Kirk, a far-right commentator who frequently spread anti-trans messaging. Gokey called Kirk a “martyr” and said he wanted to “harm others to send a message,” according to the arrest affidavit. Other bars in the area told *LOOKOUT* they were aware of the threat but had not yet implemented formal security changes. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Man Arrested for Threat To Shoot Up LGBTQ+ Bar Wanted to "Send A Message," Charged with Terrorism URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/phoenix-police-arrest-man-accused-of-threatening-lgbtq-bar-amid-post-kirk-tensions/ Last updated: 2025-11-12T21:57:39.000Z A Phoenix man was arrested Wednesday after police say he threatened to attack a nearby LGBTQ+ bar, citing Charlie Kirk’s assassination and online rhetoric blaming transgender people for political violence. He was charged with with threatening terrorism. According to an arrest affidavit, 49-year-old Treven Gokey called a crisis line on Sept. 17 and said he was “triggered by political events.” He specifically named Kirk’s killing as his motivation and claimed, without evidence, that “the last five school shootings have been committed by transgenders.” Investigators wrote that Gokey had become radicalized by online comments pushing the false narrative that transgender people are to blame for acts of violence. In the 14-minute call, Gokey threatened to “shoot up” Cruisin 7th, a popular LGBTQ+ bar near his apartment. When officers arrived for a welfare check, he confirmed making the threat and told them “radical left violence breeds a far-right response.” He added that while he did not own a firearm, “guns are accessible because it is America.” The affidavit also notes Gokey praised Kirk as a “martyr,” repeated extremist talking points, and made clear he wanted to “harm others to send a message.” Cruisin 7, known for drag shows and LGBTQ+ community events, was specifically identified as a target. Police say this was not Gokey’s first troubling contact with authorities. Earlier this month, he allegedly threatened to shoot bystanders to force a faster response to a call. Days earlier, he was transported to a crisis center after threatening suicide. Phoenix’s Bias Crimes Unit and Violent Crimes Bureau detained Gokey without incident. He was booked on multiple felony charges. ### After Charlie Kirk’s Killing, Arizona Students Brace for Fallout URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/after-charlie-kirks-killing-arizona-students-brace-for-fallout/ Last updated: 2025-10-16T18:18:37.000Z After far-right political influencer Charlie Kirk, an Arizona native and founder of the Phoenix-based conservative group Turning Point USA, was shot and killed last week at a Utah Valley University event, students at Arizona State University and the University of Arizona say they are grappling with fear and uncertainty about their safety. Kirk founded Turning Point in 2012, growing it into a national political organization with chapters at colleges and universities across the country. Its headquarters remain in Arizona, where Kirk was a frequent presence on campuses and at political events. Students at ASU and University of Arizona said they worry Kirk’s death could spark more violence, particularly against LGBTQ+ and other marginalized communities. [![Care about local news? Become a Lookout member for benefits like swag, event tickets, and a magazine.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) “A lot of my loved ones and myself are queer in one way or another, and it feels dangerous, especially seeing how many people that I am, you know, going to school with and are around so frequently are following Charlie Kirk,” ASU student Lillian Flottmann said. Flottmann said she struggles to reconcile her opposition to gun violence with Kirk’s statements targeting the LGBTQ+ community. “Obviously, I don’t want anyone to get shot dead,” Flottmann said. “But I’m also like, how am I supposed to say I’m so devastated when this person, you know, wanted some of my friends and possibly myself gone?” Flottmann said she was concerned that Kirk’s death would spur anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments. “I have friends who have been, you know, not attacked, but, like, harassed on the street just for looking a certain way,” she said. “After this past election, it already got worse, because, I don’t know, people felt more empowered to believe that way. Now, after this, when it turns trans people almost into an enemy, I can see it getting worse.” Heather Nguyen, another ASU student, described their reaction to Kirk’s death as complicated. [It’s OK to Have Mixed Feelings Charlie Kirk is DeadTherapists say it’s normal for marginalized communities to feel conflicted, or even nothing at all, after the death of someone who spent years targeting them.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-155.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/49286389217_e40d759544_k-1.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/its-ok-mixed-feelings-charlie-kirk-is-dead/) “For a second, I recognize that it felt cathartic,” Nguyen said. “But after that momentary catharsis ended, it kind of dawned on me that we, as a country, just took one step closer to more violence.” Political figures across Arizona have denounced political violence in the wake of Kirk’s death, but Nguyen said they saw that sentiment as hollow when considering Kirk’s statements targeting LGBTQ+ and other marginalized groups. Turning Point USA’s “Professor Watchlist,” for example — which listed off the names of professors who either were LGBTQ+ or taught what the group considered “woke — was used by two Turning Point employees to violently assault a queer ASU professor two years ago. “Everyone’s condemning political violence, but political violence happens every day,” Nguyen said, referring to cuts to Medicaid and public schools, among other systemic issues. “Suddenly, one day, one dude dies, and everyone’s like, ‘Oh, political violence is bad.’ Well, what happens to the other political violence that’s happening in the country?” There has also been considerable backlash within government and media institutions for speaking on the political violence that Kirk had advocated, such as putting medical doctors on Nuremberg-style trials for providing gender-affirming care. Instead, Kirk has been lauded as a champion of “free speech” by Republicans and Democrats, religious leaders, and online influencers. University of Arizona student Ruesha Paria cautioned against glorifying Kirk in death, saying the rhetoric Kirk spread through Turning Point may run counter to the empathy many seek to give him. [As Arizona Students Return, Turning Point USA’s Influence Looms Over ClassroomsThe conservative youth group has deepened its reach inside Arizona schools over the years, creating tension, alarm, and worry for students and staff.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-156.png)LOOKOUTNatalia Rodriguez (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Turning_Point_sign_-42195180564--1.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/as-arizona-students-return-turning-point-usas-influence-looms-over-classrooms/) “The people memorializing Kirk are also the same people who will spew, ‘Every life is valuable,’ yet continue to support a genocide and not advocate for Palestinians and other oppressed voices, not just in the United States, but around the world,” Paria said. “They only care when it’s a white man who dies.” As law enforcement continues to investigate Kirk’s suspected killer, news about the shooter’s potential connection to a transgender partner has drawn attention on social media, furthering controversy over now-debunked claims of “trans symbols” on the shooter’s bullets. “The Trump administration and its followers have enabled a space for hatred, and Turning Point jumped right into that space,” Paria said. “I fear for LGBTQ+ communities, Black and brown communities, and immigrants as well, as they are constantly targeted by Turning Point’s supporters.” As America navigates the fallout of Kirk’s death, LGBTQ+ students are bracing for a tumultuous political landscape. “I’m just scared,” Nguyen said. “Obviously, it’s OK to be scared, but, you know, I’m scared for my friends. I’m scared for my queer brothers and sisters.” ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### It’s OK to Have Mixed Feelings Charlie Kirk is Dead URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/its-ok-mixed-feelings-charlie-kirk-is-dead/ Last updated: 2025-09-17T22:14:29.000Z For many LGBTQ+ people, Charlie Kirk represented hostility. The far-right political commentator and founder of Turning Point USA [frequently disparaged LGBTQ+ people](https://www.mediamatters.org/charlie-kirk/charlie-kirk-has-history-violent-and-bigoted-rhetoric-he-was-first-guest-california?ref=lookoutnews.org), calling transgender people a [“throbbing middle finger to God,”](https://www.erininthemorning.com/p/tpusas-charlie-kirk-trans-people?ref=lookoutnews.org) describing [being gay as a harm to children,](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/charlie-kirk-turning-point-donald-trump-christian-nationalism-rcna156565?ref=lookoutnews.org) and referring to [LGBTQ+ identities as a “social contagion.”](https://www.mediamatters.org/charlie-kirk/charlie-kirk-calls-lgbt-identification-social-contagion?ref=lookoutnews.org) Kirk also made remarks about race, including questioning whether he [would feel safe if a pilot were Black](https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/columnist/mike-freeman/2024/02/04/charlie-kirk-black-pilot-comment-tuskegee-airmen/72412319007/?ref=lookoutnews.org) and [claiming God had cursed Black people to be “servile.”](https://www.rawstory.com/charlie-kirk-2673856519/?ref=lookoutnews.org) And as an Arizona resident and founder of one of the most prominent conservative groups in the state—both in the Capitol and school campuses—his death has sparked mixed feelings, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Kirk was shot and killed this week while speaking at a college event in what appears to be a political assassination. Shortly before he was attacked, he responded to an audience member’s question about mass shootings. Reactions to his death highlighted sharp divides. While media outlets and political leaders called for peace and remembrance—oftentimes downplaying or altogether never mentioning Kirk’s history of racist or homophobic comments—some in the LGBTQ+ community and other groups targeted by Kirk’s rhetoric expressed little grief. “It makes sense if you don’t feel a well of empathy for someone who made a career out of refusing to show it for others,” therapist Jeff Guenther said in an online post for his popular Instagram channel, *TherapyJeff*. “This doesn’t mean you’re celebrating. It doesn’t mean you’re cold-hearted. It just means your compassion has limits, and those limits are often shaped by how much compassion someone showed in their lifetime.” Online, many posts were blunt: A meme circulating on Instagram read: “The ultra violent country demands that we mourn the people who wanted us dead.” Other posts from specifically queer people were quick to note how Kirk called for [Nuremberg-styled trials of doctors who gave gender-affirming care, or called transgender people “groomers,” or pedophiles. ](https://www.scenemag.co.uk/charlie-kirk-a-legacy-of-anti-lgbtq-rhetoric/?ref=lookoutnews.org) [As Arizona Students Return, Turning Point USA’s Influence Looms Over ClassroomsThe conservative youth group has deepened its reach inside Arizona schools over the years, creating tension, alarm, and worry for students and staff.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-153.png)LOOKOUTNatalia Rodriguez (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Turning_Point_sign_-42195180564-.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/as-arizona-students-return-turning-point-usas-influence-looms-over-classrooms/) Bre Wandrych, a Phoenix-based social worker who works with LGBTQ+ clients, said her reaction reflected more complexity: “A part of me is sad for a man who died of gun violence—I don’t think anyone should die from gun violence,” she said, explaining how she took time to figure out what emotions she had. “A part of me feels nothing for a man who upheld white supremacy and bigotry. It might be a part of me is horrified to see a graphic video of a shooting, and it might be a part resentful because our community doesn’t get that same level of support when violence is inflicted on them.” Wandrych said conversations about empathy are central to processing moments like this. Researchers identify different types of empathy: cognitive empathy, which allows people to understand another’s perspective; emotional empathy, when people mirror the emotions of others; and compassionate empathy, which drives people to take action. But trauma, grief and what is known as “empathy fatigue” often shape how much empathy people are able to give. “When clients ask me, ‘Should I feel ashamed for not caring about his death?’ I see that as self-judgment layered on top of already difficult emotions,” Wandrych said. “Often those questions come from people who pride themselves on being empathetic, but feel conflicted when they can’t extend that empathy to someone who harmed them.” [Behind Arizona’s Anti-LGBTQ School Board Proposals – LOOKOUTArizona’s crusade against queer people in schools isn’t spontaneous, it’s being orchestrated with the help of a little-known organization with ties to other far-right groups.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-154.png)LOOKOUTTori Gantz (she/they)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/COALITION-1-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/the-quiet-coalition-behind-arizonas-anti-lgbtq-school-board-proposals/) She compared it to the way survivors of intimate partner violence may respond to news that their abuser has died: “If you’ve lived through repeated harm, it’s understandable that you may not feel sadness when that person is gone,” Wandrych said. “That doesn’t mean you’re cruel—it means you’re human. Our capacity for empathy is impacted by how much harm someone has caused us, and by how safe we feel.” For LGBTQ+ people, she said, those conflicts are magnified by collective trauma. “This year alone there were more than 900 bills introduced that would negatively impact transgender and nonconforming people,” she said. “That comes on top of decades of systemic discrimination. When you carry that history, it changes how much empathy you can—or should—expect yourself to have.” For Wandrych, the takeaway is that empathy is not limitless, and that does not make someone immoral. “These are complex emotions. Almost every feeling people have in this moment is valid,” she said. #### ****5 Steps to Identifying Your Emotions** ****1\. Pause and notice.** Before rushing to label your reaction, take a breath. Ask yourself what’s coming up in your body — tension, heaviness, numbness. These physical cues are often the first sign of an emotion. ****2\. Acknowledge self-judgment.** If you find yourself asking **“Should I feel bad for not being sad?”* that’s self-criticism layered on top of the actual emotion. Instead of shutting it down, try to welcome the judgment with curiosity: why do I feel guilty for not feeling something else? ****3\. Give your emotions a voice.** Imagining the emotion as if it could speak: **“I am anger, and I’m here because…”* or **“I am sadness, and I’m telling you…”* Giving emotions a voice helps separate them from who you are, making them easier to understand. ****4\. Use an emotions wheel.** Sometimes “angry” or “sad” isn’t precise enough. An emotions wheel (a visual map of feelings ranging from “tense” to “resentful” to “exhausted”) can help you identify what you’re actually experiencing. Specificity makes it easier to process. ****5\. Remember empathy has limits.** Trauma, grief, and “empathy fatigue” shape how much compassion you can extend. If someone has harmed you or your community, it’s natural for empathy to feel limited. That doesn’t make you cruel; it makes you human. Resources: Mind 24/7 is a walk-in urgent care clinic for mental health based in Phoenix and Mesa: Visit online at [https://www.mind24-7.com/](https://www.mind24-7.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org) or call/text 1-844-646-3247. **If you are in need of immediate emotional support, consider reaching out to one of the resources below:* Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 Thrive Lifeline: (313) 662-8209 Trans Lifeline: [https://translifeline.org/](https://translifeline.org/?ref=lookoutnews.org) Trevor Project: (866) 488-7386 Blackline: (800) 604-5841 StrongHearts Native Helpline: (888) 407-4515 Psychologist Travis Munnerlyn, who works with Arizona-basedqueer patients, agreed, saying Kirk's assassination creates what is known as"complex trauma." "This death doesn't make sense, and we weren't planning for it, and so it's complicated," he said. "There are many pieces that make it complicated. Therefore, its complex trauma for different people for different reasons and how we grieve any death is personal and individualized. To think that there's a template that we're all supposed to subscribe to is ridiculous." He added that for communities repeatedly targeted by Kirk's rhetoric, withholding empathy may be less about cruelty and more about survival: "It's not heartlessness. It's self-protection," Munnerlyn said. "Expecting targeted communities to feel empathy for abusers ignores their lived trauma experiences. They've built narratives to keep themselves safe-'that person is dangerous.' So when the abuser dies, the response may simply be, 'That's good for me.'" #### Correction While writing this story, we mis-transcribed a quote from Travis Munnerlyn, who we originally quoted saying "complex grief." That was incorrect and has been updated to read "complex trauma." We regret the error. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### School Board Prez Goes on Podcast That Called Same-Sex Marriage An ‘Abomination’ URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/school-board-prez-goes-on-podcast-that-called-same-sex-marriage-an-abomination/ Last updated: 2025-10-16T18:21:51.000Z Peoria Unified School District Governing Board President Heather Rooks appeared this month on a far-right podcast that called same-sex marriage “an abomination against God.” During the interview, which aired on Sept. 9, Rooks repeated unfounded claims that “groomers” and pedophiles are working across Arizona’s public schools. She also said LGBTQ+ people should be allowed to teach so long as they “keep your bedroom out of the classroom” and urged parents to elect conservative board members if they want their children safe in public schools. The podcast, The Myth of Education, is hosted by Tiffany Benson, a fringe conservative provocateur who has gained attention in Arizona’s far-right circles known for showing up at school boards to speak out against equity programs, LGBTQ+ people, and writing opinion pieces online claiming that America was founded as a Christian nation. She also advocates for Judeo-Christian teaching in schools. [![Ad for becoming a Lookout member, offering news access, swag, event tickets, and magazine delivery.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) The podcast is part of Benson’s Substack, Parents Pay Attention, which has published hate-filled opinion pieces calling queer people “unnatural,” labeled a school board member as a terrorist for supporting Free Palestine movements, and described other government officials who are LGBTQ+ as rejecting “high standards of sexual morality.” Benson has also been interviewed by Turning Point Academy, an affiliate of Turning Point USA that promotes Christian-based, anti-LGBTQ+ education programs. At least five schools in Arizona use the curriculum. ![A podcast titled "Is Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Racist? w/Heather Rooks" from The Myth of Education Podcast is shown.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/09/Screenshot-2025-09-10-at-9.57.09---AM.png) A screenshot from the Myth of Education podcast featuring Heather Rooks. Rooks was billed as a high-profile guest on Benson’s podcast, which has released only two episodes. The governing school board member holds similar views on religion inside school grounds, and took the district to task on claims that the district lawyer stifled her religious speech late last year. Rooks sued the school district, saying it was not letting her recite scripture before board meetings when she was first elected to the board in 2023\. After being warned by legal counsel two months into her role, she continued doing so despite comments from the board president. He said if she continued reciting scripture, she would be going against legal counsel and violating the state's Open Meetings Law and the Establishment Clause, which ensures the legal separation of church and state. The judge dismissed her case saying she lacked standing. The conversation largely centered on Peoria Unified’s decision to cut ties with the National Theatre Association over its diversity statement. Rooks said she tried to restore the partnership but believed the group refused to work with the district because of “discriminatory practices.” Both Rooks and Benson equated diversity, equity and inclusion efforts to racism. Benson called DEI “Jim Crow 2.0.” At one point, Benson asked Rooks if she “hates LGBTQ+ people.” Rooks said no, but moments later Benson described same-sex marriage as “an abomination to God” and singled out Kyle Clayton, an LGBTQ+ board member in the Washington Elementary School District, saying he should not be allowed near a school because of his identity. [Peoria Unified School District Settles With River ChunnuiAfter a judge ruled the case could move forward, Peoria Unified quietly settled with River Chunnui, who accused conservative-aligned board members of mounting a public campaign to get them fired.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-152.png)LOOKOUTTori Gantz (she/they)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/unnamed--1-.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/peoria-unified-settles-with-trans-teacher-after-judge-rejects-districts-attempt-for-dismissal/) The episode also revisited Rooks’ push for a “No Grooming and Child Protection" policy at her school district, which prohibits staff from engaging in behaviors such as flirtatious communication, sexual jokes or innuendos, confiding in students about private matters, socializing with students outside of school activities, giving personal gifts, keeping secrets with students, using peer-like language, and being alone with students behind closed doors. Under the proposal, all staff and volunteers would be required to undergo training on recognizing grooming behaviors and reporting suspected abuse to administrators, child protection officers, and the Arizona State Board of Education. The district would be required to cooperate with law enforcement, and staff found in violation could face discipline, including suspension or termination. Rooks argued on the podcast that banning teachers from using personal social media to communicate with students was necessary because, she said, it was an entry point to sexual misconduct in other cases. On its face, the policy would seem reasonable. The word “grooming,” however, has been increasingly used by conservative activists with similar ideas as Rooks to disparage LGBTQ+ people. In Mesa, a lawsuit was filed after a columnist and blogger accused teacher Tami Staas of “grooming” students by displaying Pride flags and discussing pronouns. [A Mesa board member who shared the articles also accusing the teacher of “grooming” was later dropped from the case](https://www.lookoutnews.org/east-valley-lgbtq-coffee-shops-rally-community-to-defend-teacher-in-court/). [Sharon Benson Named in Teacher’s Defamation LawsuitSharon Benson is named in a lawsuit for allegedly defaming a teacher she is set to have power over.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-151.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/DALL-E-2024-11-20-09.41.52---A-minimalistic-line-drawing-of-a-woman-standing-with-her-back-facing-the-viewer--looking-toward-the-Arizona-Capitol-building.-The-woman-has-shoulder-l-3.webp)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/after-online-attacks-against-her-by-an-incoming-school-board-member-a-mesa-teacher-is-suing/) Conservative activists have also been quick to label any public displays of LGBTQ+ people, including Pride flags or Pride events, as “grooming.” Rooks and Peoria Unified also recently settled a civil case with former teacher River Chunnui, who is nonbinary. The lawsuit accused Rooks of targeting Chunnui by posting disparaging comments about their pronouns and amplifying Moms for Liberty posts that suggested LGBTQ+ teachers were “grooming” children. At the end of the podcast, Rooks reiterated her support for school choice and noted her own children attend public school. She warned parents that if they enroll their kids in public schools, they should vote for conservatives to “keep their children safe.” When asked if LGBTQ+ people should be allowed around children, Rooks gave a tepid response: “So as long as you can teach and you keep your bedroom out of the classroom, that is what we're looking for today.” ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### NewFest Steps In After Arizona LGBTQ+ Film Festival Canceled by Diversity Ban URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/newfest-steps-in-after-arizona-lgbtq-film-festival-canceled-by-diversity-ban/ Last updated: 2025-09-15T18:07:02.000Z After a national uproar over the cancellation of Arizona’s only LGBTQ+ film festival due to anti-diversity initiatives at the college where it was held, the Desperado Film Festival appears to be spinning out on its own, with a little help from the nation’s largest queer film festival. NewFest, the largest LGBTQ+ film festival in the United States, announced Tuesday its Arizona Queer Film Access Initiative. In collaboration with Desperado, the program will offer free virtual access to a curated selection of films from NewFest’s 37th Annual New York LGBTQ+ Film Festival to Arizona residents. NewFest’s announcement followed *LOOKOUT*’s reporting that the long-running Desperado festival was forced to cancel its annual event in direct response to President Donald Trump’s January executive order seeking to end diversity, equity and inclusion programs at publicly funded institutions. [![Become a Lookout member. Offers free swag, event tickets, and a magazine copy.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) “As the country’s largest LGBTQ+ film festival, NewFest has a responsibility to show up when access to queer stories is threatened,” said David Hatkoff, NewFest’s executive director. That cancellation became a national flashpoint, showing how Trump’s federal policies are reshaping local arts and cultural spaces, particularly in communities with limited queer representation, such as Paradise Valley, where the festival was hosted. The festival’s rebound mirrors another recent comeback in the Valley. Earlier this year, Maricopa County Community College District dissolved Equality Maricopa, the state’s largest advocacy group for LGBTQ+ students, under the same anti-DEI guidance that shuttered Desperado. Within months, the group relaunched as an independent nonprofit with 501(c)(3) status and renewed community support, vowing to expand scholarships and advocacy across Arizona. [After Maricopa Community College’s DEI Crackdown, Equality Maricopa ReturnsThe nation’s largest community college system disbanded the group in February under new federal guidance. Now, Equality Maricopa is charting its own path statewide.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-150.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-08-25-at-9.57.33---AM.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/after-maricopa-community-colleges-dei-crackdown-equality-maricopa-returns/) For many advocates, the parallel stories of Equality Maricopa and Desperado show both the damage and resilience sparked by policy-driven rollbacks. “It felt like a calling, in some ways, to step up. This is about visible, pragmatic solidarity — keeping queer stories available to Arizona audiences, honoring the work of partners like Desperado, and standing with communities who rely on these films for connection and visibility,” Hatkoff said. “It also means refusing to stand by in the face of attempts to silence queer voices.” “Desperado is very grateful for this opportunity presented by NewFest,” said Dale Heuser, Desperado co-coordinator. “We are adapting to new challenges, but our vision remains the same and we look forward to gathering again in 2026 to celebrate queer film, build community, and support LGBTQ+ artists and audiences.” Starting Oct. 9, Arizona residents will receive complimentary virtual access to a selection of 130 films from NewFest37 through the end of the festival on Oct. 21\. NewFest will announce the full programming lineup Sept. 10. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### How Rainbow Bliss Botanicals Rewrites the Rules of Wellness URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/how-rainbow-bliss-botanicals-rewrites-the-rules-of-wellness/ Last updated: 2025-09-30T20:35:55.000Z #### OutBack This is one in a series that uncovers the untold stories of LGBTQ+ life beyond the city, celebrating queer businesses and community in Arizona's suburban and rural areas. [Read more stories here.](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tag/outback/) If you didn’t know before walking into Rainbow Bliss Botanicals in east Tempe that it was queer-friendly, you’d never question it after seeing rainbow prayer flags with the seven chakras and rainbow-hued apparel for sale. But while the business markets itself as a safe space for queer shoppers, its owner, Chloe Bee, sees the shop as a way to help the LGBTQ+ community rectify what she sees as a problem: reliance on Western medicine. Bee, who’s pansexual, sees herbal medicine as a way to break from what she says are addictive substances and harmful pharmaceuticals. [![Advertisement for a "Lookout" membership offering swag, event tickets, and a magazine copy.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) She sells blends like Cockstar and Multiple Orgasm Mocha—made with substances such as ashwagandha root, damiana leaf powder, maca root and more—that help as sexual aids and mood boosters. Herbs for aches, pains, and other ailments are also available. “It’s fun to educate people on all the potential of plant medicine and how they can alter your mood and lift your spirits,” Bee said. ### **A “soothing and healing” space** Bee started with a tiny shop called Happy Healthy Horny High Herbs off Mill Avenue in downtown Tempe in 2012\. It moved to a roomier, 1,500-square-foot location in a strip mall at East Southern Avenue and South McClintock Drive in December of 2024 and was renamed to Rainbow Bliss Botanicals. Even if you have no interest in natural healing, the space is worth a visit. The store hosts events ranging from open mic nights and dance parties to classes on ancestral beading, reflexology, yoga, and more. In June, spiritual healer Lucas Morales of Tempe began holding Queer Roots Circle in the shop. It’s a group “for queer people looking to meet other queer people who are interested in spirituality,” he explained. Morales said it was important to him to find a place where the products were ethically sourced and where he and others felt loved and welcomed. “\[Bee\] just puts all this intention and care into her space, and her patrons—a lot of them are queer as well—can sense that,” Morales said. Rainbow Bliss Botanicals also offers a wide range of food and drinks, which Bee describes as “anti-inflammatory and soothing and healing.” Thanks to a spacious commercial kitchen, it also houses Desert Roots Kitchen, a vegan restaurant that relocated in June after operating in downtown Tempe for 13 years. ![A person in an apron holds a plate in a store with glass jars on shelves. Rainbow Bliss Botanicals is appropriate here.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/09/Desert-Roots-Kitchen-Leslie-Robin.jpeg) Leslie Robin owns and runs Desert Roots Kitchen, a vegan restaurant inside Rainbow Bliss Botanicals. Photo by Geri Koeppel. Desert Roots Kitchen’s vegan dishes are full of spices and flavors, created by intuition rather than measurements or recipes, said owner Leslie Robin of Tempe. And they’re safe for people with food allergies, she added, because they make all dishes to order and don’t cross-contaminate. Prices start at $7 for a half wrap and are $18 and up for heartier meals. Rainbow Bliss Botanicals also offers food—including Lion’s Mane mushroom tacos and a chicken salad sandwich—and a long list of drinks, including pour-over Peixoto coffee, matcha, chai, mocktails and “potions” that can be jazzed up with kava or kratom. Prices range from $6 to $15. It provides an alternative to a bar where people can unwind and “have great conversations where you won’t say shit you’ll regret,” Bee said. ### **Herbs for health, joy—and sex** Rainbow Bliss Botanicals is not just for hardcore herbal medicine aficionados. Bee said she’s not against Western medicine, but added, “I do truly believe that herbal medicine can eradicate the necessity to prescribe so many of these potentially harmful drugs.” Bee and her staff—all of whom are trained herbalists—get a lot of questions about improving male sexual performance over age 50\. They also have transgender clients who want to “feel more embodied through their transition” and get help with balance and healing. It’s not a new trade for Bee. She grew up in conservative Fountain Hills. But her mom, a “flower child” as she put it, was an aromatherapist who used herbal remedies for things like sore muscles, respiratory support and the flu and raised her daughter around “healthy, sober people.” But Bee said her high school was “ravaged” by opiates and methamphetamines. “I watched some of my beautiful, bright, happy friends get hooked on horrible pharmaceuticals that stole their light,” she said. In her early twenties, Bee discovered that herbs could provide a high without the negative effects. She has a degree in sustainable ecosystems and soil science, but also studies Chinese medicine. For the past seven years, Bee has split her time between homes in Tempe and Oahu in Hawaii where she shares land in a co-op with other farmers and grows many of the herbs used in her products. Her customers come in for a variety of health issues, but Rainbow Bliss Botanicals is known for 100 percent organic herbs that act as mood enhancers and aphrodisiacs. For instance, kanna can produce euphoria, kava can reduce anxiety and maca root is said to offer energy and clarity (and possibly a stronger libido). The cost ranges from $5 for a pack of “giggly, fun” herbal cigs to $35 for a container of herbal aphrodisiacs. “People love to get high and sparkly and have the energy to dance all night and flirt and all the things,” Bee said. *Rainbow Bliss Botanicals and Desert Roots Kitchen are at 1628 E. Southern Ave., No. 4, Tempe 85282\. Online:* [*rainbowblissbotanicals.com*](http://rainbowblissbotanicals.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org)*;* [*facebook.com/DesertRootsKitchen*](http://facebook.com/DesertRootsKitchen) ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### After Maricopa Community College's DEI Crackdown, Equality Maricopa Returns URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/after-maricopa-community-colleges-dei-crackdown-equality-maricopa-returns/ Last updated: 2025-09-15T18:05:11.000Z Equality Maricopa, a longtime advocacy group for LGBTQIA+ students, has relaunched as an independent nonprofit and secured 501(c)(3) status after being disbanded earlier this year by the Maricopa County Community College District. The move allows Equality Maricopa to expand its reach beyond community colleges and serve LGBTQIA+ students at colleges and universities across Arizona. Leaders say the nonprofit will boost scholarships, strengthen fundraising and broaden advocacy efforts to create safer, more inclusive learning environments. “This transition is more than a relaunch. This is a reaffirmation of our commitment to LGBTQIA+ students,” said Jay Franzen, president of Equality Maricopa. “We are returning stronger, more focused, and better positioned to ensure every student feels safe, welcomed, and empowered to complete their education.” [![Advertisement for Lookout membership with benefits like free swag, event tickets, and magazine copies.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Founded more than five years ago, the group has provided scholarships, programming and advocacy for LGBTQIA+ students, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars to reduce barriers to graduation. Its work was interrupted Feb. 21, when MCCCD — the nation’s largest community college system — announced it was dissolving Equality Maricopa and other affinity groups to comply with guidance from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights. [DEI Ban Impacts Maricopa Community College GroupsAn email sent Friday by Chancellor Steven Gonzalez laid out an initiative to remove pronouns, alter bathroom signage, and do away with all staff-led groups related to diversity and equity.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-149.png)LOOKOUTTori Gantz (she/they)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Mesa_Community_College-_Mesa_Arizona-1-1.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/maricopa-county-community-college-disbands-lgbtq-group/) At the time, Chancellor Steven Gonzalez said the district would no longer support staff- or faculty-led groups connected to race, gender or national origin, and that all diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) affinity groups would be disbanded. The guidance also directed the removal of race, gender and sexuality-related language from MCCCD websites and restricted the use of gender identity-related signage, such as pronouns in email signatures. The changes froze Equality Maricopa’s Prism Scholarships, which supported 10 students this year, and barred the group from using district funds to appear at community events such as Phoenix Pride. Despite the setback, Equality Maricopa’s board said the nonprofit structure puts the organization on stronger footing to continue its mission. The group plans to reintroduce scholarships, expand partnerships and host community events statewide. The organization will appear at Phoenix Pride in October as part of its relaunch. More information is available at equalitymaricopa.org. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Take A Queer Desert Road Trip and Get Tattooed Along the Way URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/take-a-queer-desert-road-trip-and-get-tattooed-along-the-way/ Last updated: 2025-09-15T17:55:33.000Z Arizona’s sprawling deserts, winding highways and towering mountains are home to a vibrant queer community making its mark across the state. From tattoo studios tucked into historic downtowns to hair salons and piercing shops along major freeways, LGBTQ+ artists are creating spaces of beauty, resilience and self-expression. While metro Phoenix offers an abundance of LGBTQ+-owned businesses, many queer artists thrive in smaller towns and rural areas too — often creating inclusive hubs where few existed before. Whether you're looking for your next tattoo, a fresh hairstyle or a shimmering new piercing, Arizona’s queer creatives are ready to welcome you. Lookout rounded up some standout LGBTQ+ artists and business owners who can be found along — and a little off — the state's well-traveled roads. ### **Fox Hall Tattoo | Kingman** Starting in the heart of downtown Kingman, several miles east of the Arizona-Nevada border, is Fox Hall Tattoo, a private studio specializing in neotraditional and art nouveau botanical and animal designs. Queer tattoo artist and shop owner Emily Halber began her career as a receptionist and apprentice at a studio in Flagstaff before moving to Kingman for love and gaining the confidence to open Fox Hall in 2023. Initially concerned about relocating her largely queer and women clientele to a more politically conservative area, Halber found herself part of Kingman’s downtown revitalization alongside supportive business owners and neighbors. Although outspoken dissenters have made themselves known, Halber describes her experience living among rural "cowboys" as “big hat, no cattle,” with a resilient "love ethic" growing in the local community. “It’s such a magical feeling to create art with hundreds of new friends every year and have the opportunity to learn from them — from moms and rocket scientists to teachers and exotic zookeepers,” Halber said. “Making art has always been part of my life, but connecting with others is a reason for living. Growing and learning because of my clients is my favorite part of my job.” ![A person is getting a tattoo on their shoulder.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/08/IMG_6615--1-.jpeg) Courtesy of Fox Hall Tattoo in Kingman ### **Zoology Ink | Prescott and Cave Creek** A couple hours south of Kingman, queer artist Aubreigh Lynn — professionally known as Zoology Ink — works out of two studios: Blue Heron Ink in Prescott and Little Bird Ink in Cave Creek. A former zookeeper, Lynn studied in Colorado before spending seven years caring for animals, all while pursuing art commissions online. After building a clientele, she launched Zoology Ink in 2023 and now travels across the country guest spotting at tattoo shops. Specializing in flora and fauna designs, Lynn aims to create a safe, body-positive space for her clients. “A queer person with a business in a small town is a rare species to find,” Lynn said. “Prescott is a growing college town, and we need more places like this to just be yourself and love who you are.” ### [**Toro Luxury Studio**](https://toroluxurystudio.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org) **| Peoria** West of the 101 Freeway in Peoria is Toro Luxury Studio, a queer- and women-owned private piercing studio focused on safe practices and inclusive care. Owner and professional piercer Gianna Albanese, trained by a dental hygienist, emphasizes using only dental-grade and implant-grade titanium or gold jewelry. The studio offers a variety of piercings, including industrials, nose rings, paired piercings and tooth gems. “Arizona isn’t the most LGBT-friendly state, so I take pride in creating a safe space for clients to express themselves however they desire,” Albanese said. “My goal is to give back to the community.” Clients can book appointments through Toro’s website while Albanese works toward opening a storefront to expand accessibility. ![Two hands with tattoos are gently holding each other.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/08/A-trans-couple-holding-hands-1-1.jpg) Vice Beyond the Spectrum Stock Photo ### [**Zach’s Rainbow Cult** ](https://www.zachsrainbowcult.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org)**| Peoria** Also in Peoria, just south of the Agua Fria Freeway, is Zach’s Rainbow Cult — a queer-owned hair salon known for vibrant, gender-inclusive styles. Offering more than 15 services and treatments, owner Zach Massart does not separate cuts by gender, reflecting a philosophy that hair expression shouldn’t be confined. Massart, who moved from Washington state in 2023, acknowledges that building a queer-centered business in Arizona has had challenges. “There aren’t a lot of queer spaces in Arizona, especially in Peoria,” Massart said. “Finding clientele who matched my energy was, and still is, a struggle. But I feel empowered to provide a safe space for all people.” Clients can book online or through social media. Zach’s Rainbow Cult also offers a “silent appointment” option for neurodivergent clients who prefer a quiet, low-stimulation environment. ### [**Sublime Tattoo**](https://sophiemctear.com/aboutsophie?ref=lookoutnews.org) **| Tucson** At the base of Tucson’s “A” Mountain, Sublime Tattoo stands out as an all-femme, queer-run studio prioritizing safety, collaboration and creativity. Queer tattoo artist Sophie McTear specializes in styles ranging from American traditional to folk and illustrative work. McTear said that while Arizona’s political climate poses challenges, the local queer community’s resilience continues to inspire them. “I’m constantly inspired by the way we show up for each other — through art, mutual aid and just carving out spaces where we can be ourselves,” McTear said. “Tattooing has become a way for me to connect with people on a really human level, and I’m grateful to do that work in this context.” Clients can book sessions with McTear through Sublime Tattoo’s website or by visiting the shop during their next trip to Tucson. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### East Valley LGBTQ+ Coffee Shops Rally Community to Defend Teacher In Court URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/east-valley-lgbtq-coffee-shops-rally-community-to-defend-teacher-in-court/ Last updated: 2025-09-15T17:51:38.000Z Mesa residents have rallied around a local teacher, pooling more than $19,000 to push back against the rising tide of online smears targeting LGBTQ+ people in education. The effort began last October at Brick Road Coffee in Tempe, when co-owner Gabe Hagen talked with longtime customer and Mesa elementary school teacher Tami Staas. Staas, who is active in transgender youth advocacy, was preparing to [file a defamation lawsuit against several](https://www.lookoutnews.org/after-online-attacks-against-her-by-an-incoming-school-board-member-a-mesa-teacher-is-suing/) people, including two conservative blog and opinion writers who had accused her online of “sexual grooming” students — allegations a judge recently ruled could move forward to trial. “Teachers don’t make a ton of money,” Hagen said. “So, in conversation with her, that’s where the idea came from — what if we just used that roundup feature we have at Brick Road to create a community fund?” [![It's an ad for becoming a Lookout member, offering swag, event tickets, and a magazine subscription.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Since then, customers at Brick Road and Empower Coffee Roasters in Mesa, which Hagen also co-owns with his husband Jesse, have been rounding up their purchases at the register to contribute to what’s being called the [LGBTQ+ Teacher Legal Defense Fund.](https://www.brickroadtempe.com/products/donation-lgbtq-teacher-legal-defense-fund?ref=lookoutnews.org) More than 9,000 small donations have poured in — most averaging about $1.50. “Every month I’m writing almost $2,000 checks to support this lawsuit and to support this teacher that doesn’t make enough to actually defend her rights,” Hagen said. “It does give me hope … it shows that there’s space for more businesses to do this as well.” The lawsuit has become a flashpoint in Arizona’s education and political climate. Earlier this summer, a judge dismissed two defendants, ruling their comments were protected opinion. But the court found that allegations by two others — including claims that Staas was “grooming” students — could be read as defamatory. That portion of the case is moving forward. [Sharon Benson Named in Teacher’s Defamation LawsuitSharon Benson is named in a lawsuit for allegedly defaming a teacher she is set to have power over.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-147.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/DALL-E-2024-11-20-09.41.52---A-minimalistic-line-drawing-of-a-woman-standing-with-her-back-facing-the-viewer--looking-toward-the-Arizona-Capitol-building.-The-woman-has-shoulder-l-2.webp)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/after-online-attacks-against-her-by-an-incoming-school-board-member-a-mesa-teacher-is-suing/) For Hagen, the fund isn’t just about one lawsuit — it’s about giving community members a direct way to act. “One of the things we hear is that people feel helpless and they want to help, but they don’t always know how,” he said. “I’m not a rich business owner. But I have a community of people who are over it, and they want to support someone who is deeply respected in our community.” The plan, Hagen said, is for Staas to reinvest any recovered legal fees back into the fund, building a reserve that could one day support other teachers facing similar attacks. “Right now, it really only sustains this one case,” Hagen said. “But the hope is that we’re able to convert this into an ongoing fund that can continue to support teachers.” Donations can be made at the register at both Brick Road Coffee and Empower Coffee Roasters, or [online at Brick Road’s website.](https://www.brickroadtempe.com/products/donation-lgbtq-teacher-legal-defense-fund?ref=lookoutnews.org) [Some LGBTQ+ Arizonans Are Avoiding the Capitol For SafetyWhile advocates advised families of queer youth to stop showing up at the Capitol for fear of being sought out and investigated, others continue to have their voices heard in hearings.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-148.png)LOOKOUTTori Gantz (she/they)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/AGENDA-LOOKOUT-1-3.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/some-lgbtq-arizonans-are-avoiding-the-capitol-for-safety/) ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### As Arizona Students Return, Turning Point USA’s Influence Looms Over Classrooms URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/as-arizona-students-return-turning-point-usas-influence-looms-over-classrooms/ Last updated: 2025-10-16T18:24:23.000Z In Arizona campuses, Turning Point USA’s presence is no longer subtle. The national conservative youth group has planted chapters in more than 20 high schools, major universities, and community groups, published watchlists of teachers, and mobilized students to fight LGBTQ+ policies across the state — moves that advocates say are creating hostile environments for queer and transgender students as well as staff. Turning Point USA describes itself as a “free markets, limited government” organization for young conservatives. Much of its activity on school campuses focuses on social issues, including wading into conversations around patriotism, “wokeness,” and opposing curriculum and programs that address race, gender identity, and sexuality. Included in its resources for students and followers are public watchlists naming teachers and districts that host LGBTQ+ events, teach about gender diversity or reference critical race theory — a college-level law course that conservatives have argued (incorrectly) is being taught in public schools en masse. [![Ad for becoming a Lookout member, offering news access, swag, event tickets, and magazine delivery.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) One such tool, TPUSA’s School Board Watchlist, identifies school districts the group considers “radical” for promoting diversity and inclusion. Critics say the list has encouraged online harassment of educators and administrators. TPUSA operates a similar Professor Watchlist for higher education faculty. One of those watchlists featured Arizona State University instructor David Boyles, a nonbinary professor who was attacked on campus in 2023 by two TPUSA employees — Kalen D’Almeida and Braden Ellis. County prosecutors [dropped charges](https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/24601374/tpusaellisorder.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) after both men [agreed to complete](https://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/24601375/tpusadalmeidaorder.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) a deferment program. Ellis left the organization in 2024\. D’Almeida still works for TPUSA’s media arm, Frontlines. Neither person could be reached for comment on whether the deferment program changed their perspectives on LGBTQ+ people. But in June, D’Almeida [posted on X](https://x.com/fromkalen/status/1928199743588454542/?ref=lookoutnews.org), formerly Twitter, that “trans people will kill you.” Advocates for inclusive education say Turning Point’s presence on campus has a chilling effect in classrooms, particularly in making students feel unsafe. *LOOKOUT* attempted to reach students at public schools with TPUSA chapters but could not get students on the record to speak about their experience. The outlet also reached out to Turning Point USA's point of contact for school chapters, along with multiple local chapter leaders via email but did not receive a response back. “We don’t believe Turning Point USA belongs in our schools,” said Aten Morin, engagement and communications manager for Just Schools, an education advocacy group focused on students and youth. “They push false information, try to make LGBTQ+ students feel like they don’t belong, and go after teachers who support them. They aren’t here to help students or build understanding.” Meredith Walker, an educator who spent most of her career as a professor at Grand Canyon University, said TPUSA regularly set up recruitment tables in prominent areas on campus. She said LGBTQ+ groups often used spaces on the campus periphery, avoiding the group. [In a leaked web meeting, school board candidates doubled-down on anti-trans rhetoric.The webcast, organized by Arizona Women of Action, is part of a campaign to use LGBTQ+ issues as a galvanizing issue this November.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-145.png)LOOKOUTTori Gantz (she/they)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_0107-6.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/in-a-leaked-web-meeting-far-right-school-board-candidates-doubled-down-on-anti-trans-rhetoric/) “The fact that Turning Point was so welcome on campus was indicative of a very anti-queer, anti-any-other-thought process other than conservative Republicanism,” Walker said. “They look for a fight, and then when they get a fight, they scream oppression.” Supporters of TPUSA’s approach argue — without evidence — that schools are teaching politically biased education around gender, sexuality, race and socio-economic issues. Critics say those perceptions have influenced some supporters of the organization into online threats, physical violence or persecution, such as calling for the firing of queer teachers, removing queer youth from schools, or labeling classroom discussions around sexuality or gender as predatory behavior. “This isn’t free speech, it’s targeted harm,” Morin said. At the Capitol, the organization has faced limited pushback from lawmakers. Legislators have advanced bills that could limit Gay-Straight Alliance clubs in schools — a bill that never became law — but there has been no similar effort to limit clubs supported by TPUSA that promote or align with anti-LGBTQ+ groups such as Moms for Liberty, which the Southern Poverty Law Center has designated as a hate group. Tyler Kowch, communications manager for Save Our Schools Arizona, said schools are often reluctant to challenge TPUSA because of the organization’s resources and legal capabilities. “Opposing the organization could lead to a massive lawsuit with a lot of media attention, and unfortunately, a lot of our schools just can’t afford that,” Kowch said. TPUSA does not disclose how local chapters are funded or who oversees them. Its national office is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit closely tied to Turning Point Action, a 501(c)(4) political organization that spends millions to influence elections. The group also runs a Christian-based online academy program that teaches there are only two genders and denounces homosexuality. Four Arizona schools are affiliated: Solas Academy in Gilbert, Majestic Grace Christian Academy in Phoenix, Dream City Christian in Glendale and Refresh Learning Center in Waddell. According to its website, TPUSA has chapters at more than 20 Phoenix-area high schools, as well as student-led clubs at the University of Arizona, Arizona State University, Grand Canyon University, Northern Arizona University and several community colleges. GCU is listed as the largest campus chapter with 150 members. TPUSA also operates “activism hubs” for students without formal chapters, which organize rallies, protests and campaigns. Both TPUSA and its political arm have worked to influence local school board elections. In 2022, Kirk called Arizona a “battleground” for conservative education reform, pledging to train students to “retake our schools.” Supporters and affiliates have attended school board meetings in Peoria, Chandler and Scottsdale to oppose LGBTQ+ books, inclusive sex education and transgender participation in youth intramural sports. [Behind Arizona’s Anti-LGBTQ School Board Proposals – LOOKOUTArizona’s crusade against queer people in schools isn’t spontaneous, it’s being orchestrated with the help of a little-known organization with ties to other far-right groups.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-146.png)LOOKOUTTori Gantz (she/they)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/COALITION-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/the-quiet-coalition-behind-arizonas-anti-lgbtq-school-board-proposals/) Kowch first noticed TPUSA after it sponsored a Trump rally at Dream City Church in 2024\. That year, he said, the group increased its activity in school board races, using social media campaigns, training summits and its watchlists to mobilize supporters. As LOOKOUT reported in September 2024, a leaked meeting with a TPUSA leader and TPUSA-backed board members showed a strategist coaching participants on ways to resist LGBTQ+ policies in schools. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### The Unanswered Death of Marcus Freiberger URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/the-unanswered-death-of-marcus-frieberger/ Last updated: 2025-11-12T21:50:51.000Z For just under a month, Marcus Freiberger’s name was all over the internet in Arizona. Among people in LGBTQ+ chat groups, missing persons threads and social media posts, Freiberger was regarded as a tale of caution, woe and even conspiracy. People claimed his disappearance was related to the rising cases of hate crimes across the nation. Rumors spread that a group of local kids were catfishing on dating apps to harm gay men. Some speculated drugs were a major factor. Five days after a missing persons report was filed, police found him dead — naked and floating in a rock quarry in south Phoenix. [![Advertisement encouraging Lookout membership, offering swag, event tickets, and a magazine.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) But the rumors didn’t stop. National news outlets portrayed the case as mysterious — possibly a violent crime that echoed patterns seen in anti-LGBTQ+ attacks from upstate New York to Seattle. It took months for Freiberger’s family or friends to learn any details about what happened — and even then, most of the information came through news reports, not police officials. To this day, questions remain. The medical examiner’s autopsy report released in May offered a less-than-conclusive cause of death. Before the report was made public, police had closed the case without explanation or a narrative about what happened the night Freiberger left his apartment for an alleged date and never returned. As a result, those close to Freiberger say Phoenix police left them feeling dismissed, ignored and kept out of the loop. They just want to know what happened. ### **‘Sometimes people do this’** On Friday, Feb. 21, news outlets reported that Freiberger, 45, had left his home to go on a blind date. It would be the last time his friends and family would hear from him. Christopher Krcmarik, Freiberger’s ex-partner, said it wasn’t unusual for him to disappear for days on end, but became concerned when text messages went unanswered. A mutual friend suggested Freiberger may have gone away to “make some money real quick.” Krcmarik said Freiberger was “always having phone issues” — it wouldn’t have been unusual for him to lose his phone. On March 3, Krcmarik said he stopped by Freiberger’s house. There, he found Thomas — the dog they had adopted together — left unattended and unfed. Krcmarik contacted Freiberger’s sister, who contacted their parents. Collectively, they decided to wait two weeks before reporting him missing. Amber Cranford, a longtime friend of Freiberger who initiated the circulation of missing persons flyers that gained national attention, said she was taken aback by the police response. “They did not seem to take his disappearance seriously,” she told *LOOKOUT* in an email. [A Brutal Attack In Phoenix On Queer ArizonansA gay man was knifed after allegedly being called a homophobic slur. The Maricopa County Attorney said it’s not enough to charge his attacker.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-142.png)LOOKOUTCelina Jiménez (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Almaraz3-1-2.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/gay-man-brutally-attacked-in-phoenix-no-prosecution/) Cranford said she pleaded — without success — for police to track Freiberger’s cellphone or request his last known location from his carrier. Police told her they couldn’t because there was no evidence of a crime to obtain a subpoena. “‘Sometimes people do this,’” she said the police told her, referencing [rare cases where people voluntarily go missing](https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/15/us/missing-persons-cases-runaways?ref=lookoutnews.org). Cranford said she believed media attention would persuade police to do more than post a flyer online. “Even with all of the exposure we tried to get this story, the Phoenix PD never once reached out to the public for help,” she said. “It was extremely frustrating.” (It remains unclear what community outreach steps, if any, detectives took.) Five days after the missing persons report was filed, law enforcement [discovered ](https://www.azfamily.com/2025/03/25/missing-phoenix-yoga-instructor-confirmed-dead/?ref=lookoutnews.org)[Freiberger's unclothed body floating in a rock quarry ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/the-unanswered-death-of-marcus-frieberger/)at a construction site near 15th Avenue and Broadway Road in Phoenix. His truck was parked nearby. Nearly four months later, the Maricopa County Medical Examiner released the autopsy and toxicology report, which showed Freiberger had methamphetamine in his system and suffered blunt force trauma to the head, right ankle and ribs. [The cause of death was ruled “undetermined.”](https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/valley/medical-examiner-rules-beloved-yoga-teachers-manner-of-death-undetermined-marcus-freiberger/75-17dc6410-82ac-4f4f-8577-6ee80c37c6d9?ref=lookoutnews.org) Before the public release of the report, police had already closed the case, according to an email to *LOOKOUT* from the Phoenix Police Department. ![It's a missing person poster for Marcus Frieberger, with details and contact information for the Phoenix Police Department.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/08/Screenshot-2025-08-04-at-11.24.17---AM.png) The missing person's flyer for Marcus Freiberger updated after his body was found in South Phoenix. Friends and family learned of the medical examiner’s report through media coverage. Krcmarik, who had been listed as the primary contact, said detectives never notified him. “I generally felt like law enforcement seemed very cavalier about the situation,” Krcmarik said. “They didn’t seem to take it very seriously, and there wasn’t much sense of urgency. Marcus’ father actually told me the first detective assigned to the case implied Marcus was ‘just another gay man’ and [pointed to his past drug use](https://nypost.com/2025/03/21/us-news/ariz-yoga-teacher-marcus-freiberger-vanishes-after-going-to-meet-blind-date/?ref=lookoutnews.org).” *LOOKOUT* attempted to contact Freiberger’s father, Dutch, to confirm Krcmarik’s statement, but no one responded back for comment. “Somebody knows something out there, and they’re not telling," Dutch Freiberger said in an [interview with the Arizona Republic in July](https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2025/07/01/marcus-frieberger-autopsy-report/84437239007/?ref=lookoutnews.org), adding that he was skeptical on the way his son showed up naked in the quarry — a mile away from his car and without his phone, which was never found. When asked, Phoenix police said in a statement to *LOOKOUT*: “If there is concern of misconduct or unprofessionalism, the family member can ask for that particular investigator’s supervisor or they can reach out to our Professional Standards Bureau to investigate the allegation.” *LOOKOUT* identified Detective Butch Titus as initially assigned to the case, though Phoenix police declined to confirm his full name. Once Freiberger’s body was found and the case transitioned into a death investigation, Detective Taylor Locke took over. Krcmarik said Locke was “generally caring” and “much more earnest” than Titus, but that he still had to initiate most of the contact. *LOOKOUT* has previously reported on similar negative experiences LGBTQ+ victims have had with Phoenix police detectives — specifically in the cases of Rene Almaraz and Ron Blake, where LGBTQ liaisons assisted law enforcement. But unlike those cases, neither Titus nor Locke were LGBTQ liaisons, and police confirmed no such liaisons assisted with Freiberger’s case. Since *LOOKOUT*’s reporting on Almaraz and Blake, Phoenix police confirmed they no longer employ community LGBTQ liaison officers, despite having done so for years. Cranford said she’s not giving up. “Marcus did not deserve this,” she said. “He was loved, and he mattered. His family, his friends and everyone who cared about him deserve the truth and some kind of closure. We will not stop fighting for justice.” ### **A rumor mill fills the void** In the absence of a clear investigation, online crime sleuths filled the gaps. Freiberger had previously worked for Northline Roofing in Prescott and started his own company — Strong Roofing — in 2021\. [According to the Arizona Registrar of Contractors](https://azroc.my.site.com/AZRoc/s/contractor-search?licenseId=a0o8y0000004CqlAAE&ref=lookoutnews.org), his license was revoked in September 2024, though the reasons have not been made public. KTVK/KPHO (AZ Family) [reported in December 2024](https://www.azfamily.com/video/2025/03/26/missing-yoga-instructor-arizona-found-dead-what-we-know/?ref=lookoutnews.org) that the outlet had received complaints from customers who said they were “ripped off” by Strong Roofing. Some [commenters on Reddit threads](https://www.reddit.com/r/phoenix/comments/1jkm7gi/phoenix%5Fyoga%5Finstructor%5Fmarcus%5Ffreiberger%5Flast/?ref=lookoutnews.org) and Facebook posts amplified the rumors, including one woman who claimed on Facebook that she was [scammed out of $7,000 by Strong Roofing](https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14DTgspAXN3/). Then there was Freiberger’s history of drug use, specifically methamphetamine. According to Dr. Jennifer Corneal, the medical examiner who signed the report, the cause and manner of death were undetermined because “it is unclear if Mr. Freiberger’s death is a result of an accidental or intentional (self-inflicted or at the hands of another) act.” “The decedent’s death may be attributable to drowning in the setting of acute methamphetamine intoxication,” she wrote. “However, several factors warrant further consideration.” “That \[ruling\], in my opinion, is unacceptable,” said Brian Moultrop, a longtime friend, when asked about the finding in June. “I don’t know if \[the police\] are just not investing the time, or are just out of leads … but in my view, this wouldn’t have just ‘happened.’” Moultrop acknowledged Freiberger had struggled with addiction — something he said Freiberger would have been open about. The two had been close friends and temporary roommates, and Moultrop supported him during his recovery, including a brief relapse. A more persistent theory in online forums and group chats was that Freiberger was the victim of catfishing on gay dating apps. In a private Facebook chat for gay men, users claimed that teens were posing as attractive men on Grindr to lure victims for robberies and beatings. Some speculated Freiberger was targeted in a prank that went too far. There’s no confirmed evidence of his app usage, but the theory has amplified concerns about dating app safety in the LGBTQ+ community. [Lack of Standards Undermines Police LGBTQ Programs - LOOKOUTAcross Arizona, police departments tout LGBTQ+ liaison programs as trust-building tools. But a LOOKOUT and Phoenix New Times report reveals inconsistent roles across departments.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-144.png)LOOKOUTCelina Jiménez (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/DSC06072-1-3.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/lack-of-standards-transparency-undermines-police-lgbtq-programs/) “I absolutely don’t feel like enough safety measures are in place on these apps, and I don’t think cases are taken seriously when meetups go awry,” Krcmarik said. “Anybody can lie — that goes with the territory. It’s sad, because people just want to meet people for connection.” ### **A legacy of love and generosity** In the months leading up to his death, Freiberger had committed himself to his passion: helping others find healing through yoga. In December 2024, he completed his [Yoga Teacher Training](https://www.instagram.com/p/DDvQcjfypOM/?img%5Findex=1&ref=lookoutnews.org) at [Southwest Institute of Healing Arts](https://swiha.edu/?ref=lookoutnews.org) and had already begun teaching at [Melrose Yoga](https://www.instagram.com/p/DEKhi4yp16C/?ref=lookoutnews.org). He was also set to begin teaching at Black Swan Yoga, though he never had the opportunity to do so before his death. “A year ago I set out to start my journey as a Yoga Therapist!!,” Freiberger wrote in a December 2024 [Instagram post](https://www.instagram.com/p/DD7aXOsP93l/?hl=en&img%5Findex=1&ref=lookoutnews.org). “My life had been flip turned upside down over the last year and a half. Without this journey, I have no idea if I would be around anymore. I don’t say that lightly, I say that with all seriousness. This journey is forcing me to go inward to find my answers, my peace, and to heal. I am so grateful for my life and the peace this journey brings, allowing me to be calm in my storm.” Krcmarik said yoga had been Freiberger’s true passion all along – not roofing. “He was always fighting for this ego of being a perfect son and business owner. It took a lot out of him,” he said. “He always wanted to be a yoga therapist and help people work through trauma and their blockages.” And online, Freiberger is still remembered for his compassion, openness and magnetic energy. “He was one of the first people I met when I moved to Arizona,” wrote his friend Ken Hudmon on [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/alexa.hudmon/posts/pfbid0DEaRPUkGMoN4BiKDPGzS9QRmAbjYyXr2BKZXoXjKdYB4uz4B1Yre59p7fGBwDaP3l?rdid=yFUeAMOvtDTdZuyJ#). “We became close friends, and shared many hours together…He was there anytime I needed a friend to truly open up to.” With the case closed, and feeling like answers will never come, friends of Freiberger have resigned themselves to creating their own sense of closure through supporting the LGBTQ+ community as Freiberger would have wanted. “At this point, we’re left to the closure we give ourselves,” Krcmarik said. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### U.S. Study Shows the Impact of Abortion Restrictions on LGBTQ+ Arizonans URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/how-lgbtq-arizonans-pay-the-price-for-state-health-care-restrictions/ Last updated: 2025-11-12T22:02:19.000Z A new national survey shows queer and trans Americans are struggling to access basic care, including abortion and gender-affirming treatment, amid a growing web of state laws that restrict services and increase stigma. And in Arizona, the consequences of those laws are especially stark for queer people seeking care. The 2024 LGBTQI+ Community Survey, [conducted by the Center for American Progress and the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago](https://www.americanprogress.org/article/new-survey-shows-abortion-bans-unique-and-chilling-impact-on-lgbtqi-people/?ref=lookoutnews.org#:~:text=New%20survey%20findings%20from%20the,compared%20with%20the%20general%20population.), found LGBTQ+ individuals are more than twice as likely as non-LGBTQ+ people to report difficulty finding a new provider if their current provider denies them care. In Arizona, where dozens of restrictive abortion laws remain on the books, the gap is even more dramatic. [![A promotional banner encouraging readers to become a Lookout member, shown on a page discussing abortion restrictions.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) As a result of those restrictions, 11% of LGBTQ+ people reported having to find a new provider or being unable to access abortion care—compared with just 2% of non-LGBTQ+ people. One-third of transgender respondents said finding a new provider would be “very difficult” or “not possible,” according to the survey. Though the study was done with a national cohort, the results are emblematic of problems people have faced in Arizona: the state has more than 40 laws and administrative rules that limit access to abortion, despite voters approving a constitutional amendment last year to protect reproductive rights. These laws include mandatory waiting periods, in-person visit requirements, and “informed consent” scripts that providers must deliver, regardless of whether they align with patients’ needs or identities. [Data shows LGBTQ+ Arizonans are more at risk with upcoming abortion banMore than a third of trans people who got pregnant considered unsafe abortion methods, while bisexuals and lesbians experience unwanted pregnancies at higher rates.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-141.png)LOOKOUTLisa Abelar (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/pexels-emma-guliani-12292121-1-1-1.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/lgbtq-abortions-arizona/) The state also enforces a number of [Targeted Restrictions on Abortion Providers](https://www.prochoicearizona.org/arizona-abortion-restrictions?ref=lookoutnews.org#:~:text=%E2%80%9CTRAP%E2%80%9D%20stands%20for,safer%20for%20patients.), or TRAP laws, that make it difficult for clinics to remain open. These include: - Requiring only licensed physicians to perform abortions, even though nurse practitioners and physician assistants are trained and qualified; - Mandating that providers have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of their clinic—privileges many hospitals deny; - Allowing unannounced inspections at clinics during business hours. As a result, [only five abortion clinics remain in Phoenix and two in Tucson](https://www.abortionfundofaz.org/abortion-in-arizona?ref=lookoutnews.org#:~:text=there%20are%20only%20five%20abortion%20clinics%20in%20Phoenix%20and%20two%20clinics%20in%20Tucson.), leaving large swaths of the state—especially rural areas—without local access. Beyond abortion, LGBTQ+ people nationwide are more likely than heterosexual people to need reproductive care, but face steeper barriers in accessing it. [GLAAD reports that queer people experience higher rates](https://glaad.org/lgbtqabortionfacts/?ref=lookoutnews.org#:~:text=An%20HRC%20analysis,affirming%20abortion%20services.) of sexual violence, lack insurance at greater rates, and often struggle to find affirming providers. A Human Rights Campaign analysis found that 39% of lesbian women reported unwanted pregnancies—more than their heterosexual (27%) or bisexual (29%) peers. The 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey found that 55% of nonbinary people and 51% of trans men reported being sexually assaulted. [Pre-statehood laws banning abortion also made gay sex punishable up to life in prison.We looked at the territorial laws and found a rule that would criminalize LGBTQ+ people.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-140.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Newsletter-header-3.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizona-abortion-territorial-law-lgbtq/) Despite these needs, access to care in Arizona continues to shrink. A 2018 study by the National Library of Medicine found the percentage of Arizona counties with abortion clinics dropped from 33% to 13% after state restrictions were enacted. “These policies undermine what Arizona voters clearly stated they want and push essential health care further out of reach for those already experiencing medical discrimination,” said Dr. Misha Pangasa, an OB-GYN and physician at Planned Parenthood Arizona. “These are archaic and medically unnecessary restrictions.” Pangasa added that the state’s requirements don’t just harm public health—they send a chilling message: “These restrictions don’t just harm public health—they send a chilling message about who is considered worthy of care in this state,” she said. “That is morally indefensible. LGBTQ+ patients are forced to navigate a health care system that actively undermines their needs while also contending with a politically hostile environment that seeks to erase their existence.” Advocates say the situation could get worse. Athena Salman, Arizona campaign director for Reproductive Freedom for All, said Republican lawmakers are pushing legislation to cut Medicaid and [defund Planned Parenthood](https://www.plannedparenthoodaction.org/pressroom/breaking-200-health-centers-at-risk-of-closure-if-republicans-defund-planned-parenthood?ref=lookoutnews.org), which provides gender-affirming care to transgender adults and youth. “This will do irreparable damage to accessible health care for millions and disproportionately harm LGBTQ+ people—especially trans people,” Salman said. Planned Parenthood estimates that roughly 200 of its health centers nationwide could be forced to close under proposed legislation. Pangasa urged state lawmakers to listen to their constituents and prioritize reproductive justice that includes LGBTQ+ people. “Until we center those most affected—and commit to care that is inclusive of all genders, identities and family structures—we will fall short of true justice,” Pangasa said. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Desperado Film Festival Shuttered Amid Trump's Push to Dismantle DEI Programs URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/desperado-film-festival-shuttered-amid-trumps-push-to-dismantle-dei-programs/ Last updated: 2025-08-19T16:48:31.000Z The latest local casualty in the federal government’s rollback of diversity policies is the Desperado LGBTQ+ Film Festival, an annual event hosted by Paradise Valley Community College. Organizers announced on the festival’s website and social media accounts that the 17th annual event—usually held in January at the college’s Center for the Performing Arts—has been canceled. The cancellation comes after President Donald Trump, at the start of his second term, signed a series of executive orders targeting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs. Two of the orders, issued in January, require colleges to disband DEI-related initiatives or risk losing federal funding. [![Advertisement for becoming a Lookout member, offering free swag, event tickets, and a magazine subscription.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) “As a publicly funded institution, we must comply with these orders,” the festival’s statement read. The Desperado Film Festival is organized by the Desperado Film Club, a student group at the college. Its mission is to showcase quality films focused on LGBTQ+ experiences, according to the group’s website. The move follows similar changes across the Maricopa County Community College District, which recently disbanded Equality Maricopa and other staff-led DEI efforts. The decision stems from the “recent presidential executive orders impacting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts at public institutions, including our community college district,” according to a district press release. “Continuing with the festival would put critical federal funding at risk, including student financial aid and grants that support hundreds of employees across the district,” said Dale Heuser, a faculty member at PVCC and co-coordinator of the festival. [DEI Ban Impacts Maricopa Community College GroupsAn email sent Friday by Chancellor Steven Gonzalez laid out an initiative to remove pronouns, alter bathroom signage, and do away with all staff-led groups related to diversity and equity.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-139.png)LOOKOUTTori Gantz (she/they)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Mesa_Community_College-_Mesa_Arizona-1.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/maricopa-county-community-college-disbands-lgbtq-group/) While the festival was not designed to generate significant revenue—it typically brought in less than $10,000 annually—its loss will be felt in other ways, Heuser said. “We are especially saddened by the impact this decision will have on the community,” he said. “For many years, there was no queer film festival presence in the Phoenix area. Desperado helped fill that void for 16 remarkable years, and we are proud of the space it provided for dialogue, celebration and connection.” “The festival has long been a space for celebration and visibility for students at Paradise Valley Community College and for the Phoenix LGBTQ+ film and arts family,” said Alan East, the festival’s programmer. “Without events such as ours, storytelling from LGBTQ+ filmmakers will be harder to find. We’re hopeful that the festival will return.” ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### A Trans Male Correctional Officer Was Told to Wear A Women’s Uniform and Use the Wrong Restroom URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-trans-male-correctional-officer-was-told-to-wear-a-womens-uniform-and-use-the-wrong-restroom/ Last updated: 2025-07-22T22:00:51.000Z In July 2017, Kaden Vitellaro was hired as a correctional officer at the Arizona State Prison Complex-Tucson, hoping it was the start of a long career in law enforcement. Just a year later, however — after what he says was a persistent pattern of harassment because he is a transgender man — Vitellaro resigned. Now, after seven years trying to hold the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Recovery responsible for how he was treated, Vitellaro is suing. On July 9, he filed [a federal complaint](https://www.wardenskilaw.com/news/vitellaro-lawsuit?ref=lookoutnews.org) against ADCRR, outlining the year’s worth of discrimination he says he suffered while working in the state prison system. “I still have trust issues,” Vitellaro, 39, told *Phoenix New Times* and *LOOKOUT* in an interview. “I’m hoping to make sure no one else experiences this.” [![An advertisement for becoming a Lookout member, offering swag, event tickets, and a magazine subscription.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) An ADCRR spokesperson said the department “cannot comment on active litigation.” Vitellaro says he began experiencing discrimination nearly from his first day as a cadet at the state’s Correctional Officer Training Academy, or COTA. At the time he applied for the job, Vitellaro had already transitioned and presented as male. He had also already changed his name and the sex on his birth certificate and driver’s license. He intended to keep his transgender status private, “sharing it only with close friends and family members,” the complaint says. However, as a condition of employment, Vitellaro was required to submit documentation — “including his former name, court-ordered name change, and medical history,” the complaint says — that revealed his transgender status. As a result, he says, he was treated differently almost immediately after starting the job. Before he reported for training at COTA in September 2017, officials there told Vitellaro that he would need to follow dress code rules for female cadets. He objected and said following the female dress code “would be impossible for him.” Just before he started at COTA, the academy “notified incoming cadets that it had adopted a standard non-gendered dress code.” COTA officers also told Vitellaro that he would be prohibited from using men’s restrooms. Notably, unlike other states, Arizona does not have any laws prohibiting transgender people from using bathrooms that align with their gender identities. The complaint says that Vitellaro “was concerned that compliance with these demeaning and humiliating directives would involuntarily disclose his transgender status.” As a result, COTA officials told him to use a private bathroom in the facility's dormitories, which was in a different building from his training classes. Vitellaro was barred from using any other bathroom facilities. He made that trek all throughout his time at COTA, which lasted roughly a month and a half. [Bisbee Pride Marred by Border Patrol DetainmentsAttendees say the timing and location of the arrests felt like a show of force in a town known for LGBTQ+ safety.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-137.png)LOOKOUTNatalia Rodriguez (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_0776-1-1.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/bisbee-pride-marred-by-border-patrol-detainments/) That arrangement generated questions, Vitellaro said, but things got worse once he began on-the-job training at ASPC-Tucson. It was there that a correctional officer — identified in the complaint as Saul Miller — “repeatedly referred to Mr. Vitellaro as ‘she’ and ‘her’ to other cadets, officers, and inmates, intentionally demeaning Mr. Vitellaro and disclosing his private transgender status to others.” Miller learned of Vitellaro’s status after asking cadets if they would be comfortable performing strip searches. Vitellaro had been told that department policy prevented him from strip searching male inmates due to his transgender status. He spoke to Miller privately to inform him that he is transgender, the complaint says, but Miller used that information to demean Vitellaro, persistently and purposefully misgendering him in ways that made him feel “uncomfortable, embarrassed and unsafe.” “When that officer referred to me as she/her around inmates, that’s when I was really scared,” Vitellaro told *New Times* and *LOOKOUT*. “That was a real moment of fear. These people are in prison — not everyone is there for violent reasons, but some are. So misgendering … can be super harmful.” New Times and *LOOKOUT* attempted to contact Miller but has not been successful. It is not clear if he still works for ADCRR. Vitellaro’s complaint says he filed an “internal report” with the department’s Equal Opportunity Unit. According to internal correspondence referenced in the lawsuit, correctional department officials found they were “unable to conclude” that Vitellaro had been discriminated against. Miller was given only a one-page sheet outlining examples of “LGBT-Related Sex Discrimination Claims.” ### **‘Humiliated and deeply distressed’** ![ Kaden Vitellaro is wearing a straw hat and checkered shirt, standing outdoors with trees in the background.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/07/unnamed.jpg) Kaden Vitellaro (courtesy of Kaden Vitellaro) Per the lawsuit, that sheet of paper had little effect. When Vitellaro graduated from COTA, he was “dismayed” to learn that he was assigned to the same residential unit as Miller. When Vitellaro expressed concerns about this and asked to be transferred to another residential unit, ADCRR instead assigned him to an administrative unit with minimal inmate contact, known as “Complex.” As a result, he says, he was “denied essential skills development” that other new officers receive by supervising inmates. Vitellaro’s attorney, Joseph Wardenski, said Vitellaro did not want to be assigned to Complex, where he worked for more than half a year, and simply wanted to work in another residential unit. The differential treatment “sparked rumors about his gender identity” and led to staff and correctional officers “talking about him and discussing his transgender status behind his back,” the complaint says. To work in a residential unit, ACDRR officials told Vitellaro, he would have to follow rules for female officers, including shouting “female on the run” whenever he entered a men’s residential unit — literally requiring him to shout his transgender status for all to hear. Additionally, ADCRR told him that department policy “classifies correctional officers based on their ‘genitalia and breasts,’” which meant Vitellaro had to be treated as a woman instead of a man. To justify that policy, ADCRR cited the federal [Prison Rape Elimination Act](https://corrections.az.gov/prison-rape-elimination-act-prea?ref=lookoutnews.org). PREA was passed in 2003 to deter the sexual assault of prisoners. During Vitellaro’s employment with ADCRR, an updated 2014 version of the law was in effect. Contrary to ADCRR policy, though, [PREA guidelines](https://www.prearesourcecenter.org/frequently-asked-questions/how-should-transgender-staff-and-non-binary-staff-be-classified-purposes?ref=lookoutnews.org) state law enforcement facilities should treat transgender corrections officers according to their gender identity, not biological sex. Wardenski said ADCRR has incorrectly been citing PREA to explain its treatment of Vitellaro. “They are blaming PREA, saying it requires them to treat trans employees this way,” Wardenski said. “It’s clear in PREA that *identity* should be the most important thing — yet for years, the Department of Corrections has been misreading that policy and using a law intended to protect *inmates* from sexual assault to discriminate against trans *employees* like Mr. Vitellaro.” In May 2018 — after Vitellaro successfully obtained a waiver to maintain facial hair from then-warden Juli Roberts, which required discussing his trans status — Roberts abruptly reassigned him from Complex to the prison mail unit, which he took as a demotion. In at least one meeting with Roberts, the complaint says, she asked Vitellaro “invasive and embarrassing questions” about his genitalia and whether he planned to have genital surgery. Vitellaro was “humiliated and deeply distressed” by “being forced to discuss his genitalia with his warden.” [A Brutal Attack In Phoenix On Queer ArizonansA gay man was knifed after allegedly being called a homophobic slur. The Maricopa County Attorney said it’s not enough to charge his attacker.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-138.png)LOOKOUTCelina Jiménez (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Almaraz3-1-1.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/gay-man-brutally-attacked-in-phoenix-no-prosecution/) In June of that year, Roberts reassigned Vitellaro to a residential unit but told him that he would still be required to announce himself as female every time he entered. Upon hearing the news, he “immediately experienced a panic attack, felt physically sick, and began to experience severe emotional distress.” Fearing for his safety, Vitellaro opted to use up all of his remaining leave time. When that time ran out in July, he resigned rather than “comply with directives that would put him in harm’s way.” “To be told to do something that doesn’t align with who you are is pretty damaging,” he told *New Times* and *LOOKOUT*. “I’m very strong-willed and will handle a lot until I break — but that was my limit.” ### **The legal case** Before his resignation, Vitellaro retained an attorney — not Wardenski — to explore his options for protection at work. The attorney asked that ADCRR change its policy forcing him to announce himself as female or to reassign him to Complex or another unit with minimal inmate contact. The complaint says the department “failed to respond” to those entreaties. In 2019, Vitellaro submitted a Charge of Discrimination against ADCRR to the [Equal Employment Opportunity Commission](https://www.eeoc.gov/?ref=lookoutnews.org). After an investigation that took five years, the EEOC wrote last September that “reasonable cause existed that ADCRR violated his rights.” On April 4 of this year, the EEOC sent Vitellaro a Right to Sue letter, clearing the way for the lawsuit. Vitellaro is seeking compensatory damages in the suit. He’s also seeking “front pay” to compensate him for his lost earnings, as he has been forced to work lower-paying jobs since resigning as a correctional officer. A lawsuit could take a year or more to resolve, and the current political environment under President Donald Trump makes the resolution even more uncertain. Shortly after Trump took office in January, he issued a series of [executive orders](https://lgbtqbar.org/programs/trump-executive-order-tracker/?ref=lookoutnews.org) that targeted trans people. Wardenski said that as soon as this happened, the EEOC dropped approximately seven employment discrimination lawsuits that they had already filed on behalf of transgender people. Vitellaro’s case had not yet been filed when this took place, but Wardenski said it became immediately clear that the federal government would not be taking further action on his behalf. Wardenski hopes Arizona — led by Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs, who has routinely vetoed anti-trans bills since entering office in 2023 — picks up the slack. ADCRR is run by one of Hobbs’ appointees. “What I hope Arizona does is look at any discrimination policies that ‘require’ places like ADCRR to treat trans men as women and realize it’s at odds with civil rights laws,” Wardenski said. “But unfortunately, we’re not seeing that. We’re not seeing much change from when (Republican Gov. Doug) Ducey was in office. We have not seen any interest from the state in getting rid of these harmful policies. I hope the Hobbs administration, which has come out to denounce anti-trans legislation, will revisit this.” A spokesperson from Hobbs’ office did not respond to a request for comment. In the meantime, Vitellaro is focused on moving forward. He now works for an LGBTQ+-owned company and is involved in local trans support groups. He hopes his case shines a light on issues that affect trans employees and spurs lawmakers and officials to put more protective policies in action. “When you’re transitioning, you’re already going through a lot of changes,” he said. “You’re transitioning because you want to be seen for who you are, and when you’re in spaces that discourage that, it messes with your mental health. I have a really strong support system now and have gained a lot of confidence back.” ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Voters Zero In on Palestine, LGBTQ+ Rights In CD7 Race URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/voters-zero-in-on-palestine-lgbtq-rights-in-cd7-race/ Last updated: 2025-07-22T22:00:51.000Z With Arizona’s special primary election around the corner, Democratic voters in the 7th Congressional District are sorting through a crowded field of five candidates vying to replace the late Rep. Raúl Grijalva. And for many, the decision comes down to two urgent issues: LGBTQ+ rights and where the candidates stand on Israel’s war in Gaza. That’s where social media influencer and activist Deja Foxx seems to be gaining ground, especially among voters who say those issues are nonnegotiable. The race — covering parts of Cochise, Maricopa, Pima, Pinal, Santa Cruz and Yuma counties — will decide who fills the seat left vacant by the longtime progressive icon. The Democratic lineup is a mix of familiar names and first-timers. Per KJZZ, former state Rep. Daniel Hernandez leads in fundraising, followed by former Pima County Supervisor Adelita Grijalva and Foxx. Two other candidates are on the ballot but haven’t reported campaign finances — either due to missing filings or not raising enough to trigger disclosure requirements. [![An advertisement for becoming a Lookout member, offering swag, event tickets, and a magazine subscription.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Hernandez, who created the state’s LGBTQ+ Caucus in the state Legislature,[ started with strong LGBTQ+ advocacy groups supporting his campaign](https://www.lookoutnews.org/daniel-hernandez-earns-key-endorsements-in-congressional-bid/), including the Equality Federation, The Victory Fund, and local LGBQT+ advocacy group Equality Arizona. But that support from the community has not translated to easy votes. In fact, Foxx — who recently won an endorsement from LPAC, the only lesbian and nonbinary political action committee — launched a $52,000 independent expenditure campaign using LPAC money. The campaign includes digital ads targeting 90,000 Democratic voters and a mail push as the election nears, pulling away from Hernandez’s support from LGBTQ+ voters. "Deja Foxx represents the next generation of bold, unapologetic leaders our communities need in Congress," said **LPAC Executive Director Janelle Perez**. "As a queer woman of color, Deja knows firsthand what it means to fight for equity, access, and opportunity. She’s inspiring a movement of young people who are ready to lead. We’re proud to support her candidacy, put real resources behind her campaign in these final days and help push her over the finish line." Benjamin Armentrout, a doctoral student and president of the University of Arizona College Democrats, said he was undecided — until he met Foxx. At first, he was drawn to Jose Malvido Jr., who was the only candidate to explicitly call the war in Gaza a genocide. But after pressing Foxx on her stance, he said she followed up weeks later at a town hall in Bisbee. [Daniel Hernandez Earns Key Endorsements In Congressional BidVictory Fund, Equality Arizona, and Equality PAC back Hernandez in crowded special election to replace the late Rep. Raúl Grijalva.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-135.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/DH-headshot-1.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/daniel-hernandez-earns-key-endorsements-in-congressional-bid/) That event, held after Bisbee Pride, [ended with both Grijalva and Hernandez](https://www.tucsonsentinel.com/local/report/062425%5Fhernandez%5Fbisbee/cd7-candidate-daniel-hernandez-grabs-bystanders-phone-during-confrontation-bisbee-event/?fbclid=IwY2xjawLh8jFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFJelh0ZTNnbVN3REZaUHBnAR7Mwfcxw%5Fun6x0HBeOnNhKNHlhz%5FVXjq48D7SOYvutsb2NI4M4CRqQw%5FsBtag%5Faem%5FlYM6Wkex0JfAXaUEG07Mxg&ref=lookoutnews.org) — along with Hernandez’s two sisters, who also represent southern Arizona — walking out. Foxx stayed behind and took questions about Israel and Palestine. She called for halting U.S. weapons shipments to the region and redirecting that money toward domestic needs. “She is willing to advocate for policy and position, unlike Adelita, who is deleting her old tweets calling for a cease-fire in Gaza, and walking out of town halls,” Armentrout said. Foxx’s political résumé may be thin, but Armentrout said her vision reflects a generation disillusioned by politics-as-usual. “These reforms give working people the opportunity to push society in the direction that it should be, with their votes, not their dollars,” he said. For Alyssa Sanchez, a Tucson native with deep roots in the city, Adelita Grijalva’s legacy is more than just a name. She praised Grijalva’s work supporting unions, protecting the San Pedro River and showing up for Indigenous communities — all crucial, Sanchez said, given her west Tucson family’s long history of health issues linked to toxic exposure from Davis-Monthan Air Force Base. When asked whether a candidate’s stance on Gaza matters to her, Sanchez didn’t hesitate: She watches how they treat Indigenous people here. “Because that is indicative of their behavior overseas,” she said. Both Sanchez and Armentrout said they’re not backing Hernandez. Sanchez criticized his record of bipartisanship and his leadership role in what she [described as a Zionist LGBTQ+ group](https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-pro-israel-lgbtq-group-names-new-leadership-after-sexual-misconduct-scandal/?ref=lookoutnews.org). “It weaponizes queerness to create more harm than good,” she said. Armentrout was more blunt: Hernandez is a centrist who sides with businesses over people — and is staunchly pro-Israel. Jorge Garcia, another District 7 voter, echoed the sentiment. He sees Hernandez as “pro-business,” more focused on helping himself and his allies than the people most in need. “Foxx is the best choice because she is real, not playing a game of chess,” he said. “She is not trying to benefit from power, instead help the less fortunate.” [Tucson Residents Favor Free Transit Over Police FundingOut of 4,000 respondents, 190 identified as nonbinary or transgender. Overwhelmingly they believe in less police and keeping public transit free.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-136.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-04-21-at-10.44.24-AM-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/trans-and-nonbinary-tucson-residents-favor-social-services-over-police-funding-survey-finds/) Uriah Bennett said he's stuck between Grijalva and Foxx — but Gaza is a litmus test. “If you can't at least recognize that what's happening over there is a horrendous human tragedy and is wrong full stop, I don't care what your position on other things is,” he said. “You will not be getting my vote, period.” Leah Dardis, a Tucson native and founder of a queer youth pantry, said Foxx’s lived experience and unapologetic politics make her the only candidate capable of starting what she called “the revolution.” “Because democracy is dead,” Dardis added. Dardis, who previously worked with Grijalva at the Tucson Unified School District, said the candidate’s values didn’t match her own. She acknowledged Grijalva as a “second-best” option, but said her leadership style was off-putting. “It just turns me off to who she is, and how she makes her decisions.” For Dardis, Foxx represents a shakeup — one that may unsettle some longtime Grijalva supporters. “Foxx, who is young and new, disrupts their feelings of complacency,” she said, pointing to Latina women voters who may feel loyal to the Grijalva name. “They have grown up with her, she looks like them, and she has been in Tucson for a large portion of their lives.” At a moment when young, queer, and progressive voters are demanding more than cautious centrism, Dardis said there’s only one candidate who gets it: Foxx. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Peoria Unified Settles With Trans Teacher After Judge Rejects District’s Attempt for Dismissal URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/peoria-unified-settles-with-trans-teacher-after-judge-rejects-districts-attempt-for-dismissal/ Last updated: 2025-07-22T22:00:53.000Z Following a contentious year-long legal battle, the Peoria Unified School District has settled out of court with a transgender teacher who claimed two board members launched a smear campaign against them based on their gender identity. The settlement comes almost seven months after the judge overseeing the case said the Desert Harbor Elementary school teacher who brought the case, River Chunnui, had legal grounds to sue the district and two Peoria Unified School District governing board members who attempted to get them fired for being transgender and supporting LGBTQ+ youth at their school. “I was a special education teacher in this district—until I was targeted, harassed, and silenced for being openly transgender and for supporting our students' right to feel seen,” Chunnui said. “I was publicly attacked by board members of this district, and while that rhetoric caused deep harm, what cut just as deeply was the district’s silence. Not once did district leadership speak up to correct the record, to offer support or to affirm that teachers like me belong in the classroom.” [![Advertisement for a "Lookout" membership offering swag, event tickets, and a magazine.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Last spring, [Chunnui sued the district for gender discrimination](https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/peoria-teacher-says-school-district-targeted-them-for-being-transgender-18523484?ref=lookoutnews.org) as well as two of its members. Chunnui alleged they played key roles in mounting a public campaign against Chunnui, who is transgender and nonbinary. [Chunnui's lawsuit argued that the district](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1mWgviS4BfK2pgABROjnwN2wXdj3w1CYQ/view?usp=sharing&ref=lookoutnews.org) failed to stop attacks against them online and during board meetings, which *LOOKOUT* reported in 2023 [resulted in violent threats](https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-teachers-road-to-acceptance-and-fighting-back-against-hate/) from members of the public, as well as an attempt by the board to not renew their employment contract. “That silence wasn’t neutral. It was permission,” Chunnui said Wednesday night, directly addressing governing board president Heather Rooks and superintendent Kenneth Somers, who stepped into the role one year ago. [A teacher’s road to acceptance, and fighting back against hateRiver Chunnui is a nonbinary teacher in Peoria who has been the center of anti-queer rhetoric. Now, they’re making their voice heard.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-133.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/River_Portrait-2-2.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-teachers-road-to-acceptance-and-fighting-back-against-hate/) Chunnui’s complaint also mentioned how Rooks and former governing board member Rebecca Hill called them a slur that far-right extremists often use against transgender and gender-diverse adults, accusing them of being a pedophile. During that time, Chunnui’s home address was posted online, a rock was thrown at their home and their tires were slashed on school grounds. ![A group of people is gathered outdoors. They're holding signs and a pride flag, showing support against hate.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/07/unnamed.png) Supporters of River Chunnui, a transgender and nonbinary educator in Peoria, rallied for the teacher on Aug. 8 after their car was vandalized in the parking lot of Desert Harbor Elementary School. (Photo by Barton Mendez Soto) The school district, along with defendants Rooks and Hill [denied the allegations](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MXZdvjz998Y7EyuxN3uHK8vCAelfLT61/view?usp=sharing&ref=lookoutnews.org) in Chunnui’s lawsuit and in June last year attempted to get the case dismissed, arguing that Chunnui had not experienced any adverse employment actions at the hands of the two board members. They also argued that Rooks and Hill are protected by “qualified immunity,” the legal standard that shields public officials from some legal actions. U.S. District Judge Michael T. Liburdi, who was a lawyer and advisor to former Republican Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, [denied the motions](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Rcq9mIBURCgCfzndxi5052FEsg84HXNC/view?usp=sharing&ref=lookoutnews.org). “The Court is not persuaded,” read the judge’s November order. It continued that “Rooks and Hill ignore Plaintiff’s well-pled allegations that they embarked on a smear campaign and repeatedly disparaged Plaintiff before, during, and after” a board meeting that attempted to remove Chunnui from their job at the school district. Rooks is well known for pushing false theories about trans and gender-diverse people. She has also routinely cited Bible verses while speaking at board meetings since taking office in 2023. That year, [Rooks filed a case against the district](https://firstliberty.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2023.09.26-Complaint-with-exhibits%5FRedacted.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) for allegedly censoring her practice of quoting the Bible during the general public comment period at meetings. In January, a U.S. District Court judge appointed by President Donald Trump [ruled that Rooks lacked standing ](https://ffrf.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/rooks-decision.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org)to bring the claim and dismissed it. The district spent roughly $218,000 in legal defense fees for that case, [according to KJZZ News](https://www.kjzz.org/education/2025-04-21/lawsuit-over-board-member-using-bible-quotes-has-cost-peoria-unified-school-district-218k?ref=lookoutnews.org). [Heather Rooks and the Peoria School Board: A Legal BattleAn Arizona federal judge ruled that Peoria’s school board didn’t violate Heather Rooks’s free speech rights when they attempted to shut down her scripture readings. It left the question open on if she’s violating the constitution.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-134.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2024-10-10-at-1.03.20-PM-1-1-4.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/judge-says-peoria-school-board-members-free-speech-claim-doesnt-hold-water/) Chunnui’s separate suit was settled in early June. Danielle Airey, a spokesperson for the district, told *LOOKOUT* and *Phoenix New Times* that with the case resolved, the school district could continue “to focus on what matters most: learning and teaching.” The details of the settlement are unclear and have yet not been made public. An order from the judge in Chunnui’s case stated that both parties would cover their own legal fees. In response to the settlement, Chunnui—who resigned from the district following the end of their legal battle—announced the launch of a new advocacy group to help LGBTQ+ families and families of color navigate education systems in the West Valley called Family Prism Project. Chunnui said a portion of the money from the settlement will go toward the Family Prism Project. The project aims to “build affirming, inclusive communities across Peoria, Deer Valley, and Dysart school districts because families like mine deserve joy, safety, and representation,” Chunnui said. “So in closing, I want to say this: I didn’t choose this fight. But I will choose what I do with it,” said Chunnui, sporting a T-shirt brandished with the Family Prism Project logo. “And I want to sincerely thank Ms. Rooks—for helping push me from quiet teacher to proud advocate. Without your public comments, I may never have been radicalized into this work.” Neither Rooks nor Somers responded to Chunnui’s statement. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### How To Get Civically Engaged And Stay Cool This Summer URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/how-to-get-civically-engaged-and-stay-cool-this-summer/ Last updated: 2025-07-08T13:31:12.000Z 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. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) **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 SafetyPool lounges are one of the better reasons to be in Arizona. But what happens when your body is politicized?![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-131.png)LOOKOUTAnalisa Valdez (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/BARDOT1-2-1.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/groups-are-creating-trans-inclusive-pool-parties-for-safety/) “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 Policy**The 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 ChanceNate 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.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-132.png)LOOKOUTRoyal Young (they/them)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Untitled-design--25--1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/fighting-anti-lgbtq-bias-through-a-simple-end-goal-hope/) “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.” ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Hobbs Signed Ten Bills Modeled From Far-Right Playbooks, Including Project 2025 URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/policies-favored-by-the-far-right-ended-up-on-hobbs-desk-and-got-signed-into-law/ Last updated: 2025-08-12T15:07:24.000Z --- *Updated Aug. 12, 2025, 8:06 a.m.* *This story has been updated to reflect the current number of bills Gov. Katie Hobbs has signed into law.* --- Public health reform and local control of charter schools both enjoy wide support among Arizona lawmakers. But a series of bills Gov. Katie Hobbs signed into law this year addresses those issues by playing into the priorities of far-right organizations which have shaped Trump-era domestic policy, a *LOOKOUT* and Arizona Mirror review found. Of the [265 bills Hobbs signed this year](https://app.skywolf.ai/weblinkreport/BAi3NUUwRhHsJNSmQb1OpaH%5Fn248?session%5Fid=129&ref=lookoutnews.org), *LOOKOUT* and Arizona Mirror identified 10 that draw directly from or mirror documents and testimony produced by groups including the Heritage Foundation and Turning Point USA. Though the bills may not appear obviously aligned on their face, *LOOKOUT* and Arizona Mirror confirmed Hobbs had been previously briefed on their origins and that some versions were already being used to implement fringe policies in other states. Multiple advocacy groups said their lobbyists warned Hobbs about the potential harms—particularly for people of color, migrants, LGBTQ+ communities, and student civil rights. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) In a statement made to *LOOKOUT* and Arizona Mirror, Hobbs’ office said the findings were taken out of context, and the bills she signed were passed with varying levels of bipartisan support. “To say a leader like Governor Hobbs is enabling Project 2025 is out of touch with reality,” said Hobbs’ communications director Christian Slater. “She has always promised to lead with common sense and bipartisan cooperation.” Yet, among the bills Hobbs signed into law are: - **House Bills 2112 and 2195, aimed at restricting pornographic content online and in youth-targeted apps. But the language used draws directly from Project 2025’s “Mandate for Leadership,” a conservative policy blueprint that proposes banning pornography and labeling transgender representation as adult content.** - **HB 2679, which allows utility companies to offset coal-related debts by charging renewable energy users. Environmental advocates said that the bill would extend Arizona’s reliance on coal power—another goal for groups such as The Heritage Foundation which have argued to shift away from clean energy sources, albeit a 25-year** [**trend away from fossil fuels**](https://www.eia.gov/state/analysis.php?sid=AZ&ref=lookoutnews.org#:~:text=In%202023%2C%20coal%20fueled%2010%25%20of%20the%20state%27s%20total%20net%20generation%2C%20down%20from%2038%25%20in%202013.%20Renewable%20resources%2C%20mostly%20solar%20and%20hydroelectric%20power%2C%20supplied%20almost%20all%20the%20rest%20of%20Arizona%27s%20in%2Dstate%20electricity%20generation%20in%202023.40)**.** - **HB 2164, which bans “ultra-processed” foods in schools, pulls directly from United States Health and Human Services secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” platform and echoes policies promoted by Phoenix-based Turning Point USA.** Other bills identified by *LOOKOUT* and Arizona Mirror include: House Bills 2880 and 2944, and Senate Bills 1354, 1604, 1221, and 1358. Most of these prospective laws will take effect 90 days after the Legislature adjourns, which it did last Friday after passing a budget Hobbs signed. ### **A Conservative-Aligned Mandate** Many of the laws outlined above reflect language from Project 2025’s “Mandate for Leadership,” a policy playbook backed by the Heritage Foundation and a coalition of groups including Alliance Defending Freedom, Family Research Council and American Legislative Exchange Council. Project 2025 was initially created to guide the first 180 days of Trump’s second administration, and recruit ideologically aligned personnel for federal government jobs. The most direct example is House Bill 2112, which mandates that websites with a third or more of “sexual material” implement age-verification systems. While the bill doesn’t explicitly target LGBTQ+ content, its language mirrors wording from Project 2025’s playbook, which refers to “transgender ideology” as sexualized—without using the term pornography. The [vague definition of “sexual material”](https://azmirror.com/briefs/republicans-advance-strict-online-porn-age-verification-bill-amid-privacy-concerns/?ref=lookoutnews.org) opens the door to broad interpretation, and could chill access to queer and trans educational content. HB 2112 closely parallels a Texas law that the [U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of](https://www.npr.org/2025/06/27/nx-s1-5422424/scotus-texas-porn-law?ref=lookoutnews.org) and follows a national trend: four states have passed similar laws since January. Hobbs vetoed an earlier version of the bill last year, then reversed course this year and signed the updated version—prompting backlash from LGBTQ+ advocates. HB 2195, which restricts certain advertisements in apps marketed to children, raises similar concerns. Civil rights advocates warn that the bill could censor sex education and public health content. The bill draws its phrasing from the same portion of Project 2025. The American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona criticized the measure, calling it “an internet censorship bill that is little more than a continuation of Project 2025.” While tech giant Google supported the bill, its enforcement remains vague. When pressed during hearings, the bill’s sponsor, Rep. Julie Willoughby (R-Chandler), offered a broad definition of “sexual content” that was not listed in the bill, leaving it [subject to police and prosecutors](https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/soft-book-bans-censorship-lgbtq-race-rcna172855?ref=lookoutnews.org). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/07/54266321317_b5efd9aea1_k.jpg) State Representative Julie Willoughby speaking with attendees after at a press conference hosted by Republican House Leadership at the Arizona State Capitol in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Gage Skidmore via [Flickr](https://www.flickr.com/photos/gageskidmore/54266321317%29?ref=lookoutnews.org) Multiple LGBTQ+ and civil rights advocates have [sounded the alarm](https://www.lookoutnews.org/targeting-sexual-material-in-republican-bill-targets-lgbtq-materials-ideas/) on those bills, saying it’s part of [a collective and subversive scheme](https://newrepublic.com/article/183636/project-2025-war-porn-trans-drag?ref=lookoutnews.org) to remove all LGBTQ+ content from the internet. In response to criticism, Hobbs’ spokesperson Christian Slater said “These bills say nothing about LGBTQ content.” ### **Coal, Climate, and Corporate Benefits** HB 2679 allows utility companies to securitize debts from coal operations, enabling them to issue bonds and transfer costs to ratepayers. Project 2025 [encourages such strategies to preserve](https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/24088042-project-2025s-mandate-for-leadership-the-conservative-promise/?q=519&mode=document&ref=lookoutnews.org#document/p551) coal infrastructure. Environmental groups say the measure prolongs coal reliance and benefits shareholders at the public’s expense. The Arizona Public Health Association (AzPHA) and state Attorney General’s Office flagged potential legal concerns, warning the bill could extend the life of the Four Corners Power Plant [that's slated for closure](https://navajotimes.com/reznews/from-coal-to-clean-energy-four-corners-power-plant-faces-2031-shuttering/?ref=lookoutnews.org). Other states with securitization laws include ways to transition away from coal to clean energy, AzPHA said Arizona’s bill lacks regulatory protections to ensure such a shift. Hobbs’ office thinks that critique misrepresents the bill. Her spokesperson noted the governor secured amendments supported by clean energy stakeholders. “Signing legislation with significant support from clean energy builders is the exact opposite of Project 2025,” Slater said. But environmental groups like the Sierra Club Grand Canyon Chapter disagreed, calling the bill a gift to the [“Trump coal agenda.”](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/04/reinvigorating-americas-beautiful-clean-coal-industry-and-amending-executive-order-14241/?ref=lookoutnews.org) [Once By His Side, Gallego Gets Pushback From LGBTQ+ OrganizationsThe progressive Democrat has made a point to gather endorsements from local LGBTQ+ organizations, almost all of which have now condemned his remarks on trans youth.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-127.png)LOOKOUTNatalia Rodriguez (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/25354020493_aeca6a901e_k.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/once-by-his-side-gallego-gets-pushback-from-lgbtq-organizations/) ### **From Public Health to Public Housing** Public health legislation SB 1354, HB 2944, and SB 1604 reflect Project 2025’s criticism of “Housing First” policy approaches, which provide permanent shelter for unhoused people before addressing other needs like employment or health care. Collectively, these bills expand the authority of who can petition the court for mandated mental or behavioral health treatment, exclude time spent in jail from the number of days required in psychiatric treatment, and physically separate people in facilities under evaluation from those already charged with crimes—despite [Arizona’s lack of available](https://www.tucsonsentinel.com/local/report/042025%5Fsmi%5Ffacilities/major-gap-our-system-arizona-lacks-secure-facilities-people-with-serious-mental-illness/?ref=lookoutnews.org#:~:text=In%202019%2C%20Arizona%20lawmakers%20tried,facilities%20still%20don't%20exist.) secure behavioral health facilities. “Our state needs to focus on the real issues, not attack certain demographics,” said Brandie Reiner, executive director of the National Association of Social Workers’ Arizona chapter. “The Legislature is scapegoating these individuals instead of addressing root causes, like the lack of mental health resources.” Arizona Attorneys for Criminal Justice said the bills will lead to extended incarceration for those needing care, without real consideration of systemic solutions. “Legislators don’t want to talk about what it takes to make lasting change,” said Katie Gipson McLean, co-chair of the advocacy organization’s legislative committee. “Instead, they slap Band-Aids on deep issues.” [Locals Sour on U.S. Rep Eli Crane’s Attempts to Hide From His DissentersQueer residents in Northern Arizona start seeing a grim future as the Arizona Congressman has been dodging town halls and fueling the culture wars.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-128.png)LOOKOUTZach Bradshaw![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/CRANE-2.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/locals-sour-on-u-s-rep-eli-cranes-attempts-to-hide-from-his-dissenters/) ### **A Crackdown on Campus Dissent** Soon-to-be law, HB 2880, bans overnight encampments on college campuses. Introduced in response to protests for Palestine at the University of Arizona, the bill affirms the goals of Project Esther—also created by The Heritage Foundation—that targets campus demonstrations from specific youth-led organizations like Students for Justice in Palestine. National groups such as the Conservative Political Action Coalition (CPAC) have accused such protests of fueling antisemitism and have urged Congress to defund “DEI-obsessed universities.” Critics are calling HB 2880 unnecessary: “There are already laws on the books for trespass. This bill intentionally targets people who are protesting,” Gipson McLean said. (Numerous protestors present when police arrived at Gaza solidarity encampments last spring were [arrested and still face charges](https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-education/2025/06/12/asu-pro-palestine-protesters-want-charges-dismissed/84154768007/?ref=lookoutnews.org).) Universities during the encampments claimed students were trespassing according to current Arizona law, which requires people to [leave public or private grounds after](https://www.azleg.gov/ars/13/01502.htm?ref=lookoutnews.org) police requests. Slater, Hobbs’ spokesperson, said the legislation reinforced existing institutional policies: “The First Amendment does not protect a person’s right to camp out on private property.” State universities and community colleges, though, are not exclusively private property. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) ### **“Coordinated and dangerous”** The Heritage Foundation's social welfare arm, Heritage Action for America, registered in favor of SB 1221, which prohibits publicly managed funds from holding investments in China and any companies it controls, and requires them to divest from those firms within one year. In 2023, Indiana approved a similar law–an action that granted it praise from the Heritage Foundation, and more than a year later the organization launched a new platform online with a web page directing state lawmakers to model legislation “to combat the influence of China.” While several states followed suit, Hobbs vetoed a 2024 version that would have compelled divestment from companies in countries determined by the federal government to be foreign adversaries, including China. [Gov. Hobbs Signs Arizona LGBTQ Bill Amid Criticism – LOOKOUTThe bill, HB 2112, says it would restrict sexual materials online for minors, but the Project 2025 playbook which the bill is modeled from mentions “transgender ideology” as pornographic.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-129.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/53447489827_1d07a8b983_k-1.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/gov-hobbs-signs-bill-advocates-say-targets-lgbtq-people/) HB 2164, passed unanimously, aims to block certain additives and coloring in foods from Arizona schools that accept public funds. The bill has bipartisan support, yet fits into a broader national agenda promoted by groups like [Turning Point USA](https://azmirror.com/2025/04/08/rfk-jr-silences-measles-questions-during-make-america-healthy-again-event-in-arizona/?ref=lookoutnews.org) and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who came to the Capitol to push for it. Rep. Leo Biasiucci (R-Lake Havasu City) said the bill was [inspired by a California law](https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill%5Fid=202320240AB2316&ref=lookoutnews.org) restricting school lunches with artificial dyes. But [public school advocates argued](https://cronkitenews.azpbs.org/2025/03/31/arizona-ban-ultra-processed-ingredients-bill/?ref=lookoutnews.org) that implementation without additional funding would hurt districts [with already limited food budgets](https://azmirror.com/briefs/trump-admin-cancels-21-million-in-funding-for-schools-and-food-banks-to-buy-from-arizona-farmers/?ref=lookoutnews.org). Rep. Nancy Gutierrez (D-Tucson), a teacher, said many districts are already moving in this direction voluntarily. In another education-related bill, SB 1358 gives charter schools final authority over curriculum and student learning, a position the Heritage Foundation has urged locally as well as the federal level with reducing congressional oversight of charter school funding. “It’s overkill,” said Jeanne Woodbury, senior associate at the progressive lobbying firm Creosote Partners. She said the law grants unchecked discretion to charter operators: “It hands total power to decide what gets taught and to whom.” Though the topics range widely—from housing to food dyes—the common thread among the 10 bills is their adherence to fringe policy frameworks. Whether through Project 2025’s or Project Esther’s plans, Arizona has become a successful testing ground for these far-right ideals with the help of Democrats. When pressed on the bill’s alignment with groups such as Project 2025 and, specifically, The Heritage Foundation, Rep. Gail Griffin (R-Hereford) the main sponsor of HB 2679, said she wasn’t affiliated to the groups in any way: “I did not work with any of them on my bill,” she said in an email to *LOOKOUT* and AZ Mirror, and said denied knowing what the Heritage Foundation or Project 2025 even was. “This isn’t happening organically,” Woodbury said. “It’s coordinated, and it’s dangerous.” [Religion in Public Schools: Arizona Church Access Sparks DebateAfter a school district near Tucson voted to allow an LDS seminary on district property, questions arose about how it’s even allowed.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-130.png)LOOKOUTTori Gantz (she/they)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Untitled-design--3-.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-law-that-helped-convert-indigenous-people-is-now-used-to-get-churches-near-and-on-school-grounds/) ### **Political Blowback and Calculations** Hobbs’ office insisted the bills were “common sense” policies, and emphasized that many of the bills passed with broad bipartisan support. Still, Democrats such as Sen. Analise Ortiz (D-Glendale), and Reps. Sarah Liguori (D-Phoenix) and Mariana Sandoval (D-Goodyear) voted against seven of the 10 bills: “We need to look under the surface of what this bill purports to do,” Ortiz said in relation to HB 2195, the legislation that seeks to limit in-app ad content for youth. Beyond lawmakers who dissented, progressive organizations and their lobbyists said they had “substantive policy conversations” with the governor’s staff, that they flagged the bills’ potential issues, and were direct in explaining why they thought the governor would be wise to veto them. When Hobbs signed them anyway, many were stunned. “We’re shocked that the governor signed it,” Reiner said in relation to HB 2112, legislation her group registered against. The governor’s office has said that her signing the bills shouldn’t be a shock, considering they passed with votes from both parties. However, critics suggest Hobbs is making compromises on certain topics to appeal to moderates ahead of her re-election campaign. “People do crazy things when they're faced with not being in positions of power anymore, or the possibility of that,” Gipson McLean said. That strategy, though, could backfire: “All of these bills represent constituencies who worked to get Hobbs in office because of the values she had modeled for years,” said Woodbury. “That is not the result we're getting from her.” ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Groups Are Creating Trans-Inclusive Pool Parties For Safety URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/groups-are-creating-trans-inclusive-pool-parties-for-safety/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T14:53:10.000Z The pool is calling: In Arizona summers, it’s practically a requirement to lounge next to a body of water, no matter the size. From plastic backyard buckets to the Mother of Pearl-lined pool at the Phoenician, the state is as known for its poolside hangouts as its scorching heat. But for queer people — especially gender-nonconforming folks — a pool party isn't as simple as “show up as you are.” Many feel a need to be "stealth," a community term for trans individuals who hide aspects of their bodies to avoid outing themselves, whether pre- or post-surgery, or regardless of whether they want gender-affirming medical interventions at all. In places where clothing is minimal, being unable to go stealth can make showing up safely feel impossible. That’s why groups across Arizona are creating spaces — both public and private — where people can rock a two-piece and a bulge, swim shorts and top surgery scars, or anything else without fear of harassment. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) That’s the idea behind FreeBirdz, an East Valley-based community group founded by Shane Fey, who organizes trans and nonbinary meetups, markets — and, of course, summer pool parties. To make them accessible, Fey covers the costs out of his own pocket and hosts the gatherings at group members’ homes. “The idea is we can just feel comfortable swimming,” Fey said. “When we're with each other, we don’t have to worry about if our shirt is on or off, if we packed, if we tucked, if we binded, if we didn't.” [How Poetry and Practice Has Helped Tucson’s Queer Poet LaureateFrom growing up in Tennessee to creating staying power in Southern Arizona, TC Tolbert is on a mission to let us all be kind to ourselves.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-126.png)LOOKOUTRoyal Young (they/them)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Untitled-design--21--1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/how-poetry-and-practice-has-helped-tucsons-queer-poet-laureate/) For Fey, being in a supportive environment was life-changing. “A lot of what held me back was my own self,” he said. “But I had to be in a comfortable space first to realize — oh, it is okay. Who cares what they think?” Creating spaces where trans folks can relax without self-monitoring is crucial, said Mirtha Garcia Reyes, an Arizona State University part-time associate professor and applied researcher who recently earned a Ph.D. in sociocultural anthropology. “In order to make everyone feel included, we need initiatives that help welcome the trans community in ways they feel seen and heard,” Garcia Reyes said. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/07/BARDOT2.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/07/BARDOT3.jpg) Photos by Kendra Bardot Part of her dissertation work explored whether policies and programs supporting the trans community worldwide support a variety of trans communities. She sees trans-specific events as a starting point for building self-confidence. “You don't have to self-censor or monitor yourself. It's an aspect of safety,” she said. “Spaces like these let you be who you are without worrying about how others might try to police you.” Still, many trans people dream of a day when safety doesn't require seeking out special spaces. “For safety reasons, a lot of people want to go stealth,” said Skyler Tuholsky-Froke, a board member facilitator at Trans Spectrum of Arizona and the Queer Center. “Things like scars, facial hair, or a lack of bulge can unintentionally out someone, and in intimate spaces like pools, that can be very scary.” [Inside the Queer Org Giving Arizona’s Youth a Fighting ChanceNate 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.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-125.png)LOOKOUTRoyal Young (they/them)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Untitled-design--25-.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/fighting-anti-lgbtq-bias-through-a-simple-end-goal-hope/) Founded in 2014, Trans Spectrum of Arizona is a volunteer nonprofit that hosts support meetings, offers resources, and connects trans and gender-expansive peers. Their pool parties, hosted at FOUND:RE Phoenix Hotel, aim to remind attendees that society’s perception of their bodies shouldn’t prevent joy. “I think it’s important for us to know we can still take up space in public,” Tuholsky-Froke said. “We want to say: ‘Hey, that’s their problem—not yours.’” The goal, they said, is for trans folks to enjoy themselves without feeling surveilled. “You want people to feel they belong, no matter where they are in their transition, whether they've had surgeries, medical treatment, or none of those things,” they said. “It’s a beautiful thing.” Details on this year’s trans pool party are expected soon. Meanwhile, FreeBirdz already had their first pool party this past May, and local queer and trans women’s group Lezbe Friends also sold-out its annual pool bash at the newly renovated Ibiza Lounge at the Pemberton Phoenix. “I just want to stress how important it is to find that community—whether it's FreeBirdz or your own,” Fey said. “Surround yourself with people who love and support you. There’s nothing that beats that. Together, everything can be accomplished.” ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Inside the Queer Org Giving Arizona’s Youth a Fighting Chance URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/fighting-anti-lgbtq-bias-through-a-simple-end-goal-hope/ Last updated: 2025-06-25T18:01:51.000Z While President Donald Trump’s administration has escalated its attacks on the transgender and nonbinary community, anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and discrimination have long been part of Arizona’s political landscape. The state has a long and fraught history of laws aimed at the queer community. It was among the first to adopt a version of a "Don’t Say Gay" bill—then called "No Promo Homo"— and lawmakers have for years refused to pass a nondiscrimination law that would prohibit private businesses from denying services, including housing, to LGBTQ+ people. In other words, what’s happening right now isn’t necessarily new, but part of something we’ve seen in Arizona for decades. And right alongside those bad bills has always been a prevailing force to counter them: the Arizona nonprofit one·n·ten, which has served as a steadfast and inclusive space for queer youth since 1993\. Through group support meetings and community building, the Phoenix-based organization—with satellite locations across the state—has remained a crucial resource for LGBTQ+ young people, as well as their parents and allies. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) What began with groups huddled in garages and community recreational rooms has since grown into a wide-reaching organization. One·n·ten now offers summer camps, weekly meetups, a youth center in Phoenix, and even a charter school—a program that drew far-right criticism and national media attention last year. Nate Rhoton, who joined the organization in 2015 and has served as CEO since 2018, said their work is more vital than ever—and that’s not an exaggeration. Seventy-nine percent of the youth served by one·n·ten identify as transgender, nonbinary or gender-expansive. Many travel from across Arizona and beyond to find a safe space where they can grow and be their authentic selves. And yet, the very people he serves are under attack. Medical institutions across the country are retreating from offering life-saving, gender-affirming care for trans and gender-diverse youth. Queer erasure is happening at both the federal and local levels—from the removal of trans references at the National Stonewall Monument to local school districts scrubbing LGBTQ+ student organizations and resources from their websites. The moment right now, he said, calls for an organization that is bullish in their mission. *LOOKOUT* writer Royal Young spoke with Nate Rhoton by phone about growing up queer in the 1990s, the origins of one·n·ten, and Rhoton’s personal journey from a devout Mormon boy in Flagstaff to proudly leading an LGBTQ+ youth organization. Their conversation also explores the evolving understanding of gender diversity both within and outside the queer community, and the meaningful gift cisgender, straight family members and allies receive when they embrace the world’s queerness. **Royal Young (*LOOKOUT*):** Let’s start with some history of one·n·ten. I love that it was founded in the 1990s. As a ’90s kid myself, I don’t view that era as the most tolerant time for queer people, so it’s amazing this organization was started then. **Nate Rhoton:** I couldn’t agree more. I was in high school from 1992 to 1996, so I’m definitely also a ’90s kid. I grew up in Flagstaff, Arizona, and at that time, I was a devout Mormon boy. It was a very different time. To think that a group of all lesbian volunteers got together and said, “We need a space for young queer kids to just be themselves.” They didn’t really know how they were going to make it happen, but they just did it. They started operating out of garages and back rooms at a community church. They came together on a weekly basis, and eventually, it became more frequent. The real magic of one·n·ten is in creating safe spaces where young queer people can come together and support one another. The work we’re doing today has certainly grown and become more comprehensive. But at the end of the day, it’s those young people finding community—especially in the times we’re in now—that is vital. I used to say, “I want to work at one·n·ten until one·n·ten is no longer needed.” But what I’ve seen in the 10 years I’ve been here is that we’re needed more than ever. If you don’t feel safe, how are you going to succeed in all the other parts of your life? For queer young people, if they can have that safe space, it makes everything else in their lives possible. One year at our summer camp, a young camper wrote in the feedback form, “My four days at Camp OUTdoors make the other 361 days possible.” To know that—even though they felt lonely in their hometown—there were all these other people out there who shared their identity, that’s incredibly powerful. [Nonbinary Shopping Redefined: Phoenix’s Dream BoutiqueShopping for clothes is one of our most basic activities. It can also be an uncomfortable experience for gender-nonconforming people.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-124.png)LOOKOUTRoyal Young (they/them)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Dream-Boutique-pic-4-by-Nicholas-Conway-1-1-1.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/can-thrifting-be-made-more-comfortable/) **RY:** It sounds like you felt a little lonely growing up in a smaller town, where your identity may have felt impossible. What was your trajectory to being a powerful person living their full life? Were there any people along the way who inspired you and gave you a light? **NR:** For me, a very early one is my grandmother. My gran—my mom’s mom—was always so accepting. She wasn’t a religious person; she believed in healing yourself. She had a personalized license plate on her car that said “FREE TO BE,” but spelled “FRETOB.” Years later, when I came out around age 22, she actually took the plates off her car and told me, “I want you to put one up at Hamburger Mary’s, and I want you to keep one, so you always remember you are free to be who you are.” I still have that plate. I love that I had someone in my life who I knew—no matter what—was still going to love me and accept me. She’s still with me today. Though she has dementia, she still knows who I am. Looking at the LGBTQ+ community, I didn’t come out until my early to mid-20s. So I went through high school and most of college still trying to date women, thinking someone would come along that would work. But it doesn’t work that way. There was a fellow student in my high school—I'll call them Mandy—who was always very masculine-presenting. With a name like Mandy, they could potentially be a guy or a girl. They went through so much bullying and teasing. There was such a preoccupation among the other kids with what their gender was. I’m sure it was difficult for Mandy, but they’re now living their best life in a same-gender relationship. I’ve been able to reach out on social media and let them know how much they meant to me. To see a person persisting in living authentically—regardless of anything—was so inspiring to me. Mandy was tougher than I was. I was a small kid physically, and because of my religious upbringing, I didn’t have the internal strength at the time. But I will always remember Mandy and how they carried themselves so proudly. **RY:** It’s okay not to be strong all the time. Seeing other people be strong is sometimes what we need in that moment. And, as you said, being stronger with community is so important. The more community we have, the stronger we’re able to be. **NR:** Exactly. I was in college when Matthew Shepard was killed on Oct. 12, 1998\. It still makes me emotional to talk about. I remember thinking: He didn’t have a choice in being his full, authentic self, and that ultimately resulted in his murder. So who was I—someone who had friends and family who would support me—to remain in the closet? That’s what led to me starting to come out. Fortunately, my whole family has been accepting— to varying degrees, of course—but the most important folks, like my siblings, my mom and my grandmothers, have always supported me. **RY:** On having a supportive family, I want to talk about the incredible ripple effect of love that happens when cisgender, heterosexual parents choose to embrace their kid, regardless of gender identity or sexual or romantic identity. How does that change the lives of the cis het people in the family for the better? **NR:** I’m really seeing a lot of amazing parents step up—especially right now—and especially parents of trans and gender-diverse young people. They are having to make very difficult and unfortunate decisions. In some cases, they’re leaving this state or even this country because of the fear they have for their children. Love doesn’t get more pure than that—you’re willing to leave the country where you’re a citizen and move abroad just to make sure your child is safe. [How Poetry and Practice Has Helped Tucson’s Queer Poet LaureateFrom growing up in Tennessee to creating staying power in Southern Arizona, TC Tolbert is on a mission to let us all be kind to ourselves.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-122.png)LOOKOUTRoyal Young (they/them)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Untitled-design--21-.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/how-poetry-and-practice-has-helped-tucsons-queer-poet-laureate/) During the COVID-19 pandemic, we heard from a lot of families. For the first time, some families were stuck in the house together and had to face the fact that their child has an identity they weren’t fully aware of or didn’t understand. So we started a parents’ group. Because of Zoom, we saw an opportunity to provide a space for families to support one another. The group still meets twice a month on Zoom and is facilitated by Gina, who also happens to be one of the original volunteers who founded the organization in 1993\. She’s a rock star. That group provides a space where, wherever a parent is along the continuum of acceptance, they can talk to other parents and really see: This isn’t a phase. It’s not something you can just write off or change. Parents share what happened in their family once they fully accepted their child’s identity—and the beauty that happens after that. The joy of getting to see their child transform, both literally and figuratively, into the person they’re meant to be. I think as a family member, when you see that, it changes you to your core. Your eyes are opened to the beautiful perspective that gender and sexuality are so much more fluid than how many of us were raised to believe. I see so much positive from that. At one of our brunches this year, a father came up to me. He was from a very rural community. His eyes were welling up, and he said, “Thank you for allowing me to see how beautiful my daughter is in so many new ways.” Because while he accepted her before, he had never fully understood. That’s what brings me hope at a time when there is very little hope in many ways. **RY:** What we are talking about is expanding your capacity to love. That is never a bad thing. **NR:** One of the sayings I absolutely disdain and despise is, “why do you have to let everyone know what you do in the bedroom.” But that is simplifying queer identity into sexuality, where queer identity, and gender identity in particular is so different from that and so much more. When young people feel like they have to make a part of themselves smaller. Or hide a part of themselves around family and friends, that doesn't allow them to live their lives in any way shape or form. I think all the impacts of that show themselves in things like addiction, depression, suicidal ideation. Allowing someone to be their whole self lets them heal that. **RY:** What are some human moments that stand out to you over your time working at one·n·ten where you saw a kid’s world open up? **NR:** My first year at Camp Outdoors, I go as a camp counselor. I am really there to just be a support, and I was assigned to be one of the counselors at the twelve-year-old’s cabin. We had a young person come in, they had traveled all the way from Arkansas. This young person had blue hair, and they arrived and were very withdrawn. Blue identified as non-binary and was still figuring that out, which is obviously totally okay. They had a big backpack, and selected the bunk in the furthest corner of the cabin. They slowly started taking out all these stuffed animals and built a wall, then climbed up behind that wall. I just thought, wow this is going to be such a difficult experience for this young kid. It’s probably one they need so much, but their fear may be so bad I don’t know if they will let themselves enjoy it. Fast forward two days later, I’m standing in the cabin door and Blue comes running in with the other campers, and I was just like “Wow you seem like a totally different person, what’s changed?” And they said, “It’s my first time being around people like me.” They ran on, but I just stood there blinking back tears. [Protest at Phoenix’s Boycott Bar Sparks Safety DebateThe protest was tiny, but soon took a turn that resulted in multiple people arguing online that business owners should provide free water.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-123.png)LOOKOUTSahara Sajjadi![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Boycott12-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-protest-at-phoenixs-lesbian-bar-over-water-highlights-broader-heat-concerns/) **RY:** I love that you mentioned your grandmother’s license plate earlier, because literally the theme of *LOOKOUT*’s Summer Issue is “fierce and free.” For me, as a non-binary person going to Trans Spectrum of Arizona meetings for the first time, and seeing the spectrum of gender identity, that was so important. To see there are all these different ways to authentically be yourself, to live and be happy. That really made me feel fierce and free. **NR**: I love that and your eloquent description of your non-binary identity. One thing I’d really like to see more of in the community, and I am just going to call it out, are mostly cis white, older gay men. I have had to constantly learn more, and expand and push myself when it comes to learning about different gender identities, and I wish more folks would do that, especially in our own communities. The question I get from these older gays is, why do we need more pronouns? Why do we need more identities? My point is that these identities have always existed, none of this is new. It’s just that now we have the language and communities that allows people, especially young people to not just have to choose this box of LGB or straight, there are so many more ways to be. It allows people to be seen, affirmed, free and celebrated for exactly who they are. Who wants to live in some bubble of limited options, when in reality, we know for time and all eternity, the fluidity around gender and sexuality has always existed. So why not celebrate that in the ways we refer to one another, in the ways we remain curious, and the ways we seek to understand one another? ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Bisbee Pride Marred by Border Patrol Detainments URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/bisbee-pride-marred-by-border-patrol-detainments/ Last updated: 2025-12-12T15:21:51.000Z Just minutes before the start of the 21st annual Bisbee Pride Parade on Saturday, Border Patrol agents detained several individuals on Main Street where the Parade took place, startling residents and visitors gathered for the celebration. Around 9:30 a.m., attendees saw Border Patrol agents follow a vehicle and pull it over in the heart of Old Bisbee. Witnesses also reported seeing a low-flying helicopter, a nearby plane, and video captured by Jacob Brown of the Queer Center showed patrol horses in tow. Emily Cayer, who has lived in Bisbee for 16 years, said the helicopter’s low altitude made its presence hard to ignore. [![An advertisement to become a LOOKOUT member, stating that you will receive free swag, tickets to events, and a copy of our magazine sent to your home.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) “It didn’t feel like a medical or news helicopter—it felt threatening,” Cayer said. While residents are accustomed to Border Patrol activity closer to the U.S.-Mexico border, Cayer said it’s rare to see enforcement in Old Bisbee. “It’s concerning at any time, but for them to be detaining people during Pride weekend definitely feels like a statement,” she said. Colleen Pardee said she saw four people handcuffed and pressed against a vehicle. Another witness confirmed seeing two people taken into custody by Border Patrol agents. Pardee said the scene, unfolding in the middle of Main Street, felt “right in your face.” It remained unclear whether the individuals detained were attending Pride, or if their presence near the event was coincidental. [LGBTQ+ Asylum Seeker Alleges Abuse at Arizona Immigration Detention CenterA gay Russian asylum seeker says he fears torture or death if deported. Arizona advocates say his case is part of a disturbing trend.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-120.png)LOOKOUTNatalia Rodriguez (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/46051478501_d97b5964dc_b-1.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/lgbtq-asylum-seeker-alleges-abuse-at-arizona-immigration-detention-center/) As the arrests unfolded, bystanders began chanting “Shame! Shame!” in protest. Brown said the moment felt urgent—like people wanted to intervene, but everything happened too quickly. A resident named Celia, who asked to withhold their last name, said local shopkeepers appeared just as confused. The incident, they said, left them feeling anxious, angry and hurt. Celia felt that the "little queer art town" Bisbee has become known for was "invaded" by immigration agents. The detainment underscored for many the reality that immigration enforcement isn’t limited to urban centers. Alix Monty, who traveled from Tempe with their two children, said they came to Bisbee expecting a safer space for Pride. Instead, they found a display they described as intimidating. “Apparently we’re not safe in Bisbee,” Monty said. They said the detainment, which took place near Pride Village, felt strategic. “It was almost like a show of force or scare tactic to intimidate us and let us know we could be next,” they said, adding that taking people without due process at one of the country’s largest rural Pride parades sends the message: "'We have the power, not you.'" Monty said they had hoped for one weekend of peace before what they described as a rise in violence and increased government crackdowns. “It feels like that was ruined,” they said. “It’s not personal, but it’s giving me a lot of trauma.” ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### LGBTQ+ Asylum Seeker Alleges Abuse at Arizona Immigration Detention Center URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/lgbtq-asylum-seeker-alleges-abuse-at-arizona-immigration-detention-center/ Last updated: 2025-07-26T02:02:30.000Z An openly gay Russian dissident being held in an Arizona immigration detention center says he has been threatened and abused by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials as he faces deportation to Russia, where he fears torture or execution. Maksim Borisov, 22, has been held for the past three months at the Eloy Detention Center, a privately run facility operated by CoreCivic, a multibillion-dollar prison corporation with a long record of alleged human rights violations, according to [*Migrant Insider*, an online news outlet that first reported Borisov's claims](https://migrantinsider.com/p/exclusive-russian-dissident-says?ref=lookoutnews.org). Last month, Borisov filed an official complaint accusing a CoreCivic guard of harassing him for being gay. While other detainees were allowed to read undisturbed, Borisov said the guard confiscated his book. CoreCivic closed the case without resolution. [![Promotional banner for becoming a Lookout member, offering swag, event tickets, and a magazine.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) On May 28, Borisov received a final deportation order with no option for appeal. According to Borisov, an ICE officer told him that if he refused to return to Russia, he would be sent to a U.S. federal prison for four to five years—then laughed and said he would be raped there. Borisov has filed a claim under the United Nations Convention Against Torture, stating he faces certain torture or death if returned to Russia. His family has opposed the regime since 2018, and he took part in anti-Putin protests following the 2020 assassination of Alexei Navalny. In 2023, Borisov was outed after a photo of him attending a Pride parade in Thailand was published. Shortly after, he was attacked in the street. He believes Russian intelligence is monitoring him and knows both his political history and sexual identity. “I can’t go back,” Borisov told *Migrant Insider*. “They will kill me.” Advocacy groups in Arizona say Borisov’s case reflects a broader crisis facing LGBTQ+ migrants in U.S. immigration detention centers. Trans Queer Pueblo and RICE (Refugee and Immigrant Community Empowerment) report widespread neglect and abuse in facilities like Eloy. [A Brutal Attack In Phoenix On Queer ArizonansA gay man was knifed after allegedly being called a homophobic slur. The Maricopa County Attorney said it’s not enough to charge his attacker.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-118.png)LOOKOUTCelina Jiménez (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Almaraz3-1.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/gay-man-brutally-attacked-in-phoenix-no-prosecution/) Trans Queer Pueblo, a nonprofit group that works with LGBTQ+ immigrants, is currently in contact with eight LGBTQ+ people detained at Eloy. Some detainees, the group said, have opted to self-deport due to inhumane conditions, ICE misconduct, and lingering Trump-era immigration policies. The group reported that Eloy fails to provide basic medical care: “Detained people report that when they seek medical attention, they are given only a glass of water as treatment,” the group said in a statement to *LOOKOUT*. Chronic conditions such as diabetes often go untreated, and access to transition-related care, such as hormone therapy, is scarce. Trans women are not even provided with proper undergarments, the group added. Attorneys for detainees are often left to pressure the facility to provide care, and while the group has for years conducted regular visits to facilities in Eloy and Florence, new ICE protocols have made it increasingly difficult to access people held inside. RICE, a Phoenix-based immigrant advocacy organization, is not directly involved in Borisov’s case but issued a statement expressing concern over the treatment of LGBTQ+ migrants in detention facilities nationwide, especially under current federal immigration policies. “LGBTQ+ individuals in these settings report elevated levels of harassment, lack of medical or mental health support, and an overall failure to ensure their safety and well-being,” said Patrick Masoya, RICE president and CEO. “These issues demand urgent reform and public accountability.” Borisov remains detained at Eloy as the threat of deportation looms. His case highlights what advocates say is a growing crisis for LGBTQ+ asylum seekers in ICE custody, particularly in privately run centers like ones in Arizona. [Lack of Standards Undermines Police LGBTQ Programs - LOOKOUTAcross Arizona, police departments tout LGBTQ+ liaison programs as trust-building tools. But a LOOKOUT and Phoenix New Times report reveals inconsistent roles across departments.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-119.png)LOOKOUTCelina Jiménez (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/DSC06072-1-2.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/lack-of-standards-transparency-undermines-police-lgbtq-programs/) According to a 2024 report from the Detention Watch Network, a civil rights watchdog group, [at least 16 people have died while in ICE custody at Eloy](https://www.detentionwatchnetwork.org/sites/default/files/reports/Anthology%20of%20Abuse%20-%20A%20Legacy%20of%20Failed%20Oversight%20and%20Death%20at%20the%20Eloy%20Detention%20Center%5F.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org), including five who died by suicide. In February this year, [three people died in the detention center](https://www.detentionwatchnetwork.org/pressroom/releases/2025/three-deaths-ice-custody-just-over-month-trump-s-presidency-marks-most?ref=lookoutnews.org), according to the organization. A federal investigation by the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties cited serious deficiencies at the facility, including inadequate medical care, unsanitary food conditions, poor laundry service, and frequent lockdowns. The report also documented improper use of suicide watch and solitary confinement, violations of women’s privacy, and repeated instances of verbal and physical abuse by staff. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Arizona Clinic Wins Legal Victory in Federal Case Blocking Trump-Era Funding Cuts URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizona-clinic-wins-legal-victory-in-federal-case-blocking-trump-era-funding-cuts/ Last updated: 2025-09-15T18:12:29.000Z An Arizona LGBTQ+ health clinic has won a major legal victory in a federal case that could have national implications. Prisma Community Care — the state’s largest provider of HIV treatment and transgender medical services — was one of nine nonprofits that sued the federal government over Trump-era executive orders they said targeted LGBTQ+ communities and threatened critical health funding. On Monday, a federal judge in California granted a preliminary injunction blocking the enforcement of those orders, which aimed to limit recognition of transgender identities, restrict advocacy efforts, and cut funding for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) programs. [![Ad promoting Lookout membership with benefits like free swag, event tickets, and a magazine subscription.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) “This ruling is a lifeline for our communities,” said Jessyca Leach, CEO of Prisma Community Care, formerly known as the Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS. “Health equity is not optional, and our voices cannot be silenced.” [Arizona’s Health Department Issues Stop Work Orders for HIV Testing Across the StateWith no lifeboat in sight, some HIV prevention programs may shutter because of federal funding cuts.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-117.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/492225071_1090454306447750_4809744171098163188_n-1.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizonas-health-department-issues-stop-work-orders-for-hiv-testing-across-the-state/) The lawsuit, *San Francisco AIDS Foundation v. Trump*, [challenges executive orders 14168, 14151, and 14173, issued by the Trump administration earlier](https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizona-clinic-joins-in-federal-lawsuit-against-trump/) this year. Plaintiffs argued the orders were unconstitutional and jeopardized their ability to serve vulnerable communities. U.S. District Judge Jon S. Tigar sided with the plaintiffs, writing that while the federal government has discretion in awarding subsidies, it “cannot weaponize Congressionally appropriated funds to single out protected communities for disfavored treatment or suppress ideas that it does not like or has deemed dangerous,” according to reporting by The Associated Press. Lambda Legal, which filed the suit on behalf of the nine organizations, said the ruling halts the most harmful effects of the orders — including defunding — while the case continues. > “This is not just about one organization in Arizona. It’s about protecting the right of every LGBTQ+ person in this country to access care, dignity, and support without political interference.” > \-Jessyca Leach, CEO of Prisma Community Care “The record clearly shows that without this injunction, our plaintiffs’ ability to serve their communities — and in some cases, their very existence — was at risk,” said José Abrigo, Lambda Legal’s HIV Project director and senior attorney on the case. Though the ruling only applies to the plaintiffs for now, Abrigo said it could provide a legal roadmap for other organizations nationwide considering challenges to the executive orders. [Arizona Clinics Cancel Gender-Affirming Care for AdultsOne adult patient of Planned Parenthood Arizona was told by phone Friday night that the treatment she receives for gender-affirming care was “paused.”![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-116.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Untitled-design--24--1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/citing-funding-risks-clinics-cancel-gender-affirming-treatment-for-adults/) “This case reinforces a core constitutional principle: the federal government may not condition funding on ideological conformity or punish nonprofits for protected speech,” he said. According to Abrigo, some of the nine nonprofits have already seen grants canceled or restricted as a result of the executive orders — disruptions that had immediate effects on operations. Prisma and other plaintiffs warned that continued enforcement would leave LGBTQ+ communities across the country without essential medical and social support. Beyond the nine plaintiffs, “the chilling effect is real,” Abrigo said. He noted that several nonprofits across the U.S. have scaled back or eliminated DEIA and gender-affirming programs out of fear of retaliation. While the court did not strike down the executive orders entirely, the injunction provides critical breathing room for organizations like Prisma to keep their doors open while the case plays out. A final decision could take up to two years and may face appeals from the federal government. In the meantime, advocates say public awareness and continued legal pressure are essential. “This is not just about one organization in Arizona,” Leach said. “It’s about protecting the right of every LGBTQ+ person in this country to access care, dignity, and support without political interference.” ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Arizona's Health Department Issues Stop Work Orders for HIV Testing Across the State URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizonas-health-department-issues-stop-work-orders-for-hiv-testing-across-the-state/ Last updated: 2025-08-19T16:52:37.000Z --- *June 11 2:11 p.m.; This story has been updated with a comment from Valleywise Medical and a response from Gov. Katie Hobbs' team's outreach with community groups.* --- Arizona is being forced to gut some HIV prevention programs as a result of federal spending freezes, with fallout hitting LGBTQ+ community organizations hardest. At the beginning of June, the state’s Department of Health Services quietly issued Stop Work Orders to at least a dozen grassroots HIV prevention groups—many of them focused on queer and trans communities of color. The shutdown came with little warning, as only two weeks before those organizations had been told via email that there were concerns that possible funding amounting to millions of dollars might not come their way as scheduled. In mid-May, health groups that received CDC funding for HIV behavioral intervention services such as treatment for PrEP—the medical intervention to prevent HIV by more than 99%—HIV testing, and viral surveillance in communities were told by the state health department that they had not received their notice of award for the upcoming payout on May 30\. It followed a move by Trump-appointed CDC leadership to freeze a key grant program that funneled money into testing, surveillance, and access to HIV prevention medication across the country. [![Advertisement for becoming a Lookout member, offering free swag, event tickets, and a magazine subscription.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) The result? Critical services disappeared overnight, just as Pride Month began. “This week was supposed to be a celebration,” Ripple PHX, one of Arizona’s most visible queer health orgs, wrote in a public statement on Instagram. “Instead, we’re bracing for impact—and fighting for survival.” Ripple PHX, which celebrated its seventh anniversary this month, lost $150,000 in funding in a matter of hours. Another $55,000 was slashed from their regrant allocation through Valleywise Health, Arizona’s largest nonprofit hospital system, which has been scrambling to make up for the lost federal money, according to an email shared with *LOOKOUT*. In a statement to *LOOKOUT*, Valleywise Health's Communications Director Michael Murphy did not acknowledge the cuts in funding made to other groups, and instead said the organization was continuing "to navigate through uncertainty in funding." [Tucson Residents Say El Rio Sold Them OutThe Southern Arizona medical provider that once touted its relationship with the queer community has appeared to have lost its credibility with their decision to pre-comply to Trump’s executive orders.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-112.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_4501-1.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-residents-say-el-rio-sold-them-out/) “These cuts are NOT because of poor performance,” Ripple wrote. “They come from a CDC grant made to serve Trans folks, People of Color & LGBTQ+ people. And now it’s frozen. In the same week Pride Month began. In the same week they tried to erase Harvey Milk from a Navy ship.” Ripple PHX now faces the most “terrifying moment” in its history. They’re not alone. Similar stories are unfolding across Arizona, where the CDC’s funding freeze has gutted testing efforts in gay bars, bathhouses, and other places where HIV prevention efforts actually reach the people who need them. For groups without the financial cushion of a large hospital network or who aren’t mor reliant on CDC funds, the cuts are existential. El Rio Health in Tucson, for example, does not receive CDC funds for their HIV testing, according to spokesperson Nathan Holaway, and the stop work orders didn’t affect their day-to-day operations. Aunt Rita’s, one of the state’s longest running HIV care groups, also hasn’t been reliant on CDC funds to provide services. But for other organizations, such as Prisma Community Care, the funding is critical for saving lives. “What we’re running into right now is HIV is on the rise in a lot of cities and in Maricopa County, and so when you cut funding for vaccines, when you cut funding for research, it puts a halt on everything that’s happening,” said Jessyca Leach, CEO of Prisma Community Care. “You have to go back and recreate.” [The Tucson Sentinel first reported that](https://www.tucsonsentinel.com/local/report/060425%5Ftucson%5Faids%5Ffunding/tucson-hiv-aids-groups-face-major-cuts-amid-trump-admin-reductions/?ref=lookoutnews.org) Southern Arizona Aids Foundation [announced that it has lost more than $2 million in funding](https://saaf.org/funding-cuts-force-service-staffing-reductions-at-southern-arizona-aids-foundation/?ref=lookoutnews.org), resulting in immediate cuts. More than $600,000 of that money is from CDC funds passed through by the state health department. Fourteen people were let go because of the funding cuts. “These funding cuts are a devastating blow to SAAF and, more importantly, to the thousands of individuals who rely on our services,” said Beth Morrison, Interim CEO of SAAF. “We are facing an unprecedented challenge, and our primary concern is the health and well-being of our clients. While we are working tirelessly to mitigate the impact, the reality is that many essential services will be significantly scaled back.” And the silence from state leadership is just as dangerous as the cuts themselves. So far, only Rep. Yassamin Ansari has responded to the crisis, according to the statement from Ripple PHX. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs—whose office oversees the state’s health department and is currently in the throes of annual budget negotiations — has not replied to the community group. After publishing this story, Hobbs' office has reached out to Ripple PHX in an attempt to set up a meeting but said the governor "does not control" federal budgets. The trigger for all this was a bomb dropped by the Trump administration in March: a so-called “skinny budget” for 2026 that proposed a 23% cut to non-defense discretionary spending, including $33 billion from Health and Human Services. It effectively eliminates the CDC’s domestic HIV prevention programs—everything from public education to PrEP access—in one fell swoop. That includes the very grant program that funded Ripple PHX and other Arizona-based orgs. It also threatens the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, which supports care for low-income people living with HIV. While technically still funded, advocates say that without the prevention pipeline, the program becomes a stopgap—not a solution. [Arizona Clinics Cancel Gender-Affirming Care for AdultsOne adult patient of Planned Parenthood Arizona was told by phone Friday night that the treatment she receives for gender-affirming care was “paused.”![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-113.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Untitled-design--24-.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/citing-funding-risks-clinics-cancel-gender-affirming-treatment-for-adults/) “Out of 10 branches of the CDC’s HIV prevention division, five were cut,” said Carl Schmid, executive director of the HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute in a press release. “Now they don’t have the staff to support grants, so they’re cancelling them and letting state and local governments take over.” Arizona appears to be doing exactly that—dumping the responsibility on local orgs, then stripping them of resources. The results, health advocates say, are clear: less people getting tested, fewer getting on PrEP, and fewer being connected to life-saving care. The federal budget does maintain $220 million for the Ending the HIV Epidemic(EHE) initiative. But that money is being shifted to a new agency, the Administration for a Healthy America—and it only covers 57 jurisdictions nationwide. It’s unclear if Arizona’s fast-growing queer community has a seat at that table. “Maintaining EHE while eliminating nearly $800 million for our nationwide surveillance, testing, education and outreach programs is a recipe for disaster,” Schmid said in the release. “We cannot ignore people who are at risk of HIV.” Meanwhile, back in Phoenix, the people who’ve been on the frontlines of prevention are being pushed out of the fight. “We’re not panicking,” Ripple wrote. “But we’re hurting. We’re not backing down. But we’re angry. And this is a crisis.” But most alarming for health advocates isn’t just that Arizona is losing HIV prevention dollars—it’s happening at a time when the state is seeing a rise in transmission rates. A report released in December 2023—the most recent report available—by the Arizona Department of Health Services revealed HIV transmissions in the state surged more than 20% since 2020 despite national HIV rates going down. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/06/Screenshot-2025-06-11-at-9.43.49---AM.png) Screenshot from the Arizona Department of Health Services HIV dashboard showing HIV transmission numbers between 2013 and 2023\. The hardest hit? Black and Latino Arizonans, especially men who have sex with men. But straight women, including those from communities that have long been treated as low-risk, have also seen an increased risk. In 2021, the state’s Black population had a 31% spike in HIV cases. The next year, it jumped another 15%. And while Latinos make up 32% of the state’s population, they accounted for nearly half of new infections in 2023. Phoenix is one of 33 U.S. cities designated as a Fast Track City under a UN-led effort to eliminate HIV by 2030\. In theory, that means it’s supposed to be a leader in prevention. But when asked if there was a stop gap opportunity to shore up funds to make up for the loss, the city didn’t appear to have a plan or path forward to hit their 2030 goal if testing and prevention were reduced in the city. [Poor sex education and outreach is to blame for HIV increase in Arizona, advocates say.State health department data shows HIV transmissions up by almost 20%, going the opposite way of the nation where the virus is slowing.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-115.png)LOOKOUTLisa Abelar (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/shutterstock_2418978793.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizona-hiv-rising-sex-education/) Instead, a spokesperson for the city mentioned funds already allocated two years ago—a total of $250,000 annually—to provide for HIV and AIDS awareness, testing, education, and support services for individuals living with the virus. “The goal of these community outreach sponsorships is to support HIV testing, link those living with HIV to treatment, and support efforts in continual care for those living with HIV, as well as those who fall out of care,” said Angie Holdsworth, a public information officer for the city’s strategic initiatives. The funding could be reinstated to local groups if the CDC follows through and issues the award. But it's unclear if that will happen. *LOOKOUT* contacted both the grant manager for the state department's HIV programs as well as the public information officer for the department to inquire on if ADHS has had any contact with the CDC on releasing the funds. The agency did not return requests for interviews. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Once By His Side, Gallego Gets Pushback From LGBTQ+ Organizations URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/once-by-his-side-gallego-gets-pushback-from-lgbtq-organizations/ Last updated: 2025-06-08T04:00:51.000Z A week after Sen. Ruben Gallego, a progressive Democrat, stated that transgender girls shouldn’t be playing in youth sports, organizations that helped aid in his ascension to his role in the Senate are now calling on him to reverse course or face opposition. In an interview with *The Dispatch*, Gallego said the debate over transgender youth in sports should be handled at the local, not federal, level, and referenced what he described as “legitimate” concerns from parents of both transgender and cisgender youth. His comments—expressing general support for transgender youth but not for full participation in sports—represent a marked shift from his previous positions: In March this year, Gallego joined all Senate Democrats in voting against advancing Senate Bill S.9, which sought to redefine sex under Title IX to be based solely on reproductive biology at birth. The bill would have barred transgender students from participating in school sports that align with their gender identity and overridden existing inclusive state, district, or school-level policies. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Now, his supporters say it’s unclear where the senator stands on civil rights for transgender people. Phoenix Pride said it felt “shocked and deeply disappointed” in Gallego’s statements, calling them a betrayal. The organization posted on social media that his comments called into question the sincerity of his past appearances at LGBTQ+ events, many of which coincided with campaign seasons. [Arizona Youth Confront Lawmakers Over Anti-LGBTQ+ Moves — Including From DemocratsDozens of parents and queer youth stood beside lawmakers to challenge the continued rise of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and show force in community.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-110.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_5476-1.JPG)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizona-youth-confront-lawmakers-over-anti-lgbtq-moves-including-from-democrats-2/) Phoenix Pride has asked Gallego to retract or revise his statement, citing the potential harm to trans youth. “The LGBTQ+ community supported Sen. Gallego when he needed our votes,” the post read. “We expected that support to extend to all of us—especially trans youth.” Michael Soto, president and CEO of Equality Arizona, said in a statement that America has two competing traditions: one of exclusion and one of inclusion. “When a leader chooses exclusion, they fail to lead,” Soto said. “Sen. Gallego has unfortunately aligned himself with those seeking to exclude—those who spread fear and misinformation for political gain.” Soto continued that there is a legitimate debate about fairness in sports, but that Gallego has played into the hand of far-right extremists who want to legalize discrimination: “As a nation, we have rejected fear and myths in the context of race, gender, and sports. We must do the same now to successfully integrate transgender people into both recreational and competitive athletics.” The ACLU of Arizona also condemned Gallego’s remarks. Katelynn Contreras, the group’s policy strategist, said Gallego’s comments contribute to a broader effort to push transgender people out of public and civic life. “Sen. Gallego campaigned as a fighter for the LGBTQ+ community,” Contreras said. “But instead of using his platform to ensure students feel supported in schools and activities, he’s made it harder. Excluding trans students sends the message that they are not equal.” National organizations that previously endorsed Gallego—including the Human Rights Campaign and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund—are now scrutinizing his support for the community. [Locals Sour on U.S. Rep Eli Crane’s Attempts to Hide From His DissentersQueer residents in Northern Arizona start seeing a grim future as the Arizona Congressman has been dodging town halls and fueling the culture wars.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-111.png)LOOKOUTZach Bradshaw![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/CRANE-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/locals-sour-on-u-s-rep-eli-cranes-attempts-to-hide-from-his-dissenters/) Brandon Wolf, HRC’s national press secretary, said every child deserves a safe, welcoming place to play and learn the values of teamwork. “No one’s political ambitions will be buoyed by betraying our most vulnerable communities,” Wolf said. “MAGA attacks on everything from essential health care to book bans and sports are targeting transgender youth in order to divide communities and distract from real issues.” GLAAD, in a fact sheet on transgender participation in sports, notes that sports bans are part of a growing trend of anti-trans policies, including restrictions on health care, education, and restroom access. *LOOKOUT* reached out to Gallego’s office in Washington D.C. His press secretary said he wouldn’t be issuing any further comments. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Arizona Youth Confront Lawmakers Over Anti-LGBTQ+ Moves — Including From Democrats URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizona-youth-confront-lawmakers-over-anti-lgbtq-moves-including-from-democrats-2/ Last updated: 2025-06-02T20:29:30.000Z Organizers from across Arizona gathered at the state Capitol on Monday to mark the start of Pride Month and push back against what they called a continued onslaught of anti-LGBTQ+ bills passed by the state Legislature. While LGBTQ+ rights groups have often used Pride Month to criticize Republicans for targeting trans and queer youth, two Democrats were also named this year for advancing anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and legislation: U.S. Sen. Ruben Gallego and Gov. Katie Hobbs. Last week, [*The Dispatch*](https://thedispatch.com/article/ruben-gallego-democratic-party-2028-arizona/?signup=success&ref=lookoutnews.org) published an interview with Gallego in which he broke from fellow Democrats on the issue of transgender youth athletes, saying they should not be allowed to participate in youth sports. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) “As a parent of a daughter, I think it’s legitimate that parents are worried about the safety of their daughters, and I think it’s legitimate for us to be worried also about fair competition,” Gallego said. “And I think the parents of these trans children also are worried legitimately about the health and wellness of their kids. There are some sports that some of these trans children should not be playing.” [Locals Sour on U.S. Rep Eli Crane’s Attempts to Hide From His DissentersQueer residents in Northern Arizona start seeing a grim future as the Arizona Congressman has been dodging town halls and fueling the culture wars.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-108.png)LOOKOUTZach Bradshaw![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/CRANE.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/locals-sour-on-u-s-rep-eli-cranes-attempts-to-hide-from-his-dissenters/) Gallego said there should be separation based on biology, adding: “Hey, listen, we love you. We want you to be part of our community, but this is just the one place you can’t play, and let’s find other activities for you to be involved.” His comments echoed “separate but equal” arguments once used to justify banning gay and lesbian people from teaching or serving in the military—language that LGBTQ+ advocates say has no place in progressive politics. Still, Gallego appears to be applying similar logic to trans youth. Following publication of the interview, LGBTQ+ advocates and progressive groups in Arizona—[and nationwide](https://www.instagram.com/p/DKZuncgus6K/?ref=lookoutnews.org)—voiced their dismay, saying Gallego has abandoned the values that won their support during his Senate campaign. “Senator Ruben Gallego’s recent remarks targeting transgender youth have left many of us in Arizona, and across the nation, feeling disheartened and outraged,” [said a petition issued by Scott Blades](https://www.change.org/p/condemn-senator-gallego-s-transphobic-remarks?ref=lookoutnews.org), executive director of the Tucson Interfaith HIV/AIDS Network. “These comments serve to perpetuate harmful stereotypes and discrimination against an already vulnerable community, undermining the principles of equality and inclusion that are fundamental to our society.” At the Capitol, youth leaders and young people directly called out Gallego’s shift. “We must ensure our schools are safe spaces,” said Kado Stewart, a program director at Phoenix-based LGBTQ+ youth organization one•n•ten, which operates statewide. “That means ensuring our transgender students have the ability to participate in school athletics, which are proven to improve mental health, reduce anxiety and depression, and build teamwork skills. Those who want to participate in sports shouldn’t have to find other activities.” Violet DuMont, a transgender student from Tucson, addressed Gallego directly. “Hey Ruben, if you can’t stand up for trans kids, maybe Congress isn’t the right place for you—and let’s find another activity for you to make fair competition,” DuMont said. Gov. Katie Hobbs, a longtime LGBTQ+ ally who has vetoed numerous anti-trans bills, was also criticized for signing HB 2112—a sweeping anti-pornography law that has been used in other states to label LGBTQ+ content, such as books and sex education materials, as “adult content.” “Few organizations across Arizona actually supported this piece of legislation, and the governor still decided to sign it,” said Harrison Redmond, a community organizer with the ACLU of Arizona. “LGBTQ+ youth deserve to be seen, heard, and have access to medically accurate, identity-affirming, and life-saving information readily available online. HB 2112 risks taking that away—and Gov. Hobbs was wrong to sign this bill, full stop.” [Gov. Hobbs Signs Bill Meant to Censor LGBTQ+ ContentThe bill, HB 2112, says it would restrict sexual materials online for minors, but the Project 2025 playbook which the bill is modeled from mentions “transgender ideology” as pornographic.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-109.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/53447489827_1d07a8b983_k.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/gov-hobbs-signs-bill-advocates-say-targets-lgbtq-people/) The statements challenging Hobbs and Gallego were made at a youth day for LGBTQ+ people at the Capitol. The event is an annual gathering on the start of Pride month hosted by Rep. Lorena Austin of Mesa with the help of LGBTQ+ advocacy groups such as Human Rights Campaign of Arizona, ACLU of Arizona, the Greater Phoenix Equality Chamber of Commerce, and Education Action Alliance, formerly known as GLSEN-AZ. Youth are given a chance to speak confidentially to Democratic lawmakers face-to-face on how legislation and politics affect their daily lives. But more than an opportunity to express grievances publicly, the day is a celebration for queer youth to show up for each other in numbers. One Tucson student, Mya Figueroa, urged her fellow trans youth to stay hopeful and positive: "I'm proud of myself and my siblings," she said. "Don't forget that you are not alone, you are loved, and needed in all spaces. You are whole just as you are." ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Locals Sour on U.S. Rep Eli Crane’s Attempts to Hide From His Dissenters URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/locals-sour-on-u-s-rep-eli-cranes-attempts-to-hide-from-his-dissenters/ Last updated: 2025-05-28T22:19:19.000Z In Northern Arizona, a growing number of locals say they’re being steamrolled by the people elected to represent them, particularly around LGBTQ+ issues. As policies targeting the community surge across the country, many in Flagstaff and the surrounding region feel not only unheard, but deliberately sidelined. Their frustrations point squarely at U.S. Rep. Eli Crane—a businessman-turned-politician whose record on queer rights, constituents say, reads as a warning sign. Crane, who represents Arizona’s 2nd Congressional District, has backed legislation to ban LGBTQ+ flags at military bases and gut funding for transgender health services. This year, he mocked transgender science funding on Instagram, invoking Anthony Fauci and so-called “transgender animal studies” in a viral stunt that critics called a distraction from real issues. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) “(He’s) about creating news by making people upset,” said Thomas Cosner, a Flagstaff business owner and therapist who works with LGBTQ+ clients. “I feel like he's a voice for instability, rather than trying to create positive change.” Across the district—from Flagstaff to Sedona, Prescott to Cottonwood—residents and advocates say Crane’s approach isn’t just callous. It’s calculated. “He’s clearly using it as a tool to leverage power,” said Trinity Kline, a transgender woman in Chino Valley. “They aren't things I'm voting for. They're just things that are being done in spite of me.” “There are people in power who want to make our lives harder,” Kline said. “That’s dangerous.” Arizona has more than a quarter million adults who identify as LGBTQ+ residents, according to most recent reports from the Williams Institute of UCLA, but it’s unclear how many live outside of the state’s two largest cities: Phoenix and Tucson. Still, a city such as Flagstaff—an area built up in population by its proximity to Northern Arizona University—is typically thought to be [one of the more accepting cities in the state](https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/11-gay-friendly-small-cities-big-red-states-n1086081?ref=lookoutnews.org). Flagstaff also scored a 95 out of 100 in the [Human Rights Campaign’s 2024 Municipal Equality Index Scorecard](https://www.hrc.org/resources/mei-2024-see-your-cities-scores?ref=lookoutnews.org), which evaluates the inclusivity of laws, policies and services for LGBTQ+ people. And though no one denies that Flagstaff might be bright blue in a sea of red, they contest how a person like Crane—who has built his political career on a staunchly pro-Trump name—could possibly have their interests in mind. ### **A Progressive Area With Oathkeepers As Leaders** Critics say Crane’s seat itself is a product of political engineering. Before the 2022 election, the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission moved Flagstaff out of Democrat-leaning CD1 and into CD2 — a more conservative district anchored by rural cities such as Prescott and the Town of Cottonwood. The shift gave Republicans a significant edge and helped Crane unseat Democrat Tom O’Halleran. Yavapai County, where Prescott and Cottonwood are located, is also where multiple hate and antigovernment groups are located, [as tracked by the Southern Poverty Law Center](https://www.splcenter.org/hate-map/?gad%5Fsource=1&ref=lookoutnews.org). One of those is the Highlands Proud Boys, a right-wing extremist group whose members embrace anti-LGBTQ+ ideologies. The redistricting also gave power to fringe conservatives in local politics, such as State Sen. Wendy Rogers, who represents Flagstaff, but has made a name in local politics by [praising White nationalist groups](https://azmirror.com/2022/02/26/wendy-rogers-racist-white-nationalists-patriots-and-called-for-hanging-political-enemies/?ref=lookoutnews.org), campaigning as a member of the local Oath Keepers militia, called for her followers to make child abuse claims against parents who took their kids to a local drag show, and was a fierce defender of the conspiracy that Donald Trump won the 2020 election. [“Sexual Material” Wording In Republican Bill Targets LGBTQ+ Materials, IdeasA bill that has wide support—even from Democrats—comes from the Project 2025 Playbook that labels gender ideology and discussions around LGBTQ+ issues or people as “pornography.”![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-106.png)LOOKOUTTori Gantz (she/they)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/53792367625_65ff5aec86_k-1-2.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/targeting-sexual-material-in-republican-bill-targets-lgbtq-materials-ideas/) “To gerrymander \[Flagstaff\] so that we can't possibly elect somebody that we want in office, I think is unpatriotic. It's cheating,” said Laura Carter, chair of the Northern Arizona Democratic Party. “This isn’t representative government. Our voice has been completely lost.” That erosion of voice feels especially painful to LGBTQ+ residents who say their safety, visibility and basic rights are under siege. And Crane, they argue, has done little to reassure or even acknowledge them. “He doesn’t live here. He doesn’t talk to us. He won’t meet with us,” said Julian Bernhardt, a Flagstaff resident and communications director for the Arizona Students Association. “Eli crane has not been present. … Nobody can get a hold of him.” > **“These elected officials swore to uphold the Constitution, which guarantees equity for all. Instead, they’re actively working against queer people. It’s shameful.”** > \-Jeremy Helfgot, Phoenix-based organizer Bernhardt, who is gender-fluid, said repeated attempts to reach Crane’s office have gone unanswered. Carter said even local Democrats willing to work across the aisle are iced out. And trying to confront Crane at town halls has become an impossible task. Nationwide, Republicans altogether have been paring back their town halls, upsetting [voters](https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/16/politics/town-halls-congress-tempers-flare/index.html?ref=lookoutnews.org) who come to express their anger toward lawmakers about their support for DOGE’s sweeping cuts or heavy-handed tactic with immigration. U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson recently [encouraged Republican lawmakers to skip town halls](https://apnews.com/article/town-halls-musk-doge-trump-gop-749d91ea516284057e4c7bcb1615527e?ref=lookoutnews.org). In Tucson, Republican representative [Juan Ciscomani didn’t show up](https://www.kgun9.com/news/community-inspired-journalism/eastside-news/despite-ciscomanis-absence-neighbors-share-concerns-at-town-hall-surrounding-federal-job-and-spending-cuts?ref=lookoutnews.org) to his own scheduled town hall meeting. Some allege Crane’s office is screening town hall attendees to exclude registered Democrats—a page from his fellow Congressman Andy Biggs, who has drawn attention for only [holding town hall meetings for registered-Republicans](https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/town-hall-with-arizona-rep-andy-biggs-bars-non-republicans-21413223?ref=lookoutnews.org). The alleged move by Crane and Biggs seems to be in alignment with a new view from conservative lawmakers where they are only beholden to the people who voted for them. Former Arizona State Senator [Justine Wadsack once tweeted](https://x.com/Wadsack4Arizona/status/1624878176798375939?ref=lookoutnews.org) this new mindset more bluntly to a constituent: “Your ideology is that of a Dem. So no, I do not work for you.” Eli Crane is no different, some Flagstaff residents argue. “He’s unpatriotic,” Carter said. “ As a leader, you need to represent everybody. Your job is to serve all of us.” Crane’s office did not respond to multiple requests for comment. ### **What Would Eli Crane Do?** Crane built his political brand on a platform of free speech, small government and cultural grievances. A former Navy SEAL, he gained notoriety on Shark Tank pitching Bottle Breacher—a company that turns bullets into bottle openers. [Bottle Breacher’s website](https://bottlebreacher.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org) leans heavily into the firebrand of American exceptionalism that’s popular among the new subgroup of popular manfluencers and “alpha-male” or pro-Trump content. One [koozie](https://bottlebreacher.com/product/bottle-breacher-coozies-7-logos-to-choose-from-4-in-the-set/?ref=lookoutnews.org) for sale reads “What Would Founding Fathers Do,” another a shopping cart brimming with guns and American flags with the word “Deplorables” underneath, alluding to the comment made by Hillary Clinton against Trump voters in her 2016 race for president. > **Crane has remained fairly elusive, hiding from most media coverage unless it’s with conservative outlets, making him notoriously difficult to pin down.** Crane is also a brand ambassador for [Sig Sauer firearms](https://www.sigsauer.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org), a company that donated thousands to the campaigns of dozens of conservatives in the 2024 election cycle, including Donald Trump and Crane, himself. [No Debate, No Vote, No Explanation: The Tactics Killing LGBTQ+ Rights Bills in ArizonaIn Arizona, one person can stop a bill from moving forward in the Legislature, and the public never gets a chance to have their voice heard.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-107.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Untitled-design--23-.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/no-debate-no-vote-no-explanation-the-tactics-killing-lgbtq-rights-bills-in-arizona/) Sig Sauer donated $3,900 to Crane’s 2022 campaign, [according to Open Secrets](https://www.opensecrets.org/members-of-congress/eli-crane/summary?cid=N00048953&cycle=2024&ref=lookoutnews.org). In 2024, Crane’s campaign was bankrolled by hard-right groups like the House Freedom Fund and Senate Conservative Fund. He also recently received $6,600 in financial backing from Elon Musk after filing articles of impeachment against a federal judge who blocked Trump-era financial surveillance efforts. But Crane has also remained fairly elusive. Hiding from most media coverage unless it’s with conservative media, he has been notoriously difficult to pin down. In 2022, Crane gave an exclusive interview to far-right website Breitbart News. He has since largely avoided mainstream press. Before the last election, however, [Crane was a guest on the *UnsubscribePodcast*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-ldPtU%5FlAo&ref=lookoutnews.org), which interviews primarily veterans and business owners. Crane at one point was asked about the future of politics, and responded by predicting the country in the future would have a “more totalitarian bent where the federal government continues to overreach.” That “federal overreach” Crane warned about appears to be happening under his watch, argued Cosner, who said his therapy business that receives federal funding and has been threatened with a Presidential Executive Order, is now dealing with financial unpredictability: “They’re not trying to fix anything,” he said. “They’re just trying to scare everyone. And that’s terrible for business — and worse for people.” Community advocates like Jeremy Helfgot, a Phoenix-based LGBTQ+ organizer, say Crane represents a broader betrayal happening in Arizona politics. “These elected officials swore to uphold the Constitution, which guarantees equity for all,” Helfgot said. “Instead, they’re actively working against queer people. It’s shameful.” For Bernhardt, the communications director for the Arizona Students Association, the stakes go beyond policy. “Crane is not going to listen, and he’s sending a message that our lives don’t matter,” they said. “Arizona is watching to see what he does, and I think he should remember that.” In response, local community groups have ramped up organizing, such as hosting events and support groups to push back against Crane, and[ local Indivisible chapters](https://indivisible.org/about?ref=lookoutnews.org)—collective action groups across the country—have started to protest outside Crane’s office on a consistent basis. “No one’s coming to save us,” Bernhardt said. “So we have to do it ourselves.” ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### The Quiet Coalition Behind Arizona’s Anti-LGBTQ+ School Board Proposals URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/the-quiet-coalition-behind-arizonas-anti-lgbtq-school-board-proposals/ Last updated: 2025-06-20T14:03:21.000Z In Prescott Valley, the Humboldt Unified School District governing board is once again weighing a so-called “parental notification” policy that advocates say would forcibly out LGBTQ+ students. If approved, the policy would require educators and staff to inform guardians when a student asks to be addressed by a name or pronoun different from what's listed in their official school records. Similar proposals have surfaced across the state. Nearly identical policies—targeting transgender and gender-diverse students—have been introduced, debated, and in some cases approved, often pulling language from a 2023 model policy book issued by a conservative group with little name recognition outside of education circles: the Arizona Coalition of School Board Members. [![Ad for becoming a Lookout member, offering swag, event tickets, and a magazine copy.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Although the coalition describes itself as nonpartisan, coalition founder Pam Kirby wrote in a column for the conservative website *AZ Free Press* that the organization is “led by unapologetically conservative school board leaders who are rejecting political indoctrination.” Kirby, who served two terms on the Scottsdale Unified School District governing board and the Paradise Valley Town Council, started the coalition in 2021\. [She told 12News](https://www.12news.com/article/news/education/arizona-conservatives-launch-alternative-to-education-group/75-1d943e2f-15cf-4e0c-8087-9ec98413b360?ref=lookoutnews.org) that the group was created to offer an alternative to the Arizona School Boards Association, an established statewide advocacy and training organization for public school district governing board members. According to the coalition’s website, it [claims to have members](https://www.azcoalition.org/coalition-governing-board-members?ref=lookoutnews.org) serving on 32 public school governing boards across the state. Former state Sen. Sylvia Allen (R-Snowflake) has been on the coalition’s board since its beginning, and current Maricopa County Schools Superintendent Shelli Boggs, a Republican, also maintained a seat before last year’s election. One of the coalition’s strategies is to rid public school guidelines affirming LGBTQ+ students and limit the curriculums around science, history, and health to be more aligned with morally conservative teachings. In Mesa last month, conservative board member Sharon Benson pushed for a policy around pronouns and bathroom usage. Earlier this spring, the Peoria Unified School District passed [a policy restricting students](https://www.azcoalition.org/%5Ffiles/ugd/a033fc%5F7ce14e47396942bca11f41cddcae810b.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) to use multi-occupancy bathrooms, locker rooms, and showers that correspond to their sex assigned at birth. Those policies both appear in the coalition’s 2023 handbook. [Heather Rooks and the Peoria School Board: A Legal BattleAn Arizona federal judge ruled that Peoria’s school board didn’t violate Heather Rooks’s free speech rights when they attempted to shut down her scripture readings. It left the question open on if she’s violating the constitution.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-103.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2024-10-10-at-1.03.20-PM-1-1-3.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/judge-says-peoria-school-board-members-free-speech-claim-doesnt-hold-water/) But the Arizona Coalition of School Board Members doesn’t just push its own model policies, it also elevates those written by its member base that, for example, have sought to [dismantle equity practices in Lake Havasu](https://www.azcoalition.org/%5Ffiles/ugd/a033fc%5Fad954d1e9df44f269ee83074e7dc2908.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org), remove transgender girls from youth sports at a Queen Creek district, and eliminate COVID-19 vaccination and masking requirements [in the same school](https://www.azcoalition.org/%5Ffiles/ugd/a033fc%5F66c1f70a65e247b984df4fe17bde7f54.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) district. In addition to policy, the coalition functions as a training, educational, and networking hub for school board members, candidates, and parents. [One of its education partners, PragerU](https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=389405060371347&set=pcb.389405167038003)—a conservative media and education platform backed by Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne—markets its youth curriculum as pro-American with classes that include Biblical lessons and content rooted in “Judeo-Christian values,” according to its website’s course offerings. At a summer gathering, the group hosted Rep. Lisa Fink (R-Glendale) who claimed comprehensive sex education—which covers topics like consent, contraception, and sexual identity—was harmful to students. Fink’s presentation, available to coalition members online, contained slides that claimed safe-sex education “eroticizes” condom use and encourages excessive sexual independence in youth. [State rep with ties to hate groups files similar anti-LGBTQ+ bill that was vetoed last year.Progressive policy experts say the repetitive attempt to erase trans people from public life is dehumanizing.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-105.png)LOOKOUTTori Gantz (she/they)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/shutterstock_1354361342-1-1-2.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/lisa-fink-new-bill-attempts-to-ban-intersex-people/) The coalition has also elevated the platforms of people who have made inflammatory statements against LGBTQ+ people: In 2022, the coalition invited Rhonda Thomas to speak to its members. Thomas is the creator of Truth in Education, a Christian education organization that campaigns against “transgender theory,” intersectionality, and queer theories. The group also advocates for churches to have public schools endorse off-campus schooling for Christian-based courses. In 2023, the coalition named Dawn Densmore, president of a school district governing board in Surprise, its [“School Board Member of the Year.”](https://dysart.org/mainsite/pages/news-press-releases/4236/board-president-named-az-school-board-member-of-the-year?ref=lookoutnews.org) Densmore publicly opposed the Biden administration’s proposed revisions to Title IX that would have expanded legal safeguards for LGBTQ+ students. She was additionally endorsed by the political action committee tied to [Arizona Women of Action](https://www.lookoutnews.org/in-a-leaked-web-meeting-far-right-school-board-candidates-doubled-down-on-anti-trans-rhetoric/), a far-right organization that advocates for state legislation opposing trans students’ rights and books with LGBTQ+ characters or themes in school libraries or curriculums. Arizona Women of Action held recruitment and mentorship workshops throughout the previous election cycle focused on encouraging conservative parents to run for school board seats. In 2024, Humboldt Unified School District got three new board members who were also endorsed by Arizona Women of Action’s PAC. [In a leaked web meeting, school board candidates doubled-down on anti-trans rhetoric.The webcast, organized by Arizona Women of Action, is part of a campaign to use LGBTQ+ issues as a galvanizing issue this November.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-104.png)LOOKOUTTori Gantz (she/they)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_0107-5.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/in-a-leaked-web-meeting-far-right-school-board-candidates-doubled-down-on-anti-trans-rhetoric/) To be clear, the coalition’s model policies don’t appear to be unique to Arizona. Instead, they echo language seen in other states and are part of a broader effort by far-right lawmakers and policy groups to use school boards as battlegrounds in their campaign against queer people in public life. In 2023, for instance, a Humboldt Unified School District governing board member first proposed the “parental notification” policy that required educators to contact parents if a student requested to go by a different name or pronoun. That policy, according to HUSD superintendent Christine Griffin, [was taken from a school district in Chino Valley](https://www.chino.k12.ca.us/cms/lib/CA01902308/Centricity/domain/693/series%5F5000/BP%205020.1.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org), California, and pushed by the [Coalition for Parental Rights](https://www.appeal-democrat.com/news/coalition-linked-to-moms-for-liberty-pushing-change-in-school-districts/article%5Fb3cd7f34-300f-11ee-b4c9-b32b34b2b017.html?ref=lookoutnews.org), a group in California aligned with Moms for Liberty, a designated hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. This year, after the new board members—all endorsed by Arizona Women of Action—joined the Humboldt school board, they proposed to revisit the policy and put forward the Arizona coalition’s policy. It’s unclear where the coalition’s model policy originally came from. The Arizona Coalition for School Board Members did not respond to comment before publishing. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Gov. Hobbs Signs Bill Meant to Censor LGBTQ+ Content URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/gov-hobbs-signs-bill-advocates-say-targets-lgbtq-people/ Last updated: 2025-06-17T12:01:08.000Z In a blow to LGBTQ+ and civil rights groups, Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs broke with her party writ-large to [sign a bill](https://azgovernor.gov/office-arizona-governor/news/2025/05/governor-katie-hobbs-legislative-action-update-3?ref=lookoutnews.org) that could make posting information or images of LGBTQ+ people—and literature related to them—illegal without age verification. [House Bill 2112](https://www.lookoutnews.org/targeting-sexual-material-in-republican-bill-targets-lgbtq-materials-ideas/) requires any website where more than one-third of the content could be considered “sexual material” to implement an age verification system. The proposal, already passed in 12 Republican-led states, is intended to prevent people under age 18 from accessing lewd content. But similar laws have effectively shut down access to most adult entertainment websites in those places. While the bill does not explicitly outlaw LGBTQ+ content, some Republican lawmakers have publicly claimed that certain books and educational art about queer and transgender people are “pornographic.” The law also lacks a clear definition of what qualifies as sexual material, leaving the language open to interpretation. [“Sexual Material” Wording In Republican Bill Targets LGBTQ+ Materials, IdeasA bill that has wide support—even from Democrats—comes from the Project 2025 Playbook that labels gender ideology and discussions around LGBTQ+ issues or people as “pornography.”![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-102.png)LOOKOUTTori Gantz (she/they)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/53792367625_65ff5aec86_k-1-1.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/targeting-sexual-material-in-republican-bill-targets-lgbtq-materials-ideas/) "I think that these bills are a Trojan horse," said Mike Stabile, the public policy director for [Free Speech Coalition](https://www.freespeechcoalition.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org), a trade and advocacy organization of the adult entertainment industry and its workers. "They come in with what seems like a very common sense argument: That we should keep kids from accessing adult websites. In reality, what's being passed is a broad censorship bill for the internet." Originally, HB2112 had wide Democratic support in the House of Representatives, but after lobbyists met with lawmakers and explained the possible impacts of the bill, the majority of those lawmakers who voted for the bill switched their vote when an amendment was introduced. The bill mirrors efforts of Project 2025, a coalition of prominent conservative organizations, including Arizona-based Alliance Defending Freedom, Family Research Council, Heritage Foundation, American Legislative Exchange Council, and others. The organization’s initial goal was to outline an agenda for the current Republican administration's first 180 days, and to recruit fringe conservatives to fill positions within the federal government. Project 2025’s playbook “[Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise](https://www.mandateforleadership.org/?ref=lookoutnews.org)” detailed how the Executive branch and its appointees can implement extreme changes across the U.S. In its mandate, it specifically listed "transgender ideology" and "sexualization of children" (a commonly used attack for critics of people who display Pride flags in classrooms, for example) as pornographic: > *Pornography, manifested today in the omnipresent propagation of transgender ideology and sexualization of children, for instance, is not a political Gordian knot inextricably binding up disparate claims about free speech, property rights, sexual liberation, and child welfare. It has no claim to First Amendment protection. Its purveyors are child predators and misogynistic exploiters of women. Their product is as addictive as any illicit drug and as psychologically destructive as any crime. Pornography should be outlawed. The people who produce and distribute it should be imprisoned. Educators and public librarians who purvey it should be classed as registered sex offenders. And telecommunications and technology firms that facilitate its spread should be shuttered.* For years, one of the Project 2025 co-authors Russ Vought and his right-wing think tank, the Center for Renewing America, have [been pushing laws](https://americarenewing.com/issues/what-states-can-do-to-restrict-childrens-access-to-pornography/?ref=lookoutnews.org) that call for porn websites to confirm their visitors are not minors. Stabile noted that the term material harmful to minors is vague, saying that it is "being used in other contexts to [remove LGBTQ+ books out of libraries](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/01/new-book-bans-library-schools?ref=lookoutnews.org); to [threaten librarians with arrest](https://www.bigcountryhomepage.com/news/censorship-concerns-rise-over-texas-bill-abilene-bookstore-pushes-back/?ref=lookoutnews.org); to [stop drag shows in states like Tennessee](https://oklahomavoice.com/2025/02/11/oklahoma-bill-bars-drag-performances-harmful-to-minors/?ref=lookoutnews.org); and, in some states, to threaten Target even over pride displays in their stores." Sex education platforms, [such as O.school](https://www.o.school/article/why-were-suing-utah?ref=lookoutnews.org), are worried about liability and decided to sue states with laws like HB 2112. The move surprised many queer and allied politicos in Arizona, who saw Hobbs as an ally. Although she has previously been recognized by multiple civil rights organizations for her rejection of anti-LGTBQ+ policies, Hobbs is now facing criticism for signing the measure. In the past month, the governor used her veto stamp on legislative proposals to [remove the reference to gender](https://mcusercontent.com/44a5186aac69c13c570fca36a/files/1633995a-9ff9-f341-1083-f4fab7ca9b08/HB2062%5FVeto%5FLetter.pdf?utm%5Fsource=ActiveCampaign&utm%5Fmedium=email&utm%5Fcontent=Let%20there%20be%20vetoes%21&utm%5Fcampaign=EOTS%20April%2021%2C%202025) from state laws and replace it with narrow definitions of "sex," to [bar judges from issuing](https://www.azleg.gov/govlettr/57leg/1r/hb2438.pdf?utm%5Fsource=ActiveCampaign&utm%5Fmedium=email&utm%5Fcontent=Here%20Come%20the%20Vetoes&utm%5Fcampaign=EOTS%20May%205%2C%202025) an order to amend trans folks’ birth certificates, to [sanction health care providers ](https://mcusercontent.com/44a5186aac69c13c570fca36a/files/77e6b1c7-7a48-3c75-762c-d47c2423b124/SB1586%5FVeto%5FLetter.01.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org)who conduct life-saving gender-transition procedures on youth, and several bills to ban equity practices in hiring and post-secondary education. LOOKOUT emailed and left a message for the governor’s office asking for clarity on her action, yet hasn’t received a response. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### A Law That Helped Convert Indigenous People Is Now Used to Get Churches Near—And On—School Grounds URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-law-that-helped-convert-indigenous-people-is-now-used-to-get-churches-near-and-on-school-grounds/ Last updated: 2025-05-30T21:03:13.000Z Earlier this year, a small school district south of Tucson made an unusual decision: It would allow the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to build a complex on public school district grounds where students could be released from class to worship. But the project quickly unraveled. A few weeks later, the Vail Unified School District reversed course, saying the church canceled the contract after local media reports and secular groups criticized the plan. Still, the construction of religious buildings near schools for the temporary release of students to practice their faith has become a growing concern of church-state separation advocates, who argue it violates legal requirements that keep public schools secular. In Arizona and several other states, ‘release time’ for religious instruction is not only legal—it’s common. State law allows students to be excused from school during the day to participate in religious instruction off campus. In the case of LDS students, these classes often include lifestyle lessons. They are typically held in buildings just outside campus boundaries, sometimes only a few hundred feet away. [![Advertisement to become a Lookout member, offering free swag and a magazine subscription.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Religious conservatives have pushed to expand release-time programs nationwide, arguing there is no need to separate religion from daily education. Here, such programs are only growing more popular. ### **Arizona’s History With Religious Release Time** More than a dozen states currently require school districts to adopt release-time policies. Most recently, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican, signed a bill in February mandating school districts create a release-time policy after two districts rescinded theirs. Previously, Ohio law didn’t require districts to offer the program. The new law, known as the Parents’ Bill of Rights, also bans discussions of sexuality or gender identity before fourth grade. [*The Guardian*](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/12/religious-education-schools-lifewise?ref=lookoutnews.org) reported that the Arizona-based Alliance Defending Freedom, designated an anti-LGBTQ+ hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, has helped draft model legislation for states to expand release-time programs. This gives parents more authority over their children’s ‘moral and religious’ upbringing, often limiting exposure to diverse communities and families. [Paradise Valley Schools Propose Bringing Missionaries into ClassroomsA contract drafted by the LDS church’s headquarters in Utah would have the school district pay for Mormon missionaries to volunteer in schools.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-101.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/AdobeStock_48188219.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/paradise-valley-schools-missionaries-classrooms/) [“Sexual Material” Wording In Republican Bill Targets LGBTQ+ Materials, IdeasA bill that has wide support—even from Democrats—comes from the Project 2025 Playbook that labels gender ideology and discussions around LGBTQ+ issues or people as “pornography.”![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-99.png)LOOKOUTTori Gantz (she/they)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/53792367625_65ff5aec86_k-1.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/targeting-sexual-material-in-republican-bill-targets-lgbtq-materials-ideas/) If that sounds familiar in Arizona, it’s because the government passed a similar Parents’ Bill of Rights, which has complicated school district operations. State law requires schools to notify parents in all grades when topics involving gender or sexuality may be discussed, adopt an opt-in sex education policy, and excuse students for religious purposes, including release time. That law was championed by the Center for Arizona Policy, a conservative group aligned with Alliance Defending Freedom and other far-right political organizations such as Turning Point USA and the Heritage Foundation, which have both advocated for more faith-based teaching in public schools. Arizona's use of religious release time dates back well over a century with attempts by Christian groups to convert Indigenous students. In 1966, *Arizona Baptist News* called for buses to transport Navajo youth from federal boarding schools to churches for release-time classes. “The Mormons are leading these young people by the hundreds into Mormonism,” the periodical stated. In 1970, it highlighted a reverend in Tuba City who was organizing release-time education, and by 1974, the *Apache Lutheran* noted that Apache students at federal boarding schools had been attending midweek Bible story hours for about 20 years in the early 1900s. Legal challenges have followed. Between 1976 and 1995, a series of state attorneys general responded to school districts seeking clarity on release time rules. In 1976, then-Attorney General Bruce Babbitt, a Democrat, agreed with Cochise County officials that release time was legal in Arizona and students couldn't be prohibited from participating. However, in 1977, Babbitt ruled that school facilities could not be occupied for religious instruction: “It is clear that the schools cannot turn over the school buildings for the purpose of religious instruction.” In 1978, Democratic Attorney General John LaSota ruled unconstitutional a Yavapai County school’s inclusion of a seminary class in its curriculum. “By putting Seminary on the student's official schedule the resultant effect creates the impression that Seminary is a duly authorized class. ... and tends to blur the distinction between religious and secular classes and teachers,” LaSota wrote. The LDS church has long sought to expand its footprint in Arizona, especially on Native lands, where it established settlements more than a century ago. In 1938, there were just five LDS seminary programs in the state, according to the church’s website. Today, that number has grown significantly. The church's curriculum has also expanded. In 2024, LDS seminaries and Institutes of Religion launched new "Life Preparation lessons" aimed at youth in release time programs nationwide, according to a press release. ### **What Happened in Vail** Arizona law allows school boards to adopt policies excusing students from attendance for religious instruction. However, the law requires the religious activity to take place off school property. “It requires that you go to whatever religious thing you're going to *away* from the school ground. It's not in the school ground,” said Dianne Post, legal director for Secular Communities of Arizona, which issued a cease-and-desist letter to the Vail Unified School District, calling the proposal unconstitutional. Last month, the district's governing board unanimously voted to accept funds from the LDS church to build a structure near Cienega High School for use as a seminary classroom, according to the donation and lease agreement. Architectural plans were expected by 2026. The district agreed to a 10-year lease, with a 9.5-year extension option, charging the church $600 a month to cover rent, utilities and maintenance. The church would have exclusive weekday access to the building from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The proposed 1,300-square-foot structure would include one classroom, one or two offices, and a restroom. [State rep with ties to hate groups files similar anti-LGBTQ+ bill that was vetoed last year.Progressive policy experts say the repetitive attempt to erase trans people from public life is dehumanizing.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-100.png)LOOKOUTTori Gantz (she/they)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/shutterstock_1354361342-1-1-1.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/lisa-fink-new-bill-attempts-to-ban-intersex-people/) The agreement was approved during meetings scheduled around spring break, with the first hearing on March 11 and the vote on March 25—a timeline that angered critics. District administrators [told KGUN9](https://www.kgun9.com/news/community-inspired-journalism/vail/lds-seminary-coming-to-cienega-high-school-is-raising-concerns?ref=lookoutnews.org) they had been working with church leaders for 13 years to find space for release-time classes for Cienega students. While students wouldn’t receive academic credit for the classes, they could substitute them for an elective. The Freedom From Religion Foundation, which advocates for church-state separation, warned the district it was violating the Constitution’s Establishment Clause. “Public school districts cannot use public resources to benefit favored churches or assist churches in carrying out religious release-time classes,” a staff attorney wrote, noting the board was giving preferential treatment to the Mormon church. Secular Communities of Arizona also pointed out that the deal appeared to breach sections of the district's own policies, including potential disruptions to school operations. District lawyers said the planned building would be located on district-owned property separate from the Cienega campus. Post argued that the church’s offer to build the facility violated a key clause in Arizona’s constitution, which bars public agencies from giving donations or subsidies to private entities. Charging the church below market rate, she said, constituted an unlawful gift: “This ‘deal’ is clearly a gift to benefit the church and not the school.” According to [*The Arizona Republic*](https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2025/04/19/vail-school-district-plans-church-jesus-christ-latter-day-saints-seminary-cienega-high-school/83148507007/?ref=lookoutnews.org), more than 60 people attended an April 16 meeting to share concerns, including retired teachers, parents and local residents who said they felt “enraged, frustrated and disenfranchised” with how the district handled the contract. At least five people had previously lodged complaints with Secular Communities of Arizona, and another contacted the Freedom From Religion Foundation. Two current district governing board members are alumni of the church-owned Brigham Young University, and another graduated from Liberty University, a private evangelical school affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. After growing backlash and media coverage, the LDS church withdrew. “We are grateful to the Vail School District for their efforts to provide opportunities for our students,” the church wrote to *LOOKOUT*. “We regret that at this time we will not continue in negotiations. We recognize our right to practice our religion in public spaces but do not want our efforts to be a distraction to the community and district.” #### Correction An earlier version of this article said Vail was located north of Tucson. It's south of Tucson. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Tucson Residents Say El Rio Sold Them Out URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-residents-say-el-rio-sold-them-out/ Last updated: 2025-06-30T04:00:43.000Z El Rio Health in Tucson advertised itself for years as the leader in gender-affirming care not just for Tucson, but much of the state, where medical care for transgender people was either unavailable or stigmatized. In 2018, [Tucson.com reported](http://tucson.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org) that patients were showing up from across Arizona — from Safford to Flagstaff — because of the organization’s push to be a leader not just in LGBTQ+ health care, but specifically for youth and adults who identified as transgender. But that reverence in the community evaporated almost overnight when, earlier this year, the group secretly removed all care for transgender and nonbinary youth receiving medical treatment. And recently, trans adults have also had issues getting access to their life-saving medicine. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) El Rio Health’s decision only came to light after the [nonprofit news outlet *Tucson Sentinel* reported it,](https://www.tucsonsentinel.com/local/report/021725%5Fel%5Frio%5Ftrans%5Fhealth/el-rio-one-tucsons-largest-lgbtq-healthcare-providers-removes-transgender-care-from-website/?ref=lookoutnews.org) following similar moves by [other large medical providers in the state](https://www.lookoutnews.org/breaking-phoenix-childrens-hospital-indefinitely-ending-gender-affirming-care/), including Phoenix Children's Hospital. The provider’s actions were in response to President Donald Trump’s executive order issued Jan. 28 that banned gender-affirming care for organizations receiving federal funds. But that action has been challenged in the courts and is currently unenforceable. While some organizations have issued public statements or even reversed course — as Prisma Community Care in Phoenix did — El Rio Health has continued to remain silent about its decision to end care for a population it once made significant inroads with. And while some feel El Rio Health’s actions are deeply unethical, they also question whether the institution has forced doctors to violate their Hippocratic oaths. [Trump’s Education Initiative Sparks Controversy in ArizonaLegal experts say the executive order is unconstitutional, but Pinal County’s top prosecutor is all in.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-96.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Copy-of-Untitled-Design--2--1-2.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/pinal-county-attorney-joins-trumps-push-to-police-teachers-over-radical-indoctrination/) [Prominent Tucson Family Advocating for Trans and Migrant Rights Flees U.S.Fearing mass deportations and anti-trans policies under a potential second Trump term, the Trujillo family says the U.S. is no longer safe for their son — or for themselves.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-97.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-04-08-at-11.26.31-AM-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/prominent-tucson-family-advocating-for-trans-and-migrant-rights-flees-u-s/) “What is the cliff effect of having testosterone in your formative years and then at 16 or 17 having it taken away and now the predominant hormone is estrogen — or vice versa?” said Dr. San Lyman, a natural health care provider who works with LGBTQ+ patients in a separate practice. “It feels illegal and unethical — and honestly, it feels a little bit like medical negligence.” Lyman described El Rio Health’s roll out of removing care as akin to patient abandonment: Parents of trans youth said they were given only 48 hours’ notice that their care was going to be canceled, leaving them to scramble last minute to find medications. Lyman was one of at least 40 protesters who showed up outside El Rio Health’s cancer research and screening fundraiser last Saturday to push for public awareness of the medical provider's decision. The protesters, which included parents of trans youth, students, medical professionals, allies and other researchers, lined the street outside the organization’s annual "Run for the Roses" block party at Plaza Palomino. To some extent, the protest was successful, as it managed to draw some party attendees and funders over to the picket line to explain their cause. According to those at the protest, many attendees were unaware that El Rio Health had ended care for trans youth. “They were surprised by that,” said Hazel Heinzer, a member of Transformed, a Tucson-based parent support group who was at the protest. Others said they spoke with partygoers who said they would bring it up to El Rio Health leaders while at the fundraiser. That lack of awareness was no accident: El Rio Health has yet to make a public statement regarding its decision to end gender-affirming care. *LOOKOUT* attempted to reach out to El Rio Health leadership for a statement but was unable to reach anyone. [Federal Court Decision On Trans Youth Care Leave Some In Limbo.Last week, Prisma Community Care resumed providing gender-affirming healthcare for their youth patients, while Phoenix Children’s remains quiet on their next moves.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-98.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-02-10-at-4.36.34-PM-4.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/exclusive-phoenix-based-lgbtq-clinic-stops-providing-gender-affirming-care-to-minors/) The federal effort to restrict gender-affirming care that prompted El Rio Health's decision has faced legal obstacles, which is the underlying argument for people who say the medical provider is abandoning its trans and gender nonbinary patients to save their bottom line. Trump’s Jan. 28 executive order banning care for minors is currently tied up in court and unenforceable. A letter from the head of the [Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services](https://www.lookoutnews.org/citing-funding-risks-clinics-cancel-gender-affirming-treatment-for-adults/) urging providers to stop gender-affirming care for all patients — including adults — has similarly spooked medical centers into pausing care, though it, too, is also being challenged. Most recently, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a memo filled with anti-trans rhetoric, vowing to work with prosecutors to file charges against providers who offer care to minors. Civil rights lawyers say that directive is also likely to be tied up in court and should be viewed as unenforceable for now. Heinzer said she hopes El Rio Health and other providers get the message: Don’t pre-comply. Seeing these [orders stalled in court ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizona-clinic-joins-in-federal-lawsuit-against-trump/)shows that “when institutions stand up and band together against this administration, it’s successful,” she said. The impacts of El Rio Health’s decision are not yet fully known and likely won’t be for some time, said Russ Toomey, a University of Arizona professor who specializes in transgender health and attended the protest. He said that there is research currently being done in states that revoked gender affirming care completely, but there is no current body of research to show the long term affects. In contrast, he said, "there is a large body of evidence to show this is a safe medical diversion for trans youth." Toomey said in the past he's been invited by El Rio Health to speak to staff and provide research updates on gender-affirming care for youth, and is hoping to use his position to speak with leadership to change their position. But at the protest, he said members of El Rio Health's board approached the protesters and explained the organization would have lost money if they didn't comply with the decision. That response, Toomey said, was callous: "There was no empathy at all." But even if the organization was to reverse it's decision now, it still would have an image issue to deal with. “They’ve been touting themselves for years as *the* provider in Southern Arizona,” said Toomey. “We’ve given them millions of dollars, only for them to turn their backs on us." ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### “Sexual  Material” Wording In Republican Bill Targets LGBTQ+ Materials, Ideas URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/targeting-sexual-material-in-republican-bill-targets-lgbtq-materials-ideas/ Last updated: 2025-04-28T15:19:09.000Z If you’ve ever tried to visit an adult website while in Utah, Louisiana, Texas, Florida, Kansas or roughly a third of the United States represented by conservative lawmakers, odds are you’ve been blocked with either a website restriction, or the website owner simply saying they don’t serve in your area. That’s part of the goal with a provision in Project 2025, where drafters and supporters of the document who now serve in various levels of federal and state governments are trying to stop pornography from being distributed across the United States. But what exactly is pornography is up for debate, especially as emboldened conservative and religious parents begin arguing that LGBTQ+ content is considered “pornographic.” That debate has now come to Arizona, with a Republican state lawmaker who picked up a bill that calls for people to verify their age ahead of entering porn sites. Late into the legislative session, the bill—[House Bill 2112](https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/57leg/1R/bills/HB2112H.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org)—still going through the bill-to-law process. The proposal was retained from a Senate Committee of the Whole calendar on April 17. Rep. Nick Kupper (R-Surprise) ran the bill, which is similar to the one vetoed last year. Many Republicans and Democrats have gotten behind the proposal, which seeks to require that people prove they’re at least 18 years old before accessing porn online. Enough Democrats voted for the bill to override Hobbs' veto in the House, though since that vote advocates and lobbyists have met with them and said they have been locked in to vote against the bill. Mike Stabile testified at the Capitol against Kupper’s bill twice this past winter, and said it could do little to prevent children from seeing pornographic content. Stabile is the public policy director for [Free Speech Coalition](https://www.freespeechcoalition.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org), a trade and advocacy organization of the adult entertainment industry and its workers. He said policies like this are often misunderstood and their potential is “hugely underestimated." *LOOKOUT* politics reporter Tori Gantz recently spoke with Stabile to hear about why he’s concerned HB 2112 could be signed into law, and what that it could mean for internet censorship. *This conversation has been condensed and edited for clarity.* ***LOOKOUT*: What is this bill really about?** **Mike Stabile:** I think that these bills are a Trojan horse. They come in with what seems like a very common sense argument: That we should keep kids from accessing adult websites. In reality, what's being passed is a broad censorship bill for the internet. HB 2112 and other bills like it have been introduced in states across the country, ostensibly to prevent minors from accessing pornography–at least that's the sort of way they bill it. In reality, the definition that they talk about “material harmful to minors”—I think in HB 2112 it's “sexual material harmful to minors”—is incredibly broad and is being used in other contexts to remove LGBTQ+ books out of libraries; to threaten librarians with arrest; to stop drag shows in states like Tennessee; and, in some states, to threaten Target even over pride displays in their stores. [Some LGBTQ+ Arizonans Are Avoiding the Capitol For SafetyWhile advocates advised families of queer youth to stop showing up at the Capitol for fear of being sought out and investigated, others continue to have their voices heard in hearings.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-91.png)LOOKOUTTori Gantz (she/they)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/AGENDA-LOOKOUT-1-2.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/some-lgbtq-arizonans-are-avoiding-the-capitol-for-safety/) ***LOOKOUT*: It’s talked about as a protective measure for the youth. If passed, who would this bill affect?** **Stabile:** First of all, it affects anyone who might go on an adult website, regardless of whether they are over 18 or not. I think one of the things that people don't realize, and a lot of legislators don’t realize, is that there's no way to age-verify just minors. You have to require everybody who comes to a website to scan their face, upload an ID, undergo a background check, these invasive biometric processes that are the way that the regulations are enforced. But beyond that the definition is much broader. We think obviously about people going to adult sites, but there are concerns about how this could be applied to LGBTQ+ sites, or reproductive rights content–anything that might be determined to be “harmful to minors.” As we're seeing in other states, the way in which that language is being interpreted is incredibly broad, and I think that people in Arizona have good reason to be concerned that this language, and these types of regulations, could be weaponized against all sorts of material online to either force them to identity verify everybody who comes through their site, or ultimately, to harass and sue them if they're not doing that. ***LOOKOUT*: There’s an amendment that would allow parents to sue and collect damages. Is this unique to Arizona’s version of the bill?** **Stabile:** No. HB 2112 is a civil enforcement bill. These are the two main ways these bills have been introduced across the country. Some have a private right of action—which is a parent or other private person suing—some have an attorney general being able to bring a case. Both are real threats. But I think that when you're dealing with individuals, the risk is greater to people, in particular, because the definition of what is “harmful” to minors is fairly subjective, and all it takes is a conservative parent, a conservative district, to say, “I saw that my child went on the site. They're telling me now that they are trans, I'm going to sue you for damages,” and it's much less controlled in some way. So obviously with the attorney general you have the power of the state that can come in and determine who to go after and who not to, but I think that it's much more of a wild card when you have these private right of actions. There's a bill right now, for instance, in Texas that applies to booksellers using the same language and the same enforcement as we're seeing here. And booksellers in Texas have come out and said, it is wildly dangerous, because a parent can come in and say, ‘My child has read this book,’ whether it's *1984, The Handmaid's Tale*, or *Fun Home*, *All Boys Aren’t Blue*, or something like that) ‘and I'm going to sue you for allowing them to access this book.’ It may well be that you're able to make the argument that you are protected by the First Amendment, or all these other things, but that's going to cost you a lot of money to defend. Somebody bringing you into court, you've already lost, especially if you're a small website or a small bookseller. It's going to cost you $100,000, $200,000 to defend yourself. And so what that encourages is self censorship. What you see is, once you see a lawsuit like that, everybody suddenly gets quiet. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/04/stabile-fsc-1.jpg) Mike Stabile testifying. ***LOOKOUT:* Where else in the United States have you seen similar legislation proposed? And if it passed there, what happened? Can you also tell me about the U.S. Supreme Court related to this?** **Stabile:** We're looking at \[a minimum of\] 20 states that have laws specific to the internet. But the movement is sort of much broader. The idea of “*material harmful to minors”* is being weaponized across the country against LGBTQ+ content, and I think that my biggest concern as somebody who's been a queer activist for 30 years is that this gives more power to the people that want us silenced. We know from Project 2025 that the right regards anything to do with "gender ideology" as pornography. That sex ed is regarded as pornography. That literature that even talks about sex or sexual abuse is regarded as pornography. In passing these bills, I think that there are a lot of legislators who are adopting language and giving more power to people to ripe for abuse. Yes, the Supreme Court is looking at the Texas \[case\] right now. I was in Washington in January when the justice heard the case. The challenge for the justices, and for legislators when they come across this, is that it seems very simple. We card people when they go into an adult bookstore, or we call people when they buy alcohol. Shouldn't we just be able to do this online as well? What we saw the justices struggle with, and I think what I see legislators struggle with, is the fact that when you start creating these systems, when you start creating this sort of regulation, there's a huge burden on the consumer. So what we've seen in other states that have passed this legislation is that when a city tries to age verify–when a site complies with the law–they lose 95% of their consumers. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Most people don't want to submit to a facial scan and upload an ID. … People just hit the back button on their browser and they find something else. They go to a site that's located outside the U.S. and doesn't comply with these laws, or they go to a site like Twitter/X that has adult content, but is exempted from these laws, theoretically, and they go back to them another way. I guess the question is always: How do we create a \[mechanism that restricts minors\] from accessing adult content that doesn't have a burden on adults ability and right to access the same content? And how do we create something that doesn't threaten the ability of nonadult content producers to talk about things like LGBTQ+ lives and identity, or to talk about sexuality, or talk about gender without fearing that you're going to face a lawsuit? ***LOOKOUT:* How are these bills being introduced? Is there model legislation, or are they mirrors of something brought up in Congress?** **Stabile:** These are effectively Heritage Foundation bills and initiatives. [House Resolution Gutting Equity Measures Moves Closer to the BallotThe proposed measure is a way to bypass Governor Katie Hobbs’s veto and go straight to voters.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-92.png)LOOKOUTTori Gantz (she/they)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-03-19-at-7.31.25-PM-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/house-resolution-gutting-equity-measures-moves-closer-to-the-ballot/) ***LOOKOUT:* Is there a different solution to the problem that lawmakers say exists than what is presented in HB 2112?** **Stabile:** If you want to keep minors from accessing adult content and adult websites, the most effective way to do it is going to be at the device level, meaning that there's some sort of verification on the device that communicates with websites that this is a minor and that you're to block them. Adult sites are \[and have been\] for decades registered with filters to make different protocols, to make ourselves easy to block. We don't want minors to access adult content. Doing things at the device level not only is more effective, (it can block sites even if they're not in the U.S., even if they're not complying with the law,) but also, it has very little oversight for adults. There are plenty of things I use my phone for that it scans my face. It already has my information. I don't have to share it with 1,000 other sites, and I don't have to worry that my ID is going to end up in the wrong hands; or that I'm going to be the victim of a phishing attack; or that my information isn't going to be deleted, and it's going to be leaked somewhere. The problem with the platform-based legislation is what we see is it is fueling an exponential growth of sites that have illegal content, and sites that have revenge porn, and CSAM, and sites that are located overseas that don't comply with any U.S. law–let alone an age verification one. … As with any prohibition, what we're seeing in other states is that it is driving sites to some of the worst actors on the internet, rather than encouraging reasonable compliance. ***LOOKOUT:* How can people take action on HB 2112?** **Stabile:** Call your legislator, write your legislator. We have [a website that makes it easier](https://www.defendonlineprivacy.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org), but speak out about this, because I think that one of the things that is so difficult is that these are framed as bills to prevent minors from accessing porn. That's really difficult to vote against. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### A Brutal Attack. A Failed Prosecution. And a Warning for Queer Arizonans. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/gay-man-brutally-attacked-in-phoenix-no-prosecution/ Last updated: 2025-04-28T04:00:59.000Z On May 5, 2024, Rene Almaraz was visiting Phoenix from California to see a friend. That night, they went to Karamba Nightclub—a vibrant, pulsing hub for the city’s Latino LGBTQ+ community near McDowell Road and 16th Street. But what started as a night of dancing ended with Almaraz getting stitches in the hospital. When he and three friends got into an Uber to leave the nightclub, the ride quickly turned hostile. By the time they got out, Almaraz was covered in blood, with knife wounds slashed across his face and skin peeling from the gashes, according to a police report. Multiple witnesses said the Uber driver allegedly muttered a homophobic slur before violently attacking Almaraz with a knife. The Uber driver was removed from the platform, but he wasn’t charged with a crime. Just a few months after the attack, Almaraz was informed that the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office had dropped the case, citing a lack of evidence “beyond a reasonable doubt” and a self-defense claim by the driver—a claim no one else in the car supports. And nearly a year after the attack, Almaraz is afraid to return to Arizona, and has given up on the idea he will ever get a chance to defend his case. The incident isn’t isolated. LGBTQ+ advocates say Almarez’s case reflects a growing and dangerous pattern in Arizona: queer people are being targeted—and law enforcement is doing little to protect them. ### **Silence from Phoenix police** According to Almaraz and a police report obtained by *LOOKOUT*, he and his friends heard the driver—later identified as Arnold Lawton—mutter a homophobic slur as they entered the vehicle when they were picked up from the queer nightclub. Witness statements included in the report describe the driver growing increasingly agitated at the group’s conversation and use of “gay lingo,” turning up a staticky radio station to drown them out. Almaraz said the noise felt antagonistic, and told Lawton to drop them off early if he was bothered. A brief argument followed before Lawton pulled over and attacked Almaraz with a small knife as the group tried to exit the vehicle. [Lack of Standards, Transparency Undermines Police LGBTQ+ ProgramsAcross Arizona, police departments tout LGBTQ+ liaison programs as trust-building tools. But a LOOKOUT and Phoenix New Times report reveals inconsistent roles across departments.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-89.png)LOOKOUTCelina Jiménez (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/DSC06072-1-1.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/lack-of-standards-transparency-undermines-police-lgbtq-programs/) Almaraz’s friends escaped unharmed. He, however, suffered severe lacerations to his face and hand that required emergency care. Police noted in their report that “half of his face seemed peeled off.” Lawton did not respond to *LOOKOUT* for comment for this story. ![A pair of white converses covered in blood](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/04/IMAGE-1-1-1.jpg) Almaraz's blood-stained shoes from the night of the attack. (Photo courtesy of Rene Almaraz) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/04/Almaraz2.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/04/Almaraz-4.jpg) Almaraz in the hospital. (Photo courtesy of Rene Almaraz) Almaraz and his friends believe the attack was clearly motivated by homophobia. But Arizona [has no state-level hate crime law](https://www.lookoutnews.org/hate-crime-enhancements-in-arizona-whats-included-whats-not-and-what-that-means-for-the-lgbtq-community/), meaning prosecutors could not charge Lawton with an anti-gay bias crime. Almaraz also contacted the FBI to report the incident as a hate crime but never received confirmation that his complaint was processed. Despite the Phoenix Police Department’s designated LGBTQ+ liaisons and [Victim Advocacy Unit](https://www.phoenix.gov/administration/departments/law/prosecutor/crime-victim-services-center/victim-advocate.html?ref=lookoutnews.org#:~:text=You%20can%20contact%20your%20advocate,any%20time%20during%20the%20case.), Almaraz said he felt abandoned throughout the investigation. He said he was only contacted by Phoenix Police the night of his attack, and it wasn’t until he contacted them himself months later when they put him in touch with a community liaison. Almaraz said that meeting involved only exchanging contact information and recounting the incident. Afterward, months passed without follow-up, prompting him to contact Phoenix police again. He eventually received a call from Detective Charlee McDermott, head of the department’s bias crimes unit. While their communication was brief, Almaraz said McDermott helped him better understand the investigation process, and he didn’t feel completely in the dark. Phoenix police spokesperson Sgt. Brian Bower told *LOOKOUT* that McDermott was assigned the case after it was flagged as a possible bias crime. Bower said McDermott coordinated with an LGBTQ+ liaison to contact Almaraz and offer support. Almaraz, however, said no one outside of his first interaction ever reached out. [Phoenix LGBTQ+ Community Suspicious After Sports Tournament Broken Up by Park Ranger, PoliceExcessive intervention by police officers and a Phoenix park ranger during an LGBTQ+ sports tournament Sunday night left players uneasy and confused.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-88.png)LOOKOUTCelina Jiménez (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-04-17-at-8.11.36-AM.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/phoenix-lgbtq-community-suspicious-after-sports-tournament-broken-up-by-park-ranger-police/) Bower responded that delays can occur for multiple reasons, including caseloads and prioritizing evidence collection. *LOOKOUT* and *Phoenix New Times* recently reported on another LGBTQ+ victim who said Phoenix police were inconsistent and frustrating throughout a decade-long fight for justice. (After publication, the department removed the LGBTQ+ liaison contact page from its website.) And with [bias-fueled crimes on the rise in Arizona](https://www.lookoutnews.org/hate-crime-enhancements-in-arizona-whats-included-whats-not-and-what-that-means-for-the-lgbtq-community/), critics say the lack of consistency—especially in a department with a [bias crimes unit](https://www.phoenix.gov/administration/departments/police/about-us/units-divisions/bias-crime-unit.html?ref=lookoutnews.org) and two designated LGBTQ+ liaisons—is glaring. ### **A closed-case with no answers** Several months after his last contact with McDermott, Almaraz received both a letter and a phone call from the county attorney’s office. The prosecutor’s office said they would not be filing charges against the man who mutilated his face and hands. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/04/Screenshot-2025-04-21-at-9.25.13-AM.png) The Maricopa County Attorney's Office said there wasn't enough evidence to charge Lawton with a crime. In the phone call with Almaraz, he was told that Lawton claimed self-defense. Almaraz said the representative who called identified as a fellow member of the LGBTQ+ community and expressed sympathy, but ultimately reiterated that the case would not move forward. Throughout his conversations with McDermott, though, Almaraz said he was given hope that prosecutors had a strong case, based on physical evidence and inconsistencies in Lawton’s story. But the county attorney’s office ultimately viewed the case as a “he said, he said” scenario, with Lawton claiming he acted in self-defense. According to the police report, Lawton told investigators that while slowing down the vehicle, he was “punched in the back of the head and on the side of his body so many times that he saw stars.” [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) No witnesses corroborated Lawton’s account, and it's unclear how much the county attorney's office leaned on his story. But without video footage of the attack—[Uber allows drivers to install](https://help.uber.com/en/riders/article/cameras-and-recording-?nodeId=894c4430-4fcc-483c-8070-7e120f646a96&ref=lookoutnews.org) them but does not require it—the evidence collected would appear to focus heavily only on eye witnesses. “I don’t understand how it could be deemed self-defense or why it was turned down,” Almaraz said. “I was unarmed, he had multiple weapons in the car—it just didn’t make any sense. It was heartbreaking. I was completely assaulted and violated. I could have lost my life.” Vanessa Ceja-Cervantes, a spokesperson for the [Maricopa County Attorney’s Office](https://maricopacountyattorney.org/?ref=lookoutnews.org), said that after a decision letter is sent, a prosecutor or victim advocate will often contact the victim to explain the decision. However, Phoenix police told *LOOKOUT* that it is up to the victim to reach out after being given advocate contact information. Almaraz said he never heard from an advocate, and has had no further contact from Phoenix police. ### **“We’re brutalized by the system itself.”** Nearly a year later, Almaraz says the physical wounds have healed, but the trauma remains. “I don’t even want to visit Arizona again,” he said. “I don’t feel protected or safe there. I can’t seem to reconcile the fact that people could get away with this.” An Uber spokesperson confirmed that Lawton’s access to the platform was removed as soon as the incident was reported. After receiving the county attorney’s decision, Almaraz said he didn’t feel motivated to keep pursuing the case—largely because of how it was handled from the beginning. “This incident affirms my stance on the inequities in the social justice system,” he said. “We’re unheard, we’re targeted, we’re left in the dark. We’re brutalized by the system itself. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Trans and Nonbinary Tucson Residents Favor Social Services Over Police Funding, Survey Finds URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/trans-and-nonbinary-tucson-residents-favor-social-services-over-police-funding-survey-finds/ Last updated: 2025-04-28T04:01:01.000Z Transgender and nonbinary residents in Tucson overwhelmingly support reducing police funding in favor of investing in social services, including support for unhoused communities, childhood programs, and harm reduction strategies for drug users, a *LOOKOUT* review has found. Last month, the city of Tucson released a public survey asking residents to rank their priorities as officials work to address a $28 million budget shortfall. Nearly 4,000 people responded, including 190 who identified as gender-diverse. While the survey allowed participants to self-identify their gender, it did not collect data on sexual orientation. More than 70% of gender-diverse respondents said the Tucson Police Department is overfunded. Many criticized the department’s use of military-style weapons and vehicles, expressed distrust in surveillance programs, and argued that public funds would be better spent on social safety-net programs that do not involve law enforcement. Only two respondents called for the full abolition of the police department, advocating instead for alternative community support systems. “Tucson has a ton of police—way more than I realized,” one respondent wrote. “I've often seen unnecessary numbers of officers responding to unnecessary issues, and this costs a massive amount of money, especially considering the costs of vehicles, facilities, and pensions. I think there's a lot better areas for it to go.” Still, a significant number of respondents said they felt the city lacked adequate policing or were unsure. Some advocated for increased police funding, particularly to remove or arrest drug users in public spaces—a strategy that public health experts widely criticize as ineffective in addressing homelessness or addiction. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) “Stop catering to those who do not contribute to the community and do what’s best for crime prevention and the safety of the city,” wrote one resident from Ward 3, just north of the University of Arizona campus. The call to reduce police funding reflects heightened tensions between law enforcement and the LGBTQ+ community. As federal policies and executive actions increasingly target transgender and nonbinary individuals—paving the way for criminalizing their identities—law enforcement often becomes the front line for enforcing laws based on accusations of “grooming” or “inappropriate public behavior.” In Maricopa County, one teacher has already been investigated by police for promoting a book that a parent deemed inappropriate. One of the most divisive issues in the survey was whether the city should continue its fare-free public transportation system. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Tucson implemented a policy allowing residents to ride city buses and streetcars at no cost. The program’s future is now uncertain as the city looks to close its budget gap. Among gender-diverse respondents, 61 supported maintaining fare-free transit. Fifteen favored reinstating fares or creating a hybrid system with both paid and free options. However, the majority—55%—did not mention public transportation at all, suggesting that for many, it was not a top priority in the context of the city’s budget decisions. “Keep transit fares free,” said a Ward 1 resident. “To go backwards is especially cruel to some of the poorest people in the city, and the revenue it generates is a pittance. Leave it alone!” ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Phoenix LGBTQ+ Community Suspicious After Sports Tournament Broken Up by Park Ranger, Police URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/phoenix-lgbtq-community-suspicious-after-sports-tournament-broken-up-by-park-ranger-police/ Last updated: 2025-04-28T04:00:59.000Z Hundreds of LGBTQ+ athletes from across the Southwest gathered at Encanto Park in Phoenix on Sunday for [OutLoud Sports’ Saguaro Cup](https://outloudsports.com/phoenix?ref=lookoutnews.org), an annual kickball tournament. But what began as a joyful community event turned tense when a park ranger—followed by several Phoenix police officers—arrived to break up the games, leaving attendees on edge. According to Maddison Phillips, a longtime league player, it isn’t unusual for parks staff to attend the tournaments. In the past, she said, their presence had always been positive and supportive. This time, Phillips said, the ranger—later identified [through video footage](https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story%5Ffbid=576917418101693&id=1650543161&mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=G5SoaIePSs1k5TVS#) and witness accounts as [Danielle Flowers](https://opengovpay.com/search?category=employee&employee=Danielle%20Flowers&ref=lookoutnews.org)—ordered attendees to disperse, claiming the league’s permit had expired at 2 p.m. However, Phillips said league managers later confirmed their permit was valid until 4 p.m. When bystanders didn’t immediately leave—some were grilling or watching games and insisted they weren’t violating any rules—Phillips said she overheard Flowers say, “Do you think I’m stupid? I know what you’re doing … You need to pack up. Don’t make me make you.” As players began packing up equipment, Phillips saw two Phoenix police SUVs arrive. The first two officers appeared just as confused as the players, she said, until Flowers pulled them aside for a private conversation. After that, more police SUVs arrived. Officers then joined Flowers in ordering the crowd—by then reduced to about 60 people from a few hundred—to vacate the park. [Lack of Standards, Transparency Undermines Police LGBTQ+ ProgramsAcross Arizona, police departments tout LGBTQ+ liaison programs as trust-building tools. But a LOOKOUT and Phoenix New Times report reveals inconsistent roles across departments.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-87.png)LOOKOUTCelina Jiménez (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/DSC06072-1.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/lack-of-standards-transparency-undermines-police-lgbtq-programs/) “The police didn’t say anything to us directly—they totally dealt with us through \[Flowers\],” Phillips said. “But I could tell there was no reasoning with everybody. We all had questions, and they had no answers. The police presence was intimidating and made it clear we didn’t have a choice.” Jeffery Perales, a former league sponsor and current player, said the parks department had previously been supportive and flexible. But he noticed a shift a few weeks earlier, when a ranger briefly interrupted a match to question their permit—an interaction he said was nowhere near as disruptive as Sunday’s. “They’ve always been accommodating and good to work with; I’m not sure what’s changed,” he said. “I don’t know what their beliefs are regarding the fact that the people in this tournament are queer. But it’s a concern that always pops into our heads automatically—that we’re not wanted.” In a joint statement, Phoenix Police and Phoenix Parks and Recreation said the incident was purely administrative: > “Staff alerted the organization that their reservation had expired at 2 p.m., and another event was scheduled in the same space at 4 p.m. As the afternoon progressed, the group had not left. Park rangers responded as they worked toward a solution respectful of all reservation commitments. > > The park ranger on duty requested assistance from Phoenix Police as part of standard operating procedure," the statement said. On [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1BB5U4jDAi/), players and residents [shared their frustrations and said they contacted Mayor Kate Gallego’s office](https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1HDeWVDkx6/) about the incident. Many questioned if the same response would have happened for a large family event, or one that didn't involve LGBTQ+ people. It’s unclear whether any response has been issued. OutLoud Sports is encouraging continued outreach and has [shared a letter template](https://www.lookoutnews.org/phoenix-lgbtq-community-suspicious-after-sports-tournament-broken-up-by-park-ranger-police/) that individuals can send to city officials. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Kyle Hale, manager of OutLoud Sports, declined to comment for this story but told LOOKOUT that the organization is in contact with city officials to resolve the issue. “I hope this is an opportunity for everybody to move forward in a positive way, keep the parks department happy and move in a positive direction,” Perales said. But for Phillips, the disruption raises concerns about the intent behind the enforcement. “The queer community isn’t naive enough to think we’re safe everywhere we go,” she said. “We knew right away this was going to be an uphill battle.” This is not the first time local police have disbanded community events held by the queer community. Last month, Tempe Police also [disbanded the "Really Free Market"](https://www.instagram.com/p/DHRB6A5sKAn/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) event for the community, which included harm reduction supplies and other resources for LGBTQ+ people. Phoenix Parks and Recreation did not respond to requests for comment from Flowers. --- *Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that the Saguaro Cup is a statewide competition. It’s actually a regional tournament*. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Citing Funding Risks, Clinics Cancel Gender-Affirming Treatment for Adults URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/citing-funding-risks-clinics-cancel-gender-affirming-treatment-for-adults/ Last updated: 2025-08-19T16:54:27.000Z A late Friday announcement from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has prompted some Arizona providers to cancel gender-affirming care for transgender adults, limiting access to what doctors consider life-saving treatment for thousands of Arizona residents. In [a letter dated April 11](https://www.cms.gov/files/document/letter-stm.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org), CMS State Deputy Administrator and Director Drew Snyder claimed that surgery and treatment for gender dysphoria lacked sufficient evidence and could cause “long-term and irreparable harm.” The letter relied heavily on the United Kingdom's use of the Cass Review, a medical study on transgender youth that gave anti-trans lawmakers ammunition in denying medical care and passing transphobic legislation. But that review has been hotly contested, [mainly for the way it conducted the research and its long-term effects globally](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-u-k-s-cass-review-badly-fails-trans-children/?ref=lookoutnews.org). Other research—though limited—indicates that gender-affirming care is successful in battling depression and negative feelings. In one study, access to gender-affirming care for minors has shown [reduced feelings of self-harm](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35212746/?ref=lookoutnews.org), including suicide. Most recently, studies in transgender adults showed that after receiving treatment, [feelings of depression lowered](https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/17/health/gender-affirming-hormone-therapy-depression-wellness/index.html?ref=lookoutnews.org). And people who regret their surgical intervention—which is already rare among transgender people—is[ significantly lower when compared to people who had more common surgeries](https://www.google.com/search?q=transgender+surgery+regret+rate+comparison&oq=transgender+surgery+regret+rate+comparison&gs%5Flcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIICAEQABgWGB4yDQgCEAAYhgMYgAQYigUyDQgDEAAYhgMYgAQYigUyDQgEEAAYhgMYgAQYigUyBwgFEAAY7wUyCggGEAAYgAQYogQyCggHEAAYgAQYogQyCggIEAAYgAQYogTSAQgzOTQ0ajBqN6gCALACAA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&ref=lookoutnews.org), such as knee replacements. [Phoenix Children’s Hospital “Indefinitely” Ending Gender-Affirming CareThe move comes alongside other major city’s children’s hospitals doing the same.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-85.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Phoenix_Children-s_Hospital-2.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/breaking-phoenix-childrens-hospital-indefinitely-ending-gender-affirming-care/) Still, CMS Director Dr. Mehmet Oz—who ran as a pro-Trump candidate in Pennsylvania and lost to Sen. John Fetterman in the 2022 election—announced Friday that the agency would no longer cover transgender medical services. He said any providers continuing to offer such services would risk losing federal funding. “Medicaid dollars are not to be used for gender reassignment surgeries or hormone treatments in minors,” Oz said. That directive now appears to include adult patients as well. The impact is already being felt in Arizona. At least one adult patient receiving gender-affirming care at Planned Parenthood’s Mesa clinic was told the organization would no longer provide services, citing the threat from the Trump administration. [![Advertisement for becoming a Lookout member, offering free swag, event tickets, and a magazine subscription.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Clariece, a 23-year-old patient who has been receiving care at the Mesa Health Center for six months, was informed her Monday appointment had been canceled. (*LOOKOUT* is withholding her last name because she is not out as transgender at work.) She said the organization told her they were calling transgender patients to inform them that hormone therapy at Arizona clinics was being temporarily paused. “The type of appointment you were scheduled for is a service line that we are temporarily pausing,” a voicemail left for Clariece at 4:30 p.m. Thursday stated. “We are calling all of our patients over the next week and pausing and canceling all of the appointments.” Clariece said she called the clinic back at 5 p.m. and was told by the clinic manager that all Planned Parenthood locations in Arizona would pause gender-affirming treatment. Staff said they are working to refer patients to providers that do not rely on federal funding, she told *LOOKOUT* on Friday night. In a statement Saturday, a Planned Parenthood Arizona spokesperson said: “At this time, Planned Parenthood Arizona is pausing gender-affirming care services as we continue to review and evaluate this order. We are committed to keeping our patients updated about the services we provide and will communicate further once we can provide more information.” Most Planned Parenthood patients in Arizona are on Medicaid and rely on the organization for a broader range of services, including birth control and STI testing and treatment. Continuing to offer gender-affirming care despite the CMS order could jeopardize those services statewide. Still, critics are sure to call the move a form of “pre-compliance,” similar to what occurred when other clinics across Arizona—most notably Phoenix Children’s Hospital—ended youth-focused transgender care programs in early March. It’s unclear what legal or political avenues are being pursued to challenge the CMS decision. The pause in adult care marks a significant shift. Until now, federal restrictions have largely focused on transgender minors. Recent efforts to restrict adult care have occurred at the state level: In Ohio, Gov. Mike DeWine proposed limiting [transgender care for adults last year](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/ohio-is-poised-to-become-2nd-state-to-restrict-transgender-health-care-for-adults?ref=lookoutnews.org), then reversed course. In Kentucky, [lawmakers overrode a governor’s veto](https://www.lpm.org/news/2025-03-17/kentucky-gop-pushed-through-anti-trans-bills-and-medicaid-changes-in-eleventh-hour?ref=lookoutnews.org) to ban gender-affirming care for Medicaid recipients. [Federal Court Decision On Trans Youth Care Leave Some In Limbo.Last week, Prisma Community Care resumed providing gender-affirming healthcare for their youth patients, while Phoenix Children’s remains quiet on their next moves.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-86.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-02-10-at-4.36.34-PM-2.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/exclusive-phoenix-based-lgbtq-clinic-stops-providing-gender-affirming-care-to-minors/) Meanwhile, states such as [Colorado are trying to expand coverage](https://coloradonewsline.com/2025/04/04/colorado-bills-transgender-health-care-protections/?ref=lookoutnews.org) for transgender care for both youth and adults. These developments come amid a national debate—often fueled by misinformation—over transgender medical care. A [recent study by the progressive think tank Data for Progress](https://www.dataforprogress.org/blog/2025/3/27/americans-are-divided-on-issues-related-to-transgender-people-but-often-dont-want-the-federal-government-involved?ref=lookoutnews.org) found that while Americans are deeply divided on the issue, a majority believe governments should not interfere with individuals’ medical decisions. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Lack of Standards, Transparency Undermines Police LGBTQ+ Programs URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/lack-of-standards-transparency-undermines-police-lgbtq-programs/ Last updated: 2025-07-06T10:01:14.000Z In 2011, Ron Blake said he was raped in his Phoenix condo by his former partner and two others. Though Blake reported the rape the night it happened, and though police showed up and escorted at least one of the men home, it took four years for police to investigate the matter in earnest. Diagnosed with dissociative amnesia and still struggling to clearly recall the incident, Blake was finally introduced to Julie Smith, a Phoenix police detective who served as the department’s LGBTQ+ liaison on his case. Smith spoke to Blake about the events of that night and escorted him to request an order of protection, which was ultimately denied. Despite that, it was never clear to Blake how Smith was supposed to help him. A few months later, Blake stopped hearing from Smith entirely. Written testimony from a former detective showed she kept no notes of their interactions. He felt abandoned, and he questioned the purpose of the person who was supposed to be a bridge between the police department and the LGBTQ+ community. “You can’t tell people everything’s OK for LGBTQ+ people and how they’re being treated by police if I’m still experiencing this,” Blake said. “Their purpose should be to walk me through this. I’m coming out of a deep sleep — I need consistency.” The job of LGBTQ+ liaison is not an uncommon one in Arizona police departments. Many local agencies — including the largest cop shops in the Valley — have programs meant to provide support for specific communities, foster trust in reporting crimes and encourage people to work with police. Yet, there is little evidence from local police departments that they have done any of that. A *LOOKOUT* and *Phoenix New Times* investigation reveals that many of the people in these positions simply do not serve a clear purpose. None of these departments have accreditation for an LGBTQ+ liaison program, and police have been quiet on what trainings exist across different departments that have a liaison in place. In at least one case, in Flagstaff, a liaison was completely absent during a critical moment for the community. Such an undertaking by police departments seemingly couldn't come at a better time for groups under siege. But a deeper look at the record shows that too many of these commitments have been all talk — if even that. ### **What is an LGBTQ+ police liaison?** In addition to Phoenix, at least 10 other [cities in Arizona](https://www.hrc.org/resources/mei-2023-see-your-cities-scores?ref=lookoutnews.org) currently have a designated liaison program: Chandler, Glendale, Tempe, Mesa, Avondale, Gilbert, Peoria, Scottsdale, Flagstaff and Tucson. At its core, LGBTQ+ police liaisons exist to mend the relationship between the [LGBTQ+ community and law enforcement](https://www.glendaleaz.com/your%5Fgovernment/city%5Fmanager%5Fs%5Foffice/lgbt%5Fcommunity%5Fliaison?ref=lookoutnews.org), which has been fraught for [decades](https://www.glbthistory.org/primary-source-set-policing-and-resistance?ref=lookoutnews.org). In Phoenix, that distrust can be traced back at least to the Eighth Day raid in 1964\. In the early morning hours one [Sunday](https://dtphx.org/post/lgbtq-tour-of-dtphx?ref=lookoutnews.org#:~:text=915%20N.,Street%20%E2%80%93%20Eighth%20Day%20Coffee%20House&text=This%20empty%20lot%20was%20once,%E2%80%8Band%20careers%20were%20destroyed.), Phoenix police raided Eighth Day Coffee House, an LGBTQ+ social club at 915 N. 1st Street in Downtown Phoenix. They arrested ​more than 20 people on charges ranging from “lewd and lascivious acts” to “drunk-and-disorderly conduct.” The Arizona Republic printed the names of those arrested, and many lost their jobs. [![Advertisement for becoming a Lookout member, offering swag, event tickets, and magazine copies.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) There are other examples. Phoenix police [spied on a local gay bar](https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/a-higher-power-at-workcops-spy-on-gay-bar-from-high-rise-6411730?ref=lookoutnews.org) in the 1990s. Cops clashed with [undocumented queer protesters at a Phoenix Pride event](https://cronkitenews.azpbs.org/2018/04/09/undocumented-lgbt-protesters-clash-with-phoenix-police-at-pride-parade/?ref=lookoutnews.org) a decade ago. Recent cases of gay men and [trans people being murdered](https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2024/01/15/family-fears-slain-phoenix-resident-was-targeted-for-being-transgender/72219926007/?ref=lookoutnews.org) or [assaulted](https://www.abc15.com/news/region-phoenix-metro/incident-at-downtown-bar-sparks-outcry-investigation-separate-stories?ref=lookoutnews.org) have spurred accusations that police are not taking anti-LGBTQ+ bias seriously. Liaison programs are intended to repair that broken trust and offer safety and guidance for LGBTQ+ victims, who are [6.5 percent less likely to report crimes](https://www.aclu.org/publications/policing-progress-findings-from-a-national-survey-of-lgbtq-peoples-experiences-with-law-enforcement?ref=lookoutnews.org) than their non-LGBTQ+ counterparts, according to a 2024 report by the ACLU. But simply staffing a liaison isn’t enough. In 2017, the U.S. Department of Justice said as much in a document from its [Office of Community-Oriented Policing Services](https://www.iadlest.org/Portals/0/cops%20LGBTQ.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org). The document outlined ways police should interact with LGBTQ+ folks, highlighting the need for more direct conversations, a constant reevaluation of internal practices and procedures, establishing citizen/community police academies that include a focus on LGBTQ+ people’s needs, having a presence at LGBTQ+ events and engagement with queer organizations. The publication recognized [Phoenix PD’s Advisory Board](https://www.phoenix.gov/police/resources-information/citizen-advisory-boards?ref=lookoutnews.org) and its two designated LGBTQ+ liaisons’ efforts to “create a climate of trust between the community and the Phoenix Police Department” and “provide a forum where the Phoenix Police Department can listen actively to community concerns and create solutions to social problems.” [Anti-LGBTQ+ Hate Crimes in Arizona Are Increasing. There’s No Law to Prosecute Them.Arizona doesn’t have a hate crime statute. And due to gaps in reporting and data, tracking bias-motivated crimes here is a mess.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-81.png)LOOKOUTCelina Jiménez (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/shutterstock_2431385685-1-2.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/hate-crime-enhancements-in-arizona-whats-included-whats-not-and-what-that-means-for-the-lgbtq-community/) But in 2023, the Arizona Mirror and the Howard Center for Investigative Journalism called into question [the transparency and efficacy of that same board](https://azmirror.com/2023/06/29/mixed-record-for-phoenix-polices-community-boards-meant-to-build-trust-with-marginalized-groups/?ref=lookoutnews.org), claiming the department “releases virtually no information about what the 12 boards do, what they discuss or how — if at all — leadership incorporates any feedback from the boards into police tactics.” Patrick Kelley, the owner of the Melrose clothing store Off Chute Too, was forced to resign from the LGBTQ+ advisory board in 2017 after he spoke out about the department’s lack of transparency with hate crime statistics, its inconsistent meeting schedules, and its unwillingness to take feedback or suggestions from board and community members. And an ineffective liaison program is little better than none at all. ### **What happens when liaisons fail?** Even after Ron Blake finally gained the clarity and bravery to sit down with Det. Smith, he still had a hard time trusting police. Years passed without significant movement in his case or clear communication about what was going on. The updates he did receive were often riddled with inaccuracies, he said. In 2023, he learned his case had been closed since 2021\. Emails show that no one with Phoenix police — including the liaison assigned to his case — had informed him. ![Ron Blake person sits on blue stairs, wearing a light blue shirt and shorts.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/04/DSC06094.jpg) Blake said he has reached out to Phoenix police and offered advice on how to strengthen the LGBTQ+ liaison program, based on his case. (Danielle Cortez for **Phoenix New Times*) During his long and ongoing quest for justice, Blake said the [Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence](https://acesdv.org/?ref=lookoutnews.org) did what Phoenix police’s liaison should have been doing. The organization helped Blake get in touch with the [Family Advocacy Center](https://phoenix.gov/fac?ref=lookoutnews.org) and set up a meeting with the Phoenix police brass to discuss making changes addressing LGBTQ+ bias and sexual assault cases. Blake said two police representatives verbally acknowledged that he was treated differently because he was gay and assured him that they would make changes. But as far as Blake knows, no changes were ever explored. *LOOKOUT* and *New Times* have reached out to the Phoenix police’s current LGBTQ+ liaisons, Dets. Gary Nelson and Trey Sueing, for information regarding Blake’s case as well as training information on their liaison program. They have not responded. It’s not uncommon for organizations to step in when police fail. In 2023, Epona Rose was [arrested for assault in Flagstaff](https://www.lookoutnews.org/epona-rose-flagstaff/) after defending herself against a group of men who allegedly threatened and sexually harassed her while making transphobic remarks. *LOOKOUT*’s reporting showed that Flagstaff police [continuously misgendered her and held her in a men’s jail](https://www.lookoutnews.org/woman-arrested-flagstaff-lgbtq-liaison/). Despite multiple protests, Flagstaff’s liaison never got involved in the case nor publicly acknowledged any issues. [Flagstaff Queer Collective](https://www.instagram.com/flagstaffqueercollective/?ref=lookoutnews.org) was among the groups that rallied to Rose’s case. Ben Nicholas, the group’s director, said that Rose’s story was one reason the group was open to creating a relationship with Flagstaff police, which approached FQC in January as part of their efforts to develop their own Citizen Advisory Board. In June 2024, new Flagstaff Police Chief Sean Connolly came on board and almost immediately began working to develop a Citizen Advisory Board similar to the one he had participated in during his time in Phoenix police. When asked about the critiques the department received about the police response to Epona Rose’s arrest, he said that he was not aware of it and would look into the situation. Notably, a member of Flagstaff Queer Collective told *LOOKOUT* and *New Times* that Connelly gave the same response to them two months earlier when the group pressed him on the subject. According to the department’s Public Information Officer Sgt. Jerry Rintala, the LGBTQ+ Citizen Advisory Board is scheduled to launch within the next 30 to 60 days. In the meantime, Connolly said he has continuously been building and maintaining connections with community members, including Flagstaff Queer Collective. [Gregory Dickens was sentenced to death for murder. Was it actually because he was gay?A review of a decades-old case resurfaces questions of judicial bias in Arizona, and is relevant to the state’s current judicial appointees.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-82.png)LOOKOUTAdam Rhodes (they/them)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Theo-Grace--Quest-1-2.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/gregory-dickens-death-penalty-tom-cole-judge-bias/) “When we have these conversations, I want to hear of things that are collaborative and ways we can all generate safety and wellness,” Connolly said. “I’d be incredibly disappointed if (my department) was indifferent to an LGBTQ+ victim. There’s work to be done, and we know that.” The queer community steps in when police don’t do their job, but what gaps exist when LGBTQ+ liaisons don’t exist to begin with? It’s unclear exactly how many cities in Arizona do or don’t have LGBTQ+ liaisons. What is clear is that police responses to queer victims of crime, as well as their presence at certain events, aren’t always satisfactory. In 2023, a [gay couple in Queen Creek](https://www.azfamily.com/2023/01/19/queen-creek-gay-couples-pride-flag-vandalized-hoa-requesting-removal/?ref=lookoutnews.org) said the pride flag outside their home was repeatedly vandalized and that people screamed [homophobic slurs](https://www.lookoutnews.org/queen-creek-lgbtq-flag/) at them. They filed two police reports, but still received a letter from their homeowner’s association restricting their flag from being displayed. Anti-LGBTQ+ graffiti was spray painted on neighborhood walls. The pair eventually moved for their safety. The Queen Creek Police Department does not have an LGBTQ+ liaison. Neither does the Pinal County Sheriff’s Department, where portions of Queen Creek are located. Pinal County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer Sam Salzwedel told *LOOKOUT* and *New Times* they do not have a designated liaison for the LGBTQ+ community or any others because they “protect everybody in the county equally and do not believe in showing preferential treatment.” In Cottonwood, a rural town in the Verde Valley region of Arizona, Proud Boys, Oathkeepers, and other white and Christian nationalist groups crashed a [charity drag show event in Cottonwood](https://lookoutphx.substack.com/p/another-drag-show-in-arizona-was), shouting slurs and leaving attendees on edge. [Local organizers said](https://www.lookoutnews.org/cottonwood-penny-peace-drag-queens/) police did nothing to intervene. Cottonwood’s department has a terrorism liaison, but not one for LGBTQ+ people. Such incidents give queer residents pause. According to Greg Miraglia, a former law enforcement professional who co-founded [Out to Protect](https://outtoprotect.org/?ref=lookoutnews.org), the nation’s only non-profit LGBTQ+ police liaison accreditation program, staffing community liaisons is a step toward ensuring equal protection under the law and building trust in law enforcement. But until Miraglia began his program in 2023, police departments in Arizona and elsewhere lacked formal procedures for establishing an LGBTQ+ liaison. Agencies that choose to create liaison positions decide for themselves what they should do. Across Arizona’s 10 largest cities with LGBTQ+ liaisons, it’s unclear what responsibilities, training or community practices they share, if any. [![Advertisement for becoming a Lookout member, offering swag, event tickets, and magazine copies.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) There are currently only [five police departments](https://outtoprotect.org/accredited-lgbt-liaison-programs/?ref=lookoutnews.org) in the U.S. with Out to Protect’s accreditation, which was created to fund LGBTQ+ liaison program training. Miraglia says every department that has applied has ultimately earned accreditation, which is granted upon receiving evidence of meeting the program’s six core standards, which include having a full-time liaison who is trained in the position, engaging with the community throughout the year and being a resource within the law enforcement agency. By offering funded and affordable training programs, Miraglia hopes to eliminate cost as a barrier for departments weighing a LGBTQ+ liaison: “Cost just becomes an excuse for not doing it,” he said. “If (a department) simply doesn’t want to create a program, it’s easy for them to just say they can’t afford it.” [More than 2,300 Arizona prisoners have been punished for queer intimacyInfraction data from the Department of Corrections shows how people are targeted for holding hands, having consensual encounters, or “homosex.”![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-83.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/lookout-logo-3-5.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/prisons-lgbtq-punishment/) ### **Steps in the right direction** There is some hope for police relations with the LGBTQ+ community. For the past few years, the [Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation](https://saaf.org/?ref=lookoutnews.org) has provided “LGBTQ+ 101” training to the Tucson Police Department. In 2022, SAAF’s Anti-Violence Project [partnered with](https://tucson.com/news/solutions/lgbtq-sexual-assault-survivors-have-a-new-ally-in-pima-county-s-justice-system/article%5F20b55e58-8901-11ec-9999-efb927376af2.html?ref=lookoutnews.org#:~:text=Finding%20help,%2D800%2D553%2D9387.) the Pima County Attorney’s Office to provide LGBTQ+ victims of sexual assault with a dedicated queer-identifying victim advocate. Though the latter lasted only about a year, SAAF associate director of program services Emerson Kuhn said these initiatives from law enforcement and the county attorney’s office have helped build healthier relationships between LGBTQ+ community members and the law. Though SAAF has no data-based results from those trainings, Kuhn said Tucson police community engagement coordinator Margo Susco has been very proactive in keeping in contact with the local LGBTQ+ community. Tucson police lack an official LGBTQ+ liaison, though Susco said she and Assistant Chief Stacie Schaner fill some aspects of that role. Schaner said she’s been researching liaison programs and intends to explore the possibility of establishing one. “We’re very aware of how many barriers exist between law enforcement and LGBTQ+ victims of crime who feel like they can’t reach out, especially people of color,” Schaner said. “It’s important to start with internal initiatives, but I’d really like to explore how we can develop more external initiatives.” Such initiatives are needed. Community organizers and nonprofits serving the queer community are pivotal advocates for ensuring justice and safety for LGBTQ+ Arizonans. But they can’t go it alone. “Police officers don’t always identify with the community, and that hinders our relationship,” said Joel Mills, a victim services specialist at the Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence. “If there was a way to connect more and have a direct line, it’d be beneficial. Queer victims of domestic violence don’t always feel like services are for them. The tension between them and the police means they don’t always seek out resources, and police aren’t doing great at following up and giving resources.” That rings true for Nate Rhoton and his team at One-n-Ten. As the CEO of such a large LGBTQ+ organization, he’d usually be aware of what resources police have dedicated to protect LGBTQ+ folks. But even he didn’t know who the existing Phoenix police LGBTQ+ liaisons were. It wasn’t until *LOOKOUT* and *New Times* contacted him for this piece that Rhoton decided to contact the office of Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego to find out. Rhoton runs one of the more prominent LBGTQ+ advocacy organizations in the state, and he said Phoenix police liaisons haven’t reached out to introduce themselves. “If they’re wanting to develop trust, they have to hold the space and listen,” he said. “Our issues go back so long and are so embedded in the DNA of who we are as marginalized people that I don’t think one liaison or one conversation can fix all that. But it can start to develop trust one person at a time.” ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Prominent Tucson Family Advocating for Trans and Migrant Rights Flees U.S. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/prominent-tucson-family-advocating-for-trans-and-migrant-rights-flees-u-s/ Last updated: 2025-04-08T18:37:38.000Z A well-known Tucson family that has spent years on the front lines of transgender and immigrant rights advocacy has fled the United States, saying President Donald Trump’s escalating threats against immigrants — regardless of legal status — and transgender people left them with no other choice. The Trujillo family — Lizette, her husband Jose, and their son Daniel — said they left Arizona in a preemptive move to protect themselves from what they described as a federal government increasingly hostile to people like them: immigrants, Latinos, and trans youth. [How Lawmakers Responded to Our Reporting on Queer Residents FleeingWith the fear of more LGBTQ+ rights restrictions, possible discrimination, and a culture that appears to be labeling diversity as a threat, Democratic lawmakers are scrambling for how to help fix it.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-84.png)LOOKOUTLOOKOUT Staff![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/2550548_IllustrationforQA_022425-1-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/these-lawmakers-are-working-for-lgbtq-rights-but-they-need-your-help/) “After a decade of advocating for the rights of our son, we made the difficult and hasty decision to leave the country,” [Lizette wrote in a social media post](https://www.instagram.com/p/DIJ9ZWAoSMp/?ref=lookoutnews.org). She cited heightened ICE activity in their Tucson neighborhood and said that even though Jose is a U.S. citizen, “this administration seems not to care about people’s legal status.” The Trujillos have launched a GoFundMe campaign to support their relocation abroad. [You can find the campaign link here. ](https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-joses-family-in-their-relocation-journey?attribution%5Fid=sl:dd2c2576-ba5d-4948-b31a-56c0f4fb81e5&lang=en%5FUS&utm%5Fcampaign=man%5Fss%5Ficons&utm%5Fmedium=customer&utm%5Fsource=copy%5Flink) Daniel, who came out as transgender as a child, has been honored by the ACLU, the Gender Liberation Movement, GLSEN, and the Human Rights Campaign for his advocacy and visibility on behalf of trans youth. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/04/DSCN0721-1.JPG) Lizette Trujillo (left) with her son Daniel. (Photo by LOOKOUT) Lizette, a community leader who serves on several Tucson-based boards, has long been a fierce advocate for migrant rights and support systems for trans youth and their families across Southern Arizona. Jose was featured in the Netflix documentary *The Dads*, which highlights fathers who stand by their transgender children in the face of growing national hostility. The Trujillos are not the only people who have fled. Earlier this year, *LOOKOUT* and *The 19th* reported on [how multiple queer people have considered or have already started fleeing Arizona ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/queer-arizonans-are-feeling-the-need-to-flee-their-homes-2/)as executive orders and local governments feel more emboldened to attack LGBTQ+ people. Lizette was also quoted in our story we [wrote with the *Arizona Agenda* on how parents like her were keeping away from the Capitol](https://www.lookoutnews.org/some-lgbtq-arizonans-are-avoiding-the-capitol-for-safety/) due to fear that lawmakers would target them and their children for speaking up in favor of transgender rights. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### No Debate, No Vote, No Explanation: The Tactics Killing LGBTQ+ Rights Bills in Arizona URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/no-debate-no-vote-no-explanation-the-tactics-killing-lgbtq-rights-bills-in-arizona/ Last updated: 2025-04-02T00:17:32.000Z During this year’s legislative session, Democrats introduced 15 bills aimed at expanding—or at the very least securing—the rights of queer people in Arizona. The various legislation sought to protect same-sex marriage, ensure workplace protections comparable to those of their peers, and modernize laws that portray LGBTQ+ people as deviants. None of those bills are currently being considered as the session nears its end. In fact, most were dead on arrival—not because they failed in a vote, but because Republican leadership refused to let them move forward. Arizona is home to more than a quarter-million LGBTQ+ people, according to the most recent survey data from the Williams Institute at UCLA. Yet for multiple legislative sessions, bills aimed at securing equal protections under state law have been blocked before ever reaching public debate. That’s because Arizona’s legislative process allows a handful of lawmakers to shut down bills without a vote, without debate, and without explanation. There are a few ways that bills can become laws. But in the most elementary sense, here is how the process is supposed to work: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/04/2571394_DEMOCRACY_01_032425.jpg) 1. A lawmaker submits a bill. 2. The chamber’s leader—always from the majority party—decides which bills get assigned to a committee. If they oppose a bill, they can simply refuse to assign it, effectively killing it. 3. If a bill is assigned, the committee chair—also appointed by leadership—can refuse to schedule it for discussion or a vote. 4. If it survives committee, the Rules Committee chair can refuse to review it, preventing it from moving forward. 5. Even if a bill clears those hurdles, leadership can block it from getting a full vote in the chamber. 6. If both chambers pass a bill, it goes to the governor, who can sign or veto it. [Arizona’s LGBTQ Community Faces Pressure to Leave The StateInterviews with over a dozen queer people who have left or are considering leaving reveal unease about the state’s politics.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-80.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/image--30--1-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/queer-arizonans-are-feeling-the-need-to-flee-their-homes-2/) But at any step in this process, current Republican leaders have the power to kill a bill—by simply ignoring it. For example, in the second step, when the chamber’s leader—chosen by the majority party—decides which bills get assigned to a committee, they can simply choose not to assign a bill they don’t want debated. Even if the leader does assigned the bill to a committee, the chair—handpicked by the chamber leader—can bury it by refusing to put it on the schedule. If the legislation somehow makes it past those two hurdles, the Rules Committee chair—also handpicked by the chamber leader—can stop it dead by declining to review it. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/04/2571394_DEMOCRACY_02_032425.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/04/2571394_DEMOCRACY_04_032425.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/04/2571394_DEMOCRACY_03_032425.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/04/2571394_DEMOCRACY_05_032425.jpg) The result? LGBTQ+ rights bills never even get a chance. The process allows Republican leadership to block protections for queer Arizonans without ever having to publicly defend their actions. Advocates and some lawmakers say this raises a fundamental question: If elected officials representing hundreds of thousands of Arizonans can’t even bring their bills up for public debate, is Arizona’s legislative process truly democratic? “The system gives the majority an insane amount of power,” said Melinda Iyer, co-founder and policy director of Civic Engagement Beyond Voting, a statewide nonpartisan group that aims to get people more involved in local politics. “The speaker or Senate president—one single person—unilaterally decides whether a bill can be heard. And if they decide that they want a bill to be heard, they decide who to give that bill to.” For example, Senate President Warren Petersen assigned a bill that would have enshrined same-sex marriage as a constitutional right in Arizona to the Senate Judiciary Committee. The bill aimed to safeguard marriage equality in case the U.S. Supreme Court overturns its 2015 ruling legalizing it. But Sen. Wendy Rogers (R-Flagstaff), who has made conservative culture wars a significant part of her brand, chairs that committee and never allowed the bill to be heard, debated, or voted on. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) In the House of Representatives, Speaker Steve Montenegro simply didn’t assign a similar bill to a committee, effectively killing it. Another way to kill a bill? Assigning it to two committees and requiring it to pass both to advance. This process isn’t unique to LGBTQ+-related bills. When Chispa Arizona, an environmental group, lobbied for legislation to plant more trees in urban areas, members were shocked when it never even got a hearing. “It was about creating something for children,” said Nuvia Enriquez, communications director for Chispa Arizona. “To have legislators not even give it an opportunity to be discussed is definitely frustrating.” Enriquez said the group has had to rely on direct action, such as organizing advocacy days where community members meet with lawmakers to push for hearings. [House Resolution Gutting Equity Measures Moves Closer to the BallotThe proposed measure is a way to bypass Governor Katie Hobbs’s veto and go straight to voters.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-78.png)LOOKOUTTori Gantz (she/they)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-03-19-at-7.31.25-PM.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/house-resolution-gutting-equity-measures-moves-closer-to-the-ballot/) Inside the Capitol, lawmakers can also attempt to move stalled bills forward through amendments, though success is rare. Bills can be rewritten through “strike everything” amendments, replacing the original text with entirely new language. If a bill advances far enough, a lawmaker can propose striking the text and substituting a different measure, which requires debate and a vote. Rep. Betty Villegas (D-Tucson) attempted that strategy earlier this session with an anti-LGBTQ+ bill but couldn’t get the amendment through committee. The problem, according to House Minority Leader Rep. Oscar De Los Santos (D-Phoenix), is that the legislative process overwhelmingly benefits the majority party—at the expense of the millions of Arizonans who didn’t vote for them. “If people found out how this place works, they’d be fucking in horror, and pissed,” he said. “We represent millions of human beings in the state and are down by a hair, and they have all the power. This is completely not how representative government is supposed to work.” ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### We Can Face This Storm Together URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/we-can-face-this-storm-together/ Last updated: 2025-03-28T18:28:09.000Z This week, we're rolling out our 2025 Spring edition of *LOOKOUT Magazine.* Scroll down to the bottom of this page to see where we're dropping off magazines this week to get your free copy. Remember that as a paid member, you get a glossy version of our magazine with extra stories, and an original piece of art work printed by Saturn Hex here in Phoenix. [Become a paid member today](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) But more to the point of what this next issue is all about: The past few months have been difficult for many. Across Arizona, people are feeling the storm of policies and decisions that directly affect their communities. For some, it’s the reality of immigration policies that tear families apart like a raging wind, and for others, it’s the constant sense of looming rainclouds—knowing that, at any moment, the storm could shift above them. For many in the LGBTQ+ community, that storm has been especially destructive. Gay and lesbian Arizonans, who once believed they were shielded from the tempest of laws targeting transgender people, are now faced with a reality where their own rights are at risk. Marriage equality—once a hard-won victory—now feels uncertain, and attacks on diversity initiatives threaten to wash away the support structures that have allowed queer-owned businesses and artists to thrive. We stand at a crossroads, where rights we thought were secure could be swept away, and the question we face is whether we will allow the storm to wash us all away. At *LOOKOUT*, we’re committed to confronting this gathering storm head-on. As a nonprofit, nonpartisan news outlet, *LOOKOUT* is committed to truth, not to the false balance that so often dominates today’s media. I understand that many of the stories we publish may appear partisan, but let me be clear: Our mission is not to offer balance—it is to offer truth. For too long, the concept of balance in journalism has meant giving equal weight to voices that seek to do harm, whose actions and rhetoric have real-world consequences on the most vulnerable among us. In times like these, it is vital to recognize that some truths must be spoken, regardless of who they may discomfort. One of the most fundamental ethical principles I hold dear is this: Journalism is not meant to cause harm. It is meant to shine a light on injustice, to amplify voices that are often silenced, and to uncover the truths that shape our world. Our main story in this issue focuses on the people who are fleeing Arizona—those who feel they can no longer weather a state that no longer feels safe or welcoming. Arizona once prided itself on being a place where people could live freely, regardless of background or identity. But that sense of openness is increasingly being replaced by a political climate where the storm clouds of division darken the skies. Dialogue is being stifled, and policies are being shaped by those who either don’t understand or, worse, don’t care about the real consequences on our communities. In reporting on this exodus, we reached out to leaders across the state to hear their thoughts on the migration of people and the long-term impact it could have on Arizona’s future. They shared insights on what it means to live in a place where people may feel unwelcome. The message was clear: Arizona’s future is at a crossroads, and they understand why people feel the need to search for a place where they can live without fear. But even amid the tempest, one thing has become abundantly clear: The best way to protect our communities is to come together. It’s time to focus on the organizations and individuals who are working every day to create safe spaces, protect rights, and fight for the dignity of all people. In this issue, we’ve included a list of 12 organizations across Arizona that are doing vital work to support and protect the queer community. This list is not exhaustive, but it is a start—a lifeline for those who want to get involved and help calm the turbulence. Arizona’s future is uncertain, and the storm may not be over, but one thing is for sure: We cannot afford to sit idly by and let the storm rage on. We must stand together, support one another, and fight for a future where all people—regardless of identity—can live with dignity, security, and freedom. The winds are changing, but we can be the force that pushes back. Now is the time to find those who are working for change, support their efforts, and ensure that those fighting to protect us are never left behind. We can weather this out together. Check out a digital version of our magazine below ### Daniel Hernandez Earns Key Endorsements In Congressional Bid URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/daniel-hernandez-earns-key-endorsements-in-congressional-bid/ Last updated: 2025-12-12T15:18:59.000Z --- *Updated: 10:09 a.m. March 28, 2025* Former state Rep. Daniel Hernandez, the founder of the Arizona LGBTQ Caucus, has secured major endorsements just days after announcing his campaign to replace U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva, who died earlier this month. The Victory Fund, a national organization that works to elect LGBTQ+ candidates, Equality PAC, the political arm of the nation’s Congressional Equality Caucus, and Equality Arizona, one of the state’s longest-running LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, all plan to announce their support for Hernandez Thursday morning as he enters the July 15 special primary for Arizona’s 7th Congressional District. In a press release shared early with *LOOKOUT*, Victory Fund President and CEO Evan Low said Hernandez has “been a champion for working families, fighting to create economic opportunity for everyone, no matter who they are or where they come from. As a proud LGBTQ+ leader and tireless advocate, Daniel’s voice is exactly what Congress needs right now.” In a separate statement, Equality PAC said Hernandez "has been a champion for expanding access to affordable health care, defending reproductive rights, fighting for the LGBTQ community, and enacting common-sense gun safety measures." Michael Soto, executive director of Equality Arizona, said Hernandez’s record as a legislator made him a “relentless advocate for equality and opportunity … no matter who they are.” In response to the endorsements, Hernandez said that as a gay first-generation American, he knew "what’s at stake for our communities.” "We need leaders who will fight for our rights, for our health care, and for our democracy—and I’m ready to do just that in Congress," Hernandez said. While in the state Legislature, Hernandez worked across the aisle to push for a statewide nondiscrimination law—an effort that ultimately failed—and built a reputation as a moderate Democrat focused on bipartisanship. [Anti-discrimination bills for the LGBTQ+ community have wide support. So why can’t a bill get passed?More than twenty years of attempts to get protections in place have failed as queer lives become more politicized.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-77.png)LOOKOUTJuliette Rihl (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/nondiscrim-1-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/anti-discrimination-bills-for-the-lgbtq-community-have-wide-support-so-why-cant-a-bill-get-passed/) Hernandez officially launched his campaign on Monday and has raised more than $100,000 since then, according to his campaign. The majority of contributions were small-dollar donations under $100. [![An advertisement to become a LOOKOUT Member, showing that you can receive free swag, tickets to events, and a magazine sent to your home.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) He enters a crowded field of candidates: 23 people have filed to run for the seat so far, including 10 Democrats, one Green Party candidate, two Libertarians, and 10 Republicans. Among them is Trump-aligned Republican Jorge Rivas, who has been endorsed by Pinal County Sheriff Ross Teeple. Hernandez is widely considered the best-known candidate in the race. He first rose to national prominence in 2011 after he was credited with helping save the life of former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords when she was shot at a campaign event. Hernandez was serving as an intern at the time. He later became the Arizona state director for Everytown for Gun Safety and served in the Arizona House representing southern Arizona. He is part of a well-known political family: his sisters, Consuelo and Alma Hernandez, both serve in the Arizona House, forming a trio of influential Democratic lawmakers. The special primary election will be held July 15, with the general election set for Sept. 23. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### How Poetry and Practice Has Helped Tucson’s Queer Poet Laureate URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/how-poetry-and-practice-has-helped-tucsons-queer-poet-laureate/ Last updated: 2025-08-19T16:50:45.000Z TC Tolbert is a poet, educator, and community advocate whose work is deeply rooted in the intersections of identity, language, and activism. As the [Tucson Poet Laureate](https://artsfoundtucson.org/programs/tucson-poet-laureate/?ref=lookoutnews.org), TC has used poetry as a platform to amplify queer and trans voices, cultivate inclusive literary spaces, and foster meaningful dialogue. Even TC’s email signature shows nuance in language and how it can change the way we interact with words on a page. The poet in real life goes by he/him, but loves being called “GRRRRRL” in public, and uses s/he pronouns in writing. “Isn’t language fun?” TC writes at the end of the email signature. And though the journey from an aspiring high school English teacher to a nationally recognized poet came with challenges—particularly in how to wield one’s privilege to help communities without hogging the mic—it reflects a commitment to both personal and collective transformation. In Arizona, where LGBTQ+ communities continue to navigate both progress and backlash, TC’s work holds particular urgency. Through workshops, public readings, and mentorship, s/he has created vital spaces for queer and trans writers to explore their voices in a state where policies often threaten their existence. And centering marginalized narratives, TC’s poetry challenges dominant narratives while offering refuge and solidarity to those who need it most. *LOOKOUT* writer Royal Young got a chance to talk to TC over the phone, and spoke about the journey to be one of the [U.S.’s few genderqueer poet laureates](https://queerbio.com/wiki/index.php?title=Poet%5FLaureates%5FFrom%5FAround%5Fthe%5FWorld%5FWho%5FIdentify%5Fas%5FLGBTQ&ref=lookoutnews.org), what it means to make mistakes in the community, and how we need to “hold each other gently” in the coming years: *This interview has been condensed and edited for length and clarity.* ![Advertisement for becoming a Lookout member, offering free swag, event tickets, and a magazine subscription.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png) **Royal Young (LOOKOUT):** Hey, TC—let’s start with your path to becoming Tucson’s Poet Laureate and what that entails. **TC Tolbert:** There was a call for applications, and two different people asked if they could nominate me. At first, I felt sheepish, but when the second person asked, I thought, "Okay, well, I guess there’s two people." **RY:** Sometimes we need that push. **TT:** Exactly. Like many writers, I started writing as a kid but never thought of it beyond a hobby. I got my degree in education to become a high school English teacher. But after hiking the Appalachian Trail, I realized I needed to address two big things: my gender and poetry. **RY:** Those are big things. **TT:** And they’re kind of related. **RY:** Funny how that works out. **TT:** Exactly. So, I went back to my undergrad mentor and asked if I could study poetry. He said, "There’s a whole world of that," and suggested a program in Tucson. I was in Tennessee at the time, but I got into the master’s program here. Instead of picking a top school strategically, I just thought, "Tucson seems like a place I could live." **RY:** The desert pulled you in. That’s how I ended up here too. **TT:** It’s amazing. When I arrived, I immediately met trans people. At the time, I was presenting as masculine—a dyke boy—I don’t think I even knew the word "genderqueer." I was just like, "Oh my god, this place is amazing." Everyone here is queer—which, unfortunately, isn’t totally true, but kind of true. [WATCH: How poetry brought Phoenix’s queer community togetherThe group thems. started out as a weekend market and has since exploded by using poetry and other art to build up the community.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-67.png)LOOKOUTTirzah Sánchez Christopher![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2024-12-08-at-4.02.40-PM-1-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/watch-how-poetry-brought-phoenixs-queer-community-together/) **RY:** We can get into that later. **TT:** Long story short, it wasn’t until 2001-2002 that I realized writing could be a serious pursuit. I went to grad school, stayed in Tucson, and rooted myself deeply in the queer and arts communities. Eventually, people started saying, "Maybe you should be the poet laureate." **RY:** What a cool journey. Your writing and poetry seem deeply tied to identity, education, and community—things that feel embedded in the role of poet laureate. **TT:** Absolutely. Some poets have a solitary writing life, and that’s great. But for me, writing has always been about working with language and placing things next to each other—it all feels like a metaphor for how you live. It’s always felt important to be in conversation with other poets and to create space for people to tinker on the page and in their hearts. **RY:** What are the duties of a poet laureate? How do you activate your title? **TT:** It’s shifted over the years. Initially, it was a three-year term, but it was extended when I won a national poet laureate fellowship. These public arts titles are an honor, but they don’t necessarily pay the bills, so you have to balance other work while leveraging the position. I focused on poetry workshops, particularly with queer and trans folks, and public readings. I think it was also a moment of positive representation for queer and trans people. As far as I know, (in 2017), I was the first openly queer and trans poet laureate at either the state or city level in the country. **RY:** That’s incredible. **TT:** Later, I applied for a fellowship to run poetry workshops focused exclusively on queer and trans writers. LGBTQ+ voices are often included in workshops, but I wanted to flip that—where straight and cis participants could engage with poetry by queer writers. I got the fellowship in 2019, and the workshops were supposed to run through 2020, but then COVID happened. I shifted everything online and ended up hosting about 30 workshops across libraries and community groups. I’m still running a free weekly Zoom session. **RY:** That’s very cool. In an odd way, COVID expanded access—especially for differently abled people or those who can’t always attend in-person events. **TT:** Exactly. We’re about to start our fifth year, which is wild. During peak lockdown, people would Zoom in from across the world. One person always joined at 1 a.m. their time. [Drag, Defiance, and Dirty Jokes: Lady Bunny on Wigstock, Queer Resistance, and Political GamesThe nightlife legend talks about the golden age of NYC drag, why mainstream LGBTQ+ orgs are failing, and how America keeps using trans people as a political pawn.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-66.png)LOOKOUTRoyal Young (they/them)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-02-12-at-2.01.31-PM-3-1-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/pronouns-drag-queen-story-hour-lady-bunny/) **RY:** That shows how much we need these spaces. So, this issue of *LOOKOUT* *Magazine* focuses on queer people not feeling safe in our state. Many are considering leaving. You first experienced Tucson as a queer-positive place, but discrimination persists. Can you talk about that? **TT:** I grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee, so I’m familiar with terrible state policies. Tucson is a badass queer bubble, but Arizona as a whole is different. Tucson has had a non-discrimination policy for over 20 years. In the ’90s, it even had a trans mental health hotline and support groups. But right now, it’s a devastating moment, especially for queer and trans youth. That’s why I’m committed to staying—to help hold and sustain the networks that have supported me. > Even something as simple as showing up to a poetry reading as an audience member is important. Not just when you or your friends are reading—just being there to receive the art is a beautiful space to inhabit. > \-TC Tolbert **RY:** It feels like a backlash against progress. **TT:** 100%. Every forward movement gets pushback, and that’s exactly what’s happening now. **RY:** I feel that. I’m turning 40 in June, and as a ’90s kid in Manhattan, I’ve seen a lot—growing up around AIDS, drugs, and social activism. Seeing resilience through tough times gives me hope. **TT:** Totally. Our job at our age is to remind younger folks that we’ve been here, and we’ve got them. **RY:** And history is important—showing we’ve always been here and have generations of activists to draw from. **TT:** Absolutely. **RY:** I love that [your website acknowledges](http://www.tctolbert.com/about.html?ref=lookoutnews.org) that we live on Tohono O’odham and Pascua Yaqui land. How does disrupting colonialism fit into your work as poet laureate? ![Advertisement for becoming a Lookout member, offering free swag, event tickets, and a magazine subscription.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png) **TT:** I see myself as a listener, learner, and sharer. I make an intentional effort to bring Indigenous poets into the conversation and introduce students to their work—especially those who are also queer and trans. It’s not hard to do a little research and uplift these voices—the internet is big. Every event is an opportunity to reflect our real community. **RY:** Absolutely. Practicing these things in our daily lives adds up. **TT:** I love that word—practice. It’s never about perfection or finishing the work. **RY:** And privilege shouldn’t feel like a burden—it should be a practice of continued engagement. **TT:** Exactly. Even something as simple as showing up to a poetry reading as an audience member is important. Not just when you or your friends are reading—just being there to receive the art is a beautiful space to inhabit. **RY:** Absolutely. And that ties into the power of poetry—to connect people, illuminate experiences, and break down barriers. Even when I know nothing about someone’s life, their poem can be that flashpoint. [What is a truly safe space? A pop-up event might have an answer.Maudie’s is modeled after a decades-old lesbian bar, but its mission is less about drinking and more about community.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-68.png)LOOKOUTEm Hobehaider (they/them)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_4573.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/safe-space-maudies-phoenix-nightlife/) **TT:** Yes! Poetry creates a space where we drop our posturing and just connect as humans with complicated experiences. It’s sacred and special. You don’t find that in most other settings. **RY:** 100%. Any final words of wisdom? **TT:** Cultivate trust and tenderness with yourself. Remember, in queer and trans spaces, we’re interacting with people who are multiply injured, traumatized, and oppressed. Sometimes, we turn our defenses on each other. Boundaries are good, but we should also hold each other gently. And keep some of that mystery! Poetry reminds us that we don’t actually know all the answers. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### House Resolution Gutting Equity Measures Moves Closer to the Ballot URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/house-resolution-gutting-equity-measures-moves-closer-to-the-ballot/ Last updated: 2025-12-12T15:23:06.000Z A ballot referral to gut diversity measures in schools and state contracts is one step closer to being on Arizona’s ballot. The Senate Government Committee on Wednesday advanced along party lines House Speaker Steve Montenegro’s (R-Goodyear) [measure that would act as a de-facto ban](https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/57leg/1R/summary/S.HCR2042GOV.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) on any state programs that promote race, gender, or sexuality. The resolution would stop state agencies, including schools, from prioritizing contracts for businesses run by people of color or women, block funding that aims to hire racially diverse staff, and prohibit any funds to programs that discuss gender identity, sexual orientation, and anti-racist material. Despite Montenegro's measure that seeks to gut civil rights protections and fair hiring practices, he said on Wednesday that his proposal was similar to federal laws that overturned slavery and gave rights to Black people in the U.S. [Some LGBTQ+ Arizonans Are Avoiding the Capitol For SafetyWhile advocates advised families of queer youth to stop showing up at the Capitol for fear of being sought out and investigated, others continue to have their voices heard in hearings.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-76.png)LOOKOUTTori Gantz (she/they)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/AGENDA-LOOKOUT-1-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/some-lgbtq-arizonans-are-avoiding-the-capitol-for-safety/) “This is to help restore color blindness to our institutions and to ensure that the state treats students, employees, job applicants, and small business owners with equality regardless of any race,” he said. Montenegro positioned the resolution as fighting against discrimination of white people, but civil rights advocates testified that the measure would end up reversing years of equity programs to favor cis-gender white men, and hurting small businesses owned by people of color. An education policy director from the conservative policy group the Goldwater Institute, which [sued Arizona State University last spring](https://www.goldwaterinstitute.org/arizona-speaker-of-the-house-puts-state-constitution-on-track-to-banish-dei/?ref=lookoutnews.org) over its staff DEI training, was the measure’s lone champion who spoke at the hearing. Multiple opponents of the bill—including people from LGBTQ+ nonprofit One-n-Ten and Reproductive Freedom for All Arizona—showed up to watch. “HCR 2042 overlooks the complex, intersectional nature of inequality. People experience discrimination in different ways based on multiple factors: race, ethnicity, gender, disability,” said American Civil Liberties Union policy strategist Katelynn Contreras, adding that the resolution wouldn’t address “nuanced ways in which various groups experience barriers to education, employment and simply existing in the world.” Contreras mentioned a Washington Post-Ipsos poll from the summer that showed a majority of Americans—approximately 60%—supported diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. Jeanne Woodbury, a lobbyist who represented Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona, said the bill’s threat to revoke funding for schools that have a gender-diverse curriculum would thwart queer student’s development and lead to unequal treatment. “A segregated society is one that leads to worse health outcomes,” Woodbury said. [![An advertisement to become a LOOKOUT member, stating that you will receive free swag, tickets to events, and a copy of our magazine sent to your home.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Natashia Townsend, with the Black-led nonprofit Our Voice Our Vote, said the measure will create more disadvantages for small business owners, students, communities of color, women, and LGBTQ+ people. “For Black, Brown, and Indigenous students, programs like diversity scholarships, fellowships, and recruitment initiatives have provided crucial access to higher education. HCR 2042 could remove these supports” Townsend said. “We should be working to make sure that small businesses, especially those owned by marginalized communities, have access to resources and opportunities for growth.” Sen. Lauren Kuby (D-Tempe) said the measure “feels like another drive-by legislation,” and expressed “deep concerns about this possible amendment to our constitution” in her explanation of voting against the measure. [How Lawmakers Responded to Our Reporting on Queer Residents FleeingWith the fear of more LGBTQ+ rights restrictions, possible discrimination, and a culture that appears to be labeling diversity as a threat, Democratic lawmakers are scrambling for how to help fix it.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-75.png)LOOKOUTLOOKOUT Staff![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/2550548_IllustrationforQA_022425-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/these-lawmakers-are-working-for-lgbtq-rights-but-they-need-your-help/) In her yes vote for the measure, Sen. Wendy Rogers (R-Flagstaff) said there was a need to “harken back to rewarding merit and embracing competition,” a common argument made by Republicans who see, inaccurately, that diversity practices reward people with fewer qualifications. Montenegro’s resolution follows [an executive order](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/ending-illegal-discrimination-and-restoring-merit-based-opportunity/?ref=lookoutnews.org) from President Donald Trump’s second day in office that [seeks to dismantle civil rights protections](https://capitalbnews.org/trump-dei-attack-woke-civil-rights/?ref=lookoutnews.org) in hiring and contracts at the federal level, and is a way for Republicans to circumvent the Governor’s veto. If passed by the Senate, it will be sent to voters on the 2026 ballot. Montenegro sponsored [a similar ballot initiative in 2010](https://azmemory.azlibrary.gov/nodes/view/102844?keywords=&type=all&lsk=db65429444da8a8773126e5bbd5c1ef5&ref=lookoutnews.org) that changed the state constitution to eliminate equal opportunity programs, such as affirmative action, from Arizona's public education, employment, and contracts. That measure [was approved by 60% of voters](https://civilrights.org/2010/11/09/arizona-voters-pass-proposition-107-eliminating-equal-opportunity/?ref=lookoutnews.org). ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### A Protest At Phoenix's Lesbian Bar Over Water Highlights Broader Heat Concerns URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-protest-at-phoenixs-lesbian-bar-over-water-highlights-broader-heat-concerns/ Last updated: 2025-04-28T04:01:01.000Z A small protest outside Arizona’s only lesbian bar Friday night escalated into a heated exchange over an online petition demanding the establishment provide free water to patrons. Four protesters gathered outside Boycott Bar in Phoenix, challenging its policy of charging $3 per bottled water. The group handed out cups of water and held signs reading “We Keep Us Safe” and “People Over Profit” while asking bargoers to sign their petition. Lauren Coleman, the protest’s organizer and a local educator, said Boycott should serve as a safe space for all and provide free water, particularly in the nation’s hottest city. “It’s one of the few places lesbians have to gather regularly, and we just want it to be a safer place for everybody,” Coleman said. “When there’s a business by and for lesbians, a lot of our community is going to end up there, and we want people to feel safe.” Some bar patrons stopped to ask questions and sign the petition, while others defended the establishment, calling the protest unnecessary. Later in the evening, the bar’s bouncer began questioning people who had signed the petition and warned they might not be allowed inside. Ultimately, no one was denied entry. The protest reignited a longstanding debate over whether businesses should be required to provide free water, particularly in a state where extreme heat is a deadly issue. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) ### Is it illegal to deny free water in Arizona? It is a common misconception that businesses must provide free water, but no such law exists in Arizona. Boycott Bar is not alone in charging for water. However, given the state’s extreme temperatures, online discussions have for years questioned why there is no legal requirement to provide free water to customers. Efforts to mandate water access have primarily focused on workers. Last year, Phoenix lawmakers passed rules requiring employers to provide outdoor laborers with free drinking water and shade, but no similar laws exist for customers. Water access also became an issue in Goodyear last year when residents were fined by their homeowners association for handing out free water to passersby. Ultimately, the decision to provide free water falls on business owners. Advocates argue that in a state where temperatures can reach 120 degrees, water access should be a legal right or, at the very least, a community priority. Megan Kepler, co-founder of the harm reduction group Urban Front, said Arizona’s government has failed to implement water-access solutions, particularly for unhoused communities. She believes the lack of action is intentional. “We really don’t have any laws that require cities to provide free water,” Kepler said. “At this point, it’s upon neighbors and members of society to distribute water because there is none. Business owners who choose to do so are great, but there’s nothing compelling them.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/03/Boycott11-1.jpg) Photo by Sahara Sajjadi ### Why target Boycott? Boycott Bar is considered a community staple, with LGBTQ+ patrons viewing it as one of the few safe spaces in the state. Coleman said they targeted Boycott because it is the only LGBTQ+ bar they frequent that does not provide free water. While other local LGBTQ+ bars, such as Pat O’s BunkHouse and The Rock, have free water stations, Boycott charges for bottled water. Following the protest, Coleman received a cease-and-desist letter from a public relations firm representing Boycott, demanding they take down a Change.org petition advocating for free water at the bar. The letter, sent by spokesperson Holly Morgan, warned of a potential defamation lawsuit if the petition remained online. As of publication, the petition had more than 500 signatures. Morgan told *LOOKOUT* in a written statement that the protest was an "attempt to target and defame a small, queer, woman-owned business with a Change.org petition over something as minor as the cost of bottled water. This petition has not only spread misinformation but has also opened the door for defamatory and slanderous attacks against our bar and our mission.” Morgan did not clarify in the statement what claims in the petition were misinformation, only that they were "baseless." [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Boycott owner Audrey Corley, who has operated the bar since 2017, also said the petition’s allegations were incorrect and said that if someone needed water, it would be provided. She said running an LGBTQ+ business—especially Arizona’s only lesbian bar—is challenging, particularly amid heightened tensions against the community. Boycott has faced threats, and its dumpster was recently set on fire, though it is unclear whether it was a hate-motivated act. Corley said the $3 charge for bottled water helps keep the business afloat. She said Coleman and the protesters were bullying her online, and that she was planning to have a conversation with Coleman on Monday regarding the issue, but no longer will. “In this political climate, we should be coming together and worrying about real issues, not false allegations about what we do with water,” Corley said. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### How Lawmakers Responded to Our Reporting on Queer Residents Fleeing URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/these-lawmakers-are-working-for-lgbtq-rights-but-they-need-your-help/ Last updated: 2025-03-11T22:18:50.000Z Since President Donald Trump took office in January, transgender people and immigrants have faced heavy realities, the biggest being that Arizona—a state that has swung politically from deep red to light blue to purple and now back to solidly red—may not be the safe haven it was once thought to be. With same-sex marriage increasingly in doubt at the U.S. Supreme Court since Republicans in other states are working to overturn the 2015 ruling that made it legal nationwide, gay and lesbian individuals who may have felt shielded from the conservative-led transgender panic in the Legislature are now also considering alternatives. Many are considering leaving, some have already left. *LOOKOUT* spoke with a few of those people for our Spring Magazine, which came out this month. Some of the people we spoke with described themselves as "refugees" of the state. It's a complicated term, considering that there are not only legal implications behind it—as well as racial. But the feelings of being forcefully displaced ring the same. And for them, there really isn't much of a difference: Arizona politics forced them to flee for their safety. We looked at that [in one of our stories with *The Arizona Agenda*](https://www.lookoutnews.org/some-lgbtq-arizonans-are-avoiding-the-capitol-for-safety/), about how parents of trans kids are avoiding the Capitol altogether for fear of being tracked down and investigated. One person in that story has already left the country. And we also [looked into this for our story with *The 19th*](https://www.lookoutnews.org/queer-arizonans-are-feeling-the-need-to-flee-their-homes-2/), where we interviewed a dozen people who have left, were in the process of leaving, or wanted to leave but couldn't. They all described the same feelings of not feeling safe and the need to plan an exit strategy. We spoke with three prominent Arizona lawmakers about what the future holds and how they plan to support the community. Their key takeaway: They understand why people want to leave. #### U.S. Rep. Yassamin Ansari: ****“It’s heartbreaking for the community.”** **By Zachary Bradshaw* From competing in Speech and Debate at an East Valley high school to becoming Arizona’s newest congressional representative, Yassamin Ansari has much to look forward to. At 32, she is one of the youngest representatives in Washington and only the second Iranian-American to be elected to represent a U.S. district in Congress. However, Ansari’s campaign last November faced criticism, with some claiming she was too centrist to represent District 3, which includes most of metropolitan Phoenix and parts of the West Valley. Despite this, during her time as vice mayor of Phoenix under Mayor Kate Gallego, Ansari championed cultural initiatives. She advocated for a “15-minute city” design to accommodate Phoenix’s growth and organized the city’s first Nowruz festival celebrating the Persian New Year, as well as the annual Pride in the Park festival. **LOOKOUT* reporter Zachary Bradshaw managed to carve out 15 minutes from the congresswoman’s schedule just after Trump’s inauguration to discuss the future of Arizona’s queer population. Many are either bracing for their rights to be taken away or have already seen some of those rights jeopardized by President Donald Trump’s executive orders and cabinet appointments. ****Zachary Bradshaw (LOOKOUT):** Congratulations on your win! We only have a few minutes with you so let’s jump into questions: With this new campaign and the new year, there’s a lot of uncertainty for Arizona’s queer communities. I’m wondering: what might you do to ensure the LGBTQ+ population is safe if federal rules and laws take away some of their rights? ****YA:** Well, thanks so much for the question. I couldn’t agree with you more that so many communities will be impacted by this administration and their harmful policies. The truth is, with a Republican trifecta in Congress, it will be quite difficult. The good news is that Republicans have a very small majority in the House, so I intend to work relentlessly with colleagues across the aisle who may be more sympathetic on this issue to ensure their most extreme policies don’t reach President Trump’s desk. I will also do everything I can to speak out against this extremism, vocally support the LGBTQ community, and work with local organizations in the district to make sure they have the resources and support they need. There have already been a couple of instances of very harmful, anti-LGBTQ legislation coming through Congress that I’ve stood against, alongside the entire Democratic caucus. I also think there are opportunities to work with state and local leaders to ensure LGBTQ+ people are protected. Finally, we need to work with and support state attorneys general, such as ours, Kris Mayes, who will challenge extreme and unconstitutional policies in court. ****ZB:**You mentioned the anti-LGBTQ bills that have been introduced. In 2024, 11 of them were introduced in Arizona. None ended up passing due to not clearing the legislature or being vetoed by Governor Hobbs. But, of course, this is a new political cycle with some new and markedly anti-LGBTQ politicians elected in November. Do you think there will be an uptick in anti-LGBTQ bills being introduced or passed in Arizona? ****YA:** At the state level, there is a Republican majority in both the House and Senate. But the good news is we have a governor who is a strong ally to the LGBTQ community, and I have complete faith she will continue to veto that legislation. Whether more bills will be introduced is very possible. State legislators tend to follow the lead of the federal government, and given the very Republican—and unfortunately very extreme—majority in Congress, I anticipate we’ll continue to see harmful legislation at the federal level, which could influence similar actions at the state level. ****ZB:** President Trump has already announced his intention for the government to recognize only male and female sexes. According to the Williams Institute, roughly 1.5% of Arizona’s youth population—those under the age of 18—identify as transgender. From your standpoint, what does Trump’s recent announcement mean for those youth in Arizona? ****YA:** First of all, I think it’s outrageous that this is what he’s focused on. Trump claims to care about the economy and working people, yet none of the dozens of executive orders he’s signed have anything to do with lowering the cost of living for everyday Americans. The fact that one of those orders targets gender is absolutely outrageous. It’s heartbreaking for the community. I want folks to know they wholeheartedly have an ally on their side in Congress. There are thousands, if not millions, of Arizonans who support them as well. We will work hand in hand with local nonprofits like One-n-Ten and HRC, which fight daily for the community, and with allies at the federal level. This will undoubtedly become a public health crisis—we are perpetuating hatred and stigma that young people should not have to face anymore. ****ZB:** Absolutely. You mentioned HRC, which endorsed you during your campaign. Do you expect other elected officials endorsed by HRC to also advocate for the LGBTQ community? How might that play out over the next two years? ****YA:** Yes, I think there are many allies in Arizona and in Congress. Here in Washington, DC, I’ve joined the Congressional Equality Caucus to promote and defend LGBTQIA rights. A vast majority of Democrats are part of this caucus. The caucus played a big role in voting against the so-called "Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act," which is really just a hateful bill barring transgender women and girls from participating in sports. It’s been great to see the level of support here at the federal level, and people are ready to fight on this issue. ****ZB:** President Trump and his cabinet have recently been firing people who aren’t loyal to him or go against his beliefs. As an elected official, do you fear being attacked for your stance on LGBTQ rights? ****YA:** I do. This administration, along with Trump’s close allies, has been very vengeful. You have figures like Elon Musk threatening to fund primary campaigns against both Republicans and Democrats with unlimited resources. Others, like Tom Homan—the former border czar—have threatened to jail local elected officials who oppose certain immigration policies. I very much believe Trump and his allies when they make these threats. It’s a scary time, but we cannot let that deter us. Democrats need to push back as hard as possible to ensure Americans are aware of what’s happening and to challenge these harmful policies. Personally, I gain solace and strength from my colleagues—especially those who’ve been here longer than I have—by learning from them and strategizing on how to protect ourselves and our communities. #### ****Sen. Analise Ortiz: “It's a stain on the state of Arizona”** **By Celina Jiménez* State Sen. Analise Ortiz is a TikTok star, a firebrand progressive, and an up-and-coming name in progressive politics across the nation. Ortiz’s career spans from being a former reporter to a communications assistant with Arizona’s ACLU chapter, to state representative, and now senator for her home in Maryvale, a suburb of West Phoenix. Ortiz has gained notoriety for her bluntness on progressive issues, whether calling out Democrats for moving too far to the right or making national headlines alongside LGBTQ+ caucus colleague Oscar De Los Santos as they chanted “shame” on the House floor after last year’s abortion ruling. However, she has also faced criticism from progressive groups for working in bipartisan ways—such as collaborating with Freedom Caucus member Rep. Alex Kolodin on a criminal justice reform bill—with some claiming she betrayed her constituents. In a state like Arizona, where Democrats often struggle to advance their passion projects without working with political opponents, Ortiz stands out as a figure to watch. LOOKOUT’s Public Safety Fellow Celina Jimenez sat down with Ortiz just before the new year, ahead of Donald Trump’s inauguration and a flurry of executive orders, to discuss what is at stake for the future of Arizona’s queer communities and how people can get involved. ****Celina Jiménez:** Some people have expressed that they feel like they can't rely on state leaders to protect them. They’re feeling like their only choice is to flee the state, especially right now. As a state leader, how does this make you feel? ****Analise Ortiz (AO):** It's horrible. I feel ashamed that we are in this position where people in the LGBTQ community are feeling as though they are not safe here. The direct hostility towards the LGBTQ community that is coming from the Trump administration – and also members of the state legislature – is just absolutely unacceptable. And people are afraid that with the incoming administration, the cost of these hateful policies could lead to someone not being able to file their exemption anymore, or someone losing a career they've worked hard for, or not being able to find a place to live because of discrimination. So it hurts my heart to hear that folks are moving out of the state because of fears that they are not safe, and it makes me want to be more committed and double down on my support as a member of the LGBTQ+ caucus and as a legislator to continue pushing for a statewide non-discrimination order. ****LO:** Since we can't pass that non-discrimination bill statewide right now, what do you feel like that tells our LGBTQ population about how much we, as a state, value them and their ability to live freely? ****AO:** It's incredibly frustrating that we cannot pass a statewide non-discrimination ordinance because Republicans, who are the majority in the legislature, continue to block legislation year after year. I do have hope that there are cities and towns that have passed non-discrimination ordinances within their own city limits, and I think that really signals that there are safe places within the state of Arizona that value our LGBTQ community. We also have a strong ally in Governor Hobbs, who has vetoed every single anti-LGBT piece of legislation that has come to her desk. As for my constituents in LD 24, I'm going to continue to be a vocal voice within our LGBTQ + community, because everyone should feel welcome. And they always will be welcome within my office and at the state capitol as long as I am there. ****LO:** Is this sentiment something that you were already familiar with? Is this something that your constituents and your colleagues have been talking to you about? ****AO:** I hadn’t heard people say that they actually had plans to leave the state, but I will say that throughout this last campaign, it was very common that as I was knocking on doors, I would meet LGBTQ+ constituents who told me that this was their top concern. There are so many members of my community in Maryvale and Glendale who had told me that when Roe v. Wade was overturned, their first thought was that the Supreme Court is going to come after Obergefell v Hodges next. They expect marriage to go next. And that really made people start to reconsider. They started asking themselves, do I need to get married to my partner now? Do I need to put some safety plans in place? And it shouldn't be the reality that we are living in. But yes, I will say that that fear was very palpable prior to November 5th. ****LO:** What do you feel like it will do to Arizona's culture if these groups of people do go forward with their plans to flee for more progressive states? ****AO:** Every time this anti-LGBTQ legislature is part of the conversation, we tell Republicans again and again that this is business. It is bad for the economy. We are going to lose valuable members of our community, or maybe people that are thinking about moving here will no longer move here. And not just individuals – this also impacts businesses. If there are businesses that really value the LGBTQ+ community that are considering moving to Arizona, they might reconsider if they see that we do not have the policies in place to make sure their employees can live safe, free, authentic lives within our state. So this is an economic development issue, it is a business issue, and it is a culture issue. We want to have thriving neighborhoods. We want to have the art and culture that is part of the rich diversity that our LGBTQ+ community brings to this state. And if we are to continue to see these terrible, hostile bills, that's going to dwindle away and create more isolation within the LGBTQ+ community. And that is not a future that I want for Arizona as a pansexual woman. ****LO:** When you were going door-to-door speaking with some of your LGBTQ constituents, did you hear any of them refer to themselves as ‘refugees of our state,’ or is that idea something you’ve been made aware of at all? ****AO:** That's not a term that I’ve heard, but I would really understand if somebody feels that they truly are a refugee because they can't live their full lives here. ****LO:** We've spoken a little bit about what message that sends to people within our own communities and even nationwide – but what about to the world? What does it tell the world that these people are calling themselves refugees of our state? ****AO:** It's a stain on the state of Arizona if even one single person doesn't feel safe here to live out their life as an LGBTQ+ person. We should not be in that position, and it's a reputation that I am committed to turning around. And we need to do that through policy. That's why I'm looking forward to co-sponsoring the non-discrimination ordinance. I'm also sponsoring a bill related to creating the state's first LGBTQ+ license plate. And we're going to continue to have a trans youth day at the Capitol. We're going to continue to celebrate the diversity and the richness of our community. And the Republicans in power cannot scare us away from doing that. ****LO:** Are there any other personal plans you have in place in the event that federal rules and laws do take away more of our rights? ****AO:** I personally want to dig in deeper with my community so that no matter what happens at the federal level, we will have the safety net on the ground to take care of one another. That's a real thing that we need to prepare for, and I plan to just show up for my community and for my loved ones who are LGBTQ to make sure that they have what they need if things get to that point on the federal level. And I'm encouraged by organizations like the Human Rights Campaign that have long been doing that work to build community on a hyper-global level. I think those are the organizations that really have the resources to be able to help shepherd us through this moment. #### Rep. Patty Contreras: ****“There are no guarantees in this environment.”** **By Geri Koeppel* Last year, Phoenix Democrat Rep. Patty Contreras sat in the Capitol and listened as one of her fellow representatives, Lupe Diaz of Benson, said the U.S. was “unrighteous” because of people like her, who are part of the LGBTQ+ community. That moment sticks in Contreras’ mind as an example of the “ignorance” she said consumes many people with the Republican Party in power at the Capitol. But that hasn’t stopped Contreras from continuing to fight for the dignity of her community. Reporter Geri Koeppel spoke with Contreras about that moment, as well as the future of progressive legislation and how she and her wife are planning for a future in which same-sex marriage is taken away. ****Geri Koeppel (LOOKOUT):** Thanks for taking the time to talk with me, Patty. First off, do you have a sense of the type and number of anti-LGBTQ+ bills that might come up again in the legislative session? ****Rep. Patty Contreras:** I’m not sure how many will come up, but unfortunately, we're seeing hundreds of them throughout the country—these anti-LGBTQ+ bills. I know Senator Kavanaugh has already dropped a couple of bills. And it’s unfortunate because we're just regular people, and here they want to make us into "others." Senator \[John\] Kavanagh \[of Fountain Hills\] seems to have such an issue with gay people, especially our trans population. That’s very unfortunate because they’re just trying to live their own lives. ****GK:** On that note: As a lesbian, you have to work with these folks—lawmakers with fairly extreme viewpoints on the community—who openly intimidate and try to take away the rights of LGBTQ+ people who want to live in peace. Do you see any hope for building bridges with these fellow legislators like Kavanagh someday? ****PC:** It’s unfortunate, but I don’t think we can get through to some of these folks. I mean, I work with them, and they all seem like decent people. I hope they think I’m a decent person. But some of them are just so—I don’t know what word to use; I’ll say ignorant—so ignorant of the fact that we exist. We’ve existed for as long as humans have existed—lesbians, gay people, trans people, and more. I’m really offended that they think they need to make laws to dictate my life—how I live and who I love. I’ll give an example of their ignorance. Last year, Easter coincided with Trans Day of Visibility, which is always on March 31st. One of the legislators, who is a pastor, got up the next day and practically delivered a sermon vilifying trans people and the fact that the President had made a statement about Trans Day of Visibility. Easter falls on a different day every year, but Trans Day of Visibility is always March 31st. It just happened to overlap that year. He acted like, “How dare they, on the holiest day of the year, bring up trans people.” I thought, “Oh my God, you are so ignorant.” It infuriated me and made me so mad that they can’t see beyond their ignorance. ****GK:** When you hear those things from somebody you have to work with and negotiate with, how does that make you feel? ****PC:** I feel like I’m not being heard. Unfortunately, he’s entrenched in his view as much as I am in mine. I think people should figure out how to live together and respect each other. His view is, “You’re gay, you’re bad,” and I think my view is much more respectful of people than his. It’s really hard for me to get beyond that. We need mutual respect—yes—but you need to respect me if you expect me to respect you. ****GK:** So, extrapolating that to your constituents and other LGBTQ+ people in the state, what message does it send to the state and the world when legislators have such extreme stances that they make people feel like refugees? ****PC:** I get people telling me they’re afraid to be out and be who they are. I’ve been out for over 40 years, but 40 years ago, it was a whole different time. I was basically closeted. I wouldn’t say, “I’m gay, I’m lesbian,” but I never hid it if people asked. Nowadays, with social media being so prominent, young people are hearing all these negative things about gay people, and it’s hurting them. Our LGBTQ+ caucus in the state Legislature is out there for them. We will protect them to the best of our ability. We fight on the floor and in committees for gays, lesbians, trans people—all of our community—because it’s so important that they understand there are people out there supporting them. ****GK:** How exactly can legislators like you and other like-minded people support them when you can’t get legislation passed and can’t often block the hate legislation? ****PC:** The hate legislation does go through, and that’s very unfortunate. I’ve seen testimony from young people laying their lives on the line, talking about how hard it is for them with bullying and non-acceptance. Yet, we have legislators who will still vote against these young people who are just trying to live their authentic lives. Unfortunately, as a Democratic minority, we can’t get the votes. But we can make our stand on the floor and in committees. Right now, we have Governor Hobbs to back us up and veto hateful bills. That veto is a powerful tool, and it’s so important we have Katie Hobbs there because, without her, such crazy bills could pass. ****GK:** How does it make you feel personally when people say they don’t feel safe here and their only choice is to leave the state? ****PC:** I get that. My wife is one of those people. She thinks everything is going to come down on us, that they’re going to round us up or take away our rights. Right now, we have a Democratic attorney general and governor who will protect our rights, but the future is uncertain. My wife and I are meeting with lawyers to make sure our wills and trusts are in order in case something happens. We need to have what we want documented and lawful. I actually have a friend in Florida who’s changing his name to match his partner’s so they’ll be considered “brothers” legally if gay marriage is overturned. Arizona still has anti-gay laws on the books, and if the federal government dissolves legalized marriage, those laws could come back into effect. My wife and I were married in 2008 in California during a brief window when it was allowed. I’d hope we’d be grandfathered in, but there are no guarantees in this environment. ****GK:** How do you feel when lifelong residents of Arizona say they don’t feel they have a future here? ****PC:** It’s heartbreaking. I’m a third-generation Arizonan, and I’ve tried to live my life authentically. I worked for the City of Phoenix, which had gay rights protections, and that was great. People need to find supportive communities and jobs. But I get that people feel unsafe and worry about their families. It’s so unfortunate because Arizona is such a beautiful state. I just wish this wasn’t an issue. We’re just regular people trying to live our lives, have families, and be productive members of society. *Correction: An earlier version of this story misspelled LOOKOUT writer Zachary Bradshaw. We deeply regret the error.* ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### LGBTQ+ Arizonans Are Fleeing the State. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/queer-arizonans-are-feeling-the-need-to-flee-their-homes-2/ Last updated: 2025-03-11T22:24:26.000Z Nova Galloway graduated from Grand Canyon University with one goal: become the kind of teacher students would not only be excited to learn from, but also feel safe enough to confide in. Galloway, who lives in Tempe, a city neighboring Phoenix, said the first few years of teaching were manageable. But then the pandemic hit, and frustrations grew over the lack of resources provided to teachers, the [little technology offered to students](https://mapazdashboard.arizona.edu/article/distance-learning-how-covid-19-impacts-arizona-students?ref=lookoutnews.org) to learn from home, and [backsliding on in-person schooling](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wx4xZ3QmEFk&ref=lookoutnews.org) despite rising COVID numbers in the state. At the same time, [the state legislature was passing stricter laws](https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-education/2020/01/09/arizona-legislature-could-outlaw-discussion-school-sex-education-seventh-grade-homosexuality-sb-1082/2849132001/?ref=lookoutnews.org) on how teachers could address student issues, particularly around sexuality and gender. Teachers across the state — and the country — were starting to be called “groomers” by school board officials and parents for discussing sexual health issues, utilizing books with LGBTQ+ characters, or even teaching proper pronoun usage. In Arizona, [one teacher had a rock thrown through a window](https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-teachers-road-to-acceptance-and-fighting-back-against-hate/) at their home after a school board member posted their address, allegedly targeting them for being nonbinary, and [another had death threats](https://www.lookoutnews.org/after-online-attacks-against-her-by-an-incoming-school-board-member-a-mesa-teacher-is-suing/) after her phone number was leaked by local far-right media because they lead a local group for parents of trans youth. Galloway believed in keeping a low profile. But in the past few years, Galloway also began to recognize they didn’t feel comfortable with their sex assigned at birth. They started using different pronouns and a new name outside of school, which students caught wind of when they found Galloway’s TikTok account. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Afraid of broaching subjects that could land them on leave or dismissed from their position, Galloway continued to try to keep to themself. But the stress of closeting themself has been too much. And after years of a brewing — and arguably successful — culture war against gender and sexuality in public schools, Galloway is moving toward a new future outside of teaching, and out of Arizona, entirely. “I just feel like anything can happen, and I don’t want to be here for it,” Galloway said. Galloway is one of many LGBTQ+ people fleeing Arizona, where LGBTQ+ rights are hotly contested. *LOOKOUT* spoke with more than a dozen queer individuals over the course of two months who have either recently left the state, wanted to move, or are planning to move out of Arizona due to concerns about what the next four years or longer might look like. Their reasons for leaving vary, from health care to protecting their marriages. But there was one common thread: Arizona is no longer safe. --- Arizona has built a reputation for its independent political streak. Former Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, originally a Democrat, [often clashed](https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2022/12/kyrsten-sinema-leaves-democrat-party-independent-volunteers/672455/?ref=lookoutnews.org) with her party’s efforts to enact sweeping changes. The late Sen. John McCain, a Republican, [faced backlash from MAGA-aligned](https://www.npr.org/2019/03/20/705279001/trump-carries-on-criticism-of-mccain-as-a-republican-calls-his-words-deplorable?ref=lookoutnews.org) lawmakers for blocking his party’s attempt to repeal Obamacare during Donald Trump’s first term. Meanwhile, current Democratic Sens. Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly [have recently voted in near lockstep with Republicans](https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/chart-arizona-gallego-kelly-keep-voting-along-with-trump-gop-21138310?ref=lookoutnews.org) more than other Democrats on key Senate bills and Trump-era confirmations. [Some LGBTQ+ Arizonans Are Avoiding the Capitol For SafetyWhile advocates advised families of queer youth to stop showing up at the Capitol for fear of being sought out and investigated, others continue to have their voices heard in hearings.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-74.png)LOOKOUTTori Gantz (she/they)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/AGENDA-LOOKOUT-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/some-lgbtq-arizonans-are-avoiding-the-capitol-for-safety/) At the state level, Arizona politics reflect a similar centrist trend. In the 2022 election, voters elected Democrats to the state’s three most powerful positions: governor, secretary of state and attorney general. In the 2024 general election, voters approved a ballot measure adding abortion protections to the state constitution and rejected far-right Senate candidate Kari Lake. However, in that same election, Republicans — including far-right conservatives — won key positions that were seen to be safe for Democrats, securing seats in Maricopa County’s Attorney’s Office, Sheriff’s Office, school superintendent, and the state’s Corporation Commission. > **“This was the first time we felt like we had to move. If we don’t move, our kids will not grow up to be confident and secure people.”** > \-Robert Chevaleau > Former Arizona resident who moved to protect his children. And while Republicans previously held only a narrow majority by one vote in both chambers before this year, the party now has a four-seat advantage in the Senate and six seats in the House of Representatives. Though not a veto-proof majority, it’s enough to pass state resolutions and place measures on the 2026 ballot. Some of those proposals already under discussion target LGBTQ+ rights, including pronoun usage and bathroom bills. While Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs still holds the power to veto bills targeting queer people — and [she’s vetoed every one that’s come across her desk, so far](https://azmirror.com/briefs/hobbs-vetoes-republican-anti-trans-ten-commandments-in-schools-bills/?ref=lookoutnews.org) — living at the mercy of someone else’s pen stroke has not provided a sense of safety for many Arizonans. And the governor’s vetoes aren’t a guarantee: Last session, when Republicans attempted to bypass the governor’s veto regarding pronoun usage in schools and a bathroom ban for transgender children, Sen. John Kavanagh (R-Fountain Hills) introduced a Senate resolution that would have gone to voters. It failed by one vote — [cast by moderate Republican Sen. Ken Bennett](https://www.kjzz.org/2024-02-26/content-1872416-arizona-state-senator-blocks-bill-sending-transgender-laws-ballot-citing-nephews-and?ref=lookoutnews.org) of Prescott, who was later defeated in his primary, largely due to that decision. As a result of those political shifts, many Arizonans who were once proud to be part of a devil-may-care and Wild West state are now fleeing to other parts of the nation — and the world — where they foresee a more secure future. In the past decade, multiple states across the South and Midwest passed laws banning drag from public spaces, hanging LGBTQ+ flags in schools or on public grounds, pushing for parental rights in schools, setting up[ tip lines for people to report teachers](https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/11/politics/arizona-critical-race-theory-department-of-education-tom-horne/index.html?ref=lookoutnews.org) instructing “gender ideology,” and banning transgender students from playing in sports. Multiple LGBTQ+ advocacy groups advised queer people to avoid traveling to states [such as Texas](https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/02/02/lgbtq-safe-states/?ref=lookoutnews.org) or [Florida](https://abcnews.go.com/US/florida-travel-advisory-issued-state-lgbtq-civil-rights/story?id=98554565&ref=lookoutnews.org) over safety concerns. In that time period, there was an [influx of stories](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/15/magazine/gender-therapy.html?ref=lookoutnews.org) where people — particularly parents of trans youth — moved their kids out of unsafe states to places where their children could live without politics bearing down on their lives. Arizona was one of them. “I couldn’t imagine moving back,” said Robert Chevaleau, who left Arizona for California in 2020 with his wife and two queer children. While in Arizona, Chevaleau sought help with school policies that discriminated against one of his children, who is transgender. But no matter where he turned — from administrators to elected officials — he faced resistance. “I expected my daughter could have long hair at school, wear a dress, wear earrings — I’m not even talking about bathrooms, just a dress. Surely that’s not unreasonable,” he said. He went from teachers to principals to school boards and finally the CEO of his daughter’s charter school to find someone to reason with. “And I was really surprised it wasn’t there.” After multiple attempts to meet with local lawmakers in the House of Representatives and trying to negotiate with school leaders who were pushing anti-trans rules in schools, he and his wife decided it was time to leave. [Anti-LGBTQ+ Hate Crimes in Arizona Are Increasing. There’s No Law to Prosecute Them.Arizona doesn’t have a hate crime statute. And due to gaps in reporting and data, tracking bias-motivated crimes here is a mess.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-69.png)LOOKOUTCelina Jiménez (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/shutterstock_2431385685-1.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/hate-crime-enhancements-in-arizona-whats-included-whats-not-and-what-that-means-for-the-lgbtq-community/) “We’ve lived all over … you move for work or family and say, ‘OK, this will be a new adventure,’” Chevaleau said. “This was the first time we felt like we had to move. If we don’t move, our kids will not grow up to be confident and secure people.” Shortly after the family moved, former Republican Gov. Doug Ducey signed two bills targeting transgender children — banning surgeries and barring transgender girls from playing in girls’ sports. Now, Cheveleau said both of his children are thriving away from the politics of Arizona, and doesn’t question his move. “When you have no one in leadership supporting you, it’s hard to get ahead and it’s hard to find your feet,” he said. “It’s just hard to catch your breath, which is really important when you’re a kid.” But the attacks on trans people are extending beyond that community with conservatives who have long argued against same-sex marriage and legal protections for LGBTQ+ people. In Arizona, that would have far-reaching consequences if those were ripped away. --- In 2022, 16 states had adopted marriage equality laws through legislation or voter initiatives. Today, 29 states — including Arizona — still have anti-LGBTQ+ laws, including same-sex marriage bans, in their constitutions or state statutes that have not been removed since the U.S. Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage nationwide in 2015 with the *Obergefell v. Hodges* ruling. That Supreme Court decision established that states had to recognize same-sex marriages and grant all people with marriage licenses the same state rights as everyone else, including property rights and rights of survivorship. In 2022, when the Supreme Court ruled in *Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization* to overturn abortion as a right, Justice Clarence Thomas wrote in a concurring opinion alongside the majority that the same reasoning for overturning abortion should be applied to same-sex marriage as well as sodomy laws. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Since that ruling, LGBTQ+ advocates have been bracing for a worst-case scenario of seeing a same-sex marriage case make its way to the Supreme Court. > **“I don’t want to sit around and wait for something to happen and it’s too late."** > \-Blake Reeves > Moved from Arizona with his partner this year. In Colorado, voters amended the state constitution to allow same-sex marriage in the 2024 general election. In Virginia, lawmakers are advancing a resolution to place a similar measure on the 2026 ballot. However, in Arizona, efforts to remove the ban from the state constitution have been blocked by Republican lawmakers, who have refused to allow bills on the issue to be heard in committee or receive public input. Rep. Oscar De Los Santos, a Democrat from Phoenix and the state House minority leader, introduced a bill last year that would have put the issue before voters in the general election, but it was never given a hearing. This year, Rep. Brian Garcia, D-Phoenix, is attempting the same ahead of the 2026 midterms but has faced the same roadblocks of not being heard in a committee, which is the first step to getting a bill passed. There is a stop-gap Arizonans are leaning on: Congress passed the Respect for Marriage Act in 2022, requiring states to recognize marriage licenses from other states. The federal law allows couples to leave their state to marry and return with their union recognized. But it remains unclear what would happen to marriages in Arizona and other states where bans are still in place. [Getting Your Marriage Documents In Order Is a Good IdeaWhile legal experts said same-sex marriage is safe for now, attacks on LGBTQ+ couples could increase in the future.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-70.png)LOOKOUTTori Gantz (she/they)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/19213275761_8e3c5179ea_k-1.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/getting-your-marriage-documents-in-order-is-a-good-idea/) Some advocates believe existing marriages would be grandfathered in, but no further marriage licenses would be issued. But others believe state bans could void marriages, stripping couples of key rights, including property ownership, medical visitation, automatic parentage and wrongful death claims, unless they marry outside the state. That outcome is less likely, they say. The concerns extend beyond same-sex marriage. Arizona has no hate crime statute, despite multiple attempts by lawmakers to pass one. While [there is broad support for nondiscrimination protections across Arizona](https://www.lookoutnews.org/anti-discrimination-bills-for-the-lgbtq-community-have-wide-support-so-why-cant-a-bill-get-passed/), the state has no law preventing LGBTQ+ people from being evicted, fired or denied services. Protections exist only through a patchwork of city ordinances and an executive order shielding state employees — an order that a future governor could reverse. Married couple Blake Reeves and Nick Earl say they see “the writing on the wall” and are choosing to leave before their marriage rights could be challenged by the state. Both men grew up in Arizona: Reeves in the Phoenix suburbs, Earl in Lake Havasu City in northwestern Arizona. When they bought their home in Phoenix’s midtown area, they intended to make it their forever home. “We always joked about leaving, but we really like Phoenix,” Reeves said, explaining that they had no plans to leave the mid-century home they had renovated. Both men’s families and all their friends still live in the state. They feel an affinity for the desert heat and the beauty of Arizona — to which Earl said he feels a “spiritual connection.” They never considered how politics might affect their lives as a couple. “This is home, even if it comes with flaws we were OK with pushing through,” Earl said. That is, until now. Reeves and Earl said they feel in limbo, unsure of what to do if the U.S. Supreme Court were to overturn its 2015 ruling in *Obergefell v. Hodges*, which granted them the right to marry in their home state. With Trump’s second term, they’ve noticed how emboldened conservatives have become in trying to reverse that decision. And their concern is not unfounded: In Idaho, the state’s Republican legislature filed a letter with the Supreme Court asking them to reverse the Obergefell ruling. The Arizona-based Alliance Defending Freedom, which helped get *Roe v. Wade* overturned and lobbied for the Supreme Court case that removed discrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people, is pushing to overturn same-sex marriage. Late last year, Reeves received an offer to relocate his job to San Francisco, and the couple saw it as an opportunity to escape. “I don’t want to sit around and wait for something to happen and it’s too late,” Reeves said. What’s worse, they said, is that they don’t know if anyone with power in the state would — or even could — stand up for them. “After the election, we saw officials in other states really take a stand and say that LGBT people would be protected,” Earl said. “It’s been crickets in Arizona.” --- It’s unclear how many people are actually trying to flee Arizona. While there is a growing body of data analyzing LGBTQ+ migration into the United States and certain states, research on migration patterns of queer populations between states is not as robust. The Trevor Project, a national LGBTQ+ advocacy group, [identified in 2022 that Arizona was one of 10 states](https://transequality.org/sites/default/files/2024-02/2022%20USTS%20Early%20Insights%20Report%5FFINAL.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) where transgender people, specifically, had moved out of due to state laws that targeted them or their families. Out of more than 90,000 transgender respondents, 5% said they had already relocated out of states such as Alabama, Arizona, Texas, Florida, Georgia and Ohio. Last year, [Data for Progress surveyed 1,036 people](https://www.filesforprogress.org/datasets/2023/6/dfp%5Flgbtq%5Fpride%5Fpoll%5Fpolitical%5Fimpacts%5Ftabs.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) and found that 5% of all LGBTQ+ people surveyed across the nation had moved out of a state because of anti-LGBTQ+ laws. For people who identified as nonbinary or transgender, the number rose to 21%. And just this year, [The Trevor Project and Movement Advancement Project found that many LGBTQ+ young people](https://www.thetrevorproject.org/research-briefs/how-state-policy-affects-the-well-being-and-relocation-of-lgbtq-young-people/?ref=lookoutnews.org) and their families have had to consider leaving their state. Nearly two in five young people reported thinking about moving, and 4 percent of all respondents relocated. > **"We’re first-time homebuyers, and we should be ecstatic about it, but I can’t even enjoy it because I don’t know what’s going to happen to us."** > \-Jo > Bought a home with their wife in rural Florence to secure financial security for their marriage. But overall numbers are difficult to obtain: Other data, such as real estate listings, are less revealing since records only reflect a small portion of queer people who are married, own property together, and might be selling their homes. They don’t account for renters or unmarried couples looking to sell or rent out their homes. To gauge the exodus in Arizona, there are only anecdotes from those who have already left or are planning to move. But moving isn’t easy, and some people *LOOKOUT* spoke with have encountered roadblocks, whether due to a lack of finances to relocate to a safer place or, for those trying to leave the United States, immigration issues. Galloway, the teacher from Tempe, is renting out their home and plans to move to Uruguay by the summer. However, before doing so, they need to renew their passport, which still lists their sex assigned at birth. Due to a new executive order and Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s decision to freeze applications with an X gender marker, Galloway has come to terms with the fact they won’t be able to change the legal documents to reflect their gender or name on their passport — a personal goal they had for the year. LGBTQ+ advocacy and civil rights groups, including the ACLU, are advising people who need gender markers changed on their passports to not do so right now. For others, such as Jo and their wife, Cristine, the decision to move was complicated by finances. Both asked that their last names not be used, as one works for the federal government and fears retaliation. The couple moved back to Arizona during the pandemic and had plans to stay. But with the recent election, they planned to use savings from moving home to buy a place in Northern California. They contacted a real estate agent and had put a bid down on a home close to San Francisco, but the house they were under contract with required extensive repairs — more money than they had. When they were looking at other places they could afford in more rural areas, the people and politics of the region reminded them of the same areas they wanted to leave behind. So, they’re staying. “The universe was just telling us things, and we decided to stay in Arizona, put our head between our knees and hunker down,” Jo said. Because Arizona has community property rights for married couples, they felt the need to buy a home in Arizona to secure their financial future in case their marriage was no longer recognized. The only place they could afford was Florence, Arizona — a rural and bright red town that is mainly known for its state prison and famously MAGA-friendly Pinal County Sheriff Mark Lamb. “Not all of us queers can afford to live in the Melrose district,” Jo said, referring to Phoenix’s de facto gayborhood. “You’ve gotta be a certain kind of queer to afford that, and we’re not those queers.” Buying a house should have been a celebratory moment, Jo said. “It’s sad. It’s surreal. We’re first-time homebuyers, and we should be ecstatic about it, but I can’t even enjoy it because I don’t know what’s going to happen to us.” ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Maricopa County Community College Disbands LGBTQ+, Other Affinity Groups URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/maricopa-county-community-college-disbands-lgbtq-group/ Last updated: 2025-03-11T22:19:05.000Z The nation’s largest community college system, Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD), announced on Friday that Equality Maricopa, the college’s largest affinity group for LGBTQ+ staff, students, and teachers, is being disbanded to comply with an end-of-the-day deadline to enforce new priorities from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights. “As of right now, we are an affinity group and affinity groups as per the email will be discontinued under the current guidance,” said one Equality Maricopa group member who wanted to not be named. The new guidance, sent out by MCCCD Chancellor Steven Gonzalez in an email, said the college would no longer provide financial support for a number of activities including: provide funding for teacher or staff-led groups to attend conferences related to race, gender, or national original; disbanding all affinity groups related to diversity, equity, and inclusion; removing all groups focused on expanding diversity or equity among the college campuses; and removing all language associated with race, gender, or sexuality from the website. You can read the letter below: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/Screenshot-2025-02-28-at-4.47.08-PM.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/Screenshot-2025-02-28-at-4.47.17-PM.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/Screenshot-2025-02-28-at-4.47.26-PM.png) The new guidance around diversity means that Equality Maricopa will not be able to use district funds to appear at community events including Rainbows Fest, Phoenix Pride, and fundraising for their Prism Scholarships to students, according to the source. This year alone, 10 students received scholarships through Equality Maricopa. “My understanding is that the scholarships are frozen,” said the source inside Equality Maricopa. Already, the effects have started to take place: Equality Maricopa's former landing page, hosted on the MCCCD website, can [no longer be accessed](https://www.maricopa.edu/community/affinity-groups/equality-maricopa?ref=lookoutnews.org). "I don’t have words to express the emotions I’m feeling," said the source. "I went over the letter with some of my students, we had to go get tissues because one of my students started crying, which is not a good thing to see. " In a statement to *LOOKOUT*, a spokesperson for Equality Maricopa said that, the group was still "fully committed to supporting our LGBTQIA+ students and community. While we are saddened by recent federal guidance that has required MCCCD to make specific changes, we look forward to working with our campus leaders to reimagine what is possible as we support all of our students." "While the structure of our group may look different in the future, we still plan to be involved in community events and help raise critical funds to help our students remove barriers so they can finish their education," the statement from the spokesperson read. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png) Gonzalez's letter said that failure to comply with the order would mean federal investigation and loss of funds: “Based on the current state of affairs and as a public institution, we must comply with the law and enforcement guidance issued by regulatory agencies.” According to the memo, “gender identity-related signage,” including pronouns cannot be used in email signatures, business cards and other Maricopa County Community College District contact materials going forward. Bathroom and facility labels, specifically those for gender-neutral or all-gender restrooms, are starting to be updated, it reads. “DEI-related positions, whether volunteer or paid, will need to be reevaluated, which may result in shifts to existing work,” Gonzalez said. The district’s diversity advisory council, similar college-based councils and their awards are also required to disband. In a statement from MCCCD, a district spokesperson write that the institution "must comply with all local, state, and federal laws, including recently issued guidance from the federal government. In response to this guidance, the District was obligated to conduct an internal audit. Some programs, such as convocation ceremonies and Employee Affinity Group events and activities at MCCCD have been impacted." The statement said that the changes "may be disappointing to some of our students and employees," and that the situation is evolving and "additional information will be shared when available." ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Some LGBTQ+ Arizonans Are Avoiding the Capitol For Safety URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/some-lgbtq-arizonans-are-avoiding-the-capitol-for-safety/ Last updated: 2025-03-11T22:25:02.000Z Erica Keppler is going through her possessions and figuring out what she can sell. Moving out of the country is expensive, and she can’t bring everything she’s amassed in the 26 years she’s lived in her Phoenix home. Keppler is also trying to find time to learn Spanish, in case that's the language spoken in the country she needs to flee to. But until that moment comes, Keppler’s continuing her advocacy against anti-transgender bills at Arizona’s Legislature, watchdogging the legislative action on behalf of her community, a practice she has mastered throughout her retirement. But as a transgender woman keenly aware of the transphobia dominating the country’s executive branch and seeping into the state Legislature, Keppler knows she might not be safe in the United States for much longer. More than ten years ago, Keppler first went to the state Capitol to testify against one of Republican Sen. John Kavanagh's “bathroom bills” that would force students to use gendered bathrooms based on their sex assigned at birth. That was in 2013, before President Donald Trump’s first presidency and the onslaught of anti-transgender measures that have come with a second one. A lot has changed since then, and so has Keppler’s approach to advocating at the Capitol. “We have moved from a world where there was just kind of general negative cultural attitudes into a world of very organized anti-trans hate that's extremely well funded and coming from the most powerful people,” Keppler said. “Before we had hope of making progress. Now, we have to find hope in saving ourselves.” The shift into a second Trump presidency has changed the way transgender rights advocates advocate at the state Capitol. The stakes have become much higher, especially for queer people and their families who go to the Capitol to testify. The vitriol transgender people face from their Republican lawmakers and their online supporters – and the general inability to break through ideological anti-trans talking points – has forced many trans activists to reconsider whether their efforts are worth the time, energy and mental anguish that goes along with participating in public life as a trans person. When Keppler first came to Arizona’s Capitol to testify against Kavanagh’s 2013 bathroom bill, she said more than 200 people showed up to speak out against the bill. This year, the rooms have been even emptier. In the past, queer people and their families have made their way to the Capitol to face the lawmakers proposing legislation that would fundamentally alter their lives. Now, they’re not. Their fear is not without good reason: On his first day in office, Trump issued an [executive order](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/defending-women-from-gender-ideology-extremism-and-restoring-biological-truth-to-the-federal-government/?ref=lookoutnews.org) declaring the government would only recognize female and male genders. His administration removed references to transgender people on government websites and [directed the federal Bureau of Prisons](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/24/us/federal-judge-transgender-inmates-trump-order.html?ref=lookoutnews.org) to house transgender women based on their sex at birth. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Both of those orders are currently being challenged in court, but it’s just a small portion of the president’s anti-trans agenda. - Trump declared the gender markers issued on all new passports have to be [based on one’s sex assigned at birth](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/passport-help/sex-marker.html?ref=lookoutnews.org), and the “X” gender marker that intersex, nonbinary and transgender people often use is no longer an option. - The president declared transgender people [can’t serve in the military](https://apnews.com/article/trump-transgender-troops-executive-order-8373e8f3c4d59a7f99962f62a611be0b?ref=lookoutnews.org). - Medical providers that provide gender-affirming care to people under 19 [can’t get federal funding](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/protecting-children-from-chemical-and-surgical-mutilation/?ref=lookoutnews.org), and many have stopped giving that care to transgender youth, altogether, despite a court ruling putting the order on pause. And Arizona’s Republicans have been busy trying to strip away transgender rights in Arizona, too. Kavanagh has resurrected the bathroom bills he’s run for years to determine which locker rooms transgender students can use and define which pronouns students can be called. Republican Sen. Janae Shamp is running a bill to punish healthcare providers who perform gender transition procedures on minors, which she called “extreme physical butchering.” Republican Rep. Lisa Fink — a new lawmaker with [ties to Christian nationalists](https://www.lookoutnews.org/lisa-fink-new-bill-attempts-to-ban-intersex-people/) — created a bill requiring the state to identify every person as either male or female while creating distinct, separate spaces for both genders in places like locker rooms and domestic violence shelters. > **“Every time these kids are showing up at the Capitol, they're missing out on learning. They're missing out on school. They're missing out on the day with their friends to do that, and what they encounter when they miss out on that are some horrific things.”** > \-Tami Staas > Executive Director of AZ Trans Youth Parent Organization The message from the administration and its loyalists is unequivocal: Transgender people aren’t welcome in the United States. So instead of going toe-to-toe with lawmakers, advocates are taking a different approach: let allies do the talking and keep the kids away from lawmakers who might attack them. “In past legislative sessions, we have packed the room to show support for the folks that are testifying and show support for the \[LGBTQ+\] community,” said Bridget Sharpe, Arizona State Director for the Human Rights Campaign. “This session feels different because there's a lot of fear coming from, obviously, the Trump administration, with all of the executive orders that have come down specific to trans kids.” After Trump signed the “Protecting Children From Chemical And Surgical Mutilation” executive order aimed at ending gender-affirming care for youth under 19 years old, one organizer in Southern Arizona–who spoke to *LOOKOUT* and *Arizona Agenda* on the condition of anonymity – advised trans youth and their guardians to refrain from testifying at the Capitol until [legal advocates acted to file an injunction](https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/federal-judge-blocks-trump-order-targeting-medical-care-for-transgender-youth?ref=lookoutnews.org) at the national level. Trump’s directive that was packed with misinformation on trans people, while not law, advocates for using government power to investigate people who provide gender-affirming care, including parents. [Pinal County Attorney Joins Trump’s Push to Police Teachers Over “Radical Indoctrination”Legal experts say the executive order is unconstitutional, but Pinal County’s top prosecutor is all in.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-71.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Copy-of-Untitled-Design--2--1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/pinal-county-attorney-joins-trumps-push-to-police-teachers-over-radical-indoctrination/) Parents are worried that if they come to speak up for their children’s rights, it’ll be easier for lawmakers who align with Trump to seek them out and start investigations against them. It’s not a made-up fear: Texas Governor Greg Abbott, for example, [did something similar in 2022](https://gov.texas.gov/news/post/governor-abbott-directs-dfps-to-investigate-gender-transitioning-procedures-as-child-abuse?ref=lookoutnews.org). ### Conservative Litmus Test Since she took office in 2023, Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs has reliably vetoed any anti-LGBTQ+ bills that made it out of the Legislature. In last year’s veto of Kavanagh’s bathroom bill, [Hobbs said](https://www.azleg.gov/govlettr/56leg/2r/sb1182.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) she won’t “sign legislation that attacks Arizonans.” While a Democrat occupies the executive tower, advocates like lobbyist Jeanne Woodbury know the impact of veto-bait bills restricting transgender rights isn’t realized in them actually becoming law. But when people see how their lawmakers, and the president of the United States, talk about transgender people, they’re given agency to copy those talking points. “These bills create a narrative, and people repeat that narrative. If you can stop the spread of it, I think that can reduce the impact,” said Woodbury, who is also a transgender woman. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/Bixler2.png) Those political motivations mean there’s little chance of actually changing a Republican lawmaker’s mind. And Keppler acknowledges “there's probably really good reasons to maybe not be fighting it at this point of time, under these circumstances.” Last year, after Hobbs vetoed three different attacks on transgender rights, Republican lawmakers sought to sidestep her by sending a “bathroom bill” to the ballot. But after intense lobbying from trans rights activists, then-Republican Sen. Ken Bennett voted against the referral, killing it. He [teared up](https://www.arizonaagenda.com/p/bennetts-senate?utm%5Fsource=publication-search) while explaining to the Senate Education Committee that the bill would also affect some of his nieces and nephews. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Bennett lost his 2024 primary election to far-right former lawmaker Mark Finchem. And Republican lawmakers expanded their margins in the state House and Senate, meaning it would take more than just one Republican defector to kill a bill these days. Parents of trans youth said that each family may need to advocate in whatever way is safest for them, given the current social wars focused on Black and brown communities, immigrants and queer people. Those that choose to show up at the Capitol, know it’s a gamble — not just for their safety, but also for their children’s well-being. > **"The only reason why I was not re-elected was because I was transgender. That hurt me to my core.”** > \-Paul Bixler > Former Liberty Elementary School District Governing Board member Tami Staas is a Mesa public school teacher and the executive director of Arizona Trans Youth Parent Organization. Her local group offers legal, medical and social guidance to parents of gender-diverse youth. “Every time these kids are showing up at the Capitol, they're missing out on learning,” Staas said. “They're missing out on school. They're missing out on the day with their friends to do that, and what they encounter when they miss out on that are some horrific things.” Staas said trans and nonbinary folks who testify often encounter misgendering, protests and counter-testimony rooted in arguments that deny their existence. “It takes a great toll on their mental health, and a lot of times to no avail. These bills end up passing out of committee…The kids are tired of being beat up by the bullies in the Legislature.” ### Fight and flight Parents of trans youth and their allies told *LOOKOUT* and *Arizona Agenda* that extensive work goes into preparing families to testify; not just around traveling, but also educating parents who want to testify on laws, how to speak and answer questions when testifying and what the state’s process is for a bill to become law. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/Keppler1.png) Lizette Trujillo, a small business owner in Tucson and community advocate for trans youth and their families, has closed her business several times in the past and taken her son out of school for the day to drive up to the Capitol in Phoenix. Because legislative hearings occur during the week, making the trip to testify also requires access to a vehicle and money for gas, or an organized carpool. “It's really frustrating to hear or to continuously have legislators use our tax dollars and then disrupt our day-to-day lives with bills that only target a small population, and they target children,” Trujillo said. For the past seven years, Trujillo has run a trans-parent organization of around 300 families, she estimated. The group started as a way for people to connect about experiences they had in schools or public places, including violent threats. Similar threats have become more frequent across the nation and state with parents in Arizona who want to see change, but now have to hedge their bets (and their family's safety) on attending legislative hearings. “It's been really important for us to think about the safety of our families, especially at this moment, but also to continue to strategically do the work of trying to stop bills so that in the next two to four years, our children are not worse off,” Trujillo said. “We have to continue to advocate and fight for them.” Samual Kahrs, a 19-year-old transgender man, is part of the main group of transgender testifiers that continue to show up at the Capitol. Since 2022, he’s spoken out against bills limiting gender-affirming care for minors and regulating pronouns. For most of that time, he was young enough that the bills would have affected him directly. [Anti-LGBTQ+ Hate Crimes in Arizona Are Increasing. There’s No Law to Prosecute Them.Arizona doesn’t have a hate crime statute. And due to gaps in reporting and data, tracking bias-motivated crimes here is a mess.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-72.png)LOOKOUTCelina Jiménez (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/shutterstock_2431385685-1-1.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/hate-crime-enhancements-in-arizona-whats-included-whats-not-and-what-that-means-for-the-lgbtq-community/) But he admits every time he waits to be called up to the podium, he’s shaking from nervousness. Kahrs knows that most of the time, the Republican-dominated committee will vote against his pleas. He made his last hour-long drive from San Tan Valley to the Capitol on January 29\. He has now moved to England—a benefit he could afford as a dual citizen, and announced his departure at the Capitol: “For many of you, you will look purely at the facts of this bill and will have no emotional tie to the effects it will have on the youth that it targets. Let me be your emotional tie…” he told lawmakers who advanced a bill requiring parental permission for students to use their preferred pronouns. “I should be attending my dream university right now, but instead, I am packing as much of my life as I can into three suitcases because I have to flee the only country I've ever lived in due to fear for my life.” > [@samual\_kahrs](https://www.tiktok.com/@samual%5Fkahrs?refer=embed&ref=lookoutnews.org "@samual_kahrs") Decided I wanna share some of the testimonies I have given as well as refilm some that I never got to say. This was my first ever time speaking at age 15![#arizona](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/arizona?refer=embed&ref=lookoutnews.org "arizona") [#arizonasenate](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/arizonasenate?refer=embed&ref=lookoutnews.org "arizonasenate") [#trans](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/trans?refer=embed&ref=lookoutnews.org "trans") [#fyp](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/fyp?refer=embed&ref=lookoutnews.org "fyp") [#ftm](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/ftm?refer=embed&ref=lookoutnews.org "ftm") [#speaking](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/speaking?refer=embed&ref=lookoutnews.org "speaking") [#transgdender](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/transgdender?refer=embed&ref=lookoutnews.org "transgdender") [♬ original sound - Samual Kahrs](https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7464360151995271966?refer=embed&ref=lookoutnews.org "♬ original sound - Samual Kahrs") ### Keep showing up—in different ways The bills advancing through the state Legislature impact how all transgender people are treated. But Arizona’s transgender community is not running. Paul Bixler, the first transgender woman to hold elected office in Arizona, didn’t transition until 2018, even though she’s “known forever, since (she) was a little tiny child, that (she) was different.” There’s a demographic shift unfolding where those with gender dysphoria can access care at younger ages than Bixler was able to. She went through affirmation surgery in 2022 but said trying to pass as a woman isn’t her priority. Being able to live her life as one is. Bixler was elected to the Liberty Elementary School District Governing Board in 2020 – she’s spent her life as a public school professional. But the combination of being a transgender woman and presiding over an elementary school district was a hotbed for hostility. She was subjected to a mass harassment campaign championed by “The Patriot Barbie” podcast host Lindsey Graham, who showed up to many school board meetings disparaging Bixler, once with a performative demonstration that just because she’s dressed as a cat doesn’t mean she is one. That landed her air time on [Fox News](https://www.foxnews.com/video/6317189548112?ref=lookoutnews.org). [Arizona Specialty Plates Bill Faces Unexpected HurdlesMesa Rep. Lorena Austin is trying (again) to get a license plate bill passed to aid students after it has met all the required legislative rules. Republicans appear to be blocking it.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-73.png)LOOKOUTTori Gantz (she/they)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/DALL-E-2025-01-28-17.25.00---A-stylized-illustration-of-a-vintage-car-driving-down-a-desert-highway-surrounded-by-cacti.-The-car-is-classic--sleek--and-vibrant-in-color--and-the-l-1.webp)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-license-plate-bill-once-noncontroversial-faces-uphill-battles/) Bixler’s neighbors received letters calling her a groomer, the Patriot Barbie called the police on her for using the women’s locker room at the gym and speakers [demanded her resignation while running an unsuccessful recall campaign](https://www.yourvalley.net/goodyear-independent/stories/liberty-board-member-resigns-during-meeting,553153?ref=lookoutnews.org). Despite that nightmare, she ran for reelection last year. Bixler has a similar philosophy to the top-voter-getter in that race does, but came in last. “There's really only one conclusion I could draw. The only reason why I was not re-elected was because I was transgender,” she said. “That hurt me to my core.” In 2022, Bixler started going to the Capitol to speak against anti-transgender bills. While the torrent of hatred she received was localized to a school board, Bixler decided to speak publicly at the state Capitol for one reason: “They were hurting kids.” She told the committee hearing Kavanagh's pronoun bill this year: “What are you afraid of? … There is no need or desire to have this legislation. It is a terrible solution to a problem that does not exist.” Bixler said she’s been listened to at the Legislature, but she hasn’t really been heard. She plans to keep showing up. “I think the worst thing we could do at this point is to become invisible again,” she said. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Pinal County Attorney Joins Trump’s Push to Police Teachers Over “Radical Indoctrination” URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/pinal-county-attorney-joins-trumps-push-to-police-teachers-over-radical-indoctrination/ Last updated: 2025-03-11T22:24:44.000Z At least one county attorney’s office has pledged to work with the U.S. Department of Justice to monitor Arizona teachers and school staff for what it considers “radical indoctrination.” *LOOKOUT* contacted 11 county attorneys across the state, asking whether they planned to enforce President Donald Trump’s executive order "Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling." The order threatens to strip federal funding from schools that teach “anti-American ideologies,” including LGBTQ+ issues. It also repeats misinformation that schools are encouraging the “mutilation” of children, a reference to life-saving gender-affirming health care. Medical organizations widely support such care as beneficial, but Republicans have continued to push the false narrative that it harms children. [Arizona Clinic Joins in Federal Lawsuit Against TrumpPrisma Community Care and eight other clinics say the executive orders forcing them to ignore trans identities and dismantle diversity programs are unconstitutional.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-63.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/50232639333_35c21209e9_k-1.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizona-clinic-joins-in-federal-lawsuit-against-trump/) Perhaps the most striking part of the order is its requirement that the Justice Department coordinate with state attorneys general and county attorneys to oversee investigations into school curricula. It also directs the U.S. attorney general to work with local law enforcement to find and prosecute teachers for “sexually exploiting” minors—the order applies to both classroom discussions and medical care. Most county attorneys declined to comment. Two responded: Pinal and Pima counties. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Pima County Attorney Laura Conover said her office would not pre-comply, calling the order unconstitutional: “Moving forward, unconstitutional directives will continue to be challenged in court,” she said. “At this point, only time will tell how new federal directives are executed.” Meanwhile, in neighboring Pinal County, Attorney Brad Miller voiced full support for the order, saying his office would comply to continue receiving federal funds. In a statement to *LOOKOUT*, his office said Miller “stands with President Trump in the belief that rigorous education and instilling a patriotic admiration for our nation is of utmost importance.” ![Pinal County Attorney Brad Miller](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/Document.png) Pinal County Attorney Brad Miller. Photo from Pinal.gov Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell’s office responded that it “didn’t have anything to share” on the matter but did not answer follow-up questions on whether Mitchell was unaware of the order or if her office was planning action but had not made it public. [Heather Rooks and the Peoria School Board: A Legal BattleAn Arizona federal judge ruled that Peoria’s school board didn’t violate Heather Rooks’s free speech rights when they attempted to shut down her scripture readings. It left the question open on if she’s violating the constitution.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-64.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2024-10-10-at-1.03.20-PM-1-1-2.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/judge-says-peoria-school-board-members-free-speech-claim-doesnt-hold-water/) Like most of Trump’s executive orders, this one pushes the limits of presidential power. Curriculum decisions rest with state governments, not the White House. The Justice Department also cannot force state or local prosecutors to work alongside the administration. “This is signaling to county attorneys that the Justice Department is seeking this type of relationship and may engage with them or pursue this type of action,” said Darrell Hill, policy director for the ACLU of Arizona. Hill said that as he understood it, the executive order asks county attorneys to seek prosecutions for violations of federal law, something outside their scope of work: “I would wonder if that's even within the scope of their duties,” he said. Even if the order is urging prosecutors to find local crimes to charge teachers with, Cathryn Oakley, senior director of legal policy at the Human Rights Campaign, said it is unconstitutional: “The president does not have the power to tell local prosecutors how to enforce state law,” she said, adding that the language is more of an encouragement for local prosecutors to start seeking out charges against teachers and care providers. No judge has blocked the order from taking effect. Several provisions are scheduled to be implemented in late April, including an “Ending Indoctrination Strategy” report that would outline how to cut federal funds to schools that do not comply. Earlier this month, members of the state LGBTQIA Caucus in the legislature sent a [letter to Attorney General Kris Mayes](https://www.instagram.com/p/DF-f4GRpvZK/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) asking for clarity on Trump's executive orders and how local officials should proceed. That same day, Mayes made a statement calling the orders unconstitutional, but didn't name any executive orders, specifically. [“I didn’t want them to write my obituary”In a conservative culture war on sex and gender, queer teachers and staff seek refuge from the frontlines.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-65.png)LOOKOUTSahara Sajjadi![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/shutterstock_2430635189--1--1-1.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/culture-wars-classroom-2025-teachers-on-frontlines/) "The actions of the Trump administration in the last three weeks can only be described as dictatorial and authoritarian," Mayes said. "Every day – nearly every hour – there is some new action or executive order that makes a mockery of the rule of law and the Constitution itself." The move by the caucus and Mayes' response came after Phoenix Children's Hospital revoked gender-affirming care for youth under 19 years old. They cited complying with Trump's executive order banning gender affirming care for youth as their reason. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Arizona Clinic Joins in Federal Lawsuit Against Trump URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizona-clinic-joins-in-federal-lawsuit-against-trump/ Last updated: 2025-03-11T22:19:44.000Z One of Arizona’s largest LGBTQ+ clinics, Prisma Community Care, has joined a lawsuit against three Trump-era executive orders that would strip federal funding from health providers serving LGBTQ+ people. Prisma, formerly the Southwest Center for HIV and AIDS, [is teaming up with eight other clinics](https://lambdalegal.org/newsroom/sf%5Fus%5F20250220%5Flgbtq-hiv-advocates-file-lawsuit-challenging-trump-orders-to-erase-trans-people-defund-services/?ref=lookoutnews.org) from across the country to challenge these policies in California’s Northern District Court. The lawsuit argues that the executive orders strong-arm clinics into recognizing only binary genders assigned at birth and dismantling diversity programs. Lambda Legal, the group representing the clinics, is calling out the orders as a blatant attempt to penalize organizations for "acknowledging the existence of transgender people, advocating for their rights, and adopting an equitable approach to the provision of their services that recognizes the rich diversity of the United States,” according to the lawsuit. [Federal Court Decision On Trans Youth Care Leave Some In Limbo.Last week, Prisma Community Care resumed providing gender-affirming healthcare for their youth patients, while Phoenix Children’s remains quiet on their next moves.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-60.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-02-10-at-4.36.34-PM-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/exclusive-phoenix-based-lgbtq-clinic-stops-providing-gender-affirming-care-to-minors/) “These executive orders pose an existential threat to transgender people and the organizations that advocate for them and provide them shelter, community, and support,” said Jose Abrigo, Lambda Legal’s HIV Project Director and lead attorney on the case. “This lawsuit is about challenging the Trump administration’s attempt to erase trans people from public life and ensuring these organizations can continue serving the communities that rely on them.” Lawyers for Lambda Legal [didn’t mince words in the lawsuit](https://lambdalegal.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/1.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org), saying that Trump’s actions are seeking to destroy the existence of a marginalized population. The lawsuit quoted The Stonewall Inn and The Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative, which made a statement after the administration forced the National Park Service to remove any mention of transgender or queer people from the monument: “This blatant act of erasure not only distorts the truth of our history, but it also dishonors the immense contributions of transgender individuals - especially transgender women of color - who were at the forefront of the Stonewall Riots and the broader fight for LGBTQ+ rights.” At the center of the case is Trump’s order on recognizing only two genders assigned at birth. The order directs federal contractors and grantees to ignore transgender identities. Also under scrutiny in the lawsuit are two executive orders that slash funding diversity initiatives and prohibit federal contractors from using diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility principles in their work. The nine nonprofit organizations taking a stand include the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, Los Angeles LGBT Center, GLBT Historical Society, and San Francisco Community Health Center, The NYC LGBT Community Center, Bradbury-Sullivan Community Center in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Baltimore Safe Haven in Maryland, and FORGE in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. [Phoenix Children’s Hospital “Indefinitely” Ending Gender-Affirming CareThe move comes alongside other major city’s children’s hospitals doing the same.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-61.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Phoenix_Children-s_Hospital-1.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/breaking-phoenix-childrens-hospital-indefinitely-ending-gender-affirming-care/) This lawsuit comes as federal agencies have started pulling funding from organizations that serve transgender people or work on equity-related issues. Some of these groups, including Prisma, have already hit bureaucratic roadblocks trying to access their usual federal support. “The ongoing uncertainty around Prisma Community Care’s federal funding has put our operations, staff, and patient-centered care at significant risk,” said Jessyca Leach, CEO of Prisma Community Care. “Balancing evidence-based care with shifting federal mandates forces us into an untenable position that will harm the patients we are committed to serving and our community.” The lawsuit, *San Francisco AIDS Foundation v. Trump*, argues that these executive orders violate the First Amendment’s free speech protections, the Fifth Amendment’s Due Process Clause, the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, and the Administrative Procedure Act. [As older Arizonans living with HIV grows, so does their isolation.In 2023, 17% of all people diagnosed with HIV were over the age of 50\. It’s both a concern and a realization for some that more should be done.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-62.png)LOOKOUTFitzwilliam Anderson (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2024-08-12-at-12.51.32-PM-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/older-lgbtq-arizona-hiv/) ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Anti-LGBTQ+ Hate Crimes in Arizona Are Increasing. There’s No Law to Prosecute Them. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/hate-crime-enhancements-in-arizona-whats-included-whats-not-and-what-that-means-for-the-lgbtq-community/ Last updated: 2025-03-11T22:20:02.000Z In 2023, Bernardo Pantaleon and Osvaldo Hernandez Castillo were [murdered](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/leonardo-santiago-murder-osvaldo-hernandez-castillo-bernardo-pantaleon-rcna135391?ref=lookoutnews.org) just eight months apart. The man accused of killing them, Leonardo Santiago, was initially booked in connection to Pantaleon’s death but later confessed and was indicted for both murders. Both victims were gay men. [Court records show Santiago made homophobic](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/leonardo-santiago-murder-osvaldo-hernandez-castillo-bernardo-pantaleon-rcna135391?ref=lookoutnews.org) remarks online before killing Pantaleon. When he confessed to the murder, he alleged an “unwanted advance,” while investigators found evidence suggesting a sexual relationship between Santiago and Castillo. If that sounds like textbook hate crime material, Arizona law disagrees. Instead of a straight-forward hate crime charge, [prosecutors can only tack on a hate crime enhancement](https://post.az.gov/sites/default/files/2024-02/3.11%20Bias-Motivated%20Crimes.docx.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org)—essentially an optional [sentencing boost](https://www.justia.com/criminal/hate-crime-laws-50-state-survey/?ref=lookoutnews.org#arizona). Pantaleon’s family has been pushing for it. But so far, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office hasn’t budged. And this case isn’t an outlier. ### **The Fine Print on Arizona’s Hate Crime Enhancements** Unlike other states, Arizona doesn’t have a standalone hate crime charge. The closest thing is an enhancement that can be added after a conviction—if prosecutors prove bias was a motive. And even then, it only applies to felonies, not misdemeanors, according to Detective Charlee McDermott of Phoenix Police Department’s Bias Crimes Unit. Here’s how that plays out in real life: If someone kills a person while hurling slurs, that fact might extend their sentence—but that’s not a guarantee. > “Legislation like this isn’t just about punishment. It’s about making sure that marginalized communities know they’re protected, that their government acknowledges the threats they face, and that violence against them won’t be tolerated.” > \-Cathryn Oakley, Senior Director for Legal Policy at the Human Rights Campaign For LGBTQ+ Arizonans, [the law has some glaring holes](https://bjs.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh236/files/media/document/naacp%5Fhate%5Fcrime%5Flaws%5Fby%5Fstate.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org): “Sexual orientation” qualifies for a hate crime enhancement, but “gender identity” does not. That means protections don’t extend to nonbinary or gender-fluid people. Transgender individuals, however, do fall under the broader “gender” category, according to McDermott. Federally, [hate crimes and hate incidents are two different things](https://www.justice.gov/hatecrimes/learn-about-hate-crimes?ref=lookoutnews.org). A crime involves actual violence or vandalism; an incident—like writing a homophobic slur in chalk—doesn’t meet that threshold. That distinction matters when it comes to enforcement. [Justice for Epona Rose: Flagstaff Rallies Behind Her CaseLocals are calling on assault charges against Rose to be dropped, claiming she was defending herself from attackers.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-57.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_0100-1-1.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/epona-rose-flagstaff/) In Pantaleon’s case, [federal prosecutors could theoretically bring hate crime charges](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/leonardo-santiago-murder-osvaldo-hernandez-castillo-bernardo-pantaleon-rcna135391?ref=lookoutnews.org) under the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which enshrined a federal hate crime statute. But with U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi—[who has a history of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric](https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/press/dem/releases/pam-bondi-would-oversee-enforcement-of-federal-civil-rights-law-her-record-is-unreliable-and-inconsistent?ref=lookoutnews.org)—running the DOJ’s hate crimes unit under President Donald Trump, the likelihood of federal intervention is murky, at best. ### **The Loophole That Lets Killers Walk: Arizona’s ‘Panic Defense’** Beyond weak hate crime laws, Arizona still allows a legal argument that’s been banned in 20 states: the “[Gay or Trans Panic Defense](https://lgbtqbar.org/programs/advocacy/gay-trans-panic-defense/?ref=lookoutnews.org).” This defense lets someone argue that discovering a person’s LGBTQ+ identity—or an alleged sexual advance—drove them to violence. And Santiago? He’s using it. > “The idea is that hate crime laws deter violence, but the issue is systemic." > \-Joe Larios, Organizing Director at Mass Liberation AZ [Arizona is one of 30 states](https://www.lgbtmap.org/equality-maps/panic%5Fdefense%5Fbans?ref=lookoutnews.org), mostly in the South and Midwest, that still allow this excuse in court. And according to Cathryn Oakley, Senior Director for Legal Policy at the Human Rights Campaign, this is just as dangerous as Arizona’s lack of hate crime statutes. “The purpose is to push back on the idea that violence is excusable because of a certain aspect of a person,” Oakley told LOOKOUT. “Sometimes, in doing that, they are trying to send a message that no one like the victim is safe. The purpose is to repudiate that message and say that it’s inexcusable.” ### **The Numbers—And the Gaps—In Reporting** If you’re trying to get a clear picture of hate crimes in Arizona, good luck. The numbers are a mess. In 2023, Phoenix PD logged 20 bias-motivated crimes against LGBTQ+ people. But that stat only includes cases where bias was part of the crime—not necessarily the main motive. That legal gray area means incidents go undercounted. Statewide, Arizona Department of Public Safety [reported 223 hate crimes in 2023](https://azcrimestatistics.azdps.gov/tops/report/hate-crime/arizona/2023?ref=lookoutnews.org), up 4.69% from the previous year. Of those, 14.3% were based on sexual orientation, 1.8% on gender, and 3.1% on gender identity. But even these stats aren’t airtight. Phoenix PD and other Arizona agencies have had trouble reporting full crime data to the FBI, in part due to a messy transition to a new data system, according to Axios. [Gregory Dickens was sentenced to death for murder. Was it actually because he was gay?A review of a decades-old case resurfaces questions of judicial bias in Arizona, and is relevant to the state’s current judicial appointees.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-58.png)LOOKOUTAdam Rhodes (they/them)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Theo-Grace--Quest-1-1.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/gregory-dickens-death-penalty-tom-cole-judge-bias/) Despite hate crimes usually being designated for a protected class of people, the department also has an “anti-heterosexual” hate crime as a category—they have counted two cases since 2017. Then there’s the question of who doesn’t report crimes at all. McDermott says Phoenix PD is using grant money from the Matthew Shepard/James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Grant to improve online reporting. Right now, victims have to call a number and schedule an in-person meeting—something that can deter people from coming forward, especially if they don’t trust law enforcement. ### **The Politics Behind Hate Crime Legislation** Arizona’s lack of hate crime protections isn’t an accident. The state has a long history of resistance to progressive policies, and its conservative legislature has shown little interest in expanding protections for marginalized communities. Nationally, the debate over hate crime laws is deeply political. Some conservatives argue that hate crime statutes create “thought crimes,” punishing people more harshly based on their beliefs rather than their actions. Others claim these laws aren’t necessary, as existing statutes already penalize violent crimes. But advocates say hate crime laws serve an important purpose: they recognize that crimes motivated by bias don’t just harm the victim—they send a message of fear to entire communities. And when those crimes go unpunished or underreported, it emboldens perpetrators. “Legislation like this isn’t just about punishment,” Oakley said. “It’s about making sure that marginalized communities know they’re protected, that their government acknowledges the threats they face, and that violence against them won’t be tolerated.” ### **Are Hate Crime Laws Enough?** While Arizona remains behind on hate crime protections, advocacy groups continue pushing for reform. Some are working to ban the panic defense, while others focus on improving reporting mechanisms and data collection. For now, the state’s hate crime laws remain a patchwork of limitations and loopholes. And for victims and their families, justice remains a moving target. Because even if Arizona had strong hate crime laws, would they actually help prevent violence? Joe Larios, Organizing Director at Mass Liberation AZ, doesn’t think so. “The idea is that hate crime laws deter violence, but the issue is systemic,” Larios told LOOKOUT. “Hate crime legislation doesn’t address the root causes—like homophobia and transphobia rooted in white supremacy.” [A 911 call to a gay bar underscores the rising fear in Phoenix’s queer community.Despite The Department of Homeland Security telling LGBTQ+ people to stay vigilant, local Republicans continue harmful rhetoric, putting those people at risk of violence.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-59.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/lookout-logo-3-4.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/how-a-911-call-from-a-gay-bar-underscores/) He also points out that harsher sentencing doesn’t always translate to justice, especially for marginalized people who need more than just punitive measures. “A lot of times, folks want more than just punishment – especially people in the trans community who are already on the margins with things like housing and job issues,” Larios said. “Hate crime legislation doesn’t offer support for them to meet those needs. So for folks who are victims of violence, there are many things a harsher sentence doesn’t address.” ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Federal Court Decision On Trans Youth Care Leave Some In Limbo. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/exclusive-phoenix-based-lgbtq-clinic-stops-providing-gender-affirming-care-to-minors/ Last updated: 2025-03-11T22:20:16.000Z --- *This story has been updated with recent statements and policies.* *Updated Feb. 17, 2025 10:27 a.m.* *Original story published Feb. 10, 2025 4:49 p.m.* --- In a turn of events, Prisma Community Care, formerly known as Southwest Center for HIV and AIDS, started resuming gender-affirming care just a week after cutting its program due to a federal executive order. The decision came after a federal court blocked the order[ issued by President Donald Trump in January](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/protecting-children-from-chemical-and-surgical-mutilation/?ref=lookoutnews.org) that banned gender-affirming healthcare—specifically puberty blockers, surgeries, and hormone treatments—to people under 19 years old. That executive order had an immediate effect in Arizona: last week, *LOOKOUT* reported how [Phoenix Children’s Hospital quietly removed a portion of its transgender care services](https://www.lookoutnews.org/breaking-phoenix-childrens-hospital-indefinitely-ending-gender-affirming-care/). The same day of that report, *LOOKOUT* also learned that Prisma Community Care—one of Arizona’s oldest and largest LGBTQ+ clinics—had done the same in order to comply with their federal grants and contracts. But where Prisma has reversed its decision with the aid of the federal court's decision, Phoenix Children's Hospital has remained quiet on their next steps. Two parents confirmed to *LOOKOUT* this past week that they called their providers at the hospital and were told they were still not able to come in for care outside of talk therapy or other wraparound services. Phoenix Children's press office has not returned *LOOKOUT*'s phone calls, voicemails, and emails asking for comment or clarification on if they will continue its decision to discontinue services. A protest, organized with the help of Trans Queer Pueblo, has been scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 18, outside the Phoenix Children's Hospital Thomas Avenue campus at 4 p.m. In a statement made to *LOOKOUT*, Prisma Executive Director Jessyca Leach said "We are committed to providing comprehensive and compassionate care to all our patients. This court decision allows us to continue supporting our transgender youth." The center said they will continue monitoring the situation. The reversal comes at a time where community members and organizations providing aid and services are trying to best manage how to handle Trump's sweeping orders. The state's LGBTQIA Caucus at the state legislature sent a letter to Attorney General Kris Mayes asking for clarity on if the executive order should be followed locally, or if they were unconstitutional. The decision by Prisma reflects that confusion: while some legal scholars said that complying with executive orders that are most likely going to be challenged and held up in court is a choice that is more a signal to federal officials willingness to comply, others say that it's not so black and white. [Phoenix Children’s Hospital “Indefinitely” Ending Gender-Affirming CareThe move comes alongside other major city’s children’s hospitals doing the same.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-52.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Phoenix_Children-s_Hospital.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/breaking-phoenix-childrens-hospital-indefinitely-ending-gender-affirming-care/) Online, community members defended Prisma's decision, saying it was something they had to do. Others saw it as an example of disregarding trans youth at a time when the community is being targeted nearly every day in both Federal and local regulations and bills. Prisma’s Director of Marketing and Community Engagement Iris Avila told *LOOKOUT* last week that no one at the center was happy about the decision, describing it as "whiplash," and emphasized that mental health support was still provided during the period, which she said was "critical." "We do not agree with this. But compliance is necessary in order to ensure that we can continue providing the services we have to our community," Avila said. “There’s no abandoning them." In a followup statement last Friday to *LOOKOUT* announcing that they would resume services, Avila said the court intervention was reaffirming for trans youth: "We are relieved to lift the suspension for our patients under 19 whose gender-affirming hormone therapy was halted by this discriminatory executive order." ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Getting Your Marriage Documents In Order Is a Good Idea URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/getting-your-marriage-documents-in-order-is-a-good-idea/ Last updated: 2025-03-11T22:21:38.000Z So far, President Donald Trump has followed through on his promise of making attacks on transgender Americans—and by extension the wider LGBTQ+ community—a central pillar of his decision-making. In the first month, his administration has pushed and enacted anti-LGBTQ+ policies including recent directives that use [dehumanizing language to describe trans servicemembers](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/10/military-trans-troops-hegseth-trump?ref=lookoutnews.org), scrubbing federal websites of any reference to trans or queer people ([including for the Stonewall National Memorial](https://hoodline.com/2025/02/protests-in-new-york-city-as-national-park-service-omits-tq-from-stonewall-monument-website-following-trump-order/?ref=lookoutnews.org)), removing all information [about HIV and AIDS prevention](https://abcnews.go.com/Health/multiple-health-agency-websites-hiv-contraception-comply-executive/story?id=118335484&ref=lookoutnews.org), as well as issuing the [CDC to forbid words such as “LGBT” or “transgender.”](https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/cdc-gets-list-of-forbidden-words-fetus-transgender-diversity/2017/12/15/f503837a-e1cf-11e7-89e8-edec16379010%5Fstory.html?ref=lookoutnews.org) As a result, LGBTQ+ couples in Arizona have expressed worry about the future—particularly their marriages. It’s not a baseless concern: In the Supreme Court’s reversal of *Roe v. Wade* in 2022, Clarence Thomas wrote in a concurring opinion alongside the majority’s decision that the same logic to defeat *Roe* should also be applied to decisions that granted rights to same-sex marriage and struck down sodomy laws, which targeted gay men. [Heather Rooks and the Peoria School Board: A Legal BattleAn Arizona federal judge ruled that Peoria’s school board didn’t violate Heather Rooks’s free speech rights when they attempted to shut down her scripture readings. It left the question open on if she’s violating the constitution.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-55.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2024-10-10-at-1.03.20-PM-1-1-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/judge-says-peoria-school-board-members-free-speech-claim-doesnt-hold-water/) Since then, states have tried to codify same-sex marriage into their constitutions: In the 2024 general election, Colorado made it part of its constitution, and Virginia is attempting to do the same with a bill that could be on voters’ 2026 midterm ballots. In Arizona, though, efforts to enshrine same-sex marriage in [the state constitution](https://civics.asu.edu/arizona-constitution/unabridged?ref=lookoutnews.org#ARTICLEXXX) have failed every time—even today. Current House Speaker Rep. Steve Montenegro (R-Goodyear), who has the power to decide what bills get heard for passage in House committees, hasn’t assigned Rep. Brian Garcia’s (D-Tempe) resolution that would ask voters in 2026 if they wanted to repeal Arizona’s marriage requirement and replace it with one that includes same-sex marriages. Sen. Lauren Kuby (D-Tempe) filed a similar resolution in the Senate, but Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Sen. Wendy Rogers (R-Flagstaff) hasn’t scheduled it for public debate or input, a tactic committee chairs use to bypass bills they don’t want to be considered. Neither Montenegro nor Rogers responded to comment before publishing. The state has a less-than-virtuous history with same-sex marriage: In the 1990s, the state Legislature passed laws restricting marriage to different-sex couples and refusing recognition of same-sex marriages performed elsewhere. Voters later [approved an amendment](https://apps.azsos.gov/election/2008/info/PubPamphlet/Sun%5FSounds/english/prop102.htm?ref=lookoutnews.org) explicitly banning same-sex marriage that was deemed unconstitutional by a federal court in 2014\. The Attorney General at the time, current state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne, wouldn’t appeal the court’s decision and ordered county clerks to issue licenses. If the right to same-sex marriage were overturned, some argue that the state laws from the 1990’s would likely go into effect, banning the practice. While some same-sex couples in Arizona are choosing to marry sooner rather than later, scholars say there is no immediate cause for alarm. Legal scholars told *LOOKOUT* that the Supreme Court’s 2015 ruling in *Obergefell v. Hodges*—which established marriage equality nationwide—can’t be undone anytime soon. And even if it does, current marriages are likely safe. [Arizona Specialty Plates Bill Faces Unexpected HurdlesMesa Rep. Lorena Austin is trying (again) to get a license plate bill passed to aid students after it has met all the required legislative rules. Republicans appear to be blocking it.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-56.png)LOOKOUTTori Gantz (she/they)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/DALL-E-2025-01-28-17.25.00---A-stylized-illustration-of-a-vintage-car-driving-down-a-desert-highway-surrounded-by-cacti.-The-car-is-classic--sleek--and-vibrant-in-color--and-the-l.webp)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-license-plate-bill-once-noncontroversial-faces-uphill-battles/) “The likelihood of the court overturning *Obergefell* in the near future is very low,” said Travis Crum, a law professor at Washington University in St. Louis. “I would go further to say the chance that the court would overturn *Obergefell* and then say that the marriages that were entered into under *Obergefell* are now void is basically nonexistent.” Congress and the executive branch cannot revoke *Obergefell*—only a Supreme Court ruling could do that. But it’s less clear that even with the current makeup of the Supreme Court they would be inclined to do away with the ruling, altogether. “There is reason to believe that a majority of justices would be disinclined to do this, given that Justice Thomas was the only one to explicitly suggest it when *Roe v. Wade* was overturned,” said University of Arizona law professor Toni Massaro. However, there are ongoing legal efforts across the country aimed at challenging or undermining marriage equality. Naomi Goldberg, executive director of the Movement Advancement Project, cautions that while there are currently no direct challenges to *Obergefell*, legal attacks on the recognition of same-sex marriages could increase. “It is far more likely that we will see efforts to undermine the ways in which marriages between same-sex couples are recognized than a direct challenge to the ability of couples to marry entirely,” Goldberg said. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) Even though the risk of *Obergefell* being overturned remains low, legal experts advise same-sex couples to take proactive steps to secure their rights. If marriage equality were reversed, decisions on marriage would return to the states, potentially creating legal complications for same-sex partners. Here are ways couples can protect themselves right now in the event that the Supreme Court does decide to hear a case on same-sex marriage: ### **You legal rights checklist:** **Health care directives:** - Designate health care and financial [powers of attorney](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-a-power-of-attorney-poa-en-1149/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - Outline [advance directives](https://www.thehrcfoundation.org/professional-resources/advance-healthcare-directives?ref=lookoutnews.org) specifying your medical preferences - Ensure your partner can make critical decisions on your behalf **Comprehensive** [**estate planning**](https://lgbtqbar.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/sites/9/2020/03/LGBT-Bar-Estate-Planning-Lecture-Notes-1.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org)**:** - Create or update [your will](https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/living-wills/art-20046303?ref=lookoutnews.org) to include your spouse and/or children - Establish inheritance rights and guardianship preferences - Consider setting up a [living trust](https://www.instagram.com/yourgaylawyer/reel/DCbq05uxvFr/?hl=en&ref=lookoutnews.org) **Guardianship planning:** - [Nominate guardians](https://superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/media/xuvltq40/jg1z.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) for minor children - Determine succession plans for personal or financial care - Document your preferences for future [care arrangements](https://www.americanadoptionsofarizona.com/adopt/arizona-lgbtq-adoption?ref=lookoutnews.org#:~:text=Arizona%20adoption%20law%20requires%20that,or%20you%20may%20adopt%20jointly) **Second-parent adoption:** - Discuss completing [second-parent](https://arizonaadoptionlaw.com/adoptive-parents/lgbtq-same-sex-adoption/?ref=lookoutnews.org) adoptions, even if two parents are listed on the child’s birth certificate - Secure legal parent status regardless of biological connection - Apply for LGBTQ+ [family grants](https://familyequality.org/resources/lgbtq-family-building-grants/?ref=lookoutnews.org) to potentially offset adoption costs [**Property assets**](https://www.keystonelawfirm.com/blog/joint-ownership-options-arizona/?ref=lookoutnews.org)**:** - Add transfer-on-death designations to property titles - Review and update [beneficiary designations](https://www.supportchildrenscolorado.org/ways-to-give/planned-giving/8-tips-for-setting-up-your-beneficiary-designations/?ref=lookoutnews.org) on life insurance and retirement accounts - Form [joint ownership](https://www.jacksonwhitelaw.com/arizona-estate-planning/blog/joint-tenants-right-survivorship/?ref=lookoutnews.org) structures for major assets For more information, Lambda Legal [provides free resources and legal referrals](https://lambdalegal.org/helpdesk/?ref=lookoutnews.org) to help same-sex couples protect their rights. ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Drag, Defiance, and Dirty Jokes: Lady Bunny on Wigstock, Queer Resistance, and Political Games URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/pronouns-drag-queen-story-hour-lady-bunny/ Last updated: 2025-03-11T22:22:17.000Z Creative spaces for artistic and self-expression have always been a central part of queer culture. Historically, these spaces have also been safe havens for gender diverse people to express themselves. From William Dorsey Swann, a formerly enslaved African American who held drag gatherings in 1880’s Washington D.C., to the South Side of Chicago’s racially-inclusive and gender-expansive drag balls of the 1920’s through 1950’s. In this tradition, *Wigstock*, hosted by co-creator Lady Bunny, was an outdoor drag festival in New York City’s Tompkins Square public park which started in 1984\. What began as spill-over from nearby Pyramid Club and a handful of drag performers grew over the next twenty years to become a highly-visible celebration of LGBTQ+ people, as well as neighborhood allies in downtown Manhattan who enjoyed the festival’s diverse range of performers. Never heard of it? You most likely have seen it before. If you’ve watched viral online footage of RuPaul performing on an outdoor stage in the 1990’s, it is likely at *Wigstock*. Other iconic performers to take the *Wigstock* stage have been Amanda Lepore, Kevin Aviance, Debbie Harry, Boy George, Neil Patrick Harris and John Cameron Mitchel (both as Hedwig from the Broadway show *Hedwig and the Angry Inch)*. Lady Bunny has remained an icon of the drag community, performing as a DJ, a sharp-witted and brash comedian, and a nightlife legend. Her one-woman shows have brought international acclaim, and her songwriting chops have led to her solo dance single *“Take Me Up High”* as well as two duets with RuPaul. Now, as Lady Bunny embarks on touring with her latest show, *“Don’t Bring The Kids,”* which is [coming to Phoenix on Feb. 24th](https://www.desertridgeimprov.com/shows/303399?ref=lookoutnews.org), America is facing a cultural moment where drag and creative spaces for queer, trans and non-binary people are under imminent threat. *LOOKOUT* writer Royal Young got a chance to talk to Lady Bunny over the phone, and spoke about the origins of *Wigstock*, the importance of queer visibility, how Lady Bunny became politically aware, her take on trans rights, and how we can move forward as a country, as well as her perspective on how gender and drag have changed over the decades. *This interview has been condensed and edited for length and clarity.* [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) **Royal Young (LOOKOUT):** I saw Wigstock as a little non-binary baby growing up in downtown Manhattan. For me, seeing that space of joy and celebration, and seeing people on a gender spectrum was really powerful in such a positive way. **Lady Bunny:** I came here as a go-go dancer on the bar of the Pyramid Club, so it wasn’t like I was a gentrifier driving up prices, I was probably driving them down. **RY:** They weren’t opening any Whole Foods because of you. **LB:** No, but my hole may have become food for several lucky homeless men in Tompkins Square Park. **RY:** And that’s how Wigstock began. **LB:** *\[laughs\]* Right. **RY:** But in seriousness, what do you think allowed a cultural event like that to happen and could it happen today? **LB:** I think it could definitely happen today. But in New York, there’s no way to get a space for it, it would cost a fortune. When we started, we were producing it in Tompkins Square Park and all we needed was to rent a sound system and pay a $50 admission fee to the City to apply for a park’s permit. **RY:** I remember Tompkins Square as a place where we had the anti-police riots, also as my elementary school playground and a very creative hub. Let’s talk about the cultural backdrop where Wigstock was happening. **LB:** Wigstock was an offshoot of the Pyramid Club, which was pretty much caddy corner to Tompkins Square Park. It was very gritty, this was 1983 and 1984, so you had everything from skinheads and punks, to this being a Polish, Jewish and Puerto Rican neighborhood. Wigstock kind of just took over the neighborhood on Labor Day weekend. You always had a different crowd, there would be homeless people dancing. You mentioned the riots, that year they didn’t let us do it because they thought we would whip up a homeless right. I was like no honey, I might be homely but we’re just trying to put on a drag show. ![Lady Bunny](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/Screenshot-2025-02-12-at-2.01.43-PM.png) Image by Steven Menendez, courtesy of Lady Bunny **RY:** Well you were that energizing, they thought I don’t know this drag music could lead to another revolt. **LB:** *\[laughs\]* The other thing that made Wigstock unique, was the Pyramid was a rock club. So I wanted to showcase the wonderful acts there, I thought we could attract a bigger audience. The reason I thought that was that I loved drag in Atlanta, drag was very serious with rules. I got to the Pyramid and I would impersonate rarefied 1950’s diva Yma Sumac. Or there was literally a junkie named Baby Gregor who didn’t really do drag much, but he had a character called Jelly Joplin who looked and sang exactly like Janis Joplin. It was not the pageant scene, we didn’t take ourselves very seriously, and we were mixed in with the rock bands. My personal taste was the incredible House music I hadn’t heard much until I moved to New York. That was the soundtrack to our lives, CeCe Peniston, Crystal Waters, Barbara Tucker, these were the hit records playing all over the world and the DJs who produced them like Little Louie Vega and Frankie Knuckles, they were actually playing at the clubs we went to. New York and music and drag and pop culture was having a moment. **RY:** It was such a beautiful wild west in New York City at that time, because downtown was largely neglected by officials, which allowed for so much creative growth. You also had Ballroom culture in there. **LB:** Oh yes, I just died seeing Dorian Corey perform at Wigstock, Octavia St. Laurent performed and she sang beautifully. Willie Ninja always came out, and even after so many years when he had difficulty walking. I don’t want to be shady, but not everyone in the Ballroom culture was as sweet as Willie. We were friends. And I wanted to mix. **RY:** Let’s talk about the culture wars in the 90’s and I can’t believe we’re still talking about Neil Giuliani. But you had a bubble and this amazing moment of inclusion in the neighborhood. Wigstock was celebrated, I was an elementary school kid playing in that same park and there was no fear that the drag queens were bad for the children. For me, that was a very positive example. > Democrats had both houses of congress from 2020 to 2022 and the White House, they did not pass the Equality Act which would guard against discrimination in schools, in housing, in employment. They did not do that, yet gays religiously give them their vote, because Republicans are worse on gay stuff. But at the same time, I am not in sync with what the Human Rights Campaign and GLAAD are pushing at all. > \-Lady Bunny **LB:** Well, Tompkins Square had heavy metal bands that would play all day long on the weekends and the whole neighborhood could hear it. To me, that music was dreadful. I just thought, I could do something better than this. I’ve always been that person that as a child, taped a sheet between two trees and put on some dumb show. I’m so glad we didn’t have cell phones back then. I only became politically aware after 9/11\. I really just went along with the Democrats and did the gay marriage benefits, but I didn’t feel I had anything serious to offer because I was a clown. We needed the clowns at a time when our friends were dropping dead from AIDS. I just thought it would be easy to give in to total grief, so the Wigstock festival had a Mardi Gras feeling. People were encouraged to come in costumes, so maybe you’re a bodybuilder who put on a wig and no make-up, or people would put wigs on their dogs. It became something silly to do and participatory. The audience felt safe to be in whatever form of drag. So there really weren’t too many incidents. This was happening at the time Giuliani was in office and he was cracking down on gay clubs using an archaic cabaret law rule which specified that unless a venue had been grandfathered in with a cabaret license, you could shut their dancing down. I’m no fan of Giuliani then or now, but I always wondered why people weren’t trying to get rid of that old law. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) **RY:** Coming from that in our last century, let’s talk about where we are now. You’re still bringing audiences together and performing but the world you’re doing that in has changed a lot. **LB:** Well, how do you think it has changed a lot? From where I’m standing the Republicans and Democrats are two sides of the same coin. **RY:** Yeah, two sides of the same coin of power. When I say change I mean more in terms of we have the internet, technologically. In terms of who holds power—no I don’t think it’s changed that much. In terms of othering communities—no I don't think it’s changed that much. I think prejudice is much more out in the open now. In the era we’re talking about, specifically New York City, which is not America, it was so diverse in a way that was accepting but also acknowledging people's differences. It doesn’t feel that way to me today. **LB:** Well listen, if younger people in the last ten or fifteen years want more diversity and have included different people who have never been included, that’s wonderful. For myself, I was inspired to do what I do because of a trans woman of color Natasha Khan in Chattanooga Tennessee, and you never had to tell me to go run and find the trans women or the people of color, because I was always with them. So I'm glad others caught up, but I didn’t need to try to be inclusive because I just naturally was. For example: Nex Benedict. Democrats had both houses of congress from 2020 to 2022 and the White House, they did not pass the Equality Act which would guard against discrimination in schools, in housing, in employment. They did not do that, yet gays religiously give them their vote, because Republicans are worse on gay stuff. But at the same time, I am not in sync with what the Human Rights Campaign and GLAAD are pushing at all. I consider myself very, very lucky to both take an interest in trans people—mostly women—but of all ages, and so glad they have welcomed me into their lives, treat me like a sister and talk to me. So I would never say anything like this unless I had conferred with dozens of trans friends. But when you were growing up in New York, if you met a trans woman at a party or a premiere and she was dressed up you would never ask her pronouns. And a trans woman would knock you for that, because it suggests you don’t know what look she’s doing for. [Are Republicans “dragging” down small business revenue?Once obscure, drag is a financial boon for Arizona’s small business scene. Still, Republicans are trying to kill it, putting local businesses at risk.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-54.png)LOOKOUTGeri Koeppel (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/barbra-seville1-1-3.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/are-republicans-dragging-down-small-business-revenue/) An NPR interviewer asked me this when I was doing a show in Chicago. He thought we needed to heat up his piece with more issues, so he called me back and asked, “What do you think about the violence against trans women of color?” I said, saying the names is a wonderful part of the grieving process, but you don’t get brownie points from me as a politician for saying the names once a year. What they need to do is put their money where their mouth is, and I’m not a detective, but ask, who is killing trans women and under what circumstances? > "If there are some parents who are wary of talking about transgender issues that’s okay. Trans people make up about 1% of the population, so I wish we could talk about them in the percentage there are and not use them as wedge issues, which both the Left and the Right do." > \- Lady Bunny The gay community accepts crumbs, they are like “Omg Joe Biden said trans!” So? That is a virtue signalling nothing. Put that money you spent killing Gazans, and give it to the trans community. They say some of these trans women are being murdered while doing legalized sex work. I saw a group say don’t just legalize it, decriminalize it. I don’t know what that means, but I’m all for it. Is Joe Biden? No. Is Kamala Harris? No. None of the conservative Democratic leadership is. **RY:** Absolutely. And I think really scarlily, we’re seeing that with people falling in line so fast with these illegitimate Executive Orders about trans and non-binary people. It feels like they couldn’t wait to drop pronouns. **LB:** Okay, but I have to just say– **RY:** You don’t like pronouns? **LB:** No, no, I’m just confused by the pronouns. I did a movie and everyone on set was they/them. I went out with one of the actors after, and they asked me my pronouns. I said I guess she, because I’m in drag and asked their pronouns and they said, “she/they.” Okay, so told them I’m older and not really into pronouns but they didn’t get offended, and when they told me their pronouns I didn’t say, “What the fuck does that mean?” I called a friend of mine who is trans and feels the same way, that pronouns have less to do with actual trans people who transition than it does for people on the gender spectrum. I’m part of that gender spectrum too, I just don’t feel that way. People everywhere are not going to care about your pronouns. So for my trans friends, if you need and want to use them in your own circles, I certainly have no idea of stopping anyone from going by what they want. I’m a 62 year-old fat man who goes by Lady Bunny. But I feel in most cases, just get your bus pass stamped and it doesn’t matter your gender binaries. They don’t need to know that and they don’t need to pick a fight with that. You’re asking strangers to talk about something that doesn’t make any sense to them at all. My allegiance is to the trans community, but I’m a drag queen, my wig comes off at night and I go do my errands as a male. Would it be nice if everyone got your pronouns right wherever you went if you had a beard and eye make-up on? I guess so, I just don’t think that’s going to happen. If politicians want to feign support for gay, trans and non-binary people because they are marginalized, then let’s unite the country. Because everybody, all the voters want affordable insurance, housing, jobs that pay a livable wage and school that is affordable. So when you lift up everybody, you lift up the marginalized and they become less marginalized. **RY:** We’re past the point of performative bullshit. **LB:** Well so much of what we see online is performative. The other thing I talk about in my show is I have no interest in performing for kids. I cut my teeth performing for drunk and high people in clubs. So I was encouraged to be as sick, and wild and raunchy. Children could never see what I do, they couldn’t even get into the bar. So of course, Republicans are lying when they say that drag queens story hours are used to sexually groomed children. I mean, I know some dumb drag queens but none dumb enough to think yeah, I want to groom some kids in a fluorescent lit public library at noon with their parents right there. **RY:** Absolutely absurd. **LB:** Absolutely. But the other part of this, by the other part of this that the left doesn’t want to talk about is that some of these queens are reading books like *The Drag Queen Goes Swish Swish* and *I Have Two Daddies*. So, I don’t have children, I think it would be nice to have a drag queen come read a story to me, because I am a drag queen. And as a kid, that would have made me feel less twisted. Like if this person could come to my school where I was getting so much negativity from classmates, that would have made me feel like, wow there’s a future for me. But since I don’t have kids, or create a curriculum, I do not know or claim to know if maybe we should wait to read them books like that till they are older and maybe thinking more about their identity. **RY:** Transition is not an easy or overnight decision for anyone, so no one is just rushing out to transition or push that on other people. It should be okay for an individual to explore their own gender and journey, it’s okay to go through different phases of that, or for that to look different for different people. We should be able to accept whoever they are. **LB:** Listen, I grew up with people who were afraid you would turn gay if you played with Barbies. I’ve been mixing my own eyeshadow since I was eight years-old. I’m not saying for people to not be who they are. I was that and I became that. But if there are some parents who are wary of talking about transgender issues that’s okay. Trans people make up about 1% of the population, so I wish we could talk about them in the percentage there are and not use them as wedge issues, which both the Left and the Right do. Another one is the bathrooms. Honey, there is a solution, no one wants to talk about, single occupancy bathrooms. Big enough for a wheelchair, there’s a bar for an old drag queen to lower herself down on the toilet and get back up, there’s condoms, tampax and hormones, a baby-changing table, you go in there do your business and no one is wiser. There are many people on the Left and maybe even on the Right who support trans’ peoples right to exist, and transition, but they feel differently about the grey areas. [How Lady Blackbird found her truth through community and questioning powerA month before her Phoenix performance, Lady Blackbird sits down with LOOKOUT to discuss themes in her music such as identity, faith, and queerness.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-53.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_2137-1.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/from-church-choirs-to-center-stage/) **RY:** Let’s talk about your new show and how your life experiences and your unique perspective on the current moment play into your show. **LB:** I do a song about drag queen story hours, and I do a bit about the state of Montana, which was trying to ban hormones for adult trans people. But there’s also filthy songs, one-liners, *RuPauls’ Drag Race* reads, I do the worst Cher impersonation in the world, it’s very high energy. Some people tell me, my god! You have so much energy for your age. I mean I gotta work to get a standing ovation, I’m not RuPaul. I can’t just walk out on stage and mumble a few words. I gotta get up there and make it good, because I don’t have any income from fracking. *Lady Bunny performs her "Don't Bring the Kids!" show at the Desert Ridge Improv on Feb. 23, 2025 at 3 p.m. $30-$55\. 21+.* [*Tickets available here.*](https://www.desertridgeimprov.com/shows/303399?ref=lookoutnews.org) ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### Phoenix Children's Hospital "Indefinitely" Ending Gender-Affirming Care URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/breaking-phoenix-childrens-hospital-indefinitely-ending-gender-affirming-care/ Last updated: 2025-03-11T20:36:43.000Z Phoenix Children’s Hospital has secretly ended part of its gender-affirming care program for minors under 19 years old, complying with President Trump's executive order that was signed last week. Two parents confirmed that they were alerted that the hospital was going to announce the changes, but were unaware of how sweeping or minimal the changes would be. A screenshot from one of the parent’s patient portal and provided to *LOOKOUT*, later said that “Due to the recent executive order issued on January 28, 2025 Phoenix Children’s is indefinitely pausing gender-affirming medical care for children under the age of 19.” The portal said it would also work with pharmacists at the hospital to wean children off of puberty blockers or hormones if they are currently taking them. On Monday, Feb. 10, parents received a letter from two of the doctors leading the hospital's care, Drs. Vinny Chulani and Ashish Patel, saying that the hospital was going to put a "pause" on care, specifically puberty blockers and hormonal therapy treatment. The letter said that psychiatric and outpatient rehabilitation services would continue. The decision has not been confirmed publicly by Phoenix Children’s Hospital, which did not respond to an email to *LOOKOUT* asking when the hospital is planning to announce if it will comply with President Donald Trump’s executive order barring gender affirming care for transgender minors under 19 years old. Local advocates and health groups, such as members of Arizona Trans Parent Youth Organization, Education Action Alliance, formerly known as GLSEN Arizona, as well as the National Association of Social Workers, released a statement Monday afternoon saying they were "devastated" by the decision and that, "This trend of harmful policies not only threatens the well-being of transgender youth, but also infringes upon their right to receive medically necessary care." Gender-affirming care using hormones has been widely used for decades as a proven treatment for gender dysphoria, and puberty blockers have been used on cisgender children for a wide variety of different medical reasons—those do not appear to be restricted. [Phoenix-Based LGBTQ+ Clinic Stops Providing Gender Affirming Care to MinorsPrisma Community Care said they were forced to stop providing gender affirming care to minors in order to comply with grant funds to continue their broader work.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-51.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2025-02-10-at-4.36.34-PM.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/exclusive-phoenix-based-lgbtq-clinic-stops-providing-gender-affirming-care-to-minors/) Phoenix Children's Hospital is the largest provider of gender affirming care in the state, and has been the target of bomb threats and far-right attacks due to disinformation campaigns. The hospital is the most recent large medical provider to fall in line to President Trump’s executive order, which is currently being [challenged in court and unenforceable.](https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/transgender-rights-lawsuits-challenge-trump-policies/?ref=lookoutnews.org) Earlier this month, both Los Angeles and New York City’s major children’s hospitals stopped providing care to youth, though NY Attorney General Letitia James ordered state hospitals to continue providing care [due](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna190589?ref=lookoutnews.org) to the state’s anti-discrimination laws. Arizona does not have anti-discrimination laws in place for LGBTQ+ people, [despite wide support](https://www.lookoutnews.org/anti-discrimination-bills-for-the-lgbtq-community-have-wide-support-so-why-cant-a-bill-get-passed/) and Democrats for years trying to pass a bill through the legislature. **Before you go...** At *LOOKOUT*, you’re not just a reader — you’re part of our family. Seriously, we mean it. Local news is about building community, and you’re at the center of that. Every day, we work to give you the info you need to stay safe, informed, and empowered — especially in tough times for the LGBTQ+ community. But we can’t do it without you. If you believe in the power of voices that matter and want to see real change, we need your support. A small monthly or annual membership (less than a latte!) helps us keep the journalism that holds power accountable going strong. Join the family and [ become a member by clicking here](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership). ### Judge Says Peoria School Board Member’s Free Speech Claim Doesn’t Hold Water URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/judge-says-peoria-school-board-members-free-speech-claim-doesnt-hold-water/ Last updated: 2025-03-11T20:37:32.000Z A federal judge in Arizona ruled last week that a teacher who sued the Peoria Unified School District, claiming it violated her free speech rights by preventing her from reciting scripture during governing board meetings, lacked standing to bring the claim. The decision is not a complete victory for those who were wanting more concrete answers on if Heather Rooks, a Peoria Unified Governing School Board Member, violated the state and federal constitution—specifically the Establishment Clause. Instead, the case was dismissed based on whether or not Rooks had a viable injury to make the claim in the first place. Without that decisive judgement, the lawyers representing Rooks have said that while they appeal the decision, she'll continue using her position to recite scripture during public meetings. ## Rooks, who was elected to the governing board in November 2022 and is now the President, is well known for pushing false theories about trans and nonbinary people. She also has routinely cited Bible verses while speaking at board meetings since taking office in 2023\. After being warned by legal counsel two months into her role, she continued doing so despite comments from the board president. He said if she continued reciting scripture, she would be going against legal counsel and violating the state's Open Meetings Law and the Establishment Clause, which ensures the legal separation of church and state. [In a leaked web meeting, school board candidates doubled-down on anti-trans rhetoric.The webcast, organized by Arizona Women of Action, is part of a campaign to use LGBTQ+ issues as a galvanizing issue this November.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-49.png)LOOKOUTTori Gantz (she/they)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_0107-4.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/in-a-leaked-web-meeting-far-right-school-board-candidates-doubled-down-on-anti-trans-rhetoric/) In 2023, Rooks [sued the district, arguing that restricting her ability](https://firstliberty.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2023.09.26-Complaint-with-exhibits%5FRedacted.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) to cite scripture at public board meetings violated her free speech rights. She moved for summary judgment, a ruling in which judges can decide part or all of a case based on evidence presented. [In his decision](https://ffrf.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/rooks-decision.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org), U.S. District Judge Michael Liburdi, a Trump appointee, did not rule on whether Rooks violated the Establishment Clause. Instead, he rejected the argument that her rights were infringed in the first place, preemptively eliminating any debate on the merits of the case. Rooks claimed that when board members interrupted her scripture readings to remind her of legal implications, it interfered with her free speech. Liburdi dismissed that argument, stating the interruptions were brief and that she was allowed to continue speaking each time. He wrote that it was “hard to see how the interruptions resulted in … a traditional First Amendment harm.” [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png)](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership?ref=lookoutnews.org) While some hailed the ruling as a victory for the separation of church and state, Liburdi did not explicitly rule on whether Rooks could continue citing scripture. In fact, the law firm representing Rooks said the governing board member—who is now president of the district board—would continue despite the board lawyer’s advice. “Heather plans to resume saying the Bible verses at the next board meeting and appeal the district court’s ruling to ensure her speech remains protected,” said Erin Smith, Associate Counsel for First Liberty Institute. [*LOOKOUT* reported on how Rooks participated in a private webcast](https://www.lookoutnews.org/in-a-leaked-web-meeting-far-right-school-board-candidates-doubled-down-on-anti-trans-rhetoric/) last year where she and other conservatives spread misinformation about LGBTQ+ students and discussed strategies to undermine inclusive education and end federal funding for social workers. Rooks was also one of several figures identified in a [*LOOKOUT* article last year that examined how religion has been used at Peoria Unified School District](https://www.lookoutnews.org/) governing board meetings. The analysis found that religious language was used at least 47 times in board meetings over 2023 often to justify restricting LGBTQ+ rights. Many comments came from community members aligned with far-right groups, with some arguing that the board should uphold Christian beliefs in its decision-making. In January 2023, Rooks quoted from the Book of Joshua in the Bible: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” The following month, she quoted from the Book of Isaiah at the start of a meeting during board comments, a period when members can make statements often unrelated to the agenda. Secular Communities for Arizona, an advocacy and lobbying group known as Secular AZ, sent a legal letter arguing that Rooks was violating federal and state law, as well as the board’s operating guidelines, which set decorum rules for meetings. [How “God” and “Jesus” found themselves in Peoria School Board politics.A LOOKOUT analysis shows that in Peoria Unified School District, religion was quoted at least 47 times to justify anti-trans rules and regulations.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-50.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Jesus-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/peoria-unified-school-district-religion-god/) The board referred the letter to its attorney, who advised that members should not use the board comments section to cite scripture, saying it violated the Establishment Clause. The attorney also stated that board members were not protected under the First Amendment in this context because they speak as elected officials, not private individuals. Rooks received the attorney’s letter and sought clarification during a March meeting but continued citing scripture throughout the year, quoting passages from Proverbs, Hebrews, Corinthians and Ephesians. By June, the Freedom From Religion Foundation sent a letter to the board urging it to censure Rooks or face litigation. The board’s attorney warned that if members continued citing scripture, the district would “incur significant legal expenses in defending itself against the lawsuit.” Rooks’ attorneys argued in court that the legal warnings amounted to a threat that chilled her speech. She ultimately stopped citing scripture in July but later sued the district with the help of First Liberty Institute, a conservative law firm. The firm previously won a U.S. Supreme Court case defending a high school football coach’s right to pray with his team before games. It also won a case in Texas allowing government officials to refuse to perform same-sex marriages based on religious beliefs. In her complaint, Rooks argued she was not doing anything unlawful and compared her comments to those of former Presidents Joe Biden and George Washington, who have quoted the Bible in speeches. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png) “After all, the current U.S. president, the first U.S. president, and an unbroken chain of U.S. officials in between have quoted scripture to solemnize official occasions or speeches, encourage their fellow citizens, and fortify themselves to carry out their official duties,” the lawsuit stated. “Rooks’ use of quotations from a sacred and historical text—the world’s best-selling book—to solemnize public occasions and fortify herself to perform her official duties fits comfortably within a longstanding, well-accepted tradition.” Her lawsuit also claimed she was immune from litigation under legislative immunity and argued the district was unconstitutionally restricting her speech based on its content and viewpoint. Rooks has used her position on the board to speak against what social conservatives call “gender ideology,” a term often used to suggest, without evidence, that LGBTQ+ people seek to influence children’s identities. River Chunnui, a nonbinary teacher in Peoria, is [currently suing Rooks for defamation](https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/peoria-teacher-says-school-district-targeted-them-for-being-transgender-18523484?ref=lookoutnews.org), alleging she called them a child “groomer,” accused them of “sexualizing children” and publicized their home address. **Before you go...** At *LOOKOUT*, you’re not just a reader — you’re part of our family. Seriously, we mean it. Local news is about building community, and you’re at the center of that. Every day, we work to give you the info you need to stay safe, informed, and empowered — especially in tough times for the LGBTQ+ community. But we can’t do it without you. If you believe in the power of voices that matter and want to see real change, we need your support. A small monthly or annual membership (less than a latte!) helps us keep the journalism that holds power accountable going strong. Join the family and [ become a member by clicking here](https://lookoutphx.ac-page.com/membership). ### How Lady Blackbird found her truth through community and questioning power URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/from-church-choirs-to-center-stage/ Last updated: 2025-03-05T19:26:15.000Z Lady Blackbird, the dynamic force behind *Black Acid Soul*, is a captivating artist whose journey has taken her from the small city of Farmington, New Mexico, to the global stage. Born Marley Munroe to evangelical Christian parents, Lady Blackbird’s early exposure to music came through the church, where she honed her voice and found her first performance opportunities. Over time, she found herself questioning the constraints of her upbringing, particularly her identity as a queer woman of color, a theme that is central to her work today. After years of trying to find her place in the industry, including stints as a session singer and songwriter, Lady Blackbird’s breakthrough came with her album *Black Acid Soul*. Unlike her previous work, which largely consisted of covers, *Slang Spirituals* represents a raw, unfiltered exploration of her life and experiences. Often compared to the likes of Grace Jones and Nina Simone, Lady Blackbird’s performances are known for their extravagant costumes and electric energy, as she continues to push boundaries both musically and politically. A longtime advocate for women’s and LGBTQ+ rights, she’s using her platform to amplify her personal truth and encourage others to do the same. As she embarks on her U.S. tour, Lady Blackbird sat down with *LOOKOUT* Editor in Chief Joseph Darius Jaafari to discuss her tour, what it’s like to go from being a cover-artist to using her own lyrics in her album *Slang Spirituals*, and the journey she had to find a circle of safety among colleagues and friends. *This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.* **Joseph Darius Jaafari (LOOKOUT):** Tell me about growing up in Farmington, New Mexico. What’s it like there? What’s there in terms of the arts? **Lady Blackbird:** Absolutely nothing. It was challenging—there were few outlets for expression. I grew up singing, but it was more of a church thing. My mom was like my first manager, booking me for fairs, weddings, and churches around the Southwest. **JDJ:** Was your upbringing a big influence on your current performance style? They call you the “Grace Jones of jazz,” so you had to have at least grown up with a lot of her in your life? Did you connect with artists like Iggy Pop or David Bowie, those kinds of performance artists? Or did that come later? **LB:** I grew up listening to Gladys Knight, Chaka Khan, Billie Holiday, and Stevie Wonder. They shaped my voice because I never had formal lessons. They were my lessons—hours on end in the bedroom with headphones, listening to Stevie Wonder and Donny Hathaway, dreaming of being on that stage like they were. It wasn’t the easiest dream to keep alive where I was from, but I’ve always loved to do it. As far back as I can remember, I don’t have an earlier memory of anything other than singing. **JDJ:** You’ve been described as a "late-blooming star." Do you agree with that? **LB:** I would say so. It’s been a long journey. I was signed young, to a Christian label, but nothing came of it. Later, I signed with Epic and recorded an album, but it didn’t take off. It was always "almost." Eventually, I ended up back with my producer, Chris Seefried, and we were trying to figure out what would work. We wrote all different genres and styles. He had me demo a song after one of our writing sessions—the demo for "Nobody’s Sweetheart" that’s on *Black Acid Soul*. When he played it for people, their response changed. They listened better, clearer, deeper. That’s when he had the idea to strip things down and focus more on my voice than on big musical production. And I said, "Well, can I still wear my costumes and all my crazy madness?" And he was like, "Yes, you can still wear your costumes, but let’s make this more about your voice." And that’s how *Black Acid Soul* came about. So definitely late, but all in perfect timing. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/CtFvrJaJYc1/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Lady Blackbird (@iamladyblackbird)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/CtFvrJaJYc1/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) **JDJ:** How does it feel to have your voice center-stage now, especially with *Slang Spirituals* being so personal? **LB:** The best word is "vulnerable." Not that my past work wasn’t authentic, but this was definitely more vulnerable than anything I had done before. *Black Acid Soul* had a lot of covers, aside from "Fix It" and "Ruler of My Heart." And now, *Slang Spirituals* is all originals, except for the Bettye Swann cover. These original songs are personal—they tell stories of my life, of how I felt growing up. So there’s a new vulnerability in this album. You never know how people are going to react to something so personal. But it’s been beautifully received, and I’m very thankful for that. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/IMG_2184.jpeg) Lady Blackbird performing. Courtesy of Mike Kato **JDJ:** You mentioned growing up in a Christian household. How did that align with your coming-out story? Were they ever in conflict with your being queer? **LB:** Absolutely. That’s a big part of what *Slang Spirituals* is about. As a child, you don’t have a voice. You become who your parents shape you to be, based on their fears and beliefs. I wouldn’t say I had a coming-out story—I never felt like I needed one. I just never realized it was okay to be who I was. Once I started asking why being gay was sinful, I realized a lot of people didn’t have an answer beyond "because the Lord said so." And that wasn’t enough for me. I had to stand behind my truth, even when it wasn’t welcomed openly. At the end of the day, whoever liked it—great. Whoever didn’t—also great. I respect others, and I expect that respect back. **JDJ:** Did it take time to find your support system? **LB:** I absolutely had to seek them out. Depending on how you were raised, the people around you might only give safe answers. I had to find my people—those who didn’t answer based on fear or religion but with honesty, love, and acceptance. It took a while, and sometimes I felt lonely. But eventually, I found my circle. **JDJ:** I feel that. I want to go back to your upcoming U.S. tour: What do you want people to take away from your performances? **LB:** A bit of everything. I want to entertain. I want to push buttons. I want people to feel something. The first time I performed "I Am What I Am," I could see people singing along, feeling those lyrics, connecting with their own stories. That energy, that connection—it’s the most important part of what I do. **JDJ:** Has anyone ever told you your music helped them through a tough time? **LB:** So many times. People at meet-and-greets, messages on Instagram—people saying my music got them through their toughest times. Music is powerful. And to know mine has done that for someone is mind-blowing. **JDJ:** You’re touring the U.S. after mostly performing in Europe. How do you feel about this new chapter? **LB:** It’s new. The U.K. and Europe have been my base, but now we’re starting to tour the States. A lot of these places, I haven’t even been to yet. But I’m looking forward to it. This is just the beginning. *Lady Blackbird: The Slang Spirituals Tour* *$38.50–$49.50* *Sunday, March 2, 2025, 7 p.m.* *The Musical Instrument Museum Music Theater, Phoenix* [*Tickets and more info*](http://www.mim.org/events/lady-blackbird/?ref=lookoutnews.org) **Before you go...** At *LOOKOUT*, you’re not just a reader — you’re part of our family. Seriously, we mean it. Local news is about building community, and you’re at the center of that. Every day, we work to give you the info you need to stay safe, informed, and empowered — especially in tough times for the LGBTQ+ community. But we can’t do it without you. If you believe in the power of voices that matter and want to see real change, we need your support. A small monthly or annual membership (less than a latte!) helps us keep the journalism that holds power accountable going strong. Join the family and [](https://www.lookoutnews.org/membership) become a member by clicking here. ### A License Plate Bill—Once Noncontroversial—Faces Uphill Battles URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-license-plate-bill-once-noncontroversial-faces-uphill-battles/ Last updated: 2025-03-05T19:26:20.000Z Like beer? Rock ’n’ roll? Neutering your pet? There’s a license plate for that. But backing LGBTQ+ students with college scholarships? This seems to be a bridge too far for some Republicans to cross. Two committee chairs, Rep. Leo Biasiucci (R-Havasu City) and Sen. Kevin Payne (R-Peoria), have yet to assign consideration for two bills that would create a specialty license plate benefitting [a scholarship program](https://www.mcccdf.org/scholarship-funds/equality-maricopa-prism-scholarship-fund/?ref=lookoutnews.org) run by Equality Maricopa, a volunteer-run employee and college student association. Biasiucci is the Arizona State House Transportation Chair, while Payne is the Senate Public Affairs Chair. Both men have been given bills that aim to push for the state specialty plate, but have yet to schedule them for public debate or input—a tactic committee chairs and chamber leaders use to bypass bills they don’t want heard. Both men didn't respond to comment before publishing. While at least one Arizona-based hate group has found no problem in getting tens of thousands of dollars each year through their specialty plates, Equality Maricopa appears to be having a harder time. The organization's President Jay Franzen said he believes the opposition was rooted in discrimination. Not scheduling the bill to be heard in committee is not a new roadblock. Last year, Rep. Lorena Austin (D-Mesa) [proposed similar legislation](https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/56leg/2R/bills/HB2298P.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org), and then-House Transportation chair Rep. David Cook also didn’t put it on the committee calendar. [A bill to help LGBTQ+ students access local scholarships died in the HouseThe bill was never heard in committee, and a last-ditch effort to get it added onto another bill was killed by a fellow LGBTQ+ legislator.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-48.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2024-02-25-at-12.48.10-PM-1-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-bill-to-help-lgbtq-students-access-local-scholarships-died-in-the-house/) Austin tried advancing the bill during a joint session, however, two Republican lawmakers opposed it. Now, they’re back with [HB 2531](https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/57leg/1R/bills/HB2531P.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org), a proposal for an LGBTQ+ license plate that would support Maricopa Community College’s PRISM Scholarship through Equality Maricopa. Sen. Analise Ortiz (D-Phoenix) has filed [a companion bill](https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/57leg/1R/bills/SB1190P.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) in the Senate. Under a 1989 law, organizations seeking specialty plates must acquire $32,000 for production and design, and win legislative approval. Equality Maricopa spent four years collecting money at Pride events and partnering with businesses like Arizona Wilderness to hit the target, finally succeeding last year. It worked with Austin to draft and sponsor the bill. Despite [following all the rules](https://nau.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/155/2018/07/How-a-Bill-becomes-Law-Vertical-ek.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org), the measure didn’t make it out of its first committee. When Austin tried attaching it as an amendment to another specialty plate bill, Reps. Matt Gress (R-Paradise Valley) and Neal Carter (R-San Tan Valley) pushed back. Carter incorrectly claimed the plate was “discriminatory” because the scholarship is exclusively for LGBTQ+ students. Gress—the legislature’s only openly gay Republican—rejected the amendment on procedural grounds, arguing it needed to remain in its original form. The amendment [failed in a voice vote](https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-bill-to-help-lgbtq-students-access-local-scholarships-died-in-the-house/). “It was just kind of a slap in the face, really, to think somebody from my own community was just going to deny our students the opportunity to go to school a little bit cheaper,” said Franzen. While more than 90 LGBTQ+ and allied students applied for a PRISM Scholarship, Equality Maricopa could fund only 14 for the 2024-2025 academic year. A specialty license plate, Franzen said, could expand scholarships to hundreds more. “My dream for once this passes is that everybody that applies for this scholarship will be granted a scholarship,” Franzen said. [License plates for causes](https://azdot.gov/mvd/services/vehicle-services/plates-and-placards/plate-selections-gallery?ref=lookoutnews.org)—political, social, and everything in between—have become staples on Arizona’s roads. The Department of Transportation oversees more than 100 specialty plates, with $17 of every $25 plate fee going to designated nonprofits. Yet, the approval procedure for these plates has long been fraught with controversy. In 1992, lawmakers [created a second pathway](https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/47leg/2r/summary/h.sb1017%5F02-24-06%5Ftrans.doc.htm?ref=lookoutnews.org) for nonprofits to apply for plates through the Department of Transportation. This law established a License Plate Commission to review applications from qualifying nonprofits, originally requiring at least 500 members (later reduced to 200). Former Republican state Rep. Steve May, who served from 1998 to 2002, said the commission was designed to take politics out of the procedure. “We created a mechanism that took the legislature out of the decision-making process and made it an administrative process with ADOT,” May said. “That, I think, is the right way to do it.” But in 2008, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled the commission violated the free speech rights of Arizona Life Coalition, an anti-abortion group denied a “Choose Life” plate. Arizona Life Coalition, backed by the conservative Center for Arizona Policy and Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), had its denial overturned. The following year, then-state Rep. Andy Biggs sponsored a bill that abolished the commission, putting specialty plate decisions back in lawmakers’ hands. Ever since contentious nonprofits have faced few challenges in getting their plates approved. ADF—a Scottsdale-based organization labeled an anti-LGBTQ+ hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center—has raised over $1.2 million since 2019 through its “In God We Trust” specialty plate, according to state records. #### Correction An earlier version misstated who led the committee for Senate Public Safety. Sen. Kevin Payne (R-Peoria) is the Senate Public Safety Committee Chair not Sen. David Marshall (R-Snowflake), as he held the post last session. **Before you go...** At *LOOKOUT*, you’re not just a reader — you’re part of our family. Seriously, we mean it. Local news is about building community, and you’re at the center of that. Every day, we work to give you the info you need to stay safe, informed, and empowered — especially in tough times for the LGBTQ+ community. But we can’t do it without you. If you believe in the power of voices that matter and want to see real change, we need your support. A small monthly or annual membership (less than a latte!) helps us keep the journalism that holds power accountable going strong. Join the family and [](https://www.lookoutnews.org/membership) become a member by clicking here. ### Slap Ya' Mamaw and other political spices URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/slap-ya-mamaw-and-other-political-spices/ Last updated: 2025-01-24T17:50:10.000Z #### Letter from the Editor- Hi **LOOKOUT* family- My mother grew up in New Orleans, a city renowned for its food — and, admittedly, its complicated history. While I don't have much of a connection to the city beyond my mother's side of the family, some things inevitably get passed down, much like family recipes, when you have a parent raised in the South. For me, it's a mix of buttery trauma, family spices that have shaped my personality, and kitchen-table sayings that only Southerners (or my family) truly understand. One of those sayings my mother often used was "slap ya' mamaw." Considering there’s an actual Cajun spice with a similar name, I’m not sure if it’s a regional phrase or something she just borrowed and made her own. She usually said it when I had done something wrong, as in, “You did that just to slap ya' mamaw.” The point was clear: I had done something so terrible that I not only insulted her but also metaphorically reached back a generation to disrespect my mamaw — my grandmother. This past week has felt like one of those moments, an experience I can only describe as “slapping our grandmothers.” There are legitimate economic arguments to be made about tariffs, immigration, and diversity policies, and these discussions should happen in an open and robust dialogue. But what we’re witnessing at both federal and local levels is not constructive debate — it’s a shutdown of meaningful conversations that could benefit wide swaths of the population. One glaring example is Donald Trump’s executive order dismantling the 1965 policy requiring federal contractors to consider equity in hiring, as well as ordering federal government employees to snitch on their coworkers if they feel diversity decisons are being made. This move doesn’t just “slap ya' mamaw”; it pummels her. While this decision might not have an immediate, direct impact on our lives, the message it sends certainly does: Diversity is increasingly seen as a threat in this country. As the editor of this organization, I try to avoid making overt political statements. But I also cannot allow us to appear indifferent to what’s unfolding. Part of my job is to ensure this organization’s sustainability, and the decisions being made at the highest levels of government have a direct impact on us as a business. For example, last year we saw foundations shy away from funding LGBTQ+ nonprofits because our lives were deemed “too political.” Supporting queer organizations was perceived as potentially violating the legal gray areas surrounding political donations for 501(c)(3) organizations. That said, I want to assure you that in the years ahead, we will remain resolute in our commitment to delivering the news with a nonpartisan approach, even when decisions made at the top affect us directly. We will also continue to hold individuals and institutions accountable when they attempt to dehumanize, dismantle, or divide the queer community. Most importantly, we are committed to providing you with the resources you need to stay safe. The more we send out these Weekly Kiki newsletters, the more apparent it becomes that the need for community is greater than ever. So, I urge you: Take time to attend one of the events listed below. Show your support, and take the opportunity to connect with others in our community. We need each other now more than ever. Joseph Darius Jaafari **LOOKOUT* Founder, Editor-In-Chief --- [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/01/MEMBER-AD--1-.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/#/portal/account/plans) ## ## 🪩 KIKIS FROM THE INTERNET ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/01/Screenshot-2025-01-24-at-10.17.24-AM.png) From the Account AZ Mavericks, which is focused on spreading information on local and national resources for queer people and migrants. [Follow them on Instagram here. ](https://www.instagram.com/az.%5Fmavericks/?ref=lookoutnews.org) ## 🪭 WHERE ARE WE KIKI-ING? ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/01/IMG_4280-1.jpeg) If you missed our Office Hours event last Sunday, be sure to stay tuned for our next one in Tucson this April. ## 🏳️‍🌈 KIKI CALENDAR Have a community event coming up you want to advertise in *LOOKOUT* ? [**Email us**](mailto:newsletters@lookoutphx.org?subject=Event%20info%20for%20newsletter&body=null)**.** - **Fri. Jan. 24 -** The Desperado LGBTQ+ Film Festival at Paradise Valley Community College begins. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/DDgPbdwJvcX/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Fri. Jan. 24 -** FreeBirdz Group hosts their shared table night with tacos and vision boards. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/DE5CPfZPZ9k/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sat. Jan. 25 -** Join Trans Queer Pueblo for a community healing circle. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/DFL35qtybe6/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sat. Jan. 25 -** Phoenix Pride is hosting a drag fundraiser with big-name performers at Charlie's Phoenix to benefit their community foundation. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/DFG9A3ah6N4/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sun. Jan. 26 -** Queer AF hosts their first brunch of 2025 in Tucson. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/DEnUTvVvJQH/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink) - **Sun. Jan. 26 -** Thems. in Phoenix hosts a leather embellishing workshop. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/DE238tEyaS-/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sun. Jan. 26 -** Head to a FREE self defense class for queer communities at Gracie Arizona Jiu Jitsu Academy.[**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/DFJ6P1LxWjg/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sun. Jan. 26 -** Wasted Ink Zine Distro hosts a zine making event. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/DEacO6dSnO%5F/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Mon. Jan. 27 -** Pip Coffee and Clay hosts a "Stitch n Bitch" craft night. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/DEfpNSQyTCM/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Mon. Jan. 27 -** Join One n Ten at their youth meetup in Litchfield Park. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/DFNqfuyRnlP/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink) - **Tues. Jan. 28 -** Day dance in Sedona with Sedona Dances. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/DFFtR4ZTaFe/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink) - **Wed. Jan. 29 -** Barflies is hosted by Valley Bar.[ **Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/DDLFGC7s%5Fgm/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Wed. Jan. 29 -** Thems. hosts their first Fruity Poetry Night of the year. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/DFI1MelSeM0/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Thurs. Jan. 30 -** If you're an ASU student, join QMunityASU for a movie night and watch "I Saw the TV Glow." [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/DFMmFc4RtFH/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Fri. Jan. 31 -** The Coven in Phoenix is hosting POWERS OUT, a mutual aid party in Tempe celebrating local Phoenix artists and organizations. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/DE2u9XsSAkD/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) --- ## THE WEEKLY KIKI ****Rules:** 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. Reply to this email with your answer! "\_IG\_T BA\_ \_" \*Hint: The second half of the slogan used by ACT UP as a way to protest the government's response to HIV and AIDS. ### Last Week's answer: THE RUBY FRUIT --- ### Interested in having your company sponsor The Weekly Kiki? Reply to this email or send a message over to: **sponsorships@lookoutphx.org**. ### ### Read our 2024 Impact Report URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/read-2024-lookout-impact-report/ Last updated: 2025-01-24T21:19:49.000Z [LOOKOUT 2024-2025 Impact ReportLOOKOUT 2024-2025 Impact Report.pdf2 MBdownload-circle](https://www.lookoutnews.org/content/files/2025/01/LOOKOUT-2024-2025-Impact-Report-3.pdf "Download") ***LOOKOUT* Family,** I’m beyond proud to share *LOOKOUT’s* very first **Impact Report** with you. This is a huge milestone—not just for *LOOKOUT*, but for me personally, as the founder and editorial leader of this newsroom. When I first envisioned *LOOKOUT*, I simply wanted to create a small resource for Phoenix’s queer community—a tool to add to the arsenal of LGBTQ+ support systems. I never imagined it would grow into what it is today: Arizona’s most trusted—and only—source for LGBTQ+ news. That growth hasn’t been without challenges. Many newsrooms stumble in their early years, and not long ago, we faced the possibility of closing our doors after just two years. But we stuck to our values, stayed focused on being a local leader in news, and prioritized delivering the stories and events our community wanted. Because of that, we not only survived—we’re ready to expand in 2025. This Impact Report is proof of what we’ve built together. With your support, *LOOKOUT* has achieved what few queer outlets accomplish in such a short time. It’s clear: *LOOKOUT* isn’t just needed—it’s wanted. This post is a small rundown of just a few of the successes we’re celebrating, but I invite you to explore our full Impact Report above and at the bottom of this page. Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we’re building something incredible. ## THEN VS. NOW Though we officially launched in December 2022, *LOOKOUT* became a full-time operation in June 2023, thanks to a generous startup grant from the [**American Journalism Project**.](https://www.theajp.org/incubator/?ref=lookoutnews.org#:~:text=their%20work%20with-,LOOKOUT,-%2C%20which%20aims%20to) With that funding, we hired **Jake Hylton** as a full-time executive director and fundraiser, began launching our events programs, and developed a business model centered on engaging with communities, understanding their needs, and shaping our newsroom around their priorities. Our first step was conducting an audience survey to assess the needs of people across the state. We hired two dozen individuals from various regions to speak with their friends, neighbors, families, and coworkers about what was missing in local news and what they wanted to see. The results revealed that while Arizona’s LGBTQ+ community is engaged with the news, they don’t trust it. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/01/Screenshot-2025-01-23-at-1.17.06-PM.png) This data—though sobering—motivated us to address the gap in local news coverage, and we got to work. We adopted an Instagram-first model, meeting people where they already turn for information online. We prioritized accountability journalism by hiring two fellows in early 2024 to focus on public health reporting. We secured partnerships with both local and national news outlets to ensure our stories reached beyond echo chambers. Additionally, we expanded our model to not only deliver news but also host newsworthy events that foster a stronger sense of community. The results speak for themselves: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/01/Screenshot-2025-01-23-at-12.54.16-PM.png) ## OUR IMPACT We’re not in this for the awards. But one of the biggest challenges queer media faces today is breaking out of LGBTQ+ circles and being taken seriously by broader audiences. That’s why we approach every story with a focus on reaching beyond the usual readership—connecting with those who might not follow LGBTQ+ news and raising awareness of queer issues often overlooked in mainstream coverage. This commitment is reflected in the recognition we received this year: - **2024 Best Newsletter** – *Phoenix New Times* - **2024 Best Source of LGBTQ+ News** – *Phoenix Magazine* - **National Audience Public Choice Award** – Glen Nelson Center NextChallenge - **2024 Spirit of BJ Bud Community Award** – Phoenix Pride - **Arizona Media Association Awards**: - **1st Place:** Newswriting and Reporting Excellence - **1st Place:** Best Newsletter - **3rd Place:** Best Sustained News Coverage/Series But like I said: awards aren’t why we do this work. Our true impact lies in the change we create: - *LOOKOUT* exposed licensed counselors in Arizona still practicing conversion therapy despite an executive order restricting funding. Our reporting led dozens to come forward with stories of abuse tied to a Mesa practice. - Our coverage influenced community decisions to withhold funding from both nonprofit and private organizations over ethical concerns. - *LOOKOUT’s* stories were aggregated by *LGBTQ Nation,* bringing our reporting to national audiences, and our newsletter was spotlighted by the Trusting News Collective as a model for building audience trust. ## MOST READ STORIES We don’t just report the feel-good stories—we’re here to hold power accountable, both outside and within our community. Our most-read stories of 2024 prove that the LGBTQ+ community craves journalism that confronts uncomfortable truths and drives change. At *LOOKOUT*, we believe in “keeping a clean house,” which means doing the tough soul-searching to uncover what’s holding us back or holding us down. Here are the stories that define our ethos—and captured the most attention this year: [A hate group’s influence in TucsonGays Against Groomers strikes in Tucson![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-45.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/lookout-logo-3-3.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-hate-groups-influence-in-tucson/) The Reid Park Zoo cancelled a Pride event at the request of a LGBTQ+ group aligned with recognized hate groups. [Phoenix Pride’s detractors say the organization isn’t listeningLOOKOUT interviewed two-dozen people, from local business owners to volunteers, who said that while Phoenix Pride is welcome, they need to do more than throw a party.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-46.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/17547024_1620072808022912_5399368410434700510_o--1--1-1.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/phoenix-prides-detractors-say-the-organization-isnt-listening/) LOOKOUT interviewed two-dozen people, from local business owners to volunteers, who said that while Phoenix Pride is welcome, they need to do more than throw a party. [Equality Arizona is back, but under a leader who allegedly doomed it.After quietly losing all its staff last year, Equality Arizona—one of the state’s longest running LGBTQ+ advocacy orgs—faced closure. But a familiar face brought it back, and not everyone is OK with it.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-44.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Michael-Soto_illustration-Luster-Kaboom-1-1.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/equality-arizona-michael-soto/) After quietly losing all its staff last year, Equality Arizona—one of the state’s longest running LGBTQ+ advocacy orgs—faced closure. But a familiar face brought it back, and not everyone is OK with it. [Flagstaff Pride Faces Backlash Over Jill Biden’s VisitA last-minute appearance by Dr. Jill Biden at this year’s Flagstaff Pride left community members to lash out against their local Pride organization.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-47.png)LOOKOUTCelina Jiménez (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/FLAGPRIDE-1-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/frustrated-community-members-question-flagstaff-prides-ethics/) A last-minute appearance by Dr. Jill Biden at this year’s Flagstaff Pride left community members to lash out against their local Pride organization. ## QUEER NEWS NETWORK ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/01/Screenshot-2025-01-23-at-11.20.56-AM.png) Stories published by the Queer News Network during the 2024 Election This summer, *LOOKOUT* partnered with *Q Voice News* and *QVegas* to launch the [**Queer News Network (QNN)**](https://queernn.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org), a groundbreaking collaboration reshaping LGBTQ+ journalism. Focused on the 2024 General Election, QNN united LGBTQ+ newsrooms nationwide to deliver in-depth reporting on critical down-ballot issues in key states. From October 1 to November 12, QNN tracked candidates and ballot initiatives tied to organizations promoting gender-based or political violence, creating a new standard for nuanced election coverage. Powered by eight interns from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY, QNN produced 42 original stories, including on-the-ground reporting from a pop-up newsroom in New York City during Election Week. The project’s Election Desk also launched a weekly newsletter, growing its readership from 60 to 153 with no marketing budget, achieving a stellar 75% open rate and an 11% click-through rate. Thanks to its strategic partnerships, QNN’s stories reached more than 130,000 readers. This next year, QNN plans to expand under *LOOKOUT’s* leadership as a program dedicated to elevating LGBTQ+ stories in journalism. This success demonstrates the power of collaboration in amplifying queer perspectives on vital issues from health to policy. ## THE BIG TAKEAWAYS #### A message from Jake Hylton, LOOKOUT's Executive Director As we dive headfirst into 2025, I’m struck by both the challenges we’ve faced and the incredible strength we’ve shown together in the past few years since we started at **LOOKOUT*. Right now, our communities are being tested, but **LOOKOUT* has stood tall—driven by the courage, resilience, and accountability of our extraordinary team, our steadfast partners, and the vibrant LGBTQ+ community we proudly serve. This year, **LOOKOUT* has remained unwavering in our mission: delivering free, accessible content that amplifies the voices, stories, and truths that matter most. With the support of incredible publishing partners by our side, we’ve been able to rise to every challenge and continue the pursuit of equality and inclusivity. **LOOKOUT* is more than just a newsroom; we are Arizona’s **only* LGBTQ+ newsroom. A beacon of truth. A catalyst for change. A force empowering queer individuals to make informed decisions and shape the future of their communities. Thank you for being the heart of **LOOKOUT*. The future is brighter because of you. With gratitude and hope for the future, ****Jake Hylton** Executive Director *LOOKOUT* has ambitious plans to meet the needs of our growing queer community. By the end of 2025, we aim to expand from two to seven staff members, triple our freelance team, and grow our internship and fellowship programs—building on the success of 10 interns and 2 fellows in 2024\. This growth is essential to achieving our vision of equal respect, rights, and opportunity for all through fearless, fact-based journalism that amplifies the LGBTQ+ experience. Our mission doesn’t stop at Arizona’s borders. In 2026, we plan to bring our accountability journalism to Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Texas. Instead of opening satellite offices, we’ll hire local talent across the region; we won't settle for anything less than reporters deeply embedded in their communities to cover the issues that matter most. We can’t do this without you. Our "north stars" for *LOOKOUT* over the next few years are revitalizing democracy, igniting change, and amplifying LGBTQ+ voices. Whether through membership, donations, or volunteering, your support continues to fuel the work that makes a difference for our community. If this report has moved you to donate, you can do so below. [Donate to LOOKOUT](#/portal/support) Our success so far has been possible thanks to our media partners, funders, and you: those who believe in the power of a dedicated local news source for Arizona’s queer community. This year, we need your help to take the next step. I know that together, we can create the meaningful change we dreamed of two very long years ago. Read our full Impact Report below to see how far we’ve come—and where we’re headed next. Thanks for continuing to be our champions! \-**Joseph Darius Jaafari** Founder, Editor in Chief [LOOKOUT 2024-2025 Impact ReportLOOKOUT 2024-2025 Impact Report.pdf2 MBdownload-circle](https://www.lookoutnews.org/content/files/2025/01/LOOKOUT-2024-2025-Impact-Report-3.pdf "Download") ### As executions resume, bias, drug effects, and equity are top-of-mind for queer lawmakers. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/as-executions-resume-lgbtq-bias-in-death-sentences-urge-contreras-bill/ Last updated: 2025-03-05T19:26:24.000Z As Attorney General Kris Mayes lifts the state’s halt on prison executions, LGBTQ+ Caucus Co-chair Rep. Patty Contreras has contemporaneously [reintroduced a 2022 measure to ban the punishment](https://www.azhousedemocrats.com/post/press-release-rep-patty-contreras-reintroduces-measure-to-abolish-arizona-s-death-penalty?ref=lookoutnews.org). The bill and [Mayes’ decision](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/arizona-attorney-general-announces-state-ready-to-resume-executions-as-governor-hobbs-abruptly-ends-independent-review-of-execution-protocols?ref=lookoutnews.org) to resume executions also coincide with news reports that the drug used for lethal injection in Arizona, pentobarbital salt, have been kept in a secret refrigerator inside the department of corrections, unmarked and possibly expired, [according to reporting from the AZ Mirror](https://azmirror.com/2025/01/17/secret-jars-in-a-prison-fridge-hold-azs-lethal-injection-drugs-and-they-may-be-expired/?ref=lookoutnews.org). And earlier this month, former U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland withdrew the lethal drug from its execution protocol, saying it would cause “unnecessary pain and suffering.” Arizona still remains one of 27 states in the U.S. that continues to hand down and carry out the death sentence. The state has executed [a total of 40 people](https://corrections.az.gov/death-row/last-meals-request?ref=lookoutnews.org) since the revision of the Death Penalty Statute, with 111 prisoners still currently serving on Death Row. Both co-chairs of the LGBTQ+ caucus, Phoenix Reps. Contreras and Minority Leader Oscar De Los Santos, have sponsored the bill to end the state’s death penalty. The bill, [HCR2001](https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/57leg/1r/bills/hcr2001p.htm?ref=lookoutnews.org), if passed by the House and Senate this session, would give Arizonans the chance to vote on the measure in 2026 to amend the state constitution and repeal a punishment Contreras believes should be left in the past. “It is important to give Arizona voters the chance to decide whether Arizona should repeal the death penalty. If capital punishment were repealed, individuals currently on death row would remain in prison serving a natural life sentence,” said [Executive Director Lindsay Herf](https://azjusticeproject.org/the-team/lindsay-herf/?ref=lookoutnews.org) with the [Arizona Justice Project](https://azjusticeproject.org/?ref=lookoutnews.org) in an emailed statement. Citing the exonerations of individuals sentenced to death, Herf says it is a part of a number of reasons that the public’s perception of the death penalty has been greatly impacted. [Gregory Dickens was sentenced to death for murder. Was it actually because he was gay?A review of a decades-old case resurfaces questions of judicial bias in Arizona, and is relevant to the state’s current judicial appointees.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-40.png)LOOKOUTAdam Rhodes (they/them)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Theo-Grace--Quest-1.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/gregory-dickens-death-penalty-tom-cole-judge-bias/) ### **Arizona’s History of the Death Penalty** Since the first recorded execution of [Dolores Moore in 1865](https://az.fd.org/fpd/capital-habeas-unit/death-penalty?ref=lookoutnews.org), Arizona’s history with capital punishment has been controversial. Following the [American Bar Association’s death penalty assessment](https://www.americanbar.org/groups/crsj/about/initiatives/death-penalty/state-assessments/arizona/?ref=lookoutnews.org) on Arizona that highlighted its system’s flaws and how to address them in 2006, a Department of Justice investigation revealed that [the state had illegally obtained barbiturates ](https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Controversial-arizona-execution-set/story?id=13679827&ref=lookoutnews.org)from a foreign source in 2011, [the heavily criticized construction ](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/may/28/arizona-gas-chamber-executions-documents?ref=lookoutnews.org)and use of $2,000 worth of cyanide in a refurbished gas chamber in 2021, and the additional [exoneration of almost 200 death row inmates](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/facts-and-research/data/death-penalty-census/key-findings?ref=lookoutnews.org) since 1973, the public condemnation has fueled the argument for those in-favor of pausing or repealing the death penalty. “Increasingly, death row inmates have had their cases overturned – nearly 200 since 1973 – because of improved investigative technology like DNA analysis,” Rep. Contreras said in a press release last month. “Still, other states have executed people despite serious doubts about their guilt. Arizona should not go back down that road.” Local criminal defense and [civil rights lawyer Chris Doran](https://www.doranjustice.com/team/chris-doran?ref=lookoutnews.org) said that there’s been a lot of debate on the morality of the death penalty; people who believe in an eye-for-an-eye punishment versus people who don’t believe we should be executing anybody under any circumstance: “From a practical standpoint, \[executions\] cost a lot of money to taxpayers, because it's not like somebody gets sentenced to death and they are killed like the next week,” Doran said. In 2023, when Gov. Katie Hobbs enacted [Executive Order 5](https://azgovernor.gov/office-arizona-governor/executive-order/5?ref=lookoutnews.org) following the three [botched executions](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/botched-executions-prompt-new-arizona-governor-and-attorney-general-to-halt-executions-pending-independent-review-of-states-execution-process?ref=lookoutnews.org) of prisoners Clarence Dixon, Frank Atwood, and Murray Hooper. The Governor declared that an independent review was necessary for oversight of the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation, & Reentry (ADCRR) which oversees state executions. Dixon’s, Atwood’s, and Hooper’s executions had been regarded by reporters and defense attorneys as “visibly problematic” as prison personnel failed to set an intravenous line for the pentobarbital, [a drug typically used in state executions](https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25479559-dr-van-norman-declaration/?ref=lookoutnews.org), resulting in slow, painful deaths for people on death row. Now, citing the [Independent Review Commissioner’s preliminary draft](https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/25432614-death-penalty-documents-with-redactions/?ref=lookoutnews.org) of the final report on Arizona’s death penalty, Rep. Contreras has put forth HCR2001\. “People who commit heinous crimes should be locked away, and victims of crime and their families deserve justice. But the death penalty is not the answer,” Rep. Contreras said in a press release last month. “It's disheartening to see that Arizona is re-starting executions when there is no evidence that the death penalty deters crime, and it is disproportionately applied to defendants who are people of color, people who are economically disadvantaged and especially those with intellectual disabilities.” ### **Community Impact** After the 1991 shooting of Bryan and Lauren Bernstein, [LOOKOUT](https://www.lookoutnews.org/gregory-dickens-death-penalty-tom-cole-judge-bias/) and [The Appeal](https://theappeal.org/was-gregory-dickens-sentenced-to-death-because-he-was-gay/?ref=lookoutnews.org) reported on the story of Gregory Dickens, a gay man sentenced to death for driving the man charged for the shooting, Travis Amaral. Believed to be harshly sentenced to death by Judge Tom C. Cole, a man with bigoted beliefs of homosexual men, Dickens’ story highlighted the lack of oversight and lax rules that allow sitting judges to discriminate against members of marginalized communities, specifically those part of the LGBTQ+ community. Similarities present themself in various cases across the country. Last year, The Appeal released an additional [analysis](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/new-analysis-from-the-appeal-finds-anti-lgbtq-bias-affects-the-fate-of-defendants-in-death-penalty-cases?ref=lookoutnews.org) that highlighted over two dozen cases in which an LGBTQ+ defendant faced the death sentence with evidence of anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination heavily influencing the outcomes. [A 911 call to a gay bar underscores the rising fear in Phoenix’s queer community.Despite The Department of Homeland Security telling LGBTQ+ people to stay vigilant, local Republicans continue harmful rhetoric, putting those people at risk of violence.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-41.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/lookout-logo-3-2.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/how-a-911-call-from-a-gay-bar-underscores/) In the 1994 Oklahoma prosecution of [Jay Neill](https://law.justia.com/cases/oklahoma/court-of-appeals-criminal/1994/11552.html?ref=lookoutnews.org), sentenced to death alongside his co-defendant and boyfriend Robert Grady Johnson for the murders of three women during a bank robbery they committed, the state prosecution asked the jury to take into account the defendants’ sexual orientation. During the Court of Appeal’s decision to uphold Neill’s death sentence, the presiding Judge Carlos F. Lucero released a [statement](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/policy-issues/biases-and-vulnerabilities/lgbtq-people/bias-in-the-courtroom?ref=lookoutnews.org) during his dissent that he could not sanction a death sentence based “on who the defendant is rather than what he has done.” ### **Unequal Punishment** [Transgender prisoners in AZ consider Harris a better choice, but many won’t (or can’t) cast a vote.The preference runs counter to national survey results showing Donald Trump more favorable among people incarcerated.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-42.png)LOOKOUTZach Bradshaw![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/1200x627_EJAITA_SURVEY_PRESIDENTSHIFT_illustration_241010-copy-1.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/transgender-prisoners-in-az-consider-harris-a-better-choice-but-many-wont-or-cant-cast-a-vote/) [Death Penalty Alternatives for Arizona](https://www.azdeathpenalty.org/about?ref=lookoutnews.org), an abolitionist nonprofit group based in Mesa, report that 43% of total executions were Black, Indigenous, or People of Color since 1976\. In Arizona, the organization reported, just under half of all documented executions (1910-2022) were BIPOC individuals, despite making up much smaller percentages of the overall state population, according to the US Census Bureau. In a letter to former Republican Gov. Doug Ducey in 2018 asking to end executions, the ACLU wrote that Black people and people of color are also disproportionately victims of wrongful conviction, generally, and are sentenced to death at higher rates than white defendants. That hasn't changed, with justice still being unequally distributed across Arizona, according to [a 2020 report by the ACLU](https://www.acluaz.org/en/racialdividereport?ref=lookoutnews.org#:~:text=On%20average%2C%20Black%20people%20spend,people%20of%20any%20other%20race.) that found racial bias in prosecutions, and a [2024 Department of Justice report](https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2024/06/14/racial-bias-found-within-phoenix-police-what-the-doj-report-says/74089511007/?ref=lookoutnews.org) that found police targeted people of color. Those reports, along with past bipartisanship on criminal justice issues, give good reason for Contreras to think that the bill could be moved with the help of Arizona Republicans. But as of now, the eight additional sponsors on the bill are all Democrats, and the Contreras would still need to sway a handful of Republicans in both the House and Senate to sign on in order to get the bare minimum required to pass. Rep. Contreras and the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation, & Re-entry (ADCRR) did not immediately respond to requests for comment. **Before you go...** At *LOOKOUT*, you’re not just a reader — you’re part of our family. Seriously, we mean it. Local news is about building community, and you’re at the center of that. Every day, we work to give you the info you need to stay safe, informed, and empowered — especially in tough times for the LGBTQ+ community. But we can’t do it without you. If you believe in the power of voices that matter and want to see real change, we need your support. A small monthly or annual membership (less than a latte!) helps us keep the journalism that holds power accountable going strong. Join the family and [](https://www.lookoutnews.org/membership) become a member by clicking here. ### State rep with ties to hate groups files similar anti-LGBTQ+ bill that was vetoed last year. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/lisa-fink-new-bill-attempts-to-ban-intersex-people/ Last updated: 2025-03-05T19:26:28.000Z A conservative local House member endorsed and aligned with Christian nationalists has proposed legislation to end the legal recognition of people with sexual differences and prevent their access to gender-aligned public facilities. Newly elected Rep. Lisa [Fink](https://www.lisafinkaz.com/about?ref=lookoutnews.org) (R-Glendale) is president of Protect Arizona Children Coalition, an organization that spreads disinformation about gender identity and sexual orientation [since 2019](https://www.instagram.com/p/B2Na3WFA57a/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink). Protect Arizona Children Coalition’s [original website](https://web.archive.org/web/20200212142705/https://www.comprehensivesexualityeducation.org/us-map/az/) now redirects to a [project by Family Watch International](https://www.comprehensivesexualityeducation.org/about/?ref=lookoutnews.org), an anti-LGBTQ+ Southern Poverty Law Center-identified [hate group based in Gilbert](https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/group/family-watch-international?ref=lookoutnews.org). She was also recommended for state office by [Arizona Women of Action](https://www.lookoutnews.org/in-a-leaked-web-meeting-far-right-school-board-candidates-doubled-down-on-anti-trans-rhetoric/)’s political action committee. The local organizing group recruits parents to run for school board, and mentors current governing members in anti-LGBTQ+ pseudoscience through monthly virtual meetings since January this past year. [In a leaked web meeting, school board candidates doubled-down on anti-trans rhetoric.The webcast, organized by Arizona Women of Action, is part of a campaign to use LGBTQ+ issues as a galvanizing issue this November.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-39.png)LOOKOUTTori Gantz (she/they)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_0107-3.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/in-a-leaked-web-meeting-far-right-school-board-candidates-doubled-down-on-anti-trans-rhetoric/) Tamra Farah has been a director of one of the network's programs (she's still named as such on their website, although another director at the organization said she has not worked with them since October). She is also on the advisory council for Scottsdale-based Turning Point USA, which both the Southern Poverty Law Center and [Anti-Defamation League ](https://www.adl.org/resources/backgrounder/turning-point-usa?ref=lookoutnews.org) identified as [aligning with hate groups](https://www.splcenter.org/resources/hate-watch/turning-point-usa-accused-boosting-their-numbers-racists-long-established-conservative/?ref=lookoutnews.org) that promote Christian nationalism. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/01/Screenshot-2025-01-16-at-11.22.04-AM-1-1-1.png) A screenshot from Lisa Fink's website claiming her position with Protect Arizona Children Coalition. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/01/Screenshot-2025-01-16-at-11.23.45-AM-1-1-1.png) Protect Arizona Children Coalition spreads disinformation on gender and sexuality, equating medically accurate sex education with pedophilia or sexually inapproriate materials. People within both organizations Fink is aligned with have made claims that schools are indoctrinating children, and called people “groomers”—a popular slur that tries to equate LGBTQ+ people with pedophiles—in various online posts. That anti-LGBTQ+ stance is now showing up in her bills as a freshman representative. Ahead of opening day at the Capitol, Fink filed a bill familiar to queer folks in Arizona that explicitly says there are only two sexes, excluding transgender, nonbinary and [intersex people from existing state laws](https://19thnews.org/2023/03/bills-gender-affirming-care-trans-intersex-youth/?ref=lookoutnews.org). People with intersex traits are born with reproductive anatomy, chromosome, or hormone levels that fall outside of the strict binary understandings of male and female sex. [House Bill 2062](https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/57leg/1R/bills/HB2062P.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org), labeled the “Arizona Sex-Based Terms Act,” is nearly identical to last session’s Senate Bill 1628 [pushed by the Center for Arizona Policy](https://www.azpolicy.org/bill/cap-supported-sb-1628-sex-based-terms-laws-rules-regulations/?ref=lookoutnews.org), a conservative lobbyist organization that promotes [policies aligned with evangelical Christians](https://www.azpolicy.org/2024/02/23/no-matter-how-small/?ref=lookoutnews.org). That bill was vetoed by Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs. [SB1628](https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/56leg/2R/bills/SB1628S.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org), also labeled the “Arizona Women’s Bill of Rights,” would have prevented trans and gender nonconforming people from obtaining or updating identity documents to accurately reflect their current gender presentation, among additional prohibitions. The bill had the [possibility of impacting 7,300 trans youth in Arizona](https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/Trans-Pop-Update-Jun-2022.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org), according to data from the Williams Institute at the University of California Los Angeles. According to the [2022 U.S. Trans Survey](https://transequality.org/sites/default/files/2024-02/2022%20USTS%20Early%20Insights%20Report%5FFINAL.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) conducted by the National Center for Transgender Equality, just under a quarter of respondents who reported showing someone an ID with a name or gender that did not match their presentation said they were “verbally harassed, assaulted, asked to leave a location, or denied services.” Known by queer people and their allies as an “erasure” bill, SB 1628 was based on model legislation from the political arm of right-wing think tank Independent Women’s Forum and anti-trans advocacy group Women’s Liberation Front. Fink’s new bill, advocates said, is attempting to do the same thing. “The bill is so obsessed with intersex people,” said Jeanne Woodbury, senior associate at the progressive lobbying firm Creosote Partners. “Their definition of female is essentially just ‘produces eggs’ surrounded by a bunch of caveats for people who don’t quite live up to their standard.” Through enacting narrow definitions of “boy,” “father,” “female,” “girl,” “male,” and “man,” “mother,” Woodbury said that the bill has essentially twisted evangelical conservatives into knots trying to define trans people out of public policy. “They’ve managed to come up with a definition even more controlling and dehumanizing than what women already have to put up with,” Woodbury said. The repurposed legislation propped up by Fink could have unintended consequences, such as effects on “a queer person’s ability to effectively parent their child,” said Aven Kelly, policy analyst at Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona. “We tend to have to fight these wars on the floor or in committee because people are just hateful of our community,” said Rep. Patty Contreras (D-Phoenix), co-chair of last year’s LGBTQ+ Legislative Caucus who is interested in retaining leadership. “There's so much literature out there and such scientific proof about the whole spectrum of sexuality.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/01/Screenshot-2025-01-16-at-11.25.42-AM.png) Rep. Patty Contreras, 2024 co-chair of the state LGBTQ+ caucus. (Ballotpedia) Contreras told *LOOKOUT* that she plans to bring back legislation to ban conversion therapy–a [proliferate practice](https://www.lookoutnews.org/conversion-therapy-in-arizona-without-a-license/) across the state–and to make discrimination against LGBTQ+ people illegal. Her monthly event [Conversations with Contreras](https://www.brickroadtempe.com/event-details/conversations-with-contreras-2025-01-17-16-00?ref=lookoutnews.org) at Brick Road Coffee in Tempe occurs from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. every third Friday. Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona works closely with Hobbs and her staff. It is ready “to ensure that she doesn't sign \[Fink’s\] bill if it were to make it to her desk,” said chief external affairs officer Erika Mach. *LOOKOUT* reached out to Fink via email and left a message with her office to discuss HB 2062\. She could not be reached for comment before the time of publication. #### Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated Tamra Farah's position at AZ Women of Action. The article has been updated to reflect her position accurately. ### “I didn’t want them to write my obituary” URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/culture-wars-classroom-2025-teachers-on-frontlines/ Last updated: 2025-03-05T19:26:32.000Z For one school principal, her nightmares became a reality after rumors began circulating. A self-described "later in life" lesbian who taught and oversaw students and staff in a rural part of the Southeast Valley for 13 years, she was in the process of divorcing her husband when staff and students began whispering about her sexuality. She confirmed that teachers were spreading rumors while attending an association meeting and soon filed a complaint with the district’s human relations department. Still, the rumors persisted. The district didn’t take action, even as parents began hearing the rumors and discussing them. Eventually, an employee from human relations spoke with the principal, but only after a parent lodged an anonymous complaint. The parent accused the principal of having an affair with another female employee—an accusation she denied. The parent had never witnessed the alleged act. It was all based on rumors, according to audio and email records reviewed by *LOOKOUT*. In what appeared to be a Joe McCarthy-style line of questioning, she was asked about her sexual orientation, her recent divorce, and her personal life: “Do you believe there is any grooming going on on your side?” a representative from the district asked her in an audio recording reviewed by *LOOKOUT*. The principal denied it. At that point, the principal could see the writing on the wall. She said she knew she had to leave. “I’m gay, I don’t belong here,” she told herself, explaining that she didn’t come out as gay at work for these exact reasons—retribution, retaliation, and gossip. It terrified her enough to stay quiet and seek work elsewhere. “I felt like I had no option but to leave, and I wanted to make sure I got out while I still had my name and my reputation, because I’ve worked so hard for that,” she said. “I didn’t want them to write my obituary.” [In a leaked web meeting, school board candidates doubled-down on anti-trans rhetoric.The webcast, organized by Arizona Women of Action, is part of a campaign to use LGBTQ+ issues as a galvanizing issue this November.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-34.png)LOOKOUTTori Gantz (she/they)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_0107-2.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/in-a-leaked-web-meeting-far-right-school-board-candidates-doubled-down-on-anti-trans-rhetoric/) Though she recognized the situation as discrimination, she feared what would happen if she became a whistleblower: she could lose her career, her pension, and her name could be exposed. *LOOKOUT* reviewed emails between the principal’s lawyer and the school district to verify the claims about why she left her position and has agreed to withhold her full name from publication. By publishing her name, she said she risks further harassment, attacks, and damage to her mental health and overall well-being. Employees like her are widespread in school districts across Arizona. They are facing a reality in a more socially conservative world, where, in the past, they might have been able to talk openly about their marriages or relationships, but now feel they cannot. Though teachers are technically protected under a state executive order signed by Gov. Katie Hobbs, which grants state employees equal rights in hiring and firing based on sexual or gender identity, it does little to counter laws that have empowered parents seeking retribution from a public school system they believe has strayed too far from their core values. As a result, teachers feel pressured to hide their identities, shut down emotionally, or leave the profession altogether. Speaking out against the state’s institutional closeting of public school staff has led many to fear retaliation—not necessarily from peers, but from elected officials and their supporters. ### **The coming years** The next legislative session in Arizona—and at the federal level—will continue a wave of politics targeting the LGBTQ+ community, something political forecasters, civil rights lawyers, and progressive organizers had warned about if conservatives gained power at the state and national levels. We’ve already started to see this unfold. Last week, House Republicans in Washington D.C. voted to re-elect Louisiana Rep. Mike Johnson as House Speaker. They also passed [new rules for the the upcoming federal session](https://docs.house.gov/billsthisweek/20241230/119th%20Rules%20Package%20for%20Circulation.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org), including a proposal to restrict funding to public schools that do not abide by [Title IX guidelines](https://www.lookoutnews.org/suburban-phoenix-school-district-votes-to-ignore-federal-title-ix-expansions/), which would be amended to restrict transgender students from playing in athletics. [Parents of trans youth say bullying starts at the topOften left out of the conversation, they say politicians and other parents are to blame for harassment.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-35.png)LOOKOUTGeri Koeppel (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/RayPhoto-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/trans-youth-parental-rights-law-arizona/) The new rules, which act as political guardrails for the next session, aligns with promises made by President-elect Donald Trump, who will be sworn in on Jan. 20\. At a recent event in Phoenix, Trump declared he would eliminate "transgender lunacy" and have the federal government recognize only two sexes—those assigned at birth. For teachers in Arizona, the House’s decision to use the culture war to battle school funding is nothing new. They have been hearing it for years. Conservative lawmakers pushing to expand the state’s Empowerment Scholarship Accounts (ESAs) have claimed that public schools are teaching “gender ideology” and “critical race theory”—two topics local groups such as [Arizona Women of Action and Turning Point USA](https://www.lookoutnews.org/how-an-anti-lgbtq-org-teaches-parents-to-overwhelm-school-admin/) have frequently said are being "pushed" on students. The examples often cited include books with LGBTQ+ characters or educational material about sexual health. But the [attacks on "gender ideology" are not just targeting curriculums](https://www.lookoutnews.org/candidates-across-az-are-campaigning-against-lgbtq-affirming-policies/)—they’re also aimed at teachers. One fifth-grade teacher *LOOKOUT* spoke to, who asked to remain anonymous, has taught for 15 years. She transitioned in 2017 during the Trump administration. While her appearance had changed after undergoing facial feminization surgery, it was her last name that gave her away. If she spoke too openly about her transition, she risked retribution from what she called a "very loud 10%" of parents who are openly anti-LGBTQ+. Although she displays a transgender flag in her classroom, she said she is careful not to focus too much on her identity. Several parents have already withdrawn their children, citing issues with her transition, she said. “It hurts to be judged by the way I look rather than by my abilities,” she said. The school district did not respond back in time of publishing to confirm if students were removed from classrooms because of parents complaints of teachers either being transgender or affirming transgender students. ### **“I’m Going to Be Visible”** Marisol Garcia, president of the Arizona Education Association, said while teachers are technically protected from discrimination, they are not shielded from being [targeted by angry school board members or lawmakers](https://www.lookoutnews.org/amid-school-board-fight-state-lawmaker/), who often lead attacks on LGBTQ+ educators for political reasons. “We can’t rely on the courts anymore,” Garcia said. “It’s not just about legal protections… We can’t protect them legally from the trauma they’re experiencing” More often than not, Garcia said, teachers are being pushed out of the classroom rather than directly fired. [River Chunnui, a teacher in Peoria,](https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-teachers-road-to-acceptance-and-fighting-back-against-hate/) said they felt pressure to stay closeted every day after being targeted by two sitting school board members in 2022, and understands being pushed out. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/01/Screenshot-2025-01-07-at-6.06.32-PM.png) River Chunnui, a schoolteacher in Peoria, was threatened to with being released from their contract by a sitting school board member after sending an email explaining why students might be dressed in the colors of the trans flag during Trans Day of Remembrance. (Photo Courtesy of Beverly Sasser) “Some of the board members took to public platforms to call me a groomer and accuse me of sexualizing students, among many other things,” Chunnui said. In 2022, Chunnui sent an email to colleagues about Transgender Day of Visibility, inviting educators to show support for transgender students with simple messages like, "I see you" or "I support you." [A teacher’s road to acceptance, and fighting back against hateRiver Chinnui is a nonbinary teacher in Peoria who has been the center of anti-queer rhetoric. Now, they’re making their voice heard.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-37.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/River_Portrait-2-1.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-teachers-road-to-acceptance-and-fighting-back-against-hate/) What seemed like an innocent message quickly went viral on conservative Twitter, now X, after Peoria school board member Heather Rooks tweeted a screenshot of the email. Soon after, the online harassment escalated, and Chunnui’s mental health declined. “I felt unsafe at work,” Chunnui said. “Depression and anxiety don’t even begin to describe it.” After someone slashed their tires and people threw rocks at their house, Chunnui considered leaving altogether—but ultimately, they decided against it. “They want us to hide. They want us to be invisible,” Chunnui said, explaining their reasoning. “I’m not going to run away. I’m going to be visible.” Chunnui has filed a civil lawsuit against Rooks, who did not comment for this story. Tami Staas, executive director of the Arizona Trans Youth and Parent Organization and a fourth-grade teacher at Mesa Public Schools, has also filed a civil lawsuit against her alleged harasser from the Mesa Governing School Board. Staas, who identifies as queer, shares the same sentiments as Chunnui about leaving the profession. “It’s as if they’re trying to force us back in the closet or shame us into not supporting these kids,” Staas said. Staas has been repeatedly targeted by right-wing groups who have called her—similar to Chunnui—a “groomer” or “pedophile.” [After online attacks against her by an incoming school board member, a Mesa teacher is suingSharon Benson is named in a lawsuit for allegedly defaming a teacher she is set to have power over.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-36.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/DALL-E-2024-11-20-09.41.52---A-minimalistic-line-drawing-of-a-woman-standing-with-her-back-facing-the-viewer--looking-toward-the-Arizona-Capitol-building.-The-woman-has-shoulder-l-1.webp)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/after-online-attacks-against-her-by-an-incoming-school-board-member-a-mesa-teacher-is-suing/) She, too, has considered closeting herself to avoid being a target. Staas worries about the future of LGBTQ+ teachers if the country continues isolating them by eliminating discussions of sexuality and gender. Just as parents attend school board meetings to fight for their children, she said, they should also advocate for teachers: “Speak out for your teachers who are showing up for your students. Go before your school board and thank those teachers who are supporting your students, because they need to hear that those teachers matter and that they are important.” **Before you go...** *LOOKOUT* is on the struggle bus these days, but we're doing our best to make ends meet and continue pushing forward. We're consistently winning incredible awards that honor our work in the community, and we strive every day to figure out how to make your voice heard in the democratic process. **But we can't do that if we don't exist.** If you can, [ donate by clicking here](https://lookout-publications.fundjournalism.org/lookout-publications-1) and help queer Arizonans feel seen, heard, and empowered to stand up for their rights. ### LOOKOUT Marks Two Years of Impactful Local Queer Journalism URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/lookout-marks-two-years-of-impactful-local-queer-journalism/ Last updated: 2024-12-16T17:58:02.000Z *LOOKOUT* celebrates its second anniversary this week, marking a significant milestone for a startup news organization dedicated to nuanced, nonpartisan, and deeply reported stories about queer people in the Grand Canyon State. This year, more than 350,000 people read and shared our stories across our website and social media. We also educated thousands more people on queer issues at our various in-person events across the state including our annual OUTWATCH Fest, *Summer of Solutions* series, and various tabling events. But the center of our work has been in the stories we've told: From sex education in schools to nonprofit leadership, *LOOKOUT* has driven stories that matter not only to the LGBTQ+ community but also to all Arizonans. As we reflect on two years of impactful journalism leading up to Dec. 22, we celebrate our achievements and the accolades that highlight *LOOKOUT*'s mission to elevate queer journalism to the highest levels of the industry. Our work underscores the necessity of this beat in newsrooms nationwide for years to come. ## **Public Health Fellows Sparked Conversations on Conversion Therapy and Sex Education** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-16-at-10.38.49-AM.png) At the beginning of the year, *LOOKOUT* received a grant to bolster reporting on public health issues. Historically, LGBTQ+ media coverage of public health has focused on disease and depression. At *LOOKOUT*, we chose to explore the underlying causes of these issues. We delivered two series of stories highlighting how Arizona's lack of comprehensive sex education contributes to the rise of HIV and other preventable diseases. Our reporting revealed that since the repeal of the state’s "No Promo Homo" law in 2019,[ state Republicans and Christian-based organizations have introduced even stricter measures to limit sexual health](https://www.lookoutnews.org/sex-education-denied-because-lgbtq-issues/) discussions in public schools. These restrictions have coincided with [an increase in sexually transmitted infections](https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizona-hiv-rising-sex-education/), particularly in areas where sex education has been reduced or eliminated. Our second series examined conversion therapy in Arizona. While few therapists openly advertise the discredited practice, our investigation uncovered how some [providers continue to use it under different terminology](https://www.lookoutnews.org/conversion-therapy-arizona/). We also found that under Gov. Katie Hobbs, the state licensing organizations continue to be slow—or entirely absent—in enforcing licenses for those offering conversion therapy, despite her [executive order banning public resources for such providers](https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizona-board-behavioral-health-conversion-therapy/). ## **A Solutions-Based Look at Services for LGBTQ+ Elders** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-16-at-10.42.56-AM.png) This summer, we focused on what it means to grow old and queer in Arizona. Thanks to a small grant, we hired an intern who produced monthly stories about LGBTQ+ elders. These stories included the role of an [older lesbian woman in fostering Sun City’s](https://www.lookoutnews.org/how-an-older-lesbian-uplifted-sun-citys-queer-community/) LGBT club and [Aunt Rita's program aimed at combating loneliness](https://www.lookoutnews.org/older-lgbtq-arizona-hiv/) among older LGBTQ+ individuals, as well as a look at [how caregivers in the community are more likely to suffer from depression](https://www.lookoutnews.org/lgbtq-people-are-more-likely-to-be-caregivers-causing-health-problems-2/). ## **Deep Dives Into Queer-Led Businesses and Community Challenges** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-16-at-10.48.08-AM.png) One of *LOOKOUT*'s core principles is holding our own community accountable. We have reported on issues within queer-led businesses and organizations, such as the [collapse of Equality Arizona](https://www.lookoutnews.org/equality-arizona-michael-soto/), discrimination [against lesbians and trans men in Phoenix and Tucson gay bars](https://www.lookoutnews.org/phoenixs-gay-bars-and-the-case-of-the-missing-stairs/), and pay [disparities among drag performers](https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-pay-gap-is-causing-drag-performers-to-turn-away-from-gay-bars/). We also covered [concerns about Phoenix Pride](https://www.lookoutnews.org/phoenix-prides-detractors-say-the-organization-isnt-listening/), including ticketing issues and police presence, and explored how Flagstaff Pride faced backlash for silencing dissent over inviting Dr. Jill Biden to speak. ## **Community Events That Fostered Connections** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/12/IMG_7452.jpeg) Beyond journalism, *LOOKOUT* has worked to build a stronger sense of community among LGBTQ+ Arizonans, many of whom have expressed feelings of being unwelcome. To address this, we have hosted events aimed at fostering social connections outside bars and nightclubs. Our *Summer of Solutions* event brought together experts in health, education, politics, and business to [provide readers with tools to improve their daily lives](https://www.lookoutnews.org/lookout-summer-solutions-series/). We also expanded our annual [OUTWATCH Fest, a week-long festival ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/i-wanted-to-make-sure-you-saw-this/)featuring events in partnership with 10 local organizations and businesses. This year, more than 500 people participated, making it one of our most successful initiatives to date. **We are grateful that we can continue doing this work for Arizona's LGBTQ+ community. And you might have noticed that our most impactful work comes from grants and donations that help hire reporters. For our birthday gift, consider donating to us today and help us continue our mission of delivering impactful journalism that not only holds power to account, but builds stronger communities.** [Donate to LOOKOUT for our birthday!](https://lookout-publications.fundjournalism.org/lookout-publications-1/?ref=lookoutphx.org) ### WATCH: How poetry brought Phoenix's queer community together URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/watch-how-poetry-brought-phoenixs-queer-community-together/ Last updated: 2025-03-05T19:26:36.000Z When thems. (with a period) showed up in 2022, the mission was simple: put on some art events that would bring together some unknown talent, gather people who wear cool outfits, and maybe—just maybe—build a community around Phoenix's notoriously undervalued queer art scene. One of their first ideas was a poetry night: a throwback to cafe culture of the 60's and something that many of us had thought was going to be a bad hangover from the 90's. But to the surprise probably of many gays in Phoenix, the "Fruity Poetry Night" has gone from filling a corner of a midtown photography studio to themed nights with standing room only, making it the hit scene in Central Arizona. Thems. has proven—probably more-so than other groups—that there's a market need for queer events that don't involve bars and still make it feel like you're not a teenager being forced to go to a poetry night at the Coffee Plantation in Tempe because there's nothing else to do. Fruity is the brain child of thems. founder Francisco Diaz, who runs Cisco Sews, and former co-founder Eric Cadette, a local poet. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/12/Screenshot-2024-12-08-at-4.10.30-PM.png) A screenshot from 2022 announcing Fruity Poetry Night. (Instagram: @thems.phx) *LOOKOUT* sat down with Diaz and Cadette in 2023 shortly after they launched to understand why they started the group, and how thems.'s beginning was meager, if only to do something out of the box: Both Diaz and Cadette moved to Phoenix at various times from different (read: larger or more eclectic) places, and found the lack of queer culture—or really any culture—in Phoenix a downer. And for a city that boasts the fifth largest population with a significant number being young and queer (we're ranked 13th in the nation), art was something they agreed could build bridges. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/12/IMG_1324-1.JPG) People gather at one of the Fruity Poetry Nights in Phoenix. Photo courtesy of thems. Since then, Cadette has stepped away from the group. He posted a cryptic message on his own Instagram earlier this year that's since been removed claiming he was forced out of thems., but no one has been able to confirm on record the reason for his leaving. One person close to organizers within the art collective said that the split was because of growing pains, and there were differences in how thems. should expand. But the poetry night—as stale as it was fresh—was exactly what Phoenix's queer scene needed, apparently, and is the group's tentpole production. From its first night in the corner of Afternoons Studio on 7th Avenue and Thomas Road, with slightly more than a dozen or so people facing the corner, to a year later having to turn people away and forced people to watch poets perform from outside the studio's window on 7th Avenue. Now, the event has taken over the larger halls of the Phoenix Art Museum and the Ice House in Downtown. The collective has only grown from there, bringing on help from Afternoons Studio to host events more often, making the space colloquially become known as "the space" to go for new queer photography exhibits, lessons, markets, or other events. They even hosted a sapphic book fair during Phoenix Pride. Now, the collective includes volunteers who manage their own verticals such as photography and writing, with hopes to expand into other art. There have been a few ideas that haven't stuck, such as a "Last Sunday" market that was hosted at The Churchill but has since withered away. Though, that appears to have been swapped out with an annual "Fruity Market" that is a mash-up of an art market, a dance party, and an interactive art experience. But a few other art ideas have continued, such as floral bouquet arrangement classes, writing labs, and photography lessons. [**Check out their website to see what's being put on next.**](https://www.themsphx.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org) **Before you go...** *LOOKOUT* is on the struggle bus these days, but we're doing our best to make ends meet and continue pushing forward. We're consistently winning incredible awards that honor our work in the community, and we strive every day to figure out how to make your voice heard in the democratic process. **But we can't do that if we don't exist.** If you can, [ donate by clicking here](https://lookout-publications.fundjournalism.org/lookout-publications-1) and help queer Arizonans feel seen, heard, and empowered to stand up for their rights. ### Mesa Teacher Sues Over Online Attacks URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/after-online-attacks-against-her-by-an-incoming-school-board-member-a-mesa-teacher-is-suing/ Last updated: 2025-03-05T19:26:41.000Z When Tami Staas was first called a “groomer” and perverted on a popular far-right blog site, she decided it wasn’t worth giving the article any more attention than it already received. When another post leaked her name and home address, she still didn’t feel it was worth pushing back or giving the post more publicity. And when she received threatening packages in her mailbox, she again didn’t want to give recognition to the groups pushing the harassment. But when they threatened her job as a teacher—a role Staas has worked in for over a decade with elementary students—she decided it was enough. The difference, she told *LOOKOUT*, was that they came after her ability to make money. “I’m tired, for lack of a better word,” Staas said. “I need to not only set the record straight, but it’s caused a lot of mental anguish. It’s put me through a lot. And I need it to stop.” Staas has been the focus of a campaign by owners and authors of far-right websites trying to—as they believe—expose “sexual indoctrination” of Arizona’s students. Indoctrination and grooming, they said, takes the form of first amendment protections such as reading books about queer people or expressing themselves publicly. The reason for Staas being the focus is because of her dual role as not only a teacher in the Mesa Unified School District, but also because she leads the Arizona Trans Youth Parent Organization, a local community group aimed at offering support and resources to parents of transgender children. In that role, she has been vocal during state legislative sessions advocating for trans students and pushing back against state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne’s policies [limiting access to bathrooms](https://azmirror.com/2023/08/18/schools-chief-says-az-schools-shouldnt-let-trans-kids-use-their-preferred-bathroom/?ref=lookoutnews.org), and enforcing [a sports ban for transgender girls.](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tom-horne-says-the-trans-student/) Staas said she took on the role by accident when a majority of the parents who led the group before fled the state to protect their children from continued anti-trans legislation brought on by Republican lawmakers. And even though Staas has a trans child herself who has already fled the state, she said leaving Arizona is not an option. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/11/Staas1.png) Tami Staas is suing eight people in a civil lawsuit for defaming her. (LOOKOUT) “My roots are here,” she said. “I have faith in Arizona. I’d like to see a change and I’m fighting the good fight.” But that faith has been considerably challenged for the past two years. Some of the articles and posts written about Staas have been shared thousands of times online by accounts run by organizations labeled by the Southern Poverty Law Center as hate groups, including local [Moms for Liberty ](https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/group/moms-liberty?ref=lookoutnews.org)chapters and [Libs of TikTok](https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/individual/chaya-raichik?ref=lookoutnews.org). Now, Staas is suing people associated with those websites who are responsible for using misleading and false information in an alleged attempt to get her fired, including an incoming governing school board member for Mesa Public Schools, Sharon Benson, whose social media is littered with posts blaming LGBTQ+ people for poor academic outcomes across the country. Named in the lawsuit are Benson, Peggy McClain, Chris Hamlet, and Tamra Farah as defendants. Their spouses are also listed in the claim but unnamed. Peggy McClain runs the website “Not In Our Schools,” a blog that targets LGBTQ+ teachers and any school policies affirming queer students. Benson is an at-large board member for Mesa Unified School District’s Governing Board after winning her race this past election, and has been supported by Chris Hamlet, a former candidate for the same board who lost his primary. Tamra Farah is one of the leaders with [Arizona Women of Action](https://www.lookoutnews.org/in-a-leaked-web-meeting-far-right-school-board-candidates-doubled-down-on-anti-trans-rhetoric/), a small collective of conservatives that have endorsed candidates who attack LGBTQ+ students and make false claims about teachers giving out “sexually inappropriate content” in an attempt to stop lessons that may include any reference to LGBTQ+ people. [Candidates across AZ are campaigning against LGBTQ+- affirming policies.There are at least 58 candidates for school board, alone, who have been endorsed by anti-LGBTQ+ groups or other far-right leaders.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-28.png)LOOKOUTZach Bradshaw![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2024-10-10-at-1.03.20-PM-1-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/candidates-across-az-are-campaigning-against-lgbtq-affirming-policies/) Farah also writes opinion stories for *AZ Free News*, a conservative news site that peddles conspiracy theories about “gender ideology” being taught in the state’s schools. The site is overseen by former and current members of conservative legislative policy groups. [Stass' civil lawsuit](https://drive.google.com/file/d/15N7nhCQr9nGuKZW2LuCOU5NMIdmtHFFJ/view?usp=sharing&ref=lookoutnews.org) in the Maricopa County Superior Court says McClain used “Not In our Schools” to spread misinformation about her teaching style and curriculum, including teaching pronouns. McClain’s blog has a modest following: a SimilarWeb report of the website shows that her posts only garner roughly 1,000 views a month. But her posts are often shared on the social media platform X with the website’s 3,000 followers that includes state Rep. Jacqueline Parker, former Maricopa County Attorney candidate Gina Godbehere, and current Congressman-elect Abe Hamadeh. In multiple posts, McClain accused Staas—who teachers third and fourth grade—of pedophilia for hanging a Pride flag in her room and teaching kids about pronouns, specifically the singular form of the pronoun “they.” The post referenced Staas and another teacher, saying “they are not shy about explaining how they influence their students in the classroom to accept their twisted view of sex.” [The June 30 post](https://web.archive.org/web/20241108051258/https://notinourschools.net/mesa-public-schools-teacher-admits-to-lgbtq-influencing-in-classroom/) referred to the teachers as “demonic” and Staas, specifically, as “perverted.” That post, according to Stass' lawsuit, influenced Benson, who was a former teacher with Mesa Public Schools, to comment online that she would have the expectation employees “teach state standards,” and echoed McClain’s statements that Staas was teaching sex and sexuality to her students. Multiple times, Benson has shared anti-LGBTQ+ content from “Not In Our Schools.” On her personal social media pages, Benson has also blamed the election loss of Kamala Harris on transgender staffers in the White House. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/11/X_post_reshare_NIOS.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/11/X_post_repostNIOS.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/11/X_Post_Benson_transblame.png) Sharon Benson has shared multiple posts from the far-right blog site "Not In Our Schools," and has made multiple posts scapegoating the LGBTQ+ community. In August, “Not in Our Schools” posted how a Mesa High School teacher had a “pledge” to “listen to students’ needs patiently and without judgment, to the best of my ability.” McClain’s post claimed the pledge and the rainbow sticker together was evidence of an “LGBTQ Agenda” and “sexual agenda.” Benson also shared that post, which named Staas multiple times as the district’s “LGBTQ ringleader.” Benson commented that “activists are stealing the future away from innocent children, and causing confusion.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/11/X_POst_Benson_-22activist-22.png) In response, the Mesa Unified School District conducted an investigation and found no wrongdoing. Stass' lawsuit said Benson and McClain were given that report, but continued to post about Staas in an attempt to harm her employment. Benson used to be an employee of Mesa Unified before she retired last year. In her position as a teacher, she was also a mandated reporter—someone who is legally required to contact legal authorities if they believe a child is being sexually assaulted or groomed. Before Staas filed her lawsuit, Benson showed up to a Mesa Unified School District board meeting in September and spoke in opposition to being inclusive of LGBTQ+ students and said that it was “inappropriate.” But a review of public-facing investigations from the Arizona Department of Child Safety show Staas has not been investigated for any illegal activity, and there have been no known complaints filed by Benson, despite her legal duty to report inappropriate behavior. “That is because Ms. Benson knew there was no validity to any of her accusations,” Stass' lawyers said in the lawsuit. After winning her election and being served the lawsuit, Benson wrote a post that threatened writing up teachers for “insubordination” and how “truth and virtue will win out if we are vigilant and courageous!” It’s unclear how the defamation lawsuit, if Staas wins, will affect the practices of websites such as *AZ Free News*, which claims on its website to be the “#1 Source for Arizona News & Politics.” “Not In Our Schools” makes no claim to be a news website, but is often quoted as source material for *AZ Free News*, and [McClain has written opinion pieces](https://web.archive.org/web/20240913235520/https://azfreenews.com/2023/03/government-sponsored-mental-health-apps-for-teens-are-dangerous/) for the website before. [Parents of trans youth say bullying starts at the topOften left out of the conversation, they say politicians and other parents are to blame for harassment.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-29.png)LOOKOUTGeri Koeppel (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/RayPhoto.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/trans-youth-parental-rights-law-arizona/) *AZ Free News* is published by the [Arizona Freedom Foundation](https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/863784512?ref=lookoutnews.org), a nonprofit based out of Gilbert that makes claims on advancing independent and investigative news in Arizona. Though neither *AZ Free News* nor the foundation are affiliated, registered or certified by any news affiliates—such as the Institute for Nonprofit News, Arizona Media Association, or LION Publishers—that establish standards for the industry. Its executive director and managing editor, Eric Porteus, was the former director of digital marketing for the Alliance Defending Freedom, a group that opposes LGBTQ+ rights and has been labeled as a Christian-based [hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center](https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/group/alliance-defending-freedom?ref=lookoutnews.org). *AZ Free News*’s board also includes members of conservative policy groups including the Goldwater Institute. One post from Libs of TikTok—an online social media account with a sizable following that[ inspired bomb threats](https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/libs-tik-tok-bomb-threats-oklahoma-library-committee-rcna135369?ref=lookoutnews.org) to[ libraries and children's hospitals](https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/09/02/lgbtq-threats-hospitals-libs-of-tiktok/?ref=lookoutnews.org)—reposted an [opinion piece from *AZ Free News*](https://web.archive.org/web/20241114013653/https://azfreenews.com/2024/08/sexual-groomers-in-schools-should-be-punished-when-related-law-goes-into-effect-next-month/) written by Tamra Farah that shared Stass' personal information that resulted in Staas receiving threatening messages, according to the lawsuit. Farah has written [multiple op-ed pieces for *AZ Free News*](https://azfreenews.com/2024/06/peoria-unified-school-districts-behavioral-health-program-doesnt-work/?ref=lookoutnews.org)that make false claims about [LGBTQ+ people in public schools](https://web.archive.org/web/20240929042242/https://azfreenews.com/2024/09/pusd-counselors-and-teachers-are-indoctrinating-kids-with-lgbtq-ideology/) and is against them celebrating community holidays such as Trans Day of Remembrance. Stass' lawsuit—[which Brick Road Coffee in Tempe is helping to fundraise for and offset costs](https://brickroadcoffee.myshopify.com/products/donation-lgbtq-teacher-legal-defense-fund?ref=lookoutnews.org)— would be one of a [recent wave of cases filed against far-right news websites](https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/misinformation/right-wing-media-reckoning-outlets-pay-price-spreading-2020-election-m-rcna155427?ref=lookoutnews.org) that have been forced to remove articles, publicly apologize, or [pay out damages to people and companies](https://www.npr.org/2024/09/26/nx-s1-5130183/newsmax-smartmatic-settlement-defamation-election-lawsuit?ref=lookoutnews.org) who have been on the receiving end of misleading and false news articles posted about the 2020 election being “stolen” from then-President Donald Trump. [Organizers in AZ brace for impacts of a far-right governmentThe considerable shift to the right locally showed many that the work to attain civil rights is far from over.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-30.png)LOOKOUTCelina Jiménez (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/DALL-E-2024-11-13-08.55.10---Design-a-16_9-illustration-resembling-a-scrapbook-page.-Include-three-distinct-illustrations_-1--a-hand-drawn-cactus-with-simple-lines-and-green-shadi-1.webp)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/organizers-in-az-brace-for-impacts-of-a-far-right-government/) Since Stass' lawsuit, *AZ Free News* has added a clarification to the top of Farah’s opinion piece from August this year that says the language to describe “grooming” or “sexualizing” children is not meant to be taken literally: “The reference to sexually grooming kids concerns encouraging LGBTQIA gender identity considerations. Further, the mention of sexualizing kids refers specifically to encouraging kids to access the specific library books indicated and not to anything else.” Benson, McClain, and Farah would not respond to *LOOKOUT*’s request for comment. **Before you go...** *LOOKOUT* is on the struggle bus these days, but we're doing our best to make ends meet and continue pushing forward. We're consistently winning incredible awards that honor our work in the community, and we strive every day to figure out how to make your voice heard in the democratic process. **But we can't do that if we don't exist.** If you can, [ donate by clicking here](https://lookout-publications.fundjournalism.org/lookout-publications-1) and help queer Arizonans feel seen, heard, and empowered to stand up for their rights. ### Frustrated Community Members Question Flagstaff Pride’s Ethics URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/frustrated-community-members-question-flagstaff-prides-ethics/ Last updated: 2025-06-23T18:01:20.000Z In the beginning of June, Flagstaff Pride was putting the finishing touches on its annual “Pride In the Pines” celebration: performers were booked, vendors were confirmed, and board members were working tirelessly. But 48 hours before the celebration, an announcement was made that completely uprooted the event’s schedule: First Lady Dr. Jill Biden would be speaking. The last-minute news caused drag performances to get rescheduled or canceled altogether, and a series of Secret Service-imposed safety changes shifted the tone of the celebration. Community members expressed confusion and dissent online, but those complaints were quashed online when Flagstaff Pride turned off comments on their Instagram posts. The decision—which allegedly was made solely by Flagstaff Pride’s President—was a catalyst for a public uproar that called into question the legality of Flagstaff Pride’s charity status, as well as the board’s commitment to the city’s queer community. *LOOKOUT* confirmed the claims made by people in this story through text messages and emails exchanged between them and various Flagstaff Pride board members. The impact of the decision is still felt today and created a charged conversation around politics in the area, what the community needs are from the local Pride organization, and a call for accountability among Flagstaff’s queer residents. On June 12, after spending nearly a year working on the event, then-Flagstaff Pride board member Jason Libby received a call from President Zane Jacobs saying that Dr. Biden’s team had reached out, and Flagstaff Pride had decided to accept their request to have her speak at the Pride in the Pines festival. Jacobs told Libby—who organized local performances for the event—that the change would require several performances to either be cut or rescheduled, and that new security procedures would include significant changes, including no sharp items (such as wig pins or earrings). At the time, Libby said JAcobs forbade him to explain to the performers why changes were being made. “Honestly, we might have been able to work it out had Jill been discussed with any of us ahead of time,” Libby told *LOOKOUT*. [Phoenix Pride’s detractors say the organization isn’t listeningLOOKOUT interviewed two-dozen people, from local business owners to volunteers, who said that while Phoenix Pride is welcome, they need to do more than throw a party.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-22.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/17547024_1620072808022912_5399368410434700510_o--1--1.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/phoenix-prides-detractors-say-the-organization-isnt-listening/) Libby had several concerns from the start: how many performers would be negatively affected by this decision? How would attendees with certain mobility needs be let through security? Was this decision even ethical for a 501(c)3? An [official statement](https://flagstaffpride.org/uncategorized/flagstaff-pride-2024-statement/?ref=lookoutnews.org) made by the board claimed the decision was “made collectively” and intended to “highlight unity and the continued fight for equality, not to make a political statement.” The statement has since been removed from the main website, and is only accessible using a direct link. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/11/zane2.jpg) Zane Jacobs, president of Flagstaff Pride, allegedly made the sole decision to approve of Dr. Jill Biden's appearance at Pride in the Pines. Jacobs told LOOKOUT declined further comment, but said that the decision was made by the full board. (Image from NAU website). Jacobs and other board members of Flagstaff Pride declined multiple requests for interviews and comments for this story. Libby said the statement posted was untrue, and the decision “wasn’t run by any of us” on the board. On June 13—the day before the festival—Libby texted all the performers to inform them of the change and then submitted his official letter of resignation from Flagstaff Pride’s board. He was one of a rotating handful of board members that Flagstaff Pride has seen resign from the organization. “I was appalled and frustrated to learn that the FLOTUS was invited—furthermore, invited in place of … local queer entertainment,” Libby wrote in a public statement. “Not only is the visibility of the wife of the US president (in an election year no less!) inherently political, but it is clarified by the Daily Sun’s headline referring to it as ‘A Campaign Stop’ and including many more photographs of Biden/Harris signs than of queer people at the festival.” In a group text to impacted performers, Libby went on: “This is the last straw of a long escapade of not respecting drag, queer people, me, and local artists as a whole, on so many levels. Asking to essentially fire a bunch of you to make room to support a genocidal war criminal is blatant disrespect and something I cannot morally or politically align myself with in good conscience.” Libby clarified that he never encouraged performers to make one decision over another—rather, he simply passed along the information and let them decide. Libby said Jacobs, along with other board members, later called him and threatened legal action for what they claimed was him “forcing performers to drop out.” After Biden’s appearance was announced to the public, planned attendees took to social media to express distaste against the decision. Pride quickly turned off comments from their posts. Performers were frustrated as well, not only because of the unplanned change, but because of the nature of Dr. Biden’s presence. According to community member Soul Yolia, some performers had originally planned to donate their tips to pro-Palestinian organizations or utilize their wardrobe and time to advocate against Israel’s genocidal acts in Gaza. However, they were told by Pride that they had to “leave politics out of it,” a hypocritical choice, Soul said, after learning that Dr. Biden would be allowed to have a platform. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/C8fX5%5FgRXOb/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by 𝕸𝖎𝖆𝖘𝖒𝖆 (@miasma\_drag)](https://www.instagram.com/p/C8fX5%5FgRXOb/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) In light of the backlash, a group of community members—including Libby and fellow former board member Ben Nicholas, who resigned in October 2023—put together “Drag Me To Heritage Square,” a pop-up show scheduled on the afternoon of Pride as a protest and a venue for performers who chose to opt out of Pride In the Pines. The changes for Pride in the Pines on June 14 was noticeable. Performers had to arrive early to be searched by Secret Service, and attendees were forbidden from bringing certain wheeled mobility aids. “Pride’s decision to allow federal security at Pride strips away queer people’s safe space to protest and be themselves.” according to a [statement](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1osG4WJBvbapGtlOfbMyCNACP5hQdpmBvMo1OGdlVqc0/mobilebasic?ref=lookoutnews.org) from the Flagstaff Drag community. “Taking away access to umbrellas, animals, chairs, wagons, and anything with wheels causes an extreme lack of accessibility for a variety of groups, not just chronically ill and disabled attendees.” Meanwhile, Katt Jim, a former Pride board member who was let go in 2020 after 17 years, received calls from friends inside the event who were disheveled by the sudden change. [A pay gap is causing drag performers to turn away from gay barsAn increase in well-attended shows at straight bars and restaurants is welcome for performers who say community spaces are failing to pay up.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-23.png)LOOKOUTCelina Jiménez (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/DSCN2286-1.JPG)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-pay-gap-is-causing-drag-performers-to-turn-away-from-gay-bars/) One healthcare provider, for instance, told Jim that they were no longer allowed to perform HIV testing due to the rigid security rules forbidding needles, and were forced instead to test outside of the venue despite previous agreements from Pride. Other folks in attendance told Jim they noticed many key political constituents and council members were left out of Dr. Biden’s time—constituents who could have potentially represented different politics, a [requirement](https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/charitable-organizations/frequently-asked-questions-about-the-ban-on-political-campaign-intervention-by-501c3-organizations-inviting-a-candidate-to-speak?ref=lookoutnews.org) for 501(c)3’s to legally be allowed to feature a political figure. According to the statement issued by Flagstaff Pride, they believe that the intention of Dr. Biden’s visit was purely to serve as a dignitary and advocate for equality, and not to campaign . They said that dignitary invite [exempted](https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/charitable-organizations/frequently-asked-questions-about-the-ban-on-political-campaign-intervention-by-501c3-organizations-speaking-as-noncandidate?ref=lookoutnews.org) them from 501c3 violations, in addition to the fact that they did not utilize Flagstaff Pride funds to book her. Ariel Leonard, a board member of Flagstaff Pride, said in an email to *LOOKOUT* that Dr. Biden’s visit should not be considered a violation, as Biden appeared as a dignitary representing herself, not President Biden. But a [YouTube video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-uCGXpzauRo&ref=lookoutnews.org) of her speech uploaded by KAFF News shows that while Biden never explicitly encouraged the audience to vote for her husband, her partisanship was made clear with declarations that “Trump is a bully” and “we must stop him.” > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/C%5FBfM46yTsd/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Forest Rainbows Network (@forestrainbowsnetwork)](https://www.instagram.com/p/C%5FBfM46yTsd/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) Meanwhile, crowds gathered at Heritage Square for the pop-up celebration, which Libby said also served as a pro-Palestine rally. Once time came for Dr. Biden to take the stage, many “Drag Me To Heritage Square” attendees marched to Pride In the Pines to protest and advocate for Palestine. In that same YouTube video, cries from protestors can be heard in the background of her speech amidst some voices yelling at protestors to “get out.” Corbin Malinka, a drag performer and primary creator of the pop-up event, led the march and witnessed people getting kicked out of the Pride in the Pines Festival for peacefully protesting inside. “At a certain point, there was so much tension that it didn’t even feel like a festival anymore,” said Soul, who was inside the festival at their work’s booth. “I don’t think there needed to be a removal of people. They should have allowed people to say what they wanted to say. That’s running the line when it comes to a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization.” According to Laurie Liles and Michael Morefield, representatives from AZ Impact For Good, the answer isn’t cut and dry: a 501(c)3 organization’s ability to engage in political activity is extremely limited under what is known as “The Johnson Amendment.” However, there are nuanced circumstances in which it may be permissible, including allowing a certain amount of funds that can be dedicated to lobbying. Though the [Internal Revenue Code](https://www.irs.gov/charities-non-profits/charitable-organizations/restriction-of-political-campaign-intervention-by-section-501c3-tax-exempt-organizations?ref=lookoutnews.org) states that 501(c)3 organizations are “prohibited from directly or indirectly participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office,” it also [states](https://www.nonprofitvote.org/resource/staying-nonpartisan-permissible-election-activities-checklist-2/?ref=lookoutnews.org) that “501(c)(3) organizations may conduct voter engagement or connect with candidates on a nonpartisan basis. This includes encouraging voter participation, educating voters, and talking to candidates about issues.” [While Flagstaff pushes back the case against Epona Rose, activists gather demanding her freedom.Locals are calling on assault charges against Rose to be dropped, claiming she was defending herself from attackers.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-24.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_0100-1.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/epona-rose-flagstaff/) When asked whether Dr. Biden’s appearance at Pride constituted a prohibited political event— especially given the fact that protesters were discouraged from attending and allegedly removed—Liles said the answer is nuanced and not black-and-white. “In this case, Flagstaff Pride convened a public forum and invited Dr. Biden to attend,” she explained. “However, this wasn’t technically a candidate forum, so that in itself does not necessarily make it a partisan event. That said, if the conversation did veer partisan, it would need to be clarified as many times as necessary by Flagstaff Pride that that is not them endorsing a certain candidate.” While potential violations remain unclear, the situation brought the ongoing issue of ethics and transparency within the organization to the forefront. In the wake of the Pride controversy, a group of anonymous local LGBTQ+ community members have since come together to advocate for themselves, especially for BIPOC and trans residents. Deeming themselves Forest Rainbows Network, one of the group’s first acts was to reach out to Pride in the hopes of organizing a town hall to make their concerns heard and engage in restorative, accountable dialogue with the board. But this request was denied by Pride, they said, marking a source of frustration for not only from the network’s representatives, but other queer community members invested in the matter. The intention behind Forest Rainbows Network, they said, is to not only hold Pride accountable for their actions, but continue advocating for safer, more accessible spaces for queer people across Flagstaff. “When it comes to Pride, I don’t think the board understood what they were doing,” Katt Jim, the former Flagstaff Pride board president, told *LOOKOUT*. “They put their own pedestal up and left our community behind. They didn’t think of what the perception would be.” According to Jim, Flagstaff Pride needs to be held accountable for a variety of actions and decisions that extend far beyond and before this current Pride celebration. “What things like this say is that they don’t see us as people, they see us as tokens,” Jim said. “They want to look like they’re one with the people, but they don’t actually care what they have to say. It’s another form of oppression.” [Equality Arizona is back, but under a leader who allegedly doomed it.After quietly losing all its staff last year, Equality Arizona—one of the state’s longest running LGBTQ+ advocacy orgs—faced closure. But a familiar face brought it back, and not everyone is OK with it.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-25.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Michael-Soto_illustration-Luster-Kaboom-1.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/equality-arizona-michael-soto/) As a two-spirit Indigenous activist, Soul has a special tie to Flagstaff and the people who they feel deserve to be given more platforms, whether that’s in the community or on stage alongside people like Malinka, the drag performer. “The main purpose of this whole thing is not to get Pride shut down entirely, we absolutely don’t want that,” Malinka said. “We just want to make sure our board is listening and representing their very small community. If Zane had talked to even one young queer person, he’d know \[Biden’s appearance was\] generally not a wanted thing.” #### Correction: An older version of this story misspelled Zane Jacobs' name. We regret the error. **Before you go...** At *LOOKOUT*, you’re not just a reader — you’re part of our family. Seriously, we mean it. Local news is about building community, and you’re at the center of that. Every day, we work to give you the info you need to stay safe, informed, and empowered — especially in tough times for the LGBTQ+ community. But we can’t do it without you. If you believe in the power of voices that matter and want to see real change, we need your support. A small monthly or annual membership (less than a latte!) helps us keep the journalism that holds power accountable going strong. Join the family and [](https://www.lookoutnews.org/membership) become a member by clicking here. ### Organizers in AZ brace for impacts of a far-right government URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/organizers-in-az-brace-for-impacts-of-a-far-right-government/ Last updated: 2025-03-05T19:26:50.000Z Over the past several months, Claudia Kline’s advocacy has taken on the form of knocking doors, registering voters, and educating neighbors about local ballot measures. Kline, who uses they/them pronouns, has been doing this kind of work since even before being able to vote, themself. Now an electoral campaign manager for [Our Voice Our Vote](https://www.ourvoiceourvote.us/?ref=lookoutnews.org), Kline is just one of thousands of queer Arizonans who have been on the ground before and throughout this past election cycle and bracing for the impact of a GOP-led local government that has, until now, experienced declines in leadership. The Republican party has also openly embraced authoritarian-style leadership on the campaign trail with endorsing Trump as their leader of choice, giving reason for organizers to believe that local policies that restrict trans rights, deny equal access to housing, or make it harder to live and work here legally might mirror what happens at the federal level. With all those factors, people like Kline are contemplating what their next steps will be. “Elections have never been a finish line,” they told *LOOKOUT*. “They’re a check-in with your community … No matter who wins, there is always work to be done and people who need to be held accountable.” [Are Republicans “dragging” down small business revenue?Once obscure, drag is a financial boon for Arizona’s small business scene. Still, Republicans are trying to kill it, putting local businesses at risk.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-20.png)LOOKOUTGeri Koeppel (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/barbra-seville1-1-2.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/are-republicans-dragging-down-small-business-revenue/) Since Trump’s decisive win last week over Vice President Kamala Harris, thousands of people and organizations have posted online and sent out emails saying the next step is to organize each other within the community against possible retaliation from far-right Christian nationalists who hold power. But there aren’t clear and cut ways on how, exactly, to do that—or what that even means. But Sena Mohammed, Our Voice Our Vote’s executive director, said that in order to do that, people need to start thinking differently about the election results. “I don’t want our narrative to be about blaming each other and pointing fingers,” she said. “Nobody benefits from the blame game except the wealthy and well-connected. In order to move forward, we need more genuine outreach, listening and relationship-building.” Organizations like [Rural Arizona Action](https://www.ruralazaction.org/?ref=lookoutnews.org) have said they are committed to extending this kind of community-listening and organizing, no matter how hard people may be to reach. “We need to rethink the way we listen to people rather than making assumptions,” said Sue Doerfer, RAA’s statewide campaign director. “I truly believe that 99 percent of people don’t want others to be harmed – but we need to figure out how to have these conversations so we can come to an understanding that people *are* going to be harmed.” “Those of us in urban communities forget what it’s like in conservative counties and what a radical act it is to just be alive and move around in your own skin,” she elaborated. “Rural communities are largely ignored by the media and by campaigns.” Some organizations, such as [Trans Queer Pueblo](https://www.tqpueblo.org/en?ref=lookoutnews.org), center their work around day-to-day support for communities whose livelihoods are at risk, regardless of electoral outcomes. “Seventy-five to 80% of our members can’t vote, so it’s a system that has already excluded us,” said Media Coordinator for Trans Queer Pueblo Sonix Flores. “We’ve never trusted Arizona to protect us or the elections to represent us. Now, with \[Proposition\] 314 under way, we need to band together … The future that many people are now worried about under Trump has already happened to migrant people.” Under [Proposition 314](https://ballotpedia.org/Arizona%5FProposition%5F314,%5FImmigration%5Fand%5FBorder%5FLaw%5FEnforcement%5FMeasure%5F%282024%29?ref=lookoutnews.org), entering the state unlawfully will be deemed a state crime, striking deep concerns about racial profiling and widespread discrimination and violence reminiscent of [SB1070](https://www.aclu.org/sb-1070-supreme-court-whats-stake?ref=lookoutnews.org). Legal professionals are also preparing for the outcomes of the proposition. Francisco X. Aguirre, a paralegal and founder of [Beyond Attorneys](https://beyondattorneys.com/home?ref=lookoutnews.org), urged immigrant and mixed-status families to start preparing now. “Most people were really caught by surprise by SB1070,” Aguirre said. “It might be difficult to think something like that could happen again, but it really might.” Aguirre added that educating these families on their options is a top priority for him, and should be for concerned community members as well. [Transgender prisoners in AZ consider Harris a better choice, but many won’t (or can’t) cast a vote.The preference runs counter to national survey results showing Donald Trump more favorable among people incarcerated.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-18.png)LOOKOUTZach Bradshaw![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/1200x627_EJAITA_SURVEY_PRESIDENTSHIFT_illustration_241010-copy.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/transgender-prisoners-in-az-consider-harris-a-better-choice-but-many-wont-or-cant-cast-a-vote/) José Patiño, vice president of education and external affairs for [Aliento](https://www.alientoaz.org/?ref=lookoutnews.org)—a migrant advocacy group—urged the community to speak up: make calls to the governor to make sure no extra money is allocated to prop 314, and hold Senator-elect Ruben Gallego and Senator Mark Kelly accountable to advocating for human dignity. “People need space to be heard,” Patiño said. “For some of our youth, especially those who are on DACA, it feels like the only option is to move states or go back to their home country. But they don’t necessarily have the resources to navigate either of those options.” Regardless of background, organizational affiliation or priorities, many organizers appear united in one mindset: it’s time to act. In the midst of tremendous anxiety, organizers also shared messages of hope that the community will make it through together, and the hard work to get there will be worth it. “Regardless of how you feel about her, Harris injected a new energy into the race,” Mohammed said. “It’s up to us to continue to ignite that momentum … And there were some small wins. Prop 139 was overwhelmingly approved, and that’s something that doesn’t rely on a candidate, which feels really good as a woman.” [What does being “purple” mean to Arizona’s LGBTQ+ voters.There is a swell of excitement to flip the legislature to Democrats. But for some, that excitement comes with skepticism.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-19.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2024-10-07-at-7.56.48-AM-1-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/airzona-purple-lgbtq-voters/) [Prop 139](https://ballotpedia.org/Arizona%5FProposition%5F139,%5FRight%5Fto%5FAbortion%5FInitiative%5F%282024%29?ref=lookoutnews.org) enshrines the right to an abortion within Arizona law, in addition to other provisions. Kline echoed Mohammed’s sentiments, saying that, aside from a [mailbox fire](https://ktar.com/story/5618684/phoenix-mailbox-fire-damage-arizona-ballots/?ref=lookoutnews.org) in her Melrose neighborhood that many fear claimed several mail-in ballots, her work gave her hope. “Some of the people we endorsed for the Roosevelt School District got elected,” she shared, adding that she’s celebrating small wins such as her mother’s second time voting. “We need to change the narrative of this being a waste of time to these conversations being investments in our future.” And for all marginalized communities, Doerfer, with Rural Arizona Action, offered this message: “I came out \[as gay\] in 1978\. I was around when 36 states banned same-sex marriage. The morning after that was so dark, but look at where we are now. We are in this for the long haul, and every day that goes by, we make a little movement. I don’t personally think Trump can stop it. We are too strong and too motivated. We need to resist as much as we possibly can.” **Before you go...** *LOOKOUT* strives every day to figure out how to make your voice heard in the democratic process. **But we can't do that if we don't exist.** We need your help now more than ever to keep people in power held to account. **[ Donate by clicking here](https://lookout-publications.fundjournalism.org/lookout-publications-1)** and help queer Arizonans feel seen, heard, and empowered to stand up for their rights. ### How we're covering the election URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/how-were-covering-the-election/ Last updated: 2026-06-29T21:25:54.000Z Good morning *LOOKOUT* readers! We brought back our "Eyes on the State" newsletter early this year to let you know about what we're doing to cover the election through the week. Tomorrow is going to be a very busy day. Not just for those of us in newsrooms, but also for anybody who is doing anything election-related—that means poll workers, campaign staff, volunteers, and even people like you who may be going to vote in person. We are a small team, so we can't monitor everything. Instead, we’ll be focusing on a handful of races we have identified that are important to Arizona’s LGBTQ+ communities—primarily on down ballot issues. We will be posting results of the elections on our [main article page](https://www.lookoutnews.org/lookouts-election-coverage-2024/) here. We are partnering with the Associated Press which—with the generous support of the Knight Foundation—is giving us the ability to bring you election results that are tested, true, and verified. Feel free to [bookmark this page](https://www.lookoutnews.org/lookouts-election-coverage-2024/), or visit it throughout the day to read about what’s happening and what we’re learning throughout the week. We also are working alongside the [Queer News Network](https://queernn.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org), which hired student journalists from the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism to monitor what’s happening in races across the country from 9 a.m.-10 p.m. EST. For those of you who want to be plugged in nationally, we recommend this fantastic cheat sheet on [key races and ballot measures across the nation by Bolts Magazine](https://boltsmag.org/whats-on-the-ballot/your-guide-to-the-elections-in-november-2024/?ref=lookoutnews.org). ### Things to know this week: 1- We may not know who wins what races tomorrow night. If the polls are to be believed, a handful of states—including Arizona—are going to be neck-and-neck for federal elections. We are expecting the same in local races. Polls open at 6 a.m. across the state, and close at 7 p.m. Arizona does not release ballot counts until all precincts have reported, or one hour after polls close, whichever comes first. [**You can view the results when they go live on our elections page here.**](https://www.lookoutnews.org/lookouts-election-coverage-2024/) 2- Between when the polls close and the races are called is when misinformation is spread on ballot numbers, results, or influence. Be cautious of what you share on social media and what you read online. If you see something that you think is worrisome, feel free to DM us on our [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/lookoutphx/?ref=lookoutnews.org), our [X account](https://x.com/lookoutphx?ref=lookoutnews.org), or email us at info@lookoutphx.org and we’ll do our best to help you make sense of it. 3- If you are voting in person, do not forget that so long as you were in line before the polls close at 7 p.m., you are allowed to cast your ballot. This year’s ballot in Arizona is incredibly long, and very complex. So be sure to budget plenty of time to make your decisions. If you don’t know your polling locations, [click here to see where you can cast your vote](https://my.arizona.vote/WhereToVote.aspx?s=address&ref=lookoutnews.org). 4- Don’t be afraid to turn off the news—and that includes us! Sure, we’d love it if you kept going to our site for results. But don’t forget that this race has been emotionally charged, and a lot is at stake for not just people in our community, but for the world. Be sure to take time for yourself and your health. And if that means turning off the news for the day, then do so. If you have other questions on how to report voter intimidation, learn about election observers, or what to do if you experience problems while voting, you can [visit the AZ Sec. of State page on elections here](https://azsos.gov/elections/about-elections/elections-procedures/election-day-operations?ref=lookoutnews.org). ## Catch up on our coverage [Transgender prisoners in AZ consider Harris a better choice, but many won’t (or can’t) cast a vote.The preference runs counter to national survey results showing Donald Trump more favorable among people incarcerated.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/08/lookout-favicon@4x.png)LOOKOUTZach Bradshaw![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/11/1200x627_EJAITA_SURVEY_PRESIDENTSHIFT_illustration_241010-copy.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/transgender-prisoners-in-az-consider-harris-a-better-choice-but-many-wont-or-cant-cast-a-vote/) [The Corporation Commission race includes people who have pushed false claims against LGBTQ+ peopleThe commission’s responsibilities are to manage the state’s utilities. But it also can limit companies who practice social responsibility, including in regards to LGBTQ+ people.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/08/lookout-favicon@4x.png)LOOKOUTZach Bradshaw![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w1200/2024/10/ACC.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizona-corporation-commission-lgbtq-walden-lopez/) [Candidates across AZ are campaigning against LGBTQ+- affirming policies.There are at least 58 candidates for school board, alone, who have been endorsed by anti-LGBTQ+ groups or other far-right leaders.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/08/lookout-favicon@4x.png)LOOKOUTZach Bradshaw![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-10-at-1.03.20-PM-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/candidates-across-az-are-campaigning-against-lgbtq-affirming-policies/) [What does being “purple” mean to Arizona’s LGBTQ+ voters.There is a swell of excitement to flip the legislature to Democrats. But for some, that excitement comes with skepticism.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-eb9bbff4-eb82-43aa-b538-157fa4055b19.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Untitled-design--5--257eec78-8e69-42c6-b729-58deb2b2a524.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/airzona-purple-lgbtq-voters/) [In a leaked web meeting, school board candidates doubled-down on anti-trans rhetoric.The webcast, organized by Arizona Women of Action, is part of a campaign to use LGBTQ+ issues as a galvanizing issue this November.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/08/lookout-favicon@4x.png)LOOKOUTTori Gantz (she/they)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w1200/2024/09/IMG_0107.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/in-a-leaked-web-meeting-far-right-school-board-candidates-doubled-down-on-anti-trans-rhetoric/) [Arizona ID Laws May Disenfranchise Thousands of Trans VotersA new study found that more than 9,000 trans Arizonans could be denied the ability to vote or face significant barriers this November.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/08/lookout-favicon@4x.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w1200/2024/09/IMG_3069-1.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizona-id-laws-may-disenfranchise-thousands-of-trans-voters/) ### Follow our election coverage URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/lookouts-election-coverage-2024/ Last updated: 2024-11-08T21:31:16.000Z --- ## **Race Results** ### Federal Election Results *Results will start updating after all polling locations report, or one hour after all polls close, whichever comes first. Polls close in Arizona at 7 p.m. MST.* **Live Blog from Nov. 5** **9:45 p.m. -** Ballots still haven't dropped in Maricopa or the rest of the state, and we'll be closing out our coverage at 10 p.m. tonight. But some take aways of the day and after the polls closed is that though there were hiccups, long lines, and large turnout, there was also an added feeling of fear, as a handful of election locations had to be evacuated because of bomb threats. What this was: a tense and long day with a lot of anxiety on both sides leading into it, since the polls showed a neck-and-neck race. What this ended up being was not so much that, and more proof that polling—while useful—is not always helpful. **9:30 p.m-** Proposition 139 is being called as a win in Arizona, enshrining the right for an abortion until fetal viability. It's a sign that even though all signs are pointing to a more conservative nation, that abortion and women's abilities to make healthcare decisions for themselves was a dividing factor within the Republican party. **8:56 p.m. -** Proposition 139, which would make abortion a right in the state of Arizona, has a size-able lead and could handedly win. **8:42 p.m. -** Ballots counted so far have anti-LGBTQ+ candidates receiving hefty support in their races for school boards across Maricopa and Pima County. In Peoria, a district that has experienced contentious public backlash for their anti-LGBTQ+ board decisions, former district employee Janelle Bowles and sister to Jan. 6 attendee and state Sen. Anthony Kern is trailing Becky Proudfit. **8:40 p.m. -** With 50% of votes counted, Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are in a dead heat at exactly 49.6% of the vote, each. Trump leads, though, with just under 4,000 votes. At the same time, Kari Lake is trailing Ruben Gallego by almost five percentage points, giving credence to early polling that Republicans who preferred Trump didn't find Lake as appealing. **8:30 p.m. -** Currently, the three leading contenders for Arizona's Corporation Commission are all Republicans, which—if the leads continue—would keep the commission a supermajority in favor of Republicans. Two of those three are people who have publicly opposed LGBTQ+ rights. **8:15 p.m. -** The Associated Press called Yassamin Ansari's race for Congressional District 3, and is currently the only state race being called by the news organization. She will be the second Iranian-American woman ever elected to Congress. **8 p.m.-** More bomb threats, this time in Bisbee. Sheriff Mark Dannels told press that he has not yet tied the threat at the Cochise County elections office to similar threats made from Russian emails. On X, NewsNation reporter Ali Bradley wrote that Cochise County said: “The elections department has been evacuated due to a bomb threat. Employees are safe and the Board has been notified. First unofficial results which were to be posted soon after 8:00 PM will now be delayed.” **5:30 p.m.-** The Maricopa County Superior Court was evacuated due to a bomb threat. Other threats have been made at polling locations across the state, with even more across the nation. The FBI released an announcement saying that all the threats, as of now, have been from Russian misinformation farms targeting key constituencies. **4:00 p.m. -** State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne was kicked out of a polling location for violating the state's 75-foot perimeter rule, the [Arizona Republic](https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/11/05/schools-chief-tom-horne-told-leave-polling-site-gathering-signatures/76073804007/?ref=lookoutnews.org) is reporting. The Republic reported that Horne was gathering signatures for a his re-election bid for 2026\. **11:30 a.m.-** Proposition 139 electioneers were kicked off the property of the Coconino Grace Community Church this morning by poll workers. The workers told interns with Arizona List, a pro-abortion organizing group that canvasses for Democrats, to leave because it was "private property" and the owner of the church was anti-abortion, according to Jasmine Jewell, the northern Arizona director for Arizona List. Polling locations are not allowed to kick voters or electioneers off their property unless they have been listed as an "[emergency voting location](https://elections.maricopa.gov/asset/jcr:92762eac-dc89-4bf3-9a56-498e86e083f5/Final%20November%202020%20General%20Election%20Day%20and%20Emergency%20Voting%20Plan%209-16-20.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org)." Jewell said the church was not. She said she has already contacted the Coconino County Recorder's Office, which informed her that she and her group were allowed to electioneer at the location outside of the 75-foot boundary. A call to Coconino Grace Community Church and the County Recorder's Office went unanswered. **10:30 a.m.-** A lengthy ballot that includes dozens of races across four individual pages has sparked conspiracy theories across Truth Social and TikTok that cast doubts on the length it will take to count millions of ballots. The posts have made false claims that election tabulation could be done easily, and without any evidence gave credence to election deniers—many of who are running for public office—that voting machines are rigged. On Truth Social, Donald Trump shared a campaign massage urging his voters to make the state "Too Big to Rig," alluding to many Republican's claims that Maricopa County's voting results in 2020 and 2022 were not true sicne they favored Democratic leadership. --- ### Arizona Corporation Commissioner Three seats are up for grabs in this highly contested but overlooked race. Two of those candidates, Rachel Walden and Rene Lopez, have promoted or made anti-LGBTQ+ comments. [Read our story about the race here.](https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizona-corporation-commission-lgbtq-walden-lopez/) ### ### Maricopa County School Superintendent The race for the top educator in Maricopa County includes Shelli Boggs, a Republican candidate who has promoted on her campaign website anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric. Boggs has also been endorsed by groups that have made homophobic remarks about "gender ideology," a conservative phrase that aims to cast dispersions on curriculums that include sexual heath, lessons on gender, as well as books that have LGBTQ+ characters. --- ### County Attorney Races in Maricopa and Pima Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell has been accused by her opponent of not prosecuting certain sex crimes on ASU campuses. Other claims have been made that she has not actively sought out prosecuting hate-crimes, specifically anti-LGBTQ+ crimes. In Pima County, Laura Conover, who has been championed as a "progressive prosecutor," is up for re-election. Conover, though, has been [mired in controversy](https://www.tucsonsentinel.com/local/report/060724%5Fpioneer%5Fconover/1970-pioneer-fire-case-still-raising-questions-conover/?ref=lookoutnews.org) after withholding information that would have forced her to not represent the county during a post-conviction proceeding where she previously had done legal work for the plaintiff. ### Transgender prisoners in AZ consider Harris a better choice, but many won’t (or can't) cast a vote. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/transgender-prisoners-in-az-consider-harris-a-better-choice-but-many-wont-or-cant-cast-a-vote/ Last updated: 2025-03-05T19:26:55.000Z Recent survey data conducted on trans and nonbinary prisoners in Arizona show stronger support for Vice President Kamala Harris in tomorrow’s election, but barriers to ballots and a lackadaisical approach to politics may mean their votes aren’t cast. *The Marshall Project*, a non-profit news outlet covering the criminal justice system, sent out tens of thousands of surveys to incarcerated people in an attempt to learn how prisoners felt about the election cycle. Almost 54,000 people responded to the surveys. Among them were more than 6,900 prisoners across Arizona's detention centers, with 145 of those people identifying as transgender, nonbinary, or two-spirited. The data from the survey’s queer respondents reflect similar trends to Arizona’s voting block, generally, with a higher percentage of people aligning themselves as Independents rather than Republican or Democrat. And [just as in national surveys,](https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/4882962-lgbtq-voters-harris-leads-trump/?ref=lookoutnews.org) they are more likely to cast a vote for Harris. “She gave much of her support to give back to the community," said one queer prisoner in Arizona who responded they would vote for Harris. "I like her beliefs and think that she would lead the country forward.” While some said they would prefer someone different, only one non-cisgendered respondent said they would vote for Donald Trump. “As she has been Vice President, it is difficult to really understand her political stance," said one transgender prisoner who would vote for a third-party candidate. "Is she a polarized Democrat, or a politician who will rally the nation to give up this divisive radicalist political polarization? A nation united shall forever stand tall, but a nation divided (as we are currently) shall surely fall.” The struggle of Democrats to get those last few queer votes over to Harris is a national trend as there continues to be some support for Republicans among the community, and not enough pushback or education from Democrats, said Tiera Rainey, executive director of the Tucson Bail Fund. “The Republican Party has been very clear with its virulent anti-trans position,” Rainey said. “But I think for the Democratic Party, I don't think they've been strong enough on condemning the anti-trans… negative talking points. And I don't think people feel represented by the system.” Rainey said for that reason, it’s more likely that someone who is transgender doesn’t vote at all in the presidential election. “I know plenty of trans folks, just in the community, who are very apathetic to the political process because they feel like it doesn't represent them,” she said. “The data seems to reflect that.” She described the current election cycle as a “very dark political time,” which deters many people who are transgender—especially incarcerated individuals—from choosing a side. But Rainey said one of the largest challenges for incarcerated individuals is the barrier to entry to vote. Incarcerated Arizonans are able to vote, but with some caveats: People convicted of misdemeanors and living in jails are allowed to vote. For those who have been convicted of a single felony their voting rights are restored after release, while those who have multiple felonies must wait two years after release and apply to get their rights restored by a judge from the court where they were sentenced. It’s unclear how many jailed people in Arizona have been able to get a mail-in ballot since Sec. of State Adrian Fontes [sent a memo to detention centers](https://azsos.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2024%5FJail%5FVoting%5FGuide.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) clarifying a prisoner’s right to vote this election. Even still, the survey data illustrates that if mail-in-ballots were sent in to eligible queer voters, many would appear to not want to cast their vote. In *The Marshall Project*’s survey, 41% of Arizona’s respondents said they were not likely to vote in the November election. Only a quarter of respondents said they were probably going to vote. It’s unclear if that divide is due to voting eligibility reasons or low interest. Civic engagement among incarcerated individuals lags behind other parts of the state, Rainey said, specifically among incarcerated individuals who consider themselves part of the LGBTQ+ community. “Half of Americans don't participate in the presidential election, right? So I think we also have to understand that that still exists within the LGBTQ+ community," she said. "Even if they're incarcerated, those dynamics still exist where people are not politically engaged." She also doubts the state’s detention facilities have done much political education work. Since Harris entered the race, 38% of the 2,679 prisoners in Arizona who responded to a survey question on presidential preference said they preferred Trump, while 40% said they preferred Harris. That bucks the national trend, where incarcerated individuals support Trump’s presidency at 46% and 33%, respectively, according to the survey. Trump’s support among those incarcerated has remained steadfast among white males, with Harris receiving support primarily from prisoners of color and women. In 2020, The Marshall Project conducted a similar survey and found that Trump, generally, had more support than then-Presidential nominee Joe Biden. You can [view the survey results here](https://observablehq.com/@themarshallproject/survey3-state-summaries?ref=lookoutnews.org). #### Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated Columbia University partnered with **The Marshall Project* to conduct the survey. The school assisted in weighing the survey data. The story above has been updated to reflect that change. **Before you go...** *LOOKOUT* is Arizona's only news outlet focused on accountability journalism for the state's LGBTQ+ community. **But we can't do that if we don't exist.** From now until Dec. 31, any donation to us up to $1,000 is doubled by NewsMatch. [ Donate by clicking here](https://lookout-publications.fundjournalism.org/lookout-publications-1) and help queer Arizonans feel seen, heard, and informed. ### The race you never thought to pay attention to URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/phoenix-prides-detractors-copy/ Last updated: 2024-10-30T19:41:20.000Z **In this week's newsletter: Two candidates for the commission have anti-LGBTQ+ stances; Pride bomb threat thwarted; Food security amongst queer Arizonans a looming question; Anti-LGBTQ+ Oklahoma candidate funded by companies who scored perfect grades on HRC's Equality Index; And a new *In-Queer-sitive* game for the week!** --- **GONE CORPORATE:** The Arizona Corporation Commission is one of the races you might not have thought to pay attention to, but the members of the five-person commission have immense power in what happens to your wallets, specifically in regard to how much you pay in utilities. But there is an added nuance to the commission's powers, which could directly impact LGBTQ+ people and allied businesses: licensing and regulation of business practices. The board ruled, for example, to not make contract decisions based on if companies have an Environmental, Social, and Governance policy in place. The ACC Chairman Jim O'Connor said that any company pushing those programs (which includes equity and diversity) would receive "swift pushback." There are two candidates on the ballot who have either sued Mesa Public Schools for their trans-affirming school policies, or said they don't believe LGBTQ+ people deserve equal treatment under state law. Those candidates, if elected, could have a small impact on queer people across the state. Read our full story here: [The Corporation Commission race includes people who have pushed false claims against LGBTQ+ peopleThe commission’s responsibilities are to manage the state’s utilities. But it also can limit companies who practice social responsibility, including in regards to LGBTQ+ people.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/08/lookout-favicon@4x.png)LOOKOUTZach Bradshaw![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w1200/2024/10/ACC.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizona-corporation-commission-lgbtq-walden-lopez/) **LOOKOUT'S TAKE:** This kind of story shows that down ballot elections are pivotal in our day-to-day lives. Even though there is little the Arizona Corporation Commission can do to effect LGBTQ+ rights, there is something to be said about assuring a good quality of life in terms of costs. For example: LGBTQ+ people, in general, live at or below the federal poverty line in higher numbers than their straight peers, according to a national study done by the Williams Institute at UCLA. But there is another aspect of down ballot elections that few people recognize: these are stepping stones for higher office, with broader responsibilities that could, in the end, result in wider legislation that impacts the state's queer communities. --- ## 🌵 LOCAL NEWS - **PRIDE THREAT:** A local teen is being charged as an adult for his plot to set a bomb off at Phoenix Pride. [**AZFamily**](https://www.azfamily.com/2024/10/23/teen-arrested-plotting-isis-inspired-terror-drone-attack-phoenix-pride-parade/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **FOOD INSECURITY:** The Arizona Food Bank Network is surveying LGBTQ+ people about food insecurity, since only federal data about the issue exists. [**KJZZ**](https://www.kjzz.org/kjzz-news/2024-10-29/lgbtq-community-experiences-higher-rates-of-hunger-a-new-survey-aims-to-find-solutions?ref=lookoutnews.org) ## 🇺🇸 NATIONAL NEWS - **CORPORATE BACK-OUTS:** Conservative attacks against the community have companies backing out of Pride promotions, governance groups, and claims to diversify talent. [**Bloomberg**](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2024-10-26/lgbtq-rights-under-attack-as-us-companies-rework-dei-policies?embedded-checkout=true&ref=lookoutnews.org) - **KENTUCKY VOTES:** A rise in anti-LGBTQ+ laws has helped garner an increase of openly queer candidates across Kentucky. [**Queer News Network**](https://queernn.com/article/671bba0fb4d9a00204553392?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **ILLINOIS VOICES:** Rural queer folk in Illinois are getting a chance to re-elect their first openly gay congressman. But they hesitate to think anything will change. [**Queer News Network**](https://queernn.com/article/671bd2a0eff7d71ea035ebd2?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **CHURCH ENDORSEMENTS:** A prominent pastor and his church in suburban Southern California is endorsing far-right candidates that have made homophobic comments. [**Queer News Network**](https://queernn.com/article/671bcb07643d6418e6009632?ref=lookoutnews.org) --- ## ****IN-QUEER-SITIVE** Test your knowledge of this week in queer news! Answer the question below related to a story in this week's newsletter and get entered into a raffle to win **LOOKOUT* swag. ## What is the name of the AZ Corporation Commission candidate who sued Mesa Public Schools for their student-affirming policy on trans kids? [Submit your answer here](mailto:newsletters@lookoutphx.org) ### **Last week's question:** What is the name of the local organization that protested Phoenix Pride Parade in 2017 and 2018? ### **Last week's answer: Trans Queer Pueblo** ### The Corporation Commission race includes people who have pushed false claims against LGBTQ+ people URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizona-corporation-commission-lgbtq-walden-lopez/ Last updated: 2025-03-05T19:27:00.000Z The races for three seats on the Arizona Corporation Commission might be one people overlook on a lengthy 2024 election ballot, but it has significant economic consequences for Arizonans and even the state’s LGBTQ+ community, Democratic candidates in the race said. Five people are elected to the commission, which oversees utility rates and licensing for businesses. This year, three seats are up for grabs in what is currently a supermajority of Republicans (only one Democrat currently sits on the commission). Two of the six candidates running—Rachel Walden and Rene Lopez—have a history of anti-LGBTQ+ platforms and rhetoric: Walden attempted to sue the Mesa Unified School District for having trans-affirming policies, and Lopez has said he is against statewide LGBTQ+ protections. Those past statements and actions give insight into how they could make decisions on regulating LGBTQ+ businesses and price increases on a population that already experiences higher rates of poverty, other candidates said. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/10/WALDEN.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/10/RENE.jpg) Rachel Walden, left, and Rene Lopez, right. Both are candidates for the Arizona Corporation Commission and have made false claims against the community or have aligned with anti-LGBTQ+ platforms, such as equal protections for queer people across the state. (AZVoterGuide.com) “The ACC impacts every single Arizonan,” says [candidate Ylenia Aguilar](https://www.aguilarforarizona.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org), who’s running on a platform of increasing the state’s renewable energy and protecting consumers. “Whether you're a Democrat, Republican, Independent, Latino, black, LGBTQ, everyone's impacted.” Arguably, the commission’s most important responsibility is dictating the prices of water, electricity, and gas for homes and businesses statewide. Aguilar said the current ACC has allowed for sizable rate increases and approved harmful laws that have hurt the Arizona economy and residents who don’t have a say in the prices of their utilities. Those living in poverty are affected most. Nationwide, LGBTQ+ people experience living in poverty more than their straight peers. A study done by the Williams Institute of UCLA found that in 2021, 36% of LGBTQ+ families lived in poverty. For single queer people, they experienced poverty five percentage points more than straight populations. It’s unclear if there has been any similar study done for Arizonans. “People can't afford the substantial amount of increases that the current commission—which has been in Republican leadership for over 20 years—continues to approve,” Aguilar said. However, the issue stems beyond just the higher rates, Aguilar said, because the current committee is not representing Arizonans. [What does being “purple” mean to Arizona’s LGBTQ+ voters.There is a swell of excitement to flip the legislature to Democrats. But for some, that excitement comes with skepticism.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/08/lookout-favicon@4x.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w1200/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-07-at-7.56.48-AM-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/airzona-purple-lgbtq-voters/) In 2023, Walden—a former Mesa Public Schools governing board member—[filed a lawsuit](https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/mesa-education/2023/11/22/former-trump-aide-stephen-millers-legal-group-suing-mesa-schools/71668226007/?ref=lookoutnews.org) against Mesa Public Schools over the district's guidelines for supporting transgender students. That lawsuit was backed by the legal group created by Stephen Miller, a former Trump advisor. The case states that a school district policy to assist and encourage trans students was “an astonishing situation that once would have been unthinkable.” The district and its superintendent Andi Fourlis assured the [guidelines](https://departments.mpsaz.org/page/legal?ref=lookoutnews.org) for supporting transgender and gender nonconforming students were "intended to help schools ensure a safe learning environment free from discrimination and harassment.” Two months before filing the suit, Walden [posted transphobic remarks](https://x.com/waldenpatriot/status/1687527241281118209?ref=lookoutnews.org) to her Twitter account. Another candidate, [Rene Lopez](https://voterenelopez.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org), opposes adding “sexual orientation,” “gender identity,” or “gender expression” to the protected classes of race, religion, age, sex and ancestry in nondiscrimination law, according to the [Arizona Voter Guide](https://www.azvoterguide.com/about/?ref=lookoutnews.org), a nonpartisan guide created by the conservative and anti-LGBTQ+ lobbying group Center for Arizona Policy. Lopez has also shared posts on his X account from Libs of TikTok, an alt-right social media account that has made incendiary and violent claims against LGBTQ+ people and is a source for conspiracy theorists who believe schools are "transing" children, which is not happening. [How a local turn-of-phrase turned into a call for peace across ideologiesPenny Smith was admired in Cottonwood. So when someone besmirched her in a city council meeting, residents sought to lower the temperature.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/08/lookout-favicon@4x.png)LOOKOUTCelina Jiménez (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w1200/2024/10/AdobeStock_379717090-1.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/cottonwood-penny-peace-drag-queens/) To be clear, the ACC can’t alter laws on LGBTQ+ rights. However, the commission is supposed to represent those who are “voiceless,” Aguilar said. “If they're anti-LGBTQ, they're anti-immigrant, they're anti-Muslim, they're anti-everything,” she said. Neither Walden nor Aguilar responded to requests for comment. But there is an added responsibility with the ACC that Joshua Polacheck, another commission candidate, said could harm LGBTQ+ businesses: registering and approving businesses. Because the ACC is responsible for licensing and approving corporations and limited liability companies, Polacheck said the ACC could start forcing out companies that have environmental, social, and governance policies. ESG policies can include LGBTQ+-affirming policies for staff and their families. “They have talked about banning corporations that currently have, or have ever had, ESG policies,” Polacheck said. “The economic impact of that, just to win some political point, is deeply, deeply concerning.” Earlier this year, the [ACC voted to draft rules](https://azfreenews.com/2024/02/arizona-corporation-commission-moves-to-limit-esg-push-by-energy-companies/?ref=lookoutnews.org) to repeal existing rules and mandates for renewable energy, limiting companies’ push to meet ESG goals. Polacheck, who is endorsed by the political action committee [LGBTQ+ Victory Fund](https://victoryfund.org/?ref=lookoutnews.org), said elected officials have a responsibility to represent all citizens, especially if the official works in a portion of government that may be less known, such as the ACC. Polacheck said Walden’s lawsuit and Lopez’s stance on the LGBTQ+ community is “not American.” [Arizona ID Laws May Disenfranchise Thousands of Trans VotersA new study found that more than 9,000 trans Arizonans could be denied the ability to vote or face significant barriers this November.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/08/lookout-favicon@4x.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w1200/2024/09/IMG_3069-1.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizona-id-laws-may-disenfranchise-thousands-of-trans-voters/) “It's wrong, and to do it in such a way where it has nothing to do with the office you're running for, normalizes it as a way to take power,” Polacheck said. “In some ways, that's worse.” Polacheck also said that once someone is elected to the ACC, or any local position of power, it could put them in line to be elected for a more prominent position of power, where they could have the power to directly impact marginalized communities. But a seat on the ACC isn’t a powerless position, despite there being perhaps less understanding of the commission among Arizonans, Polacheck said. He said it was crucial to understand how the ACC could impact Arizona communities, especially marginalized ones. “If you are unhappy with what your electricity bill or your Southwest Gas bill is… the utilities understand with this (Republican) majority on the Corporation Commission, they can basically push for a 10% increase in the bill every single year forever,” Polacheck said. “So imagine that in line with your household budget.” [Are Republicans “dragging” down small business revenue?Once obscure, drag is a financial boon for Arizona’s small business scene. Still, Republicans are trying to kill it, putting local businesses at risk.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/08/lookout-favicon@4x.png)LOOKOUTGeri Koeppel (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w1200/2024/08/barbra-seville1-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/are-republicans-dragging-down-small-business-revenue/) **Before you go...** *LOOKOUT* is Arizona's only news source dedicated to reliable, nonpartisan, and independent journalism for the queer community. We hold powerful people inside and outside the community to account, and we are mission-driven to make our readers more informed in their day-to-day lives. **But we can't do that if we don't exist.** If you can, [ donate by clicking here](https://lookout-publications.fundjournalism.org/lookout-publications-1) and help queer Arizonans feel seen, heard, and empowered to stand up for their rights. ### Phoenix Pride's Detractors URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-swell-of-anti-lgbtq-campaigns-in-arizona-copy/ Last updated: 2025-02-05T20:43:31.000Z **In this week's newsletter: Does Phoenix Pride have room for improvement?; A trans jailhouse lawyer wins her case against the state; Backlash turns into badge of honor; And a new *In-Queer-sitive* game for the week!** --- **PRIDE FESTIVALS:** This past weekend was the Phoenix Pride Festival, where we engaged with hundreds of people to learn their interests and what they wanted from local news. That's how we get most of our story ideas, actually; we rely heavily on people coming to us to explain what's going on inside and outside the community, and then we try and dig in. In essence, we view our role as a news organization similar to an ombudsman. So when a handful of people reached out a few months ago about concerns surrounding Phoenix Pride's ticket price, their entertainment choices, and the continued use of police inside the festival both as peacekeepers and at a booth, we decided to dig in a bit more. Over the course of three months, we spoke to 24 people who worked with Pride, have been volunteers, or are regular festival-goers who stopped attending in recent years. We asked them all a very basic question: what do you want from your local Pride organization? The answers varied, from finding a festival location that wasn't gated and hidden away from the general population, to more advertising of local talent. But across all 24 people, there were three consistent concerns: all of them said Pride festivals should be free to attend and that the organization needs to engage more with the community, while a large majority believed police presence at the festival should be reduced even more. It's a nuanced piece of reporting. Pride said there are some bureaucratic problems they simply would never be able to do. And while everyone agreed Phoenix Pride is important, they all said there is room for improvement. Read our full story here: [Phoenix Pride’s detractors say the organization isn’t listeningLOOKOUT interviewed two-dozen people, from local business owners to volunteers, who said that while Phoenix Pride is welcome, they need to do more than throw a party.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/08/lookout-favicon@4x.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w1200/2024/10/17547024_1620072808022912_5399368410434700510_o--1--1.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/phoenix-prides-detractors-say-the-organization-isnt-listening/) **LOOKOUT'S TAKE:** These kinds of complaints against Pride aren't new, and Phoenix Pride is just one of dozens of Pride organizations nationwide that have had to deal with reckonings from their community. Even the parade's Grand Marshal Chef Silvana Salcido Esparza, who recently retired as the owner of Barrio Cafe, posted on Instagram critiquing Phoenix Pride for their parade choices (she reposted a video of someone criticizing Amazon's float leading the march). She captioned the post: "Pride has changed." In other cities, there has been a growing call for grassroots Pride parades as an alternative, also referred to as "anti-Pride" marches. They involve Trans Marches, Drag Marches, Black Pride Marches, and Disability Pride Marches. They all evolved from the same complaint: the local Pride organization wasn't doing enough. Phoenix, it seems, is far from that kind of internal uprising. Even though there have been protests at Phoenix Pride by queer people in the past, there appears to be time for Phoenix Pride to engage with Phoenix's LGBTQ+ community before an all-out rebellion. The question on most people's minds, though, is if the community is willing to engage with Phoenix Pride. And if they do, will they be heard? --- ## 🌵 LOCAL NEWS - **JAILHOUSE LAWYER:** A federal prisoner held in Tucson won her case against the government after being housed in a men's prison. [**The Marshall Project**](https://www.themarshallproject.org/2024/10/09/trans-tucson-federal-prison-assault-prea?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **PROJECT 2025:** The conservative policy playbook could have an outsized effect on the LGBTQ+ community, and *LOOKOUT* is partnering with Local Media Association in their event today dissecting the policy. [**NewsIsOut**](https://newsisout.com/2023/11/how-conservative-playbook-project-2025-could-affect-lgbtq-people-if-it-comes-to-pass/21317/?ref=lookoutnews.org) ## 🇺🇸 NATIONAL NEWS - **WHIPLASH:** After a conservative group of people posted LGBTQ+ friendly stores in rural Ohio to boycott, the shop owners rejoiced. [**Buckeye Flame**](https://thebuckeyeflame.com/2024/10/21/lancaster-boycott-businesses/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **RELIGIOUS INTERVENTION:** A pastor who has promoted LGBTQ+ equality is running for office in an attempt to counter far-right evangelicalism. [**Premier Christian News**](https://premierchristian.news/us/news/article/pro-lgbt-pastor-runs-for-office-missouri?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **WHY THE DEBATE?:** A Q&A with *ESPN* journalist Katie Barnes dives into why trans kids in sports became the flashpoint in today's culture wars. [**LGBTQ Nation**](https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2024/10/how-did-the-trans-sports-debate-become-such-a-hot-topic-this-election-season/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **FUNDING CUTS:** LGBTQ+ people experience domestic violence higher than their straight peers. So when funding gets cut from services, there is a direct impact on our community. [**Mother Jones**](https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2024/10/domestic-violence-federal-funding-cuts-risks-death/?ref=lookoutnews.org) --- ## ****IN-QUEER-SITIVE** Test your knowledge of this week in queer news! Answer the question below related to a story in this week's newsletter and get entered into a raffle to win **LOOKOUT* swag. ## What is the name of the local organization that protested Phoenix Pride Parade in 2017 and 2018? [Submit your answer here](mailto:newsletters@lookoutphx.org) ### **Last week's question:** Who is the candidate running for Maricopa County School Superintendent whose website says they want to get rid of gender studies? ### **Last week's answer: Shelli Boggs** ### Phoenix Pride's detractors say the organization isn't listening URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/phoenix-prides-detractors-say-the-organization-isnt-listening/ Last updated: 2025-03-05T19:27:04.000Z Phoenix Pride is one of the largest LGBTQ+ nonprofits in the state, with a multi-million dollar budget built off organizing events such as the Rainbow Festival and the annual Phoenix Pride Festival held in Steele Indian School Park. And while their events attract tens of thousands of attendees each year, a growing number of people have expressed concerns about the organization’s business model and relationship with the community. *LOOKOUT* spoke with two dozen people over three months who said that while they are happy Phoenix Pride exists and supports what it does, they are disappointed by the organization’s silence at a time when anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric is spreading across the state and said that Phoenix Pride could do more to engage with the community. Many of the people *LOOKOUT* interviewed agreed to speak on the condition of anonymity. Some have received grants from the organization, others do business at the festivals, or are concerned about retaliation from those aligned with Phoenix Pride. To ensure accuracy, *LOOKOUT* asked for messages, emails, and other documents to support the claims from anonymous sources whenever possible. Complaints from those interviews varied, from the organization’s use of police officers at the festival—where they serve as both peacekeepers and participants at a booth—to the $35 entry fee for a festival that one person described as “a corporate fairground.” However, some argue Phoenix Pride is doing what is necessary for the community: creating event spaces and fundraising for local groups through grants and student scholarships (Phoenix Pride has cumulatively awarded over $1 million to students and local LGBTQ+ groups over the past decade). But even those who support Phoenix Pride took issue with the festival’s ticket cost and expressed an overarching fear of speaking out against the organization. ## Police Presence Divides Community ![Trans Queer Pueblo's march during Pride in 2017.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/10/636269196651536204-17635248-1620086971354829-1841631832369137867-o.webp) Trans Queer Pueblo's march during Pride in 2017\. (Courtesy of Trans Queer Pueblo) In 2020, after the murder of George Floyd, Phoenix Pride [issued a statement](https://phoenixpride.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Phoenix-Pride-Statement-Police-Policy-2020-07-08.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) saying it would no longer allow police to march in the parade and would use the minimum number of uniformed officers required to enforce liquor laws and monitor the festival. That policy, according to Phoenix Pride spokesperson Jeremy Helfgot, remains in place. Helfgot said the organization has no choice but to use police officers to enforce laws at the festival. But community members—particularly immigrants and queer people of color—argue that Phoenix Pride should consider alternatives to police. Indeed, the City of Phoenix can require organizations to use off-duty police officers to patrol events in city parks or where special event liquor licenses are offered, but city regulations also allow other options, according to the [city’s liquor license applications](https://www.phoenix.gov/cityclerksite/MediaAssets/Special%20Event%20Application.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) and local codes. On the [City of Phoenix Parks website](https://www.phoenix.gov/parkssite/Documents/PKS%5FSteele%5FIndian%5FSchool/PKS%5FSteele%5FIndian%5FSchool%5FPark%5FMemorial%5FHall%5FReservation%5FForm.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org), though, there is a requirement to hire an off-duty police officer when liquor is being served inside any city-owned park. At the city-owned Heritage Square, where the Rainbow Festival is held, the [event rental page says](https://heritagesquarephx.org/rentals/?ref=lookoutnews.org), "The City requires that events serving alcohol must hire an off-duty police officer or a city-approved security company to serve as security while the alcohol is being served.” Community members say that Phoenix Pride should push back, but Helfgot said that's not a realistic ask: "The city's rules are the city's rules, and the city gets itself into trouble if it starts to make exceptions," he said, adding that Phoenix Pride's leverage is "pretty much non-existent." But he also said the organization wouldn't look into pushing the city into alternatives because they are a partner for the event. This is not the first time Phoenix Pride has been criticized by community organizers for its use of local police. A short film created by Trans Queer Pueblo in 2018, calling out Phoenix Pride and highlighting their protest. (Courtesy of Sonix Flores) In 2017, Trans Queer Pueblo—an immigrant and LGBTQ+ nonprofit group in Phoenix—was asked to march in the parade but took issue with Phoenix Police and members of Border Patrol marching alongside them. They blocked the parade that year. The next year, protesters with Trans Queer Pueblo blocked the parade again, with police called to remove them. Phoenix Pride called the blockade a “disruption," and [a column in *The Arizona Republic* blamed Trans Queer Pueblo](https://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/abekwok/2018/04/06/phoenix-pride-wrong-adversary-trans-queer-pueblo/495333002/?ref=lookoutnews.org) and other migrants for dividing the community, saying, “It's a lost cause to fight those within the community—especially on a weekend meant to celebrate how far they’ve come.” Others have defended Phoenix Pride’s decision, saying the only way to make progress is to work alongside Phoenix Police and Phoenix Pride, not shut down parades. One person *LOOKOUT* interviewed, who requested anonymity, said Phoenix Pride's sole duty is to build community, not “bend over backwards” for a small number of activists. Helfgot shared a similar sentiment: “In a community as large as Phoenix’s, it’s impossible to make everyone happy.” He also explained that Phoenix Pride has tried “to engage with representatives from Trans Queer Pueblo following the events of 2017 and 2018\. And we were rebuffed at almost every turn,” he said. "We offered them opportunities to speak publicly at our events. On at least one occasion, they accepted the invitation only to withdraw moments before their speaker was supposed to take the podium.” [How an older lesbian uplifted Sun City’s queer communityIn the face of an elderly loneliness epidemic, Susie Broussard revamped her local club to help the retirement town’s isolated LGBTQ+ residents.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/08/lookout-favicon@4x.png)LOOKOUTFitzwilliam Anderson (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w1200/2024/07/Matt-Gush_Adobe_SunCity.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/how-an-older-lesbian-uplifted-sun-citys-queer-community/) But Trans Queer Pueblo spokesperson Sonix Flores said those conversations felt dismissive, and their relationship has soured. After their organization met with Phoenix Pride to discuss issues related to policing, Flores said the “talks went nowhere.” In a [2018 interview with *The Arizona Republic*](https://www.azcentral.com/videos/news/local/phoenix/2018/03/30/trans-queer-pueblos-week-action/33435951/?ref=lookoutnews.org), Trans Queer Pueblo leader Dagoberto Bailó said, "We engaged with Pride for all of last year in different conversations with their board…and we came to the reality that actually, there is still a lot of systemic racism and xenophobia that Pride needs to work out on its own." While Helfgot acknowledged that there is a legitimate fear for people of color within the community and their interactions with police, he defended Pride's continued decision: “We are connected in all sorts of ways and that includes, in some ways, the Phoenix Police Department, which does have its own liaison body and its own LGBTQ+ advisory board with which it connects with the community." In August 2020, Phoenix Pride[ held a town hall meeting to discuss their role](https://wl.seetickets.us/event/Town-Hall-Virtual-Sessions/413892?afflky=PhoenixPride&ref=lookoutnews.org) in figuring out solutions with the community alongside a newly established Law Enforcement Advisory Committee. But text messages and email exchanges shared with *LOOKOUT* appear that people who signed up to volunteer and help advise the committee had not been contacted, and it's unclear if the committee has met since then. One person who shared their messages with *LOOKOUT* asked repeatedly over several years when the committee's meetings were, and later assumed Phoenix Pride wasn't holding them. Other cities have addressed community concerns over police: In Philadelphia, the organization that originally ran their Pride festival, Philly Pride Presents, was[ dismantled after multiple community groups](https://www.phillymag.com/news/2021/06/14/philly-pride-presents-boycott/?ref=lookoutnews.org), including PHL Pride Collective, Philly Black Pride, and the Philly Trans March, called for a different vision that did not include police or a ticketed festival. ![NYPD Police officer provides security on the sidelines of the annual Pride Parade.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/10/shutterstock_1117943273.jpg) NYPD Police officer provides security on the sidelines of the annual Pride Parade as it passes through Greenwich Village in 2017\. (Shutterstock) In New York, where there is an internal fraternity of LGBTQ+ police officers, NYC Pride banned the NYPD from the parade and exhibiting a booth until 2025. Toronto's pride organizers moved to strike local police from both the festival and the parade in the wake of Bruce McArthur, who murdered multiple gay Middle Eastern men for years while police [dismissed the community's claims](https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-features/alleged-serial-killer-divided-toronto-lgbtq-community-bruce-mcarthur-703592/?ref=lookoutnews.org) of a serial killer. Those associated with Trans Queer Pueblo point to these other cities and say Phoenix Pride is missing an opportunity to hold local police accountable, and argued that the purpose of Pride has always been to protest—specifically against police tactics. Phoenix Police have been accused of not[ investigating hate crimes correctly](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/leonardo-santiago-murder-osvaldo-hernandez-castillo-bernardo-pantaleon-rcna135391?ref=lookoutnews.org), been [dismissive of the federal investigation into their tactics](https://theappeal.org/city-fighting-phoenix-police-doj-investigation/?ref=lookoutnews.org), and—more pointedly—[forcefully removed Trans Queer Pueblo protesters at the Phoenix Pride parade.](https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/immigrant-rights-activists-attacked-while-protesting-at-phoenix-pride-9215919?ref=lookoutnews.org) [What is a truly safe space? A pop-up event might have an answer.Maudie’s is modeled after a decades-old lesbian bar, but its mission is less about drinking and more about community.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/08/lookout-favicon@4x.png)LOOKOUTEm Hobehaider (they/them)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w1200/2024/01/IMG_4573.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/safe-space-maudies-phoenix-nightlife/) “Stonewall was a riot against police tactics,” said Xyra Flores, who worked at Trans Queer Pueblo and was one of the people forcefully removed by police. Flores said that with current political rhetoric targeting the LGBTQ+ and migrant community, and police being used by far-right politicians to[ investigating teachers](https://www.12news.com/article/news/education/gilbert-police-investigating-valley-high-school-teacher-book-assignment/75-42b7bb09-5396-4fe0-bb60-5b081f8068cc?ref=lookoutnews.org), Pride should be in the front seat driving. "If pride cannot do that in its actuality in this present sense, then it's just a party, and if it's gonna say that it's just a party, then that's fine,” Flores said. “But let's not pretend then that Phoenix Pride is radical. Let's not pretend that it's a safe place. Let's not pretend that it's for all LGBT people." Among the frustrations people expressed is Pride’s silence on a number of anti-LGBTQ+ bills passed this legislative session. When asked what Phoenix Pride’s role should be beyond hosting events, most sources said the organization should act as a voice for them at the state Capitol when harmful bills are proposed. Helfgot said that as a 501(c)(3), Phoenix Pride must remain politically unbiased and not support or denounce any candidates, but have in the [past issued statements against bills](https://phoenixpride.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Phoenix-Pride-Statement-2022-03-24.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) before receiving a signature by the governor. “What Phoenix Pride is not is a social services organization," he said. “When it comes to political advocacy, other organizations do that as their primary function. Phoenix Pride, first and foremost, builds safe spaces, and we do our best to build those spaces and to make them safe and accommodating for everyone.” But Xyra Flores, the former Trans Queer Pueblo employee and current media spokesperson for the Arizona Queer Politics Project, said Helfgot’s reading of the law is inaccurate. “You’re able to do certain political work, like applying pressure or writing letters to local politicians," they said. “It’s not one of those things you just can't do. They just don’t want to do it.” For clarity, nonprofits are restricted from lobbying to some extent, but the rules on that are squishy. In 1976,[ Congress enacted expenditure limits for nonprofits](https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/26/501?ref=lookoutnews.org#:~:text=for%20each%20taxable-,year,-%2C%20or) to lobby lawmakers. For an organization with Phoenix Pride’s budget—about $2.5 million, according to last year’s 990 filings—they could be approved to spend up to $225,000 on lobbying, according to a [tip-sheet from the National Council of Nonprofits](https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/federal-law-protects-nonprofit-advocacy-lobbying?ref=lookoutnews.org). Helfgot said the organization does what it can in the political space and is happy to speak out on issues and advocate for the community. A source familiar with Phoenix Pride's workings indicated that because Gov. Katie Hobbs said she is committed to vetoing legislation that would oppress or oppose the LGBTQ+ community, the organization has taken a step back from vocally shutting down legislative efforts that they know have no chance of becoming law. "They don't want to give them any more attention or any more light," the source said. ![Staff of APS march during the Phoenix Pride Parade](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/10/WikipediaAPS-at-Pride.jpg) Staff of APS march during the Phoenix Pride Parade (Wikipedia) The most consistent concern for the 24 people *LOOKOUT* spoke to was the fee to attend the Phoenix Pride Festival. In most major cities, Pride festivals are free to attend, with tickets required for entertainment or access to bars. Denver Pride's festival has been free for 50 years; Atlanta Pride is donation-based; West Hollywood's block party with vendors costs nothing for attendees; and New York's PrideFest where vendors host on the street is also free. Phoenix, however, requires a $35 entry fee to view the entertainment as well as access social services through the vendor fair. One community organizer said Phoenix Pride is "paywalling" social services. Helfgot justified the cost and noted the price is considerably low. He said Pride hasn’t raised ticket prices during inflation, while bringing in headlining and up-and-coming talent. The ticket price is hardest for families and individuals on low incomes. One local community leader who does business with Pride disagreed and argued that those who need resources most, such as information on health treatment, or counseling services, may not be able to pay the entry fee: "I work with families who would love to attend Pride, but a $35 ticket cost for each person is out of the question," she said. [Phoenix’s gay bars and the case of the “missing stairs”Everyone seems to know that gay bars in the city openly discriminate. So why is no one fixing it?![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/08/lookout-favicon@4x.png)LOOKOUTShelby Rae Wills (they/she)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w1200/2024/09/femme_illo.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/phoenixs-gay-bars-and-the-case-of-the-missing-stairs/) Sherry Maxwell, who lives on disability and wants to attend Pride for the services, specifically, can’t afford to spend the extra $35 while living on a fixed income. “Because of that, I can't go,” Maxwell said. Maxwell said Pride offered her a free ticket in exchange for volunteering, but later declined the offer. “What Pride will say is you can just volunteer and then come for free," said a local performer who has volunteered with Pride for multiple years. “If you twist it into that whole ‘you do something for us and then we'll give you something,’ that's not how it works. You lead by giving because you're a nonprofit, because our people need help. You lead because self-celebration means more than anything else.” Brad Justice, whose organization Art Culture Arizona is organizing Sunnyslope Pride for its second year to counter Phoenix Pride’s festival, said the entry fee should be eliminated for access to vendors, at the very least. “Vendors are paying money, and we’re paying money,” he said, adding that community nonprofits who are already struggling to make ends meet, have to come up with as little as $1,000 to have a booth at Pride. “They’re double-dipping," he said. Corporate vendors can spend thousands of dollars for a tent, while nonprofits receive discounts. Pride does give a handful of booths to organizations for free, though it’s unclear how many. Justice’s organization was one of those booths in previous years, but was not given the booth again and was replaced with another organization. Phoenix Pride said they rotate the free community booths to different organizations every year. But Justice said his group can't afford to spend what little money they make on a booth: “I don't see why the community should have to pay for a community event in a city-owned park." In response to the criticisms about pricing and getting access to services, Helfgot said Phoenix Pride organizes the Rainbows Festival annually, which is free to attend. “We do provide that on an annual basis and that is a no-cost, no barrier to entry event," he said. That response cuts deep for Cheryl Klein, a disability rights advocate in the Valley who has slowly stopped attending Phoenix Pride events. “That breaks my heart to hear them say that," she said. “It truly breaks my heart to hear someone say people should just wait.” Helfgot acknowledged the criticisms *LOOKOUT* gathered from the community, but said they are being made by people who would rather not engage in civil discourse and are pushing an agenda: “Criticism is expected and welcome, and it's the way we improve,” he said. “The real consideration is: How and where is the criticism being delivered? Is it engaging and meaningful, meant to promote change and improvement? Or is it disruptive, meant to spotlight the disruptors and further their agenda, not the community's? Or is it coming from a place of wanting to dig in and help make things better and more appealing for the community? If it's the former, I don't think the community as a whole is interested.” He added that if people wanted to come to Pride “and be positive and help shape the future of the organization, it’s as easy as a phone call away.” But that hasn’t been the experience of community leaders, advocates, local performers, and business owners who told *LOOKOUT* that there is a fear of critiquing Pride. From members of Trans Queer Pueblo and other sources, Phoenix Pride's dismissal of requests to withdraw police prove—to them—that Pride isn't a willing listener, and would rather engage in "respectability politics," as Xyra Flores described. "We sat down with a bunch of people from the Phoenix Pride Board and their volunteers in order to talk about our experiences, but also to have them sort of understand why it's so important for us that police not be present at Pride," said Flores, adding that the conversation ended up being one of "both-sides" where police are both good and bad. "The issue is that any police presence at this event is a possibility of an undocumented person being detained or deported. If they cannot accept this reality, there's no further conversation that can be had." One local business owner who defended Pride's decision to keep police in some manner also said he refuses to critique them publicly about ticket prices or booth rentals due to his own partner getting swatted down and ignored after critiquing Pride for not using more local talent on its main stage. He suggested Pride to hold a semi-regular town-hall to discuss community issues where all would be welcome: “They need to have, like, a big community meeting and be open to listening,” he said. “Have it like at some big auditorium where people could actually speak.” One disability rights social worker—who requested anonymity—said when she expressed concerns about the festival’s accessibility, such as not enough cooling centers and quiet rooms (Pride Festival has one of each), she was “brushed off.” And as a wheelchair user, Cheryl Klein said she has consistently brought up accessibility issues at Phoenix Pride’s booth at the festival, but has only “received smiles and nods.” She said she even offered for Pride members to use a wheelchair to navigate the festival. But most concerning was when she was told she could rent an electric mobility unit elsewhere for $50, instead. [A pay gap is causing drag performers to turn away from gay barsAn increase in well-attended shows at straight bars and restaurants is welcome for performers who say community spaces are failing to pay up.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/08/lookout-favicon@4x.png)LOOKOUTCelina Jiménez (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w1200/2024/10/DSCN2286-1.JPG)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-pay-gap-is-causing-drag-performers-to-turn-away-from-gay-bars/) "I was just shocked," she said. "I have to pay to get in, and then you're telling me I have to pay for that?" Though, there is no mention of scooter rentals on the Pride website, and its unclear if that offer was made by Pride or a third-party vendor. To the organization's credit, majority of the sources *LOOKOUT* spoke with said that Phoenix Pride has made significant changes to represent the community in accessibility, their board makeup, and how they do outreach at their events. But only one person said they should stay out of advocacy—almost all the others said the organization needs to evolve past throwing parties. “We are in unprecedented times right now,” Klein said. “Pride is inherently political. They need to be more than what they are.” #### CORRECTION An earlier version of this article misstated Phoenix Pride's advocacy as only happening after bills are passed. In past years, Phoenix Pride has issued statements and other forms of community activations before anti-LGBTQ+ bills have passed in previous legislative session. This story has been updated to reflect that. **Before you go...** *LOOKOUT* is the only LGBTQ+ news outlet in all of Arizona, and we're consistently winning incredible awards that honor our work in the community. We strive every day to figure out how to make your voice heard in the democratic process, **but we can't do that if we don't exist.** If you can, [ donate by clicking here](https://lookout-publications.fundjournalism.org/lookout-publications-1) and help queer Arizonans feel seen, heard, and empowered to stand up for their rights. ### To engage LGBTQ+ voters, Drag Out the Vote comes to Phoenix URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/to-engage-lgbtq-voters-drag-out-the-vote-comes-to-phoenix/ Last updated: 2025-03-05T19:27:08.000Z In an effort to get more LGBTQ+ people and their allies voting early in the upcoming election, local drag queens bolstered by the support of the nonprofit Drag Out the Vote is gathering people at The Royale this Friday afternoon in Phoenix for a performance, a party, and a rush to the nearest voting location to submit their ballot. The event is one of seven more this month partially bankrolled by Party at the Polls, a voting project organized by the national nonpartisan group When We All Vote. Five of those events, including a music festival in West Phoenix and a professional Volleyball meet-up in Mesa, [are happening this week](https://www.mobilize.us/whenweallvote/?end%5Fdate=2024-10-23T06%3A59%3A59.999Z&is%5Fvirtual%5Fflexible=false&start%5Fdate=2024-10-15T07%3A00%3A00.000Z&ref=lookoutnews.org). Drag Out the Vote’s event is particularly aimed to get more queer voters to submit their ballots early this year that could combat statewide LGBTQ+ scapegoating, which has been a centerpiece for many candidates this year. *LOOKOUT* found that [at least 58 candidates have been endorsed](https://www.lookoutnews.org/candidates-across-az-are-campaigning-against-lgbtq-affirming-policies/) by anti-LGBTQ+ organizations or leaders from groups such as Moms For Liberty, or Turning Point USA, or running a campaign that used LGBTQ+ scapegoating. And this year’s voting laws have the ability to disenfranchise more than [9,000 eligible trans voters](https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizona-id-laws-may-disenfranchise-thousands-of-trans-voters/) with current laws in place. Chris Diaz, executive director of Drag Out the Vote, said that the election this year is imperative to get LGBTQ+ people and their allies voting. “Every issue is an LGBTQ issue,” he said. “It’s oftentimes we focus in on what I think are queer issues. But also crime is an issue for us. Housing is an issue for us. Our safety is an issue for us. These are all things that are important to our community and it’s important people don’t pigeonhole us into ‘queer issues.’” A recent report by the Human Rights Campaign estimated that by 2040, LGBTQ+ voters will be one-fifth of the nation’s vote–a significant bloc of the population that could have the ability to shape local and national politics. [In a leaked web meeting, school board candidates doubled-down on anti-trans rhetoric.The webcast, organized by Arizona Women of Action, is part of a campaign to use LGBTQ+ issues as a galvanizing issue this November.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-14.png)LOOKOUTTori Gantz (she/they)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_0107-1.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/in-a-leaked-web-meeting-far-right-school-board-candidates-doubled-down-on-anti-trans-rhetoric/) However, it’s unclear how engaged those voters are, especially in Arizona. In 2020, the Williams Institute at UCLA estimated that nearly one-fifth of all LGBTQ+ people nationwide who are eligible to vote weren’t registered. There have been no recent studies or analysis for the 2024 election. Diaz said that the need for LGBTQ+ voters to be active this year is critical to address all the problems the community faces. “The fight for marriage equality was critical, but there’s still so much work to be done,” Diaz said. “So long as one member of our community is marginalized, the work isn’t done.” [Suburban Phoenix School District Votes to Ignore Federal Title IX ExpansionsThe move doesn’t eliminate students or teachers from filing civil rights complaints, but could cost millions in federal funding for the district.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-15.png)LOOKOUTFitzwilliam Anderson (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/DSC_2621.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/suburban-phoenix-school-district-votes-to-ignore-federal-title-ix-expansions/) Information for Drag Out the Vote is below: - Date: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18TH Time: 1PM - 4PM - Location: THE ROYALE- 635 W. Glenrosa Avenue, Phoenix AZ, 85013 - Transportation to the Early Voting Site available throughout the event . - Hosted by Miss Gay Southern America Barbra Seville and Drag Out The Vote Drag Ambassador Afrika America! - With performance by Only Geo, LEXXX A'Pro and Mia Adams **Before you go...** *LOOKOUT* is on the struggle bus these days, but we're doing our best to make ends meet and continue pushing forward. We're consistently winning incredible awards that honor our work in the community, and we strive every day to figure out how to make your voice heard in the democratic process. **But we can't do that if we don't exist.** If you can, [ donate by clicking here](https://lookout-publications.fundjournalism.org/lookout-publications-1) and help queer Arizonans feel seen, heard, and empowered to stand up for their rights. ### What can we learn from Arizona’s elder drag queens? A lot. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/what-can-we-learn-from-arizonas-elder-drag-queens-a-lot/ Last updated: 2025-03-05T19:27:12.000Z We will never hear the song Freddie Mercury would sing in his sixties, watch the film Rock Hudson would star in his seventies, or see the painting Keith Haring would produce in his fifties. In the minds of the ones they left behind and the generations that followed, they remain forever young, frozen in amber. In Arizona, though, there are a number of elders within the drag community who many look to for guidance. But as drag has become more visible and accepted into the mainstream, it’s come with heavy baggage, specifically since far-right and religious voices—from the state Capitol to local school boards—have shown up with guns, bomb threats, and false accusations of child sexual assault. The one-two punch of love and hate is familiar to Mia Inez Adams, 66, an elder in the Phoenix drag scene who spoke to *LOOKOUT*. She said there’s been an evolution of drag locally, but there are still unique challenges older performers experience. [Are Republicans “dragging” down small business revenue?Once obscure, drag is a financial boon for Arizona’s small business scene. Still, Republicans are trying to kill it, putting local businesses at risk.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-10.png)LOOKOUTGeri Koeppel (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/barbra-seville1-1-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/are-republicans-dragging-down-small-business-revenue/) “There were times you could be on the marquee on a Friday or a Saturday, and then on a Sunday, that exact same bar didn't want you in the building because you were a drag queen,” said Adams, who got her start performing over four decades ago in Florida. “There was a kind of shame associated with being a drag performer.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/10/bj-bud-archives-asu1--1-.jpeg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/10/bjbudarchives3--1-.jpeg) Images from BJ Bud Archives With shows like “RuPaul’s Drag Race” attracting larger, more mainstream audiences, drag -– the uniquely queer and gender-bending art form — has shaken much of its stigma and attracted a whole new wave of participants who are pushing the boundaries of the art form. “You have cisgender women doing drag, you have cisgender women performing as drag kings, you have cisgender drag performers performing as no gender,” said Adams, who serves as a host of a local amateur talent competition “Rising Star” at the Phoenix gay bar Stacy’s @ Melrose. “I have a person that is a dragon, a literal dragon. They're not a he, not a she, they're a dragon. That's how they perform, as a dragon.” The increased interest in drag has made competition for stage time even more competitive, according to Adams. When she first started performing, drag queens honed their craft on stage, performing at every talent competition and pageant they could find, Adams said. That’s unusual for performers today. Many aspiring drag queens learn the basics of wigs, makeup, and stagecraft on YouTube and build audiences on social media before ever venturing into public. Adams said it’s a double-edged sword: “If you were performing and you did a cartwheel and your boobs fell off or your hair fell out, only those who were there saw it,” said Adams, describing the freedom drag queens had to experiment and make mistakes before the days of social media. “Nowadays those kinds of instances have torn many a drag person down because they've turned it into a meme, or it's become a GIF.” [A popular drag bar’s “ban list” has caused a rift in the communityCruisin’ 7th’s “ban list” leaked online, which included primarily trans women and people of color. Community members said the list was transphobic, but the bar owners say they’ve done nothing wrong.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-11.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/Untitled-design--6-.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-popular-drag-bars-ban-list-has/) Adams spoke from experience. Recently, some particularly graphic footage of her performing with a gogo dancer made its rounds on the internet. Adams insisted the footage was a deep fake, but she enjoyed the online chatter. “Until you can laugh at yourself, you shouldn’t have any business laughing at anybody else,” said Adams, who is the matriarch of the Adams family, a loose network of over one hundred drag queens from around the world, including bold-faced names within the drag community like Kizha Carr Adams, Rosé, and Jasmine Rice Lebeija. Her advice to her drag babies and grandbabies is simple: Don’t rest on your laurels. “If you come out and you think you're just going to be a look queen, well, at some point we've seen all your looks,” said Adams. “So learn to be a look queen, a comedy queen, a dancing queen, an acting queen. Learn to be as many different types or versions of yourself as possible so that you'll always remain relevant.” Richard Stevens, 50 and who performs as Barbra Seville, also enjoys mentoring the next generation of performers, pushing new drag queens to think outside the box and take more risks. He said when he runs shows, he knows exactly what the performances will be: “I know two people want to do Rihanna, two people want to do Dua Lipa, and they're all going to wear an outfit that looks like the other one, ” said Stevens. “I don't always see the spark of inventiveness or the spark of curiosity or the spark of individuality that I would love to see.” Following in a long line of drag queens advocating for the LGBTQ+ community, Stevens made headlines when he called out Republican senatorial candidate Kari Lake after she criticized drag queens, revealing that she was once a friend and had attended many of his drag performances. Lake lost her battle for governor that same year, but recently won in the Arizona primaries to take on U.S. Representative Ruben Gallego for the state’s senate seat. “Before the Kari Lake thing, I would say I was probably more fearless as Barbra Seville,” he said. “But I handled almost all of the Kari Lake stuff out of drag and it showed me that I'm just as smart, competent, informed, and well-spoken.” For Regina Gazelle, 66, activism and drag have always gone hand in hand. She came out in the wake of the Stonewall riots and was active in the Gay Liberation Movement in Los Angeles. “Having a microphone in your hand is a very powerful, powerful position,” said Gazelle. “And if you get that power and you know how to use it well, you can go a long way.” When she first got her start doing drag at 16, drag performances were difficult to find, and “pantomiming” or lip-syncing as it’s referred to today, was relatively rare. For the most part, drag queens were expected to sing and embody a specific starlet, she said. “Usually it was just basic,” remembered Gazelle, who leads a TGirl (short for transgender girl) Revue that travels the state. “You get into drag, you try to look like a particular entertainer that you were doing and you were known for that. You were a Diana Ross, you were a Tina Turner, you were a Carol Channing entertainer.” Gazelle said she’s proud of how much drag has evolved and how far the LGBTQ+ community has come, and remembered when solidarity among LGBTQ+ people was scarce. “It will always be a competitive lifestyle,” she said. “But we’ve become more loving to one another, more supportive to one another.” **Before you go...** *LOOKOUT* is on the struggle bus these days, but we're doing our best to make ends meet and continue pushing forward. We're consistently winning incredible awards that honor our work in the community, and we strive every day to figure out how to make your voice heard in the democratic process. **But we can't do that if we don't exist.** If you can, [ donate by clicking here](https://lookout-publications.fundjournalism.org/lookout-publications-1) and help queer Arizonans feel seen, heard, and empowered to stand up for their rights. ### Pay Gap Causes Drag Performers To Turn Away From Gay Bars URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-pay-gap-is-causing-drag-performers-to-turn-away-from-gay-bars/ Last updated: 2025-04-27T20:16:21.000Z Mia Inez Adams has invested 43 years, thousands of dollars and countless hours into her job as a drag performer. It’s enough to allow her to say she hasn’t had what one might consider a “traditional” job since 1997\. Yet even with her outward success, Adams feels she’s not getting paid what she’s worth when she works at gay bars. Adams said she gets paid $200 for her time putting on one of her shows at a gay bar, but ends up investing almost all of it back into the bare necessities to make that performance a reality. After spending on outfits, snacks for other performers in her show, or materials like mirrors and tables so that her artists can get ready, there’s often nothing left except the tips she gets. But had she done the shows at a straight venue, she said, none of these issues would be there—at least not in making more than her money back. She’s not alone in this. *LOOKOUT* spoke with a handful of performers across the state and learned that while drag continues to be a tentpole of LGBTQ+ culture and identity, its queer spaces have been slow to pay what queens and kings are worth. In response, drag performers are ditching the gay bars and choosing to work during drag brunches or karaoke nights at straight bars. The reasons to perform in nontraditional spaces are based on one thing: they’re the ones paying more. ### Pay Gap Between Performers ![A performer in a sparkling outfit interacts with an audience at a vibrant venue.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/10/drag3.png) A performer takes tips while performing at YUMBAR on a Friday night. (LOOKOUT) The pay gap between performers is not affecting everyone equally. Adams hosts Rising Star, a three-hour weekly competition series every Tuesday at Stacy’s @ Melrose in Phoenix. As both host and performer, she makes $200 before tips. That’s half of what Trey DeGroodt, a full-time performer who has been working in the Valley since 2018, makes for their shorter show called Trey Cabaret—a monthly solo performance at the same venue. For their Cirque Du So Trey shows at Kobalt, DeGroodt is guaranteed at least $350\. Kobalt also sells tables and charges a cover at the door (for those without a table), where DeGroodt can keep an additional $100 in some instances. Brandon Slayton and Christopher Tong, both of whom bought Stacy’s @ Melrose from founder Stacy Louis in October 2023, said the pay discrepancy isn’t a matter of bias or appreciation, but purely based on their return on investment. “We pretty much just kept the same rates these shows were receiving from the original owner,” said Slayton. “But the decision comes down to ROI. Our end goal is to make at least three times \[what we invest\], though the goal is always more. So, if we’re paying $300, we’d like at least $900 in sales to cover overhead.” They explained that Adams’ show costs $600 a week to produce, since they don’t charge a cover and pay both a DJ and the weekly winner. DeGroodt’s Cabaret show–which is monthly–is ticketed, and more easily offsets costs. After speaking with *LOOKOUT*, Slayton and Tong acknowledge they may need to make all shows ticketed to ensure better returns and higher pay for performers. Promotions and schedules also may need some fine-tuning, they said. Knomi Flores, a fellow Tucson drag artist who performs as The Vamp Natalia, said there are places that pay far worse and haven’t updated performance rates for more than a decade. “I used to perform at bars that would expect three sets for $50 to $75,” Flores said. “Those same places are paying the exact same amount as they did 10 years ago. So you can raise prices of everything else, but you’re not going to pay your performers more?” Flores said because of that, she no longer performs at gay bars. The pay gap is also felt by performers of color. Adams, a trans black woman, said that the venues she performs at have canceled various drag shows that feature Black and performers of color, and she sees that people who look like her are often the ones being paid less or removed from venues after complaining about pay equity. *LOOKOUT* previously reported on how Cruisin’ 7th, a popular drag bar in Phoenix, had a “black list” of drag performers, almost all of whom were Black and brown drag artists. For artists whose craft is deeply personal, navigating the business side sometimes must be taught, not expected. In January 2024, Greater Phoenix Equality Chamber’s Executive Director Michele White started the Drag Coalition to support queer-owned businesses and drag performers. White said the coalition is a first of its kind. “Of the many things that impact the economics of drag, the sheer amount of performers and the difference in experience is major,” White said, adding that businesses have reaped incredible windfalls from their art, and are in a place to support the people at the forefront of the nation’s culture wars: “In the current political climate, the performers are often the ones who get the first run of whatever terrible things are coming our way,” she said. “So if we’re stronger, they’re stronger.” While businesses say they need to make money off their programming, performers argue that they are also a business that needs to break even. And since gay bars aren’t paying up, they say they’ve been forced into performing at venues they normally wouldn’t want to. ![A person wearing a sparkly purple dress performs on stage with a microphone, under colorful lights.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/10/DSCN2379.JPG) Mia Inez Adams performs at Stacys @ Melrose. (LOOKOUT) Though no venue can predict how much tip money customers have, queens like Adams report they feel like they are getting what they’re worth at straight “drag brunches,” which have popped up in various areas across Arizona, from conservative cities such as Mesa to more progressive rural towns like Bisbee. According to average rates shared with *LOOKOUT*, brunch show performances sometimes receive a budget of at least twice the amount gay bars pay for drag shows. In Tucson, the venue Playhouse pays almost double what the average gay bar in Southern Arizona pays. And in Phoenix, Stand Up Live and Copper Blues partner with Flip Phone Productions—a company dedicated to producing drag brunches—to pay a minimum of $500 for each show, according to marketing director Alex Souza, which is distributed amongst performers. But drag artists said that straight venues aren’t ideal performance spots, primarily because of the culture that gay bars bring. “Are brunches necessarily my norm of what I like to express? Not all the time,” said Elijah Palles, a Phoenix drag king performing under the name Eddie Broadway. “But I like building a new audience that hasn’t seen kings. The audiences are heavily straight women–but the problem is, they’re not coming to our bars to see us.” Brunches are not the only straight events with healthy payouts; performers can also find gigs at theaters, museums, wedding parties, and even retirement homes. Richard Stevens, a Phoenix drag queen who performs as Barbra Seville, mentioned that one of her more lucrative gigs has been hosting drag bingo at the [Arizona Italian Social Club](https://www.azaiclub.com/?fbclid=IwY2xjawEbTP9leHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHVPJ9k1TlXt9EVYyDMwvuoL%5FVom6cR8%5FGRy-5dtZQ4yW6HJGpRH212y-lg%5Faem%5FBcFnGJdSWNSM%5FiUOs1msog&ref=lookoutnews.org). “The arts community has been the most hesitant to pay a competitive wage,” Stevens said. “If they’re doing an event to raise money, they don’t call the tent place and ask them to volunteer a tent. But for some reason when it comes down to artists, people are more comfortable asking you to donate your services, though art is sometimes more essential.” He continued: “If they raise an eyebrow at my quote, I remind them that the guests are gonna talk about my performance more than they talk about caterers or flowers.” ![A performer holds cash, wearing large earrings and black attire, in front of a vibrant, colorful wall.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/10/drag2.png) A performer at YUMBAR. (LOOKOUT) Compensation in the world of drag isn’t cut and dry. At gay bars, managers typically pay hosts, or “showrunners,” who allocate the fee amongst their cast. Adams’s Friday show at Stacy’s, for instance, consists of six cast members for a total of $425\. “Every show is different,” said Jeff Perales, owner of Kobalt, another popular gay bar in Phoenix that hosts popular weekly drag shows. “It varies depending on the event. Some shows are dependent on ticket sales, so we’ll guarantee a minimum amount that the showrunner will get regardless, and then anything over that they’ll keep and distribute at will.” He said shows that are not ticketed get a fixed budget. Other venues, like Charlie’s, have scrapped this model entirely; their performers are employees with W-2 tax filings and agree to not perform anywhere else. Palles, the drag king performer, explained that compensation at The Rock, a gay bar on 7th Ave in Phoenix, is based on reservations booked, whereas its lesbian neighbor bar Boycott sometimes bumps their pay based on door sales. Neither Charlie’s nor The Rock responded to comment for this story. For drag artist Daddy Satan, who has been performing across Arizona for two and half years, $50 is about what they can expect to be paid as a cast member in Phoenix. Boycott’s Sunday FunGames is an exception, where they earn $30 to $35 as a cast member before tips. But in Tucson, they can make much more, sometimes $100 to $150 for a show before tips: “I’ve never made $100 in Phoenix,” they said. “But in Phoenix, people tip more. Tucson seems to value art more. Phoenix feels more turn and burn, more contingent on how anyone can benefit. But if Tucson is able to pay us $100, others should as well.” ### Candidates across AZ are campaigning against LGBTQ+- affirming policies. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/candidates-across-az-are-campaigning-against-lgbtq-affirming-policies/ Last updated: 2025-03-05T19:27:22.000Z Homophobic and transphobic language—such as calling queer people “groomers” or “pedophiles”—has become common at school board meetings. But it’s also pervaded candidates’ platforms looking to fill a space on local governing school boards in the upcoming Nov. 5 election. Multiple candidates across the state running for governing board seats have platformed false claims against school districts, such as “sexualizing” children or claiming schools are promoting “gender ideology,” a catchphrase that has become popular among far-right conservative circles after schools implemented gender-affirming guidelines for LGBTQ+ students in the past few years. In 2022 amongst school board races statewide, there were at least 44 anti-LGBTQ+ candidates who ran on or aligned with a platform that would eliminate “gender ideology” from schools. Many of those candidates lost their races, but a swell of LGBTQ+ scapegoating by conservative groups has made the issue a central pillar in an increased number of Republican candidates’ platforms this year. It’s unclear how many across the state are currently running on “gender ideology” as an issue, but *LOOKOUT* has identified at least 58 candidates across the state who have been endorsed by anti-LGBTQ+ groups and—if they were to win—would have the ability to change or have an influence on what Arizona’s roughly [1.6 million residents under the age of 18](https://nchstats.com/arizona-population/?ref=lookoutnews.org#:~:text=Age%20Distribution&text=As%20of%20the%20latest%20data,representing%2059.69%25%20of%20the%20population.) are taught in public schools. The public figures *LOOKOUT* identified include Maricopa County School Superintendent candidate Shelli Boggs—who on [her campaign website](https://boggsforschools.com/issues?ref=lookoutnews.org) rails against diversity, equity, and inclusion—Sharon Benson, a candidate for Mesa Unified Governing School Board who has the [endorsement of Boggs](https://www.sharonbensonformesapublicschools.com/about-4?ref=lookoutnews.org), and Esteban Flores, a candidate for Tucson Unified Governing School Board whose website claims the school district is [“sexualizing” students](https://estebanfloresfortusd.com/Issues/?ref=lookoutnews.org) through transgender issues. The candidates are also listed on a conservative voter guide created by Arizona Women of Action PAC, a local far-right organizing group that endorsed the candidates on the basis of their platforms to have “age-appropriate books” in schools as well as be “free from ideology.” [In a leaked web meeting, school board candidates doubled-down on anti-trans rhetoric.The webcast, organized by Arizona Women of Action, is part of a campaign to use LGBTQ+ issues as a galvanizing issue this November.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-13.png)LOOKOUTTori Gantz (she/they)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_0107.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/in-a-leaked-web-meeting-far-right-school-board-candidates-doubled-down-on-anti-trans-rhetoric/) “They want these kids to feel bad about themselves, and that's why they're spouting all of this rhetoric,” said Tyler Kowch, communications manager at Save Our Schools Arizona, a nonpartisan volunteer-based organization focused on supporting public education. “\[They get\] caught up in this rhetoric of fear and trying to handle grievances, and create ‘others’ as a means of getting reelected or getting elected.” Kowch points to groups like Arizona-based Turning Point USA and Moms for Liberty that LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations such as GLAAD say actively [promote discrimination in classrooms](https://glaad.org/moms-for-liberty-groomer-rhetoric-anti-lgbtq/?ref=lookoutnews.org), and have highlighted candidates running on exclusionary LGBTQ+ campaigns through their social media accounts, various trainings, and online events. “They’re very, very influential,” Kowch said. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-10-at-1.05.54-PM.png) A screenshot of Shelly Boggs's website, which calls gender studies "radical" and calls against trans girl playing in youth sports. (Shelly Boggs for Maricopa County Superintendent website) Conservative politicians have in the past falsely conflated queer people with pedophiles, have said they want to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion training and programs, and made harmful jokes about putting kitty litter in classrooms for students who want to identify as cats—[a claim that was debunked](https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/misinformation/urban-myth-litter-boxes-schools-became-gop-talking-point-rcna51439?ref=lookoutnews.org). Those issues are manufactured, said Kowch, and are escalating at the local level, specifically around what books are being taught inside schools. Recently in Gilbert, for example, a [Higley High School teacher](https://www.gilbertsunnews.com/news/gilbert-police-probing-higley-teacher-over-books/article%5Fc0ad3a18-7db7-11ef-a8cc-1bdf8e10a454.html?ref=lookoutnews.org) was called a ‘groomer’ by one of her student’s parents because she chose to include a book in her class’s college-level curriculum that includes Asian, Arab, African, and Native American literature. That teacher is currently under police investigation. While most of the candidates *LOOKOUT* identified are primarily down-ballot races, education advocates, LGBTQ+ rights experts, and Democrats argue that the problem is being seeded from the top, specifically State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne. Horne has a history of [supporting “anti-woke” education](https://www.12news.com/article/news/education/superintendent-tom-horne-promotes-right-wing-prageru-teaching-materials-arizona-classrooms/75-20ca0644-bd5b-42ed-a179-ba7d952baff3?ref=lookoutnews.org) and the state ban on transgender female students playing in youth sports. Last year, he [said Arizona schools shouldn’t let trans kids](https://www.tucsonsentinel.com/local/report/082123%5Fhorne%5Fpronouns/tom-horne-says-arizona-schools-shouldnt-let-trans-kids-use-their-preferred-bathroom/?ref=lookoutnews.org) use their preferred bathroom and was the keynote speaker at a Moms for Liberty event [in Mesa](https://www.lookoutnews.org/rachel-mitchell-moms-for-liberty-hate-group/). In January this year, he [barred staff from putting pronouns](https://www.lookoutnews.org/state-education-department-bars-gender-identifiers-for-staff/) in their emails and then [removed resources](https://www.12news.com/article/news/education/superintendent-tom-horne-promotes-right-wing-prageru-teaching-materials-arizona-classrooms/75-20ca0644-bd5b-42ed-a179-ba7d952baff3?ref=lookoutnews.org) for LGBTQ+ students from the state education department's website. [State education department bars gender identifiers for staffA leaked email to LOOKOUT shows that the state’s top education officials are attempting to single out trans and nonbinary staff by not allowing gender markers in email signatures.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-12.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/AdobeStock_581309138.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/state-education-department-bars-gender-identifiers-for-staff/) “Tom Horne’s rhetoric, to me, sounds like he's in favor of bullying, maybe even in favor of teaching children to bully others,” said Mitzi Epstein, a candidate running for Senate in LD12\. “He is a dangerous person to be in charge of schools.” Epstein said that while Horne’s politics have received ample coverage, down-ballot candidates like the ones *LOOKOUT* identified aren’t scrutinized as much. She pointed to her opponent this year in the LD12 Senate race, Cara Vicini, who has in the past said she doesn’t believe there are multiple genders. During the online Clean Elections Commission debate between Vicini and Epstein, which was moderated by *LOOKOUT* Editor-in-Chief Joseph Darius Jaafari, Vicini claimed without evidence that schools in her district were indoctrinating children with “gender ideology.” “People think that their own life experience is the only one that is real, but there's a whole lot of different life experiences out there that, really, people need to understand better about the entirety of the LGBTQ+ community,” Epstein said. Vicini and Horne did not respond to *LOOKOUT* for comment. That naivety is something Mikah Dyer, a candidate running for a seat on the Peoria Unified School Board, has seen firsthand as he campaigned this season. Since he announced running last August, he estimated he and his team knocked on roughly 17,000 doors to canvass, with people disbelieving what their kids are learning in public school, or ignoring his attempts to teach them about a community different from theirs. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/10/IMG_6251.jpeg) A campaign photo from Mikah Dyer, who is running for Peoria's Governing School Board. (Courtesy of Mikah Dyer) “I’ll knock on a door sometimes and people are very stuck, like… ‘Yep, they’re indoctrinating my kids.’ Or ‘Yep, they should ban these books,’” Dyer said. “Well, I’ve been in the school for the past 13 years, from kindergarten to 12th grade. That’s not happening.” He said school board candidates this year are getting away with using anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric for political gain and not working to fix policy. “Strong schools equates to a strong economy, and we all want to prepare the next generation of our workforce to be productive members of our society,” Dyer said, adding that school boards should be more nonpartisan. “I truly believe in the idea of community schools and public education being the bedrock for democracy.” Marisol Garcia, president of the Arizona Education Association, a pro-education candidacy group said the list of candidates running on an anti-LGBTQ+ platform are not only “loud,” but also “stoke fear” by scapegoating queer people. “Their interest is trying to demonize a small group to make people feel safer instead of coming up with policy solutions,” she said, adding that she has witnessed people leave hearings and meetings crying. The way these politicians use offensive language is akin to lighting a fire, Garcia said, because it hurts the people who are under it, but similar-minded people see it is commendable. And that ‘lighting a fire’ technique used by extreme politicians “seems to be working with their base.” That makes it even more important for voters to pay keen attention to who they vote for in this year’s election. “It's very clear which politicians are interested in doing good… for our community and those that just want to be politicians,” she said, urging people to vote for candidates “interested in finding a solution and not stoking fear.” **Before you go...** *LOOKOUT* is on the struggle bus these days, but we're doing our best to make ends meet and continue pushing forward. We're consistently winning incredible awards that honor our work in the community, and we strive every day to figure out how to make your voice heard in the democratic process. **But we can't do that if we don't exist.** If you can, [ donate by clicking here](https://lookout-publications.fundjournalism.org/lookout-publications-1) and help queer Arizonans feel seen, heard, and empowered to stand up for their rights. ### What does being "purple" mean to Arizona's LGBTQ+ voters. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/airzona-purple-lgbtq-voters/ Last updated: 2026-05-19T20:09:34.000Z When it rains in the high plains of northern Arizona, the land that is normally filled with golden brush turns into rolling green fields that blend into towering mountains speckled with yellow Brittlebrush, orange Globemallow, and lavender Buttonweed. This isn’t the Arizona most people think about when they envision the Grand Canyon State, with its scorched desert landscapes and two-armed Saguaro cacti; It’s the part of Arizona people often forget about—or simply never know about since most of the state’s population is heavily concentrated in the southern region of Maricopa County about 100 miles south, home to the nation’s fastest-growing cities such as Phoenix, Glendale, Buckeye, and Mesa, amassing a general population of 4.8 million people who are spread across 14,000 square miles. It’s also where the nation has its eyes set on the results of the November 5th election. Some of the tightest races have been won for Democrats, and Republicans have made the most far-flung attempts to change the outcome of those races without success. Those wins for Democrats have created a surge of enthusiasm and hope among many that the long-held Republican state legislature might flip to Democrats or — at the very least — be split evenly between the two parties. But a shift to a blue Arizona is a polarizing conversation in some LGBTQ+ circles — not among political divides but among those skeptical that anything will change for the better once it happens. “Arizona is still very conservative,” said Celleste Murtagh, a Downtown Phoenix-based queer resident who was raised in Glendale. She said her family, which is comprised of Christian evangelicals and has deep conservative roots, are “dyed-in-the-wool” Republicans but are having a tough time with the extremism of the GOP as it is today. A vote for a Democrat could, indeed, be a vote for a more “blue” Arizona. But Murtagh says that’s a technicality. “I don’t know that this shift to purple is Arizona becoming way more progressive than it’s previously been as much as people from the right aren’t feeling great about where the right is at right now,” she said. Murtagh is not alone. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-07-at-9.10.58-AM-1.png) **Phoenix resident Celleste Murtagh. Photo provided.* Just like the national perception of Arizona’s landscape versus reality, there are countering narratives between Arizona on the national stage as a shift to more “blue” politics and what people here understand to be a more centrist movement in becoming “less extreme.” No other community feels that more than the queer community: On one hand, the rise in Democratic leadership has meant a possibility for safety, such as a statewide anti-discrimination law that [lawmakers have failed to pass](https://www.lookoutnews.org/anti-discrimination-bills-for-the-lgbtq-community-have-wide-support-so-why-cant-a-bill-get-passed/) for five years. But on the other hand, being a purple state hasn’t translated as a shift to “blue” — not by far. In interviews with *LGBTQ Nation* and *LOOKOUT*, queer residents, candidates, and organizers said they are hopeful that Arizona’s continuing move to the center could mean a shift to more progressive ideals, particularly on LGBTQ+ rights. But the reality for queer people who have lived here is that for every step made toward progressivism over the years, it has been [met with stagnation](https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-bill-to-help-lgbtq-students-access-local-scholarships-died-in-the-house/) and [steps backward](https://www.lookoutnews.org/why-is-it-so-difficult-to-teach-sex-ed-in-arizona/) as conservatives try to maintain power, they said. That’s come, also, with the tacit endorsement of certain LGBTQ+ groups that would appear to go against the grain of where the community in general would prefer to go: The [Log Cabin Republicans](https://www.lgbtqnation.com/tag/log-cabin-republicans/?ref=lookoutnews.org), the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ conservative membership group, has a sizable following in the state, with members holding office and being appointed to some of the highest levels of state government. Members of Gays Against Groomers have been invited to the Capitol as guests, are endorsed by local elected leaders, and have even run for city office on an anti-LGBTQ+ campaign. Still, Democrats have been organizing Independents and Republicans under LGBTQ+ rights, abortion rights, protecting teachers, and housing security and seeing immense gains — both anecdotally and quantitatively. And it appears to be happening everywhere. [How a local turn-of-phrase turned into a call for peace across ideologiesPenny Smith was admired in Cottonwood. So when someone besmirched her in a city council meeting, residents sought to lower the temperature.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-6.png)LOOKOUTCelina Jiménez (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/AdobeStock_379717090-1-1.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/cottonwood-penny-peace-drag-queens/) ### **Rural organizing** When Llama Habern moved to Cottonwood, Arizona, three years ago, they were worried about the politics of the region. Openly gay and with tattoos of various queer flags hidden under their shirt, it was a shock when they drove into town to find a large Trump flag as the city’s main greeting. “I wondered if I should turn around,” Habern remembered thinking. But there is a reality to small-town Arizona living that Habern was quick to learn, which is that most of everyone there believed in the Arizona truism of “live and let live”— and that included being gay. In fact, Cottonwood has long been a “purple” area, at least on LGBTQ+ issues. Despite being primarily Republican, the area has been considered safe among locals as a popular vacation spot. Pride flag stickers are displayed on business windows throughout downtown. And when far-right Christian nationalists from out of town flooded the city last year when a touring rural drag show came to put on a performance at a city-owned venue, it was residents of all political backgrounds who banded together to show up for the LGBTQ+ community in support. Eventually, they organized to recall [Republican City Councilor Lisa DuVernay](https://www.verdenews.com/news/duvernay-recall-election-set-for-nov-5/article%5F254dfef6-0d53-11ef-aaa0-6f55ccbda8bb.html?ref=lookoutnews.org), who used the opportunity to attack trans kids and drag queens. The city then voted in a [progressive mayor Ann Shaw](https://www.lookoutnews.org/what-is-lookout-covering-this-election-season/#:~:text=Cottonwood%20votes%20for%20sanity) this past June to break the divisiveness and focus back on city business. For those outside of Arizona, the flashpoint and whiplash to vote for a Democrat may be more proof of the state’s progressive shift to the left. But for people who live in Cottonwood, it’s more evidence of the area’s strong Independent leanings. (Arizona is one of the few states in the Union where registered Independents are a sizeable majority voting bloc — the [second-largest](https://www.tucsonsentinel.com/local/report/012324%5Fvoter%5Fregistration/republicans-regain-top-spot-among-azs-voting-blocs-ppe-registration-deadline-coming-up/?ref=lookoutnews.org) in the state, just below Republicans.) “We weren’t solving city issues,” said Julie Fernatt, who works with Habern at the [Rural Organizing Initiative](https://roi.vote/?ref=lookoutnews.org), a local movement group that pushes for more political diversity on down-ballot races locally, including progressive candidates. Cottonwood isn’t unique in this; Arizona has long had enclaves of people who move to the Southwest to seek out what Fernatt calls “the challenge,” to defy political parties and play into the Independent lifestyle. “I think people who live here tend to feel strong,” she said, speaking to the resilience of those who choose to brave out the harshness of living in Arizona’s wilds. And for many Americans, this is the first time they are witnessing how the strength of Arizona’s Independents could be used to tilt the election in one candidate’s favor. ### **Arizona’s move to the center** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-07-at-9.12.07-AM.png) **Arizona state representative Lorena Austin. Photo provided.* That same kind of shift away from extremism on the right is what [Rep. Lorena Austin](https://www.lorenaaustin.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org) is seeing in their district of West Mesa, a former Republican stronghold that until two years ago was considered an easy win for conservatives. But as more people moved into the former land of orchards, the area evolved from a blue-collar enclave in the 90s to a mixture of strip malls filled with Asian markets and Latino restaurants, art fairs, and burgeoning college hangouts. Austin, who is the state’s first and only nonbinary Chicane legislator, attributes that progressive change as a demand to see more diversity among local lawmakers. They ran two years ago, they said, to see their home represented more accurately. “I come from a district that has very low voter turnout, and people haven’t voted in many cycles and lost faith that their vote matters,” they said. “I didn’t go \[to the House\] to be the first queer anyone; that is not why I came to the legislature. I came because someone who looked like my community wasn’t running.” It wasn’t just LGBTQ+ issues that drove Austin to run and arguably win in Mesa. Residents have long had concerns regarding water and education funding, both priority issues that a majority of Arizonans believe need to be addressed in state politics, [according to a 2024 survey](https://www.arizonafuture.org/the-arizona-we-want/arizona-voters-agenda/results/?ref=lookoutnews.org#anchorEnvironment) by the Center for the Future of Arizona. And in a region that has seen a swell of activity at its southern border, voters also believe that the immigration crisis is a humanitarian issue that requires comprehensive reform, according to the same poll. At the same time, Republicans in the state legislature this past session pushed a voter initiative that [could allow for racial profiling of people who police believe to be in the state illegally](https://www.abc15.com/news/state/house-passes-hcr-2060-will-put-illegal-border-crossing-criminal-designation-on-the-november-ballot?ref=lookoutnews.org). But the shift in Austin’s district hasn’t been just because of diversity, it’s also due to, as Austin said, a distaste of Republican politics that has taken hold of Arizona’s GOP, which has gone further into the hands of Donald Trump. “The Arizona Republican party has been taken over by extremists. This used to be the Republican Party of John McCain,” they said, pointing to the increased anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric that has shown to be, in some circumstances, [a poison pill for some Republicans](https://glaad.org/election-2024-voter-poll/?ref=lookoutnews.org) who have shown a willingness to ease off LGBTQ+ attacks in order to win over voters. Still, the anti-LGBTQ+ playbook—as unpopular as Austin says it might be — is working quite well, as proven by the interactions between residents and [Rep. Analise Ortiz](https://www.ortizforaz.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org), who is running for state Senate in her district of West Phoenix. For many of the Republican voters’ doors she knocks on, gender issues in schools are top-of-mind. “I will hear people say that the public schools are letting boys into girls’ bathrooms,” she said, adding that she works with residents to try to understand where they heard the misinformation from and then explain how it’s not true. But just as local Republicans have shifted right, state Democrats have also shifted to the center, giving credence to the feeling many queer voters have that going “purple” doesn’t necessarily equate to a progressive movement for their own rights, such as passing an anti-discrimination ordinance or banning conversion therapy in the state — both of which have failed in the legislature multiple times. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/10/Screenshot-2024-10-07-at-9.12.39-AM.png) **Democratic state senate candidate Rep. Analise Oritz (far right) says Arizona “voters really recognize that shift to the right.” Photo provided.* Ortiz said that feeling voters have could be because statewide Democrats, in order to win races, have drawn in moderate Republicans and Independent voters, which could signal to queer people an abandonment of those issues. “I think voters really recognize that shift to the right,” she said. [Are Republicans “dragging” down small business revenue?Once obscure, drag is a financial boon for Arizona’s small business scene. Still, Republicans are trying to kill it, putting local businesses at risk.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-7.png)LOOKOUTGeri Koeppel (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/barbra-seville1-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/are-republicans-dragging-down-small-business-revenue/) ### **Arizona’s future** While there is an argument to be made that Arizona’s political shift is due to Democrats drawing in Republican voters who are souring on their party, that wouldn’t make up for the seismic effort Arizona has seen to vote in a Democratic governor, close in a sizeable margin in the state legislature, and vote for President Joe Biden in the 2020 election. There is also a reality that Arizona, with its cities becoming more urban and suburbs booming and growing to be more enticing for young families, is just simply becoming less Republican. In 2000, Republicans were 44% of registered voters across the state. That number has slowly dwindled to 35%, with Democrats now representing 29% of the vote, and Independents representing the largest shift, going from 15% of the vote two decades ago to 33% of all registered voters today, [according to the Arizona Secretary of State’s website](https://azsos.gov/elections/election-information/voter-registration-statistics?ref=lookoutnews.org). And beyond party registration, the look of Arizona has changed. When Bridget Sharpe, state director for Human Rights Campaign of Arizona, grew up in North Phoenix, the area “used to be a dirt road,” she said. That area now is unrecognizable with sprawling outdoor malls, event venue spaces, condominiums, and the area’s most established fine-dining restaurants. It also happens to be another purple district, with two Democrats, [Reps. Judy Schweibert](https://judyschwiebert.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org) and [Christine Marsh](https://www.christineportermarsh.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org), elected in 2022\. “These are relatively strong Democrats who are both representing \[the LGBTQ+ community\] at the legislature,” Sharpe said. “When you think of North Phoenix, you don’t really think of these LGBTQ+ allies, but there’s been a gradual change from that assumption.” Sharpe attributes that change to the staying power of young people, who historically have left Arizona and been replaced by retirees who “called the shots,” Sharpe said, “But Arizona is now very young, and there’s a generation of youth that have just started voting that want to stay here and continue to change this place and don’t want to flee to Chicago or New York or LA.” The message Sharpe has for people who read the headlines about Arizona is clear: “There is a view that Arizona is bright red, and that’s unfortunate. But at the same time, we are purple for a reason,” she said. “I would warn people against accepting this view of Arizona as the ‘Wild West.’ I just don’t think that’s true anymore.” [Anti-discrimination bills for the LGBTQ+ community have wide support. So why can’t a bill get passed?More than twenty years of attempts to get protections in place have failed as queer lives become more politicized.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-8.png)LOOKOUTJuliette Rihl (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/nondiscrim-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/anti-discrimination-bills-for-the-lgbtq-community-have-wide-support-so-why-cant-a-bill-get-passed/) **Before you go...** *LOOKOUT* is on the struggle bus these days, but we're doing our best to make ends meet and continue pushing forward. We're consistently winning incredible awards that honor our work in the community, and we strive every day to figure out how to make your voice heard in the democratic process. **But we can't do that if we don't exist.** If you can, [ donate by clicking here](https://lookout-publications.fundjournalism.org/lookout-publications-1) and help queer Arizonans feel seen, heard, and empowered to stand up for their rights. ### OUTWATCH Fest starts this weekend! URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/i-wanted-to-make-sure-you-saw-this/ Last updated: 2025-03-13T21:33:18.000Z In October 2023, we threw their first OUTWATCH party in the Blue Room at Walter Studios. The point of the event was simple: show Phoenix’s LGBTQ+ community they were valued, they were important, and they were more than what the news portrayed. That event launched an entire campaign to make sure LOOKOUT curated and fostered queer events that were aimed at building community and forging friendships. For our second year, we’re doing **OUTWATCH Fest**, a week-long program from Oct. 6-13 of those curated events, from open mic nights, film screenings, art auctions, to health and fitness. We have recruited some of the state’s most popular groups to help us with these events. The theme this year is “**LOUD(er)**”, harkening back to the first Stonewall protest where people marched in the streets chanting, “Sat it Loud! Gay is Proud!” **Below is a lineup of all of our events, and be sure to click below to get your tickets!** [Get your tickets here](https://checkout.eventcreate.com/outwatch2024/select-buy?ref=lookoutnews.org) **Sunday Oct. 6:** Morning: Sunday Sips with thems & Skoden Coffee at Central Records in Phoenix Evening: A free 45-minute workout with Everybody Lifting Club in Phoenix **Monday Oct. 7:** Movie screening of documentary "1946" with fireside chat afterwards at Gracie's Tax Bar in Phoenix **Tuesday Oct. 8:** Get LOUD! ppen mic night with Wasted Ink Zine Distro @ Nurture House in Phoenix **Wednesday Oct. 9:** Queer art auction by Trans Spectrum AZ atFirst UCC Church in Phoenix. **Thursday Oct. 10:** Community panel and workshop with a mix n' mingle party at Splinter Collective in Tucson. **Friday Oct. 11:** Morning: Coffee mix and mingle at Talega Coffee Tucson Evening: "COMING OUT" mic night at the Downtown Clifton with Queer AF in Tucson. **Saturday Oct. 12:** "LOUD(er)" dance party by LOOKOUT at The Duce in Phoenix. **Sunday Oct. 13:** The Royale Recovery with YumBar and Stem Swag at The Royale in Phoenix. [Get your tickets here](https://checkout.eventcreate.com/outwatch2024/select-buy?ref=lookoutnews.org) ### Is Cottonwood an example for us all? URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/is-cottonwood-an-example-for-us-all/ Last updated: 2025-02-18T03:20:00.000Z Last year, Cottonwood, Arizona was at the center of a national debate on drag performances in public spaces. A rural drag show meant to provide visibility for LGBTQ+ residents had its liquor license revoked, Proud Boys showed up in protest with military-style rifles, and one outspoken councilwoman, Lisa DuVernay, used the opportunity to inflame her MAGA base to fill City Council meetings and sparked a recall for the mayor. During one such meeting, a resident got up and said something that—inadvertently—would change the way people in the city would look at each other. She got up to the dais and denounced Penny Smith, a local woman who was well-revered and brought drag to Cottonwood years before, for supporting the LGBTQ+ community. That didn't sit well with people who knew Penny—and that was practically everyone. Soon, the town united around a new mission: The Penny Peace Project, whose mission was to lower the temperature and bring civility back to the city. Read our full story here: [How a local turn-of-phrase turned into a call for peace across ideologiesPenny Smith was admired in Cottonwood. So when someone besmirched her in a city council meeting, residents sought to lower the temperature.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-5.png)LOOKOUTCelina Jiménez (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/AdobeStock_379717090-1.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/cottonwood-penny-peace-drag-queens/) ## Lookout's Take As a nonpartisan news outlet, we love these kinds of stories. Yes, we love accountability, too. But as America grows increasingly more divisive, stories of people finding common ground and the humanity within each other is what could be the solution to our political unrest. We've done a lot of programs similar to this, especially with our Summer of Solutions series where we found people across varying political and personal ideologies to discuss a common tool that everyone can rally around and bring home to their neighborhoods or families. (Quick note: It doesn't always work.) But having these conversations—and showing that it has worked in other places—is at the very least a first step in the right direction. **What do you think could be a way to bring people with opposing views from you into the fold? Share your thoughts by replying back to this email!** ## 🌵 LOCAL NEWS - **RURAL DRAG:** The touring rural drag show is back on the road again making stops across all of Arizona. [**Gila Valley Central**](https://gilavalleycentral.net/miss-nature-bringing-the-2025-arizona-pride-tour-to-safford/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **BANNED BOOKS COMES HOME:** A Higley Unified School District teacher is being investigated by Gilbert police after a parent accused her of promoting sexual content for a district-approved book reading assignment. It's unclear what the book is. [**Gilbert Sun News**](https://www.gilbertsunnews.com/news/gilbert-police-probing-higley-teacher-over-books/article%5Fc0ad3a18-7db7-11ef-a8cc-1bdf8e10a454.html?ref=lookoutnews.org) ## 🇺🇸 NATIONAL NEWS - **MILITARY DEFENSE:** House Democrats penned a letter to ranking members of the House Committee on Armed Services urging the removal of discriminating language against the LGBTQ+ community before signing onto the National Defense Authorization Act. [**U.S. Congress**](https://sarajacobs.house.gov/imo/media/doc/ndaa%5Fconference%5Fletter.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **BIBLE (MIS)TRANSLATION:** The Bible has been translated into multiple languages, and in 1946, "homosexual" was swapped out with "pedophile." That mistranslation, a new documentary shows, is the basis for how American politics around LGBTQ+ rights has shifted over the past 80 years. [**Lavender**](https://lavendermagazine.com/our-affairs/2024-lgbt-history-project-but-the-bible-says-how-one-mistake-accidentally-sparked-todays-anti-lgbtq-rhetoric/?ref=lookoutnews.org) **LOOKOUT NOTE:** We are screening **"1946: The Mistranslation That Shifted A Culture"** during OUTWATCH Fest on Mon. Oct. 7 at Gracie's Tax Bar in Phoenix at 7 p.m. followed by a fireside chat with Jeanne Casteen, executive director of Secular AZ.[**Get your free ticket to our event here**](https://www.eventcreate.com/e/outwatch2024?ref=lookoutnews.org)**.** - **VIRGINIA TEACHER WINS:** A teacher that refused to honor the pronouns of a student and was subsequently fired won his lawsuit against the state. [**LGBTQ Nation**](https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2024/10/a-school-fired-an-anti-trans-teacher-now-must-pay-him-half-a-million-dollars/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **CONVERSION THERAPY:** A study of 4,400 LGBTQ+ people who had undergone conversion therapy showed higher rates of depression and suicidal thoughts. [**U.S. News and World Report**](https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2024-10-01/bogus-conversion-therapy-leads-to-higher-risk-of-mental-illness-for-lgbt-people?ref=lookoutnews.org) ## ****IN-QUEER-SITIVE** Test your knowledge of this week in queer news! Answer the question below related to a story in this week's newsletter and get entered into a raffle to win **LOOKOUT* swag. ## What was the name of the woman who inspired the Penny Peace Project in Cottonwood? \*Hint!: You'll have to watch our video to learn! [Submit your answer here](mailto:newsletters@lookoutphx.org) ### **Last week's question:** What local workout group is meeting every week to help trans and gender nonconforming people feel safer about working out in a communal space? ### **Last week's answer: Everybody Lifting Club** ### How a local turn-of-phrase turned into a call for peace across ideologies URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/cottonwood-penny-peace-drag-queens/ Last updated: 2025-03-05T19:27:36.000Z In many ways, Cottonwood—a Northern Arizona city nestled in the region’s Verde Valley—fits the stereotype many people hold about a rural American small town: charming historic buildings, a slower than normal pace, the sense that everyone knows your name, and typically, a conservative political presence. Normally, small cities like Cottonwood rarely make the news. But the firebrand of Trumpist conservatism has made its presence known, and made the past two years in Cottonwood markedly volatile: Religious groups showed up in droves to protest city council decisions that allowed a touring drag company to come to town; Far-right community members packed out the local recreational center for a working meeting on whether or not they should ban drag in public; The Mingus Union School District’s meetings on budgets and resources for students shifted to include discussions on banning certain books; And a local anti-LGBTQ+ church was at the forefront of a mayoral recall. But last year, a series of heated city council meetings and one major drag show jostled residents of all political stripes and shifted the conversation. The community found common ground, all in the name of one woman—the late Penny Smith. ### **“BE LIKE PENNY”** Hanging inside Cottonwood’s businesses, “Be Like Penny” stickers are emblazoned on door frames. Ask anyone in town about Smith, and it’s highly likely their response will either begin with tears or, as one resident started our conversation: “What a wonderful woman. Where do I begin?” According to those who knew her, Smith was more than someone the entire town loved—she was seen as a local saint in that she loved and supported those in the community who were underrepresented or less fortunate. They said Smith would always host fundraisers to celebrate her birthday that raised money for the Humane Society or helped local families with medical bills. And at Main Stage, a popular bar and music venue, Smith was colloquially deemed “The Bingo Lady” because of her incredibly popular “This Ain’t Your Grandma’s Bingo” show every week. The local paper, [Verde News](https://www.verdenews.com/obituaries/obituary-penny-denise-smith/article%5Fc7f0128c-c56a-5f23-a5a4-c5780cc29f1e.html?ref=lookoutnews.org), reported her bingo night “raised $60,000 for various charities that had valuable impacts on the community she cherished.” And for the queer community in the Verde Valley, Smith was a huge advocate for increasing safe spaces and making everyone feel seen. According to her friend Christine “Bean” Kramer, Smith was the reason drag performances started showing at Main Stage, where Smith worked regularly and where Kramer serves as the current manager. “I was her friend for 30 years,” Kramer said through tears. “We would always go to Pride together in Flagstaff, and she always wanted to see more drag here in Cottonwood.” “She touched a lot of people,” Rebecca Riffel, Main Stage’s co-owner and general manager, told [Verde News](https://www.verdenews.com/news/bingo-lady-penny-smith-loved-her-community/article%5F0d518b1c-1a9e-5bba-ad24-150b264da9da.html?ref=lookoutnews.org) shortly after Smith’s death in 2021\. “By just the way she was. By the way she loved people. The way that she cared about people.” “If you didn’t like Penny, there was something wrong with you,” said one local Cottonwood parent. “She was such an accepting and welcoming person.” But last year, when a woman stood up and denounced Smith publicly for supporting the LGBTQ+ community, the mantra of “Be Like Penny” took on a different meaning. [In Cottonwood, a conservative church drives local anti-LGBTQ+ politicsEmails between River Bible Church’s lead pastor and council members show the religious group’s influence and partisanship.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-3.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/RBC-Image.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/in-cottonwood-a-church-has-been-the-main-organizing-group-for-anti-lgbtq-politics/) ### **HOW DRAG DIVIDED THE CITY** In February 2023, Cottonwood’s City Council met to debate the inclusion of a charity drag show that had rented out a city-owned community space and was requesting a liquor license. Conservative attendees claimed that hosting a drag show in their city was endorsing “sexual deviance and moral depravity.” For Cottonwood activists Julie Fernatt and Marianna “Llama” Habern, leaders behind the local progressive politics group [Rural Organizing Initiative](https://roi.vote/?ref=lookoutnews.org) (ROI), the meeting was the start of a season of public meetings at city hall and school boards for anti-LGBTQ+ speech. [*LOOKOUT*](https://lookoutphx.substack.com/p/another-drag-show-in-arizona-was) previously reported on the drag show and the legalities leading up to it, as well as the civil rights claim made against the city afterwards. When the actual drag show took place in April, people of all ages enjoyed a fun, G-rated performance, with one parent even saying it helped him connect with his son who had just come out to him, according to Fernatt. But outside the show, Proud Boys and churchgoers congregated en masse and shouted at attendees walking into and out of the show. Fernatt led a group of ROI members in creating a barrier between the Proud Boys and attendees. Molly Heckman, a local parent, was one such member. “The drag show would have been fine if it were only the church folk counterprotesting,” Heckman told *LOOKOUT*. “It would have been annoying, but fine—but the fact that there were Proud Boys and people from out of town coming just to bolster their homophobic stance was what made it so dangerous.” Outrage continued to burn after the show. According to Fernatt, one council member even showed a video of a salacious drag show she found online, falsely claiming it was from the Cottonwood show in order to “prove” the “dangers” of drag for their community. That council member has been recalled in this upcoming November election. But it was one woman’s comments at an August 2023 meeting that made both pro- and anti-drag supporters go quiet. Expressing her distaste for the drag show and the LGBTQ+ community as a whole, Judy Cohen–an attendee of a local church–said at an August 15 city council meeting that she “wished Penny could come back from the dead and let us know the decisions that she made, what she stood on, and where God now stands with her.” The “decision” was how Penny was responsible for bringing drag to Cottonwood to begin with —namely, to Main Stage. Habern understood Cohen’s statement to say that Smith was punished by God for supporting the LGBTQ+ community. Cohen’s speech upset the crowd, including conservatives and liberal constituents alike. Once word got out, people took to social media to harass and argue against her. [A charity drag show in Arizona clashed with Proud Boys and Christian nationalistsIn Cottonwood, Arizona, a touring drag show attempting to bring LGBTQ+ visibility to small towns was faced with fierce opposition from Christian nationalists and insurrectionists.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x-4.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/lookout-logo-3-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/another-drag-show-in-arizona-was/) Cohen could not be reached to comment on this piece. After the attacks online, Fernatt and Habern activated ROI to get involved and bring back civility to the council meetings. “ROI was really new when all this started happening,” shared Habern, ROI’s secretary. “There were a lot of quiet people in our community who felt they were alone in wanting to express their distaste and their feelings of pain. We wanted to provide a space where they could be more vocal, because they’re not alone.” ### **PENNY PEACE PROJECT** After months of back-and-forth arguing and hours of city council meeting time spent on the subject of not only the drag show, but similar LGBTQ+ representations, the ROI community had decided enough was enough. With everything going on, they hadn’t been dedicating as much time to registering voters or applying themselves to other community activations – which, they realized, is exactly what those outspoken conservative townspeople wanted. So on Sept. 5, almost a month after the Cohen speech, Fernatt showed up in an orange jacket and an army of people with pennies and ribbons in hand—and spoke. One by one, supporters marched up to place their penny on the podium and pin a ribbon to the jacket, proclaiming their name and one simple statement: “I’m here because I support the Penny Peace Project.” Then, with a jacket pinned full of ribbons, Fernatt made the closing speech: “When we say we support the Penny Peace Project, it means that we support all the members of our community,” Fernatt said to the council. “It means that we believe in working with each other, not against each other. “We will keep up on what the council is doing, and we will be voting in November. We just won’t participate in this culture war any longer.” By the end, residents revealed the jacket to be one that Smith used to wear. Habern said this demonstration with Penny’s jacket served as a statement that they no longer intended to engage in the tit-for-tat arguments and stand-downs. That, like Smith, they would never stop showing up for their community and doing the actual work that needs to be done. Cristopher Hall, a Tucson-based local drag queen and Executive Director of Miss Nature, LLC which produces the Arizona Pride Tour each year throughout rural Arizona, kept up-to-date with all relevant ROI and city council proceedings after the April show. For him, ROI’s presence alone was an act of peacemaking—one that Smith herself would have undeniably been at the forefront of, he said. “I have seen this initiative bring members of the community together who thought the fight for equality was over,” Hall continued. “I have seen people find purpose in something bigger than themselves and people from various backgrounds come together – people who may not agree on many forefronts, but agree that fighting is not the way to go.” And if a jacket has the power to create even one moment of unity in a place like Cottonwood, the city may be at the beginning of a promising and changed future, says Fernatt. “The jacket symbolizes the community,” Hall elaborated. “It helped ensure people knew that the community as a whole was present at meetings without filling up all the spaces at each meeting, which in the past prevented the council from focusing on other issues important to the community, such as economic development.” **Before you go...** *LOOKOUT* is on the struggle bus these days, but we're doing our best to make ends meet and continue pushing forward. We're consistently winning incredible awards that honor our work in the community, and we strive every day to figure out how to make your voice heard in the democratic process. **But we can't do that if we don't exist.** If you can, [ donate by clicking here](https://lookout-publications.fundjournalism.org/lookout-publications-1) and help queer Arizonans feel seen, heard, and empowered to stand up for their rights. ### What're you flagging? URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/hankie-code-lookout-game/ Last updated: 2026-08-11T00:25:12.000Z ### Welcome to LOOKOUT! When you signed up for *LOOKOUT*, you got a handkerchief that, no doubt, you'll use to stay cool this weekend while playing in the sun. But did you know that the handkerchief color you chose had a specific — and more intimate — purpose when being openly gay and finding a partner who was sexually compatible with you was much tougher? --- ## **Take our quick quiz below to find out what that color used to mean!** A LOOKOUT Pride Game ## What's your hankie saying? Pick a side. Pick a color. Find out what your hankie says about you. The hankie code is a decades-old queer tradition of signaling interests, roles, and desires using colored bandanas. It's part history and part flirtation. But don't forget that it's all about consent. First: pick your side. **👈 Left** Traditionally the active or top role. **👉 Right** Traditionally the receptive or bottom role. Hankie code isn't a legally binding contract. Meanings shifted between cities, generations and scenes. These are classic meanings from the code. Step 2 of 2 · Choose your color ## Now pick a color. Choose the color hankie you picked up. Red Orange Yellow Green Light Blue Navy Blue Purple Mauve Black White That color isn't available yet. Try another. ← Change side Your hankie code ### Try another color Change side The code changes depending on who you ask and when. Wearing a hankie doesn't obligate you to anything. It's a signal, not a contract. Consent is key and sexy. --- There's no question that dating apps such as Grindr and Tinder have revolutionized the way individuals find companionship, but they haven't exclusively solved for one basic part of the queer experience: fetish. There are apps that are geared toward specific fetishes—Grommr, for example, attracts gay men who enjoy the act of feeding people or being fed, though not exclusively—but in the absence of technology, "signaling" using certain objects takes its place. ### The Hanky Code: Colorful Communication One of the most iconic methods of signaling within the gay community was the hanky code, which emerged prominently in the early 1970s. Initially rooted in Western American cowboy culture, where men wore colored bandanas to signify roles in square dances, this practice took on new meaning as gay men sought discreet ways to express their sexual preferences. The modern iteration of the hanky code is believed to have started in San Francisco, spurred by a growing need for clarity in a time when open discussions about sexuality were fraught with risk. According to Hal Fischer's *Gay Semiotics*, the code was popularized by erotic stores like The Trading Post, which began promoting handkerchiefs and providing cards explaining their meanings. A red bandana signified a desire for a submissive role, while blue indicated a more dominant position. Over time, the code expanded to include an array of colors representing different kinks and sexual interests. ### Can thrifting be made safer? URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/can-thrifting-be-made-more-comfortable/ Last updated: 2025-03-05T19:27:40.000Z Everyone should be able to express themselves freely through fashion. Yet we live in a world with a strict dress code, where what you wear can carry many social signals, from financial status, to sexual orientation, or gender presentation. For many trans and non-binary people, wearing the clothes that fit our identity is a vital part of a healthy life. The experience of shopping for new clothes while going through gender transitioning—or simply wearing make-up to go grocery shopping—can be a fraught and even dangerous lesson. Obtaining new clothes can be a dysphoric experience. All stores whether they be queer vintage boutiques, big box chains, or thrift shops sort clothes by “male” and “female” genders. Most well-meaning and allied spaces generally still center the cis experience, and make trans+ and non-binary people seeking a more spectrum experience feel out of place. The Dream Boutique, located in the heart of downtown Phoenix, exclusively serves the gender expansive community. The Boutique provides free gender-affirming clothing, as well as shoes, hygiene products, binders, undergarments, wigs, and a variety of accessories. In this brightly lit space, decorated with trans and non-binary flags, clothing is sorted by style and size, not gender. Volunteers who are all part of the gender-expansive community, assist folks with finding clothes, if needed, and can offer advice on transition, as well as other support services. “This is an invaluable resource for the trans and gender-expansive community.” Said Nicholas Conway, a transmasc volunteer liaison with the Southwest Center, and peer support specialist. “It provides a dedicated space to explore our own unique, authentic gender, free from the judgements and cultural expectations that are still all too common in society today.” There is a power and intimacy in hand-me downs, the antithesis of capitalist fast-fashion. Unique items and hidden gems can be found in the clothing stacks, and the exchange of clothes between generations of trans+ and non-binary peoples, can be a deeply healing experience. One person’s past styles can be a euphoric part of someone else’s identity journey. Kimberly Jordan, who is on the board of directors for Trans Spectrum of Arizona has been leading efforts to make The Dream Boutique an inclusive and uplifting space for all those in the community. Jordan has a long history of volunteer work, and as a proud Black trans woman, she champions the importance of feeling confident and comfortable in ourselves. *LOOKOUT* spoke with Jordan on her mission at The Dream Boutique, what people can expect from a shopping experience there, the importance of expressing yourself through style, how community and volunteer work can transform lives, as well as Jordan’s own personal journey embracing her fashion, confidence, and giving back to the trans+ community. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. **LOOKOUT:** You shared that you grew up in a family that really showed you the importance of volunteering and being involved in a community. Can you share more about that? **Kimberly Jordan (she/her):** I have been volunteering since before I started middle school. I used to volunteer at the American Heart Association, and then at the American Cancer Association. Then around middle school, my Mom started at the Pittsburgh Rehabilitation Center, so I was volunteering there. Even before that, volunteering and community has always been a part of my life. That’s why I’m so passionate about it. It’s hard for me to understand that there are people who’ve never done it, or never given back, because I get such joy out of it. **LO:** What is the drive for you, is it mutual positive change? ![Kimberly Jordan, a smiling Black trans woman, wearing a black top, advocating for inclusivity in nonbinary shopping.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/09/Kimberly-Jordan-headshot-courtesy-of-Kimberly-Jordan.jpg) Kimberly Jordan, who is on the board of Trans Spectrum Arizona, created the Dream Boutique so trans and gender-nonconforming people could feel safe while shopping for clothes in nontraditional spaces. (Photo courtesy of Kimberly Jordan) **KJ:** I think it’s getting to know all walks of life. I think sometimes you need to be taken out of your privilege of having food every day, or a roof over your head, or clothes on your back. When you’re taken out of that privilege of having the normal stuff and you see there are those that don’t…if you don’t have empathy, or sympathy, I don’t know! Those people can change your life. **LOOKOUT:** What is The Dream Boutique, and what is its purpose? **KO:** The Dream Boutique started about ten years ago at First Church UCC in downtown Phoenix. I recently took over as head of point for Trans Spectrum of Arizona. It is a transgender closet, to help anyone on the spectrum of transness or non-binary. It has clothing, shoes, underwear, binders, we’re trying to get more hygiene products in there. Just to give the support that is needed for people of the trans experience. **LO:** You want it to feel like a shopping experience, a safe space, brightly lit and colorful, a fun experience. Let’s talk about that, and how in the real world that’s not something that a lot of people in our community have access to. **KJ:** We have access to it, but we’re not comfortable in those spaces. This space can be a space where we’re comfortable, you can come with your girlfriends, or boyfriends, or non-binary friends, or whoever, and have that nice shopping experience. **LO:** Absolutely. I know people who love going to Goodwill, but feel uncomfortable if they want to shop in the “men’s section” or look at dresses, people stare and we get gender policed. **KJ:** Absolutely, it happens. And everyone doesn’t have tough enough skin sometimes to feel like being in the outside public, or being comfortable in those spaces. That is why I try to go in early, open the Boutique for a couple of hours, make sure a variety of sizes are put out, and everybody can feel safe and comfortable. **LO:** What do you think the importance of fashion, being able to live in your skin, and expressing yourself through clothes and style, can give to people emotionally? **KJ:** First of all, fashion has always been an expression of self, identity, how you feel on that day, what you want to present as that day. I feel like sometimes that can get lost going to the regular stores. Coming into The Dream Boutique, I want it to be nothing like the normal. I want you to enjoy yourself, shop in whatever area you want. Those that present feminine can find what they want, those that present masculine can find what they want, and those in the middle or anyone can go to either side. It’s no judgment, and just about enjoying yourself in a safe space. **LO:** A lot of allyship can just be talk. Then when you are actually in those spaces and communities which you might not be part of, you need to come in with an open mind and heart, you’re there to listen to what that community is going through and just take it in. That can really open up your perspective. **KJ:** Right. And that’s also why I joined the Sorority I am in, which is the first transgender Sorority in the United States, Kappa Iota Sigma Sorority Incorporated. Our mission is to exact change through social awareness, and giving back to our communities. So some of our initiatives are HIV and AIDS awareness, and helping the community where it is needed. We are a community service Sorority. **LO:** How would you define that? **KJ:** Our basis is in doing the work in the trans community, making things look different, making things inclusive, changing the narrative on trans women period. **LO:** What is that narrative shift for you? **KJ:** For me, it is just making sure trans women know they are loved, they are wanted, and they are appreciated. That is true for everyone on the spectrum, so they also have an all male trans sorority for males of all orientations. Then they have a masculine women’s group, an all women’s group, a trans women, and a trans men group. That’s why I decided to join, because I saw they were really being inclusive of everyone in the LGBTQ+ community. **LO:** And that inclusivity, especially for trans, non-binary and gender expansive people is something we struggle with, even in queer spaces. Like gay bars for instance, where we are often not welcome or safe. **KJ:** There are gay bars where I have gotten into physical altercations because people were being so disrespectful to me. And the bar help was no help at all. I’m little, but I can handle myself and I saw I would have to. So after I handled it, the bar help told me I had to go. They didn’t ask the man who was accosting me to leave, like you don’t see this man harassing me? Then when I protect myself, I am the aggressive one. **LO:** So a lot of the world, whether it is shopping, or then you put on your cute outfit and you want to go out with friends, and just be seen, that can be very complicated for people in our community. So this Boutique is really a vital space to be seen as beautiful, or handsome, or androgynous. **KJ:** And not only that, I try to build the confidence for people when they come in. I let them know that they are all beautiful, like hey, that looks great on you, keep your head up, smile, feel happy. Confidence sometimes goes a long way, so we build confidence for people who may not yet have it. **LO:** So as people are figuring out new bodies, or new shapes, and new personal styles, how to tie a tie, or hook on a bralet, some of these things are not intuitive. So it’s nice to have volunteers that can help you and understand everyone’s different journey. **KJ:** Right, and I think that’s something that is missing out even in straight people stores in the regular world. People there who will really help and listen to you. So I just want to do something completely different, and make people happy. **LO:** I’d love to hear about your personal style, and how fashion and confidence has helped you transform your life, so that you are in a place where you are able to share this with others. **KJ:** My style has always been different, and I’ve always shopped at thrift shops. I love shopping and I love giving clothes away too. I have a storage unit of clothes, I’ve been giving shoes to the Arizona Ballroom Coalition. Before I moved to Arizona, I wore a high heel every single day. I would go to the grocery store in heels, but when I moved here I felt a little out of place. Everyone had flip flops and sandals, and was looking at me like I’m crazy. But I was coming from Detroit, where the girls wear make-up to the gym \[laughs\]. I never owned tennis shoes. I had to learn to blend in. **LO:** There is an aspect of fashion of just dressing up and looking good, or having fun. But there is also the importance of just everyday items, which the Boutique also offers. **KJ:** I don’t want to make it too glamorous. I don’t want people to feel like, oh if I come there I’ll only find this one type of style. I want people to walk in, and immediately feel like this is a comforting space, where any style belongs, and you can find anything you want at The Dream Boutique. *The Dream Boutique is located at 1407 N. 2nd Street Phoenix in the First Church UCC. The Dream Boutique is not religiously affiliated, and is run and operated by Trans Spectrum of Arizona, The Southwest Center, and gender-expansive volunteers, offering free clothing to trans and gender-expansive individuals only.* *Hours of operation and FAQS can be found* [*on their website.* ](https://tsaz.org/phxdreamboutique/?ref=lookoutnews.org) **Before you go...** *LOOKOUT* is on the struggle bus these days, but we're doing our best to make ends meet and continue pushing forward. We're consistently winning incredible awards that honor our work in the community, and we strive every day to figure out how to make your voice heard in the democratic process. **But we can't do that if we don't exist.** If you can, [ donate by clicking here](https://lookout-publications.fundjournalism.org/lookout-publications-1) and help queer Arizonans feel seen, heard, and empowered to stand up for their rights. ### LOOKOUT helps lead national cohort of LGBTQ+ news outlets for upcoming election coverage URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/lookout-helps-leads-national-cohort-of-lgbtq-news-outlets-for-upcoming-election-coverage/ Last updated: 2024-09-20T20:05:18.000Z From hyper local to federal elections, LGBTQ+ issues are on just about every single ballot across America. It’s something not seen in recent memory, with issues facing the transgender community, drag performers, school districts, and access to healthcare becoming a top-line issue for candidates running in this upcoming election. And while many news outlets are treating these campaigns as footnotes—or focusing merely on federal races—*LOOKOUT* is working alongside 10 other news outlets across the country to cover the Nov. 5 election with a focus on down-ballot candidates and ballot initiatives that directly impact our community. The cohort of 11 newsrooms, called the Queer News Network—or QNN, aims to emphasize the importance of insightful coverage that speaks to the exploitation of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and violence in the upcoming election. From October 1 to November 12, participating newsrooms will identify candidates and contribute content to a comprehensive news site, queernn.com, which will serve as a central hub for queer voters and their allies across the U.S. QNN is recruiting students from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism, where students will work out of leading up to and on Election Day. Eight students will be chosen from the school to work with editors of the network and managed by LOOKOUT Editor in Chief Joseph Darius Jaafari to monitor campaigns leading up to and during the election week. Alongside LOOKOUT, QNN is governed by two other newsrooms: *QVegas* in Nevada, and *Q Voice News* in California. Participating newsrooms are in four different regions**:** - **West: Q Voice News (Los Angeles, CA), LOOKOUT (Arizona), QVegas (Las Vegas, NV), Seattle Lesbian (Seattle, WA)** - **Central: Illinois Eagle (Illinois), The Gayly (Oklahoma), Queerency (National)** - **South: Queer Kentucky (Kentucky), OUT South Florida (Fort Lauderdale, FL)** - **Northeast: QBurgh (Pittsburgh, PA), Buckeye Flame (Ohio)** “This is something that is long overdue in LGBTQ+ media, but hasn’t happened because of corporate buyouts, lack of resources, or simply many of our queer newsrooms shuttering their doors,” said Jaafari. “We’re excited to help spearhead this and elevate the election reporting being done by our partner newsrooms to show that queer journalism isn’t just niche—it’s imperative to local democracy.” QNN’s website will launch on Oct. 1, with overview coverage, and specific candidate coverage beginning the week of October 15\. [Sign up to get notified of the website launch here](https://queernn.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org). ### How an anti-LGBTQ+ org teaches parents to overwhelm school admin URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/how-an-anti-lgbtq-org-teaches-parents-to-overwhelm-school-admin/ Last updated: 2024-09-18T19:51:41.000Z **In this week's newsletter: Arizona Women of Action; A queer northern AZ candidate is running against Wendy Rogers; Corporations bail on LGBTQ+ community; And a new *In-Queer-sitive* game for the week!** --- **WOMEN OF ACTION:** Last week, parents and community members gathered in a private web group to discuss something that wasn’t happening: Peoria Unified School District’s counselors were “transing” children. There is no evidence of that, and nobody on the call provided proof of it. But the meeting—which was leaked to *LOOKOUT* after attempting to join but was denied entry—went on to double down on conspiracy theories that educators in the school district were using their positions of power to force kids into changing their gender. How were they going to prove it? Teach people on the call to file public records requests. On the call was Heather Rooks, who has consistently used her position on the Governing School Board in Peoria to make bogus claims about trans children, and is now being sued by a nonbinary teacher who was targeted by Rooks. The group that organized the web meetup, Arizona Women of Action, is a far-right organization that advocates for state legislation targeting trans children, LGBTQ+ content, and is represented by America First Legal, founded by former Donald Trumps advisor Stephen Miller. Read our story below: [In a leaked web meeting, far-right school board candidates doubled-down on anti-trans rhetoric.The webcast, organized by Arizona Women of Action, is part of a campaign to use LGBTQ+ issues as a galvanizing issue this November.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/08/lookout-favicon@4x.png)LOOKOUTTori Gantz (she/they)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w1200/2024/09/IMG_0107.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/in-a-leaked-web-meeting-far-right-school-board-candidates-doubled-down-on-anti-trans-rhetoric/) **LOOKOUT'S TAKE:** To be clear, there are multiple organizations in the state claiming that schools are pushing kids to transition. Nobody has provided evidence of this claim. However, there has been actual evidence of increased LGBTQ+ hate crimes in the state—in part due to increased rhetoric around these false allegations. In the same school district where the web meetup took place, one teacher had their tires slashed and rocks thrown through their home window. Online, we at *LOOKOUT* have fielded through dozens of comments claiming that we—a news outlet—are “grooming” kids. Inflaming the public seems to be working. In a recent interview, one elected official on the campaign trail locally said that Democratic voters—though hyper aware of LGBTQ+ issues this election season—are not voting for it, specifically. However, across the aisle, Republican voters are consistently naming sex and identity issues in schools as a primary reason to get out and vote. **Are you voting this year? We want to hear your thoughts for an upcoming story. Respond back to this email to tell us about your thoughts and feelings about what it’s like living in Arizona during this election season.** --- ## 🌵 LOCAL NEWS - **VOICES:** This week we wrapped up our series on how Arizona’s sex education programs affect students later in life. You can rad our five-part interview series here. [**LOOKOUT**](https://www.lookoutnews.org/diana-garcia-yuma-ariz/) - **LATINO PRIDE:** This past weekend was Latino Pride in Phoenix, an annual festival before Tucson and Phoenix’s Pride festivals that celebrate the state’s growing LGBTQ+ Latinx community. [**Arizona Republic** ](https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2024/09/15/latino-pride-festival-in-phoenix-celebrates-culture-lgbt-community/75233065007/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **UNSEATING ROGERS?:** A Northern Arizona nonbinary candidate is hoping to unseat Wendy Rogers in a deep-red part of the state. [**HerCampus**](https://www.hercampus.com/culture/haley-creighton-arizon-state-senate-candidate-queer-gen-z-representation-interview/?ref=lookoutnews.org) ## 🇺🇸 NATIONAL NEWS - **ABANDONING US:** After years of allegations that corporations that celebrate or amplify their brands during Pride months were doing performative allyship, the veil seems to have been lifted as many companies are backing away from support. [**Associated Press**](https://www.azfamily.com/2024/09/17/major-companies-abandon-an-lgbtq-rights-report-card-after-facing-anti-diversity-backlash/?outputType=amp&ref=lookoutnews.org) - **NOT BITTER:** In a first, President Joe Biden gave an interview with an LGBTQ+ newspaper, the Washington Blade. It’s the first time a sitting president has ever sat down with a queer publication. We’re not bitter (we also didn’t try). [**Washington Blade**](https://www.washingtonblade.com/2024/09/16/the-washington-blade-interviews-president-joe-biden/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **WHY WE EXIST:** A freelance transgender journalist explains what it’s like to try and work within a news landscape that forces them to question their existence, and if they’re impartial to report on stories. [**Columbia Journalism Review**](https://www.cjr.org/the%5Fprofile/kit-oconnell-austin-movement-journalism.php?ref=lookoutnews.org) --- ## ****IN-QUEER-SITIVE** Test your knowledge of this week in queer news! Answer the question below related to a story in this week's newsletter and get entered into a raffle to win **LOOKOUT* swag. ## What is the name of the legal organization Stephen Miller helped start that represents Arizona Women of Action? [Submit your answer here](mailto:newsletters@lookoutphx.org) ### **Last week's question:** How many eligible transgender voters live in Arizona, according to the Williams Institute study? ### **Last week's answer: 24,400** ### In a leaked web meeting, school board candidates doubled-down on anti-trans rhetoric. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/in-a-leaked-web-meeting-far-right-school-board-candidates-doubled-down-on-anti-trans-rhetoric/ Last updated: 2026-01-20T20:44:47.000Z Elected school board members and candidates in Arizona are using anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric as a political platform for upcoming school board elections with the help of a Turning Point USA advisor. On a recent private webcast obtained by *LOOKOUT*, members of a conservative Judeo-Christian advocacy organization laid out bogus claims about Peoria Unified School District counselors and educators attempting to change students’ genders, and discussed their strategies to oppose inclusive education practices. The information shared throughout the near 90-minute meeting is incorrect. The presenters—which included Peoria Governing Board member Heather Rooks, Higley Unified School District Governing Board vice president Anna Van Hoek, and Deer Valley Unified School District (DVUSD) Governing Board candidate Tiffany Hawkins—used examples from misleading documents and rhetoric based on debunked science. “It greatly impacts everybody in our district: teachers, parents, the community members, students,” said Craig Beckman, a DVUSD parent who ran for Governing Board in 2022\. Beckman called the members of the group “Christian-fascist” and claimed that they were trying to replace counselors with public resource officers. The webcast was organized by Arizona Women of Action, a local organizing group that has been recruiting parents to run for school board and mentoring current governing members in anti-LGBTQ+ pseudoscience through monthly virtual meetings since January this year. Tamra Farah, who is the network’s director and on the Turning Point USA advisory council, claimed it has reached nearly 100 people through twelve different calls. Turning Point USA is a Southern Poverty Law Center-identified hate group based in Arizona. ![A screenshot from AZ Women of Action’s X account, where Tamra Farah made the claim that introducing children to LGBTQ+ people was indoctrination. ](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/09/IMG_0105.jpeg) A screenshot from AZ Women of Action’s X account, where Tamra Farah made the claim that introducing children to LGBTQ+ people was indoctrination. Last week, Farah propped up two current school board members and one school board candidate to explain to attendees—potentially parents or guardians—how to obtain internal documents, such as student files and emails sent between staff from school districts to attack LGBTQ+-affirming faculty and support plans for students who identify as trans or gender nonconforming. An editor from *LOOKOUT* attempted to register, but was denied entry. The video was later leaked by an attendee. “They are being trained to bring any kind of progress to a screeching halt, to overwhelm the district \[administrations\] with public records requests,” said Jeanne Casteen, a former teacher and executive director of Secular Arizona. Casteen said that the cost effects of parents intervening in schools’ administrative protocol can add up, noting public records requests fees and additional staff attorney rates. Arizona Women of Action’s Political Action Committee endorsed Hawkins in the 2024 DVUSD Governing Board race. “I can only assume that their goal is to bankrupt their public schools because they’re big fans of all these privatization measures,” Casteen said. Farah singled out [Peoria counselors and educators](https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-teachers-road-to-acceptance-and-fighting-back-against-hate/) on the far-right hyperlocal website AZ Free News. On the website, she accused them of being an alleged threat to students when they expressed interest in the LGBTQ+ education advocacy group GLSEN’s Arizona Library Program, which provides queer-centered literature to K-12 schools for free. According to GLSEN’s 2021 Arizona School Climate Survey, “only 28% of Arizona students said they had access to LGBTQ-related library resources at school and only 14% were [taught positive representations](https://www.lookoutnews.org/so-your-child-is-queer-a-guide-to-finding-a-safe-school/) of LGBTQ+ people, history or events.” Before this fall, Farah promoted a similar non-factual statement that gender identity is an ideology in a column for the conservative website Townhall.com, previously published by The Heritage Foundation. *LOOKOUT* reached out to Farah via email. She responded back, making false claims that schools are grooming other people’s kids. Rooks doubled down on the same claim live in the webcast. That anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric is a pattern continued from the incumbent’s 2022 campaign. Rooks, who sued the district about a year ago after being told not to recite scripture during a board meeting, cast one of two votes last Thursday that ended a federal mental health grant funding the employment of three campus social workers, reported *12News*. *LOOKOUT* additionally reached out to Rooks, Van Hoek and Hawkins. None of them responded for comment. #### Correction An earlier version of this article misstated Mr. Beckman had attended the web meeting. We regret the error. **Before you go...** *LOOKOUT* is on the struggle bus these days, but we're doing our best to make ends meet and continue pushing forward. We're consistently winning incredible awards that honor our work in the community, and we strive every day to figure out how to make your voice heard in the democratic process. **But we can't do that if we don't exist.** If you can, [ donate by clicking here](https://lookout-publications.fundjournalism.org/lookout-publications-1) and help queer Arizonans feel seen, heard, and empowered to stand up for their rights. ### Their sex-ed class was considered a "joke," so they had to go somewhere else. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/helen-waltz-flagstaff/ Last updated: 2025-03-11T22:09:04.000Z **This is the final installment of our "VOICES: Sex Ed" series...** For the past two months, we've delivered you first-hand accounts of people across Arizona who have enrolled in school districts' various sex education curriculums and can speak to how it affected them later in life. The stories we've shared with you are damning for state lawmakers who have made sex education complicated and difficult to access, oftentimes passing the buck to parents while HIV and other sexually transmitted infection rates continue to rise in the state above the national average—particularly among young people. Find our full series at the bottom of this newsletter, which includes stories on misinformation kids learned from peers instead of teachers, a rebellious teacher who broke the law to teach proper health education, and a woman's experience on how the education she got never prepared her for an actual sexual assault. --- Helen Waltz's introduction to sex education began in the 4th and 5th grades during summer programs facilitated by the Unitarian Universalist Church, a community their family was part of at the time in northern Arizona. "The church offered a program called Our Whole Lives, or OWL for short, which provided a comprehensive curriculum during the summer," Waltz explained. This early exposure laid a foundation that would later prove to be more thorough than what their school offered. In contrast to their early and detailed education through OWL, Waltz’s experience with sex education in their public school was limited, saying there only one class offered their junior year. “But I opted out because I had already gone through a more comprehensive program," they said. This decision was also influenced by the perception that the school’s curriculum lacked depth, focusing primarily on basic information that their peers often found redundant: "it became more of a joke class than anything.” While the OWL program provided Waltz with a structured understanding of consent and healthy relationships, the gaps were filled in by conversations with peers. "I had a friend who shared her relationship experiences, which helped me understand what felt right or wrong," they recalled. Despite the benefits of the OWL program, Waltz identifies areas for improvement, particularly regarding gender identity. "We learned that trans people exist, but I didn't fully understand what that felt like until college," said Waltz, who is nonbinary. Waltz emphasizes the need for a more in-depth exploration of gender identities beyond basic recognition, supporting education that helps individuals relate to and understand these experiences on a personal level. Waltz's advice for students receiving little to no sex education in school is pragmatic: "The internet can be very helpful if you find credible sources," they said, and stressed the value of online forums where professionals weigh in and can share insights. However, they caution that the internet, also, is where misinformation spreads about sex. "Even with comprehensive sex ed, there’s still a cultural barrier where sex is something we don't talk about openly," they said, adding that there needed to be a cultural shift in Arizona toward normalizing these conversations, which could foster a healthier and more accepting environment for everyone. ## **READ THE FULL VOICES SERIES BELOW** [How Arizona’s sex education classes prepared—and failed—studentsFormer students tell their stories on how the state’s restrictive sex education programs affected their lives and relationships![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x.png)LOOKOUTShelby Rae Wills (they/she)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/KapuaIoane.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/how-arizonas-sex-education-classes-prepared-and-failed-students/) ### How Arizona’s sex education classes prepared—and failed—students URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/how-arizonas-sex-education-classes-prepared-and-failed-students/ Last updated: 2025-02-07T16:46:01.000Z In Arizona, only “4% of LGBTQ+ students in Arizona reported receiving LGBTQ+-inclusive sex education at school” according to a [state profile](https://maps.glsen.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GLSEN%5F2021%5FNSCS%5FState%5FSnapshots%5FAZ.pdf?ref=lookoutphx.org) by GLSEN, an LGBTQ+ education group. The report also showed that most of the queer-identifying students they identified in Arizona experienced victimization at school, likely due to content restrictions: the group’s report found that in states with more LGBTQ+ restrictions in schools, educators are “discouraged from providing other support for LGBTQ students.” Across the nation, LGBTQ+ students are often categorized as most at risk for poor mental, physical, and medical health outcomes due to lack of comprehensive sex education. And LGBTQ+ high school students who were sexually active were about twice as likely as other students to report becoming pregnant or getting someone pregnant, according to a [2015 study](https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/10.2105/AJPH.2015.302553?ref=lookoutphx.org) published in the *American Journal of Public Health*. Implementing a proper curriculum, educators said, can address those issues. But the state has been slow on implementing changes that would help students, and instead has tried to increase criminal penalties for teachers if they don't get explicit permission for certain materials—even banning them through vaguely worded laws that would leave it to parents to decide what material is "sexually explicit." This isn't a new problem, though. Students going back decades told LOOKOUT that their sexual education in Arizona's public and charter schools were sorely lacking, resulting in sexually transmitted infections, an inability to recognize what sexual assault was when they were younger, and fear around sex. Read our full VOICES series below: [Leaving kids to piece together adult problemsHear their voice: Kapua Ioane, Tucson, Ariz.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x.png)LOOKOUTShelby Rae Wills (they/she)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/KapuaIoane-4.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/kapua-ioane-tucson-ariz/) [A rebellious teacher made the difference in teaching safer sexHear their voices: Kaylee C. (she/her), Gilbert, Ariz.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x.png)LOOKOUTShelby Rae Wills (they/she)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/AdobeStock_766906197.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/kaylee-coleman-she-her-gilbert-ariz/) [A high school game couldn’t match up to a real-life sexual encounterHear her voice: Yesenia Siemens (she/they), Yuma, Ariz.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x.png)LOOKOUTShelby Rae Wills (they/she)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/YeseniaSiemens-2-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/yesenia-siemens-yuma-ariz/) [A parent’s perspective of Arizona’s sex education: “Absolutely just appallingly inadequate.”Hear their voices: Gina Griffiths (Phoenix, AZ.) and TV Alford (Mesa, AZ)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x.png)LOOKOUTShelby Rae Wills (they/she)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/IMG_2318-3-1-1-1.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/gina-griffiths-phoenix-ariz/) [A matter of luck: In a state built off parents’ rights, what happens if caregivers don’t step up?Hear their voices: Diana Garcia (she/her) Yuma, Ariz.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x.png)LOOKOUTShelby Rae Wills (they/she)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/DianaGarcia2-1-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/diana-garcia-yuma-ariz/) [Their sex-ed class was considered a “joke,” so they had to go somewhere else.Hear their voice: Helen Waltz (they/them), Flagstaff, Ariz.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/icon/lookout-favicon@4x.png)LOOKOUTShelby Rae Wills (they/she)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/thumbnail/HelenWalz-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/helen-waltz-flagstaff/) ### Arizona ID Laws May Disenfranchise Thousands of Trans Voters URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizona-id-laws-may-disenfranchise-thousands-of-trans-voters/ Last updated: 2025-03-05T19:27:54.000Z In a state where recent wins have been decided by double-digit numbers, every vote indeed counts—which is why LGBTQ+ voting rights advocates are raising concerns over Arizona’s strict voter ID laws that were reinstated by the U.S. Supreme Court last month. The reason? The law inadvertently makes it harder for transgender people to vote. Arizona is home to more than 30,000 transgender adults—24,400 of them are eligible voters. But 9,400 of those voters are at risk of not being able to cast a ballot, or face significant hurdles this November because of the state’s voter ID law, [according to a report released this week](https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/Trans-Voter-ID-Sep-2024.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) by the Williams Institute at the University of California Los Angeles, which has tracked voter disenfranchisement of LGBTQ+ people since 2012\. Arizona’s voter ID law—which was granted enforcement last month from the U.S. Supreme Court after the Republican National Committee sued to reinstate the law—requires a person to provide one form of state identification to vote in local elections. That form of ID must either be a state driver’s license, identification card, or tribal enrollment card. If a voter doesn’t have that identification, they can show two forms of residency, such as a utility bill and vehicle registration. You can find a full list of[ eligible documents here](https://ballotpedia.org/Voter%5FID%5Fin%5FArizona?ref=lookoutnews.org). Voters who cannot provide those documents when casting a ballot in person are allowed to vote with a provisional ballot for local and federal elections, which goes through additional verification. According to the Secretary of State’s website, no one will be denied the ability to cast a provisional ballot. But there is an added complication for transgender voters in the state: Those who have not gotten their name or gender changed on their official state documents will have to present an ID that no longer resembles them. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-10-at-1.00.35-PM.png) Arizona is one of 13 states across the nation with strict voter ID laws, which are meant to curb voter fraud but have the effect of disenfranchising trans people, among others. (Chart by Williams Institute UCLA) To change someone’s gender on an Arizona ID, residents have to provide the Motor Vehicle Department a letter from a licensed physician saying they are “irrevocably committed” to the transition process. The process is a significant departure from the state law for changing birth certificates, which—until recently—[required that Arizona-born residents](https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona/2024/08/23/judge-arizona-cant-refuse-change-birth-records-transgender-people/74911274007/?ref=lookoutnews.org#:~:text=The%20Aug.,without%20undergoing%20gender-affirming%20surgery.) were required to show proof of gender reassignment surgery to change their birth certificate. Only about half of transgender men get top surgery, and just over a quarter of transgender women undergo bottom surgery, according[ to a 2019 study published by the National Institutes of Health](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6626314/?ref=lookoutnews.org). Of Arizona’s transgender population that is eligible to vote, researchers at the Williams Institute found that just under 40% have an ID card that will either force them to vote on a provisional ballot, or face additional hurdles to voting in comparison to their cisgender neighbors. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/09/Screenshot-2024-09-10-at-1.04.26-PM.png) Of states that have strict voter ID laws that offer a no-photo ID option, data shows that almost 40% of eligible transgender Arizona voters will be aversely affected by the state's law and will have to show two pieces of residency to vote. (Chart by Williams Institute UCLA) For Phoenix resident Nalea Akther, who transitioned in 2020, the process of getting her ID changed to reflect her gender has been something she said she’s ready for, but a process “I’ve never wanted to go down.” “I have not even, like, attempted to do any of that because I'm still relatively early in my transition,” said Akther, who works in insurance and also is a local influencer on TikTok as @Tranalytics, discussing her experience as a transgender person in Arizona. Akther is planning on voting in this year’s election in person and said she is registered to vote, but recognizes that she might not have the same issues as other transgender voters because her name stayed the same after her transition. “It's interesting how these systems find a way to discriminate,” she said. “Sometimes it feels like there is a conscious choice, you know, there's a very active voting game that political parties play when it comes to registering people or excluding people.” Though there isn’t an Arizona law that requires someone’s photo or gender match the person standing in front of them at a voting location, LGBTQ+ and voting rights advocates are preempting that trans people—especially those who have not gone through the legal process of getting their gender and name changed—might be turned away to vote. Thirty-six states have ID laws in place, ranging from requirements that photos on identification cards closely resemble the person voting to more lenient rules that don’t require proof of identity to show up and vote. Republicans have long claimed voter ID laws help curb illegal voting by migrants who are not eligible to live in the U.S.—despite voter fraud[ being both rare, and almost exclusively perpetrated by American citizens](https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/truth-about-voter-fraud?ref=lookoutnews.org)—but the report this week adds transgender people to the growing list of communities negatively affected by voter ID laws, including [elderly and formerly incarcerated citizens who are eligible to vote.](https://truthout.org/articles/voter-photo-id-laws-have-harsh-impact-on-poor-elderly-and-minority-voters-study-says/?gad%5Fsource=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw3P-2BhAEEiwA3yPhwHFwxGvD7wP8EeOgCUbZHyuL-01XVS5cZd2yNVZqrbL0EEvOTsyzvRoC-7MQAvD%5FBwE&ref=lookoutnews.org) As a result of the most strict laws in the U.S., almost a quarter million trans people now will face additional obstacles to legally casting a ballot this November, the Williams Institute report found. To subvert the problems that might come from day-of and in-person voting, advocates are pushing people to send their ballot in by mail, instead. “Ideally, everyone should sign up for a mail-in ballot,” said Bridget Sharpe, state director for Human Rights Campaign-Arizona, which is working on voter enrollment and engagement of the state’s LGBTQ+ community. #### Correction: An earlier version of this story labeled Bridget Sharpe as the regional director of Human Rights Campaign-Arizona. She is the state director. We regret the error. **Before you go...** *LOOKOUT* is on the struggle bus these days, but we're doing our best to make ends meet and continue pushing forward. We're consistently winning incredible awards that honor our work in the community, and we strive every day to figure out how to make your voice heard in the democratic process. **But we can't do that if we don't exist.** If you can, [ donate by clicking here](https://lookout-publications.fundjournalism.org/lookout-publications-1) and help queer Arizonans feel seen, heard, and empowered to stand up for their rights. ### A matter of luck: In a state built off parents' rights, what happens if caregivers don't step up? URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/diana-garcia-yuma-ariz/ Last updated: 2025-12-12T15:15:22.000Z Diana Garcia is unsatisfied with what she learned while going to school in Yuma. She said the curriculum at Cibola High School had too limited a scope—so narrow that it didn’t prepare her for what she would actually experience in adulthood. "It was nice to go over consent and practice saying yes and no to people, but other than that, they gave us no other information besides the basics of safe sex," Garcia said. She points out that the program, for example, did not address LGBTQ+ issues, leaving significant gaps in her understanding of relationships and sexual health. With the school curriculum falling short, Garcia turned to other sources for information. Many parents’ rights advocates say that it’s the job of parents to teach about sex, not schools. But at home, Garcia said it she was lucky with one parent being open to it, while the other shying away from discussing sex. Her mother and aunts, she said, were approachable about relationships. Her father would never discuss it, though. "My mother taught me from a really young age what sex was and that I could ask her any questions, but my father would always punish me for my curiosities," Garcia said. The dichotomy in her home is what sex-education advocates point to as leading to misinformation or a lack of knowledge in sexual health. Additionally, Garcia relied heavily on the internet. In interviews, teachers said that they are worried about what kids are learning, and often have to re-teach what kids are seeing online. Garcia, though, was lucky enough to learn how to navigate the web critically, thanks to a memorable fourth-grade assignment about tree octopuses designed to teach students about verifying credible sources. Garcia encourages current students to get involved in their schools and campaign for better sex education, despite acknowledging that this can be a daunting task. She also suggested using the internet cautiously and cross-referencing multiple sources to verify information. “Always have multiple sources,” she said. In a college sociology class, Garcia was able to learn more in-depth about sexual and gender identities and Garcia expressed she wished she had this information earlier in life. "It was just kind of crazy to me that this kind of stuff isn't taught earlier on because it felt really important," she said. "Sexual identities and gender identities should be taught at a young age because people realize that kind of stuff really young." ### LAST WEEK: Gina Griffiths and TV Alford [A parent’s perspective of Arizona’s sex education: “Absolutely just appallingly inadequate.”Hear their voices: Gina Griffiths (Phoenix, AZ.) and TV Alford (Mesa, AZ)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/08/lookout-favicon@4x.png)LOOKOUTShelby Rae Wills (they/she)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w1200/2024/09/IMG_2318-3-1-1-1.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/gina-griffiths-phoenix-ariz/) ### NEXT WEEK: Helen Waltz (Flagstaff) **Before you go...** *LOOKOUT* is on the struggle bus these days, but we're doing our best to make ends meet and continue pushing forward. We're consistently winning incredible awards that honor our work in the community, and we strive every day to figure out how to make your voice heard in the democratic process. **But we can't do that if we don't exist.** If you can, [ donate by clicking here](https://lookout-publications.fundjournalism.org/lookout-publications-1) and help queer Arizonans feel seen, heard, and empowered to stand up for their rights. ### Transitioning alone is common. A Phoenix-based group aims to help that. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/transitioning-alone-is-common-a-phoenix-based-group-aims-to-help-that/ Last updated: 2025-03-05T19:28:04.000Z In an unassuming recreation room in downtown Phoenix, members of Trans Spectrum AZ gather community members of all genders. The goal is simple, in theory: to host queer-focused peer support groups that can actually change a life. Since gender has become a heavily politicized and policed issue, TSAZ is a respite, peer support members said. And it’s there in that small rec room in Roosevelt Row where people can experience something new, find community, and learn more about themselves and their neighbors. Since 2014, the volunteer-run nonprofit organization has been holding space in the First Church UCC Phoenix—though the group is not religiously affiliated—in order to provide resources, community, and support to transgeneder, non-binary, and gender-expansive individuals, as well as SOFFAs (Significant Others, Friends, Family and Allies of trans peoples). In addition, TSAZ has partnered with The Queer Center to host events that are focused less on the problems in the community, and instead promote joy and fun. This past summer, they threw a trans-friendly pool party at FOUND:RE Hotel, a gender-expansive fashion show, and a carwash with the Arizona Ballroom Coalition. *LOOKOUT* spoke with TSAZ Board Member Jay Brown about the effects of the peer support groups, the transformative power of community and visibility, what allies can learn from engaging, and the importance of finding your authentic self. This interview has been edited for length and clarity. --- **LOOKOUT:** However much you are comfortable sharing, I would love to hear more about your personal journey, and how you came to TSAZ. **JAY BROWN (he/they):** I’m originally from New Jersey, so I spent most of my life there until I moved out to Arizona with my parents. I went to school here at Arizona State University. That entire time, I thought I was a cisgender Black woman, and it was not until COVID lockdown that I really found my true self. We had time where we could reflect on ourselves, without the external pressures of society or peers. So, because I had all that time to reflect, and start thinking: wait, I don’t have to wear clothes like this, I don’t have to shave my legs, I don’t have to cut my hair. Then on top of that, people went to find communities online. I was on Twitter, and I saw an artist I follow who had just posted some meme, kind of joking, that was like, “The pipeline from tomboy to transmasc is very strong.” And I had never seen the word “transmasc” in my life, but my whole life I had identified as a tomboy. So now, I’m 23 years-old, sitting in my kitchen crying, because I had spent the last hour learning what transmasc and non-binary was. I was just like this is how I have felt, this is how I am feeling. I remember going to my friends online and saying, “I don’t know what to do, I don’t know what this means for me.” And they said, “Just be Jay.” > **"The journey cannot be done alone."** \- Jay Brown I joined TSAZ in December 2021, that was when I went to my first meeting. My facilitator at the time, was a trans man who was 65 years-old, and seeing a trans man alive, happy, and at that age was just so amazing to me. It was mind blowing, I was so energized after that meeting. I am literally getting teary now just talking about how much that changed my life. About a year and half after that, I became a facilitator in the groups, and about six months after that, I became a member of the Board. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/09/Jay-Brown-Portrait-2-1.jpeg) Jay Brown, board member of Trans Spectrum Arizona. (Photo courtesy of Jay Brown) **LO:** What is the purpose of the groups? **JB::** TSAZ is for gender expansive and transgender individuals here in Arizona. It is a very welcoming and warm space for those that need support, while they are trying to figure things out, getting oriented with their identity. You have peers, and people from all walks of life to do that with, at all stages in their journey, because no journey is the same. So to hear about those experiences, and get those perspectives is honestly key in being able to find your own journey. When you have a space like that, which is open and vulnerable and true, that is what you can expect from a TSAZ meeting. To find those friends, family, and acquaintances that you can relate to. Because the journey cannot be done alone. > **"The biggest thing it unlocked was my patience...when you transition, you’re not really thinking about all the other hurdles, obstacles, or perhaps just maybe epiphanies that other people have to go through."** \- Jay Brown, speaking on learning on how to communicate with people regarding his transition. **LO:** When you never really had a space in your life to explore who you are, you never really got to know what that looks like. So when you have that authentic space, suddenly all these doors start opening within you and without and you have a community to reflect that back to you and help you through it. How does TSAZ create that community? **JB:** We talk about peer support, and that support can come in the shape of just being listened to, to hear you out. Community is not all about supporting you, it really is a take and a give. I truly think when you give to a community, there are lessons that come from it, feelings, emotions, experiences, so it’s more than just taking. TSAZ provides that to meet others, exchange experiences, and give a safe space to have those interactions. Community can push you to a different path, and help you blossom into yourself. **LO:** Let’s talk about the importance of visibility. **JB:** I think it’s very important. I think visibility comes from not just seeing the identity you identify with, but seeing the spectrum of transgender and non-binary identity. TSAZ has that spectrum of all different aspects of being transgender, and that gender expansiveness allows you to understand that there is no one way this can be approached. There is no rigidity, no one descriptor, or label. Because I personally feel gender is very fluid, we are able to identify with the label that may best fit us at this time. We see other identities and journeys, and we might perhaps take those journeys ourselves down the line. There is no one way to be for the rest of your life, it’s a path, it can be winding and bendy. Visibility not only encourages you, but shows you different paths, and a sense that you’re not alone. That is a statement people hear a lot, and they don’t truly know what it means until they feel completely alone, and then they find someone else who confirms or assures them that they aren’t. **LO:** Do you see any intersections with social justice, racial justice, gender justice causes, and collective resistance? **JB:** Intersectionality in social justice movements all deal with human rights. On top of that, when it comes to social justice or racial movements, that’s because of our system in America. We know that BIPOC \[Black, Indigenous, and people of color\] in this country are fighting for very similar causes. There is a lot of overlap, the things we fight for are so similar, that their wins are our wins, and our wins are theirs. I think gender goes deeper for all races, all different backgrounds. For example, when it comes to transgender women, we know that Black cis women are especially targeted to be transgender women. That whole idea that cisgender Black women are very manly, that really goes into how misogyny is everywhere. **LO:** Yes, misogyny is global, and unfortunately every race and culture still struggles with queerphobia. **JB:** Yes, there are so many different backgrounds that have these stigmas. These topics, and having more diversity in TSAZ, and speaking on them in a group is so important. We want more diversity in these groups. There are tough experiences and microaggressions that I have experienced as a Black trans guy that I share. People will come up to me after the group, and say, “Thank you so much for sharing that. I am sorry you experienced that, I had no idea.” If you’re a transgender white person, you will still never experience the things I have as a trans Black person. What you share can open up someone’s mind. **LO:** We don’t live in other people’s lives, so we just don’t know. Just being there to listen, and take it in—and love it—is so important. **JB:** Yes, and you could come to peer support groups and just listen. You don’t have to share, or say a word, you could just sit there, take it all in and then leave. No one will judge you or ask questions, and that type of low-pressure environment is sometimes what we all need to open up. I encourage people who are just finding out about TSAZ to come to a group at least three times. You will find something there, that is when you can take something away. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/09/Jay-Brown-TSAZ-and-The-Queer-Center--1.jpeg) Jay Brown (left) holds the banner for the Queer Center, a local nonprofit that houses LGBTQ+ community groups. (Photo courtesy of Jay Brown) **LO:** The vast diversity and beauty of the gender spectrum, and being in a room full of people, that as a young kid I was told did not exist, is very powerful. Not only do you see these people do exist, they are diverse and happy, and living full lives. What gifts would you say the gender expansive community has to offer the allied community, which includes significant others, friends, and family members? **JB:** There are things that we can learn from allies, and things they can learn from us. The SOFFAs have definitely helped me in my journey, we have a Board Member who is a SOFFA, and listening to her perspective really helped me. She said, “your loved ones are transitioning with you.” That literally opened up my mind, and unlocked so much. The biggest thing it unlocked was my patience, because when you finally find yourself, everybody else usually already found themselves, or they thought they had. So when you transition, you’re not really thinking about all the other hurdles, obstacles, or perhaps just maybe epiphanies that other people have to go through. So when we have SOFFAs in meetings, and they give their perspective, I never thought of that. Because I am not a SOFFA, so for all of us it is impossible to be in their shoes. You’ve never worn them. The SOFFAs teach us and we teach them, this give and take is so beautiful. We teach the SOFFAs this is probably what’s going on inside your loved one’s mind, and they teach us the same. It helped me a lot with my family, my father, mother, and sister, to understand what they were going through as relatives of a transgender person. It goes beyond learning pronouns, or language to have heavy conversations. **LO:** We can all—regardless of gender identity—just show up for each other. **JB:** Showing up is the biggest thing. It creates a bigger community, and it helps SOFFAs realize you are an ally, but you are on a whole different spectrum of ally. There are allies that have no one in their life who is transgender, who have no intimate relationships with transgender people. That is different from an ally who is a loved one to a trans or non-binary person. [More information on peer support groups, and services can be found on the TSAZ website. ](https://tsaz.org/?ref=lookoutnews.org) **Before you go...** *LOOKOUT* is on the struggle bus these days, but we're doing our best to make ends meet and continue pushing forward. We're consistently winning incredible awards that honor our work in the community, and we strive every day to figure out how to make your voice heard in the democratic process. **But we can't do that if we don't exist.** If you can, [ donate by clicking here](https://lookout-publications.fundjournalism.org/lookout-publications-1) and help queer Arizonans feel seen, heard, and empowered to stand up for their rights. ### A parent's perspective of Arizona's sex education: “Absolutely just appallingly inadequate.” URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/gina-griffiths-phoenix-ariz/ Last updated: 2025-03-05T19:28:08.000Z Gina Griffiths is a mother of three children who lives in the greater-Phoenix area. She says she's an active participant in her children's education, especially since the oldest of hers has come out as being transgender and is also on the autism spectrum. When it comes to the education her child received on their body and others' around them—including learning about consent—she's giving the state a failing grade. "Sex Ed in Arizona is inadequate—absolutely, just appallingly inadequate," she said. Griffiths said that while she is a big supporter of her kids’ school district, the sex education they received was only offered in sixth grade, and failed to address crucial aspects like consent and healthy relationships. Griffiths said she believed Arizona’s current sex education is putting kids at risk for future violence. "It's like we all exist because of sex, yet we can't talk about it and help people be safe," she said. She noted that the opt-in requirement for parents to sign off on teaching students sex education—mandated by Arizona state law—makes the problem worse and creates barriers for those who need it most. Despite the lack of sex education in schools, Griffiths does her best to ensure her children have the information they need, fostering an environment where no topic is taboo. At home, Griffiths and her husband take a proactive approach to educating their children about sex, relationships, and consent: "We've always been very open and communicative as a family.” The experience has heightened her awareness of the challenges faced by individuals at the intersection of LGBTQ+ and disability communities, and also gave her insight into what the state's parental rights movement has pushed to leave out of the conversation: caretakers for LGBTQ+ kids. Griffiths' message to other parents is clear: get out and vote. “Vote for school board members who aren't crazy," she said. “And vote for legislators who use and believe in science and facts.” --- ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/09/IMG_2298-1.jpeg) TV Alford standing outside the lagoon at the Mesa Riverview Park. ## “Look how scary STI’s are” TV Alford's experiences highlight both the gaps and the occasional successes of sex education programs, providing insight into how these can be improved for future students. Alford's public school sex education included single-day, one-off lessons in various grades throughout middle and high school. The lessons weren’t cohesive, he said. In tenth grade, Alford was introduced to an optional assembly about healthy relationships and domestic abuse. This assembly, however, required students to sign up and was not widely advertised. "It was just a \[school\] announcement,” he said. “So a lot of people weren't looking at those.” He said it was also only available to students that weren't on academic probation—students with poor grades—and thus were allowed to miss a class. Alford said the sex education lessons in younger years brought up and answered a lot of helpful questions for him, like what a urinary tract infection was. But by seventh grade, "it became more of a, 'you need to abstain from sex' and 'look how scary STIs are,'" he said. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/09/IMG_2318-2.jpeg) TV Alford lounges in the grass at Mesa Riverview Park. (Photo by LOOKOUT) Alford criticizes the fear-based approach and the insufficient information provided, particularly the presentation style. His school used a dated video to teach him about sex: “I want to say it was from the '90s.” Navigating information, especially from social media and friends, required a certain level of discernment. Alford trusted sources that aligned with his political views and identity, and his close friends became his main resource for information on sex. The expectation that families fill the gaps left by schools in sex education is a common argument among certain political groups. However, Alford's experience reflects that this isn't always effective: "I don't remember ever really talking about sex education with my parents," he said. "I think that it was something that they would be open to talking about, but I never initiated that conversation and neither did they, so it was something that we never talked about." Alford highlights the awkwardness of such conversations and the reliance on unrestricted internet access for information. Lacking guidance from both school and family, Alford turned to alternative sources: friends, social media, and, specifically, porn. He said it was how he “figured out pretty much what sex was and how it worked, logistically.” If given the chance to change sex education in Arizona, Alford would opt for a more consistent and comprehensive approach. "I think having it as a once a year one-day presentation makes the information very forgettable and very cheesy," Alford said. He advocated for a program that spans the school year, making discussions about sexual health more normalized and informative. **Before you go...** *LOOKOUT* is on the struggle bus these days, but we're doing our best to make ends meet and continue pushing forward. We're consistently winning incredible awards that honor our work in the community, and we strive every day to figure out how to make your voice heard in the democratic process. **But we can't do that if we don't exist.** If you can, [ donate by clicking here](https://lookout-publications.fundjournalism.org/lookout-publications-1) and help queer Arizonans feel seen, heard, and empowered to stand up for their rights. ### "Drag"-ging Arizona's economy URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/drag-ging-arizonas-economy/ Last updated: 2024-08-21T15:25:12.000Z **In this week's newsletter: Drag's effect on Arizona's economy; LGBTQ+ issues key for new voters; Phil Donahue's TV legacy with AIDS; Florida continues to be Florida; And a new *In-Queer-sitive* game for the week!** --- **A LOCAL BUSINESS BOOM:** More restaurants and bars have started using drag shows as a driver for their daily revenue, with some saying its some of the busiest shifts they have. But a continued push against the performance in public by conservative lawmakers in Arizona means that—if they were to ever be successful—the same businesses seeing a boom might very well go bust. In a first-ever look at drag's impact on the local economy, our writer Geri Koeppel dug into the details on what drag performers and local business owners across the state are saying about the importance of using fabulousness for revenue: [Are Republicans “dragging” down small business revenue?Once obscure, drag is a financial boon for Arizona’s small business scene. Still, Republicans are trying to kill it, putting local businesses at risk.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/08/lookout-favicon@4x.png)LOOKOUTGeri Koeppel (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w1200/2024/08/barbra-seville1-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/are-republicans-dragging-down-small-business-revenue/) **LOOKOUT'S TAKE:** For decades in modern culture, drag has been seen as an underground art defined more by personal expression and less about tax status. But with its soaring popularity because of TV shows like *RuPaul's Drag Race* or *The Boulet Brothers' Dragula*, drag is an opportunity to make some serious cash for performers. It's also been an easy way for non-queer spaces to make a hefty amount of money every week. Drag has become a popular mainstay for small businesses in areas that normally we wouldn't have seen before, especially in conservative places such as North Scottsdale, Prescott, Mesa, or Gilbert. It's not a coincidence that lawmakers in those districts are some of the most vocal against it. But with the G.O.P. being the party of limited government and pro-business, it would seem that LGBTQ+ people performing is where they draw the line on allowing Arizonans to conduct their own business how they see fit. For the cover story of our magazine (which you can grab in October) we dove into how much local venues actually rely on drag to sustain their slow days, and what's at risk if Republicans were to shut down the art from public view. --- ## 🌵 LOCAL NEWS - **MORE VOICES:** Yesenia Siemens received more than what most Arizona students get when it comes to sex education. It still wasn't enough to prepare her for a sexual assault. [**LOOKOUT**](https://www.lookoutnews.org/kaylee-coleman-she-her-gilbert-ariz/) - **HORNE & GRANNY:** Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne went on the attack after being called out for posing with three Sun City residents who are against Title IX changes and its protections for trans and gender nonconforming students. [**New Times**](https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/arizona-department-of-education-head-tom-horne-attacks-school-advocate-19764728?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **PRISON ASSAULT:** A trans woman held in a men's Arizona prison was assaulted by another resident. She won $10,000 in a civil suit case. [**Associated Press**](https://ca.news.yahoo.com/transgender-prison-inmate-assaulted-cellmate-182804287.html?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **NEW VOTERS:** New voters in Arizona say LGBTQ+ rights are one of the primary reasons why they're choosing to take part in this November's election. [**Copper Courier**](https://coppercourier.com/voterhub-2024/public-education-lgbtq-rights-are-among-the-top-issues-inspiring-these-first-time-az-voters/?ref=lookoutnews.org) ## 🇺🇸 NATIONAL NEWS - **TITLE IX:** The Supreme Court let stand a lower court ruling that barred protections for LGBTQ+ students through new Title IX protections. Only about half of the nation's students have protections in place now. [**Reuters**](https://www.reuters.com/legal/us-supreme-court-wont-allow-lgbt-student-protection-certain-states-2024-08-16/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **DONAHUE:** Phil Donahue was one of the first people to bring AIDS patients into people's homes through his talk show.[**The Advocate**](https://www.advocate.com/voices/phil-donahue-an-unsung-lgbtq-hero-who-talked-about-being-gay-and-aids-when-no-one-else-would?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **FLORIDA BE FLORIDA-IN':** Home to one of the gayest vacation destinations in the nation (a toss-up, really, between Disneyworld or Fort Lauderdale) Florida has removed LGBTQ+ tourism from its official state website. [**NBC News**](https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/visit-florida-tourism-site-removes-lgbtq-travel-section-rcna167177?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **DOUGLAS CHAPTER:** A Colorado lawmaker is starting up a Moms for Liberty chapter in Douglas County, making it the sixth chapter in the state. The group is cited as an anti-LGBTQ+ hate group and anti-Democracy group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. [**Colorado Times Recorder**](https://coloradotimesrecorder.com/2024/08/colorado-legislator-to-chair-new-chapter-of-anti-lgbt-hate-group-amidst-reelection-campaign/63691/?ref=lookoutnews.org) --- ## ****IN-QUEER-SITIVE** Test your knowledge of this week in queer news! Answer the question below related to a story in this week's newsletter and get entered into a raffle to win **LOOKOUT* swag. ## What former Scottsdale gay bar owner said in our story, "If you’re doing the math, we’re increasing the revenue by at least 50 percent on a slow night..." in relation to hiring drag performances. \*Hint: He is also the current executive director of Phoenix Pride [Submit your answer here](mailto:newsletters@lookoutphx.org) ### **Last week's question:** What is the name of the current Arizona foundation that started off in Wink's Cabaret as a bake sale for AIDS patients? ### **Last week's answer: Aunt Rita's Foundation** **Hi friends...** ### Are Republicans “dragging” down small business revenue? URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/are-republicans-dragging-down-small-business-revenue/ Last updated: 2025-03-05T19:28:11.000Z From moderate Republicans to MAGAs, the G.O.P. touts itself as pro-business. Job creation, economic prosperity, and fiscal conservatism are cornerstones of the party. At the same time, lawmakers from the right have been laser-focused on limiting a significant economy within the state’s food and restaurant business: drag. The economy of drag isn’t well known, but there is no questioning the money that goes into it: Drag performers buy expensive stagewear, wigs that cost hundreds of dollars, makeup and other accessories. The hosting venue has to hire staff, from servers and bartenders to DJs and security. They purchase more liquor for drag shows, many of which are held on slower nights or during the day when business owners said the club or bar otherwise would be empty. Patrons often pay for parking, ride shares and dinners out before the show. Multiply this by the number of shows statewide and throughout the year—drag has become a cash cow. Demonizing drag and trying to eradicate it would seem to fly in the face of a core value of the right wing. Still, drag shows continue to be frequent targets of far-right lawmakers in Arizona—a state with a strong history of championing small business. Senators Anthony Kern (R-Glendale) and John Kavanaugh (R-Fountain Hills) have introduced bills that would limit drag to specific venues only, while the entire party over the past two sessions has signed off on other bills to try and criminalize performers at venues where minors are present. LGBTQ+ groups have shined a light on these legislative efforts as part of the greater retaliation against a wide range of gender expression. But amid the deluge of hypocrisy delivered daily by right-wing politicians lies another, less-explored facet of drag: This artistic genre has become a thriving mainstream industry. Local bar and restaurant owners told *LOOKOUT* that attempts to stomp it out would have dire consequences both for the performers and the ancillary businesses they support. ### **A TAPPED MARKET** No one has gathered data on drag’s economic impact in Arizona. However, the Greater Phoenix Equality Chamber of Commerce is laying plans to collect it over time. In January, it formed a Drag Coalition to help performers learn skills including marketing, bookkeeping, taxes and more. Through that, it wants to collect sample data. “I’m hoping we’ll be able to at least come up with enough data that we can extrapolate what the economic impact is; what drag performers are creating in the greater Phoenix area,” said Michele White, executive director of GPECC. “I think it’s going to be through organizations like ours, not a tax designation or state agency.” In the greater Phoenix area, White estimates, about 20 full-time and 400 part-time drag performers earn money from their craft and another 500 pursue it as a hobby. They’re not just drag queens, either: They run the gamut from straight men sashaying in as a popular female actress to a lesbian woman pulling off an act as a straight male country singer One of Phoenix’s best-known full-time performers is Barbra Seville, the persona performed by Richard Stevens. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/08/DSC_8149-1.JPG) A performer walks down the steps of YUMBAR and prepares to lip sync a song by Selena during a Friday late night drag show. (Photo by LOOKOUT) Twenty-five years ago,“There were maybe two or three bars, and Sunday was their drag night, or Friday, or every Tuesday or once a month,” he said. “I’ll say there were 10 shows a week.” Those shows were confined mainly to “the gayborhood,” Seville added. Now, drag has spread beyond places like Kobalt, YUMBAR and The Rock to spaces that don’t specifically target LGBTQ+ demographics. He estimates there are at least three or four shows each day or night somewhere, whether it’s a drag show, drag bingo or a drag queen hosting karaoke. > Given the popularity of drag, it’s difficult to imagine what would happen if free speech was dismantled and drag was shut down. Stevens said one of his regular bingo gigs is at The Playa II Bar and Grill in north Phoenix, where the crowd is “older, straight and probably leaning conservative.” He also hosts bingo every Wednesday at the Hot Chick in Scottsdale, which attracts 250 to 400 people, among other regular gigs. In addition, he does a handful of private events monthly, including corporate, bachelorette, birthday and graduation parties, and even weddings—he’s an ordained minister. On top of that, comedy clubs from Stand Up Live in Phoenix to Mic Drop Mania in Chandler host drag bingo and drag shows. Bigger venues like the Celebrity Theater, Dodge Theater, Tempe Center for the Arts and the Van Buren have had shows. Outside of the metro area, drag shows can be found regularly in Flagstaff and Tucson, and occasionally in smaller communities. For example, over Bisbee Pride weekend this past June, Gene’s Place packed the house with a “Dragasaurus” revue featuring older performers. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/08/KOEPPEL-DRAGASAURUS.png) Drag performer Christina De Alexis at Gene's Place during Bisbee Pride. The venue isn't normally a gay one, but still attracts a large crowd during drag brunch. (Photo by Geri Koeppel) Christopher Hall, who performs as Miss Nature, organizes an annual family-friendly drag tour to places like Ajo, Cottonwood, Florence, Lake Havasu, Safford and Show Low. He said that over the past five years, about 10,000 people have attended. These are just a few examples of how prevalent drag has become and the swells of audiences that keep it afloat. ### **DRAGENOMICS** Given the popularity of drag, it’s difficult to imagine what would happen if free speech was dismantled and drag was shut down. Venue operators say it would not be an insignificant hit to the bars, restaurants and clubs that host drag events. Mike Fornelli, who owned the popular BS West in Scottsdale for 35 years until it shuttered earlier this year due to a landlord dispute, said the club's premier drag show, “Elements” (which is now at Walter Studios in Phoenix) tripled his Friday night revenue. It was a big draw for bachelorette parties and other straight groups, he said. BS West also hosted drag shows on Tuesdays and Thursdays as well as pageant preliminaries on slow nights like Sundays. “If you’re doing the math, we’re increasing the revenue by at least 50 percent on a slow night,” Fornelli said. “The impact for the bars and businesses hosting these prelims is pretty beneficial.” The bar employed a staff of roughly 32 to 35, he recalled, including bartenders, servers, a DJ and security. If not for drag, he said, he might only have needed eight or ten workers. > “There’s definitely a couple bars that wouldn’t be here because drag was one of the only things they could still have.” - Landon C.L. Smith, Phoenix Pride Mic Drop Mania in downtown Chandler also sees a bump in business from its monthly Sunday drag bingo, which began shortly after it opened in January 2023\. Shannon Villavicencio, talent coordinator for parent company Mic Drop Comedy, said drag brunches were going so well at the San Diego location that they offered them here. The employees “really look forward to drag brunches because they’re one of our busiest shows every week,” she said. She added, “If we were to look at spending per person \[on\] average, any brunch show is significantly higher than \[an evening\] show, and drag is even higher.” Ivey Rapp, business development manager for Walter Productions, said since Elements move to Walter Studios in May, the crowd on First Fridays has increased tenfold. A drag brunch on the third Saturday also brings in 50 to 100 people. “To staff these events, we need an extra person in the kitchen and two to three extra bartenders,” Rapp said. “Not only are they excited for the event, but they’re also making good money.” ### **COMMUNITY EFFECTS** Drag has wide-ranging implications beyond boosting income for venues that host shows. “I know performers who, during a pageant season, will spend $100,000 on dresses and wigs,” said White from GPECC. Performers also buy specially made costumes, larger-than-average shoes and boots, and specially designed jewelry. They hire makeup artists, choreographers and other backstage workers. The spillover extends to the vendors for the venues, too. Villavicencio of Mic Drop Comedy said on a typical weekend night, they’ll sell five bottles of sparkling wine but for a Sunday drag bingo, they’ll sell two cases. Rapp of Walter Productions said the margin of liquor during drag events is “incredible.” Fornelli, the former BS West owner, said customers often went out before the drag shows started, so they supported other area restaurants and bars. People also used the golf cart shuttles and pedicabs that roamed the streets. Beyond the brick-and-mortar venues, drag is a main attraction at the Rainbows Festival each spring at Heritage Square and Phoenix Pride in the fall at Steele Indian School Park. Rainbows’ attendance was 32,000 in 2024 and Pride saw 34,000 at the park (not including the parade). Landen C.L. Smith, who performs as Kristofer Inez Onyx, said those festivals are money-makers for food and merchandise vendors and also, through the Phoenix Community Pride Foundation, give back about $120,000 a year in grants and scholarships. Also, Smith noted, “Just being in the park itself is a cost.” The city charges to use the park and for the permits and liquor license. Organizers also pay for booths, tents, stages, portable toilets, ATMs, point-of-service systems and security. He added that some bars survived the steep drop in business during COVID due to drag: “There’s definitely a couple bars that wouldn’t be here because drag was one of the only things they could still have.” ### **GOOD FOR BUSINESS** On a more holistic note, drag encourages diversity and inclusivity, which business owners said drives people to spend more on different kinds of art and entertainment. Villavicencio of Mic Drop Comedy said comedy clubs aren’t known for being “super welcoming” to all types of talent. But when word gets out that their venues host drag, they get electronic press kits from a wider range of comedians, allowing them to pull from a deeper talent pool. That translates to higher ticket sales for their weekend night shows. > “I don’t like justifying my existence through profitability,” - Richard Stevens, who performs as Barbra Seville Hall, the performer Miss Nature, said that in addition to paying thousands of dollars to rent venues, drag shows in smaller cities and towns can have long-term ramifications for those areas. Places that welcome diversity could attract more tourism, he said. Beyond that, those smaller communities that create an inclusive environment have a better chance of keeping and nurturing their people. Those locals might then stay and set up businesses, Hall said. Hall knows this firsthand: He grew up in Florence but left because of a lack of LGBTQ+ resources. “People shouldn’t have to leave a place that they call home that they love to feel safe; to feel seen, heard, validated,” he said. “There’s a lot of talent within the LGBTQ community and it would be a waste to see that talent go somewhere else because of \[a lack of\] acceptance.” ### **FRINGE APPEAL** Of course, drag is more than a money engine: It’s an art form that deserves to exist regardless of who profits, performers said. And [judges have ruled that the performance](https://reason.com/2023/06/22/drag-is-protected-speech-federal-judge-rules/?ref=lookoutnews.org) is protected speech under the First Amendment. “I don’t like justifying my existence through profitability,” Stevens said, adding that he doesn’t believe most Republicans are “that worked up about it,” but use it as a “talking point, fundraising opportunity, appealing to fringe nuts.” He should know: Kari Lake, a former Phoenix television anchor turned right-wing politician whom he considered a friend and who had him perform in her home in front of her kids, slammed drag queens on social media in 2022 when stumping for the governor’s seat. “I think it’s hypocritical, like so much we see in extreme sides of politics—and I would apply that to both sides,” he said. He continued, “Pick a fight with the LGBTQ community, it’s going to get you on Fox News, it’s going to get you mentioned. Republicans can’t run on economics, they can’t run on job creation, they can’t run on truly protecting children or they’d do something about school shootings. This is their area of expertise.” **Before you go...** *LOOKOUT* is on the struggle bus these days, but we're doing our best to make ends meet and continue pushing forward. We're consistently winning incredible awards that honor our work in the community, and we strive every day to figure out how to make your voice heard in the democratic process. **But we can't do that if we don't exist.** If you can, [ donate by clicking here](https://lookout-publications.fundjournalism.org/lookout-publications-1) and help queer Arizonans feel seen, heard, and empowered to stand up for their rights. ### A high school game couldn’t match up to a real-life sexual encounter URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/yesenia-siemens-yuma-ariz/ Last updated: 2025-03-05T19:28:16.000Z Yesenia Siemens received sex education in the ninth grade at Cibola High School, a campus in Yuma near the California border. It was part of an optional health class offered as an alternative to physical education held for a semester-long, and taught every Friday. Arguably, the class offered much more instruction than the average public school child who attends in Arizona gets. But it still only covered only the basics of safe sex and consent, focusing exclusively on heterosexual relationships, Siemens said. Siemens recalled a specific exercise: “They had these little worksheets and it would be like someone comes up to you at a party and is pressuring you for sex,” she said. “What do you say? And then you would just write no. And then it would be like, come up with three ways to tell someone no, no, thank you, stop. And no, I don't want that. And then we'd read them aloud to the class and that would be it.” But she said her health class left her unprepared to deal with real-life scenarios. In college, Yesenia said she was sexually assaulted. “It's a lot harder compared to just like a stranger at a party in like these scenarios that they did in health class." she said. “I wish that they had talked about how it's not going to be like someone that you don't know pressuring you. It's going to be someone that you know taking something a little too far.” "I really wish that they had been that instead,” she said. While Siemens said the "scary" photos of STIs and the oversimplified scenarios were "something," she argued classes should have covered “what would happen after sexual assault and what you should do and how to support (someone else) because realistically that's what people are going to have trouble with.” After she was assaulted, she said she didn’t know what to do; The person who assaulted her got away with it. “Nothing happened 'cause I didn't know how to do anything and I was too scared and overwhelmed to get help,” she said. Siemens said that where she was able to learn about consent in depth was from books at sex shops, she said specifically BDSM books. “The best place that I ever learned for consent was picking up BDSM books, not because, you know, I’m super into that or whatever, but just because they actually teach you here's how to say no," she said, and recounted some lessons. "Here's how to make a list of what you want, here's how to talk to people about it, and here's how not to feel ashamed about saying no.” **Last week's voice: Kaylee C.** [A rebellious teacher made the difference in teaching safer sexHear their voices: Kaylee C. (she/her), Gilbert, Ariz.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/08/lookout-favicon@4x.png)LOOKOUTShelby Rae Wills (they/she)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w1200/2024/08/AdobeStock_766906197.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/kaylee-coleman-she-her-gilbert-ariz/) **Next week's voice: Gina Griffiths** **Before you go...** *LOOKOUT* is on the struggle bus these days, but we're doing our best to make ends meet and continue pushing forward. We're consistently winning incredible awards that honor our work in the community, and we strive every day to figure out how to make your voice heard in the democratic process. **But we can't do that if we don't exist.** If you can, [ donate by clicking here](https://lookout-publications.fundjournalism.org/lookout-publications-1) and help queer Arizonans feel seen, heard, and empowered to stand up for their rights. ### Arizona's graying HIV problem URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizonas-graying-hiv-problem/ Last updated: 2024-08-14T15:40:55.000Z **In this week's newsletter: A growing elder population is living with the virus with little social support; Tucson's vogueing scene; Anti-LGBTQ+ bias and death penalty cases; Trump's campaign courts an LGBT event; And a new *In-Queer-sitive* game for the week!** --- **THE FORGOTTEN MAJORITY:** HIV diagnoses in Arizona are markedly higher per capita than many regions in the U.S., rivaling parts of the Deep South where HIV has historically been a problem due to access and stigma. Most of the people in Arizona diagnosed with the virus are people of color and under the age of 25, but there is a largely undiscussed issue of older people contracting the virus and spreading it amongst their communities. According to the most recent Arizona Department of Health and Human Services reports, people over 50 years old account for 17% of all HIV diagnoses. It's unclear from the data where those people live and where they're contracting the virus (partners, bathhouses, or anonymous sex). Public health experts say that the reasons for the increase ranges from the prevalence of sexual enhancement pills matched with a belief to ditch condoms in older age, to people not being on PrEP—the medical intervention that reduces HIV transmission by almost 100% for sexual intercourse. Why older people don't figure out they have HIV early—spreading it among multiple partners—also spans from the stigma of getting tested for STD's as people get older to confusing regular aches and pains of old age with early signs of HIV. For his last piece for us this summer, our intern Fitzwilliam Anderson has the story on how one organization is working to help with the social problems of living with HIV as people get older: [As older Arizonans living with HIV grows, so does their isolation.In 2023, 17% of all people diagnosed with HIV were over the age of 50\. It’s both a concern and a realization for some that more should be done.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/08/lookout-favicon@4x.png)LOOKOUTFitzwilliam Anderson (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-12-at-12.51.32-PM-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/older-lgbtq-arizona-hiv/) **LOOKOUT'S TAKE:** HIV continues to be an issue for Arizona's LGBTQ+ community, but the reality is that even though it impacts us most, it doesn't impact us, alone. Recent numbers show that cisgender straight women continue to be diagnosed with the virus because of sexual intercourse with their partners who have sex with other men unprotected. And Arizona's prisons have some of the highest HIV prevalence rates in the region. But most shocking is how Arizona still lags behind other states like California and New York in PrEP usage despite us having the 4th largest trans population in the nation, and being one of the top 20 LGBTQ+ populations in the nation, according to the Williams Institute. According to AIDSVu, a research group that tracks HIV diagnoses and PrEP usage nationally, less than 10,000 people are on PrEP in Arizona, out of an estimated LGBTQ+ population of a quarter million youth and adults. --- ## 🌵 LOCAL NEWS - **MORE VOICES:** One former student recounts her story of how a rebellious teacher gave her the tools to learn about her own bodily autonomy, at risk of losing his career as an Arizona teacher. [**LOOKOUT**](https://www.lookoutnews.org/kaylee-coleman-she-her-gilbert-ariz/) - **C'MON, VOGUE:** The Kiki House of Paragon, a vogueing house from Philadelphia that became Arizona's first, brings their vogue nights to Tucson to build a dance community down south. [**Tucson Sentinel**](https://www.tucsonsentinel.com/arts/report/080924%5Ftucson%5Fvogue/tucson-vogue-creates-hub-queer-culture-southern-arizona/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **PROP 139:** Arizonans will be able to vote for a constitutional amendment that would grant abortion as a right this next general election. [**AZ Mirror**](https://azmirror.com/briefs/abortion-rights-constitutional-amendment-cleared-for-the-november-ballot/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **10 YEARS:** This week marks a decade of Mapping Q, an Arizona-based LGBTQ+ youth arts movement. [**UofA**](https://news.arizona.edu/news/mapping-q-program-marks-decade-supporting-young-lgbtq-artists?ref=lookoutnews.org) ## 🇺🇸 NATIONAL NEWS - **ASYLUM:** Three asylum seekers in the U.S. recount their stories of what they were fleeing from, showing what's at risk under a U.S. policy that would see them expelled back home. [**NBC News**](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/lgbtq-immigrants-latin-america-asylum-seekers-rcna166287?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **ANTI-LGBTQ+ BIAS:** In a review of two dozen death penalty cases, more than half of the people sentenced to death had been impacted by anti-LGBTQ+ bias during their trials. One juror explained they knew the defendant "was a homosexual and thought that he shouldn’t be able to spend his life with men in prison.”[**The Appeal**](https://theappeal.org/lgbtq-bias-death-sentence/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **LOG CABIN FUNDRAISER:** In her return to the campaign trail, former First Lady Melania Trump made her debut this election season starting out with a fundraiser for the Log Cabin Republicans at her home in Mar-a-Lago. [**The Independent**](https://sg.news.yahoo.com/melania-trump-makes-low-profile-192249923.html?guccounter=1&guce%5Freferrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce%5Freferrer%5Fsig=AQAAACe5M11PKHoJ5EeU2aT1D3%5Frxn1Er8WMsqtw6NdJUZNtnw7hLJEGeV15e6FbdsLorbLTy9i6pqiVBMdxir-V4EdhtU55NCOUv7ds-sX20xo1YQQdKZP0BamNaWonRcio-X27Ddeau2jnAuGI9m45ksh3kf7UZlNf1YIG%5FaTwq0zN&ref=lookoutnews.org) --- ## ****IN-QUEER-SITIVE** Test your knowledge of this week in queer news! Answer the question below related to a story in this week's newsletter and get entered into a raffle to win **LOOKOUT* swag at the end of each month. The more times you play, the more chances you get to win! ## What is the name of the current Arizona foundation that started off in Wink's Cabaret as a bake sale for AIDS patients? \*Hint: You gotta read our story on top [Submit your answer here](mailto:newsletters@lookoutphx.org) ### **Last week's question:** What is the name of the bar where Milwaukee had its first LGBTQ+ uprising? ### **Last week's answer: Black Nite** **Hi friends...** ### As older Arizonans living with HIV grows, so does their isolation. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/older-lgbtq-arizona-hiv/ Last updated: 2025-03-11T21:25:14.000Z When Marlon Guzman turned 32 years old, his family threw him a blowout birthday party. They thought it was his last. Guzman, who tested positive for HIV in 1989, stopped taking his medication, and his white blood cell count had plummeted to the point where his viral load—the amount of virus in someone’s body—was, in his words, “off the charts.” “It wasn’t even a landmark birthday and all my friends came from California and Colorado and I just thought it was kind of weird. And then I find out a year later that my family thought I was going to die,” said Guzman, who is very much alive at 59 years old. Soon after his birthday, he moved to Phoenix and started taking his medication again. Today, Guzman is making arrangements for his 60th birthday party. He’s considering hosting it at his church and plans to invite his ex-boyfriend who missed his epic birthday party all those years back. Guzman is one of more than 10,000 people over the age of 50 living with HIV or AIDS in Arizona, according to the most recent data from the Arizona Department of Health Services. Today, more than half of the entire population living with HIV in the state– and country–are older adults, according to the National Institute on Aging. As a way to combat the woes that come with old age—and the added stigma of living with HIV in their golden years—one local foundation created a program that would help ease loneliness, isolation, and mental health issues through socialization and community building. ### THE GRAYING OF HIV In its infancy, the AIDS epidemic was primarily a young person’s problem. When Guzman received his diagnosis, rates of HIV transmission were highest for people ages 30-39 years, according to the CDC. In that decade, people could expect to live just three years after an HIV diagnosis. Today, the majority of people who get diagnosed with HIV younger adults but can live long and healthy lives with near-normal life expectancy with the advancement of medical interventions that even reduce the chance of getting the virus by close to 100%. > Last year, 17% of people who contracted HIV in Arizona were over the age of 50\. But the HIV-positive population in Arizona is increasing faster than other parts of the country, including among people over 50 years old. From 2021 to 2022, the rate of new transmissions overall increased from 11.4 cases per 100,000 people to 13.2 cases per 100,000 people. During the same period, the total number of transmissions increased by 123 to a total of 975\. The biggest jumps in incidence rates were in rural Navajo County and Cochise County, while urban Maricopa County had the highest total number of transmissions. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2025/02/MEMBER-AD--1000-x-143-px-.png) While the majority of new diagnoses are for people under 25 years old, older adults are far from immune. Drugs like Viagra and Cialis have allowed older men, specifically, to have longer sex lives and some studies suggest that they have stopped using condoms. Last year, 17% of people who contracted HIV in Arizona were over the age of 50\. > “There’s a lot of discrimination against older folks in some spaces, in addition to the general stigma and discrimination when it comes to living with HIV." — Stacey Jay Cavaliere, executive director of Aunt Rita's Foundation. The increase continues despite major advances in HIV prevention, including pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, which reduces the risk of getting HIV from sex by about 99% and reduces the risk of contracting the virus from injection drug use by at least 74%, according to the CDC. The most common way to take PrEP is through a daily pill sold under the brand name Descovy or Truvada but there are also generic pills available for cheaper and an injection that provides similar protection when administered every two months. PrEP usage increased nationally by 17% from 2022 to 2023, according to [data](https://map.aidsvu.org/profiles/state/arizona/prevention-and-testing?ref=lookoutnews.org#1-2-PnR) compiled by Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health and over one-third of people who would benefit from the drug are now taking it, according to the CDC. But in Arizona, uptake of the medication has been unsteady, leading to significant health disparities. Black Arizonans represent 16% of new HIV cases but make up only 3.5% of PrEP users while Arizona’s Hispanic population represents 45.5% of new HIV cases but makes up only 28.4% of PrEP users. White people, on the other hand, make up 64% of PrEP users and only 31% of new HIV cases. Increasing PrEP usage for at-risk individuals is critical to ending the HIV and AIDS epidemic, according to [Stacey Jay Cavaliere](mailto:Staceyjay@auntritas.org), the Executive Director of Aunt Rita’s Foundation, an organization which distributes free Home HIV oral test kits through GetTestedAz.org and provides vouchers for confidential clinical testings at 100 Safeway stores and Sonora Quest locations statewide. He advocated for investing in public service announcements to dispel myths about the drug, improving sex education statewide to increase awareness of HIV prevention strategies, and providing education to medical providers who are unfamiliar with the latest advances in HIV prevention. But the focus on getting PrEP in the hands of people has been limited to younger gay men, leaving people in their older ages less likely to receive services. ### **ENDING THE STIGMA** For those who are diagnosed with HIV, the stigma attached to the virus through decades of misinformation can result in loneliness, which studies have shown can reduce life expectancy. For older Americans living with the virus, isolation and depression are more acute. To combat the stigma, Cavaliere and his team oversee Experienced Escapades, a free monthly outing for individuals living with HIV who are 50 years or older. “There’s a lot of discrimination against older folks in some spaces, in addition to the general stigma and discrimination when it comes to living with HIV,” said Cavaliere. Every month, around fifty seniors living with HIV go to the movies, play mini golf, share a meal, or enjoy a night at the theater. The Experienced Escapades program is showing signs of progress. In a 2022 survey, participants said the program reduced their loneliness and improved their quality of life. While Aunt Rita’s Foundation offers a much-needed social outlet for seniors living with HIV, many of their other needs still go unmet. “Many of them are experiencing difficulty with housing, food insecurity, mental health, disability rights, all of those major things,” said Gaby Martinez, a program manager who oversees the Escapades program. ### **“DIDN’T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT”** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/08/Screenshot-2024-08-12-at-12.53.17-PM.png) Wink's Cabaret was open from the mid 1980's to 2004\. The building still exists on 7th Street and Montebello Avenue. **Photograph courtesy of Clayton McKee.* Guzman grew up in Arizona but spent some time living in Long Beach, California. And while living in the Valley, he remembers getting drinks at Wink’s Cabaret, the birthplace of Aunt Rita’s Foundation. “I used to get drinks with my cousin and his partner at Wink’s,” said Guzman of the bar. “It was just a fun little social place. People used to say it was for old people, but it wasn’t.” In 1986, during the height of the epidemic, a group of activists organized a bake sale at the gay watering hole to help people living with AIDS pay their rent, their medical bills, and, all too often, their funerals. The inaugural bake sale was a huge success, according to Cavaliere, earning around $5,000– over $14,000 in today’s dollars– and a new annual tradition was born. When Clayton McKee, a former nationally renowned George Michaels impersonator, started working as a DJ at Wink’s in the nineties, he helped emcee the event which was part drag show, part auction, and part bake sale. “There were several chefs in the area who worked at a bunch of nice restaurants here in town, and they would bake very fancy, nice cakes,” said McKee, who moderates a Facebook group dedicated to the long-shuttered bar. “Other people would just bake a Betty Crocker cake in their kitchen, ice it, and it would also sell.” Over his tenure DJing at the bar, McKee remembers losing many of Wink’s regulars to AIDS – including many who he considered close friends. “You kind of knew who was sick. It wasn't really talked about,” said McKee. “And then there were others that you never knew about. And then all of a sudden, you're like, ‘hey, where's Scotty? Where's so-and-so?’ Then you find out four or five months down the road, oh he died. He was sick, but nobody knew it.” Today, the bar where Phoenix’s LGBTQ+ community came together during its darkest hour to raise funds for its sickest members is long gone, having shut its doors for the last time in 2004\. For McKee, stepping inside the building that housed Wink’s is simply too painful to consider. “I've lost so many friends over my 30 years of being out in Phoenix,” said McKee. “They were all in that bar at one time.” For Guzman, the bar still holds happy memories. Despite a life-changing diagnosis and a battle against addiction, Guzman has found peace in this latest chapter of his life. “Both of my gay brothers are gone now,” said Guzman. “One from the same disease I got and the other from diabetes, and I'm still here." ## Before you go... At **LOOKOUT**, we believe in the power of community-supported journalism. You're at the heart of that community, and your support helps us deliver the news and information the LGBTQ+ community needs to thrive. ### Two ways to support LOOKOUT: [Become a Member Get exclusive benefits. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=donate) [Make a Donation Make an immediate impact. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/?form=one-time) ### A rebellious teacher made the difference in teaching safer sex URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/kaylee-coleman-she-her-gilbert-ariz/ Last updated: 2024-08-12T23:36:00.000Z Kaylee C.’s sex education journey began in junior high, where her religious upbringing created discomfort around the subject of sex. "I was offered sex ed in junior high, but I was really stressed around anything sexual,” she said. “So, I got my parents to sign that I didn't have to.” That early opt-out decision left her without any formal sex education until high school, where her sex education became unconventional: "I didn't have anything formal. It wasn't like everyone in every grade got it,” she said. Instead, her understanding about bodily autonomy was largely dependent on the initiative of one anatomy teacher who was willing to break the rules. “The teacher himself decided to add sex ed into our reproductive health lessons," she said. "It wasn't in the textbook. He printed out specific papers on different types of birth control and the pluses and minuses of them.” She appreciated the detailed information provided by her high school teacher. "One positive thing was he did have a pretty comprehensive list of different types of birth control that I hadn't ever heard of," she recalled. This information was crucial in helping her navigate the complexities of safe sex practices amidst a backdrop of fear and misinformation. Kaylee said the material was neither standardized nor part of the official curriculum. *LOOKOUT* will not identify the name of the teacher since instructing children on sex education without parental approval is grounds for firing and possible lawsuits. In Arizona, state law forbids schools or teachers from withholding information from parents that might go against a family's belief systems. This includes a requirement that allows parents to opt their kids out of learning about HIV, sex education classes, or any materials they might consider to be sexually inappropriate—a standard that is left up only to individual parents. Reflecting on her upbringing, Kaylee acknowledges that her family and religious background were significant obstacles in her sex education: "My parents and the church both together were detrimental to my sex education. It just made me terrified of everything," she said. Most of Kaylee’s understanding of consent and sexual health came from her community and personal research. Growing up in a Church of Latter Day Saints household, her family’s discussions about sex were minimal and fraught with fear-based messaging: “The church made me terrified of everything. We learned that you shouldn't even hold hands or kiss because it's putting you on the wrong path.” To fill the gaps, Kaylee turned to her friends, particularly LGBTQ+ friends. She said her understanding of "consent was very much based in the queer community.” Through that network, she received insights into the social aspects of relationships and consent that were absent from her formal education. Additionally, Kaylee took an academic approach to understanding sexuality, reading medical papers to educate herself about the biological and safety aspects of sex. "I needed real scientific evidence to make sure that I would not have a terrible experience because I was so scared of it," she said. Despite the challenges, Kaylee did find some value in the limited sex education she received in school. Kaylee advises other young people to be critical of the messages they receive from the media and to seek credible sources of information. "Even if you can't find good messages, at least be aware of where the bad messages are coming from," she said. “You should be able to listen to your own body and mind more than what you've been told you should do.” Last week's voice: **Kapua Ioane (she/her), Tucson, Ariz.** [Leaving kids to piece together adult problemsHear their voice: Kapua Ioane, Tucson, Ariz.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/08/lookout-favicon@4x.png)LOOKOUTShelby Rae Wills (they/she)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w1200/2024/08/KapuaIoane-4.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/kapua-ioane-tucson-ariz/) Next week's voice: **Yesenia Siemens (she/they) Yuma, Ariz.** **Before you go...** *LOOKOUT* is on the struggle bus these days, but we're doing our best to make ends meet and continue pushing forward. We're consistently winning incredible awards that honor our work in the community, and we strive every day to figure out how to make your voice heard in the democratic process. **But we can't do that if we don't exist.** If you can, [ donate by clicking here](https://lookout-publications.fundjournalism.org/lookout-publications-1) and help queer Arizonans feel seen, heard, and empowered to stand up for their rights. ### You want events? We got you. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/you-want-events-we-got-you/ Last updated: 2024-08-09T21:45:36.000Z #### Letter from the Editor Happy Friday Kiki-ers! I'm up in Northern Arizona distributing more of our magazines and meeting with folks to talk about stories important to them, and people keep telling me the same thing: they want more things to do as a community. Health fairs and pride events yearly are cool, they said, but they want more consistent opportunities to see and meet more people like them. Here's what one person told me this morning: "I don't want to just read about things happening; I want to get involved. And not just in showing up at the Capitol or a school board meeting. I want community joy and problem-solving." For those of you who feel the same, I want to plug our ****very last** Summer of Solutions event for the year that's being held next Saturday at Stacys@Melrose. It's a community discussion on harm reduction: What is it? What is the misinformation you might be hearing about it? And how can we help each other get more of it? Our last three S.O.S. events have been incredibly effective. People have left with new friends, new ideas for engaging their friends and family, and even left with a new perspective on things. As a newsletter subscriber to LOOKOUT, you get access to these kinds of events before we market them to the general public. I'd love to see you there if you can make it! [****Click here to RSVP.** ](https://www.eventcreate.com/e/summerofsolutionsaugust17?ref=lookoutnews.org) Also, if you were lucky enough to get into our OUTWATCH party last year, we're doing that and a whole lot more in the form of a week-long queer community festival called OUTWATCH Fest this October. We're bringing you a eight days of art, discussions, music, and literature across the state; All put on by organizations and venues we highlight often in this newsletter. Stay tuned for more info on that in the coming weeks! \-Joseph Darius Jaafari Editor in Chief, LOOKOUT --- ## WHERE ARE WE KIKI-ING? ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/08/IMG_2715.jpeg) Every Tuesday is Stacy's Rising Star show, held at Stacy's@Melrose. We popped in for a night to take photos for an upcoming story about drag performers and stuck around for the (very fun) show afterwards. ## 🏳️‍🌈 KIKI CALENDAR Have a community event coming up you want to advertise in *LOOKOUT* ? [**Email us**](mailto:newsletters@lookoutphx.org?subject=Event%20info%20for%20newsletter&body=null)**.** - **Fri. Aug. 9 -** Phoenix Takeover comes back for their happy hours at Throne Brewing Company. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C-RarXRO0Em/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sat. Aug. 10 -** Central Records hosts a disco dance party Boiler Room style. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C-WTl9kvZN7/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sat. Aug. 10 -** Skoden Coffee officially reopens in Central Records. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C-IkycUPv7s/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sun. Aug. 11 -** The creative crew at thems released their August event calendar. Their first event is an illustration workshop. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C93A3H%5FyG-D/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Tues. Aug. 13 -** Everybody Lifting Club gets together for a night workout.[**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-JG45hy%5F5S/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Tues. Aug. 13-** Gracie's Tax Bar is putting on a zine-making party with SissyArt. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C-bRZ1tygfu/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sat. Aug. 17 -** Join LOOKOUT for our final Summer of Solutions event discussing harm reduction and community access. **[Info](https://www.eventcreate.com/e/summerofsolutionsaugust17?ref=lookoutnews.org)** - **Sat. Aug. 17 -** Brat summer isn't over yet, and Thundercat Lounge is hosting a Charli XCX dance party to celebrate. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C9fcV3nNlu1/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sat. Aug. 17 -** Phoenix Gaymers convenes for a night of board games and community building. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C-JUvvQygLD/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sat. Aug. 17 -** Learn some Riso art basics with SaturnHex. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C97tKL6v17N/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sun. Aug. 18 - "**On A Sunday Afternoon" comes back for an afternoon of music and food. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C945qfQJrkV/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Fri. Aug. 23 -** Until we get that new leather bar, Stacy's@Melrose is hosting another kink-education party. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C-bFgb1SOTO/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sat. Aug. 24-** The Rebel Lounge is having a Chappell Roan dance party. [**Info**](https://wl.seetickets.us/event/good-luck-club/607297?afflky=PSPatTheRebelLounge&utm%5Fsource=hive&utm%5Fmedium=email&utm%5Fcampaign=hive%5Femail%5Fid%5F326703%5Fgood-luck-club-824&h%5Fsid=1c0149a5cb-59cebb336741a9e4e93c33f6&h%5Fslt=eyJoYXNoIjoiZjM4Y2MxOWUyMjQwNjRhIiwiaGl2ZV91c2VyX2lkIjo5NTY1ODk5fQ%3D%3D) - **Sun. Aug. 25 -** Join LOOKOUT and Civic Engagement Beyond Voting for a workshop on how to get involved in your local school baord this upcoming school year. **[Info](https://www.mobilize.us/cebv/event/660917/?ref=lookoutnews.org)** - **Sun. Aug. 25 -** Queer AF brings back their Sunday brunch in Tucson. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C9p7VegS1vf/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sun. Aug. 25-** The folks at Marigold, the lesbian pop up bookstore, are hosting their monthly Sunday stories at Afternoons studios. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C-L0PZ2ymns/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) --- ## THE WEEKLY KIKI ****Rules:** 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 by replying to this email. \_ \_A\_ \_ \_ \_ BA\_ \_ \_L \*Hint:In 1992, this popular home-fashioned restaurant chain known for their rocking chairs was the subject of mass LGBTQ+ protests in Atlanta after the company discriminated against gay and lesbian employees. [Email your answer with your city](mailto:newsletters@lookoutphx.org) ### Last Week's answer: James Baldwin ### Last week's winner: Sheila K. (Phoenix), Bruce A. (Phoenix), Matt S. (Phoenix), Mars D., Kendel B. (Phoenix) ### LGBTQ+ people caring for their old and dying URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/lgbtq-people-caring-for-their-old-and-dying/ Last updated: 2024-08-07T15:00:03.000Z **In this week's newsletter: Queer people are more often to be caregivers for their aging family; Wisconsin unveils an LGBTQ+ landmark; Mental health of queer youth; Our new "Voices" newsletter; And a new *In-Queer-sitive* game for the week!** --- **CARING FOR CARETAKERS:** LGBTQ+ people provide informal, unpaid care at slightly higher rates than the general population. One in five LGBTQ+ people provide care for another adult, compared to one in six non-LGBTQ+ people, according to a report by [SAGE](https://media.glaad.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/20104852/SAGE-Caregiver-Guide-Final-Interactive.pdf?ref=lookoutphx.org), a queer advocacy group for the elderly. The tasks associated with caregiving vary widely, depending on the care recipient’s needs. Some spend their time completing complex tasks like managing their loved one’s finances and scheduling doctor’s appointments. Others focus on high-touch tasks such as dressing and bathing their loved ones. Many caregivers have no choice but to do it all. As a result, burnout amongst caregivers is a common occurrence, which can lead to adverse health problems. “Very often the caregiver dies before the person they're caring for because of all the stress and everything that's involved in it,” said George Burson, who works with caregivers at the Phoenix non-profit [Duet Aging](https://duetaz.org/?utm%5Fsource=google%5Fcpc&utm%5Fmedium=ad%5Fgrant&utm%5Fcampaign=cbc%5Fggrant%5Fbranded&gad%5Fsource=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwhvi0BhA4EiwAX25ujyzWCFCTt4CK3Z-6w3vbSpl%5FR7FaSMqXeq%5Fsgy-STy-N3ujWgnbogxoCSL4QAvD%5FBwE). **LOOKOUT'S TAKE:** As society has grown with more acceptance of LGBTQ+ people, our numbers have risen with people coming out in their older (and at the same time increasingly younger) years. While that may be a net good with people being able to live their authentic selves, it comes with its own burden as we dig into how they'll age. More LGBTQ+ people are less likely to have wills drafted before their death, less likely to have children who can care for them when they get older, and are more at risk of experiencing loneliness or isolation resulting in premature death. All these issues compound to a situation where we are facing a record number of LGBTQ+ people growing old with a shrinking healthcare system designed to help them. Relying on younger community members to care for this group could result in its own set of problems, as our writer Fitzwilliam Anderson explains in his piece, below: [LGBTQ+ people are more likely to be caregivers, at a detriment to their health.Research shows that caregiving often results in isolation and burnout, and it’s hitting queer people hardest.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/08/lookout-favicon@4x.png)LOOKOUTFitzwilliam Anderson (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w1200/2024/07/FITZ.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/lgbtq-people-are-more-likely-to-be-caregivers-causing-health-problems-2/) --- ## 🌵 LOCAL NEWS - **VOICES:** Arizona's poor sex education has deep ramifications on the way people end up living their lives. In the first installment from our new "Voices" series, read how one Tucson resident had to turn to other kids to figure out the basics. [**LOOKOUT**](https://www.lookoutnews.org/kapua-ioane-tucson-ariz/) - **WILL LAKE DEBATE?:** After winning the Republican primary for U.S. Senate, Kari Lake has backed away from debating her opponent, Ruben Gallego. [**NBC News**](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/arizona-senate-debate-kari-lake-ruben-gallego-rcna165086?ref=lookoutnews.org) ## 🇺🇸 NATIONAL NEWS - **HEALTHCARE BAN:** Residents in Ohio are waiting for a federal judge's decision on if the state's ban on trans healthcare is unconstitutional. [**Buckeye Flame**](https://thebuckeyeflame.com/2024/08/05/ohioans-await-federal-courts-decision-on-healthcare-ban-for-transgender-youth/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **BLACK NITE:** Milwaukee officials unveiled its first LGBTQ+ landmark for a Black trans woman outside the Black Nite bar, where the city saw its first queer uprising. [**Spectrum1**](https://spectrumnews1.com/wi/milwaukee/news/2024/08/05/black-nite-uprising-milwaukee-lgbtq?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **CHILD SUICIDE:** A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report found that almost 40% of LGBTQ+ youth contemplate suicide. [**ABC News**](https://abcnews.go.com/Health/40-lgbtq-youth-considered-suicide-past-year-cdc/story?id=112604907&ref=lookoutnews.org) - **WALZ IN:** A rundown on LGBTQ+ actions taken by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who was chosen to be Kamala Harris's running mate yesterday. [**Pink News**](https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/08/06/tim-walz-lgbtq-rights-vice-president/?ref=lookoutnews.org) --- ## ****IN-QUEER-SITIVE** Test your knowledge of this week in queer news! Answer the question below related to a story in this week's newsletter and get entered into a raffle to win **LOOKOUT* swag at the end of each month. The more times you play, the more chances you get to win! ## What is the name of the bar where Milwaukee had its first LGBTQ+ uprising? [Submit your answer here](mailto:newsletters@lookoutphx.org) ### **Last week's question:** What is the medical problem caregivers can suffer from as a result of their work? ### **Last week's answer: Caregiver burnout** **Hi friends...** ### Leaving kids to piece together adult problems URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/kapua-ioane-tucson-ariz/ Last updated: 2025-03-05T19:28:24.000Z **What does sex education look like in Arizona?** LOOKOUT readers- For the next six weeks, we're highlighting the voices of former students and parents who have first-hand knowledge of what the state's sex education program delivers to our students. The stories are damning for the legislature, which has made sex education even more complicated and harder to access. This series dives into how schools don't give kids the correct tools to navigate consent, know what condoms are and how they work, and how they don't touch on LGBTQ+ identities. The results are students navigating complex topics amid a whirlwind of misinformation online. We invite you to hear their voices. --- **Tucson, Ariz. —** Kapua Ioane is a former Amphitheater High School student in Tucson. She received sex education in as much as three years of her entire time in middle and high school. However, the specifics of what she learned in each grade are a bit hazy. In 5th grade, the curriculum barely touched on topics like healthy relationships, consent, and sex. It wasn't until high school that these subjects were more thoroughly addressed. And even then, it wasn’t a full class. What stands out most in Ioane’s memory is the significant impact her family had on her understanding sex education, particularly through her mother discussing her own body: "My mom was talking about her menstrual cycles when I was in kindergarten," she recalled. She said that memory opened discussions at home on the changes in her body long before they were addressed in school. It was a vast contrast to the fragmented approach she encountered at school. Apart from family conversations, Ioane said discussions with friends and some off-handed conversations with teachers were mixed. Some of them were accurate, others were filled with misconceptions. For example, she remembered a friend confidently telling her that a dildo was actually a condom. "For the longest time, when I thought of condoms, I thought of this dildo thing," Ioane explains. This led to considerable confusion for her, as she struggled to understand how this object could possibly function as a contraceptive device. In hindsight, the confusion is amusing, but it points to a larger problem of what information we leave to children to find and piece together inaccurately, she said. Currently working as a third-party counselor for low-income and first-generation high school students, Ioane observes a significant disconnect between educators and students regarding sex education. As she reflected on her own experiences, Ioane wished sex education could be more consistent and inclusive. She advocated for a curriculum that integrates discussions about all aspects of sex and relationships, including queer sex education, and for creating safe spaces where all students can learn and ask questions without embarrassment. **Read more in our series on sex education:** [Why is it so difficult to teach sex-ed in Arizona?Parental rights laws and bureaucracy leave teachers and staff confused on what can be taught. In the end, teaching nothing might be easier.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/08/lookout-favicon@4x.png)LOOKOUTShelby Rae Wills (they/she)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w1200/2024/03/sex-ed-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/why-is-it-so-difficult-to-teach-sex-ed-in-arizona/) [Poor sex education and outreach is to blame for HIV increase in Arizona, advocates say.State health department data shows HIV transmissions up by almost 20%, going the opposite way of the nation where the virus is slowing.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/08/lookout-favicon@4x.png)LOOKOUTLisa Abelar (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w1200/2024/01/shutterstock_2418978793.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizona-hiv-rising-sex-education/) ### Goodbye to July; the best is in August URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/goodbye-to-july-the-best-is-in-august/ Last updated: 2024-08-02T21:23:33.000Z #### Letter from the Editor Hi Kiki family- It's been a wild week at **LOOKOUT*. Not only do we have three community events planned for August, including our community business event tomorrow, we also are getting ready to announce OUTWATCH, our annual party in October that celebrates queer resilience and brings the community together. We'll also be printing our fourth issue of **LOOKOUT Magazine*. We're also super excited to announce that **LOOKOUT* is partnering with close to a dozen local LGBTQ+ news organizations across the U.S. to deliver week-of coverage. More details on that coming soon. All that to say is that this small newsroom of two people is working around the clock to do some amazing events and hard-hitting journalism to make sure you are all informed, represented, and seen. If you didn't get to read the Q&A about us in PEN America, [****check it out**](https://pen.org/disinformation-is-taking-a-toll-on-lgbtq-rights-heres-how-two-phoenix-journalists-are-trying-to-slow-its-spread/?ref=lookoutnews.org). Thank you for being on this journey with us. \-Joseph Darius Jaafari --- ## WHERE ARE WE KIKI-ING? ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/08/IMG_2716.jpeg) Tuesday nights are jammed at The Rock, which hosts a community darts tournament. We dropped in one night to watch some of the games--and they absolutely take throwing things seriously. ## 🏳️‍🌈 KIKI CALENDAR Have a community event coming up you want to advertise in *LOOKOUT* ? [**Email us**](mailto:newsletters@lookoutphx.org?subject=Event%20info%20for%20newsletter&body=null)**.** - **Fri. Aug. 2 -** Get your Tarot read at Valley Bar. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C-BRpChscnX/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sat. Aug. 3 -** Join LOOKOUT in a discussion with people from Stacys @ Melrose, Skoden Coffee, Wasted Ink Zine, and Brick Road Coffee about advocacy and the role of LGBTQ+-owned small businesses. **[Info](https://www.eventcreate.com/e/summerofsolutionsaugust3?ref=lookoutnews.org)** - **Sun. Aug 4 -** Splinter Collective in Tucson is hosting the Beehive Collective, bringing together artists to create educational pieces that are copyright-free. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C9se5Hayzdh/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Wed. Aug. 7 -** Phx Babes Who Walk is having a two-mile walk in the park (pending temperature). [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C-Iv-CFPnsa/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Thurs. Aug. 8 -** Thurs. Aug. 8 - Free Mom Hugs is presenting the award-winning film “This Time" playing for FREE at The Glendale Community College (Language Arts Building, Room 141), followed by a Q&A with Sara Cunningham, founder of Free Mom Hugs and Jeanette Jennings of TLC's I AM JAZZ. **[Info](https://bit.ly/thistimeGlendaleCC?ref=lookoutnews.org)** - **Sat. Aug. 10 -** Skoden Coffee officially reopens in Central Records. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C-IkycUPv7s/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sun. Aug. 11 -** The creative crew at thems released their August event calendar. Their first event is an illustration workshop. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C93A3H%5FyG-D/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Tues. Aug. 13 -** Everybody Lifting Club gets together for a night workout.[**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-JG45hy%5F5S/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sat. Aug. 17 -** Brat summer isn't over yet, and Thundercat Lounge is hosting a Charli XCX dance party to celebrate. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C9fcV3nNlu1/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sun. Aug. 18 -** On A Sunday Afternoon comes back for an afternoon of music and food. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C945qfQJrkV/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sat. Aug. 17 -** Learn some Riso art basics with SaturnHex. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C97tKL6v17N/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sat. Aug. 17 -** Phoenix Gaymers hosts their monthly game night.[**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C-JUvvQygLD/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sat. Aug. 24-** The Rebel Lounge is having a Chappell Roan dance party. [**Info**](https://wl.seetickets.us/event/good-luck-club/607297?afflky=PSPatTheRebelLounge&utm%5Fsource=hive&utm%5Fmedium=email&utm%5Fcampaign=hive%5Femail%5Fid%5F326703%5Fgood-luck-club-824&h%5Fsid=1c0149a5cb-59cebb336741a9e4e93c33f6&h%5Fslt=eyJoYXNoIjoiZjM4Y2MxOWUyMjQwNjRhIiwiaGl2ZV91c2VyX2lkIjo5NTY1ODk5fQ%3D%3D) - **Sun. Aug. 25 -** Queer AF brings back their Sunday brunch. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C9p7VegS1vf/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) --- ## THE WEEKLY KIKI ****Rules:** 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 by replying to this email. \_A\_ \_ \_ BAL\_ \_I\_ \*Hint:This notoriously outspoken gay Black writer is being honored this week as he would have turned 100 years old, if still living. [Email your answer with your city](mailto:newsletters@lookoutphx.org) ### Last Week's answer: SEPTEMBER ### Last week's winner: Sheila K. (Phoenix), Matt S. (Phoenix) ### The losers of last night URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/the-aging-and-thriving-queer-community-you-never-knew-about-copy/ Last updated: 2024-07-31T18:41:55.000Z **In this week's newsletter: Takeaways from the primaries last night; Arizona's queer caregivers experience health problems; An Olympics filled with gays; Lubbock cancels their Friday art event over drag funding; And a new *In-Queer-sitive* game for the week!** --- **EXTREMISM FALLS FLAT (SORTA):** Fountain Hills, the upper middle class enclave northeast of Phoenix, is a Republican stronghold. It's also home to Arizona Sen. John Kavanagh, who is the leader among far-right lawmakers in pushing bills and resolutions that would eliminate LGBTQ+ rights in Arizona. So, it's no surprise that Robert Wallace, the local chapter leader of Gays Against Groomers (a national group of self-described gay people that aligns itself with hate groups such as Moms for Liberty and Turning Point USA), thought that he stood a chance to win city council. Wallace, who is the former treasurer of the Log Cabin Republicans of Phoenix, was invited to the state capitol during LGBTQ+ Youth Visibility Day, and was featured in a lengthy documentary talking—without evidence—on how "woke" people are attempting to "indoctrinate" children into being transgender. He has been using his platform online to try and publicly shame zoos for hosting drag events, hold rallies across the Valley denouncing trans people, and push far-right talking points against socialism. That didn't seem to work in his favor. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/07/6EWTB-fountain-hills.png) **LOOKOUT'S TAKE:** Fountain Hills residents—even if they consistently elect Kavanagh—have voted down extremism in other forms. For example, Joe Arpaio, the former sheriff who was found guilty for contempt of court and then pardoned by friend and former President Donald Trump, has lost every election for mayor in the area, including last night. Wallace also performed poorly. He didn't even receive 1,000 votes. Read our rundown of everything last night below. Read the rundown of our primary coverage below. [What is LOOKOUT covering this election season?Some key races we’re looking at over the next few months, and what we learned from last night.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/08/lookout-favicon@4x.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w1200/2024/07/i7xwrmmrmr271.webp)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/what-is-lookout-covering-this-election-season/) a --- ## 🌵 LOCAL NEWS - **CAREGIVERS:** LGBTQ+ people are more often than their straight peers pushed into caring for their aging family members. It's causing issues with their own health. [**LOOKOUT**](https://www.lookoutnews.org/lgbtq-people-are-more-likely-to-be-caregivers-causing-health-problems-2/) - **GRINER IN PARIS:** Phoenix Mercury player Brittney Griner is competing with Team USA at the Olympics in Paris. She's among 197 openly gay athletes in this year's games. [**OutSports**](https://www.out.com/gay-athletes/lgbtq-athletes-paris-2024-olympics?ref=lookoutnews.org#rebelltitem1https://www.outsports.com/2024/7/28/24098536/2024-summer-olympics-paris-record-lgbtq-out-athletes/) - **TITLE IX:** A federal judge blocked several of Arizona's schools from implementing Title IX restriction starting tomorrow, Aug. 1\. [**Arizona Republic**](https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-education/2024/07/30/court-blocks-new-federal-lgbtq-protections-for-many-arizona-schools/74566827007/?ref=lookoutnews.org) ## 🇺🇸 NATIONAL NEWS - **F\*\*\* MY DRAG:** The drag queen who performed at the opening ceremony of the Olympics talks out against conservative backlash. [**Associated Press**](https://apnews.com/article/olympics-2024-opening-ceremony-drag-queen-paloma-80ffb114bd84229d4e2b12506871b443?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **TRUMP'S PRONOUNS:** In a bit of an eye-roll moment on television, Trump was asked if he's gender fluid after saying he doesn't want pronouns associated with him. [**Pink News**](https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/07/22/kamala-harris-lgbtq-rights-explainer-trans-lgbt/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **EQUAL RIGHTS:** New York senators are arguing to add abortion and LGBTQ+ rights to the state's equal rights amendment. [**Gothamist**](https://gothamist.com/news/elections-abortion-lgbt-era-new-york?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **F\*\*\* MY DRAG PT. 2:** Officials in Lubbock, Texas pulled $30,000 of funding from an art festival because it had drag queens in it. [**Lubbock Avalanche-Journal**](https://www.lubbockonline.com/story/news/politics/government/2024/07/24/lubbock-city-council-denies-30000-in-tax-revenue-to-first-friday-art-trail/74531332007/?ref=lookoutnews.org) --- ## ****IN-QUEER-SITIVE** Test your knowledge of this week in queer news! Answer the question below related to a story in this week's newsletter and get entered into a raffle to win **LOOKOUT* swag at the end of each month. The more times you play, the more chances you get to win! ## What is the medical problem caregivers can suffer from as a result of their work? \*Hint, it's like regular "burnout" but different. [Submit your answer here](mailto:newsletters@lookoutphx.org) ### **Last week's question:** What was the California law passed by voters in 2008 that made same-sex marriage illegal? ### **Last week's answer: Prop 8** **Hi friends...** ### What is LOOKOUT covering this election season? URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/what-is-lookout-covering-this-election-season/ Last updated: 2025-03-05T19:28:29.000Z Most people show up in primaries to vote their support for a presidential candidate, Arizonans did that a while ago in their presidential preference vote several months ago. Instead, last night was when many races were decided across the state. Not only do those who won in their primary battles continue on to fairly uncompetitive districts, but there were a handful of nonpartisan races that decided leadership in smaller towns and cities. For this election season, *LOOKOUT* is the only news agency in the state that will focus on the candidates with a history of anti-LGBTQ+ messaging, either through their campaigns or through their time in office, as well as following the races of people who are in the state LGBTQ+ caucus in competitive districts, or people who champion LGBTQ+ rights. Below are the races we're watching. ### Kari Lake beats Mark Lamb, advances to November ballot Lake, a former news anchor at Phoenix's FOX affiliate who has consistently denounced drag queens and trans rights, took the win against Mark Lamb, the Pinal County Sheriff. She will be running against current state U.S. House Representative Ruben Gallego. They both are vying to fill the seat for Kyrsten Sinema, a divisive Democrat-turned-Independent and the first openly bisexual woman in Congress. ### Hamadeh wins to be on November ballot *LOOKOUT* is keeping an eye on three congressional races this primary. Eli Crane, a MAGA loyalist who has voted in-step with Republicans on LGBTQ+ issues, handedly won his race. Yassamin Ansari, a Phoenix city council member who has been a champion for LGBTQ+ rights and housing availability is currently leading against Raquel Terán, who has been a fierce advocate for workers and migrant rights. But the most interesting race this primary has been congressional District 8, which is currently being lead by Abe Hamadeh, another Trump loyalist who has made multiple false accusations about voter fraud, and opposes adding statewide protections for LGBTQ+ people against discrimination. While Ansari and Terán's race is still too close to call, Hamedeh's win was called early Thursday morning. This chart will be updated as winners are called by the *Associated Press*. ### The LGBTQ+ Caucus leader retains party favor Oscar de los Santos, the current leader of the LGBTQ+ caucus in the House of Representatives, won his primary alongside Junelle Cavero, who was appointed to her seat after Marcelino Quiñonez resigned to run for Phoenix City Council. ### Wildly different outcomes for Senate races Ken Bennett, who gained favor among Democrats because of his middle-of-the-road approach to nonpartisanship and helped kill an anti-LGBTQ+ resolution from going to the November ballot, lost to Mark Finchem, the far-right extremist who has said that the 2020 election was rigged against Donald Trump. He joins in the long list of people who won last night and argue that the election was "stolen." But while northern Arizonans rejected Bennett's moderate approach, Southern Arizona's Republican voters ejected an extreme conservative politician from the Senate. Justine Wadsack, the anti-trans and drag lawmaker who has pushed conspiracy theories about drag performers being pedophiles and groomers, is behind former lawmaker Vince Leach. And though Leach is no ally to the queer community (he voted in favor of banning medical treatment for trans children when he was in office), he is a noticeable shift away from Wadsack. ### Local Gays Against Groomers leader's message falls flat Fountain Hills, the upper middle class enclave northeast of Phoenix, is a Republican stronghold. It's also home to Arizona Sen. John Kavanagh, who is the leader among far-right lawmakers in pushing bills and resolutions that would eliminate LGBTQ+ rights in Arizona. So it's no surprise that Robert Wallace, the local chapter leader of Gays Against Groomers (a national group of self-described gay people that aligns itself with hate groups such as Moms for Liberty and Turning Point USA), thought that he stood a chance to win city council. Wallace, who is the former treasurer of the Log Cabin Republicans of Phoenix, was invited to the state capitol during LGBTQ+ Youth Visibility Day, and was featured in a lengthy documentary talking—without evidence—on how "woke" people are attempting to "indoctrinate" children into being transgender. He has been using his platform online to try and publicly shame zoos for hosting drag events, hold rallies across the Valley denouncing trans people, and push far-right talking points against socialism. But Fountain Hills residents—even if they consistently elect Kavanagh—have voted down extremism in other forms. For example, Joe Arpaio, the former sheriff who was indicted for contempt of court and then pardoned by friend and former President Donald Trump, has lost every election for mayor in the area, including this past election. Wallace also performed poorly. He didn't even receive 1,000 votes. ### Cottonwood votes for sanity After a troubling two years of Cottonwood's City Council meetings being inundated with far-right propaganda, off-the-rails videos, prayer circles, and religious heckling, city residents last night voted in Ann Shaw, who campaigned on bringing back normalcy to a non-controversial role of overseeing city budgets and planning. ### I'm grateful for you. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/im-grateful-for-you/ Last updated: 2024-08-06T19:49:11.000Z #### Letter from the Editor Happy Friday Kiki readers- Every day when I wake up, I have three things I do: go to the gym, have a cup of coffee, and take a moment to realize how grateful I am. It's been difficult for the past few months to do that last part, oftentimes we forget to take moments to reflect on ourselves and what we have that make us thankful. But thanks to a Tarot reading I did while I was in Boston, I was reminded about how important it is to take stock of what I have, and simply acknowledge it. I've been doing a lot of that these days, and I've consistently come back to feeling a tremendous amount of gratitude for subscribers like you who read this newsletter every week. We've been doing some real heavy-hitting work on schools, businesses, public health, and politics—and I'm incredibly proud of our writers who have stepped up and done reporting on a community that has long been ignored outside of Pride month. But in reality, you are what makes **LOOKOUT* amazing. We've had a few people reach out and tell us exactly why they support us. And here are a few: **"Nobody is supporting the community like LOOKOUT is. Thank you for shedding a light on what hasn't been talked about for so long here."* **"I love everything you do, and we're stronger because of it."* **"I couldn't be more thankful that someone is talking about the things you write about. Thank you!"* These kinds of messages of support mean the world to Jake and myself, who easily work long days into nights and weekends to make sure we're doing right by you all. So thank you for continuing to show up and give your support. \-Joseph Darius Jaafari --- ## WHERE ARE WE KIKI-ING? ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/07/image000004.jpeg) On July 21, we hosted a conversation with members from One n' Ten, Secular AZ, and parents from around Phoenix and Tucson to discuss the complications of how we uplift and help queer students and teachers. Our next event is Aug. 3\. You can RSVP at the link in the calendar below. ## 🏳️‍🌈 KIKI CALENDAR Have a community event coming up you want to advertise in *LOOKOUT* ? [**Email us**](mailto:newsletters@lookoutphx.org?subject=Event%20info%20for%20newsletter&body=null)**.** - **Sat. July 27 -** Stacy's @ Melrose is hosting a leather-themed Chrome night. [**Info**](https://stacysatmelrose.com/event/chrome/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **Sat. July 27 -** Get your bingo cards ready for Bad & Booze Bingo Brunch at the Churchill. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C9u8CxMv6u6/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **St. July 27 -** Nurture House hosts a News Suns Book Club at Palabras. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C92ubzGvnph/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sun. July 28 -** The folks at Babes Who Walk are hosting a networking event. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C9LxtZ0Pf63/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sun. July 28 -** Stacy's @ Melrose is putting on a Pirate-themed Drag Cabaret. [**Info**](https://stacysatmelrose.com/event/trey-cabaret-pirates-a-7-sea-adventure/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **Sun. July 28 -** TSAZ and The Queer Center are putting on a trans-friendly pool party at the Found:Re. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C9iLKbjyvbM/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Tues. July 31 -** Pump some iron with our friends at Every Body Lifting Club. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9c9iX1NlZ8/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Thurs. Aug. 1 -** Test out your vocals at Boycott's karaoke night. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C93Cd85Iki0/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sat. Aug. 3 -** Join LOOKOUT in a discussion with people from Stacys @ Melrose, Skoden Coffee, Wasted Ink Zine, and Brick Road Coffee about advocacy and the role of LGBTQ+-owned small businesses. **[Info](https://www.eventcreate.com/e/summerofsolutionsaugust3?ref=lookoutnews.org)** - **Sun. Aug 4 -** Splinter Collective in Tucson is hosting the Beehive Collective, bringing together artists to create educational pieces that are copyright-free. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C9se5Hayzdh/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Thurs. Aug. 11 -** The creative crew at thems released their August event calendar. Their first event is an illustration workshop. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C93A3H%5FyG-D/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sat. Aug. 17 -** Brat summer isn't over yet, and Thundercat Lounge is hosting a Charli XCX dance party to celebrate. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C9fcV3nNlu1/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) --- ## THE WEEKLY KIKI Play "The Weekly Kiki" every week to be entered into drawings for exclusive **LOOKOUT* swag. The more times you play, the more chances you get to win! The next drawing will be July 30. **Rules:** 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 by replying to this email. \_ \_ \_T\_ \_B\_ \_ \*Hint: Tucson celebrates its pride during this month. [Email your answer with your city](mailto:newsletters@lookoutphx.org) ### Last Week's answer: BENSON ### Last week's winner: Sheila K. (Phoenix), Matt S. (Phoenix) ### LGBTQ+ people are more likely to be caregivers, at a detriment to their health. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/lgbtq-people-are-more-likely-to-be-caregivers-causing-health-problems-2/ Last updated: 2025-03-05T19:28:33.000Z On their way to rock bottom, Gigue Jeffrey “G.J.” Hodson imagined driving to the local supermarket to purchase a bottle of booze. Which type, exactly, wasn’t clear—but anything would do. A child of alcoholics, Hodson, who uses they and them pronouns, barely had so much as a sip of alcohol in 35 years. Still, after another long day of caring for their adopted grandfather, a stiff drink–or maybe even the whole bottle—suddenly seemed appealing. “I just wanted something that would shut off the feelings of being so exhausted and burned out,” Hodson said. Overwhelmed at the prospect of leaving the house, however, Hodson decided to remain sober. That was almost a decade ago, but the memory of just how difficult caregiving can be remains fresh in their mind. Hodson is one of the roughly 38 million family caregivers in the United States, according to a [report](https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/financial-legal/info-2023/unpaid-caregivers-provide-billions-in-care.html?ref=lookoutnews.org) published by AARP. The national elder queer organization [SAGE](https://media.glaad.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/20104852/SAGE-Caregiver-Guide-Final-Interactive.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) found that there is a growing percentage of unpaid caregivers who identify as LGBTQ+ and face a myriad of unique challenges that can lead to burnout. ### **QUEER CAREGIVING BY THE NUMBERS** LGBTQ+ people provide informal, unpaid care at slightly higher rates than the general population. 1 in 5 LGBT people provide care for another adult, compared to 1 in 6 non-LGBT people, according to the [SAGE](https://media.glaad.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/20104852/SAGE-Caregiver-Guide-Final-Interactive.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) report. “We're by far the most likely to care for someone who isn't a relative or partner,” said Hodson, chalking up the discrepancy to LGBTQ+ people caring for their “chosen family.” “We care for friends, we care for neighbors, we care for exes," they said. It’s a phenomenon familiar to George Burson, who works with caregivers at the Phoenix non-profit [Duet Aging](https://duetaz.org/?utm%5Fsource=google%5Fcpc&utm%5Fmedium=ad%5Fgrant&utm%5Fcampaign=cbc%5Fggrant%5Fbranded&gad%5Fsource=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwhvi0BhA4EiwAX25ujyzWCFCTt4CK3Z-6w3vbSpl%5FR7FaSMqXeq%5Fsgy-STy-N3ujWgnbogxoCSL4QAvD%5FBwE). He said he often sees queer people in his caregiving support groups. “Heterosexual children are generally married and have kids of their own, whereas the LGBTQ child is not in a relationship, or if they’re in a relationship, they don’t have kids and all the additional things that go on in the heterosexual home,” said Burson, who spent his youth as a gay-rights activist in New Jersey. “Very often, the LGBTQ child is the one that winds up stepping in.” ### **PAINFUL REALITIES** Family caregivers spend a total of 36 billion hours caring for their loved ones a year, according to an analysis by [AARP](https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/financial-legal/info-2023/unpaid-caregivers-provide-billions-in-care.html?ref=lookoutnews.org) which looked at 38 million workers. They said the experience can be stressful, physically and emotionally demanding, and unpredictable. The tasks associated with caregiving vary widely, depending on the care recipient’s needs. Some caregivers spend their time completing complex tasks like managing their loved one’s finances and scheduling doctor’s appointments. Others focus on high-touch tasks such as dressing and bathing their loved ones. Many caregivers have no choice but to do it all. Hodson’s journey began when their grandfather contracted aspiration pneumonia, a common sign of dementia. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/07/Hodson-2013-1.JPG) Gigue Jeffrey “G.J.” Hodson stands next to their adopted grandfather in 2013\. Photo courtesy of Hodson. “He spent nearly a week in the hospital. And I was like, okay, I’m a caregiver now,” said Hodson. Little did they know that the experience of caregiving would push them nearly to their breaking point and change the course of their life: “I took care of him for four years at home, and then I oversaw his stay in memory care for another 15 months, and I was pretty much alone through all of that," they said. As months turned into years and Hodson continued caring for their grandfather, they noticed their social network dwindling. “I had friends and lovers in other states, and I would offer to fly them out,” said Hodson, reciting their invitation. “I will pay for your travel. Just come see me.” It was no use. “I couldn't get them to do it,” said Hodson. “And that, over time, it really wore me down.” ### **A MEANINGFUL PURSUIT** Despite the immense toll that frequent isolation and constant vigilance can have on the human psyche, caregiving can also be a profoundly meaningful experience, said Sarah Beth Landau, who left her job as an executive assistant to care for her maternal grandmother and father. They were both close in age and had dementia. Although she found the experience incredibly difficult, Landau thinks back fondly on the rare moments her grandmother would, out of the blue, become more lucid and act like her old self. It’s the simple times that stick with Landau, long after her grandmother and father have died– the sound of laughter over the dinner table and memories of going shopping together. “I have memories of that time that I cherish,” said Landau, “but overall, it was a pretty dark time for me.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/07/PB260039.JPG) Sarah Beth Landau and her father in the kitchen. Photo courtesy of Landau. Landau, who is bisexual and cisgender, learned about the value of caregiving through the Dallas leather scene which provided her a taste of freedom from caregiving. “I found a lot of solidarity for my decision to be a caregiver because the collective cultural memory of caregiving through the AIDS crisis was very strong,” said Landau of the Dallas leather scene. “They understood why I chose to be a caregiver and valued that.” ### **AN EXPENSIVE ENDEAVOR** Despite working around the clock to care for their loved ones, neither Hodson nor Landau received compensation besides free room and board. The majority of caregivers in the United States must also work outside the home and spend around one-quarter of their income to support their loved ones, according to the [AARP](https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/financial-legal/info-2023/unpaid-caregivers-provide-billions-in-care.html?ref=lookoutnews.org), often buying groceries or paying medical bills for the care recipient. Burson, from [Duet Aging](https://duetaz.org/?utm%5Fsource=google%5Fcpc&utm%5Fmedium=ad%5Fgrant&utm%5Fcampaign=cbc%5Fggrant%5Fbranded&gad%5Fsource=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwhvi0BhA4EiwAX25ujyzWCFCTt4CK3Z-6w3vbSpl%5FR7FaSMqXeq%5Fsgy-STy-N3ujWgnbogxoCSL4QAvD%5FBwE), advises everyone to start planning (and saving) for their end-of-life needs early. “People don't plan ahead,” said Burson, who cared for his own parents before they died. “And in the LGBTQ community, there's a lot of emphasis on youth, and so people are kind of in denial about getting older or the needs they might have.” As a result, burnout amongst caregivers is a common occurrence, which can lead to adverse health problems. The [American Medical Association](https://www.ama-assn.org/press-center/press-releases/ama-releases-new-physician-guide-caring-caregiver?ref=lookoutnews.org) defines caregiver burnout as a “state of physical, emotional or mental exhaustion that can create negative and unconcerned caregiver attitudes.” It manifests as[ depression or anxiety](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9225-caregiver-burnout?ref=lookoutnews.org), with symptoms such as exhaustion, withdrawal from friends, family, loss of interest in activities previously enjoyed, feeling hopeless and helpless, changes in appetite and sleep patterns, difficulty concentrating, and increased irritability. According to a survey conducted by the AMA, almost 25 percent of caregivers who provide care for more than 40 hours per week said their health deteriorated as a result. More than half of surveyed caregivers said that their health decline affected their ability to provide care. “Very often the caregiver dies before the person they're caring for because of all the stress and everything that's involved in it,” said Burson, who knows of caregivers who have suffered strokes and heart attacks. “And when you're caring for somebody, you're focusing on their medications, on their doctor's appointments, on where you have to take them, what you have to do with them, that by the time it comes time for you, a lot of caregivers don't wind up making their annual physical checkup and they're letting themselves go.” For Hodson, the stress of caring for his grandfather led to considering self-harm. “I did briefly have the strongest suicidal ideations that I've ever had in my life,” said Hodson. “I said I'm going to honor him, I'm going to take care of him no matter what it takes, but when he's gone, I can just end it, and I won't have to worry about this anymore. And that would bring me a strange comfort. This was peak burnout.” ### **TIPS ON RECOVERY** Joining a support group for caretakers, reaching out to the local area agency on aging to find resources, and asking friends and family to help share the burden by dropping by with a casserole or running some errands can help caregivers find the strength to continue. Making time for joyful experiences is also key to staving off caregiver burnout, according to Burson, who took up painting when he cared for his mother. Finding self-care activities that relieve stress and take the focus off caregiving as soon is key. “The first year that my grandfather got sick, I started getting monthly massages,” said Hodson. “The second year I started going to support groups. The third year I started going to therapy, and in the fourth year, I located a facility that would take him in once it was unsafe for him to be at home anymore.” “Those were kind of my big four steps,” he said. “But any one of those, I probably should have started six months or a year earlier.” **Before you go...** *LOOKOUT* is on the struggle bus these days, but we're doing our best to make ends meet and continue pushing forward. We're consistently winning incredible awards that honor our work in the community, and we strive every day to figure out how to make your voice heard in the democratic process. **But we can't do that if we don't exist.** If you can, [ donate by clicking here](https://lookout-publications.fundjournalism.org/lookout-publications-1) and help queer Arizonans feel seen, heard, and empowered to stand up for their rights. ### The aging (and thriving) queer community you never knew about. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/the-aging-and-thriving-queer-community-you-never-knew-about/ Last updated: 2024-07-24T16:00:52.000Z **In this week's newsletter: Getting old, gay, and social in retirement; A gay bar from California is relocating to Phoenix amid allegations of lewd conduct; Tips in finding an LGBTQ+ friendly bank; Kamala Harris's record on LGBTQ+ rights; And a new *In-Queer-sitive* game for the week!** --- **HOW TO BUILD COMMUNITY:** When Susie Broussard moved to Sun City to take care of her mother a decade ago, she fell in love with the age-restricted village because of its vast amenities. So when she was at the age where she was eligible to buy property, she did so immediately. But being in Sun City was challenging, especially as an openly gay person who thrived off being around other queer people. Sun City, she said, sorely lacked a visible community, even though hundreds of people were part of a local LGBT club. So, she decided that if she wanted it, she would have to build one of her own. It didn't come without its own set of challenges, including dispelling lots of religious discussions and changing people's minds that they didn't need to be silent or kept secret. But in the end, she helped shape the town to be a home for a growing number of aging queers. Read our story below. [How an older lesbian uplifted Sun City’s queer communityIn the face of an elderly loneliness epidemic, Susie Broussard revamped her local club to help the retirement town’s isolated LGBTQ+ residents.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/08/lookout-favicon@4x.png)LOOKOUTFitzwilliam Anderson (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w1200/2024/07/Matt-Gush_Adobe_SunCity.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/how-an-older-lesbian-uplifted-sun-citys-queer-community/) **LOOKOUT'S TAKE:** Growing old is one of those human experiences none of us ever escape. Unfortunately, it's also one of those things humans try to push away until we're faced with it. So it comes as no surprise that stories about elder LGBTQ+ communities are rare when coverage of elder issues is already sparse, generally. That's why our summer intern, Fitzwilliam Anderson, has been focused on issues facing our aging queer community. In his first story for us, he looked at what it's like to try and be part of an aging community that, for better or worse, has tried to keep to themselves and not be public about who they are. But the reality is that going back in the closet in our older years can result in serious isolation, and studies have shown that it reduces life expectancy by more than a decade. This story illustrates the power in being out and proud later in life, and the community you can build—even when there might seem to be no one on your side. --- ## 🌵 LOCAL NEWS - **BARRACKS:** The Barracks, a gay leather bar in Cathedral City, California, is closing down and relocating to Phoenix after complaints issued to the city regarding “lewd” behavior. [**The Desert Sun**](https://www.desertsun.com/story/news/local/cathedral-city/2024/07/18/cathedral-city-gay-leather-bar-the-barracks-closing/74463270007/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **BABY NEWS:** Phoenix Mercury player Brittney Griner and her wife Cherelle gave birth to their first child during the WNBA All Stars Weekend. [**Watermark**](https://watermarkonline.com/2024/07/23/brittney-and-cherelle-griner-celebrate-birth-of-son/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **MESA PUBLIC SCHOOLS:** A judge dismissed a lawsuit brought by the anti-LGBTQ+ legal group America First Legal Foundation that aimed to attack Mesa school district's LGBTQ+ inclusive policies. [**12 News**](https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/arizona/judge-dismisses-lawsuit-against-mesa-public-schools-transgender-policies/75-c31b592a-56cf-45e8-851c-74940b8701fd?ref=lookoutnews.org) ## 🇺🇸 NATIONAL NEWS - **VANDALISM:** Four gunmen broke into Club Oasis in San Francisco and robbed the bar's cleanup crew and ransacked the venue looking for a safe. [**CBS News**](https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/popular-san-francisco-lgbtq-nightclub-hit-by-armed-robbers/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **HARRIS ON LGBTQ+ RIGHTS:** Many may remember the unforgettable scene from "The Case Against Hate," where Vice President Kamala Harris conducted the first same-sex wedding after Prop 8 was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court. She has a longer history supporting queer rights. [**Pink News**](https://www.thepinknews.com/2024/07/22/kamala-harris-lgbtq-rights-explainer-trans-lgbt/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **EQUAL RIGHTS:** New York senators are arguing to add abortion and LGBTQ+ rights to the state's equal rights amendment. [**Gothamist**](https://gothamist.com/news/elections-abortion-lgbt-era-new-york?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **GAY BANKS:** Research shows that two in five LGBTQ+ people felt blocked or discouraged from joining certain banks. Here's a guide in finding a bank that's right for you. (And if you've experienced this, locally, let us know by responsing back to this email). [**Business Insider**](https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/banking/lgbtq-friendly-banking?ref=lookoutnews.org) --- ## ****IN-QUEER-SITIVE** Test your knowledge of this week in queer news! Answer the question below related to a story in this week's newsletter and get entered into a raffle to win **LOOKOUT* swag at the end of each month. The more times you play, the more chances you get to win! ## What was the California law passed by voters in 2008 that made same-sex marriage illegal? \*Hint, it's in our national news section. [Submit your answer here](mailto:newsletters@lookoutphx.org) ### **Last week's question:** What LGBTQ+ issue was removed from the 2024 Republican platform this year? ### **Last week's answer: Same-sex marriage** **Hi friends...** ### Hot for the weekend? URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/hot-for-the-weekend/ Last updated: 2024-07-19T15:44:31.000Z #### Letter from the Editor Hello Kiki readers! A little over a month ago, we redesigned and revamped our newsletters to be more community-focused, and easier for you all to digest what's happening in Arizona and your own cities. It's been wildly successful, and you all continue coming back week after week to read more and schedule out your social life with our Kiki Calendar. But we're running up against a business truism: more time on this costs more money to do this. Unfortunately, less than 3% of our readers are paid subscribers to **LOOKOUT*. That amounts to roughly $1,000 a month in paid subscriptions. As you can imagine, that doesn't even cover the rent or sustain two full-time workers. Which means that we have two choices: a paywall, or ads. We don't believe in paywalls. And we have vowed never to guard information from the community solely based on who can afford it. So, we're going to start offering sponsorships and ad space in our newsletters and magazines. You might have already noticed an iteration of that in our last two Kiki Calendars: organizations, individuals, and businesses can showcase their events in a highlighted standalone box. We are also offering limited sponsorships for our newsletters, and community ad space in our magazines. If you want to learn more about those opportunities, simply respond back to this email and let us know! \-Joseph Darius Jaafari --- ## WHERE ARE WE KIKI-ING? ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/07/IMG_2645-1.jpeg) And it's not even August yet... (photo taken outside of Froth Coffee Roasters on 16th Street and McDowell Road in Phoenix) ## 🏳️‍🌈 KIKI CALENDAR Have a community event coming up you want to advertise in *LOOKOUT* ? [**Email us**](mailto:newsletters@lookoutphx.org?subject=Event%20info%20for%20newsletter&body=null)**.** - **July 1-31 -** Brick Road Coffee is offering customers to round up their purchases, where all the money will go to Trans Spectrum Arizona. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C9TN4EdBvds/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Fri. July 19 -** Dirty Bits has another performance at Walter Studios. [**Info**](https://seeticketsus.queue-it.net/?c=seeticketsus&e=seeticketssafetynet&ver=v3-javascript-3.7.4&cver=1319&man=SeeTickets.us%20Safety%20Net&t=https%3A%2F%2Fwl.seetickets.us%2Fevent%2Fdirty-bits-arizona-only-adult-r-rated-storytelling-show%2F609212%3Fafflky%3DWalterStudios%26utm%5Fsource%3Dhive%26utm%5Fmedium%3Demail%26utm%5Fcampaign%3Dhive%5Femail%5Fid%5F319678%5Fwalter-studios-weekend-71024%26h%5Fsid%3D66218568fd-59cebb336741a9e4e93c33f6%26h%5Fslt%3DeyJoaXZlX3VzZXJfaWQiOjk1NjU4OTksImhhc2giOiJmMzhjYzE5ZTIyNDA2NGEifQ%253D%253D&kupver=cloudflare-1.2.3&ref=lookoutnews.org) - **Fri. July 19 -** ReFrame Youth Center hosts an open house, and an education session on the history of raves in Arizona. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C9lS3Tey5Ah/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Fri. July 19:** The guys at Phx Takeover are hosting a "gays for clay" sculpture social. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C9dH2JGSj5V/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sat. July 20 -** Crescent Ballroom throws a Charli XCX dance party. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C9QN71cScRd/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sat. July 20 -** Splinter Collective in Tucson is throwing a Vampire Beach Party. [**Info**](https://members.tucsonlgbtchamber.org/events/details/vampire-beach-party-9379?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **Sat. July 20 -** Phoenix Queer Hoopers competes against the Miami Vis for a "Hungover Hoops" contest after the WNBA finals. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C9l7e%5FTxoU8/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sun. July 21 -** Tucson's Center for Spiritual Living is hosting a LGBTQ+ coffee social. [**Info**](https://www.tucsoncsl.org/calendar/lgbtq-coffee-3/2024-07-21?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **Sun. July 21 -** *LOOKOUT* hosts it's second Summer of Solutions event at One-n'-Ten's offices. The conversation will be on queer students and their parents navigating school. This event is FREE! **[Info](https://www.eventcreate.com/e/summerofsolutionsjuly?ref=lookoutnews.org)** - **Mon. July 22 -** One-n'-Ten offers a back to school event to provide gender-affirming clothing, school supplies, and wellness activities. [**Info**](https://www.canva.com/design/DAGIm-qe4R8/6-0ugYO7ZZ-FeEYIp0AM%5FA/edit?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **Tues. July 23 -** Pump some iron with the folks at Every Body Lifting Club, which meets every Sunday and Tuesday. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9c9iX1NlZ8/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Tues. July 23 -** The Flagstaff Queer Collective is meeting up for a "stitch n' bitch" event. [**Info**](https://www.meetup.com/flagstaffqueercollective/events/301004707/?recId=b7feeae0-022c-43c2-8421-8edc6619f638&recSource=keyword%5Fsearch&searchId=e3cc748d-5aa0-4a9a-aba4-658977382880&ref=lookoutnews.org) - **Sun. Jun 28 -** The folks at Babes Who Walk are hosting a networking event. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C9LxtZ0Pf63/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sun. July 28 -** TSAZ and The Queer Center are putting on a trans-friendly pool party at the Found:Re. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C9iLKbjyvbM/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) --- ## THE WEEKLY KIKI Play "The Weekly Kiki" every week to be entered into drawings for exclusive **LOOKOUT* swag. The more times you play, the more chances you get to win! The next drawing will be July 30. **Rules:** 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 by replying to this email. B\_ \_ \_ \_ \_ \*Hint: This southern Arizona city between Tucson and Tombsotone is where the 1979 Spiritual Conference for Radical Faries was held at the Sri Ram Ashram. It's also home to a famous western movie set. [Email your answer with your city](mailto:newsletters@lookoutphx.org) ### Last Week's answer: GLENN BURKE ### Last week's winner: Sheila K. (Phoenix), Bruce A. (Phoenix), Clark O. (Phoenix), Matt S. (Phoenix) ### Millions of federal dollars are at risk because of Dysart's vote against queer kids URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/millions-of-federal-dollars-are-at-risk-because-of-dysarts-vote-against-queer-kids/ Last updated: 2024-07-17T22:37:16.000Z **In this week's newsletter: Dysart school votes against Biden Title IX expansion; JD Vance's anti-LGBTQ+ legacy; Southern AZ church burnings pinned to homophobe; Kari Lake at the RNC; And a new *In-Queer-sitive* game for the week!** --- **Millions of dollars:** The Dysart Unified School District serves 26,000 students across 140 square miles of land in Northwest Phoenix. Last week, the district voted to not adopt new Title IX regulations aimed to protect LGBTQ+ students and teachers. The new rule also makes it easier to investigate sexual assaults. Though unlikely, that decision could put taxpayers on the line, as schools that don't abide by Title IX regulations are at risk to lose their funding. For Dysart, that's a $21 million gamble. There are 14 states across the nation that have been successful in postponing the rule changes, which go into effect on Aug. 1\. Arizona is still not one of them, but Dysart's decision could lead to a legal challenge that results in the state (and some others in the region) joining the pack. Read our full story below. [Suburban Phoenix School District Votes to Ignore Federal Title IX ExpansionsThe move doesn’t eliminate students or teachers from filing civil rights complaints, but could cost millions in federal funding for the district.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/08/lookout-favicon@4x.png)LOOKOUTFitzwilliam Anderson (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w1200/2024/07/DSC_2621.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/suburban-phoenix-school-district-votes-to-ignore-federal-title-ix-expansions/) **LOOKOUT'S TAKE:** There are 14 states that have been able to put a hold on the new Title IX rules from going into effect. And though there could be legitimate resource questions for some school districts, the organization leading the charge against implementing the changes is the Southern Poverty Law Center-designated hate group Moms for Liberty. We've been tracking a number of different events locally that Moms for Liberty puts on, and they all essentially make the same case (without any evidence): trans girls (never trans boys) threaten girls sports, and are predators to teenage cisgender girls in bathrooms. What evidence they do provide has either been debunked or doesn't actually comport with what happens in reality. For example, trans students are [four times more likely than their straight peers](https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/press/ncvs-trans-press-release/?ref=lookoutnews.org) to be assaulted, raped, or the victim of a violent crime. And members of the far-right, notably, [have been the ones most reported causing violence in bathrooms](https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/intelligence-report/2016/%E2%80%98bathroom-bill%E2%80%99-debates-heat-transgender-people-die?gad%5Fsource=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw1920BhA3EiwAJT3lSYHQU%5FTCVRa8mpWXt1yFsVU4iy5yLqDmS7yrjT-FGEaNqwNtpuDVVhoCee4QAvD%5FBwE&ref=lookoutnews.org) in recent years. --- ## 🌵 LOCAL NEWS - **DANGEROUS THREAT:** Ariz. Sen. Kirsten Sinema, the only openly bisexual in the Senate, repeated far-right arguments that claim calling out threats to democracy was, in itself, a threat to democracy. [**KJZZ News**](https://www.kjzz.org/2024-07-16/sen-kyrsten-sinema-calls-for-an-end-to-demonizing-rhetoric-in-wake-of-trump-assassination-attempt?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **KARI LAKE:** The election-conspiracist and anti-trans candidate for U.S. Senate called the media "fake" at the RNC, and promoted herself as a mother. She is the only woman nominated by the GOP in a competitive race. [**The 19th\***](https://19thnews.org/2024/07/kari-lake-rnc-mother-arizona/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **CHURCH FIRES:** A Southern Arizona man was charged with arson for setting fire to churches that had women or gay men in leadership. [**AZ Family**](https://www.azfamily.com/video/2024/07/12/southern-arizona-man-found-guilty-douglas-church-fires/?ref=lookoutnews.org) ## 🇺🇸 NATIONAL NEWS - **J.D. VANCE'S LEGACY:** The Ohio junior senator has a long wrap sheet of promoting anti-LGBTQ+ policies and ideas, including saying "two-spirit" was a made-up term, voting against the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages, and calling LGBTQ+ people "groomers." [**them**](https://www.them.us/story/jd-vance-trump-vp-running-mate-anti-lgbtq-record?utm%5Fsource=nl&utm%5Fbrand=them&utm%5Fmailing=THEM%5FWeekly%5F071724&utm%5Fcampaign=aud-dev&utm%5Fmedium=email&bxid=5be9ec133f92a4046911b5f8&cndid=50191370&hasha=731c897e1948a1ccea47719bd16cadd5&hashb=c8a7642b68acb76a911a0fb69bb59f0977184bc6&hashc=6913a0a0cc9c399629ca46245e16ee344fbe134478461c889272e42b1bf746d3&esrc=bounceX&utm%5Fterm=THEM%5FDaily) - **THE REPUBLICAN PLATFORM:** This year, for the first time, the 2024 Republican Platform doesn't denounce same-sex marriage as one of its goals. However, it doesn't shift away from queer people, altogether. Instead of same-sex marriage, it shifts its focus to eliminating trans individuals' rights. [**Washington Blade**](https://www.washingtonblade.com/2024/07/11/garcia-and-log-cabin-republicans-president-react-to-new-gop-party-platform/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **ELON LEAVES CALI:** In protest of California's ban on teachers "outing" students to their families, Elon Musk pledged to leave the state and take his companies with him. [**Politico**](https://www.politico.com/news/2024/07/16/elon-musk-spacex-california-00168771?ref=lookoutnews.org) --- ## ****IN-QUEER-SITIVE** Test your knowledge of this week in queer news! Answer the question below related to a story in this week's newsletter and get entered into a raffle to win **LOOKOUT* swag at the end of each month. The more times you play, the more chances you get to win! ## What LGBTQ+ issue was removed from the 2024 Republican platform this year? \*Hint, it's in our national news section. [Submit your answer here](mailto:newsletters@lookoutphx.org) ### **Last week's question:** What is the 2023 percentage rate of American adults who identify as LGBTQ+? ### **Last week's answer: 7.6%** **Hi friends...** ### Suburban Phoenix School District Votes to Ignore Federal Title IX Expansions URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/suburban-phoenix-school-district-votes-to-ignore-federal-title-ix-expansions/ Last updated: 2025-03-05T19:28:38.000Z Following a sparsely attended public meeting, the Dysart Unified School District’s five-member Governing School Board passed a [resolution](https://go.boarddocs.com/az/dysart/Board.nsf/files/D6ZTUA79083F/$file/Resolution%20-Title%20IX%20Expansion.docx.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) undermining new federal protections against gender identity discrimination, putting millions of dollars in school funding on the line, and sending a chilling message to trans students. Under the Biden administration, the Department of Education expanded the scope of Title IX, the landmark legislation signed by President Nixon in 1972 that prohibits sex-based discrimination in educational settings that accept federal funding. The [new regulations Biden implemented](https://19thnews.org/2024/04/biden-administration-new-title-ix-regulations/?ref=lookoutnews.org) would prohibit discrimination based on “stereotypes, sex characteristics, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, and gender identity.” Those changes go into effect Aug. 1 this year. Biden's changes to Title IX have elicited strong opposition from the rightwing group Moms For Liberty which opposes transgender rights, and has resulted in multiple lawsuits in conservative legislature-controlled states. “Moms For Liberty is a manufactured group that has a broad but thin membership,” said Eliza Byard, the former director of the LGBTQ non-profit [GLSEN](https://www.glsen.org/?gad%5Fsource=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwtNi0BhA1EiwAWZaANGO0fAtujEZhJtSoNuGfNNGFAKL7Dnpl%5FziTT53bv4uSQRkzTZy%5FxRoC-D8QAvD%5FBwE&ref=lookoutnews.org), who has helped run school board campaigns against candidates backed by the[ scandal-plagued](https://www.cnn.com/2024/01/19/politics/sarasota-police-opt-to-not-charge-christian-ziegler-with-sexual-battery-saying-sexual-encounter-was-likely-consensual/index.html?ref=lookoutnews.org) political group. “They have a lot of financial support from a network of conservative extremists that want to get rid of public education and have hit upon ways to try to sow doubt in parents' minds about the quality and safety of the education their children are getting.” Lawsuits brought by the group have resulted in Title IX changes being postponed in 14 states, not including Arizona. During the meeting, a pair of attendees spoke in favor of banning the changes and gave Moms For Liberty a shout-out while voicing their support for the resolution and argued that the expanded Title IX regulations endangered young girls. “We wanted to come here to support the Dysart board members who are fighting against these radical changes that would put our students at risk of having sexual harassment charges brought against them, or even risk our girls' safety in the restroom or locker room, or maybe even lose their sports and scholarships opportunities,” said Becky Smith, a Peoria resident who has in the past posted false information on her Facebook page about school bathrooms to drum up fear around trans people. Heather Rooks, a governing school board member of Peoria Unified School District, praised the impending decision online weeks earlier saying, without evidence, that the new Title IX decisions weaken privacy rights for cisgender school-aged girls. Rooks, who has consistently used her position on the school board to proselytize Christianity, is being sued by a nonbinary teacher for using defamatory language and trying to fire them from their job for being transgender. Critics of the resolution said that the new policy could endanger the district’s transgender students by sending a dangerous message to an already vulnerable group. “They're sending the message to the families, to the trans members of that community, that you're not worthy, that you're not human, that I won’t even acknowledge you,” said Jeanne Casteen in a phone interview. Casteen serves as the Executive Director of [Secular AZ](https://secularaz.org/?ref=lookoutnews.org), a nonpartisan advocacy group that protects the constitutional separation of church and state. “These kids are being told by elected officials that their life does not matter.” Amid the growing backlash against LGBTQ rights nationwide, suicide rates for LGBTQ+ youth remain alarmingly high. Roughly half of transgender and nonbinary youth seriously considered attempting suicide in the past year, according to The Trevor Project’s [2023 U.S. National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ Young People](https://www.thetrevorproject.org/survey-2023/?ref=lookoutnews.org). Despite the ongoing mental health crisis sweeping the nation, the Dysart Unified School District made headlines last year when it [voted to eliminate school social workers](https://www.azfamily.com/2023/11/29/dysart-unified-school-district-get-rid-school-social-workers/?ref=lookoutnews.org). According to the [resolution](https://go.boarddocs.com/az/dysart/Board.nsf/files/D6ZTUA79083F/$file/Resolution%20-Title%20IX%20Expansion.docx.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org), adhering to the expanded Title IX protection would run afoul of the board’s commitment to “empowering parental involvement in education,” a key goal of Moms For Liberty. It would result in an “obtuse overreach” that could culminate in “criminalizing innocent children, or the people of the varying faiths that commonly and firmly believe in truth, such as a Creator of two distinct and wonderfully made sexes.” Casteen pushed back on the idea that one student’s religious belief that there were only two sexes should justify the discrimination of another student. “It is a clear violation of the establishment clause and the separation of church and state,” said Casteen. “They are free to be bigots in their church but you can’t do that in public school.” Tammi Walker, an associate professor of law and psychology at The University of Arizona, describes the resolution as a “solution in search of a problem.” “I don't know what the intent of this resolution was, other than to put people on notice,” Walker said. “This isn't a get-out-of-jail-free card.” Students or faculty who experience discrimination can still file a report [online](https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/howto.html?src=rt&ref=lookoutnews.org) with the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights Ignoring the Title IX regulations is a risky move that could be costly for the school district, which spans 140 square miles and includes parts of El Mirage, Glendale, Surprise, and Youngtown. The district serves 23,000 students, according to its [website](https://www.dysart.org/mainsite/panels/dysart-schools/46/about?ref=lookoutnews.org), and includes 16 elementary schools, four middle schools, four comprehensive high schools, a preschool, and one alternative program. The district expects to receive $21,000,000 from the federal government in 2025, according to the [budget](https://go.boarddocs.com/az/dysart/Board.nsf/files/D6RPB463C3D0/$file/2025EXPBUD.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) that the board approved earlier in the meeting. Losing federal funds because of Title IX violations is unlikely but not impossible, according to Walker. “The more likely thing is that the federal agency will work with that educational program or entity and try to get them to comply with the law, as opposed to immediately snatching their funds,” Walker said, adding that investigations into Title IX violations could take up to five years to be closed. In the meantime, students in the district return to school from their summer holidays on Aug. 1\. **Before you go...** *LOOKOUT* is on the struggle bus these days, but we're doing our best to make ends meet and continue pushing forward. We're consistently winning incredible awards that honor our work in the community, and we strive every day to figure out how to make your voice heard in the democratic process. **But we can't do that if we don't exist.** If you can, [ donate by clicking here](https://lookout-publications.fundjournalism.org/lookout-publications-1) and help queer Arizonans feel seen, heard, and empowered to stand up for their rights. [Tip Jar](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tip-jar/) ### How an older lesbian uplifted Sun City’s queer community URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/how-an-older-lesbian-uplifted-sun-citys-queer-community/ Last updated: 2025-03-05T19:28:41.000Z Susie Broussard first moved to Sun City 20 years ago to care for her mother. As a 40-year old lesbian, she wasn’t much like her neighbors. She was much younger than most of them, and as far as she knew, there weren’t any other gay people in the area. But she was comfy: The unincorporated community—built as one of the first “retirement cities” in the nation—had plenty of amenities available, including a serpentine walking pool, various recreation centers, and community programs and clubs for opportunities to meet other people. After her mother died eight years later, she decided it was time for a change and moved out of the 55-and-over town located just outside of Phoenix. But she found herself missing the Sun City lifestyle of active older-aged living. So, when she turned 55—the age people are eligible to buy property in the town—she jumped at the chance. There was one problem: Even though she had a wife and solid companionship, she missed being around other people like her and her partner. For years, Sun City’s sole LGBTQ+ group had kept a low profile—low enough that residents often looked perplexed when hearing there were gays living among them. In fact, there were hundreds. So, she realized that to find friendship and build that community, she would have to do it herself. But there was another reason for bringing the club out-of-the-closet: loneliness. While the feeling of loneliness from time to time is an inescapable part of life, too much loneliness and disconnection can be deadly, according to a [report](https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/surgeon-general-social-connection-advisory.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) published by the U.S. Surgeon General, leading to increased rates of heart disease and strokes. LGBTQ+ older adults are especially at risk, according to the non-profit [SAGE](https://www.sageusa.org/your-rights-resources/social-isolation/?ref=lookoutnews.org). If Broussard succeeded, there was an ancillary benefit in that she could also help her neighbors survive the loneliness epidemic sweeping the nation, especially among queer Sun Citizens. ### **THE HIGH ROAD** Creating an oasis for older LGBTQ+ adults in Sun City—a community inhabited almost exclusively by people who came of age during the height of the AIDS epidemic and decades before marriage equality—wouldn’t be easy. But Broussard said her life to that point had been filled with similar challenges that trained her for this moment. Broussard grew up in Lake Charles, Louisiana. It was a difficult upbringing, she said, particularly because her father, a loan officer at the local bank, could be cruel and vindictive. “It was like living with an alcoholic, a violent alcoholic, but he didn't drink,” Broussard said. “We thought he was always mad at us. He came home mad. He's just one of those damaged people.” Broussard grew up watching her parents transform into kinder, gentler people when visitors dropped by, and the experience taught her about the duality of people and to never trust a book’s cover. But she said it also gave her the tools to be compassionate. “I think you end up having more empathy and sympathy for others when you've been a victim,” she said, adding that she had vowed to take a more honorable path in her life. But the higher road had its share of twists and turns. Broussard enrolled in a local college where she remembers excelling in her coursework, save for a botany course that still haunts her. After kissing a girl, she confided in a friend. Word got around fast, and eventually the story found its way to her father who cut her off financially and kicked her out of the home. The financial difficulty ended her dream of becoming an architect. She worked as a gas station attendant briefly, but soon after left for Memphis where she took on an entry-level job at a wholesale tire distribution center. She climbed the ranks and by the time she left for Arizona 14 years later to care for her mother, she managed 600 employees. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/07/President-Susie-Broussard.jpg) **Susie Broussard moved to Sun City initially to take care of her mother. When she reached 55 years old, she bought a home in the area, but felt there wasn’t enough LGBTQ+ visibility. This year, she’s taken over the local LGBTQ+ club. Photo courtesy of Susie Broussard.* Today, Broussard leverages the marketing, operations, and leadership skills she learned on the job to help serve Sun City’s LGBTQ+ community. “Everything I do, I try to figure out how to do it better,” Broussard said. “What works, what pays off, what motivates people, what keeps them honest, what keeps them coming back. All of that.” ### **BUILDING FOR AN ACTIVE LIFESTYLE** Sun City’s builder, Delbert “Del” Eugene Webb, shares a twisted journey in his success. Webb was a high school drop-out who traveled the country playing minor-league baseball before becoming a prolific builder. He was responsible for constructing [The Flamingo Casino in Las Vegas](https://www.unlv.edu/business/nbhof/del-webb?ref=lookoutnews.org). He also built Arizona’s [internment camp](https://www.azcentral.com/story/travel/local/history/2015/04/24/arizonas-military-history-poston-memorial-monument/26201191/?ref=lookoutnews.org) that the U.S. Government used to forcefully imprison Japanese-American families during WWII. In 1960, Webb took a turn and made history, when he invested $2 million in a new kind of community. Specifically, a retirement-aged community where school-aged children would only be allowed to visit, and ownership was limited for those who were older and only wanted to work part-time. It would be the first town ever built with retirement in mind, said [a 1962 Time article](https://time.com/archive/6831477/the-family-a-place-in-the-sun/?ref=lookoutnews.org). (Though, Youngtown—located right next door to current Sun City—had been established as a retirement community three years prior with more than 1000 residents, and was the main source of inspiration to create Sun City, [according to one historian](https://www.yourvalley.net/stories/signs-of-the-past-youngtown-came-first,248542?ref=lookoutnews.org).) He called his plans the “Sun Cities,” and their residents Sun Citizens. He built his first one in Arizona about 15 miles Northwest of Phoenix, in a large patch of desert between the New River and Agua Fria River. He marketed the town as a way to stay active in retirement and not sit on a porch all day, as he told reporters. ![](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXd2ZSQbNIz3bU-7Iyd0snQI4wYhdih7mwgEDXXF_vYs5HzMyU1HSsVjdUP9uQ2IF82ZMh5lfZ7VVdSCr_5gLOo1B8wFNczdRN5aBEBg7amnwR3gEWTc4viqUsWU_Zb427bP-hR1ecCN04u3ivDrIUKTodxT?key=RlZ0kcIHG0wYQTeO40rG2g) **To drum up publicity, Del E. Webb Development Co. held a nationwide contest to name the development. The grand prize for the winning name? A free house. Photograph courtesy of* [**Arizona Memory Project*](https://azmemory.azlibrary.gov/nodes/view/206?ref=lookoutnews.org#:~:text=As%20late%20as%20a%20month,new%20home%20to%20the%20winner.) To persuade retirees to move to a new community, one designed for their unique needs, the company had to sell more than just houses. It had to critique the traditional aging-in-place model and sell what it described in its sales materials as a new “philosophy on retirement” that reimagined this final chapter. “Despite the fact that everyone has an endless list of unaccomplished interests, one of the most serious drawbacks to the idea of retirement has been an awareness of how many retirees find themselves living a life of complete boredom within a few months after attaining their freedom,” read a sales brochure. In 1960, a staggering 100,000 visitors toured the new community in its opening weekend. While visiting, the prospective homebuyers found small, ranch-style homes and resort-style amenities like swimming pools and bocce courts. Over the next year, Webb sold 1,300 homes and, in doing so, invented a new niche in the real estate market. He sold 272 houses the first weekend advertising the community. They were priced between $8,750 to $11,600 (or a modern day cost of $89,000 to $119,000 adjusted with inflation) for each home. Del Webb created a new way of life that aimed to reduce isolation and boredom associated with retirement by offering endless activity. “It’s a Way-of-Life that encourages all to be themselves more completely,” reads one of the development’s colorful and verbose brochures. “...with such pleasures as warm friendships, the sharing of the good things of life, the fun of getting together when they feel like it for club meetings, potluck suppers, square dances, picnics, entertainment, and parties.” But researchers will explain that activity does not always equate to positive social ties, and loneliness can still come to those who are constantly out and about. And as much as Del Webb may have invented the “retirement community village,” it hasn’t solved for the state’s overall depression problem. About [18% of the state’s total population](https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/72/wr/mm7224a1.htm?ref=lookoutnews.org#:~:text=higher%20%2815.4%25%29.-,Among%20states%2C%20the%20age%2Dstandardized%20prevalence%20of%20depression%20ranged%20from,Washington%2C%20Missouri%2C%20and%20Montana.) has had depressive thoughts in 2020, and Phoenix residents were [ranked in the top 10 cities](https://www.usatoday.com/money/blueprint/health-insurance/loneliest-states-america/?ref=lookoutnews.org#:~:text=Three%20northern%20states%20%E2%80%94%20Ohio%2C%20Iowa,Page%201%20of%204) of lonely people. There isn't any available research to know if Sun citizens have lower rates of depression. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy spent much of 2023 raising the alarm about the many ways in which the ongoing loneliness epidemic is hurting Americans. A shortage of meaningful connections, [according to a report published](https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/surgeon-general-social-connection-advisory.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) by the Surgeon General’s Office, can increase the risk of premature death to levels comparable to smoking fifteen cigarettes a day. Like all epidemics, some populations are more at risk than others. Older LGBTQ+ adults, which researchers estimate number around 2.7 million people, are twice as likely to live alone as non-LGBTQ+ adults and often experience social isolation and vulnerability as a result, [according to a report published by SAGE](https://www.sageusa.org/your-rights-resources/social-isolation/?ref=lookoutnews.org). ![](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXfjnaRHWd93G7ZnvVBKjDIk1rI0jsPY0s43N4en4HmXojVt9HCOsdcdTm1q90_Sr_caCuoxBhdh-H27yHI_3l01xgKdA7Oa499sPTLmwVwt1ZcnPKK_gSPf4yXPYyVqh8vmRmuuGdoDJMPdJXP69HNWMek?key=RlZ0kcIHG0wYQTeO40rG2g) **Del Webb promised a new lifestyle for America’s seniors in its first brochure published in 1960\. Courtesy of* [The Del Webb Sun Cities Museum](https://delwebbsuncitiesmuseum.org/model-home-brochures/?ref=lookoutnews.org) ![Vintage 60s Sun City](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXdm5A8VY60_gXla4Ihz2pZiZmnnYmqnke1hs_kzYXJVK6L7DmMxJq0bCruCbBsUOxT2NjeWZi_Upfgoa9ceLQ-uP4kqZ7VTMzXLmMOCcPv-dmR1zxYXeApH4MaTB35a-Sb7s7VLqPD2Mw9F5g_KmUa5-M6C?key=RlZ0kcIHG0wYQTeO40rG2g) **Crowds flocked to see Sun City’s model homes during the opening weekend. Photo courtesy of* [**Arizona Memory Project*](https://www.wanderwithwonder.com/sun-city-arizona/?ref=lookoutnews.org) ### **A SNOOZE FEST** When she first moved to Sun City in 2004, Broussard was like many of the early settlers of Youngtown—she found a community with no shortage of activities. With a population of nearly 40,000 people, there is no mayor or city council to govern the expansive community. It’s the Sun City Homeowners Association that wields the most power in dictating activities. The governing body, which consists of volunteers, works to preserve home values by enforcing community rules, and oversees the area’s eight golf courses and recreation centers complete with swimming pools, bowling alleys, and indoor mini-golf courses. The town also has an open-air amphitheater and a dog park. There are clubs for stain-glass window enthusiasts, handbell ringers, political groups, shuffleboard players, pickleballers, and dancers. The one thing it didn’t seem to have when Broussard moved back, though, was a thriving club for LGBTQ+ residents. The lack of a visible club seemed to run contrary to Broussard’s understanding of the times, which is that there were more people like her than ever before. A [Gallup poll](https://news.gallup.com/poll/389792/lgbt-identification-ticks-up.aspx?ref=lookoutnews.org) last year showed the percentage of U.S. adults who self-identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or something other than heterosexual has steadily increased year over year to a new high of 7.1%—double the percentage points from when Gallup first measured it in 2012\. “There was no existence of LGBT,” Broussard said of the clubs. Broussard said she expected that when she moved, and considered the local politics of the area. [Donald Trump won Sun City in 2020 by a margin of nearly 16 points](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/upshot/2020-election-map.html?ref=lookoutnews.org), and with more attacks from conservative media on Pride flags, trans kids, LGBTQ+ people serving in the military, and the constant drumbeat of anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric from local lawmakers, it didn’t shock her that there wasn’t a visible club for the city’s LGBTQ+ population. Broussard eventually discovered there was, indeed, a community club for them in Sun City—but it took some searching. Headquartered out of a hard-to-find recreation center, she said the club felt more like a secret and divided clique than an alliance of queer people. Broussard’s wife, Lisa Becker, 63, said she remembers the meetings as a “snooze fest,” with unwanted religious undertones. To make matters worse, the club broke along gender lines. “When I first came, we still had the men sitting on one side and the women on the other,” said Broussard. “And I'm like, ‘What's going on with this LGBT club?’ And they just said, ‘We've kind of just evolved that way.’ [Tip Jar](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tip-jar/) ### **A CHANGE** During the pandemic, members left the club en masse. The proselytizing, division, and social issues surrounding the pandemic resulted in an exodus: 258 members joined the club when it started in 2017, but by the time Broussard took over in January this year, that number dwindled to just 49. Persuading people to come back, Broussard said she put a kibosh on religious discussions during official meetings, and urged her members to consider visibility a strength, not a liability. “We have to rip the band-aid off. We have to let people know we're here and that they have a place to come,” Broussard said. “The LGBT community lives here. We're pulling them out of the closet, and the more new people that jump in, it seems to have radiated some energy to some of the older people coming back.” That meant investing in marketing and meeting up at popular locations like the local bowling alley to socialize. In January, the group sponsored the ASU Women’s Basketball team and appeared on the arena’s jumbotron during a home game. To bridge the gender divide, Broussard appealed to the group’s competitive side and organized a men versus women trivia game. For the women, she asked questions like *Who did Ellen DeGeneres come out to?* For the men, she included an equal number of questions about the cult film “The Birdcage*.”* The gender divide has since disappeared, and the group socializes together now more than ever, Broussard said. To ensure more access to events, the club began pairing up those who didn’t feel safe driving to evening events with members willing to give them a ride. Rob Macauley, 65, said the club is much more integrated and active than when he first joined. Macaulay originally planned to spend his retirement road-tripping around the country, but after the isolation of COVID-19 he decided to move to Sun City and be closer to his family. He learned about the club at a pool party and decided to join. “I feel like, all of a sudden, instantaneously, I gained 200 friendships,” said Macauley, an insurance agent who relocated to Arizona from Seattle. “I have not met a single person that hasn't been just extremely wonderful to me. ” When she’s not organizing events, Broussard gives complimentary tours to LGBTQ+ people considering making the move to Sun City from as far as Florida. “I'm calling them free LGBT tours, but it's not that it's so much that it's LGBT, it's just an LGBT person doing it; It’s me,” laughed Broussard. “There's a different level of communication and talking about the community and who we are.” Today, the group has grown to 189 members, according to Broussard. “I start looking at all the people around me and realizing it's not just that they've achieved an LGBT balance, they have with everything. There's every skin tone, there's every body type, there's every age, there's every disability,” she said. “What I don't see is anger, hate, or anything else. What I do see is everybody's having a good time. Everybody's being nice to one another.” **Before you go...** *LOOKOUT* is on the struggle bus these days, but we're doing our best to make ends meet and continue pushing forward. We're consistently winning incredible awards that honor our work in the community, and we strive every day to figure out how to make your voice heard in the democratic process. **But we can't do that if we don't exist.** If you can, [ donate by clicking here](https://lookout-publications.fundjournalism.org/lookout-publications-1) and help queer Arizonans feel seen, heard, and empowered to stand up for their rights. ### Thank you, Arizona! URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/were-simply-the-best/ Last updated: 2024-07-12T16:07:58.000Z #### Letter from the Editor Hello Kiki readers- You might not have seen (it was a surprise to us, even) that **LOOKOUT* was named "Best Source for LGBTQ+ News" by **Phoenix Magazine* in their "Best of the Valley 2024" edition that just published. The review said they worried that when I left the **Arizona Republic*, I was possibly making a mistake. But **LOOKOUT* has suddenly become **"the latest must-read in town,"** it said. That alone is an incredible win for me, because the reality is that a lot of people thought I was misguided for leaving an investigative job—a coveted position in newsrooms—to report on LGBTQ+ issues. But I didn't step away from investigative work; I just shifted from reporting on prisons and police to using the same tools, experience, and rigor to serving the state's LGBTQ+ community. And that's what breaks people's brains, because news leaders don't think we deserve that level of high-quality journalism. The reality is there is no other newsroom in the nation giving the LGBTQ+ community as much investigative and accountability-focused news as us. In private conversations with other queer newsroom leaders, they all have said the same: no one is doing what **LOOKOUT* is doing. And there is a market for it, as **Phoenix Magazine* and others have noticed. But none of this could have been proven without you. So, ****thank you** for continuing to read, promote, and champion our work. Let's continue to shake up the status quo. \-Joseph Darius Jaafari \*Also, big congratulations to all the other winners, including our friends at the **Arizona Agenda* for their win as "Best Political Newsletter," **Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting* for their investigative news award, Window Coffee for their best coffee drive thru win, and Phoenix Pride for their two wins. --- ## WHERE ARE WE KIKI-ING? [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/07/IMG_2647-1.JPG)](https://www.phoenixmag.com/2024/07/04/2024-best-of-the-valley-people-media/?ref=lookoutnews.org#:~:text=Best%20Source%20for,LOOKOUT%20Newsletter) We're celebrating our win this week as **Phoenix Magazine*'s [Best Source for LGBTQ+ News](https://www.phoenixmag.com/2024/07/04/2024-best-of-the-valley-people-media/?ref=lookoutnews.org#:~:text=Best%20Source%20for,LOOKOUT%20Newsletter)! This is the second time our newsletter has won a "Best of" award. Last year, we won Best Newsletter from the **Phoenix New Times*. And we can't wait to keep showing people why we keep winning these awards! ## 🏳️‍🌈 UPCOMING KIKIS Have a community event coming up you want to advertise in *LOOKOUT* ? [**Email us**](mailto:newsletters@lookoutphx.org?subject=Event%20info%20for%20newsletter&body=null)**.** - **July 1-31 -** Brick Road Coffee is offering customers to round up their purchases, where all the money will go to Trans Spectrum Arizona. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C9TN4EdBvds/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Fri. July 12 -** She/They Kickball has an open practice tonight in Encanto Park. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C9PutnyJMOy/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Fri. July 12 -** Free Birdz invites people to join them at the anime and horror expo tonight. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C8u2hcGyixn/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sat. July 13 -** The folks at SW Recovery and Sex Workers of Phoenix are putting on a "sexy car wash" as a fundraiser. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C8-Ro9py0Og/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink) - **Sat. July 13 -** A vintage market is being held at Phoenix Beer Co. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C8qMSWMPqHI/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Mon. July 15 -** Writing in the Margins launches their weeklong writing workshops for queer youths in Tucson at the Blacklidge Community Center. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C828PhLSGCd/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Tues. July 16 -** One n' Ten hosts a job search class for people aged 14-24\. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C9QRKqDP2B6/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Tues. July 16 -** Gracie's Tax Bar and Wilson Camera host a disposable camera decorating party. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C9NuTMWP25H/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Thurs. July 18 -** YourHealth Wellness opens their offices at The Royale. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C9Q95FyPCau/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Fri. July 19 -** Dirty Bits has another performance at Walter Studios. [**Info**](https://seeticketsus.queue-it.net/?c=seeticketsus&e=seeticketssafetynet&ver=v3-javascript-3.7.4&cver=1319&man=SeeTickets.us%20Safety%20Net&t=https%3A%2F%2Fwl.seetickets.us%2Fevent%2Fdirty-bits-arizona-only-adult-r-rated-storytelling-show%2F609212%3Fafflky%3DWalterStudios%26utm%5Fsource%3Dhive%26utm%5Fmedium%3Demail%26utm%5Fcampaign%3Dhive%5Femail%5Fid%5F319678%5Fwalter-studios-weekend-71024%26h%5Fsid%3D66218568fd-59cebb336741a9e4e93c33f6%26h%5Fslt%3DeyJoaXZlX3VzZXJfaWQiOjk1NjU4OTksImhhc2giOiJmMzhjYzE5ZTIyNDA2NGEifQ%253D%253D&kupver=cloudflare-1.2.3&ref=lookoutnews.org) - **Sat. July 20 -** Crescent Ballroom throws a Charli XCX dance party. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C9QN71cScRd/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sun. July 21 -** *LOOKOUT* hosts it's second Summer of Solutions event at One-n'-Ten's offices. The conversation will be on queer students and their parents navigating school. This event is FREE! **[Info](https://www.eventcreate.com/e/summerofsolutionsjuly?ref=lookoutnews.org)** - **Mon. July 22 -** One-n'-Ten offers a back to school event to provide gender-affirming clothing, school supplies, and wellness activities. [**Info**](https://www.canva.com/design/DAGIm-qe4R8/6-0ugYO7ZZ-FeEYIp0AM%5FA/edit?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **Sun. Jun 28 -** The folks at Babes Who Walk are hosting a networking event. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C9LxtZ0Pf63/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) --- ## THE WEEKLY KIKI Play "The Weekly Kiki" every week to be entered into drawings for exclusive **LOOKOUT* swag. The more times you play, the more chances you get to win! The next drawing will be July 30. **Rules:** 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 by replying to this email. GL\_ \_ \_ B\_ \_ \_ \_ \*Hint: The first MLB Player to came out as gay after his retirement in 1982 from the Oakland A's and Los Angeles Dodgers. [Email your answer with your city](mailto:newsletters@lookoutphx.org) ### Last Week's answer: MONICA HELMS ### Last week's winner: Sheila K. (Phoenix), Matt S. (Phoenix) ### Conversion therapy is thriving in Arizona URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/conversion-therapy-is-thriving-in-arizona/ Last updated: 2025-02-18T03:18:55.000Z **In this week's newsletter: How conversion therapists across the state practice without a license; A gay prom for our elders; Abuse of HIV positive people in ICE detention facilities; Indigenous Pride in Pinal County; And a new *In-Queer-sitive* game for the week!** --- ## According to data from the [National Center for Lesbian Rights](https://www.nclrights.org/?ref=lookoutnews.org), licensed therapists make up only about a third of conversion therapists currently practicing in the United States. In Arizona, one organization has been tracking who they are. Matthew Shurka, the co-founder of the [Born Perfect program](https://bornperfect.org/?ref=lookoutnews.org), which identifies conversion therapists, said his organization is tracking upwards of 90 people who practice the discredited treatment across the state. More than 60 of them are doing so without a license. In partnership with KJZZ, listen to our story on how that's possible: [Without licenses, conversion therapists in Arizona operate with relative impunity.A national organization is tracking more than 90 active conversion therapists in Arizona, majority dof whom do not have a license.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/08/lookout-favicon@4x.png)LOOKOUTJosephine Jaye McAuliffe (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w1200/2024/07/AdobeStock_299803128.jpeg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/conversion-therapy-in-arizona-without-a-license/) This piece is the last in our series on conversion therapy across the Grand Canyon State. We've uncovered how one counseling center, Family Strategies, in Mesa was started by and currently run by conversion therapists. We also looked at how the terminology has changed over the past few years in an attempt to bypass laws. But probably the strongest story that didn't get as much hype, was that the board that oversees the licensing of these people has yet to do anything about it. After our reporting, the agency in charge, The Arizona Board of Behavioral Examiners, still had not taken action against the people *LOOKOUT* identified. [State regulators consider conversion therapy “unprofessional conduct,” but so far have not prevented it.Despite local counselors advertising different kinds of conversion therapies online, no one has been investigated for it.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/08/lookout-favicon@4x.png)LOOKOUTJosephine Jaye McAuliffe (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/04/ConvtherapyIllo-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizona-board-behavioral-health-conversion-therapy/) We'll continue to keep an eye on this story, but if you or someone you know has experienced this, feel free to respond back to this email directly. --- ## 🌵 LOCAL NEWS - **NAVAJO PRIDE:** Navajo Nation celebrated their queer communities with a local Pride celebration that showed the tribe's long history of honoring 2-spirit people. [**AZ Mirror**](https://azmirror.com/2024/07/03/indigenous-2slgtbq-people-find-pride-within-culture-tradition-and-community/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **HIGH MARKS:** ValleyWise Health was named "LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equity Leader" for the sixth year in a row in the Human Rights Campaign's Equality Index. There are 33 medical facilities across the state also named in the report. [**Human Rights Campaign**](https://reports.hrc.org/hei-2024?ref=lookoutnews.org#arizona) - **PROJECT 2025:** Haven't heard about the far-right plan to revamp America as a Christian nation? Take a look to learn more about how it will affect Arizonans. [**Copper Courier**](https://www.tiktok.com/@coppercourier/video/7382667849996750126?ref=lookoutnews.org) ## 🇺🇸 NATIONAL NEWS - **HIV DISCRIMINATION:** Immigrants who are HIV positive or LGBTQ+ experience a high rate of abuse, sexual assault and discrimination, a new study found. [**Verite**](https://veritenews.org/2024/07/03/abuse-lgbtq-hiv-positive-immigration-detention/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **YOUTHS CHARGED:** Four minors are being charged with aggravated assault after attacking two LGBTQ+ students at Michigan State University. [**WILX-10**](https://www.wilx.com/2024/07/05/4-minors-charged-alleged-role-anti-lgbt-attack-msu-library/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **COMMUNITY GROWTH:** People identifying as LGBT have grown year over year, with 2023 being the highest number of adults who identified as such. [**Statista**](https://www.statista.com/statistics/719674/american-adults-who-identify-as-homosexual-bisexual-or-transgender/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **ELDER PROM:** For those who didn't get a chance to celebrate when they were younger, elder LGBTQ+ proms bring an opportunity to dance the night away with their sweethearts. [**Washington Post**](https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2024/07/06/lgbtq-elder-gay-prom-senior/?ref=lookoutnews.org) --- ## ****IN-QUEER-SITIVE** Test your knowledge of this week in queer news! Answer the question below related to a story in this week's newsletter and get entered into a raffle to win **LOOKOUT* swag at the end of each month. The more times you play, the more chances you get to win! ## What is the 2023 percentage rate of American adults who identify as LGBTQ+? \*Hint, it's in our national news section. [Submit your answer here](mailto:newsletters@lookoutphx.org) ### **Last week's question:** What is the name of the Presidential candidate from Indiana who local Senate candidate Mario Garcia was pictured with? ### **Last week's answer: Felipe Rios** **Hi friends...** ### West Phoenix Dem candidate cozies up with anti-LGBTQ+ politician URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/west-phoenix-dem-candidate-cozies-up-with-anti-lgbtq-politician/ Last updated: 2025-03-05T19:28:45.000Z Arizona Senate candidate for the western region of Phoenix Mario Garcia posed for numerous pictures alongside an Indiana Republican who is campaigning for a seat in his state promoting anti-LGBTQ+ laws, including a ban same-sex marriage. Garcia is a Maryvale resident who hopes to push Rep. Annalise Ortiz out during the primaries later this month. Ortiz currently represents the region in the House of Representatives and is also a member of the LGBTQ+ caucus. *LOOKOUT* and the *Arizona Agenda* previously identified Garcia as being friendly with other far-right candidates such as Kari Lake. The recent photos show his relationship with another far-right candidate continues. On his Facebook page, Garcia posted a recording of him taken by Abel Valencia, a Phoenix resident who actively promotes Felipe Rios, an Indiana Republican who is campaigning against abortion, the Affordable Care Act, and has an anti-LGBTQ+ platform. Garcia posed alongside Rios and Valencia in multiple photos, including at the State Capitol and what appears to be Garcia's campaign headquarters. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/07/Screenshot-2024-07-03-at-11.31.37-AM-1.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/07/Screenshot-2024-07-03-at-11.31.01-AM.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/07/Screenshot-2024-07-03-at-11.30.00-AM.png) (1) Mario Garcia, third from left, is pictured next to Felipe Rios and Abel Valencia, third from right. (2) Garcia, left, pictured with Rios, center, and Valencia, right. (3) Valencia, front, takes a photo with Garcia. Rios is also on the November ballot for Indiana's House of Representatives, and on his campaign website, he pledged to not enforce the Affordable Care Act in the state, support a full ban on abortion from the moment of conception, and enforce a "traditional" marriage between man and woman. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/07/Screenshot-2024-07-03-at-11.35.19-AM.png) A screenshot from Felipe Rios's website for his campaign to the Indiana House of Representatives. Earlier this year, *LOOKOUT* and *Arizona Agenda* reported that LD24 Democratic candidate Mario Garcia was seen pictured at Republican fundraisers with far-right governor candidate Kari Lake, as well as promoted some of her events on his personal Facebook pages. [A Democrat running against an LGBTQ+ Caucus member has a history of promoting far-right RepublicansLeaked images show that Mario Garcia, who is running for a Senate seat to represent Maryvale and Glendale, has shared online posts and photos from candidates such as Kari Lake and Gary Snyder.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/08/lookout-favicon@4x.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w1200/2024/04/Garcia-story.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizona-phoenix-elections-garcia-kari-lake/) Garcia said that he didn't affiliate with Kari Lake, and that it was just circumstance when they were pictured together. “Claims that I support Kari Lake and am a secret Republican are unequivocally false,” Garcia told us in earlier reporting. “I met Kari Lake at a business conference with hundreds of other attendees. I've lived in this community for 17 years and have known her as a TV anchor. I do not support Kari Lake or endorse her campaign. I support Ruben Gallego for the Senate seat entirely. Merely posing for a photo does not align me with her extremism.” That turned out to be a lie, since we found out the event he posed with her was a fundraiser for Lake and other Republicans. The recent pictures with Rios give more credence to the allegations from Garcia's opponent that he is not, indeed, a Democrat. After our reporting, Garcia's campaign manager said he was unaware of his client's affiliations and dropped him. Garcia could not be reached for comment by publication. [Tip Jar](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tip-jar/) **Before you go...** *LOOKOUT* is on the struggle bus these days, but we're doing our best to make ends meet and continue pushing forward. We're consistently winning incredible awards that honor our work in the community, and we strive every day to figure out how to make your voice heard in the democratic process. **But we can't do that if we don't exist.** If you can, [ donate by clicking here](https://lookout-publications.fundjournalism.org/lookout-publications-1) and help queer Arizonans feel seen, heard, and empowered to stand up for their rights. ### A hate group's influence in Tucson URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-hate-groups-influence-in-tucson-2/ Last updated: 2024-08-06T19:51:18.000Z Early this past June, the Reid Park Zoo in Tucson planned to host a Pride night open to the public. On its invite page, the zoo said it was going to have opportunities for youth and their parents to "search for the whole rainbow of colors," and there would be "incredible performances" by three local drag queens. But a week later, the zoo quietly removed the mention of any drag, and told the three performers that they wouldn't be working the event due to security reasons. Specifically , there were "threats to the staff and animals," according to Isis. D. Frost, one of the drag performers who was slated to perform. The other two performers, Kriss Dikay and Roxi Starr, both confirmed that the zoo told them there were threats made against them and they cancelled the event. Online, the group Gays Against Groomers-Arizona took credit for the change. The local chapter is part of a national LGBTQ+ group aligned with other hate groups such as Moms for Liberty, or far-right political groups like Turning Point USA. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/07/Screenshot-2024-07-09-at-10.31.54-AM.png) The organization is made up of almost exclusively Republicans, and have built a reputation on calling members within their community pedophiles for performing drag in public. When confronted on the threats to staff or animal safety, Robert Wallace, the local chapter leader, said it wasn't coming from his group and denounced any violence. Neither the zoo nor Wallace would offer up the email chain sent by GAG that influenced why the zoo canceled its drag performance. Which makes it questionable on who is telling the truth: did the zoo, indeed, get threats to their safety, or did they just not want bad press from far-right news outlets, considering GAG's social media reach? However it played out between the two, the victims in this story are the drag performers who not only lost a job, but continue to be the punching bag for our community. Larry Cook, who performs as Roxi Starr, said he was unaware that the group was responsible for his performance being cancelled. After reviewing Wallace's statement as well as the zoo's public response, he said he understood why the zoo cancelled, but didn't feel that they stood up for them. He said that it's time the community stood up for itself more publicly. When performer Kriis DiKay was shown the posts made by Gays Against Groomers that praised their efforts to remove the show, it was upsetting, but noticed that it could spark action. "I was not aware of the bragging, which can easily push us to a movement," DiKay said. [Tip Jar](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tip-jar/) ### Without licenses, conversion therapists in Arizona operate with relative impunity. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/conversion-therapy-in-arizona-without-a-license/ Last updated: 2025-03-05T19:28:50.000Z For years, Elena Joy Thurston thought love wasn't real, and everyone else was faking it. So in 2017, when she realized she had feelings for another woman, she was elated. Conversion therapists operate without licenses by LOOKOUT + KJZZ 0:00 /269.666438 1× “All of a sudden falling in love, feeling all those things that they talked about in romance novels and movies and such, and actually realizing it was—people actually do experience this,” she said. But Elena was a member of the Church of Latter Day Saints, and she was already married to a man. For three weeks, Elena secretly texted and met up with the woman she fell for. When her husband found out, Elena believed she had to confess and repent to her Bishop; If he forgave her, she would be free of sin. --- ### Read more from our investigation into conversion therapy across Arizona: [Arizona counselors use “sex addiction” to practice conversion therapy, critics say.A LOOKOUT investigation finds that a specific group of religious-based counselors are possibly violating their certifications and licenses.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/08/lookout-favicon@4x.png)LOOKOUTJosephine Jaye McAuliffe (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w1200/2024/05/SEXADDICITIONILLO.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizona-counselors-practice-sex-addiction-conversion-therapy/) [State regulators consider conversion therapy “unprofessional conduct,” but so far have not prevented it.Despite local counselors advertising different kinds of conversion therapies online, no one has been investigated for it.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/08/lookout-favicon@4x.png)LOOKOUTJosephine Jaye McAuliffe (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/04/ConvtherapyIllo-1.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizona-board-behavioral-health-conversion-therapy/) [An executive order last year aimed to curb conversion therapy, but a handful of counselors still practice it.LOOKOUT identified local counselors and therapists in the state who practice new forms of conversion therapy despite an executive order that aimed to limit counselor’s resources.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/08/lookout-favicon@4x.png)LOOKOUTJosephine Jaye McAuliffe (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w1200/2024/02/Lede-image.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/conversion-therapy-arizona/) --- “I was told I wasn't making any progress,” she said. “And a friend told me, ‘There's a guy in town. I think he fixes this stuff. Do you want to talk to him?’” That guy was Wayne Johnson, and Elena went to him to try and change her sexuality through a process known as conversion therapy. For six months, she spent eight hours a week with him. Wayne's process involves talking through Elena's childhood memories, searching for a moment where a man might have traumatized her. But it didn't work, and when Elena shared traumatic experiences with Johnson over and over again without feeling any change in her sexuality, she began spiraling into depression and suicidal thoughts. As it turns out, Johnson wasn't actually a therapist at all, at least not a licensed one. Elena says he described himself as a mental health coach. Johnson didn't respond to a request for comment on this story. According to data from the National Center for Lesbian Rights, licensed therapists make up only about a third of conversion therapists currently practicing in the United States. “In Arizona, we're tracking 32 licensed conversion therapists that are active and 62 unlicensed,” said Matthew Shurka, the co-founder of the Born Perfect program, which identifies conversion therapists. Those unlicensed conversion therapists include ministers and church leaders, as well as life coaches like Wayne Johnson, and most conversion therapy bands in the United States only affect licensed medical providers. Arizona's Board of Behavioral Health examiners already considers conversion therapy to be unprofessional conduct and counselors found doing it could lose their license to practice. However, the loss of a license doesn't mean they have to stop working with clients. [Tip Jar](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tip-jar/) One prominent Arizona conversion therapist Floyd Godfrey worked as a licensed counselor for more than two decades and founded Family Strategies Counseling Center in Mesa. In a video recorded for the group, Parents and Friends of Ex-Gays, Godfrey described his belief that trauma and a lack of proper attachments growing up was the cause of being gay. Godfrey lost his license in 2023, after the board received four sexual harassment complaints against him. Today, Godfrey advertises himself as an unlicensed mental health coach, offering sessions to help clients with unwanted same sex attraction. Godfrey denied the harassment allegations in an emailed statement. Shortly afterwards, Family Strategies sent a cease and desist letter barring *LOOKOUT* from contacting any of its staff. **Before you go...** *LOOKOUT* is on the struggle bus these days, but we're doing our best to make ends meet and continue pushing forward. We're consistently winning incredible awards that honor our work in the community, and we strive every day to figure out how to make your voice heard in the democratic process. **But we can't do that if we don't exist.** If you can, [ donate by clicking here](https://lookout-publications.fundjournalism.org/lookout-publications-1) and help queer Arizonans feel seen, heard, and empowered to stand up for their rights. ### Kiki with LOOKOUT! URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/kiki-with-lookout/ Last updated: 2024-07-05T21:39:44.000Z #### Letter from the Editor. Hello Kiki readers- Summer in Southern Arizona is especially painful, because it often feels like we're trapped inside our homes. That's why LOOKOUT is partnering with multiple organizations these next few months to do a talk series to get out of your house and socialize amongst like-minded (or even some not-so-like-minded) folks to grow your social circle. We call these events our Summer of Solutions events, and people have been raving online about them. If you missed our first one last month, it was all about the future of LGBTQ+ politics, where we took over Boycott Bar on Melrose and toasted each other while discussing some hard truths about politics in this state. At the end of this month, we have six people from all over Arizona coming to One-n'-Ten's offices on July 21 to discuss the joy of being a queer parent or the parent of a queer child, while also acknowledging the difficulties they face in education. It's sure to be an enlightening discussion, and we're honored that our friends at the **Arizona Mirror* are co-moderating the chat with us. If you want to go, tickets are very limited, and first dibs go to paid subscribers and donors. We hope to see you there! \-Joseph Darius Jaafari --- ## WHERE ARE WE KIKI-ING? ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/07/IMG_7410-1.jpeg) A photo from our last Summer of Solutions event at Boycott Bar, where people gathered around Steve May to discuss the future of politics and how queer communities can get involved. ## 🏳️‍🌈 UPCOMING KIKIS Have a community event coming up you want advertise in *LOOKOUT* ? [**Email us**](mailto:newsletters@lookoutphx.org?subject=Event%20info%20for%20newsletter&body=null)**.** - **Fri. July 5 -** She/They Kickball League has an open practice tonight in Encanto park. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C87FaZIps2Y/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Fri. July 5 -** Paper Jam + Print, home to the folks at Saturn Hex and Wasted Ink Publishing, are open for First Friday for an open studio night. **[Info](https://www.instagram.com/p/C8uJJkbRE7P/?ref=lookoutnews.org)** - **Sat. July 6** \- Selector Saturdays at Sauvage has Richie DJ-ing at night. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C85E7IVy-UZ/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sat. July 6 -** St. Philip's Plaza Market in Tucson, featuring local vendors. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C85MWUbSj78/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sun. July 7 -** Marigold is doing a Sunday storytelling event at Afternoons Studios. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C8XcNHtPHXq/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Wed. July 10 -** TSAZ hosts a button-making party. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C87hZdFtO3A/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Thurs. July 11 -** Stacey's on Melrose hosts a fetish ball. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C8slK9qt3wT/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sat. July 13 -** The folks at SW Recovery and Sex Workers of Phoenix are putting on a "sexy car wash" as a fundraiser. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C8-Ro9py0Og/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink) - **Mon. July 15 -** Writing in the Margins launches their weeklong writing workshops for queer youths in Tucson at the Blacklidge Community Center. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C828PhLSGCd/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sun. July 21 -** *LOOKOUT* hosts it's second Summer of Solutions event at One-n'-Ten's offices. The conversation will be on queer student and parent joy. **[Info](https://www.eventcreate.com/e/summerofsolutionsjuly?ref=lookoutnews.org)** - **Fri. July 19 -** Dirty Bits has another performance. To sign up to perform, visit their Instagram. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8nXAHvSsfF/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Mon. July 22 -** One-n'-Ten offers a back to school event to provide gender-affirming clothing, school supplies, and wellness activities. [**Info**](https://www.canva.com/design/DAGIm-qe4R8/6-0ugYO7ZZ-FeEYIp0AM%5FA/edit?ref=lookoutnews.org) --- ## THE WEEKLY KIKI Play "The Weekly Kiki" every week to be entered into drawings for exclusive **LOOKOUT* swag. The more times you play, the more chances you get to win! The next drawing will be July 30. **Rules:** 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 by replying to this email. \_ \_ \_I\_A \_ \_L\_ \_ \*Hint: The name of the woman who created the transgender flag, and debuted it at Phoenix Pride at the parade in 2000\. [Email your answer with your city](mailto:newsletters@lookoutphx.org) ### Last Week's answer: JAMES "JIM" KOLBE ### Last week's winner: Sheila K. (Phoenix), Clark O. ### Last month's winner: Todd L. (Phoenix) ### The MAGA Democrat, pt. 2 URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/mario-garcia-continues-promoting-far-right-republicans/ Last updated: 2026-08-16T19:52:01.000Z **In this week's newsletter: LD24 Candidate Mario Garcia continues taking pictures with anti-LGBTQ+ people; An ally in Arizona works to make the state better; How line dancing is bringing communities together in Georgia; And a new *In-Queer-sitive* game for the week!** --- **STRANGE BEDFELLOWS:** Earlier this year, *LOOKOUT* and *Arizona Agenda* reported that LD24 Democratic candidate Mario Garcia was seen pictured at Republican fundraisers with Kari Lake, as well as promoted some of her events on his personal Facebook pages. After our reporting, Garcia's campaign manager said he was unaware of his client's affiliations and dropped him. But the Maryvale resident has continued his bid to represent the district and push out Rep. Annalise Ortiz, who currently represents the region in the House of Representatives and is also a member of the LGBTQ+ caucus. As of this past week, though, *LOOKOUT* was alerted by a resident that Garcia continues being seen with far-right candidates and supporters of them. On his Facebook page, Garcia posted a recording of him taken by Abel Valencia, a Phoenix resident who has promoted the Presidential race of Felipe Rios, an Indiana Republican who is campaigning against abortion, the Affordable Care Act, and has an anti-LGBTQ+ platform. Garcia posed alongside Rios and Valencia in multiple photos, including at the State Capitol and what appears to be Garcia's campaign headquarters. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/07/Screenshot-2024-07-03-at-11.31.37-AM-1.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/07/Screenshot-2024-07-03-at-11.31.01-AM.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/07/Screenshot-2024-07-03-at-11.30.00-AM.png) (1) Mario Garcia, third from left, is pictured next to Felipe Rios and Abel Valencia, third from right. (2) Garcia, left, pictured with Rios, center, and Valencia, right. (3) Valencia, front, takes a photo with Garcia. Rios is also on the November ballot for Indiana's House of Representatives, and on his campaign website, he pledged to not enforce the Affordable Care Act in the state, support a full ban on abortion from the moment of conception, and enforce a "traditional" marriage between man and woman. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/07/Screenshot-2024-07-03-at-11.35.19-AM.png) A screenshot from Felipe Rios's website for his campaign to the Indiana House of Representatives. Garcia could not be reached for comment by publication. **LOOKOUT'S TAKE:** In our past reporting, Garcia said that he didn't affiliate with Kari Lake, and that it was just circumstance when they were pictured together. “Claims that I support Kari Lake and am a secret Republican are unequivocally false,” Garcia told us in earlier reporting. “I met Kari Lake at a business conference with hundreds of other attendees. I've lived in this community for 17 years and have known her as a TV anchor. I do not support Kari Lake or endorse her campaign. I support Ruben Gallego for the Senate seat entirely. Merely posing for a photo does not align me with her extremism.” That turned out to be a lie, since we found out the event he posed with her was a fundraiser for Lake and other Republicans. The recent pictures with Rios give more credence to the allegations from Garcia's opponent that he is not, indeed, a Democrat. The Clean Elections debate between Garcia and Annalise Ortiz is slated for next week on July 12\. *LOOKOUT* Executive Director Jake Hylton will be moderating. You can read our original story on Garcia below. [A Democrat running against an LGBTQ+ Caucus member has a history of promoting far-right RepublicansLeaked images show that Mario Garcia, who is running for a Senate seat to represent Maryvale and Glendale, has shared online posts and photos from candidates such as Kari Lake and Gary Snyder.![](https://www.lookoutphx.org/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/08/lookout-favicon@4x.png)LOOKOUTJoseph Darius Jaafari (he/him)![](https://www.lookoutphx.org/content/images/size/w1200/2024/04/Garcia-story.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizona-phoenix-elections-garcia-kari-lake/) --- ## 🌵 LOCAL NEWS - **ALLYSHIP:** Jeremy Helfgot, a local activist and spokesperson for Phoenix Pride, was profiled in a lengthy story about why he stands up for queer Arizonans. [**Arizona Republic**](https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/life/arizona-people/2024/06/30/jeremy-helfgot-lgbtq-ally-phoenix-arizona/74142814007/?ref=lookoutnews.org) ## 🇺🇸 NATIONAL NEWS - **CLEVELAND HISTORY:** Next year will be the 50th anniversary of the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland, a major milestone for one of the nation's oldest queer centers. [**ABC5 Cleveland**](https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/local-news/oh-cuyahoga/cleveland-is-home-to-one-of-the-oldest-lgbt-community-centers-in-the-nation-theyre-about-to-hit-a-milestone?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **LINE DANCING:** How line dancing in Georgia is a welcome event for queers and allies. [**CBS News**](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/line-dancing-pride-alpharetta-georgia-brimstone/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **BIDEN FLIPS:** The White House made a statement against some gender-affirming care for minors this week. [**The 19th\*** ](https://19thnews.org/2024/07/white-house-statement-gender-affirming-surgery-minors/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **NEW YORK BAN:** Nassau County in New York banned trans women from organized sports leagues, including recreational social leagues, such as ones organized by LGBTQ+ groups. [**them**](https://www.them.us/story/nassau-county-transgender-athletes-bans-facilities?ref=lookoutnews.org) --- ## ****IN-QUEER-SITIVE** Test your knowledge of this week in queer news! Answer the question below related to a story in this week's newsletter and get entered into a raffle to win **LOOKOUT* swag at the end of each month. The more times you play, the more chances you get to win! ## What is the name of thePresidential candidate from Indiana who local Senate candidate Mario Garcia was pictured with? [Submit your answer here](mailto:newsletters@lookoutphx.org) ### **Last week's question:** What is the name of the gay man who was assaulted at a far-right festival in Phoenix this year? ### **Last week's answer: Rob Smith** **Hi friends...** ### Was your Pride month joyful? URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/was-your-pride-month-joyful/ Last updated: 2024-06-28T15:15:44.000Z #### Letter from the Editor. Happy Friday, **LOOKOUT* readers- I've been in Toronto for Pride week since Monday, and I have to say it's nice to be back in a city where the entire metro area celebrates with us; we're not simply relegated to a day, a fenced off park, or a walk down a non-major side street. It's these kinds of travels to cities where I recognize how far behind Arizonans are with celebrating its various populations, and how much work we at **LOOKOUT* have to do in changing hearts and minds about who makes up our community. Yes, I know what many of you will say (and have said to me): Arizona is not New York or California, and we will never be when it comes to open acceptance and celebration of LGBTQ+ people. But that's why we created **LOOKOUT.* We wanted to make an organization that believed Arizona could become that. For 17 months, we have worked to make this state a place that doesn't just welcome us, but celebrates us. We want leaders of the cities where we exist to ***want** to show off their support, not hide us or simply **allow* us to exist. Unfortunately, we have a long way to go before that happens. But we don't have to wait until then to celebrate each other! What did you do this Pride month that you found joyful? Or where did you go where you felt celebrated? Respond back to this email and let me know. \-Joseph Darius Jaafari --- ## WHERE ARE WE KIKI-ING? ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/06/IMG_4156.JPG) Last week, I volunteered to do drag for the first time in Los Angeles to help fundraise for the local chapter of the National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association at Akbar in Silverlake. Altogether, we raised $500 for queer journalists, and I was able to debut my drag persona: Abortia Clinique. Yes, it's crass. But not all drag is meant to be pretty (as evidenced in picture above). ## 🏳️‍🌈 UPCOMING KIKIS Have a community event coming up you want *LOOKOUT* to highlight? [**Email us**](mailto:newsletters@lookoutphx.org?subject=Event%20info%20for%20newsletter&body=null)**.** - **Fri. June 28 -** Tucson's Queer AF crew puts on an open mic night at the Downtown Clifton. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C7wybNhv1XE/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sat. June 29 -** Navajo Nation Pride holds their festival and market in Window Rock, Ariz. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C70J6CHpQCl/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sat. June 29 -** The Prism Network in Prescott holds their annual Pride picnic in the park. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C8U8jP4ppnU/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sat. June 29 -**Your Health is a doing a trans physical therapy session at their opening at The Royale. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C8Fvl2AyT7d/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sun. June 30 -** Semillas Arizona has a movement art night. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C8utReEPtDr/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sun. June 30 -** The folks at Every Body Lifting Club has a musical-themed workout session. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8knWipS%5FjR/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Wed. July 3 -** Fluid Array Foundation holds a "Bliss-Out," a safe space to come and open up (or just listen) about gender expression and sexuality. [**Info**](https://www.meetup.com/fluid-array-foundation/events/297037636/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **Sun. July 7 -** Marigold is doing a Sunday storytelling event at Afternoons Studios. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C8XcNHtPHXq/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Thurs. July 11-** Stacey's on Melrose hosts a fetish ball. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C8slK9qt3wT/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Fri. July 19 -** Dirty Bits has another performance. To sign up to perform, visit their Instagram. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8nXAHvSsfF/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) --- ## THE WEEKLY KIKI Same thing as our "Out of the Closet" game, just with a new name! Play "The Weekly Kiki" every week 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. **Rules:** 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 by replying to this email. \_A\_ \_ \_ "JIM" \_ \_LB\_ \*Hint: This Arizona Republican was the second openly gay congressional leader elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. He came out as gay in 1996 after voting for the Defense of Marriage Act, which barred same-sex couples from being recognized by the Federal government. ### Last Week's answer: INTERSEX ### Last week's winner: Anne M., Jamie H. (Phoenix), Zoe S., Sheila K. (Phoenix) ### Weekly Kiki: A hate group's influence in Tucson URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-hate-groups-influence-in-tucson/ Last updated: 2026-08-21T23:59:45.000Z **In this week's newsletter: The city's zoo cancelled a Pride event at the request of a far-right LGBTQ+ hate group; Being Gay and Republican during Pride month; The gay Republican harassed by MAGA folk in AZ speaks out; And a new *In-Queer-sitive* game for the week!** --- **LITERALLY "GAG"-GED:** This Friday, the Reid Park Zoo in Tucson planned to host a Pride night open to the public. On its invite page, the zoo said it was going to have opportunities for youth and their parents to "search for the whole rainbow of colors," and there would be "incredible performances" by three local drag queens. But a week later, the zoo quietly removed the mention of any drag, and told the three performers that they wouldn't be working the event due to security reasons. Specifically , there were "threats to the staff and animals," according to Isis. D. Frost, one of the drag performers who was slated to perform. The other two performers, Kriss Dikay and Roxi Starr, both confirmed that the zoo told them there were threats made against them and they cancelled the event. Online, the group Gays Against Groomers-Arizona took credit for the change. The local chapter is part of a national LGBTQ+ group aligned with other hate groups such as Moms for Liberty, or far-right political groups like Turning Point USA. The organization is made up of almost exclusively Republicans, and have built a reputation on calling members within their community pedophiles for performing drag in public. When confronted on the threats to staff or animal safety, Robert Wallace, the local chapter leader, said it wasn't coming from his group and denounced any violence. Neither the zoo nor Wallace would offer up the email chain sent by GAG that influenced why the zoo canceled its drag performance. Which makes it questionable on who is telling the truth: did the zoo, indeed, get threats to their safety, or did they just not want bad press from far-right news outlets, considering GAG's social media reach? However it played out between the two, the victims in this story are the drag performers who not only lost a job, but continue to be the punching bag for our community. Larry Cook, who performs as Roxi Starr, said he was unaware that the group was responsible for his performance being cancelled. After reviewing Wallace's statement as well as the zoo's public response, he said he understood why the zoo cancelled, but didn't feel that they stood up for them. He said that it's time the community stood up for itself more publicly. When performer Kriis DiKay was shown the posts made by Gays Against Groomers that praised their efforts to remove the show, it was upsetting, but noticed that it could spark action. "I was not aware of the bragging, which can easily push us to a movement," DiKay said. **LOOKOUT'S TAKE:** There needs to be a bit of a [history lesson](https://theconversation.com/calling-drag-queens-groomers-and-pedophiles-is-the-latest-in-a-long-history-of-weaponising-those-terms-against-the-lgbtiqa-community-205648?ref=lookoutnews.org) in the term "groomer." For one, the word has been tossed around so much in politics and talk shows that it has lost its meaning, [and has more insidious roots](https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-politics-and-policy/groomer-pedophile-old-tropes-find-new-life-anti-lgbtq-movement-rcna23931?ref=lookoutnews.org). "Grooming" a child is an act of sexual violence. [By definition](https://www.rainn.org/news/grooming-know-warning-signs?ref=lookoutnews.org), it is an action that tricks children and their families into trusting someone while they pursue sexual acts against a child. There are numerous examples of grooming, from various church leaders across the nation abusing young congregants to the lawsuits against Boy Scouts of America, which hid that adults were sexually abusing young boys. "Grooming" is a serious term that has serious consequences. That being said, when speaking to drag performers on this topic since the state first introduced a drag ban in the legislature last year, there has been considerable fear to push back against people who use the word against them. In one interview I had, a performer said she was threatened at her home and decided she wouldn't advocate for herself in public, anymore; she never called the police out of fear of the police having the same views. Another performer said that her tires were slashed outside a bar in Tucson, and was too afraid to call the police because her perception was that they also might not support her. So despite the reality that "grooming" isn't happening with drag, the consequences of using the term against the community are becoming real and dangerous for people being attacked with that label. --- ## 🌵 LOCAL NEWS - **STILL VOTING TRUMP: (opinion)** At the Turning Point USA fest in Phoenix, a gay Black Republican was jeered and verbally assaulted by a crowd of MAGA-folks. In Newsweek, he explains that he is still voting for Trump, despite the overwhelming shift of the party against him. [**Newsweek**](https://www.newsweek.com/i-was-target-racial-homophobic-harassment-maga-im-still-voting-trump-opinion-1915319?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **BEST BOOKS:** Antigone Bookstore in Tucson was rated one of the best LGBTQ+ bookstores in America. [**Oprah Daily**](https://www.oprahdaily.com/entertainment/books/a36741294/queer-lgbtq-owned-bookstores/?ref=lookoutnews.org) ## 🇺🇸 NATIONAL NEWS - **BIDEN PARDONS:** Biden is set to pardon thousands of ilitary service members who were convicted in a court martial for engaging in same-sex relationships. [**ABC News**](https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/president-biden-pardon-veterans-convicted-regulation-lgbt-members/story?id=111418033&ref=lookoutnews.org) - **GAY AND REPUBLICAN:** What's the history of conservatism among LGBTQ+ people? In a Vox one-on-one, an author with a new book explains the back story. [**VOX**](https://www.vox.com/politics/356033/gay-republican-lgbtq-pride-month-history-voter-election-2024?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **ELDER TROUBLES:** The aging LGBTQ+ community has considerable issues in maintaining their healthcare and struggle with isolation later in their life, studies find. [**NBC News**](https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/lgbtq-elders-struggle-health-care-housing-isolation-rcna158812?ref=lookoutnews.org) --- ## ****IN-QUEER-SITIVE** Test your knowledge of this week in queer news! Answer the question below related to a story in this week's newsletter and get entered into a raffle to win **LOOKOUT* swag at the end of each month. The more times you play, the more chances you get to win! ## What is the name of the gay man who was assaulted at a far-right festival in Phoenix this year? [Submit your answer here](mailto:newsletters@lookoutphx.org) ### **Last week's question:** What SPLC-designated hate group put on an event that the Maricopa County Attorney attended? ### **Last week's answer: Moms for Liberty** **DID YOU KNOW...** ### How Gay is Arizona? URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/how-gay-is-arizona/ Last updated: 2024-06-21T15:29:22.000Z #### Letter from the Editor- Happy Friday, **LOOKOUT* readers! I hope your Juneteenth holiday was restful and you had some time to celebrate with friends and family—or just take a day to do nothing! I spent the holiday (and the whole week, really) driving all around Arizona, so much so that I've logged roughly the length of the United States in mileage on my car. I've been doing this for two reasons: 1- We can't always afford a photographer to take photos for our stories, and instead of paying someone less than what they're worth (a common practice in newsrooms) we simply do it ourselves. I've been photographing people from a forthcoming story that we can't wait for you to read in mid-July. 2- If you remember last week, we mentioned that our third edition of **LOOKOUT* **Magazine* is available. Because we have a limited budget, we try to be strategic with where we place our zines that are free to the public. We scout out coffee shops, music venues, tea rooms, libraries, or medical offices in rural and suburban places where we know LGBTQ+ people and their allies visit, and where they feel safe to read about their community. Jake and I have been dropping stacks of magazines in locations just like those in our travels across the state. Why do we do this? Because Arizona is pretty damn gay. We have the fourth largest trans adult population and the the 14th largest LGBTQ+ population. We exist everywhere around here, and we want to make sure news for our community isn't concentrated in just Phoenix and Tucson. Do you know of a place where I should put our magazines? Respond back to this email and let me know! \-Joseph Darius Jaafari --- ## WHERE ARE WE KIKI-ING? ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/06/IMG_2144.JPG) There's only one week left to check out some incredible queer-made art made by locals and curated by the team at [thems](https://www.themsphx.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org). We went to the gallery opening at the beginning of the month to see the local art on display and its quite fabulous. The art is being housed inside [Afternoons Studios](https://www.afternoonsstudio.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org) in Phoenix till the end of the month. ## 🏳️‍🌈 UPCOMING KIKIS Have a community event coming up you want *LOOKOUT* to highlight? [**Email us**](mailto:newsletters@lookoutphx.org?subject=Event%20info%20for%20newsletter&body=null)**.** - **Fri. June 21 -** Crescent Ballroom is putting on a Chappell Roan dance party. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C7-co8aJVUF/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Fri. June 21-** Gracie's Tax bar is throwing a queer goth night. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C8XrO9PSbOW/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **Sat. June 22 -** Jews for Pride are holding a Pride Shabbat Bagel Lunch. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C8Ic9QESjz7/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sat. June 22-** The Tucson folks at Queer AF are holding a Pride pool party at the AC Hotel. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C8IJ7KivpkK/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sun. June 23-** The Valley Ho is putting on a pool party in benefit of Phoenix Pride. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C8acuVdIs0n/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink) - **Sun. June 23-** Lets Get Real Counseling is hosting a workshop for people recovering from religious trauma. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C8QtHLpx3%5Fx/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **Wed. June 26 -** The group at thems is putting together another Fruity Poetry Night. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C8NKPkiPH4B/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink) - **Thurs. June 27 -** Join SW Center in event to celebrate your health and wellness at the Parson's Center. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C7e56z6yyR4/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Thurs. June 27 -** PEN America is hosting a conversation at Bookman's in Phoenix on debunking misinformation, including surrounding and within the LGBTQ+ community. [**Info**](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/trusted-messenger-conversation-workshop-tickets-920376219047?aff=oddtdtcreator&ref=lookoutnews.org) - **Fri. June 28-** Tucson's Queer AF crew puts on an open mic night at the Downtown Clifton. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C7wybNhv1XE/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sat. June 29-** Navajo Nation Pride holds their festival and market in Window Rock, Ariz. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C70J6CHpQCl/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sat. June 29 -**Your Health is a doing a trans physical therapy session at their opening at The Royale. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C8Fvl2AyT7d/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Wed. July 3 -** Fluid Array Foundation holds a "Bliss-Out," a safe space to come and open up (or just listen) about gender expression and sexuality. [**Info**](https://www.meetup.com/fluid-array-foundation/events/297037636/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **Sun. July 7 -** Marigold is doing a Sunday storytelling event at Afternoons Studios. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C8XcNHtPHXq/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) --- ## THE WEEKLY KIKI Same thing as our "Out of the Closet" game, just with a new name! Play "The Weekly Kiki" every week 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. **Rules:** 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 I\_T\_ \_ \_ \_ \_ \*Hint: This group of people have been added to the Progress Pride flag in the form of a yellow patch with a purple circle. They're also the "I" in LGBTQIA. ### Last Week's answer: FLAGSTAFF ### Last week's winner: Sheila K (Phoenix) ### A somber Pride anniversary URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/mid-month-pride-update/ Last updated: 2024-06-14T22:00:43.000Z #### Letter from the Editor Hi **LOOKOUT* family and friends- It's been an incredibly busy Pride month so far at **LOOKOUT.* We've been jumping around to multiple conferences trying to schmooze with funders and champions of independent news to make sure that our readers and followers—almost 12,000 of you strong!—continue to receive the news you all have told us you trust and appreciate. Just like at any conference, there are multiple opportunities to do dreaded "ice-breakers." Personally, I don't mind them, but I can appreciate the grievances from people being forced into a trust fall. For one icebreaker, someone asked how I got into journalism; I shied away from the question, because it's not the kind of story you tell to those you're asking money from. But afterward, I realized that it's probably the kind of story our readers want to know, because it gives a perspective of why I started **LOOKOUT* in the first place. To put it plainly: My sister is to blame. When I was 14 years old, my oldest sister, Melanie, was diagnosed with lupus, an autoimmune disease. I will never forget the late-night arguments my mother had with the health insurance company for dropping Melanie because her illness was a "pre-existing condition," and after months of caring for her in California and eventually moving her home, she died a year later at Tucson's University Medical Center. She was only 26 years old, and it still hurts my heart when I drive by the campus, to the point where I avoid driving by it when I'm in the city. My sister was my biggest champion and always knew I would come out in my own time. She lived an extravagant and fabulous life in Santa Monica. She went to Pride parades dressed in pink boas so large they dragged behind her as she walked down La Cienega. She collected gay men like she collected pink wigs and sequined tube tops. Her treasures were a collection of **X-Men* magazines she stole from a Phoenix comic store in the 90's, and a pair of pink Miu Miu pumps. After she died, though, I drove deep into my own homophobia, as I lost the one protector I thought I could feel safe with. I eventually got over that shame when I moved to Los Angeles with my other sister, and I happily (and safely) came out while living in Long Beach. But I had never learned from anyone what healthy boundaries were, or what being safe with my heart and my body looked like. The one person who would poke fun saying she would "teach me the ways" was gone, and I didn't have the family support to ask the questions I needed to ask. I made mistakes, said awful things and did even worse things. And years later one morning—very hungover and coming down off of a cocktail of drugs—I woke up behind a dumpster that had become my de facto home-base for a few weeks. I knew I wanted to make sure no one ended up like that. This story cuts different this month, because this week is the anniversary of when she died. At the time, I didn't realize why—a week before she died—she wanted me to come in her room so she could practice doing makeup on me and us listening to RuPaul's album together. It was because Pride month was when she felt most loved by the family she chose to be around, and it warms me knowing that I was part of that small group of people. I hope you take the time to visit some of the events below over the next month. Never forget that you are wanted here, you're needed here, and you belong to a powerful community. You just need to show up for it. \-Joseph Darius Jaafari --- ## WHERE ARE WE KIKI-ING? ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/06/IMG_7404-1.jpeg) Last weekend, we gathered together at Boycott Bar in the Melrose District to discuss the future of LGBTQ+ politics for the first in our Summer of Solutions series. If you missed the first one, don't worry! We have four more planned for the summer. Keep tuned here to learn about them. ## 🏳️‍🌈 UPCOMING KIKIS Have a community event coming up you want *LOOKOUT* to highlight? [**Email us**](mailto:newsletters@lookoutphx.org?subject=Event%20info%20for%20newsletter&body=null)**.** - **Fri. June 14 -** If you're in northern Arizona, check out the Flagstaff Pride Film Festival in collaboration with Flagstaff Pride, the Flagstaff Film Festival, and Arizona Women's Film Festival. [**Info**](https://www.facebook.com/events/s/pride-film-showcase/383980727374852/?rdid=cCXxSzhopi5jcmwB&share%5Furl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2Fc7r484bnF5ACBWoW%2F) - **Fri. June 14 -** Thundercat Lounge is hosting a Pride at Night Music Festival. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C8F2YS%5FKdOR/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Fri. June 14-** Art Culture AZ is putting on the unofficial (but first of its kind) Pride festival in Sunnyslope at 7 p.m. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C8GQYZBPqjG/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sat. June 15 -** Bisbee hosts their annual Pride festival. [**Info**](https://bisbeeprideaz.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **Sat. June 15 -** Phoenix Gaymers are meeting at Ripple's new community space for a game night. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C8EXTHeu5ug/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sat. June 15 -** Flagstaff's Pride in the Pines starts at 12\. [**Info**](https://flagstaffpride.org/pride-in-the-pines/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **Sun. June 16 -** Phoenix Pride hosts their annual awards ceremony. Come meet our Executive Director, Jake Hylton, who will be accepting the BJ Bud award on behalf of *LOOKOUT*. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C8Kkgl%5FJ8K4/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Mon. June 17** \- Human Rights Campaign-AZ is hosting a campaign event at Kobalt. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C8ICGVKvdPd/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Wed. June 19 -** Drag Story Hour-AZ is hosting a virtual Juneteenth storytime. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C8EGPHxNGv6/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Fri. June 21 -** Crescent Ballroom is putting on a Chappell Roan dance party. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C7-co8aJVUF/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sat. June 22 -** Jews for Pride are holding a Pride Shabbat Bagel Lunch. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C8Ic9QESjz7/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sat. June 22-** The Tucson folks at Queer AF are holding a Pride pool party at the AC Hotel. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C8IJ7KivpkK/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Wed. June 26 -** The group at thems is putting together another Fruity Poetry Night. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C8NKPkiPH4B/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink) - **Thurs. June 27 -** Join SW Center in event to celebrate your health and wellness at the Parson's Center. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C7e56z6yyR4/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Thurs. June 27 -** PEN America is hosting a conversation at Bookman's in Phoenix on debunking misinformation, including surrounding and within the LGBTQ+ community. [**Info**](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/trusted-messenger-conversation-workshop-tickets-920376219047?aff=oddtdtcreator&ref=lookoutnews.org) - **Fri. June 28-** Tucson's Queer AF crew puts on an open mic night at the Downtown Clifton. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C7wybNhv1XE/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sat. June 29-** Navajo Nation Pride holds their festival and market in Window Rock, Ariz. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C70J6CHpQCl/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sat. June 29 -**Your Health is a doing a trans physical therapy session at their opening at The Royale. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C8Fvl2AyT7d/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) --- ## THE WEEKLY KIKI Same thing as our "Out of the Closet" game, just with a new name! Play "The Weekly Kiki" every week 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. **Rules:** 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 \_LAG\_TA\_ \_ \*Hint: In 1992, this Northern AZ city held its first gay and lesbian music festival, which the county sheriff publicly denounced in the local newspaper. ### Last Week's answer: RUSTY WARREN ### Last week's winners: Sheila K (Phoenix) ### When they came for the teachers. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/community-leaders-argue-against-hb2310/ Last updated: 2024-06-12T15:21:16.000Z **In this week's newsletter: Advocates warn how a new bill could upend sex education in the state; LOOKOUT Magazine's third issue is now available; Remembering Randy Shilts; Fourteen queer-owned places to visit in Phoenix and Tucson; And a new *In-Queer-sitive* game for the week!** --- **DOG WHISTLES:** At the beginning of the legislative session, LGBTQ+ advocates raised concerns about a bill sponsored by Rep. Travis Grantham, a Gilbert Republican who has long voted alongside far-right house members, including in anti-LGBTQ+ bills. His bill, HB2310, was originally labeled an "anti-grooming" bill aiming to codify the term "grooming" as the distribution of sexual materials to a minor as a felony—something that already existed—but with harsher penalties for teachers or school staff. The bill was inspired by a young woman's story of how a school coach lured her into an assault. She told lawmakers she still has not received justice against her attacker. The term "grooming," though, holds a very specific meaning for lawmakers who Grantham promotes: almost always it's directed at LGBTQ+ people. Educators took notice, especially since there were a handful of other bills this legislative session aimed to further limit public education on gender and sex. Still, with a number of amendments made to the law such as removing the word "grooming" from the bill and putting in protections for medical workers—done with the guidance of the governor's office—the bill was eventually passed and signed by Gov. Katie Hobbs last month. But community advocates told us that the bill is still vague enough to be weaponized, and when they tried to sound the alarm, no one at the governor's office took their concerns seriously. Now, they say the bill gives a green light for far-right agitators to use the bill against teachers and librarians. [Read our story here](https://www.lookoutnews.org/how%5Fhb2310%5Farizona%5Faffects%5Fsex%5Feducation/) **LOOKOUT'S TAKE:** This has been a controversial bill from the start: Nobody in the community wanted to stand against an "anti-grooming" bill (the optics could look as if they might be "pro-grooming"). That shifted, though, in April when House Speaker Ben Toma called a drag storytelling event in the Capitol basement "perverse." Soon after, Sen. Anthony Kern (R-Glendale) went on a white nationalist talk show where the host alluded Toma to be a "groomer," himself. And then came the flood of social media comments saying that police should be called because children were being "sexualized" by an educational book about LGBTQ+ kids. After those accusations were thrown around, advocates in the community started to worry about all the possible scenarios of HB2310, which makes it a felony to distribute materials that could "entice" a child: if a parent saw something they disagreed with, could they call the police on that teacher; if a police officer held those same beliefs, could they arrest the instructor; if the prosecutor held anti-LGBTQ+ beliefs, could they push through a criminal charge? The answer is: maybe. But even if the answer was "highly unlikely," community leaders still worry because the bill offers no guardrails to stop the legal implications from happening once they start. --- ## 🌵 LOCAL NEWS - **LOOKOUT MAG:** Our latest issue of LOOKOUT Magazine is printed and available! Have a recommendation on where we should place them for the community? Reply back to this email with your ideas. And don't forget, paid subscribers and recurring annual donors get a copy mailed to their home. - **ABORTION ACCESS:** The abortion ban repeal was passed, but Arizona for Abortion Access continues to push for a more comprehensive and lenient law, with the help of hundreds of medical professionals. [**Arizona Mirror**](https://azmirror.com/2024/06/11/more-than-500-medical-professionals-back-az-abortion-access-act/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **TUCSON'S BEST QUEER SPOTS:** Instagram influencer accountEverywhereisQueer created a handy list of the seven best queer-owned spots to visit in Tucson this Pride month. [**Instagram**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C8DKO5Pyxuj/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **PHOENIX'S BEST, TOO:** And here are the seven queer-owned spots that Phoenix Magazine flagged you should be heading to this month. [**Phoenix Magazine**](https://www.phoenixmag.com/2024/06/06/pride-spotlight-7-local-lgbtq-owned-businesses-we-love/?ref=lookoutnews.org) ## 🇺🇸 NATIONAL NEWS - **FREE SPEECH?:** After revoking the license for a hate group's event in Fort Worth, Texas, the city reinstated their ability to host a "Protect Kids" event that discussed "the impact of LGBT ideology, the social contagion of transgenderism, and the dangers of pornography." [**Fort Worth Report**](https://fortworthreport.org/2024/06/05/fort-worth-event-on-lgbt-ideology-spurs-disputes-over-free-speech-community-center-use/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **RECORDED:** In a secretly recorded conversation with U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito Jr.'s wife, she complained about her neighbors hanging a Pride flag, and wanted to fly a Sacred Heart of Jesus flag in retort. [**New York Times**](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/10/us/politics/alito-pride-flag.html?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **GODLESS:** A member of Colorado's GOP said in a leaked email to all the caucus that LGBTQ+ people were "Godless," used an image that said "God hates Flags," and then urged people to burn all Pride flags. [**Denver Post**](https://www.denverpost.com/2024/06/07/colorado-republican-party-lgbt-pride-month/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **REMEMBER RANDY:** CBS-affiliate *KPIX* paid homage to Randy Shilts, a reporter for the *San Francisco Chronicle* in the 1980's who told the stories of the city's AIDS crisis, and oftentimes was the focus of his community's anger for doing so. Shilts wrote the preeminent book on the crisis called "And the Band Played On: Politics, People, and the AIDS Epidemic." [**KPIX**](https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/video/remembering-trailblazing-reporter-randy-shilts-impact-chronicling-lgbt-history/?ref=lookoutnews.org) --- ## ****IN-QUEER-SITIVE** Test your knowledge of this week in queer news! Answer the question below related to a story in this week's newsletter and get entered into a raffle to win **LOOKOUT* swag at the end of each month. The more times you play, the more chances you get to win! ## What SPLC-designated hate group put on an event that the Maricopa County Attorney attended? \*Hint: You'll have to read the full story on top [Submit your answer here](mailto:newsletters@lookoutphx.org) ### **Last week's question:** Who is the current AZ Supreme Court judge who refused to provide state-offered legal assistance to a lesbian couple? ### **Last week's answer: Former Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery** **DID YOU KNOW...** ### A forthcoming bill targeting child grooming might restrict sex education. Here’s how. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/how-hb2310-arizona-affects-sex-education/ Last updated: 2026-08-26T02:42:24.000Z Last month, Gov. Katie Hobbs signed [HB2310](https://legiscan.com/AZ/text/HB2310/2024?ref=lookoutnews.org)—a bill that aims to prosecute distributing sexual images to children. But community groups and teachers say it has the capability of instead targeting those who provide inclusive education on gender and sex. Sexual assault survivors and their advocates say that the law Hobbs signed on May 17—originally called the "anti-grooming" bill—allows prosecutors to charge people who may give pornographic materials to youth. But LGBTQ+ advocates have raised alarms that the bill is intentionally vague and could easily be used in bad faith by parents, law enforcement, or county attorneys with an anti-LGBTQ+ history. The bill was written by Rep. Travis Grantham (R-Gilbert) and in coalition with the Hobbs administration, according to a statement he made on the House floor. It originally attempted to enshrine the term “grooming” as a new felony statute. People who distribute pictures of genitals or female breasts to minors could be charged. The term "grooming" was swapped out for "child enticement." And there were protections added in for medical professionals, but there are harsher punishments for adults in a “position of trust,” which state law specifically describes as including teachers, volunteers at schools, or other educational staff. Advocates and legal sources say interpretations of the law could vary widely, especially as the bill’s original “grooming” label has been misappropriated by far-right and conservative lawmakers who have used the term specifically against drag queens and teachers who have pushed for more inclusive gender and sex education. The clinical term “grooming” is defined by the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network—the United States’s largest anti-sexual violence organization—as behaviors used by sexual abusers “to gain access to a potential victim, coerce them to agree to the abuse, and reduce the risk of being caught.” Its use as the headline of a bill, though, gave community advocates worry, since Republicans who have spoken in favor of the law have [used the term exclusively to target drag performers and trans people](https://www.adl.org/resources/blog/what-grooming-truth-behind-dangerous-bigoted-lie-targeting-lgbtq-community?ref=lookoutnews.org). Outside of Grantham—who has shared anti-LGBTQ+ posts on his X account, including from accounts that also label drag performers as “groomers”—Sen. Wendy Rogers (R-Flagstaff) last year urged people to call child protective services on parents who took their children to drag shows, saying they were exposing children to sexual material. And Sen. Anthony Kern (R-Glendale) in the [past referred to drag performers as “pedophiles” and “grooming” children](https://azmirror.com/2023/02/02/arizona-republicans-approve-bill-to-criminalize-evil-drag-shows/?ref=lookoutnews.org). This past week, a [Colorado state GOP-er used the term to disparage all LGBTQ+ people](https://www.them.us/story/colorado-republican-party-mass-email-burn-pride-flags?ref=lookoutnews.org), saying they were “godless groomers in our society.” “There's a really large trend nationally, internationally also, to use that word as a way to defame queer people as a whole,” said Jeanne Woodbury, a senior associate at the progressive lobbying firm Creosote Partners. Woodbury said she identified HB 2310 as one to pay close attention to from the beginning of the legislative session because of the “grooming” term attached to the bill. She said it has the ability "to criminalize a lot of really basic things like teachers sharing sex education materials or even just like a librarian who has made a book available in the library.” The bill was later amended to include protected exceptions for materials that have “serious literary, artistic, political or scientific value for minors." But in May, LGBTQ+ advocates from multiple organizations across the state still raised their concerns in a letter to the state’s House of Representatives to oppose the bill. The letter said the bill “endangers the instruction of biology and sex education considering there is no defense for educators in HB 2310.” “It’s clear that this bill does not aim to increase access to education, but rather criminalizes educators and increases educational censorship,” the letter read, adding that the bill “would make instructors of medically accurate and honest age-appropriate sex education subject to felony charges for child enticement.” Members from GLSEN Arizona, ACLU of Arizona, Arizona Trans Youth and Parent Organization, Affirm Sexual and Reproductive Health, Family Planning Associates Medical Group, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona, Secular AZ, Chandler Pride, Arizona Coalition to End Sexual and Domestic Violence, Progress Arizona and Women’s Foundation for the State of Arizona signed off on the letter. The Human Rights Campaign in Arizona, the state’s only lobbying group focused exclusively on LGBTQ+ people, did not sign and said in an email chain distributed to local advocates, “that HRC’s final legal analysis of the bill is that the amendments make the bill even more clearly about child sex abuse crimes, and we feel there is no reason to oppose this bill.” Bridget Sharpe, the state director for Human Rights Campaign, could not be reached for comment. Despite those assurances, GLSEN Arizona’s Inclusive Policy Advocacy Manager Kelley Dupps told *LOOKOUT* that the bill is far too broad in its language, which gives people the ability to go after anyone who might be distributing content against personal beliefs: “We've seen across the country how (the broadness and vagueness of this language has) been weaponized against educators, against librarians, against English teachers.” He pointed out that the bill includes protections for medical professionals and other adults that work with children, but penalizes school staff, which shows that “it absolutely is meant to be weaponized against these trusted adults that serve as our educators and librarians.” Supporters of the bill have dismissed concerns from the community leaders, saying that the bill is only dangerous to the LGBTQ+ community if there's a prosecutor who is overzealous in applying the law. But Woodbury said that possibility, no matter how remote, “admits that the problems exist in the bill.” “Educators and librarians do not have the resources to defend themselves in a legal context,” she said. “They're just not going to make those books available. They're going to pull them. And we see this happening over and over.” All Republicans voted in favor of the bill alongside Democrats: Rep. Seth Blattman (D-Mesa), Rep. Consuelo Hernandez (D-Tucson), Rep. Lydia Hernandez (D-Phoenix), Rep. Jennifer Pawlik (D-Chandler), Rep. Judy Schwiebert (D-Phoenix), Rep. Keith Seaman (D-Casa Grande), Rep. Laura Terech (D-Phoenix), and ​​Rep. Stacey Travers (D-Tempe). Because the law does not explicitly lay out who decides what is considered enticement, enforcement will come down to police who are called and, eventually, county prosecutors. While Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell, a Republican, was unavailable to speak with *LOOKOUT*, her team provided a letter Mitchell wrote to Gov. Hobbs that expressed support for the bill on May 16, a day before it was signed. According to the letter, the bill “fills a gap in the criminal code by criminalizing grooming behaviors of sexual offenders which act as a precursor to sexual offenses.” Mitchell notably was spotted at a [Moms for Liberty event in Mesa this past year](https://www.lookoutnews.org/rachel-mitchell-moms-for-liberty-hate-group/); the organization is labeled as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center and is well known for [pushing the false theory that teaching students](https://www.vice.com/en/article/dy3gnq/what-is-moms-for-liberty?ref=lookoutnews.org) about gender or comprehensive sexual education—including books about safe sex among LGBTQ+ people—is “grooming” children. Pima County Attorney Laura Conover, a Democrat, expressed concern over the bill: “I read it maybe six times,” she said. “It's not easy to read, to see what behavior they're trying to criminalize.” “That's the foundation of due process,” Conover said, adding that if there is vague language in a bill, "We're creating an unfair environment.” Conover predicts an immediate challenge in court: “I already have criminal statutes on the books that allow me to prosecute just fine, and when I see a bill trying to add tools that I don't need, that's always a red flag for me.” Mingus Union High School Board Member Carol Anne Teague said that she worries about how the bill will affect students in her district in Cottonwood, Ariz. She said that in her school district, the bill will likely have an affect on sex education due to the political climate and how the term “grooming” and "sexualizing" children has been used by far-right groups, locally. And when teachers and librarians hear the word “grooming," Teague said, they know it could mean their job, their credentials, and now potentially a fine or jail time. Last year, Cottonwood experienced a wave of anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment after a touring drag show [performed at a city-owned venue](https://www.lookoutnews.org/in-cottonwood-a-church-has-been-the-main-organizing-group-for-anti-lgbtq-politics/). Members from neighboring cities and [one of Cottonwood's council members](https://www.lookoutnews.org/in-cottonwood-a-church-has-been-the-main-organizing-group-for-anti-lgbtq-politics/) openly called the performers “groomers” or “sexualizing” children. Now, Teague said there is increasing opposition to sex education from churches and other school board members who “frame it as protecting our kids from ‘grooming’ and ‘indoctrination.'” Teague said these terms are being used as dog whistles to scare educators. “They don't care about our students, 'cause if you cared about the students, you would want them to know how not to get pregnant and how (consent works) and how not to get an STD,” she said. With Hobbs’s signature, HB2310 will go into effect 90 days after the current legislative session ends. [Tip Jar](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tip-jar/) ### You Wanna Have a Kiki? URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/weekly-kiki-june-7/ Last updated: 2024-06-07T22:00:21.000Z #### Letter from the Editor Hello again, readers! You won't normally have to hear so much from me in a single week, but because we're switching some stuff around in our newsletters, we're being extra sure you know what we're doing so you're not thrown off guard when you get two newsletters a week from us, instead of one. But I also wanted to give a bit of background on me, and explain why we broke out our original newsletter to its own standalone weekly email. I grew up in Arizona. My roots are here, whether I like it or not. I'm an East Valley kid from Mesa: I went to Booker T. Washington Elementary before going to Arizona School for the Arts, and then Dobson High School. I was in the Phoenix Boys' Choir and the Mesa Youth Symphony growing up. My father and step-mother ran a humble Persian restaurant at Thomas and 15th avenues. And my mother worked as an elementary school nurse in Laveen, while my step-father worked at the Proctor & Gamble plant making horse fiber and gelatin. But I often tell people I "escaped" Arizona soon after high school, and there was a reason: I didn't feel safe or welcome being a gay Middle Eastern man here, and I didn't feel like I could have a community here. After years of finding myself in West Hollywood, I eventually popped back home briefly to attend two semesters at Scottsdale Community College before moving to New York for schooling and to live the rest of my life away from this state. In that time, I learned my definition of community: It was finding commonality and shared purpose among people who were ethnically, religiously, economically, and physically different from me. That's when I learned to love our community, embrace it, and celebrate it as something special that needed protection and cultivation. It's also why I came back home. This newsletter aims to help. When we spoke with more than 400 of you last year, many of you said you didn't feel there **was* a community in Arizona, but you wanted one to exist. So, every week we're putting together a calendar of LGBTQ+-exclusive events where you can go find others like (or not like) you. You can go make friends, understand each other a bit more, and start building the community you want here. This isn't going to solve for everything, but it's a small thing that we can do every week to help find your tribe. As always, feel free to reach out and tell us your thoughts! \-Joseph Darius Jaafari --- ## WHERE ARE WE KIKI-ING? ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/06/IMG_2112.jpeg) The "dating" app Grindr made a pitstop in Phoenix on Monday with their dedicated tour bus named "Bussy." The event gave away free subscriptions for the app as well as signed people up and educated them on PrEP (the HIV-prevention treatment) as well as Doxy-PEP, which reduces chances of catching some STI's by 70%. ## 🏳️‍🌈 UPCOMING KIKIS Have a community event coming up you want *LOOKOUT* to highlight? [**Email us**](mailto:newsletters@lookoutphx.org?subject=Event%20info%20for%20newsletter&body=null)**.** - **Fri. June 7 -** During First Friday, Palabras Bookstore is hosting a queer Open Mic night. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C7mGLbpRl0P/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sat. June 8 -** Join *LOOKOUT* and The *Arizona Agenda* in our first of six "Summer of Solutions" sessions where we get to meet as a community to discuss important issues, and leave with tools to make them better. The event's seating is sold out, but it is still open to the public for standing room only. [**Info**](https://www.eventcreate.com/e/summersolutionsjune?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **Sat. June 8 -** Go Salt River Tubing with your new-found queer family at FreeBirdz. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C7gKPrXuspc/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sat. June 8 -** Boycott gets cheeky and hosts a U-HAUL party at 8 p.m. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C70R%5F-tso0a/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sat. June 8 -** If you're in Tucson craving to watch some vogue and exceptional local talent, head to Hotel Congress for Club Pride. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C7xnm7LvtP5/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sat. June 8 -** The Tucson Interfaith HIV/AIDS Network fundraiser is being held at the Desert Diamond Hotel and Casino. [**Info**](https://tihan.org/treasures-for-tihan/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **Sun. June 9 -** Learn all about Arizona's LGBTQ+ history with Marshall Shore at the Burton Barr Library. He'll also be at the Salt River Tribal Library next Thursday. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C7pRKojPbDH/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Tues. June 11 -** One-n'-Ten is working with Always AZ to offer legal advice on name changes, and other issues for LGBTQ+ youth. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C75LHX7vELw/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Tues. June 11 -** One-n'-Ten puts on a young authors night with authors Sonora Reyes and Bill Konigsberg. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C7wu1D1M3ze/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Tues. June 11 -** Trans Spectrum AZ has in-person peer support in Phoenix. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C7wxAbpxqMZ/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Fri. June 14 -** If you're in northern Arizona, check out the Flagstaff Pride Film Festival in collaboration with Flagstaff Pride, the Flagstaff Film Festival, and Arizona Women's Film Festival. [**Info**](https://www.facebook.com/events/s/pride-film-showcase/383980727374852/?rdid=cCXxSzhopi5jcmwB&share%5Furl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2Fc7r484bnF5ACBWoW%2F) - **Thurs. June 27 -** Join SW Center in event to celebrate your health and wellness at the Parson's Center. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C7e56z6yyR4/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Fri. June 28-** Tucson's Queer AF crew puts on an open mic night at the Downtown Clifton. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C7wybNhv1XE/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sat. June 29-** Navajo Nation Pride holds their festival and market in Window Rock, Ariz. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C70J6CHpQCl/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) --- ## THE WEEKLY KIKI Same thing as our "Out of the Closet" game, just with a new name! Play "The Weekly Kiki" every week 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. **Rules:** 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 \_ \_ \_T\_ \_A\_ \_ \_ \_ \*Hint: This brash lesbian was famous for her performances at the Pomp Room in Phoenix before releasing her acclaimed comedy album "Knockers Up!" ### Last Week's answer: CABARET ### Last week's winners: Clark O. (Phoenix); Sheila K (Phoenix); Bruce A. (Gilbert); Todd L. (Phoenix); Ed B. (Prescott); Matt S. (Phoenix); ### A Homophobe On the Bench URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/midweek-newsletter-template-copy/ Last updated: 2024-06-05T18:13:04.000Z **In this week's newsletter: A new LOOKOUT; How a decades-old case in rural Arizona raises questions on the state's conservative judges; Arizona sports leagues grow; How reading LGBTQ+ books battled one person's homophobia; We're swapping "Out of the Closet" with a new weekly news quiz, "In-Queer-sitive," to win free swag!** --- #### Note from the editor Hi **LOOKOUT* newsletter readers! In case you didn't read our executive director's email on Monday, we're testing out some new things in our newsletters over the next six months. There are a few reasons for this: First, we're only a year old, and when we started **LOOKOUT*, we were operating off of what we thought was best practices. We've continued that path, but now that we have ****more than 2,000 subscribers,** we have a big enough audience where we can test things out and see what works for you all. Second, we always want to give our readers exactly what they want. And that means sometimes figuring out things that do—or don't—work. What does that mean for you? Well, nothing really. You're still going to get the same LGBTQ+-forward newsletter you've been getting since we launched in Dec. 2022\. You just might notice there is a difference in the way you get this news. Essentially, we're trying to answer some questions: Are two newsletters better than one? What kind of language works best? Can we do advertising (or even **should* we do advertising?) Do people like fewer or more words? These are just some of the things we're testing out. So please keep opening and reading our work, playing our weekly games, and do not feel shy to reply back to this email and give us pointers, your thoughts, or if you think we're missing anything—or including too much! With all that said, welcome to your midweek "The LOOKOUT Newsletter". On Fridays, stay tuned for our second newsletter, "The Weekly Kiki," which will highlight all the events happening around Arizona to make sure you know where your community is at. \-Joseph Darius Jaafari **Bias on the Bench:** More than three decades ago, Gregory Dickens and his teenaged lover Travis Amaral were tried for the shooting and murder of a couple outside of Yuma, Arizona. Amaral, who executed the couple traveling to California for school, received a life sentence for the crime. But Gregory Dickens, who didn't kill anyone and wasn't even around when the shooting happened, received the death penalty. It's a consequence of Arizona's "felony murder" rule, which says that anyone associated with a murder in any form can be guilty of the first degree felony that carries the death penalty. (Dickens and Amaral pulled over at the rest stop where the couple was killed, the two argued, and Amaral left Dickens's vehicle before shooting the couple. Dickens saw Amaral on the side of the road and picked him up, later on, and was designated the "getaway driver.") But according to Dickens's lawyers in appeal, along with hundreds of pages of court documents reviewed by *LOOKOUT*, the judge overseeing Dickens's case had a long and violent history of homophobia, which may have played into the sentencing decision. [Read our investigation here](https://www.lookoutnews.org/gregory-dickens-death-penalty-tom-cole-judge-bias/) **LOOKOUT'S TAKE:** Queer people are ensnared in the criminal justice system more often than their straight counterparts on a variety of issues, from criminal trespassing to illegal sex work. According to the Prison Policy Initiative, a nonpartisan think tank and research organization on prisons and jails, a few examples include how LGBTQ+ people are overrepresented in juvenile justice—20% of imprisoned youth identify as part of the community—or how lesbians and bisexuals are more often imprisoned for their crimes in comparison to straight people. There's a lot to understand about why LGBTQ+ people are overrepresented; we can point to social issues, financial hardships, and the link between homelessness and queer people being forced into the streets. But in Gregory Dickens's case, the situation appears to be straightforward: a judge who had a history of anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments (which is putting it lightly when a grown man calls his son a slur and tells him to die) oversaw a case and had the final decision in how long another gay man should be imprisoned for his crime. --- ## 🌵 LOCAL NEWS - **BAD FAITH BILL: (opinion)** Senate Bill 1511 passed through both chambers and it's headed toward the Governor's desk. The bill's sponsor, Sen. Janae Shamp (R-Surprise), says its meant to simply address medical care for those who want to detransition, but she has long been at the center of anti-LGBTQ+ bills. [**Arizona Capitol Times** ](https://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2024/03/31/gop-lawmakers-pushing-bad-faith-anti-transgender-bill/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **SPORTSBALL:** Arizona's gay sporting leagues are growing and helping LGBTQ+ folk find community alongside some healthy competition.[**Copper Courier**](https://coppercourier.com/2024/05/30/lgbtq-sports-leagues-arizona/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **PRIDE ANNOUNCEMENT:** Phoenix Pride announced the headliners and grand marshals of the 2024 parade, which is happening in October (Arizona's designated Pride month). [**AZCentral**](https://www.azcentral.com/story/entertainment/events/2024/05/31/phoenix-pride-2024-parade-festival-guide/73922044007/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **ITS A DRY HATE:** Arizona is home to an alarming number of hate groups, including five that are specifically anti-LGBTQ+. [**AZ Mirror** ](https://azmirror.com/briefs/arizona-is-home-to-dozens-of-anti-government-and-hate-groups-new-report-finds/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **BUSINESS ADVOCACY:** Arizona ranks 25th in the nation for businesses providing affirmative and safe spaces to members of the community, according to Out Leadership's Business Climate Index. [**INTO**](https://www.intomore.com/impact/breaking/where-does-your-state-rank-for-lgbtq-acceptance/?ref=lookoutnews.org) ## 🇺🇸 NATIONAL NEWS - **READING IS POWER:** Amelie Maurice-Jones spent a year reading LGBTQ+ books. It helped affirm her sexuality and battled her own internalized homophobia. [**LGBTQ Nation**](Amelie Maurice-Jones) - **QUEERS FOR GAZA:** Protesters in New York organized by ACTUP and the Audrey Lorde Project gathered outside the Outright International Gala. [**Washington Blade**](https://www.washingtonblade.com/2024/06/05/pro-palestinian-activists-protest-outright-international-gala-in-nyc/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **"BRITISH CIGARETTE":** North Carolina's Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson has a long history of using anti-LGBTQ+ slurs online. [**The Advocate**](posts) - **200 FLAGS:** After 200 LGBTQ+ flags were removed from a town hall in Massachusetts, the town's residents came together to replace them with new ones. [**them**](https://www.them.us/story/stolen-pride-flags-massachusetts-carlisle?ref=lookoutnews.org) --- ## ****IN-QUEER-SITIVE** Test your knowledge of this week in queer news! Answer the question below related to a story in this week's newsletter and get entered into a raffle to win **LOOKOUT* swag at the end of each month. The more times you play, the more chances you get to win! ## Who is the current AZ Supreme Court judge who refused to provide state-offered legal assistance to a lesbian couple? \*Hint: it's inside our story at the very top of this newsletter [Submit your answer here](mailto:newsletters@lookoutphx.org) **DID YOU KNOW...** ### Gregory Dickens was sentenced to death for murder. Was it actually because he was gay? URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/gregory-dickens-death-penalty-tom-cole-judge-bias/ Last updated: 2025-03-05T19:28:57.000Z When the sun sets on Yuma—a small southwestern city along the U.S.-Mexico border that housed Arizona’s first prison—orange, purple, and red hues drench the landscape. The mountains that flank the city’s only highway cast shadows over sweeping lettuce farms that creep into the desert brush. That road, Interstate 8, carves through the landscape and connects Tucson to San Diego. Just after one such sunset on Sept. 10, 1991, Bryan and Lauren Bernstein, both 22 years old, were shot to death on the interstate while passing through town. The details surrounding the Bernstein’s deaths aren’t debated: on that summer night, 16-year-old Travis Amaral—who’d previously been accused of beating a nurse and being involved in another murder—walked up to the couple, who were parked at a rest stop on the highway. He robbed them and shot them both. Laura was killed immediately. Bryan was pronounced dead at a hospital the next day. Amaral was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. But another man, Gregory Dickens, was sentenced to death because he drove the car that got Amaral there. Past reporting on the Bernsteins’ deaths has focused on the trial and Dickens’s role in their murder. Local newspapers coined Dickens the “rest stop killer,” even though he never actually killed anyone. In hindsight, it appears startling that the person who received the harshest punishment in the case never actually killed anyone. But a review of more than 600 pages of court records by *LOOKOUT* and *The Appeal* has shed light on why: the judge who sentenced Dickens, Judge Tom C. Cole, held bigoted beliefs against gay men—including his own son, who was dying of an AIDS-related illness. Dickens was a gay man with a criminal history of pedophilia. It’s unclear if Amaral was an unwilling participant in his relationship with Dickens—he said he was groomed by Dickens, who was in his 20s at the time—or if their love story was a salacious detail crafted by local news. In interviews, legal experts said that Dickens’s story highlights how a lack of oversight lets judges exert clear bias on the bench—and how lax rules let judges discriminate against members of marginalized communities, especially LGBTQ+ people. The only other local news outlet to publish a story on the judge’s homophobia was the *Phoenix New Times,* which did so in 2001 when Dickens filed an appeal for unfair treatment by the judge two years prior. In its headline, the *Phoenix* *New Times* alluded that Dickens was pulling “The F—g Card.” --- **Gregory Scott Dickens** was born in the 1960s and grew up in San Diego, California during the era when the city established its first Gay and Lesbian Pride Parade. He was quick to work by age 12, and told a psychologist during his trial that he started a landscaping business but learned that his true passion was helping other people through social work. The youngest of four brothers, Dickens said that he never felt he had a tumultuous childhood. There was turmoil, but it wasn’t what caused him to end up in relationships with young boys or be sentenced to die. He said his upbringing was the same “as in any family.” He caught his first felony in the 1980s. Before being tried for the death of the Bernsteins, he had three felony charges: one for a forgery, and two for “lewd and lascivious acts” with minors. Dickens was released from jail and placed on probation when he met Amaral, a 14-year-old who had a much more violent past. Dickens was working at Oak Grove Institute, a residential treatment center in San Diego for high-risk youths. While Amaral lived and was treated there, he allegedly assaulted a nurse, was known to carry guns, and had bragged about being involved in another murder. Dickens felt Amaral’s incidents stemmed from his troubled youth and said he “blew it off,” according to court transcripts. Dickens repeatedly claimed the pair had a romantic and intimate relationship. Amaral denies that. In an email Amaral described himself as “one of \[Dickens’s\] many victims” and said he was not gay. After Dickens left the facility where Amaral was treated a year later, Amaral called to say he was running away, according to Dickens’ testimony during his murder trial. He said he bought Amaral a bus ticket, and the two spent a few days together before driving back to San Diego. According to Amaral, it was Dickens’s idea to rob and kill the couple at the Interstate rest stop. Amaral said Dickens gave him a walkie-talkie, told him to rob the couple, and then to “not leave any witnesses.” But a jury didn’t find Amaral’s story credible, and even the state prosecutor later admitted during an appeal that his version of events shouldn’t be believed. In Dickens’s testimony, Amaral wanted to drive East to Florida. The two pulled over at a rest stop and fought, and Amaral ran off across the interstate. When Dickens looked back, he said he heard two gunshots, panicked, and drove back to Tucson. It’s not clear why Dickens turned around back to Yuma. But he did and said he picked Amaral up on the side of the road. The next day, a store clerk called the police after the two used one of the victim’s credit cards at a clothing store. The day after that, police found Amaral at a bus station. The officers thought he was a runaway and booked him at the county juvenile court center in Yuma. He later admitted to the murders. Dickens was soon captured in California and transported to Yuma. --- **As the two men** prepared for their court appearances, the judge overseeing their case, Tom Cole, was actively harassing and abusing his son, Scott, for being gay. > Friends of Judge Cole's son, Scott, said after he told his father he was performing in drag and participated in the “Miss Tucson” pageant, Scott came home with a broken car windshield and a black eye. The younger Cole had been convicted of forgery and lived in Perryville Prison just west of Phoenix, which is now the state’s all-women facility. Tom, who at the time presided in Yuma County Superior Court, routinely sent Scott homophobic letters. A man who shared a cell with Scott named Richard Stewart later said in an affidavit that Judge Cole’s letters were sometimes scathing and laced with bigoted comments toward his son and other gay men. “Judge Cole would lash out at Scott and write belligerent, vulgar and degrading things to Scott about his homosexuality,” Stewart wrote. In one letter, Cole told his son, “I hope you die in prison like all the rest of your f—got friends.” Stewart’s impression of Judge Cole was that he looked “imposing” and not dissimilar to Scott. But the similarities ended there. At one point, Stewart remembered Judge Cole writing that he wished Scott had died instead of his other son, who was electrocuted a few years before. The judge ended his letter by calling Scott a “damn f—got.” Stewart wrote that it “was as if Judge Cole could not or would not believe that his genes could produce a gay son. Judge Cole seemed more angry and upset about how Scott's homosexuality reflected on Judge Cole than about anything else.” In a 1999 affidavit, Scott Cole’s public defender, Peter R. Claussen, said it was clear Judge Cole harbored “intense disapproval” of his son’s homosexuality, and blamed his son for contracting the AIDS virus that eventually killed him. Kevin Timar, Scott’s one-time boyfriend, said that Scott often came home after visiting his father with bruises on his face. When the two moved in together, Scott warned Timar not to answer the phone, out of fear that his father would find out he was living with a man. Both Timar and Claussen could not be reached for comment. One day, by accident, Timar answered a call. Judge Cole was on the other line. “He warned me that he was on his way,” Timar wrote in his affidavit. Timar left the house and returned after work to find Scott bruised and beaten. In affidavits, Scott’s friends said that, after he told his father he was performing in drag and participated in the “Miss Tucson” pageant, Scott came home with a broken car windshield and a black eye. --- **In court**, Dickens’ lawyers argued Judge Cole’s homophobic bias against his son meant he should not oversee a gay man’s death penalty case. In a September 2000 legal petition to the Arizona Supreme Court, Dickens’s attorneys argued that, “Mr. Dickens…represented the embodiment of everything that Judge Cole hated.” “If Judge Cole was willing to do this to his own flesh and blood, it is hardly a stretch to suggest that such deep sentiments would creep into Judge Cole's perception of Mr. Dickens, and taint the fairness of Mr. Dickens' trial,'' Dickens's attorneys wrote. One of Dickens’s original attorneys, Daphne Budge, could not be reached for this piece. The other lawyer representing Dickens, Jess Lorona, declined to speak. > “I hope you die in prison like all the rest of your f—got friends.” > \-Judge Tom C. Cole to his son, who died of AIDS complications During the trial, Dickens told the court that it was Amaral’s idea to cross the interstate to rob and murder the Bernsteins. But in a move that has been criticized by Dickens’ attorneys, Cole allowed the state to question Amaral after the defense had already rested its case. Amaral testified that the robbery and subsequent murders were Dickens’s idea, and that Dickens fed the teen instructions through walkie-talkies. Those walkie-talkies were never found, and a jury eventually acquitted Dickens of premeditated murder and conspiracy to commit murder. However, Arizona’s first-degree “felony murder” statute says that anyone who participated in a murder—even if they did not kill anyone—can be convicted for the death. The jury found Dickens guilty of felony murder and armed robbery. Cole later sentenced Dickens to death. --- **Dickens certainly isn’t** the first queer person to be sentenced to death due to anti-LGBTQ+ bias. The Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, a civil rights group, along with organizations including the ACLU of North Dakota, The National Center for Lesbian Rights, and the National LGBT Bar Association, filed an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018 on behalf of another man named Charles Rhines. Rhines was sentenced to death in January 1993 in large part because of anti-gay bias on the part of jurors, who questioned whether prison would be less of a punishment than death because of Rhines’s homosexuality. > “Judges are supposed to be leaders of the community, people we look up to as being fair. And when the message coming from some of them is, ‘you're not going to be respected or I'm refusing to respect you,’ that is a very dangerous thing to have out there.” > \-Richard Saenz, attorney at Lambda Legal Richard Saenz, who helped represent Lambda Legal on the brief, says Dickens’s case is unique. Saenz said Cole’s extreme bias had to have impacted the case significantly. But Saenz and other legal experts say the judge’s bias isn’t exactly a relic of a bygone era. A [January 2021](https://legacy.lambdalegal.org/sites/default/files/judicial%5Freport%5F2020.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) report from Lambda Legal details that almost 40 percent of the federal appeals court judges appointed by former President Donald Trump harbored some anti-LGBTQ+ bias. For LGBTQ+ defendants, this runs not just the obvious risk of tainting their cases, but sowing doubt in the legal system as a whole. In another recent Lambda Legal [report](https://www.protectedandserved.org/?ref=lookoutnews.org) about the experiences of LGBTQ+ people in the criminal legal system, almost two-thirds of survey respondents said they have little to no trust in the court system. Saenz says cases like Dickens have only added to that distrust. “Judges are supposed to be leaders of the community, people we look up to as being fair,” Saenz said. “And when the message coming from some of them is, ‘you're not going to be respected or I'm refusing to respect you,’ that is a very dangerous thing to have out there.” For queer Arizonans in particular, that specter of bias is especially timely after former Gov. Doug Ducey expanded the state Supreme Court and stacked the bench with allies, including former Maricopa County Attorney Bill Montgomery, who has a history of denying equal treatment to LGBTQ+ people. While serving as Maricopa County Attorney, Montgomery refused to provide LGBTQ+ couples free legal assistance in uncontested adoption cases after the state legalized same-sex marriage in 2015\. After a [lesbian couple](https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/arizona/politics/2015/04/08/arizona-gay-couple-refused-adoption-help/25491619/?ref=lookoutnews.org) tried to use the free legal aid that had been routinely afforded to opposite-sex couples, Montgomery faced [legal threats](https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/arizona/politics/2015/04/15/bill-montgomery-aclu-same-sex-marriage-adoption/25852173/?ref=lookoutnews.org) from the ACLU. He then outsourced the work to a law firm, costing taxpayers roughly $750,000 a year, the Arizona Republic [reported. ](https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-child-welfare/2020/07/24/maricopa-county-attorney-reverses-anti-gay-adoption-policy/5496016002/?ref=lookoutnews.org) With Montgomery now sitting on the state’s supreme court, Jared Keenan, the ACLU of Arizona’s legal director, says the threat of bias bleeding into a case is that much more real. “When you ask ‘can anti-gay, anti-LGBTQ bias claims occur again?’ 100 percent,” Keenan said. “But most criminal cases in Arizona are going to end at the state Supreme Court, and so he is one of seven votes on what cases to take and how to resolve them. And that's problematic." In response to a request for comment, Mongtomery said “this narrative is untruthful and I will not dedicate any time responding to false allegations of bias.” --- **In interviews** with *LOOKOUT* and The *Appeal*, experts at Lambda Legal and the ACLU said the judicial system—in theory—has checks and balances to ensure anti-LGBTQ+ bias doesn’t creep into the courtroom. Jury questioning is designed to root out bias on the part of jurors. Judges, though, are different. “I think one big problem with a case like this is there's clearly bias here, and it's clearly a problem that should have allowed for a new trial or some sort of relief,” Keenan said, but added that Dickens’s case illustrates the difficulty to prove bias in a case. “You're essentially asking someone whose trial was tainted with bias to then prove a counterfactual. And that's a very tall order. And it's why very few appeals are successful.” After the Arizona Supreme Court affirmed the sentence against him on direct appeal in 1996, Dickens’s attorneys filed for post-conviction relief in front of Judge Cole three years later. But the case was moved to Pima County after evidence of Judge Cole’s history of homophobia and violence toward his son was submitted to the court. Superior Court Judge Michael Cruikshank rejected arguments that Cole’s abuse and homophobia toward his son warranted reassigning the case, and said that the examples given by Dickens’s lawyers only showed family troubles, not bias. “Dickens offers no evidence that begins to suggest, much less constitute a colorable claim, that the judge in this case was biased against him,” Cruikshank wrote in the decision. “The affidavits submitted suggest, at most, that the judge may have had a difficult relationship with his son.” Cole then took over the case and denied Dickens’s bid for post-conviction relief in 2000\. > “Gregory would still be alive today if it weren’t for Judge Cole. > \-Robin Konrad, last public defender for Gregory Dickens In April 2001, Dickens’s new federal public defenders filed a habeas petition—a legal argument alleging unlawful imprisonment—in Arizona federal court. In the petition, they argued for the first time that, along with ineffective counsel, Dickens also suffered from fetal alcohol syndrome and organic brain damage. The federal court barred those new claims and rejected the habeas petition in July 2008\. Weeks later, he appealed to the Ninth Circuit. Eventually, the Ninth Circuit on Jan. 23, 2014 granted Dickens a new hearing over whether he could raise his ineffective counsel claims. Judge Cole died the same day. --- **The state of Arizona** asked the appellate court to vacate that decision in light of Dickens’s’ eventual death, but lost. Four days after the appeals court’s decision, Dickens—who was then 48 years old, clean-shaven, and gray-haired— killed himself. On Jan. 27, 2014, Dickens died by suicide in his single-occupancy cell at the Eyman prison complex in Florence, Arizona. He reportedly left no note. Robin Konrad, one of Dickens’s last public defenders, said Cole’s overt bias was going to be central to arguments at his new trial if it were not for Dickens’s suicide. “Gregory would still be alive today if it weren’t for Judge Cole,” she said. Three days before Dickens died, the Yuma Sun published a feature on Cole, and a separate obituary for the judge The piece said the 76-year-old retired judge died by his wife’s side at home, though no cause of death was detailed. The article praised the judge for his decades-long legal career and for creating the Yuma County Adult Drug Court in 1998\. A professional headshot of the judge accompanied both pieces. The Sun also ran news Dickens’ death also ran above the fold, along with his mugshot. [Tip Jar](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tip-jar/) ### Blame the gays. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/blame-the-gays/ Last updated: 2024-05-31T00:10:31.000Z **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.” [Read our investigation here](https://www.lookoutnews.org/sex-education-denied-because-lgbtq-issues/) **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! We want to know your stories. We currently [have a survey that you can take anonymously if you are a student](https://airtable.com/app22b3Pt74WwG2gE/pagVmbwYDZzI9TNgF/form?ref=lookoutnews.org) or recently graduated. We also have another survey that you can [take if you're a parent](https://airtable.com/app22b3Pt74WwG2gE/pagPde9Two8ZhFPBo/form?ref=lookoutnews.org). 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](mailto: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.](http://lookout-publications.fundjournalism.org/lookout-publications-1?ref=lookoutnews.org)** --- **🌵 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**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C7R3Vy7BJQj/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **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**](https://19thnews.org/2024/05/arizona-abortion-ballot-measure-campaign/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **PALE BLUE DOT:**In dead-red country of Arizona, a queer candidate is trying to run against a notoriously homophobic incumbent. [ **Copper Courier**](https://coppercourier.com/2024/05/28/haley-creighton-wendy-rogers-arizona-legislature/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **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**](https://asamnews.com/2024/05/28/george-takei-to-receive-social-justice-award-at-critics-choice-lgbtq-celebration/?ref=lookoutnews.org) **🇺🇸 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**](https://www.washingtonblade.com/2024/05/29/anti-trans-texas-democrat-loses-primary-to-queer-woman/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **YOUR F\*GGOTNESS:** The Pope apologized after using a slur to refer to gay priests. [ **Associated PRess**](https://apnews.com/article/pope-gay-priests-francis-vatican-92ee291bbeef00a898a10a8a45afd32c?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **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** ](https://www.them.us/story/hiv-positive-parents-breastfeeding-guidelines-update?ref=lookoutnews.org) --- ### **UPCOMING EVENTS:** Have a community event coming up you want *LOOKOUT* to highlight? [**Email us**](mailto:newsletters@lookoutphx.org?subject=Event%20info%20for%20newsletter&body=null)**.** - **Sat. June 1** \- Attend the Queer Bazaar in Tucson. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C7ZU0qOx-Wf/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sat June 1 -** Come find *LOOKOUT* at Tempe Pride to get some free swag! [**Info**](https://www.downtowntempe.com/events/pride-party-2024?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **Sun. June 2 -** Marigold and Afternoons Studios are hosting Sunday Stories. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C6wuSK9ySLH/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Mon. June 3-** Grindr hosts a pop up event for Pride month at Charlie's. [**Info**](https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/arts/grindr-rides-america-bus-tour-phoenix-gay-bar-charlies-19107680?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **Mon. June 3-** Gov. Katie Hobbs is having a Pride Flag unveiling at the Capitol. [**Info**](https://phoenixpride.org/pride-month-events/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **Tues. June 4-** Chandler Pride is hosting the Queer Human Library, a storytelling event for the queer community. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C6hSnR5SEvX/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **Fri. June 7 -** During First Friday, Palabras Bookstore is hosting a queer Open Mic night. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C7mGLbpRl0P/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sat. June 8 -** Queer AF hosts a Pride Party at Hotel Congress. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C6%5Fj9ivLYT4/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sat. June 8 -** The Tucson Interfaith HIV/AIDS Network fundraiser is being held at the Desert Diamond Hotel and Casino. [**Info**](https://tihan.org/treasures-for-tihan/?ref=lookoutnews.org) --- ## 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.** [Submit your answer with your name and city](mailto:newsletters@lookoutphx.org?subject:%22OOTC%22) **Last Week's Answer: BJ BUD** **LAST WEEK'S WINNERS:** Sheila K. (Phoenix) **LAST MONTH'S WINNER:** Lauren C. (Tempe) ### Attempting to avoid LGBTQ+ issues, school districts are denying basic sexual health education. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/sex-education-denied-because-lgbtq-issues/ Last updated: 2025-12-12T15:24:17.000Z A *LOOKOUT* investigation shows that tens of thousands of youth attending the state’s public schools are not receiving nationally recommended sexual education studies, specifically in regards to gender, sexuality, and consent. Educators have used the heated politics around LGBTQ+ issues as an excuse for denying students the curriculum. Out of 18 public school districts across Arizona in rural, suburban, and urban areas that *LOOKOUT* analyzed, eight districts—representing at least 37,000 school-aged children in suburban and rural parts of the state—responded and said they do not offer any kind of sex education, currently. Those districts are: Duncan, Heber-Overgaard, Gila Bend, Ganado, Parker, Nogales, Kingman and Scottsdale. #### Three takeaways from this investigation - Students in rural and suburban public school districts across Arizona lack basic sexual health education at a time when STI transmission among the youth remains high. - Superintendents, youth advocates, and public health experts say that the politics around LGBTQ+ issues in schools is having a direct effect on why students aren't receiving robust sex education. - Schools are utilizing third-party organizations to provide sex education, but those programs are limited to outside schools and constrained in what they can talk about inside schools. The number of students not receiving proper sex education illustrates the effect of how schools are grappling with the politics of the time, and failing to give youth lessons about their bodies and prevent disease. But even in urban areas where sex education is offered, such as parts of Maricopa and Pima counties, instead of offering the courses themselves, schools have turned to third-party groups to provide the education. But advocates and experts interviewed said that discussions have been limited because of both state regulations and school districts’ fears of finding themselves the focus of far-right critics who have provoked harassment of employees at school board meetings or on school grounds. As a result, queer students—which [some estimates list Arizona’s LGBTQ+ youth population at 44,000](https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/publications/lgbt-youth-pop-us/?ref=lookoutnews.org), including [as many as 20,000 trans and nonbinary people under 24 years old in the state](http://anva.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org)—are most at risk. “Arizona sex education needs to change because sexual health disparities are pretty grave in our state,” said Courtney Waters, an assistant research professor at the University of Arizona. “Sexual health outcomes are bad across the state for youth, but we see it specifically among LGBTQ+ youth.” ### **WHAT WE FOUND** There are 261 school districts in Arizona, ranging from the most populous, Mesa Public Schools, to the Young Public School District that serves roughly 50 students a year. Districts that choose to teach sexual education have to go through a bureaucratic process that involves district meetings, public forums, parental guidance, and administrative oversight. *LOOKOUT* reported this year that those processes are marred with confusion and allows districts to forgo teaching sex education if they believe the “community interest” doesn’t align. The result is tens of thousands of students who aren’t educated on preventative sexual health tools while HIV, syphilis, and unintended pregnancy rates locally continue to rise above the national average. LGBTQ+ students, specifically, are also more at risk of [unintended pregnancy](https://www.lookoutnews.org/lgbtq-abortions-arizona/), [STI transmission](https://www.lgbtqiahealtheducation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/TFI-53%5FAddressing-HIV-STI-for-LGBTQ-People-Brief%5Ffinal.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org), and [domestic abuse](https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/publications/ipv-sex-abuse-lgbt-people/?ref=lookoutnews.org). Of the schools *LOOKOUT* found that teach sex education, not all of them offer inclusive or comprehensive sexual health studies. Instead, they only focus on puberty and body changes, along with STI education without a focus on prevention or treatment. Educational and youth organizations that focus on LGBTQ+ students have pointed to the state’s repeal of its “No Promo Homo” law, which catapulted a local conservative movement to restrict how students could learn about sexual health. Arizona’s law—which was similar to Florida’s current law that advocates refer to as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill—was repealed with bipartisan support in 2019\. But far-right lawmakers and lobbying groups successfully pushed for stricter scrutiny of what could be taught in schools in regards to sexual material, including in biology and health classes. Nate Rhoton, CEO of the LGBTQ+ youth advocacy nonprofit One∙n∙Ten, said that since the law’s repeal school districts haven’t been equipped to handle what he called “the storm or frenzy” from “‘concerned parents’ about teaching affirming and inclusive sexual health education.” As a result, he said, school districts have “walked away” from providing classes. In an example, Parker Unified School District, which is located just south of Lake Havasu City, decided not to offer sex education in the past because they didn’t have a certified health teacher to lead the class. “Instead of trusting that information to a substitute teacher just off the street, we did not do it,” according to Superintendent Brad Sale. ![An image of a note that states a quote from Nate Rhoton, "By simply ignoring our community through education, you're doing a lot more harm to all students".](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/05/Rhoton-pull-quote.png) But more recently, conservative arguments around gender, sex, and LGBTQ+ youth have chilled any movement on offering a curriculum, Sale said: “That was several years ago, and because of the political climate with that, we as a district have decided not to offer it.” Southern Arizona sex educator Hannah Woelke explained that this is a common refrain: “Everyone knows it's a problem. Parents know, teachers know,” Woelke said. “But nobody has the stomach to really do anything about it because it's such a fight.” ### **AN ARIZONA PROBLEM** Maricopa County has a higher incidence rate of sexually transmitted infections compared to the nation by more than 30%, according to the [Arizona Department of Healthcare Service’s online data portal](https://www.azdhs.gov/preparedness/epidemiology-disease-control/disease-integration-services/std-control/index.php?ref=lookoutnews.org#reports). And younger people in the region are most at risk. Data from the portal showed [STI cases are most common for Arizona women](https://www.azdhs.gov/preparedness/epidemiology-disease-control/disease-integration-services/std-control/index.php?ref=lookoutnews.org#reports%20true%20in%20Maricopa%20and%20statewide%202022-2024) aged 15-24 (including trans women) and men aged 20-29 (including trans men). [Data shows LGBTQ+ Arizonans are more at risk with upcoming abortion banMore than a third of trans people who got pregnant considered unsafe abortion methods, while bisexuals and lesbians experience unwanted pregnancies at higher rates.![](https://www.lookoutphx.org/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/08/lookout-favicon@4x.png)LOOKOUTLisa Abelar (she/her)![](https://www.lookoutphx.org/content/images/2024/04/pexels-emma-guliani-12292121-1-1.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/lgbtq-abortions-arizona/) The same pattern appears in rural areas such as Navajo County, where *LOOKOUT* identified at least one school district without a sex education curriculum. Residents there had a 37.6% higher STI rate than the state average. Most new STI cases among residents were those aged 15-24, [according to the state health department](https://www.azdhs.gov/preparedness/epidemiology-disease-control/disease-integration-services/std-control/index.php?ref=lookoutnews.org#reports). People living there also experience a 65% higher rate of unintended pregnancies among youth than the national average, according to research from [Making Action Possible by the University of Arizona](https://mapazdashboard.arizona.edu/health-social-well-being/teen-birth-rate?ref=lookoutnews.org#:~:text=How%20are%20we%20doing%3F,1%2C000%20females%20age%2015%2D19.). Arizona also has the [sixth highest rates of contracting syphilis in the country](https://www.cdc.gov/std/statistics/2022/tables/2022-STI-Surveillance-State-Ranking-Tables.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 2022 breakdown. Public health experts interviewed said that many of the problems the state faces with youth and sexually transmitted disease as well as unintended pregnancies could be solved in part by proper education in schools. But since the state pushes those decisions to local school districts, they said, the end result is a patchwork of classes and curriculum that is determined by the social politics of an area. In a state report, the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States said that Arizona’s “local control over sex education presents unique challenges that have resulted in a glaring disparity regarding the quality of sex education that students receive.” SIECUS said that Arizona’s policy of ceding sex education from the state also “allows for the implementation of policies and curriculum that stigmatize marginalized youth, such as students of color and LGBTQ youth.” Rural school districts such as in Duncan and Parker and larger districts in Scottsdale and Nogales have gone since at least 2015 without letting students and families opt in to sex education. Superintendents listed reasons such as lack of interest from the community in offering sex ed, but went on to list secondary reasons such as navigating the changing laws and the desire to avoid additional stress to teachers’ workload [amid a teaching shortage](https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.aspaa.org/resource/resmgr/documents/press%5Freleases/ASPAA%5FPress%5FRelease%5F-%5FSeptem.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) and pressure to shut down discussions on gender and sexuality. And in the process of avoiding LGBTQ+ topics, the result is all students being left behind, Rhoton with One∙n∙Ten said: “By simply ignoring our community through education, you're doing a lot more harm to all students.” ### **WHO’S HELPING?** In metropolitan areas, there are organizations that try to fill gaps in the state’s health education. In the Phoenix area, One∙n∙Ten offers monthly sexual health classes for LGBTQ+ youth and their families called “SexFYI.” The program divides people up between older teens and young adults between 18 and 24 years old to discuss consent, gender identity, internet safety, and building healthy relationships. SexFYI is run in partnership with Affirm—formerly Arizona Family Health Partnership—and the Maricopa County Health Department. It’s only offered outside of schools. In Pima and Maricopa counties, the Southwest Institute for Research on Women collaborates with Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation and El Rio Health to offer a program called “Spectrum+.” The program’s website claims it offers “culturally-driven comprehensive sexuality education,” including topics on HIV, hepatitis C, substance use, and LGBTQ+ care. Those programs are also offered outside of schools. SIROW Assistant Research Professor Courtney Waters explained that these programs often exist outside of a school setting because, “there's a lot of rules at the public schools about having sex education. The legislation is rather unclear and there's just a lot of fear around what they can and can't do.” “Education is such a key piece of reducing those disparities and our state has had really conservative rules around sex ed for decades and it doesn't really seem to be serving anyone,” Waters said. “We see much better outcomes in other states that have more inclusive and comprehensive sex ed.” SIROW receives $500,000 annually for five years from a federal grant by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. They work alongside groups such as the Family Pride Initiative, which also received a $425,000 federal grant from the same agency to offer counseling to queer youth, education on LGBTQ+ health, and train caregivers outside of schools. Within schools, though, Arizona Youth Partnership has provided sex and relationship education in the state for three decades. Last year over 3,000 students participated in two of their programs aimed at healthy relationships or sexual violence. But just because those programs exist inside school districts does not necessarily mean that youth are given the best tools for understanding their bodies, especially LGBTQ+ students. Development and Communications Director at Arizona Youth Project Jetzabel Ramos said that getting schools to partner with them has been made more difficult after the pandemic and with the rise of the parental rights movement. And Division Director Sara Sherman said state regulations bar them from discussing same-sex relationships in the classroom or answering questions about same-sex relationships if they arise: “We can tell them to go to a trusted adult, but not all students have a trusted adult in their life.” These restrictions, sources said, have raised concerns that in the absence of evidence-based, medically accurate, inclusive sex education children have turned to the internet for information. Sherman said she has seen this play out in the classroom, “When we read these questions that we're getting from students, it's shocking the misinformation that they're getting from the digital space.” #### Correction An earlier version of this article misspelled Ganado school district. ### Sex addicted? Or are you just gay? URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/sex-addicted-or-are-you-just-gay/ Last updated: 2024-05-23T13:00:22.000Z **In this week's newsletter: How counselors use sex addiction to change people's sexuality; San Diego's gay bars targeted in shooting; Anti-"grooming" bill signed into law by Gov. Hobbs; And a brand new *Out of the Closet* to win free swag!** --- **SEX ON THE MIND:** The term "sex addiction" brings to mind salacious stories of celebrities caught cheating and forced into rehab centers to address their infidelity. But it's also being used to treat people who are queer. "Sex addiction" is not a recognized diagnosis by the American Psychiatric Association—nor is any kind of sexual addiction promoted by self-described “sex addiction counselors”—but that hasn’t stopped therapists in Arizona from using it to push conversion therapy practices. Alongside our news partners at the *Arizona Mirror* and *KJZZ* radio, *LOOKOUT* identified at least three therapists who previously advertised that they practiced conversion therapy and describe themselves as sex or porn addiction specialists. And some of those are working with teenagers. [Read our investigation here](https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizona-counselors-practice-sex-addiction-conversion-therapy/) **WHAT WE'RE KEEPING AN EYE ON:** For the past four months, *LOOKOUT* has been diving deep into the world of conversion therapy in Arizona. We've exposed the world on conversion therapy at a practice in Mesa, Ariz., revealed a new form of conversion therapy that avoids legal scrutiny from an executive order signed by the governor, and called out the state's licensing board for not addressing the accreditation of people who practice conversion therapy, despite violating their code of ethics. As a result, our reporter—and *LOOKOUT*—has been served with a cease and desist from one of the family practices to limit our reporting on this subject. We have started hearing back from people who have survived conversion therapy, and we'd like to learn more from you. If you or someone you know has experienced this kind of predatory treatment in Arizona, feel free to reply back to this newsletter. Your information will be kept confidential. **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.](http://lookout-publications.fundjournalism.org/lookout-publications-1?ref=lookoutnews.org)** --- **🌵 LOCAL NEWS** - **GAYMBER NEWS:**Tucson's LGBTQ+ Business Chamber, also known as "The Gaymber," has hired a new executive director. [ **Inside Tucson Business**](https://www.insidetucsonbusiness.com/news/andee-huxhold-now-helms-tucson-lgbt-chamber/article%5Fb026b920-1210-11ef-9026-af9f8cc21997.html?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **LEFT BEHIND:**The Council for National Policy, a far-right Christian group founded by one of the "Left Behind" series creators Tim LaHaye, has some significant ties to Arizona policymakers. [ **Arizona Mirror**](https://azmirror.com/2024/05/20/arizona-ties-council-for-national-policy/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **GROOMER BILL:**An "anti-grooming" bill posited by lawmakers as a way to stop predatory actions against children has multiple LGBTQ+ groups worried about its vague language and possible outcomes with sex education. Gov. Katie Hobbs signed the bill last week. [ **ACLU Arizona**](hhttps://x.com/ACLUaz/status/1792727010709561358) - **LET'S TALK ABOUT SEX:** LOOKOUT reporter Shelby Rae Wills is seeking feedback from students and parents on sex education. Their series is looking into what’s being taught, and if it’s enough. If you’re a student, recent student, or parent in Arizona, please take our survey. [ **Student survey here.**](https://airtable.com/app22b3Pt74WwG2gE/pagVmbwYDZzI9TNgF/form?ref=lookoutnews.org) [ **Parent survey here.**](https://airtable.com/app22b3Pt74WwG2gE/pagPde9Two8ZhFPBo/form?ref=lookoutnews.org) **🇺🇸 NATIONAL NEWS** - **SAN DIEGO ATTACKS:** A group of LGBTQ+ bars in San Diego were targeted by people who shot pellet guns at patrons outside. Police won't say what the motivations were. [ **Los Angeles Blade**](https://www.losangelesblade.com/2024/05/20/lgbtq-clubs-targeted-in-san-diego-pellet-gun-attacks/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **GLOBAL WARNING:** The U.S. State Department issued a warning for travelers leaving the states for Pride festivals. [ **Politico**](https://www.politico.com/news/2024/05/17/state-department-worldwide-caution-alert-lgbtq-00158753?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **MADE BY AND FOR US:**A political action committee aims to double the number of LGBTQ+ representatives in Congress. [ **The Advocate** ](https://www.advocate.com/politics/equality-pac-lgbtq?ref=lookoutnews.org) --- ### **UPCOMING EVENTS:** Have a community event coming up you want *LOOKOUT* to highlight? [**Email us**](mailto:newsletters@lookoutphx.org?subject=Event%20info%20for%20newsletter&body=null)**.** - **Thurs. May 23 -** Come to a new kind of comedy night, focused on being funny and not offensive, at The Womack. [**Info**](https://www.facebook.com/events/765545035702839/) - **Sat. May 25 -** YumBar is hosting a Slow Yoga Flow with Your Health and Wellness and the gals from Monsoon Market. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C69IsmEpICz/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Tues. May 28 -** Pump some iron with the folks at Every Body Lifting Club. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6mgk4rSU7n/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sat June 1 -** Come find *LOOKOUT* at Tempe Pride to get some free swag! [**Info**](https://www.downtowntempe.com/events/pride-party-2024?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **Sun. June 2 -** Marigold and Afternoons Studios are hosting Sunday Stories. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C6wuSK9ySLH/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Tues. June 4-** Chandler Pride is hosting the Queer Human Library, a storytelling event for the queer community. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C6hSnR5SEvX/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **Sat. June 8 -** Queer AF hosts a Pride Party at Hotel Congress. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C6%5Fj9ivLYT4/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sat. June 8 -** The Tucson Interfaith HIV/AIDS Network fundraiser is being held at the Desert Diamond Hotel and Casino. [**Info**](https://tihan.org/treasures-for-tihan/?ref=lookoutnews.org) --- ## 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\. **B\_** **B\_ \_** **Hint: The name of one of the organizers for Phoenix Pride's first parade. (Another hint: Her name is used for one of the Phoenix Pride Spirit Awards. LOOKOUT was nominated for that namesake award this year.)** [Submit your answer with your name and city](mailto:newsletters@lookoutphx.org?subject:%22OOTC%22) **Last Week's Answer: Western Express** **LAST WEEK'S WINNERS:** Jamie H. (Phoenix); Sheila K. (Phoenix); Bruce A. (Gilbert); Marissa F. (Mesa); Ed B. (Prescott) ### Arizona counselors use “sex addiction” to practice conversion therapy, critics say. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizona-counselors-practice-sex-addiction-conversion-therapy/ Last updated: 2025-03-05T19:29:05.000Z Jeffrey Hansen says he treats “porn addiction.” It’s not a recognized diagnosis by the American Psychiatric Association—nor is any kind of sexual addiction promoted by self-described “sex addiction counselors”—but that hasn’t stopped Hansen, a licensed psychologist in Arizona who works with youth, from promoting it as a way to treat people who have difficulty with sexual compulsions. Hansen believes that pornography can lead people to falsely identify as gay or trans. Hansen authored a paper and a book urging parents to prevent their trans children from transitioning: “Find a counselor or psychologist/psychiatrist who does not follow the gender affirmative paradigm as the sole treatment option,” he wrote. Gender affirmative care involves listening to trans patients when they share their identity, and supporting their decisions to align their outward appearance with their internal sense of gender. The opposite, to ignore or downplay a trans person’s sense of gender and restrict access to care, has similar outcomes to conversion therapy, [medical experts have contended](https://drive.google.com/file/d/19rUDQrmU0ivD636u1B0pRmTuTB0RTHjf/view?ref=lookoutnews.org). In an interview with *LOOKOUT*, Hansen said the definition of conversion therapy was contested, and denied practicing conversion therapy on LGBTQ+ people: “I’m very pro affirming sexual identity to an extent of people that are gay or whatever. I just struggle with the medical aspect of what this does to kids,” he said, referring to trans youth who receive gender-affirming care. “It's hard to say how much pornography might push a person to identify as trans when they otherwise wouldn't.” Hansen is set to speak at a [far-right town hall event in Camp Verde this June](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jZjZJUpVpfYd1DpddP8WOk5xpUVhDVr0/view?ref=lookoutnews.org), hosted by Turning Point USA, a group run by anti-LGBTQ+ activist Charlie Kirk that works to galvanize students and evangelicals to conservative politics. The event is called the “Protect Our Children Town Hall.'' Hansen isn’t alone in using sex-addiction as a way to justify or even disguise conversion therapy. In Arizona, *LOOKOUT* identified at least three therapists who previously advertised that they practiced conversion therapy who describe themselves as sex or porn addiction specialists. And some of those are working with teenagers. According to the APA, conversion therapy—where a mental health professional tries to use counseling to change people’s sexual orientation—increases the risk of depression and suicidal thoughts, especially in young people. As a result, many states have banned its use, including in Arizona where the Governor enacted a partial ban last year. When *LOOKOUT* reached out to the practice that hires some of the therapists identified, Family Strategies Counseling Center, [*LOOKOUT’s* reporter was sent a cease and desist letter](https://www.lookoutnews.org/therapy-firm-tied-to-conversion-therapists-sent-a-cease-and-desist-letter-to-our-reporter/) to stop contacting them. ### WHAT IS SEX ADDICTION? The phrases “sex addiction” and “porn addiction” bring to mind stories of celebrities who seek out treatment after being caught cheating. But according to multiple medical experts and sex therapists, the concept of sex addiction is also used by conservative religious groups, such as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as a cover to enforce their congregants’ stances around sexuality and gender. The origins of sex addiction date back to 1976, when Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous formed. Modeled after the 12-step program of Alcoholics Anonymous, both groups have Christian underpinnings that ask participants to become ready “to have God remove all these defects of character.” Participants were [pushed to believe they were addicted](https://slaafws.org/download/core-files/Characteristics-of-Sex-Love-Addiction.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) to their sexual desires and come forward for treatment. Sex addiction is [not included](https://mashable.com/article/sex-addiction-isnt-real-condition?ref=lookoutnews.org) in the “Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,” the standard guide for classifying mental health diagnoses in the United States. The American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists, or AASECT—the primary professional association for sex therapists—also [does not consider sex or porn addiction to be mental health disorders](https://www.aasect.org/position-sex-addiction?ref=lookoutnews.org) backed up by evidence. AASECT certified sex therapists who *LOOKOUT* interviewed do believe that sex—just like any behavior—can become compulsive. But treating it as a separate addiction can stigmatize it, sex therapist Roger Libby said. “I’ve seen it quite a bit, not only with Mormon clients, but others that went to these groups or went to a counselor who was a sex addiction counselor,” he said. ”And what they came out with was all kinds of shame and guilt about sex, which is not positive.” Additionally, the sex addiction approach often assumes monogamous and heterosexual people are the cultural standard, which makes it easy for any deviation to be considered a problem, according to sociologist Kelsy Burke, the author of a book that attempts to examine and explain porn addiction. “Conservative Protestant men are much more likely to say that they’re addicted to porn, even when they tend to use it less than their other male counterparts,” Burke said in an interview with *LOOKOUT*, adding that culture—not pathology—defines normal sexual behavior. According to Burke, sexologists and sex therapists who study human behavior said that “sex addiction” when it was introduced wasn’t seen favorably, particularly because behavioral addictions are hard to study empirically. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/05/Carnes-pull-out.png) Unlike chemical dependency on substances, which can be observed in animals, behavioral addictions can’t be observed in the same way. “Things like addictions to food or shopping or pornography or sex—rats don’t respond to those things that have cultural meaning,” she said. ### “IN SHEEP’S CLOTHING” Looking to legitimize the field of sex addiction, therapist [Patrick Carnes founded the International Institute for Trauma and Addiction Professionals](https://iitap.com/page/dr%5Fpatrick%5Fcarnes?ref=lookoutnews.org) in the 1980s. The organization offers certification and training for sex addiction therapists. Carnes popularized sex addiction treatment as a therapeutic practice, and he also founded a sex addiction treatment program called the Gentle Path, which is located within the Meadows rehab center in Wickenburg, Arizona. Joe Kort, a sex therapist who previously described himself as a sex-addiction therapist for 25 years, said he witnessed the training from Carnes’ institute being used for conversion therapy during the 2000s. “I was listening to therapists say that they would treat men who didn't want to be homosexual, and they would use the sex addiction model,” Kort said. “And I'd be like, wait a minute, you know, that's conversion therapy in sheep's clothing?” That model [included abstinence from sexual activity](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yewhp27GyzCBswEWYb8QHhEsu%5FS4F9nc/view?usp=drive%5Flink&ref=lookoutnews.org), including if people experienced same-sex attraction. Kort said he cut ties with the institute in 2012. Since then, IITAP has denounced conversion therapy. [On its website](https://iitap.com/page/EthicsStatement?ref=lookoutnews.org), it says the organization has a “zero tolerance policy on \[conversion therapy\] and reserves the right to revoke certification at will if evidence proves a violation has occurred.” But *LOOKOUT* and the Arizona Mirror have identified at least two sex addiction therapists certified by the IITAP in Arizona—Floyd Godfrey, founder of Family Strategies Counseling, and John McLean, a camp counselor associated with Family Strategies. While Godfrey no longer has his license, both of them promoted conversion therapy as a practice. Stephanie Carnes, the current head of IITAP and Patrick Carnes’ daughter, told *LOOKOUT* that the organization’s current training materials follow guidance from the World Health Organization. Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder was added to the WHO’s diagnostic manual in 2019, and the entry cautions therapists from making a diagnosis based on a patient’s shame. In other words, sexual activity shouldn’t be interpreted as compulsive simply if a patient believes their own behavior is morally wrong or abnormal. Stephanie Carnes said that the group does not endorse a diagnosis of sex addiction based on shame alone. She also said the group’s stance against conversion therapy has been in place for at least six years. “Am I aware that there have been people that have misused sex addiction in the past and historically to pathologize sexual behaviors or to use as a conversion therapy model? Yes, I’m aware of that,” she said. “And that’s why we’ve taken such a zero-tolerance policy on it.” Carnes said they have not had an ethics complaint submitted about a certified sex addiction therapist actively practicing conversion therapy. ### AN ARIZONA TREND The two certified sex addiction therapists the news organizations identified have practiced conversion therapy in Arizona for years. Family Strategies Counseling Center, [a practice whose original website was](https://web.archive.org/web/20060202110051/http://healinghomosexuality.com/) “healinghomosexuality.com,” advertises sex addiction as one of its specialties, and [several of its therapists have sex addiction certification](https://familystrategies.org/our-team.html?ref=lookoutnews.org). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/05/HealingHomosexuality.png) A screenshot from Family Strategies Counseling Center's former website in 2012\. (WayBackMachine) Godfrey, the founder of Family Strategies, believed that[ being gay could be caused by abuse](https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizona-board-behavioral-health-conversion-therapy/), and that coming to terms with trauma could turn people straight. A previous *LOOKOUT* story detailed how Godfrey lost his license to practice counseling in 2023 after multiple sexual harassment claims were filed against him, including a staff member who the state licensing board identified as male. While he was still licensed, Godfrey advertised his certified sex addiction therapist status on the Family Strategies website. In March, *LOOKOUT* and the *Arizona Mirror* also [identified John Hinson as a reparative therapist who used to advertise himself](https://www.lookoutnews.org/conversion-therapy-arizona/#:~:text=HEALTH-,An%20executive%20order%20last%20year%20aimed%20to%20curb%20conversion%20therapy,aimed%20to%20limit%20counselor's%20resources.) as an expert in treating “unwanted same-sex attraction.” Hinson’s page referencing same-sex attraction was changed after *LOOKOUT* contacted him. Hinson’s current webpage advertises his training in sex addiction, although he lacks certification. Before coming to work at Family Strategies in 2004, Hinson underwent his clinical training at The Meadows, the same treatment center that hosts Carnes’s Gentle Path program. ### TARGETING THE YOUTH Sex addiction treatment isn’t a practice limited to adults at Family Strategies; they also run a group therapy treatment program for teenage boys called Band of Brothers that addresses sexual addiction, but does not define what that may look like. “Good recovery means more than simply NOT slipping,” reads the Band of Brothers web page. “Young men must make changes inside themselves for lasting recovery.” The website previously claimed the program was based on materials created by LifeStar, a sex-addiction program cofounded by certified sex addiction therapist Dan Gray in Utah in 2006\. Currently, the site only mentions attending LifeStar’s annual conference. Gray was listed as a former counselor for the conversion therapy camp “Journey Into Manhood.” The flier Gray is listed on describes him and the other therapists as being “knowledgeable not only about same-sex attraction issues but are also very familiar with the Journey into Manhood experience, teachings and program.” When reached for comment, Gray said his only association with the camp was in around 2005 when he was invited to one of the organization’s workshops but had to leave early. "I have worked with many individuals wanting to overcome their unwanted, compulsive sexual-acting-out behaviors that had become problematic in their lives," he said. "Though some of these clients are gay, most have reported themselves to be heterosexual." In an emailed statement, a representative for LifeStar said the organization was not created as a conversion therapy program: “If someone came to a therapist who uses the LifeStar materials, asking to cure them of an addiction to unwanted same-sex attraction, we would hope that the therapist would respond by informing the individual that same-sex orientation and attraction are not considered an addiction.” LifeSTAR advertises Family Strategies as an official “LifeStar provider” on its website. Another program at Family Strategies, “Adventures in Manhood,” is touted as a weekend retreat for teenage boys and their guardians. The web page for the camp describes the staff as faith-based and says they “follow conservative standards.” The camp used to advertise itself as a weekend for teens struggling with unwanted same-sex attraction. It is currently run by John McLean, the camp counselor. He is also a certified sex addiction therapist who formerly described one of his specialties as “treating unwanted same-sex attraction.” Family Strategies did not respond to requests for comment on this story. ### RELIGION’S INFLUENCE When Elena Joy Thurston caught her son watching pornography, she panicked. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had taught her that porn was a stepping stone to other sins. “If you watch porn, two things will happen,” she said, describing what she heard from church leaders. “One, you're going to become addicted. And two, because you're probably a guy watching porn, you're going to become gay.” Relaying what she was taught, she told her son that watching porn would make him gay, too. According to Thurston, who now calls herself an ex-Mormon, the Church’s doctrine goes hand-in-hand with considering all sexual behavior as an addiction. “Homosexuality and sex addiction are framed as temptations that come from our body,” she said. “And the underlying idea is that our bodies are tempting us to sin. The whole reason why we’re on this planet is to learn how to overcome our body.” LifeSTAR is still recommended on the website of the Church as a resource to help people struggling with viewing pornography. Thurston was taught that men are especially susceptible to becoming addicted to porn and masturbation, and that it could eventually turn people gay. In 2017, Newsweek [obtained a copy of a leaked 1981 document](https://mormonleaks.io/wiki/documents/4/4c/Homosexuality-1981.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) from the church that gives credence to what Thurston was taught: it explained masturbation of any kind to pornography could make someone homosexual. The church has since updated its positions on same-sex attraction, but it’s unclear the current position on masturbation or pornography. This same anxiety, that porn or sex can turn people gay or trans, is touted by Hansen, the licensed sex addiction counselor speaking in Camp Verde next month. He said in a 2021 essay: “A previously defined heterosexual boy might ultimately find himself enjoying homosexual pornography and then begin to question his sexuality.” Hansen takes this further, writing that trans masculine youth might be persuaded to transition because they see mistreatment of women in porn that they watch, and then seek to avoid that by transitioning. His essay was endorsed by the American College of Pediatricians, a group originally formed in 2002 to advocate against lesbians and gays from adopting children. Several members of that organization’s leadership also served on the board of the Alliance for Therapeutic Choice and Scientific Integrity, the primary conversion therapy advocacy association in the United States. The College of Pediatricians currently testifies in support of gender-affirming care bans across the country. Hansen, along with members of the College, filed an amicus brief in support of a gender-affirming care ban in Arkansas in 2021, calling that care “ill-founded.” ### Help us learn what's being taught in schools. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/sex-education-students-arizona-lookout/ Last updated: 2024-05-16T16:00:42.000Z --- **In this week's newsletter: We need your help in figuring out what's happening inside school districts; Arizona's abortion ban delayed until September; A teacher was fired for being gay; It's your last chance to vote for LOOKOUT; 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**](https://www.instagram.com/lookoutphx/?ref=lookoutnews.org)**.** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/05/439451636_936762928460412_7275953536618266748_n.jpg) An advertisement in Tucson's Western Express for the country fair. May 1983 (Photo from [AZ Gay History](https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=936762938460411&set=a.481237104012999)) **STUDY HALL:** Hi readers. My name is Shelby Rae Wills. I'm an accountability fellow at LOOKOUT.I'm writing the top of our newsletter today because I need your help. Specifically, I need you to tell me what you know about sex education in your school district. Covering this subject has been all about strategy and making sure we're getting a full understanding of what the curriculum looks like across the state. To do that, I geographically divided the state into eight equal sections and selected two unified school districts from each section. I submitted records requests for these districts about their sex education programs and policies, and waited. Since then, I've dove into legislation to understand how it works on the bureaucratic side. I've spoken with superintendents, attended district sex ed committee meetings in the East Valley, and have been interviewing organizers involved in sex education across the state. It's crucial to continue understanding sex education in Arizona’s public schools because it directly impacts the well-being and future of students, especially those who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. Providing inclusive sex education equips young people with essential knowledge about their bodies, relationships, consent, and health, fostering informed and responsible decision-making. **WHAT I'M KEEPING AN EYE ON:** I’m asking parents, students, and recent graduates to participate in a two-minute survey that is vital for continuing to report on this topic. Talking to decision-makers is only part of the story; I need to hear from the people and families directly impacted by these policies. Your perspective is essential to understanding what is happening inside Arizona public schools and where improvements can be made. Parents and guardians—as primary stakeholders—deserve to know what is being taught and to have a say in the educational content that affects their children. Their input can highlight gaps or issues that might otherwise go unnoticed. Additionally, feedback from youth provides firsthand insight into the effectiveness and reception of the sex education they receive. If you are or know of a parent of a student or a recent graduate, or if you're someone aged 14-24 years old, please fill out our surveys below. And if you’d like to share your story, please reach out to me at [rae@lookoutphx.org](mailto:rae@lookoutphx.org). [Click here if you're a student/recent student](https://airtable.com/app22b3Pt74WwG2gE/pagVmbwYDZzI9TNgF/form?ref=lookoutnews.org) [Click here if you're a parent](https://airtable.com/app22b3Pt74WwG2gE/pagPde9Two8ZhFPBo/form?ref=lookoutnews.org) **ONLY THREE MORE DAYS TO VOTE FOR LOOKOUT!**LOOKOUT is a finalist in the NEXT Media Challenge by the Glen Nelson Center at American Public Media. We are one of 10 other news organizations nationwide chosen as the "future of local journalism." And we could win up to $90,000! But we need your vote! **[Click here to vote for LOOKOUT!](https://platform.younoodle.com/competition/2024%5Fnext%5Fchallenge%5Ffor%5Fmedia%5Fjournalism/public-vote/2024%5Faudience%5Fchoice%5Faward?ref=lookoutnews.org) (Note: You have three votes, and can only vote once in each category.)** --- **🌵 LOCAL NEWS** - **BAN DELAY:**The state's strict abortion ban will be pushed back another 90 days to the end of September. [ **Arizona Mirror**](https://azmirror.com/2024/05/13/enforcement-of-1864-abortion-ban-delayed-until-late-september/?ref=lookoutnews.org) **🇺🇸 NATIONAL NEWS** - **DO ASK, DO TELL:** Calif. Democratic Congressman Mark Takano is attempting to establish a commission that would look at the effects of the nation's "Don't Ask Don't Tell" policy on service members. [ **Bay Area Reporter**](https://www.ebar.com/story.php?ch=news&sc=news&id=332997&ref=lookoutnews.org) - **DISMISSED:** A Maine parent sued her school district, claiming teachers promoted her child to change genders. Teachers offered the student chest binders and addressed them using different pronouns than the ones used at home. The court dismissed the ruling. [ **Associated Press**](hhttps://apnews.com/article/transgender-lawsuit-school-informing-parents-maine-e531efdeecb20d8625cb3859a1c3185d) - **FIRED FOR BEING GAY:**A school teacher who was planning to marry his same-sex partner was fired because it went against the Catholic teachings at the school he worked at. [ **Fourth Circuit Court** ](https://wp.api.aclu.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Billard-CA4.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) --- ### **UPCOMING EVENTS:** Have a community event coming up you want *LOOKOUT* to highlight? [**Email us**](mailto:newsletters@lookoutphx.org?subject=Event%20info%20for%20newsletter&body=null)**.** - **Thurs. May 16** \- The Greater Phoenix Equality Chamber of Commerce is hosting their central mixer at Dialog in Phoenix. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C6cMqtyBaSv/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Thurs. May 16 -** Lezbe Friends hosts a poetry night at Buena Vida Bodega.[**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C6zGYbePmXy/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Thurs. May 16 -** Trans Queer Pueblo and Palabras Bookstore has a poetry night based on liberation. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C61crhxLche/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sat. May 18** \- Get all dressed up for the Sparkle Glitter GLSEN prom. [**Info**](https://lookoutphx.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=dcba3ddb0a7f82349c11c0c17&id=dd2a7f6625&e=77ad149132&ref=lookoutnews.org) - **Sat. May 18 -** Join Trans Spectrum AZ in their virtual support group. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C6b9mGQP53R/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Wed. May 22 - Come to Gracie's Tax Bar at 9 p.m. for a karaoke party that will also double as a fundraiser for *LOOKOUT*.** - **Sat. May 25 -** YumBar is hosting a Slow Yoga Flow with Your Health and Wellness and the gals from Monsoon Market. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C69IsmEpICz/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sun. June 2 -** Marigold and Afternoons Studios are hosting Sunday Stories. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C6wuSK9ySLH/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Tues. June 4-** Chandler Pride is hosting the Queer Human Library, a storytelling event for the queer community. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C6hSnR5SEvX/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **Sat. June 8 -** Queer AF hosts a Pride Party at Hotel Congress. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C6%5Fj9ivLYT4/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sat. June 8 -** The Tucson Interfaith HIV/AIDS Network fundraiser is being held at the Desert Diamond Hotel and Casino. [**Info**](https://tihan.org/treasures-for-tihan/?ref=lookoutnews.org) --- ## 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\. **\_ \_ \_T\_ \_ \_** **\_ \_ \_ \_ \_ \_ \_** **Hint: Tucson's queer-focused newspaper published in the 80's, which focused on the HIV/AIDS communities in the Southwest. (Another hint: scroll up to the top.)** [Submit your answer with your name and city](mailto:newsletters@lookoutphx.org) **Last Week's Answer: Tracey "Africa" Norman** **LAST WEEK'S WINNERS:** Todd L. (Phoenix); Sheila K. (Phoenix); Josué R. (Tucson) ### Why we can't have equality, according to lawmakers. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/lookout-news-equality-newsletter/ Last updated: 2024-05-09T15:19:40.000Z **In this week's newsletter: How come we can't get a nondiscrimination bill passed?; Intimidating reporters from doing their jobs; VOTE FOR LOOKOUT!; 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**](https://www.instagram.com/lookoutphx/?ref=lookoutnews.org)**.** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/05/IMG_8027.jpg) A photo taken at the Zoni Skate Girls night at Walter Warehouse in Phoenix. **YOUTH DAY:** For the past 20 years, Democrats (and some Republicans) have tried to pass a statewide nondiscrimination bill that would protect LGBTQ+ people from being denied housing, employment, or access to private businesses. That has changed recently, though, as *some* Republican support has turned to *no* Republican support. So what's it going to take? Lawmakers in both parties agree that the only way queer people will have equal protection under the law is if Democrats have full control of the House and Senate. [**Read our full story here.** ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/anti-discrimination-bills-for-the-lgbtq-community-have-wide-support-so-why-cant-a-bill-get-passed/) **WHAT WE’RE KEEPING AN EYE ON:** Earlier this year, we highlighted legislation introduced by Democrats in the House and Senate that aimed to pass a statewide nondiscrimination bill. One of those bills, sponsored by the LGBTQ+ Legislative Caucus, was created in partnership with the ACLU of Arizona, HRC of Arizona, and had the support of other LGBTQ+ groups locally such as GLSEN Arizona and AZTYPO. The other bill, introduced by Rep. Amish Shah (D.-Phoenix), had far less support from the community, but was seen as a moderate approach to the more popular bill because it allowed for religious exemptions. In an interview with *LOOKOUT* this past Feb., Michael Soto, the executive director of Equality Arizona and chief advocacy officer with One Community—the organization that helped draft the bill—said that he didn't believe there was such a thing as "perfect" legislation, and that the goal of advocacy was to make meaningful steps forward, even if they were small. But there hasn't been progress, and some criticize Democratic lawmakers as being hypocritical for even pushing legislation—they note that progressives criticize Republicans for introducing bills they know will end up in a veto, but at the same time push legislation they know Republicans won't pass. At the end of the day, this is how politics is played in a state with slim majorities and where bills are used to push discussions among the public. But we're curious how these kinds of battles affect you: do you care that these bills are introduced but not passed? Do you agree that the only way things will change would be through a party shift in the legislature? Or what do you think needs to happen for members of both parties to come to an agreement on LGBTQ+ rights? Reply back to this email and let us know! **HAVE YOU VOTED FOR LOOKOUT YET?**LOOKOUT is a finalist in the NEXT Media Challenge by the Glen Nelson Center at American Public Media. We are one of 10 other news organizations nationwide chosen as the "future of local journalism." And we could win up to $90,000! But we need your vote! **[Click here to vote for LOOKOUT!](http://lookout-publications.fundjournalism.org/lookout-publications-1?ref=lookoutnews.org) (Note: You have three votes, and can only vote once in each category.)** --- **🌵 LOCAL NEWS** - **PHOENIX PRIDE AWARDS:** LOOKOUT is a nominee for the Phoenix Pride Awards! We learned this past weekend that we are up for the BJ Bud Spirit Award, but we need your vote! [ **Phoenix Pride**](https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2024CommunitySpiritVoting?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR1NZwJlp0ji0RWELavGc5a2XEY4LCiw4p6u3iTMGwbzz5l0JmcUKyoqcWU%5Faem%5FAcLEyDxw51S6roz7gUzpw1lrDCZ99Sdt%5FU0JEGqwLNrSR6nxYX-M%5FwiCKJcNU9G8qp-YihxDifb-HCKg8PqwVpv1&ref=lookoutnews.org) - **SILENCING REPORTERS:**Family Strategies Counseling Center sent a cease and desist letter to our reporter Josephine Jaye McAuliffe after contacting them about our story on conversion therapy. McAuliffe has been able to tie the center's staff to promoting the practice under different medical regimens. [ **LOOKOUT**](https://www.lookoutnews.org/therapy-firm-tied-to-conversion-therapists-sent-a-cease-and-desist-letter-to-our-reporter/) - **GOES AROUND COMES AROUND:** After pushing House Speaker Ben Toma to ban Democrats from reserving rooms in the House because they invited a drag queen to the Capitol, Sen. Anthony Kern (R.-Glendale) was banned from using Senate materials after he went on a homophobic tirade with a known anti-semitic talk show host. [ **AZ Mirror**](hhttps://azmirror.com/2024/05/03/anthony-kern-drag-performers-pro-hitler-talk-show-host/) - **LET'S TALK ABOUT SEX:** LOOKOUT reporter Shelby Rae Wills is seeking feedback from our students and parents on sex education. Their series is looking into what’s being taught, and if it’s enough. If you’re a student or parent in Arizona, please take our survey. [ **Student survey here.**](https://airtable.com/app22b3Pt74WwG2gE/pagVmbwYDZzI9TNgF/form?ref=lookoutnews.org) [ **Parent survey here.**](https://airtable.com/app22b3Pt74WwG2gE/pagPde9Two8ZhFPBo/form?ref=lookoutnews.org) **🇺🇸 NATIONAL NEWS** - **CORPORATE PRIDE:** Conservatives are pushing companies they hold stock in to stop LGBTQ+ marketing, such as during Pride month. They argue that it's a risky way to lose money in the stock market. [ **Wall Street Journal**](https://www.wsj.com/articles/brands-face-growing-pressure-from-activist-shareholders-over-lgbtq-marketing-ea789aa1?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **DOXYPEP:** The treatment regimen to prevent some STI's is now being prescribed over telemedicine by the provider, Mistr. The group made its name through online prescriptions of PrEP, an HIV-prevention medication regimen. [ **The Washington Blade**](https://www.washingtonblade.com/2024/04/30/mistr-announces-prescribing-doxype/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **TRANS ATHLETES**A new study conducted by the British Journal of Sports Medicine counteracts the narrative that trans women, specifically, have a physical advantage when competing in sports. “Trans women are not biological men,” said Yannis Pitsiladis, one of the authors, in relation to athletic abilities. [ **The New York Times** ](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/23/world/europe/paris-olympics-transgender-athletes.html?ref=lookoutnews.org) --- ### **UPCOMING EVENTS:** Have a community event coming up you want *LOOKOUT* to highlight? [**Email us**](mailto:newsletters@lookoutphx.org?subject=Event%20info%20for%20newsletter&body=null)**.** - **Thurs. May 9** \- Border butterflies Project, hosted by Queer AF and the Transgender Law Clinic, is being hosted at The Downtown Clifton in Tucson. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C6uWtkHPXb0/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink) - **Fri. May 10 -** Dry in the Desert is throwing a "Soft and Sweet" sober dance party at The Giving Tree in Phoenix. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C6hB5nQPubV/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sat. May 11** \- Palabras Bookstore in Phoenix is putting on a BIPOC open mic night. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C6q4x66x2K0/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sat. May 11** \- Skoden Coffee is hosting their "Queer Market" event. Funds will go to moving their current facility. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C6e5RDxS29Y/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Wed. May 15 -** Thems is hosting a writing workshop. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6bs3qVRNLJ/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Thurs. May 16** \- The Greater Phoenix Equality Chamber of Commerce is hosting their central mixer. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C6cMqtyBaSv/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sat. May 18** \- Get all dressed up for the Sparkle Glitter GLSEN prom. [**Info**](https://lookoutphx.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=dcba3ddb0a7f82349c11c0c17&id=dd2a7f6625&e=77ad149132&ref=lookoutnews.org) - **Sat. May 18 -** Join Trans Spectrum AZ in their virtual support group. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C6b9mGQP53R/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Tues. June 4-** Chandler Pride is hosting the Queer Human Library, a storytelling event for the queer community. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C6hSnR5SEvX/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **Sat. June 8 -** The Tucson Interfaith HIV/AIDS Network fundraiser is being held at the Desert Diamond Hotel and Casino. [**Info**](https://tihan.org/treasures-for-tihan/?ref=lookoutnews.org) --- ## 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\. **T\_A\_ \_ \_** **"AFRICA"** **\_ \_ \_ \_A\_** **Hint: The first transgender model to be on the box of Clairol's "Born Beautiful" hair dye No. 512 in the 1970s. She was later outed and fired.** [Submit your answer with your name and city](mailto:newsletters@lookoutphx.org) **Last Week's Answer: CASA NUESTRA** **LAST WEEK'S WINNERS:** Sheila K. (Phoenix); Lauren C. (Tempe); Clark O. (Phoenix); Christina P. (Phoenix); Bruce A. ### Anti-discrimination bills for the LGBTQ+ community have wide support. So why can’t a bill get passed? URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/anti-discrimination-bills-for-the-lgbtq-community-have-wide-support-so-why-cant-a-bill-get-passed/ Last updated: 2025-03-05T19:29:10.000Z Twenty-two states have comprehensive LGBTQ+ civil rights laws on the books. Arizona, though, is not one of them. The fight to pass an anti-discrimination bill is now more than twenty years old here. Since at least 2002, Arizona lawmakers—mostly Democrats, but also some Republicans—have repeatedly introduced bills that would include sexual orientation and gender identity among the state’s protected classes, such as race, sex, and religion. And although those bills varied in scope, they would have generally protected LGBTQ+ people from discrimination in employment, housing, or public accommodations. But none of those bills went anywhere. Instead, protection within the state is enforced by local municipalities; only 11 Arizona cities have ordinances that indicate being LGBTQ+ as a protected class. Civil rights advocates say a comprehensive statewide anti-discrimination law is necessary. The urban cities that provide protections only account for half of the state’s general population, and research shows LGBTQ+ adults—[especially in rural areas](https://www.lgbtmap.org/rural-lgbt?ref=lookoutnews.org)—are more likely to experience [unemployment](https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/visualization/lgbt-stats/?topic=LGBT&ref=lookoutnews.org#density) or [homelessness](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6695950/?ref=lookoutnews.org) compared to others. And though there is [competing data](https://surface.syr.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1240&context=cpr&ref=lookoutnews.org) on whether or not nondiscrimination bills [actually do what they intend](https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12122-018-9272-0?ref=lookoutnews.org), advocates say that it’s better to have something than nothing. ### **ONCE BIPARTISAN, NOW ONE-SIDED** Employment protections for LGBTQ+ people [exist at the federal level](https://www.npr.org/2020/06/15/863498848/supreme-court-delivers-major-victory-to-lgbtq-employees?ref=lookoutnews.org), but if the Supreme Court were to roll back those protections it could leave queer people vulnerable, similar to when states saw local abortion laws triggered after *Roe v. Wade* was overturned. Darrell Hill, policy director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona, expressed the importance of a statewide law to avoid that, and protect people from experiencing homelessness or joblessness: “These are very serious consequences of discrimination,” he said. There was a time when anti-discrimination bills did seem like they could have been a reality with Republican support. In 2002, when Republicans held a supermajority in the House, six of them signed onto a nondiscrimination House bill with Democrats. However, the bill was never brought up for a vote and died in committee. That support has since dwindled significantly. Between 2018 and 2022, bills that would have provided protections in employment, housing, and public accommodations had at least one member of each party backing them. And over the past two years, amid an [onslaught of anti-LGBTQ+ bills](https://kjzz.org/content/1854391/looking-back-lgbtq-related-bills-introduced-years-legislative-session?ref=lookoutnews.org) in the Arizona legislature, Republican support for a bill to protect queer people from discrimination has gone from slim to nonexistent. Even openly gay Republican lawmaker, state Rep. Matt Gress (R.-Phoenix), did not support any of the three bills introduced by Democrats the last two sessions. And attempts to make the legislation bipartisan have been stymied, said state Rep. Oscar De Los Santos (D.-Phoenix) who also is the co-chair of the LGBTQ+ Legislative Caucus. He said he reached out to Gress to try to gain support for HB2625, an anti-discrimination bill introduced this past session. Gress did not respond, he told *LOOKOUT*. De Los Santos said Republicans who would otherwise support the legislation might be afraid to go against their party. He noted that Republican leadership recently removed Gress from the House Appropriations Committee in April after voting alongside Democrats to [repeal the state’s near-total abortion ban](https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/4619080-arizona-lawmakers-booted-committees-abortion-ban-repeal/?ref=lookoutnews.org#:~:text=Arizona%20state%20House%20Rep.%20Matt,speaking%20out%20for%20reproductive%20freedom.). Gress did not respond to multiple requests for comment from *LOOKOUT*. ### **WHAT WILL IT TAKE?** Seventy-seven percent of Arizonans favor laws protecting LGBTQ+ people from discrimination, according to a [2022 survey](https://www.prri.org/research/findings-from-the-2022-american-values-atlas/?ref=lookoutnews.org) by the nonprofit public opinion research institute PRRI. So why hasn’t something happened? “As a matter of reality it’s going to take us to flip the legislature,” De Los Santos said. Politicians on both sides of the aisle agree, especially as Republicans aligned with the state’s “Freedom Caucus” wield more power and move farther to the right on social issues, such as limiting transgender health care or criminalizing drag in public areas. State Sen. John Kavanagh (R.-Fountain Hills) who is associated with the state’s Freedom Caucus, said he and his colleagues disagree with a bill to provide protections for LGBTQ+ Arizonans. He was the only Republican to respond to *LOOKOUT*’s request for comment. “I don’t think it would be good public policy, in that it would take away some people’s freedom of association, and it would generate lawsuits, and it would step on some people’s religious principles,” he said. A bill that did give religious exemptions was introduced last session, but Kavanagh still didn’t support it. Kavanagh was the first lawmaker in the nation to propose a bathroom ban for trans students, and was the sponsor of multiple anti-LGBTQ+ bills this year, including one that would “out” queer kids to parents. Most of his bills passed the legislature but were vetoed by Gov. Katie Hobbs, a Democrat. Rep. Analise Ortiz (D.-Phoenix), and State Rep. Lorena Austin (D.-Mesa), both members of the LGBTQ+ Legislative Caucus, agreed that Democratic control is necessary to getting the legislation passed: “Republicans have repeatedly shown their complete refusal to pass even the most low-level bills that would support the LGBTQ+ community,” Ortiz said. ### A counseling center tied to conversion therapy sent a cease and desist letter to our reporter. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/therapy-firm-tied-to-conversion-therapists-sent-a-cease-and-desist-letter-to-our-reporter/ Last updated: 2025-03-05T19:29:14.000Z Lawyers representing a family therapy practice *LOOKOUT* has shown to use and promote conversion therapy have sent a cease and desist letter ordering our reporters to stop contacting the practice—or be faced with lawsuits. *LOOKOUT* identified therapists at Family Strategies Counseling Center who previously advertised themselves either as [reparative therapists or as counselors willing to treat “unwanted same-sex attraction.](https://www.lookoutnews.org/conversion-therapy-arizona/)” Reparative therapy is a term for conversion therapy that implies gay people can be fixed or “repaired.” The center’s original website domain was “healinghomosexuality.com.” After reaching out to the center’s executive team and several of its therapists for comment through phone and email, the organization—through a lawyer—sent *LOOKOUT* a cease and desist letter on May 7\. The letter was sent out by law firm Wallin Hester, PLC, and demanded *LOOKOUT* reporter Josephine Jaye McAuliffe to “cease all communications with \[Family Strategies\] and its employees.” It is standard practice for journalists to reach out to subjects of their stories to offer a chance to rebut or defend against reporters’ findings or public accusations. *LOOKOUT* requires its reporters to make multiple attempts to contact any person or business named in stories before publishing. “Failure to balance the story could be viewed as journalistic irresponsibility, with the resulting story possibly being libelous,” said media law expert Joseph Russomanno, a professor at ASU’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications. According to Russomanno, cease and desist letters carry no legal weight, and are tantamount to a warning. But the threat of a future injunction can be used to intimidate journalists. “Is the letter meant to silence your reporting? Of course it is. How could this be viewed any other way?” Russomanno said. According to the letter, employees at Family Strategies complained about *LOOKOUT’s* attempts to contact them. “Bullying and harassing behavior, and repetitive interfering contact, is inappropriate,” the letter read. In her previous two stories on conversion therapy, McAuliffe contacted John Hinson, a member of Family Strategies’ executive team, as well as [Floyd Godfrey, the center’s founder](https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizona-board-behavioral-health-conversion-therapy/). Both responded to questions about conversion therapy. In the last month, McAuliffe emailed Kim Buck, a member of Family Strategies’ executive team, as well as counselor John McLean. She also left voicemails for both therapists. Those emails and calls went unanswered until *LOOKOUT* received the cease and desist letter. “Simply contacting someone to ask them for comments does not necessarily equate with harassment,” Joseph Russomanno said. *LOOKOUT* reached out to the law firm that sent the cease and desist letter on behalf of Family Strategies. No one at the firm responded before publication. “This cease and desist letter is an attempt to silence a reporter doing her job, which is finding and exposing the truth,” said *LOOKOUT* Editor-in-Chief Joseph Darius Jaafari. “We stand by our reporting practices and our stories on this public health issue.” #### Correction An earlier version of this story stated that Joseph Russomanno was a professor at ASU's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications as well as the Sandra Day O'Connor Law School. He is only faculty at the journalism school. We regret the error. ### A celebration of queer youth! URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-democrats-history-of-promoting-far-right-republicans-copy/ Last updated: 2024-05-02T17:38:18.000Z **In this week's newsletter: A tense few days at the Capitol after someone read a book in the House basement; Politics' real-time effect on LGBTQ+ youth; Queer "insurrectionists" in the Capitol?; A brand new *Out of the Closet* to win free swag, and last month's winner!** --- ## 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**](https://www.instagram.com/lookoutphx/?ref=lookoutnews.org)**.** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/05/Screenshot-2024-05-02-at-8.53.01-AM.png) Melanie Willingham-Jaggers, the national executive director for GLSEN, an LGBTQ+ educators' rights group, came to Arizona to celebrate the state's inaugural LGBTQ+ Youth Day at the Capitol on Wednesday. (Photo courtesy of Lizette Trujillo) **YOUTH DAY:** Months ago, a cohort of LGBTQ+ advocacy groups in Arizona had an idea: to show queer youth across Arizona that their government is made for them. Rep. Lorena Austin (D.-Mesa) came up with the idea after students at multiple schools had asked Austin to speak at their Gay-Straight Alliances. "I think they finally saw someone like them," Austin said yesterday at the Capitol Rose Garden during a press junket to announce the state's first LGBTQ+ Youth Day at the Capitol. Students from across Arizona's school districts including Tucson, Phoenix, Chandler, and Mesa gathered to simply be seen by members of the legislature, especially Republicans who have attempted to limit the rights of trans and nonbinary students in schools. "Democrats support you," Austin said from the House floor. But the event was tinged with slight anxiety. The day before, a Capitol insider told LOOKOUT that House Speaker Ben Toma pulled Austin into his office and "yelled at" them for hosting a private event in a meeting room for Drag Story Hour-Arizona. The event only had adults present, and the drag performer Freddy Prinze was dressed in a full glitter and sequined suit. Toma's outburst on Austin came only after the speaker was called out on X by his congressional challenger, Sen. Anthony Kern (R.-Glendale). The two are running for a devoutly Republican district in the West Valley. In an announcement on X, Toma said that Democrats would be barred from reserving spaces in the House "until trust is restored." [He called drag "perverse," ](https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/arizona-house-speaker-lashes-out-at-lgbtq-lawmaker-over-drag-event-18867731?ref=lookoutnews.org)and said Austin misled him. One House staffer told *LOOKOUT* that Toma was lying and "saving face." They said that all House members and staff were well aware of the event weeks before it was scheduled. *LOOKOUT* reached out to Toma's office to ask how he was misled when his office approved the event. We have not received a response. **WHAT WE’RE KEEPING AN EYE ON:** This kind of grandstanding isn't new in politics. And queer communities are often cast as main characters in Arizona's political theatre. But what makes this newsworthy, at least to us, is how state Rep. Rachel Jones (R.-Tucson) invited an anti-trans leader from the group Gays Against Groomers to sit among the students at yesterday's event. The Arizona chapter of Gays Against Groomers is run by Robert Wallace, who is seeking a seat on the Fountain Hills City Council. Wallace was also the secretary of the Log Cabin Republics in Phoenix, the organization's largest chapter. On his campaign website, Wallace says that he is protecting students from the "woke Marxist agenda" inside of schools. We'd like to do a bit of digging into Wallace. As an openly gay man who is running for office and also running on an anti-trans platform, we feel it's our job to do some backgrounding. If you have any information on Wallace, feel free to reach out by responding back to this email. **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.](http://lookout-publications.fundjournalism.org/lookout-publications-1?ref=lookoutnews.org)** --- **🌵 LOCAL NEWS** - **ENDORSEMENT:**The anti-drag-but-former-friend-of-a-drag-queen Senate Candidate Kari Lake has received an endorsement from Sonny Borelli, who said birth control should be an aspirin "between your knees." [ **The Phoenix New Times**](https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/kari-lake-endorsement-sonny-borrelli-18861877?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **QUEER INSURRECTION:** Two members of the House LGBTQ+ Legislative Caucus are being accused of "insurrection" after shouting down fellow Rep. Matt Gress (R.-Paradise Valley) for his vote against debating a repeal on the abortion ban. [ **AZ Mirror**](https://azmirror.com/2024/04/26/in-ethics-complaint-republicans-accuse-2-dems-of-insurrection-for-protesting-on-the-house-floor/?ref=lookoutnews.org) **🇺🇸 NATIONAL NEWS** - **METHODIST CHANGE:** The United Methodist Church repealed a longstanding ban that disallowed LGBTQ+ clergy. [ **The Associated Press**](https://apnews.com/article/united-methodist-lgbtq-clergy-general-conference-acabe18fe22b6838e3005ad8895534fa?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **ONE IN TEN:** More than one in ten LGBTQ+ youth constemplated suicide last year. They cited the state of politics as a significant factor. [ **The Hill**](https://thehill.com/homenews/lgbtq/4636883-more-than-1-in-10-lgbtq-youth-say-they-attempted-suicide-last-year-poll/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **KERN, THE HATER:**Sen. Anthony Kern, who has introduced and passed multiple anti-LGBTQ+ bills, went on. awhite supremacist's talk show to go on a homophobic screed. [ **Angry White Men** ](https://angrywhitemen.org/2024/05/02/az-state-senator-anthony-kern-appears-on-rumble-show-of-holocaust-denier-stew-peters/?ref=lookoutnews.org) --- ### **UPCOMING EVENTS:** Have a community event coming up you want *LOOKOUT* to highlight? [**Email us**](mailto:newsletters@lookoutphx.org?subject=Event%20info%20for%20newsletter&body=null)**.** - **Fri. May 3** \- Eat and drink up with the Greater Phoenix Equality Chamber of Commerce's at their monthly luncheon at YUMBar. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C6cMqtyBaSv/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sat. May 4-** Like Dungeons and Dragons? Play a bit with TSAZ at their D&D Fundraiser. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C6b9mGQP53R/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sat. May 4-** GLSEN Arizona has a reading event at the Flagstaff Library. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C6bhvJoMJVv/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Tues. May 7 - O**ne n Ten hosts a meetup in Flagstaff for queer youth aged 18-24\. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C6W5Zo8P4TG/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Wed. May 15 -** Thems is hosting a writing workshop. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6bs3qVRNLJ/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sat. May 18** \- Get all dressed up for the Sparkle Glitter GLSEN prom. [**Info**](https://lookoutphx.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=dcba3ddb0a7f82349c11c0c17&id=dd2a7f6625&e=77ad149132&ref=lookoutnews.org) --- ## 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\. **\_A\_A** **\_ \_ \_ \_T\_A** **Hint: The spanish translation for "Our House," this private club was a lesbian hangout in Tucson that closed in 1982\.** [Submit your answer with your name and city](mailto:newsletters@lookoutphx.org) **Last Week's Answer: BICYCLE** **LAST WEEK'S WINNERS:** Sheila K. (Phoenix) **LAST MONTH'S WINNER:** Victoria C. (Phoenix) ### A Democrat's history of promoting far-right Republicans URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-democrats-history-of-promoting-far-right-republicans/ Last updated: 2024-05-02T17:38:01.000Z **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**](https://www.instagram.com/lookoutphx/?ref=lookoutnews.org)**.** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/04/image000000-1.jpg) 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.**](https://www.lookoutnews.org/lgbtq-abortions-arizona/) **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.** ](mailto:editor@lookoutphx.org) **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.](http://lookout-publications.fundjournalism.org/lookout-publications-1?ref=lookoutnews.org)** --- **🌵 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**](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/apr/23/turning-point-usa-assault-david-boyles?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **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**](https://www.lookoutnews.org/lookout-summer-solutions-series/) - **VETO QUEEN:** Gov. Katie Hobbs has vetoed another anti-LGBTQ+ ban aimed at transgender students. [ **AZ Mirror**](https://azmirror.com/2024/04/23/hobbs-vetoes-anti-trans-shower-bill/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **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**](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C6KAzRkPwBa/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) **🇺🇸 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**](https://www.washingtonblade.com/2024/04/22/smithsonian-staff-concerned-about-future-of-lgbtq-programming-amid-gop-scrutiny/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **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**](https://newsisout.com/2024/04/top-5-banned-books-in-u-s-american-library-association-report/24238/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **REPEALING LANGUAGE:**The United Methodist Church is meeting this week to discuss removing anti-LGBTQ+ language from their geaneral teachings and rulebook. [ **NPR** ](https://www.npr.org/2024/04/23/1245103759/lgbtq-clergy-same-sex-weddings-united-methodists?ref=lookoutnews.org) --- ### **UPCOMING EVENTS:** Have a community event coming up you want *LOOKOUT* to highlight? [**Email us**](mailto:newsletters@lookoutphx.org?subject=Event%20info%20for%20newsletter&body=null)**.** - **Fri. April 26-** Prism Network hosts yoga sessions for the community in Prescott. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C6E0KIJvTnL/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Fri. April 26** \- Black Phoenix Organizing Collective is selling wares from disabled artists and merchants at Palabras Bookstore. [**Info**](https://lookoutphx.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=dcba3ddb0a7f82349c11c0c17&id=7bc13d3c12&e=77ad149132&ref=lookoutnews.org) - **Fri. April 26 -** Friends of the Pima County Public Library are having a Community Used Book Sale. [**Info**](https://members.tucsonlgbtchamber.org/events/details/community-used-book-sale-04-26-2024-9030?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **Sat. April 27-** Spectrum is providing free HIV testing. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C6B2TCsMg-t/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sat. April 27 -** Marigold is hosting a book fair at Afternoons Studio. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C38dF0iPAt2/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sun. April 28-** Shut Eye Press is putting on a "Pastries and Postcards" event at Dark Hall Coffee. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C5%5FSXDFxyOA/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **Tues. April 30 -** Art market pops up at Froth Coffee. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C6JxTbsJBKK/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **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**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C6IDDmdM1cM/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sat. May 18** \- Get all dressed up for the Sparkle Glitter GLSEN prom. [**Info**](https://lookoutphx.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=dcba3ddb0a7f82349c11c0c17&id=dd2a7f6625&e=77ad149132&ref=lookoutnews.org) --- ## 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.** [Submit your answer with your name and city](mailto:newsletters@lookoutphx.org) **Last Week's Answer: FLINTA** **LAST WEEK'S WINNERS:** Sheila K. (Phoenix) ### LOOKOUT to host community summer event series URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/lookout-summer-solutions-series/ Last updated: 2024-08-06T19:55:33.000Z To execute on our vision of seeing people within Arizona’s LGBTQ+ communities embrace, help, and inform one another, *LOOKOUT* is hosting a summer series of panels focused on issues related to the news organization’s various beats including: safety, public health, education, politics, and business. The goal of “*LOOKOUT’s* Summer of Solutions” series not only host talks that identify problems our community has brought up, but also work together with audience members and panelists to assist in devising ways to elevate community solutions. “*LOOKOUT’s* Summer of Solutions” series will be open to the public, but each event will be capped at 35 people with donors of $80 or more a year being offered tickets first. [**The easiest way to get an invite is to become an annual subscriber here**](https://www.lookoutnews.org/membership/)**.** *LOOKOUT* is actively seeing out event sponsors for our solutions event. To be a sponsor for any of the events, below, please email *LOOKOUT* Executive Director Jake Hylton at: [**Jake@lookoutphx.org**](mailto:jake@lookoutphx.org). The topics for each month are listed below: ## **JUNE** ### **The future of queer politics, from the perspective of those who served.** The past few years, legislative news has been focused almost exclusively on bills that target the LGBTQ+ community: from bathroom bans and drag shows in public, to trans girls in sports. At the same time, it’s also been easier than ever to be part of the LGBTQ+ community and work in politics. We get some of the state’s most effective former politicians and appointees to come together and discuss what it was like working in politics, what bipartisan lessons they learned, and what they see for the future of queer people who want to be part of the political process. *This panel is being co-hosted by The Arizona Agenda* **PANELISTS (in alphabetical order):** Daniel Hernandez, former Democratic House of Representatives member; Steve May, former Republican House of Representatives member; Daniel Scarpinato, former chief of staff under Doug Ducey **MODERATORS:** Joseph Darius Jaafari, *LOOKOUT* Editor in Chief; Hank Stephenson, *The Arizona Agenda* co-founder and editor ## **JULY** ### **How parents are navigating the world of school policies and anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric.** In the past four years, a specific brand of conservatism has pushed “parental rights'' as an opportunity to reign in what they view is governmental overreach, specifically when it comes to equity education they disagree with in public schools. Whether there is an actual oversight issue is going to be decided by lawmakers. But there has been a marked impact on LGBTQ+ students and their parents, leaving many to ask: Who is left out of the conversation; Who is expressing support for parents that have LGBTQ+ children; And what tools are parents using to protect themselves and their children? **PANELISTS (in alphabetical order):** Nate Rhoton, Executive Director of One n' Ten; River Chunnui, Peoria school teacher and LGBTQ+ parent; Jeanne Casteen, Executive Director of Secular AZ; Lizette Trujillo, trans activist and parent of LGBTQ+ child; Daniel Sanchez, parent of LGBTQ+ child; Kerry Baker, Governing Peoria School Board Member **MODERATORS:** Joseph Darius Jaafari, *LOOKOUT* Editor in Chief; Gloria Rebecca Gomez, *Arizona Mirror* reporter **This event is being co-hosted by Arizona Mirror.** ## **AUGUST** ### **What is the role of businesses in regards to LGBTQ+ advocacy?** For decades, queer spaces such as bars and community centers had long been the center to organize and activate LGBTQ+ people. But more often these days, we’re seeing those spaces either disappear, owned by people outside of the community, or refuse to engage in advocacy. And when they do, bars and coffee shops have been the brunt of social media harassment. What is a business to do? **PANELISTS (in alphabetical order):** Natasha John, Skoden Coffee; Charissa Lucille, Wasted Zine Distro; Jesse Shank, Brick Road Coffee; Brandon Slayton, Stacys @ Melrose ### **What is harm reduction, and how can there be more of it?** Arizona has one of the highest rates of HIV transmissions and syphilis diagnoses across the U.S. And with fentanyl ever-more present in the recreational drug supply, accidental deaths and overdoses are becoming more common in the state. There are ways to mitigate both of these public health issues, from expanded access of PrEP and doxy-PEP, to more ready access to Narcan or naloxone. But what do those drugs do? Who should have the medication? And what groups are actively trying to get these medications in front of the community? **PANELISTS: (in alphabetical order):** LeAnn Dunton, RIOT Phx; Stacey Jay, Aunt Rita’s; Arlene Mahoney, Southwest Recovery Center; Meg Kepler, Sidewalk Project AZ [RSVP HERE](https://www.eventcreate.com/e/summerofsolutionsaugust17?ref=lookoutnews.org) ## **OCTOBER - OUTWATCH FEST GUESTS** ### **Who is protecting the LGBTQ+ community from violence?** Last year, three people were murdered in the LGBTQ+ community in what community and family members say were hate crimes. Since then, there has been worry that not enough is done within law enforcement agencies to protect community members. So what are the routes for people to engage with law enforcement in a productive way or advocate for their rights to challenge power when they believe they have been wronged? *Check back later to see the panelists for this event* ### A Democrat running against an LGBTQ+ Caucus member has a history of promoting far-right Republicans URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizona-phoenix-elections-garcia-kari-lake/ Last updated: 2025-03-05T19:29:18.000Z On July 30, voters in west Phoenix and Glendale will be tasked with choosing between two Democrats that—on paper—appear to complement one another. Democratic Rep. Analise Ortiz, a member of the LGBTQ+ Legislative Caucus, is running a progressive campaign of housing and criminal justice reform, education, and civil rights to move from one of the House seats in the West Valley’s Legislative District 24 to its Senate seat. Her opponent in the Democratic primary, Mario Garcia, is also platforming the same causes, such as women’s rights and access to healthcare. But screenshots and social media messages sent to *LOOKOUT* and the *Arizona Agenda* show that Garcia has a history of promoting far-right conservative candidates. The news organizations ran the images through an online detection software that indicates if an image was manipulated through photo-editing software or artificial intelligence. The images appear to be real. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/04/Garcia_4.jpeg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/04/Garcia_5.jpeg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/04/Garcia_6.jpeg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/04/Image-1-2.jpeg) Screenshots given to **LOOKOUT* and **Arizona Agenda* that show the posts Mario Garcia shared from Kari Lake's Facebook account. In the screenshots provided, Garcia shared multiple Facebook posts from Kari Lake, the far-right candidate who was then running for governor. The posts Garcia shared included favorable articles written about Lake, endorsements, and promoting her popularity among Latino voters. He also shared an announcement about Lake’s “Faith and Family Fest,” held in September before the 2022 election. Garcia didn’t respond to questions about the photos or his alignment with Lake and other far-right candidates, instead directing questions to his campaign director, Patrick Morales, who only responded via email. Morales said Garcia “recently became a citizen and is committed to representing his constituents if elected.” “Claims that I support Kari Lake and am a secret Republican are unequivocally false,” Garcia said in a written statement that Morales sent. “I met Kari Lake at a business conference with hundreds of other attendees. I've lived in this community for 17 years and have known her as a TV anchor. I do not support Kari Lake or endorse her campaign. I support Ruben Gallego for the Senate seat entirely. Merely posing for a photo does not align me with her extremism.” But a Republican lawmaker confirmed that the event that Garcia was pictured at with Lake was not a business convention, but a "legislative event" specifically for Republicans. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/04/Garcia_3.jpg) Mario Garcia (left), a Democratic legislative candidate for West Phoenix and Glendale, pictured with Kari Lake (right). Garcia has said this photo was taken at a "business convention." A Republican lawmaker confirmed it was a "legislative event" for Republicans. Garcia’s two Facebook pages no longer have the shared posts on them, and the photo with Lake has also been removed. But it’s not just Lake he appears to support. In screenshots from his Instagram account that were also given to *LOOKOUT* and the *Agenda*, Garcia was seen standing next to and holding up a campaign sign for Gary Snyder, a Republican running this year to represent Legislative District 25, which stretches from Yuma to the West Valley, in the House. Snyder has reposted speeches from Republican Sen. Wendy Rogers and photos with Republican Congressman Paul Gosar on his social media, writing of Gosar that the two “think alike.” Rogers is a far-right state Senator who called for people to file false reports of child abuse against parents with the state Department of Child Safety if they took their kids to a drag show in Flagstaff last year. [Gosar has a long history of aligning with white supremacists.](https://azmirror.com/2023/04/17/paul-gosar-promoted-an-antisemitic-website-that-praised-him-for-condemning-jewish-warmongers/?ref=lookoutnews.org) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/04/Image-1.jpeg) Mario Garcia posing and holding up a sign for Gary Snyder, a Republican candidate for Yuma and the West Valley who said that him and Republican Arizona Congressman Paul Gosar "think alike." Gosar aligns himself with white supremacist groups. Garcia’s campaign manager said he has no connection with extremist Republicans, “unlike his current opponent who has promoted working with extreme republicans, such as Rep. Alexander Kolodin who is ‘unequivocally pro-life and was proud to be named one of the five most significant threats to Arizona Democrats’ pro-abortion agenda by NARAL Pro-Choice America.’” The photo with Snyder has also been removed from the Instagram account. Garcia appears to be a long shot of a candidate, with little name recognition. But in March, he secured the required number of signatures in the region to get on the ballot. In a one-on-one conversation with the *Agenda*, Ortiz alluded that the signatures were bought and not organically gathered through knocking on doors. Neither the *Agenda* nor *LOOKOUT* has been able to confirm Ortiz’s allegations. Garcia hasn’t filed his required April 15 campaign finance report, and his latest filing, from February, shows he has no money in his campaign account. But Garcia claimed in a phone call with *LOOKOUT* that he had $120,000 in campaign funds— which would be more than double what Ortiz’s campaign has in the bank, according to the [latest round](https://seethemoney.az.gov/PublicReports/2024/92142FC8-D99E-4F35-9C5B-DF80A8D42171.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) of campaign finance reports. If true, that would be an extraordinary feat, and a hefty war chest for a state Senate run in a noncompetitive district. When asked why he hasn’t filed his required campaign finance report, Garcia again deferred to Morales, who wrote in a statement that $120,000 was a “goal of pledged donations from friends and family.” “His report will be filed soon. He was out of town for work, so there was a delay in getting it turned in on the 15th,” Morales wrote. In 2022, Morales managed campaigns for two progressive Phoenix Democrats running for the state House: Oscar De Los Santos and Patty Contreras, both of whom are also members of the LGBTQ+ Legislative Caucus. “Voters deserve transparency,” Ortiz said in a text exchange with *LOOKOUT*. “They should know who is funding candidates’ pocketbooks. The fact that he did not file a finance report shows he does not value the importance of transparency and is deeply concerning to me. It should be deeply concerning to any voter of Legislative District 24 as well. If he’s willing to hide who is funding him, what else is he willing to hide?” #### Correction An earlier version of this article stated that the picture taken between Mario Garcia and Kari Lake might have been at a GOP fundraiser advertised at State 48 Brewery in August, 2022\. It was, in fact, a "legislative event" for Republicans held at the same brewery, according to a Republican lawmaker who attended. ### Abortion's impact within the LGBTQ+ community URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/abortions-impact-within-the-lgbtq-community/ Last updated: 2026-08-21T23:57:16.000Z **In this week's newsletter: How the state's abortion law could affect the community; Republicans accidentally leak a plan for abortion; A full week of queer events; And a brand new *Out of the Closet* to win free swag.** --- > **Note**: This is an older article. Some information, links, or figures may no longer be current. For LOOKOUT's most recent coverage, [see our latest stories](https://www.lookoutnews.org/). ## 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**](https://www.instagram.com/lookoutphx/?ref=lookoutnews.org)**.** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/04/IMG_1094-1.JPG) A **LOOKOUT* sighting at the March Madness Music Festival. **LGBTQ+ ABORTIONS:** If you think that abortion law only affects cisgender straight women, you'd be very wrong. Data released by the Human Rights Campaign in 2022 shows that LGBTQ+ communities, specifically bisexuals and lesbians, are more likely to need abortion care than their straight counterparts—and not by a small amount. Citing statistics from the federal 2017-2019 National Survey for Family Growth, the report said 22.8% of lesbian women and 27.2% of bisexual women reported needing an abortion. That is in comparison to 15.4% of exclusively heterosexual women who needed to terminate a pregnancy. [**Read our full story here.**](https://www.lookoutnews.org/lgbtq-abortions-arizona/) **WHAT WE’RE KEEPING AN EYE ON:** The study cites that abusive relationships and forced sexual encounters are often to blame for unwanted pregnancies among lesbians and bisexual cisgender women. But there's also access to contraception, and sex education. For those who have been keeping up with our reporting, we've been deeply looking into how the state's poor sex education has an effect on the queer community. Increased HIV and syphilis diagnoses have been two issues [we highlighted earlier this year](https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizona-hiv-rising-sex-education/). And last month, we reported on how [outdated regulations could push youth](https://www.lookoutnews.org/why-is-it-so-difficult-to-teach-sex-ed-in-arizona/) into more risky behavior. We want to know about your experiences in this realm, and our reporters are ready to take your call and hear your story. You can reach them at [editor@lookoutphx.org](mailto:editor@lookoutphx.org). **Support news without a paywall.**Finding news you can trust to cover your community is difficult, especially when more local newspapers are bought by mega-millionaires or people out-of-touch with your needs. 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.](http://lookout-publications.fundjournalism.org/lookout-publications-1?ref=lookoutnews.org)** --- **🌵 LOCAL NEWS** - **OOPS!:**The Republican strategy to undercut voters this November in the event of a yes vote for abortion access was leaked on accident by a member of the House. [ **LOOKOUT**](https://www.lookoutnews.org/email-accidentally-sent-to-all-legislators-shows-the-gop-playbook-for-abortion-access/) - **FUTURE OF LOCAL NEWS:** LOOKOUT is a finalist in the Glen Nelson Center's Next Challenge for Media & Journalism. Ten out of 200 startup news outlets were chosen. If we win, we have a chance at up to $60,000 in grant funds. [ **Next Challenge**](https://www.thenextchallenge.com/local-journalism?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **ABORTION BAN CONTINUES:** After the Senate successfully voted to introduce a bill banning the 1864 territorial-era law banning abortions, the House for the second time shut it down. [ **AZ Mirror**](https://azmirror.com/2024/04/17/once-again-arizona-republicans-block-efforts-to-repeal-the-1864-abortion-ban/?ref=lookoutnews.org) **🇺🇸 NATIONAL NEWS** - **FUTURE RELIEF?:** More transgender Americans are facing stressful encounters in their everyday lives. Could November's election change that? [ **The 19th\***](https://19thnews.org/2024/04/anti-trans-lgbtq-bills-statehouses-advocates-reprieve/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **SHOOTINGS:** After a mass shooting, online agitators such as Libs of TikTok and Elon Musk have used the opportunity to say the perpetrators are trans. That hasn't been true, but it's part of a long history of portraying trans people as violent. [ **them.**](https://www.them.us/story/vast-majority-mass-shooters-cis-men-far-right-misinformation-trans?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **REPEALING LANGUAGE:**A coalition has been staffed to try and repeal anti-LGBTQ+ language from Hawaii's constitution. [ **Hawaii News Now** ](https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/video/2024/04/16/new-lgbt-coalition-formed-repeal-discriminatory-language-hawaiis-constitution/?ref=lookoutnews.org) --- ### **UPCOMING EVENTS:** Have a community event coming up you want *LOOKOUT* to highlight? [**Email us**](mailto:newsletters@lookoutphx.org?subject=Event%20info%20for%20newsletter&body=null)**.** - **Fri. April 19 -** Bawker Bawker Cider House is hosting a queer speed dating night in Tucson. [**Info**](https://members.tucsonlgbtchamber.org/events/details/queer-speed-dating-friends-04-19-2024-8052?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **Sat. April 20 -** Join Phoenix Pride and Southwest Center in learning how to address mental health treatment and stigma. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C51p%5F%5FagLL3/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Sun. April 21** \- Go grab some brunch with the Queer AF crowd at Hotel Congress. [**Info**](https://lookoutphx.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=dcba3ddb0a7f82349c11c0c17&id=8ee892c7a0&e=77ad149132&ref=lookoutnews.org) - **Sun. April 22** \- Join Sassy DeMornay during a Drag Story Hour online. [**Info**](https://lookoutphx.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=dcba3ddb0a7f82349c11c0c17&id=1762f014d4&e=77ad149132&ref=lookoutnews.org) - **Tues. April 23** \- YumBar is hosting an “Unstable Unicorns” game night with the crew from Phoenix Takeover. [**Info**](https://lookoutphx.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=dcba3ddb0a7f82349c11c0c17&id=35b35f514c&e=77ad149132&ref=lookoutnews.org) - **Tues. April 23 -** Boycott Bar is screening "The Lesbian Bar Project: FLINTA." FLINTA is a German acronym for marginalized genders. [**Info**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C51XDQlPHxN/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==) - **Fri. April 26** \- Black Phoenix Organizing Collective is selling wares from disabled artists and merchants at Palabras Bookstore. [**Info**](https://lookoutphx.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=dcba3ddb0a7f82349c11c0c17&id=7bc13d3c12&e=77ad149132&ref=lookoutnews.org) - **Fri. April 26 -** Friends of the Pima County Public Library are having a Community Used Book Sale. [**Info**](https://members.tucsonlgbtchamber.org/events/details/community-used-book-sale-04-26-2024-9030?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **Sat. May 18** \- Get all dressed up for the Sparkle Glitter GLSEN prom. [**Info**](https://lookoutphx.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=dcba3ddb0a7f82349c11c0c17&id=dd2a7f6625&e=77ad149132&ref=lookoutnews.org) --- ## 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\. **\_LI\_TA** **Hint: The German acronym for marginalized genders. (Another hint: scroll up.)** [Submit your answer with your name and city](mailto:newsletters@lookoutphx.org) **Last Week's Answer: October** **LAST WEEK'S WINNERS:** Bruce A. (Gilbert); Clark O.(Phoenix); Quest H.(Tucson) ### "BOOM. EASY AS THAT." Email accidentally sent to all legislators shows GOP game plan on abortion access. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/email-accidentally-sent-to-all-legislators-shows-the-gop-playbook-for-abortion-access/ Last updated: 2025-03-05T19:29:22.000Z A powerpoint deck created by the House GOP's general counsel laid out the potential roadwork for how conservatives could keep a popular ballot measure making abortion a constitutional right from passing. But it wasn't meant for all of us to see. The powerpoint, [first reported by AZCentral](https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/legislature/2024/04/15/arizona-abortion-republicans-seek-to-undercut-ballot-measure/73332934007/?ref=lookoutnews.org), was allegedly supposed to only be sent to the Republican House caucus, but instead was sent to all legislators, according to Laura Dent, political director for Arizona for Abortions Access. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/04/Screenshot-2024-04-15-at-3.43.51-PM.png) A screenshot from the powerpoint's first page, calling the petition circulating by Arizonans for Abortion Access "radical." *LOOKOUT* contacted House spokesperson Andrew Wilder about the validity of the document, but did not get a response back before publishing. He told AZCentral that the email was sent accidentally. The goal, the leaked presentation says, is to let lawmakers retain control of deciding when someone can obtain an abortion: "MOST IMPORTANT: protects Legislature’s authority to 'enact laws rationally related to promoting and preserving life and to protecting the health and safety of pregnant women'," the deck read. The powerpoint proposes different ballot measures that could confuse voters into splitting the vote, ensuring that the current abortion ban would stay in effect. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/04/Screenshot-2024-04-15-at-3.45.01-PM.png) Another screenshot from the presentation deck accidentally sent to legislators from the House general counsel. The slide above shows counsel's "most important" goal is to keep power within the legislature. The 24-slide deck says the GOP could draft a referral that "does not create a right to abortion," but instead enshrines existing law into the constitution, such as eliminating partial-birth abortions and allowing the father of an aborted fetus to file a civil rights claim against the other parent. The second phase, according to the document, is to propose a 15-week abortion referral: "In reality, it's 14-week disguised as a 15-week law because it would only allow abortion until the beginning of the 15th week." The deck also presented the option of sending a "Heartbeat Protection Act" to voters to decide, which would only allow abortions for certain medically necessary reasons, or if the pregnancy was a product of rape or incest. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/04/Screenshot-2024-04-15-at-3.45.13-PM.png) A screenshot from the presentation labeled "Phase 2," which proposes sending two other ballot referrals in November that could pull votes away from the measure that promotes a constitutional right to abortion. The A The goal, the presentation said, is to pull votes away from the currently circulated petition to enshrine abortion as a constitutional right, which currently has more than 500,000 signatures, according to Arizonans for Abortion Access, which is organizing signatures for the referral. Finally, the deck proposes a legislative plan that could bypass the voters if the Arizonans for Abortion Access referral passes in the 2024 general election. It proposed to write in language that the constitutional amendment "shall not be interpreted to prevent the Legislature from reasonably regulating abortion." The powerpoint ended with a meme of late-night talk show host Seth Meyers saying, "Boom. Easy as that." ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/04/Screenshot-2024-04-15-at-3.45.53-PM-1.png) Abortions have an outsize effect on the LGBTQ+ community, according to 2022 data released by the Human Rights Campaign. Citing statistics from the federal [2017-2019 National Survey for Family Growth](https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nsfg/nsfg%5F2017%5F2019%5Fpuf.htm?ref=lookoutphx.org), the report said 22.8% of lesbian women and 27.2% of bisexual women reported needing an abortion. That is in comparison to 15.4% of exclusively heterosexual women who needed to terminate a pregnancy. [Data shows LGBTQ+ Arizonans are more at risk with upcoming abortion banMore than a third of trans people who got pregnant considered unsafe abortion methods, while bisexuals and lesbians experience unwanted pregnancies at higher rates.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/08/lookout-favicon@4x.png)LOOKOUTLisa Abelar (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/04/pexels-emma-guliani-12292121-1-1.jpg)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/lgbtq-abortions-arizona/) The survey was conducted by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. Surveyors said elevated rates of forced sexual encounters, sexual abuse, and intimate partner violence among lesbian and bisexual women were factors influencing unintended pregnancies. The survey also found that 36% of the pregnant transgender individuals surveyed considered an abortion without help from a doctor; one-fifth of those people followed through with an attempt to do so. ### EYES ON THE STATE: What you need to know for April URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/what-you-need-to-know-about-legislation-this-month/ Last updated: 2024-04-16T14:20:04.000Z **HEY READERS: You may have noticed that we've cut back the content of this newsletter. That's because once the craziness of bill season ends, it tends to be a bit quiet. So expect this newsletter to only show up in your inbox once a month until the end of the legislative session. Today, we discuss the impact of last week's bombshell abortion ruling, LGBTQ+ youth day at the Capitol, and an easy way to get your story told.** --- ## WHAT WE'RE WATCHING **Check back here every month to read updates on bills, learn about the latest legislative drama, or see highlights of new bills that Human Rights Campaign in Arizona and LOOKOUT have flagged as relating to LGBTQ+ issues.** **LGBTQ+ ABORTIONS:** After politicians get their opportunities to grandstand in front of cameras and during committees at the beginning of the year, lawmakers around this time of year turn their attention to the budget process. Historically, it's not a very sexy time for headlines, unless you're politico nerds like us. But that hasn't been the case this time around since last week's ruling by the state's Supreme Court deciding a civil war-era abortion ban could go into effect in the coming months. Legislators met to try and repeal the ban after a wave of anger and resentment—particularly among Democrats, but also from a few Republicans who are in competitive districts—proved that the issue could be the death knell for Republican control this November. One of those Republicans is the state's only gay conservative lawmaker, state Rep. Matt Gress (R.-Paradise Valley). Gress is in a competitive district this election cycle, and he said he wanted to remove the ban, but after he proposed its removal he then voted with the rest of his fellow Republicans to go into a recess for the week. (Some Republicans, including Speaker of the House and Senate President are [attending a bourbon crawl in Kentucky](https://x.com/brahmresnik/status/1778581703814258688?ref=lookoutnews.org).) Since then, Gress has been the focus of media attention, especially after he was [caught lying about his vote.](https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/politics/legislature/2024/04/13/arizona-abortion-ban-republican-who-moved-to-repeal-law-helped-shut-down-vote/73292037007/?ref=lookoutnews.org) Gress also voted [in favor of the bill that triggered](https://coppercourier.com/2024/04/09/arizona-republicans-abortion-ban-hypocrisy/?ref=lookoutnews.org) the state's 1864 ban when *Roe v. Wade* was overturned. The Republican decision to move forward with the state's ban will affect the LGBTQ+ population more broadly, if national data from 2019 holds true locally: A [2022 report released by the Human Rights Campaign](https://www.hrc.org/press-releases/human-rights-campaign-fact-sheet-lesbian-bisexual-queer-women-who-have-been-pregnant-are-more-likely-to-need-abortion-services-demonstrates-impact-roe-reversal-would-have-on-lgbtq-people?ref=lookoutphx.org), an LGBTQ+ advocacy organization, reported that queer people are more likely to need abortion care since they have higher rates of unintended pregnancy compared to heterosexual women. (Human Rights Campaign of Arizona is a content sponsor for this legislative newsletter.) The study found that compared to almost 15% of heterosexual women, bisexual people and lesbians experience unwanted pregnancy more than 10 percentage points higher. Surveyors said elevated rates of forced sexual encounters, sexual abuse, and intimate partner violence among lesbian and bisexual women were factors influencing unintended pregnancies. The survey also found that 36% of the pregnant transgender individuals surveyed considered an abortion without help from a doctor; one-fifth of those people followed through with an attempt to do so. [**Read our full story here.**](https://www.lookoutnews.org/lgbtq-abortions-arizona/) --- ## BE SEEN **Upcoming events at the Capitol.** On May 1, a coalition of LGBTQ+ groups across the state including HRC in Arizona, Arizona Trans and Youth Parent Organization, GLSEN Arizona, and others are meeting at the Capitol lawn to offer LGBTQ+ youth an "opportunity to be seen and be heard." Youths and their families from across the state can join in an opportunity to voice their concerns about LGBTQ+ issues in their communities, speak with elected leaders, and meet with other like-minded youth to build community. You can RSVP to the event [by clicking here](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSewdRZaB4yzAZtW4a8P0tXgXQCpNuqbqalJlqrEdrEd1g71mA/viewform?fbzx=3681333181983442148&ref=lookoutnews.org). --- ## **HOW** *YOU* **CAN KEEP A LOOK OUT** **Tips & tricks to knowing legislation, or getting involved.** LOOKOUT is currently looking for people who want to tell their stories in a series of essays for our upcoming magazines. If you're interested in telling your story and getting it published, simply reply to this email and we'll get you started. ### Data shows LGBTQ+ Arizonans are more at risk with upcoming abortion ban URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/lgbtq-abortions-arizona/ Last updated: 2025-03-05T19:29:26.000Z The Arizona Supreme Court’s decision to reinstate a 160-year-old territorial law is expected to have dramatic consequences on the state’s LGBTQ+ community, specifically lesbian and bisexual women, as well as transgender people, according to recent research. Data from [2022 released by the Human Rights Campaign](https://www.hrc.org/press-releases/human-rights-campaign-fact-sheet-lesbian-bisexual-queer-women-who-have-been-pregnant-are-more-likely-to-need-abortion-services-demonstrates-impact-roe-reversal-would-have-on-lgbtq-people?ref=lookoutnews.org), an LGBTQ+ advocacy organization, reported that queer people are more likely to need abortion care since they have higher rates of unintended pregnancy compared to heterosexual women. Citing statistics from the federal [2017-2019 National Survey for Family Growth](https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nsfg/nsfg%5F2017%5F2019%5Fpuf.htm?ref=lookoutnews.org), the report said 22.8% of lesbian women and 27.2% of bisexual women reported needing an abortion. That is in comparison to 15.4% of exclusively heterosexual women who needed to terminate a pregnancy. The survey was conducted by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. Surveyors said elevated rates of forced sexual encounters, sexual abuse, and intimate partner violence among lesbian and bisexual women were factors influencing unintended pregnancies. The survey also found that 36% of the pregnant transgender individuals surveyed considered an abortion without help from a doctor; one-fifth of those people followed through with an attempt to do so. “That is concerning to me, as a pansexual person,” said Ariz. Rep. Analise Ortiz (D. -Phoenix). “We need to make sure that all people have access to the reproductive healthcare they need, including abortion and contraceptives.” Ortiz said it has become “problematic” that abortion has been framed as a straight and cisgender women’s issue for so long: “It erases the fact that trans and non-binary people need access to abortion care. When we don’t think of that, it leaves the potential for them to be left out, not just about messaging but about education on care,” Ortiz said. UCLA’s School of Law [Williams Institute](https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/publications/lbt-reproductive-health/?ref=lookoutnews.org) found that poverty, experienced at higher rates among the LGBTQ+ community than the heterosexual white community, is one significant barrier to contraceptive access, which is an influencer of unintended pregnancies. Julie Gunnigle, a Phoenix attorney who twice ran for the office of Maricopa County Attorney, said that while campaigning she saw how the issue of reproductive freedom and abortion access resonated with constituents within the LGBTQ+ community. She said she hoped the justices would find a way to harmonize the law. “There are subsets under the LGBTQ+ banner who are disproportionately affected by abortion bans,” she said. “My concern with rulings like this are more about the global issues of bodily autonomy. Every time I think about how Arizona approaches an abortion ban, it’s identical to the trans legislation we’ve seen. If you don’t have sovereignty over your own body, then you’re not truly free.” Gunnigle also pointed to the ambiguity of the statute, saying it’s broad enough that a rogue county attorney could prosecute someone who provides transportation or payment for an abortion, and even prosecute an abortion-seeker as her own accomplice. The statute, as written, does not require attorneys to prosecute people seeking an abortion—only doctors who perform the medical practice. Ortiz is wary that the domino effect of the statute could extend restrictions to in-vitro fertilization procedures, gender-affirming care and same-sex partnerships. “It’s terrifying. This is all part of the same far-right, extremist Christian nationalist movement. We can’t separate these issues because the right is not separating these issues,” Ortiz said. “Republicans had not one, but two opportunities to repeal the 1864 abortion ban to save lives and mitigate the terror that people who can become pregnant are feeling right now. They refused to do so.” While the state legislature had scheduled a recess from April 11th until April 17th, Republican leaders adjourned the final working session earlier than expected on April 10th amidst the chaos that erupted between lawmakers trying to repeal the ban and Republicans who were unwilling to discuss it. “That really shows that Republicans are not serious about repealing this ban,”Ortiz said. ### Pre-statehood laws banning abortion also made gay sex punishable up to life in prison. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizona-abortion-territorial-law-lgbtq/ Last updated: 2026-08-16T19:14:57.000Z **In this week's newsletter: Territorial laws and criminalizing LGBTQ+ people; A fundraiser for the state abortion fund; Get pumped with some like-minded exercise friends; 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**](https://www.instagram.com/lookoutphx/?ref=lookoutnews.org)**.** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/04/Taylor.jpeg) **LOOKOUT* Board Chair Meg Taylor at Rainbow’s Festival handing out flowers and making people aware of LGBTQ+ news and community. **LIFETIME IMPRISONMENT:** The Territorial Code of Arizona written in the 19th century that included a provision outlawing all abortions was upheld by the state’s Supreme Court this week. Reading the territorial code gives insight into how old these laws are, at a time when straight and predominantly white men were the deciders of people’s lives. When the rules were written, Arizona was almost 50 years from becoming a state, the Civil War was still raging, and women couldn’t even vote. It’s also when criminalizing LGBTQ+ people was common. We looked at the code and found a law that impacted gay men, which has since been ruled unconstitutional. The code specifically says the territory’s law enforcement could imprison LGBTQ+ people for as long as their natural lives for consensual sex. The Howell Code of 1864, named after the New York judge appointed by President Abraham Lincoln to write rules for the newly-acquired Arizona territory, abolished slavery in the territory. But within it, there was a rule that said “the infamous crime against nature, either with man or beast, shall subject the offender to be punished by imprisonment in the Territorial prison for a term not less than five years, and which may extend to life.” The phrase “infamous crime against nature” is a term used that referred to homosexual sex—specifically sodomy. Thirteen states [still have laws](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/21/us/politics/state-anti-sodomy-laws.html?ref=lookoutnews.org) that include “crime against humanity” definitions, but they are unenforceable. In 2003 the U.S. Supreme Court decided in *Lawrence v. Texas* that those laws were unconstitutional. That case's outcome, though, was determined off the same privacy rights established in *Roe v. Wade*, which was overturned last summer. As a result, *Lawrence v. Texas* has been the focus for [some conservatives](https://www.texastribune.org/2023/05/11/texas-sodomy-ban-repeal-bill/?ref=lookoutnews.org) who say sodomy laws may come back. Attorney General Kris Mayes’s office said she believes the territorial ban on abortions is “unconstitutional,” but wouldn’t comment on other aspects of the territorial code, generally. **WHAT WE’RE KEEPING AN EYE ON:** There’s a misunderstanding that abortion care doesn’t affect LGBTQ+ people. It couldn't be further from the truth, though. In 2020, *Women’s Health Issues* [published a study](https://lookoutphx.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=dcba3ddb0a7f82349c11c0c17&id=5cb782d22f&e=77ad149132&ref=lookoutnews.org) that found, “all sexual minority groups—except lesbians—were generally more likely than heterosexual peers to have a pregnancy, a teen pregnancy, and an abortion.” The reasons for this, the study said, are primarily to do with access to contraceptive care as well as proper sexual education. How does this week’s decision affect you? Let us know by replying back to this email. --- **🌵 LOCAL NEWS** - **DEROGATORY LANGUAGE:**The owner of The Phoenix Suns used an old slur to describe gay men in a recorded voicemail. [ **AZCentral**](https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2024/04/06/lgbtq-groups-condemn-use-of-antigay-slur-in-voicemail-phoenix-suns/73210390007/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **QUEER OL’ TUCSON:** The city’s “small town” but big city charm makes it a perfect getaway for LGBTQ+ people, according to *Instinct Magazine*. [ **Instinct**](https://instinctmagazine.com/tucsons-small-town-charm-is-an-invitation-to-lgbtq-travelers/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **ABORTION DONATIONS:** Marigold, a lesbian-owned pop up bookstore, is donating 100% of their sales from the book “You’re The Only One I’ve Told” to the Abortion Fund of Arizona. [ **Instagram**](https://www.instagram.com/p/C5jzGu4v%5Ffl/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D) **🇺🇸 NATIONAL NEWS** - **RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION:** Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed into law a bill that allows people to discriminate against LGBTQ+ people based on religious beliefs. [ **Iowa Public Radio**](https://www.iowapublicradio.org/state-government-news/2024-04-03/iowa-governor-reynolds-religious-freedom-restoration-act?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **BANNED:** Nationwide, one in four trans people have said their care has been disrupted due to state laws. [ **truthout**](https://truthout.org/articles/nearly-1-in-4-trans-adults-in-us-report-access-to-care-disrupted-by-new-laws/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - **FOSTER CARE:**Two states—Tennessee and Colorado—passed wildly different bills for queer youth in foster care. Tennessee could place LGBTQ+ kids among parents who are not affirming of their sexuality or gender. [ **ABC News** ](https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/lgbtq-foster-youths-expect-experiences-tennessee-colorado-pass-108868095?ref=lookoutnews.org) --- ### **UPCOMING EVENTS:** Have a community event coming up you want *LOOKOUT* to highlight? [**Email us**](mailto:newsletters@lookoutphx.org?subject=Event%20info%20for%20newsletter&body=null)**.** - **Thurs. April 11** \- Brush up your resume and head over to the Diversity Career Expo hosted by One Community. [**Info**](https://lookoutphx.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=dcba3ddb0a7f82349c11c0c17&id=cae1d3a44c&e=77ad149132&ref=lookoutnews.org) - **Tues. April 16** \- Pump some iron with the folks at Every Body Lifting Club. [**Info**](https://lookoutphx.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=dcba3ddb0a7f82349c11c0c17&id=321695c592&e=77ad149132&ref=lookoutnews.org) - **Tues. April 16** \- For northern AZ readers: Prism Network is holding a talk on trauma and stress within the community. [**Info**](https://lookoutphx.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=dcba3ddb0a7f82349c11c0c17&id=908ba7c7ed&e=77ad149132&ref=lookoutnews.org) - **Sat. April 21** \- Go grab some brunch with the Queer AF crowd at Hotel Congress. [**Info**](https://lookoutphx.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=dcba3ddb0a7f82349c11c0c17&id=8ee892c7a0&e=77ad149132&ref=lookoutnews.org) - **Sun. April 22** \- Join Sassy DeMornay during a Drag Story Hour online. [**Info**](https://lookoutphx.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=dcba3ddb0a7f82349c11c0c17&id=1762f014d4&e=77ad149132&ref=lookoutnews.org) - **Tues. April 23** \- YumBar is hosting an “Unstable Unicorns” game night with the crew from Phoenix Takeover. [**Info**](https://lookoutphx.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=dcba3ddb0a7f82349c11c0c17&id=35b35f514c&e=77ad149132&ref=lookoutnews.org) - **Fri. April 26** \- Black Phoenix Organizing Collective is selling wares from disabled artists and merchants at Palabras Bookstore. [**Info**](https://lookoutphx.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=dcba3ddb0a7f82349c11c0c17&id=7bc13d3c12&e=77ad149132&ref=lookoutnews.org) - **Sat. May 18** \- Get all dressed up for the Sparkle Glitter GLSEN prom. [**Info**](https://lookoutphx.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=dcba3ddb0a7f82349c11c0c17&id=dd2a7f6625&e=77ad149132&ref=lookoutnews.org) --- ## 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! **\_ \_T\_B\_ \_** **Hint: Arizona’s official Pride month** [Submit your answer with your name and city](mailto:newsletters@lookoutphx.org) **LAST WEEK'S WINNERS:** Marissa F.(Mesa); Sheila K.(Phoenix); Clark O.(Phoenix); Elaine R.(Sun Lakes); Victoria C.(Phoenix); Kathy K.(Sedona); Mischa C.(Phoenix) ### State regulators consider conversion therapy “unprofessional conduct,” but so far have not prevented it. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizona-board-behavioral-health-conversion-therapy/ Last updated: 2025-03-05T19:29:30.000Z For more than two decades, Floyd Godfrey advised young men not to act on their same-sex attractions as a licensed therapist in the state of Arizona. But last year, Godfrey lost his license after the state board that oversees counselors opened an investigation into him for allegations of unprofessional conduct. But the investigation wasn’t a look into his practice of trying to change people’s sexuality, which is considered a violation by the state board. Instead, he was accused by two of his employees of sexual harassment. Godfrey voluntarily gave up his license before the investigation could be completed, and the board revoked his ability to practice in the state. Specific details of investigations made by the Arizona Board of Behavioral Health Examiners are confidential. But had they looked into Godfrey's practice, generally, they would have seen his history as the founder of Family Strategies Counseling Center in Mesa, which employs therapists who advertised themselves as being able to treat “unwanted same-sex attraction.” They would have also seen his time as a camp counselor with the organization “Journey Into Manhood,” which is designed “for men to address distress over their same-sex attractions,” [according to a flier on their website](https://brothersroad.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/eFlyer%5Fjim.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org). Although there is no law expressly prohibiting conversion therapy in Arizona, the state licensing board—along with 28 major medical associations—considers it to be unprofessional conduct and grounds for disciplinary action, such as revoking a license. That has been the board’s position since at least 2017, when the American Counseling Association formally declared conversion therapy to be in violation of its code of ethics. But, the board’s Executive Director Tobi Zavala said there aren’t enough resources to preemptively investigate every counselor seeking a license or renewal. As a result, conversion therapists such as Godfrey have operated with relative impunity in Arizona. A [previous *LOOKOUT* investigation](https://www.lookoutnews.org/conversion-therapy-arizona/) revealed two licensed professional counselors and one marriage and family therapist who continue to practice forms of conversion therapy in the state—all of whom hold current professional licenses to practice in Arizona in 2024. ### Conservative pushback Though there has been a history of bipartisan support at the legislature to regulate conversion therapy, bills relying on the board as the main enforcer have failed—in part because of conservative lobbying groups that have argued on behalf of parents. In 2017, Pima County passed an ordinance that banned conversion therapists from accepting payments when practicing with a minor. Anyone found to be practicing conversion therapy on minors for money would be subject to a civil penalty of up to $2,500. That ordinance was met with fierce criticism from the Center for Arizona Policy, which said the ordinance would prevent minors from seeking out counseling to reduce “unwanted same-sex attraction.” The ban ultimately passed 3-2. At the state level, though, there has been less success. Former Sen. Sean Bowie (D.-Tempe) continually introduced a bill to define conversion therapy and classify it as unprofessional conduct when practiced with minors. He introduced the bill every session from 2018 through 2022. [An executive order last year aimed to curb conversion therapy, but a handful of counselors still practice it.LOOKOUT identified local counselors and therapists in the state who practice new forms of conversion therapy despite an executive order that aimed to limit counselor’s resources.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/08/lookout-favicon@4x.png)LOOKOUTJosephine Jaye McAuliffe (she/her)![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/size/w1200/2024/02/Lede-image.png)](https://www.lookoutnews.org/conversion-therapy-arizona/) But Senate leadership—which decides what bills are heard and debated on—never assigned the bill to a committee and effectively killed the debate, even with Republican co-sponsors. In 2022, during Bowie’s last year in office, former Speaker of the House Rusty Bowers (R.-Mesa) and former Rep. Amish Shaw (D.-Phoenix) proposed a bill that bundled together nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people as well as a ban on conversion therapy for minors, but gave carve-outs to clergy members. But Center for Arizona Policy President Cathi Herrod testified against the bill, saying: “Parents are denied the right to oversee the healthcare of their children, by denying them the ability to seek help—treatment—for their child to overcome unwanted same-sex attraction and confusion about their same-sex identity.” The bill, despite being debated at a special hearing, was not given a vote. Failure to get bipartisan legislation on this topic passed through the Capitol illustrates the influence wielded by groups such as the Center for Arizona Policy, which continues to fight against conversion therapy legislation. The group is part of the lobbying arm of Focus on the Family, an organization that promotes conversion therapists in its “Christian Counselor Network,” an online search portal for religious-focused therapists and counselors. The Center for Arizona Policy also distributes a voter guide which has candidates’ responses on a number of issues, including one on whether or not they support the rights of parents to “seek professional counseling for their minor child with same-sex attraction or gender identity issues.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/04/Screenshot-2024-04-03-at-9.34.14-PM.png) A 2017 action alert from the Center for Arizona Policy regarding the Pima County ordinance against conversion therapy. In it, the organization says that the county is promoting an "LGBT agenda." Bowie said that Republican leadership has refused to allow debate on the subject saying they “don’t want any of these bills to pass, whether it’s non-discrimination ordinances, whether it’s banning conversion therapy,” Bowie said. “They’ve been very clear that they want to go in the opposite direction.” In the 2024 session, Representative Patty Contreras (D.-Phoenix,) introduced HB2789, a bill almost identical to Bowie’s proposal to ban conversion therapy for minors. House Republican leadership again did not assign it to committee for a public hearing. “Until we get a Democratic majority, I don’t think you’re going to see a lot of movement on this,” Bowie said. Had any of the bills passed, conversion therapy would have been defined and listed in Arizona statutes for the Board of Behavioral Health Examiners to refer to. Instead, it relies on the American Counseling Association’s code of ethics. But a simple definition wouldn’t have solved the difficulties the board faces today in ensuring all their licensees are acting ethically and professionally. ### Godfrey’s case Godfrey began practicing in 2001 as a Certified Associate Counselor and gained his full license in 2002\. The original website for his practice was “healinghomosexuality.com,” and he was listed as a former staffer for the conversion therapy camp, “Journey Into Manhood.” In his 2022 book “Healing and Recovery – Perspective for Young Men with Sexualized Attachments,” Godfrey described his own sexual attraction to other men as something that came about because of unfulfilled needs for male friendship: “My wounds were related to low self-esteem and rejection from men and boys,” he wrote. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/04/Screenshot-2024-04-03-at-8.38.33-PM.png) A screenshot from Floyd Godfrey's website, sexualizedattachments.com. Godfrey openly states he uses a "Biblical-worldview" that influences his practice. In Godfrey’s book, he encouraged readers to examine their own attractions and relate them back to past trauma: “Just because young people experience sexual attractions to the same sex, does not mean that it’s inherent,” Godfrey wrote. Last year, two of his employees reported him to the Board of Behavioral Health Examiners for sexual misconduct. The details of complaints are confidential under state law, but a document summarizing the action the board took provides some context for the complaints. The four separate complaints included a claim that Godfrey had asked to get naked in front of one of the employees, who is referred to only as “him.” When reached for comment, Godfrey denied the allegations. According to board records, Godfrey voluntarily surrendered his license before the board could conduct a full investigation of the complaints: “Prior to Board staff’s formal investigative interview with Respondent, and without completing the psychosexual evaluation, Respondent contacted Board staff requesting to voluntarily surrender his license.” In his statement to *LOOKOUT*, Godfrey wrote that following the loss of his license, he “does not provide any clinical services nor clinical supervision at Family Strategies.” His personal website, “sexualizedattachments.com,” describes him as part of the executive team at the center, working as an advisor and consultant. Godfrey also denied practicing conversion therapy. “I was unaware of anyone at Family Strategies who did ‘conversion therapy,’” he wrote. A previous *LOOKOUT* story highlighted a survivor who received conversion therapy from John Hinson, a counselor at Family Strategies. ### Board investigations From July 2022 to June 2023, the board received 235 complaints, none included conversion therapy as a reason to investigate. And there have been no formal complaints or cases related to conversion therapy in the past decade, according to Zavala, the licensing board’s executive director. Although the board has the power to open up cases on their own, unprofessional conduct is discovered almost entirely by individual complaints. And with oversight of more than 16,000 licenses as of August last year, the board lacks the resources it would take to proactively look into every counselor, Zavala said. "We’re not police," she said. "If you think about it, that would exhaust every resource that we had." Budget records show the board spent just over $1.5 million on employee expenses in fiscal year 2023, which includes four full-time employees tasked with investigating misconduct. There are also problems with the state’s statute of limitations on what the board can investigate. Unless the conduct involves a malpractice settlement, sexual misconduct, a felony, or practicing while impaired with a substance, complaints can only be investigated within four years. “If somebody were to allege that there was conversion therapy that happened to them when they were 15 and they're now 21, we don't have legal authority to regulate that,” Zavala said. In Feb. this year, Gov. Hobbs sent a letter to all of the state medical boards requesting them to “[formalize and standardize](https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/arizona-governor-has-grave-concerns-about-health-care-regulators-18313986?ref=lookoutnews.org)” the process for deciding when to issue disciplinary action. Hobbs referenced reporting from the *New Times* and *Arizona Republic* about complaints made to the Arizona Board of Osteopathic Examiners in Medicine and Surgery by a woman who alleged her body was substantially disfigured after her surgery. That surgeon has not yet faced disciplinary action. The governor’s letter was sent to all the medical boards, including the Board of Behavioral Health Examiners. That review process is due to the governor’s office on July 1, 2024. ### AZ state representative calls nation "unrighteous" because of LGBTQ+ people and non-Christians. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/lupe-diaz-religion-lgbtq/ Last updated: 2025-03-05T19:29:33.000Z A state legislator on Monday used his time delivering a sermon that said a holiday to celebrate trans people was “dark,” proof of America being "unrighteous," and then denounced non-Christians. The sermon was given as the House of Representatives opened its daily floor session, during which lawmakers convene to vote on bills passed through committees. Every day, the House and Senate open their floor sessions with a prayer that is meant to be non-denominational, but Republicans who control both chambers have long [only used Christians](https://www.pressherald.com/2016/03/04/athiests-opening-prayer-falls-short-in-arizona-house/?ref=lookoutnews.org) to speak. But Rep. Lupe Diaz (R.-Benson), who is also a minister, went a step further in his opening prayer Monday, and spent nearly five minutes on a fire-and-brimstone-styled sermon against non-Christians: "Eternal life is not available just to everybody, it is available just to those that acknowledge Jesus Christ," Diaz said on the House floor. The evangelical speech was given as a reaction to International Transgender Day of Visibility, which happened to be at the same time as Easter Sunday this year. (Easter changes yearly, whereas the Day of Visibility has been recognized on March 31 every year since 2009.) Diaz incorrectly said that Pres. Joe Biden proclaimed the holiday on the same day as Easter this year, and went on to say that it was “proof” of “light” versus “dark,” and then followed up with saying the U.S. was an “unrighteous nation.” *LOOKOUT* reached out to Diaz on Tuesday via email and through his office phone number, but did not get a response. No Republicans have commented on the sermon or Diaz's comments. Diaz does not hide his preference of combining state politics with his personal religion; the main image on his campaign website is a large cross overlaying the American flag. It also says he [began a career in civil service](https://lupediazaz.com/about?ref=lookoutnews.org) after "God called him to reach out to his community." ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/04/Screenshot-2024-04-03-at-1.10.13-PM.png) A screenshot of Rep. Lupe Diaz's homepage website. House Democrats, though, argued back moments after Diaz concluded. Rep. Lorena Austin (D.-Mesa), one of the nation's only non-binary lawmakers, said that “the Jesus I grew up learning” was kind and compassionate and doesn’t denounce anyone. "A prayer is not a sermon," Austin said. "And we were elected to serve the people and make laws to make their lives better, not condemn them.” In [statements released](https://www.azhousedemocrats.com/post/caucus-responds-to-monday-s-offensive-sermon-on-house-floor-condemning-non-christians-and-lgtbq-ame?ref=lookoutnews.org) by the Arizona LGBTQ+ Legislative Caucus, Rep. Patty Contreras (D.-Phoenix) said that the speech was religious bigotry on full display: “Monday’s sermon was a coordinated and cynical display of religious intolerance, which used a coincidence in the calendar to attack LGBTQ+ Arizonans, and anyone who doesn’t fall in line with one member’s view of Christianity,” said Contreras, who is the vice-chair of the caucus. Rep. Oscar De Los Santos (D.-Phoenix) who is also vice chair echoed Contreras’s statement, saying: “I stood and respectfully listened as my colleague damned me to Hell, but it is outrageous to hear such intolerance, divisiveness and disrespect directed at so many Arizonans inside the People’s House, with Republican members standing in support. This was a shameful moment.” ### Why is it so difficult to teach sex-ed in Arizona? URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/why-is-it-so-difficult-to-teach-sex-ed-in-arizona/ Last updated: 2025-03-05T19:29:38.000Z In 2019, Arizona repealed a decades-old law that prohibited discussing same-sex relationships in a positive light. The bill, colloquially referred to as the "no promo homo” bill, was among the first bills in the nation that Florida’s newest “Don’t Say Gay” bill is modeled after. Axing the bill from the state’s books was successful through bipartisan support in the legislature, and its repeal was supposed to have the most impact on sex education: In a time when many states and districts began to focus on a more inclusive curriculum that included teaching about gender, sexuality, and consent, Arizona lagged behind the rest. #### What can schools teach if they offer sex education? 1. If offered, sex education is required to promote childbirth and adoption over abortions. Schools risk funding cuts if they don't comply. 2. Schools are not required to teach kids about assault, dating abuse, and abuse prevention. 3. Sex education cannot be taught before fifth grade, but medically accurate HIV prevention can be taught from kindergarten through 12th grade. Though, it's unclear if that includes teaching about pre-exposure prophylaxis treatments. 4. School districts can have the Department of Healthcare Services review content and ensure medical accuracy, but it is not required. 5. Lessons shall be ungraded and taught to boys and girls separately. 6. Guardians and parents must opt-in to sex education lessons at all grade levels. But advocates and educators contend that since repealing “no promo homo,” topics in sex education have become politicized and harder to teach. This is partly to do with the push for more parental control over the curriculum taught in schools and the byzantine process that districts must navigate in order to get sex education taught. That process, experts say, is leaving children vulnerable and at risk. *LOOKOUT* spoke with teachers, staff, and public health experts who said that despite [rising HIV rates](https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizona-hiv-rising-sex-education/) and other sexually transmitted infections in the state, along with the benefits associated with comprehensive sex education—encompassing gender, sexuality, consent, dating violence, and sexually transmitted infection prevention and treatment—districts are failing to address a critical moment in public health. ### **The stakes** In Arizona, only “4% of LGBTQ+ students in Arizona reported receiving LGBTQ+-inclusive sex education at school” according to a [state profile](https://maps.glsen.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/GLSEN%5F2021%5FNSCS%5FState%5FSnapshots%5FAZ.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) by GLSEN, an LGBTQ+ education group. The report also showed that most of the queer-identifying students they identified in Arizona experienced victimization at school, likely due to content restrictions: the group’s report found that in states with more LGBTQ+ restrictions in schools, educators are “discouraged from providing other support for LGBTQ students.” Across the nation, LGBTQ+ students are often categorized as most at risk for poor mental, physical, and medical health outcomes due to lack of comprehensive sex education. And LGBTQ+ high school students who were sexually active were about twice as likely as other students to report becoming pregnant or getting someone pregnant, according to a [2015 study](https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/10.2105/AJPH.2015.302553?ref=lookoutnews.org) published in the *American Journal of Public Health*. Implementing a proper curriculum, educators said, can address those issues. But when at least one local district started to take on the process of creating a curriculum, they were operating off of old laws. On Feb. 14 this year, the Scottsdale Unified School District had its first meeting for its Sex Education Advisory Committee. In there, Scottsdale Unified cited and linked to the state’s outdated educational code that included anti-LGBTQ+ regulations, such as curriculum being required to “promote honor and respect for monogamous heterosexual marriage"—language that was supposed to be removed after 2019's repeal of the "No Promo Homo" law. ### "No Promo Homo" During the AIDS crisis in the 1980’s and 1990’s, eight states across the nation enacted so-called “no promo homo” laws in their educational code. Arizona’s bill—passed in 1991—said “no district shall include in its course of study instruction which… Promotes a homosexual life‑style.” While Arizona’s “no promo homo” law was in place, the line between legislation and policy became blurred, said Madelaine Adelman, an Arizona State University professor and founder of GLSEN Arizona, an LGBTQ+ educational nonprofit. The 1991 bill created a “really untenable set of conditions for educators, parents and students.” she said. “There was this assumption that you couldn't talk about LGBTQ people in sex ed.” The ACLU argued the law was being harnessed in more insidious ways: they said it was being “used to harass school districts that attempt to provide inclusive and comprehensive sex education,” according to court records. In 2019, two students and Equality Arizona sued the state department of education, claiming the law violated their constitutional rights, specifically the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment. In the lawsuit, one student said he worried he would not be able to learn medically accurate information in school to keep him safe and healthy. The other student transferred schools after being bullied with anti-LGBTQ+ slurs. During the law’s 28 years in place, it “amounted to an official state-sanctioned climate of discrimination,” former House Democratic Leader Charlene Fernandez said in a statement after the law was repealed. Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas still have laws limiting the teaching of same-sex relationships in public schools. Despite the bipartisan support of removing “no promo homo” from the books, there was swift backlash from far-right conservatives, according to a source who worked in the department of education at the time under former public school superintendent Kathy Hoffman, but doesn’t have permission to speak on the topic. In that time period after the law change, the source said, there was intense scrutiny in trying to remove certain language from Arizona’s code of enforcement—the rules created by agencies after a bill becomes law. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/03/Artboard-1-1.png) Arizona rules still dictate that sex education should not include teaching of "abnormal" sexual conduct, but what that means is left entirely up to what districts perceive them to be, leaving LGBTQ+ people often left out and at most risk. (AZ Department of Education) One code that required teachers to “promote honor and respect for monogamous heterosexual marriage,” wasn’t removed until 2021\. However, part of the regulation remains that prevents “the teaching of abnormal, deviate, or unusual sexual acts and practices.” ### The problem with opt-in education Arizona public schools are not required to teach sex education at any level, and there are no requirements to teach students about child assault awareness, sexually transmitted diseases or infections, dating abuse, or abuse prevention. And when they do, parents have to opt their child into the instruction—a direct result of the state’s 2010 parental bill of rights. In order to teach sex education, districts have to go through a multi-step process where decisions get made from the top of the system down to parents and guardians and, eventually, students. And in that process, Adelman side, there is room for intentional and unintended messages that stigmatize the LGBTQ+ community. First, dIstricts have to decide if they want to make sex education part of their curriculum. If they do, state law requires them to form a committee that will review course materials and vote on what will be taught. There are some parameters: For example, schools can teach about the transmission of HIV, but it should be couched in language that only abstinence—not medical prevention—is the best way to avoid transmission. Another example, schools can teach about unwanted sexual touch, but it must do so within the parameters of community “sensitivities,” which education and legal experts said is too vague and leaves room for interpretations that harm LGBTQ+ students and families. Once the committee selects the curriculum, parents get the final review. If the curriculum passes, districts are required to get parental sign off on materials used in classrooms. But therein lies a snag, educators have told *LOOKOUT*. The process to get opt-in forms is difficult and teachers said they don’t have enough time to put together an alternative curriculum in the event some students don’t get opted into the curriculum. Unlike most states that use an opt-out policy—where parents or guardians can simply sign paperwork to remove their students from instruction—Arizona and Tennessee are the only states to have opt-in policies. According to a policy brief by the Sexuality Information and Education Council of the U.S., opt-in policies have strategically been “designed to make accessing sex education in schools more difficult.” Still, Arizona lawmakers have continued pushing opt-in regulations. This year, Sen. Jake Hoffman (R.-Queen Creek) [proposed a bill](https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/79820?ref=lookoutnews.org) that would criminalize teachers and school staff as felons if they didn’t get parental sign off on “sexually explicit materials” used in classrooms. Logan Martin, a Phoenix-based educator, said that in secondary schools, opt-in forms are rarely used. Teachers, she said, cannot predict when students will bring up conversations on sexual education. So, she said, teachers either have the conversation when it happens organically, or they shut down students’ questions and curiosity. The fear of lawsuits has teachers worried, but also at a loss on what to do: Martin, who used to teach at a school with a primarily Latino student population, said that the state’s opt-in policy has made it difficult for students who live in communities where caregivers aren’t always able to be wholly involved in their child’s education “Educators are concerned,” said Adelman. “They want to do the right thing, but they also want to keep their jobs and so there’s some residual fear.” #### Correction An earlier version of this story labeled Sen. Jake Hoffman as representing Gilbert. He represents Queen Creek. We regret the error. ### Libs of TikTok followers forced a drag fundraiser for Palestinean children to get cancelled. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/libsoftiktok-palestine-drag-show-phoenix/ Last updated: 2024-04-12T18:14:41.000Z A fundraiser put on by local drag performers to help raise money for Palestinian children was forced to cancel last-minute after receiving threats from followers of the far-right social media account, Libs of TikTok. On Sat., March 16, the performers were slated to do a show at the bilingual bookstore Palabras, with the aim of raising awareness on the war inside the Gaza Strip and the ongoing humanitarian crisis. Money earned at the event was set to be donated to the Palestinian Children’s Relief Fund. But one day before the event, Libs of TikTok, an online social media account created and managed by anti-LGBTQ+ influencer Chaya Raichik, posted about the event on the social media platform, X. The post mislead readers by using a photo of a drag performer at an adults-only event, and said: “A Bookstore in Arizona is holding a ‘Drag Show for Palestine’ with ‘Daddy Satan.’ They state kids are allowed to attend and there may be ‘adult language.’ Drag for Palestine? Adult language for kids? Make it make sense.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-18-at-12.16.35-PM.png) A screenshot from the post made by Libs of TikTok. The account has been linked to multiple events that had to be cancelled because of bomb threats and others harassed. (Credit: X) (The promoter’s advertising for the event said the show was considered all-ages, but gave warning that “parents can bring their kids on their own discretion; there may be unsettling topics such as violence/genocide/and adult language.) After the Libs of TikTok’s post, drag performer Noelle Cañez, who performs as Daddy Satan and helped organize the show, started getting direct messages threatening the event’s performers and the staff at the Palabras bookstore. The owner of Palabras couldn’t be reached for comment, but Cañez spoke with *LOOKOUT* and said that the event had to be cancelled to take people’s safety into consideration. “I feel very thankful and sorry to Palabras and everyone who received hate and bullying as a result,” Cañez told *LOOKOUT*. “They all put a lot into this and everyone does such great work in the community.” This is the third known time that a drag show in Arizona has been threatened by far-right conservatives. The first was in [February last year at Brick Road Coffee](https://www.lookoutnews.org/drag-queen-arizona-bills/) in Tempe, when a bomb threat shut down a story-reading hour. Months later, armed militia members stood outside another [fundraiser drag event in Cottonwood](https://lookoutphx.substack.com/p/another-drag-show-in-arizona-was?utm%5Fsource=twitter&sd=pf) after locals couldn’t get city council to shut it down. The Libs of TikTok account has been linked to multiple LGBTQ+ people and businesses being harassed, including at least [one school being forced to go into lockdown](https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2023/10/30/davis-california-faces-bomb-threats-harassment-anti-trans-extremists?ref=lookoutnews.org) due to bomb threats. (Raichik has said drag queens, [not bomb threats](https://www.lgbtqnation.com/2023/11/hate-influencer-chaya-raichik-outraged-that-people-are-calling-her-out-for-inspiring-bomb-threats/?ref=lookoutnews.org), are more dangerous to kids, and said that her posts aren’t feeding into violence.) Cañez took to her own social media account after cancelling the event to say she was planning on putting it on later in a bigger space, and looking into more security. Since then, multiple national conservative and Israeli news outlets have picked up the story, including Breitbart, which made a point to highlight conservative comments from people alleging that the performers would be dead if they did the show in Gaza. But LGBTQ+ support for Palestinians has become more common, especially as queer Palestinians have led the cause for liberation. Since Oct. 7 last year, LGBTQ+ advocates and groups have become increasingly public with their support of Palestine. The group ACT UP, known historically for their activism around the HIV and AIDS crisis in the 1980s and 1990s, rebranded their famous pink triangle during protests as a watermelon. (The Palestinian flag was banned after Israel won the Six-Day War in 1967, and watermelons—which have the same red, white, black, and green colors as the flag—have been used since as a stand-in protest image.) In December last year, [more than 500 LGBTQ+-aligned groups](https://queersinpalestine.noblogs.org/?ref=lookoutnews.org) worldwide signed an open letter by the anonymous group Queers for Palestine calling for an end to the war and Israeli occupation. Still, comments on the Libs of TikTok post, as well as made to Cañez, likened the events and its promoters as [“chickens for KFC,”](https://www.them.us/story/lgbtq-solidarity-palestine-saed-atshan?ref=lookoutnews.org) and said they should try performing in a different country to see how they’ll be received (alluding they would not be welcome). “I don’t need to know what it’s like to perform in Gaza,” Cañez told *LOOKOUT*. “America may say that this was the land of the free, but if you're anything outside of the box, then you're a target. And we see that all of the time here in America.” Cañez pointed out lawmakers across the U.S.—including Arizona—have fueled violent rhetoric and misinformation about LGBTQ people, and have introduced more anti-LGBTQ+ bills than years before: “And they're not just getting proposed, but they're getting passed, as well,” Cañez said. The reality of being targeted for who you are, said Cañez, is how queer people relate to what’s happening to Palestinians. “We're able to identify with that,” she said. “Of course, it's not the same exact thing by any measure, but we just know what it is and doesn't doesn't take more than that to put ourselves in other people's shoes and realize, hey, being ethnically cleansed from your land is obviously not right. And I wish that wasn't so hard to grasp.” #### Correction An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the year when Brick Road Coffee received their bomb threat. It was 2023, not 2022\. ### Paradise Valley Schools Propose Bringing Missionaries into Classrooms URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/paradise-valley-schools-missionaries-classrooms/ Last updated: 2024-09-29T21:26:07.000Z Last week, the Paradise Valley Unified School District was expected to vote on a measure that would bring Latter-Day Saints missionaries into classrooms. But questioning from *LOOKOUT* as well as a legal letter from a local nonprofit pushed the district to remove the agreement, at least temporarily. Mormon missionaries are people—mostly young churchgoers fresh out of school—who are part of the LDS church and take two years to complete a certain number of volunteer hours. Their [**goal is to proselytize**](https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/mission?ref=lookoutnews.org) and spread the Mormon gospel worldwide. Single men are expected to volunteer for two years, while single women volunteer for 18 months, according to the LDS church website. It’s unclear who proposed the agreement between the church and the school district. And questions to the district asking for details on who was advised to make the memorandum of understanding weren’t answered. Teachers hadn’t known about the agreement before the board meeting’s minutes were introduced days before, and board members were shocked to learn about the proposal since it was wedged into a package of agenda items that were considered routine business and couldn’t be debated. But *LOOKOUT* received a copy of the memorandum of understanding, which showed that the LDS church’s headquarters in Utah had drafted the agreement with the Assistant Superintendent of the district, Steve Jeras, listed as the main contact. The agreement would give Mormon missionaries access to public school classrooms as teacher’s assistants, which would go toward their volunteer hours. The agreement said that the school would “co-develop” a program with the church, as well as pay for all background checks and fingerprint clearance for the missionaries. PVUSD already has a similar volunteer program where people have to go through a background check. After being cleared, they get assigned duties by a teacher who needs assistance. But Kerry Baker, who sits on the Paradise Valley Governing School Board, said she wasn’t sure why the district—not the LDS church—would pay for background checks or fingerprint clearance. She also didn’t understand why church members couldn’t go through the regular process, instead of an MOU that was created for LDS members, specifically. “I don’t want any church to go into our classrooms,” she told *LOOKOUT* in an interview last week. “Especially a church that is not affirming to LGBTQ+ people.” Mormons have a long history of anti-LGBTQ+ bias. Only recently, in 2019, did the church remove labeling same-sex churchgoers as “apostates.” And the church still [**calls same-sex attraction a sin**](https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/official-statement/same-gender-attraction?ref=lookoutnews.org) (despite [**publicly supporting**](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/mormon-church-backs-same-sex-marriage-law-maintains-relationships-still-sinful?ref=lookoutnews.org) a same-sex marriage law in 2022). The church also [**doesn’t believe people should be transgender**](https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/the-family-a-proclamation-to-the-world/the-family-a-proclamation-to-the-world?lang=eng&ref=lookoutnews.org), and claims gender is sex defined at birth. The MOU said that the district would be respectful of the missionaries’ values, but that church members must abide by federal and state law regarding nondiscrimination. (Note: there is no statewide nondiscrimination protections for LGBTQ+ people in Arizona, and federal law has been weakened since the U.S. Supreme Court has given wide latitude for religious organizations to discriminate.) A representative of the church wouldn’t respond to *LOOKOUT*’srequest on details about the MOU with Paradise Valley, or how missionaries inside schools could make queer students unwelcome. *LOOKOUT* contacted the school board asking questions about the partnership. Days later, the district also received a legal letter from Secular AZ, a nonprofit government watchdog group. “This MOU has a multitude of problems,” the letter from Secular AZ read. “LDS missionaries must wear badges that identify them as LDS. Thus they can be seen as proselytizing. The MOU is extremely vague about what they would be doing.” Afterwards, the board removed the MOU from the meeting agenda. In a statement to *LOOKOUT*, PVUSD Communications Director Matthew Droge never mentioned that the district had received a legal letter, and instead said that all MOU’s are given legal review before being presented to the board: “Because we wanted a second legal review of this document, it was removed from last week's agenda,” he said. It’s unclear if the MOU will be brought back up in the next school board meeting. *This is a developing story and will be updated as we learn more.* ### Fact-checking last week's hearing in the House URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-hearing-of-blatant-disinformation-gets-fact-checked/ Last updated: 2024-03-26T16:33:42.000Z On Wed. March 6, members of the House Judiciary Committee met to discuss [SB1628](https://azmirror.com/2024/03/06/gop-bill-to-erase-trans-and-nonbinary-arizonans-from-the-law-inches-toward-passage/?ref=lookoutnews.org), a bill dubbed across the nation by conservatives as a “women’s bill of rights.” In practicality, though, it is being used to restrict trans people from being recognized by their states. The bill’s language, as it exists in Arizona, would forbid people from having gender markers different than their listed sex at birth, as well as remove any mention of “gender” from state rules, laws, or regulations and replace it with “sex.” It also aims to codify definitions for certain words such as "man," "woman," "girl," "boy," while establishing only two sexes and genders. The bill doesn't allow the state to create another sex marker for people who are intersex or have other genetic abnormalities. Similar laws have already been passed in Georgia and Iowa, and include the same language as Arizona’s bill, which would—[among other things](https://abcnews.go.com/US/womens-bill-rights-policies-impact-daily-lives-transgender/story?id=107168596&ref=lookoutnews.org#:~:text=These%20bills%20aim%20to%20restrict,their%20gender%20markers%20on%20IDs.)—have the impact of removing gender-bias crimes from police reports or discrimination complaints. (The [FBI last year ranked Arizona as one of the highest](https://www.lookoutnews.org/despite-record-low-reports-az-still/) in bias-related crimes. The agency gathers that data through local police records that would be removed if SB1628 went into law.) The bill will most assuredly be vetoed by Gov. Katie Hobbs, who has previously vowed to veto any and all anti-LGBTQ+ bills that reach her desk. But the hearing was a lesson—especially for advocates and the public who packed the house—in how much disinformation elected officials can say on record without being fact-checked in real-time. Here are some of the things said during the hearing that deserve public scrutiny: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-10-at-6.45.52-PM.png) ## ****Fact Check #1** ****Rep. Teresa Martinez’s claims on violence** During the judicial committee hearing, Rep. Teresa Martinez (R-Casa Grande) made broad assumptions around sex and gender. Specifically, she claimed that men were more violent than women because of testosterone: “Based on hormones that run through the body naturally, that women have less testosterone, therefore, are less violent,” she said. “Women are seen as less violent because of their hormones. And because of the frame of their body versus a man.” ### **OUR FACT CHECK: This is a very elementary way of understanding hormones and biology.** It is true that many biologists have [found a link](https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2021/09/harvard-biologist-discusses-testosterones-role-in-society/?ref=lookoutnews.org) between testosterone and violence. However, there is other research that suggests an [imbalance in estrogen](https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/governing-behavior/202208/don-t-blame-the-testes-all-aggression?ref=lookoutnews.org#:~:text=Estrogens%20often%20affect%20aggression%20more,%28the%20testes%20and%20ovaries%29.) could also cause increased aggression. Also, there is new research that shows [women—not men—are more aggressive](https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/digital-world-real-world/202302/research-casts-doubt-on-male-centred-theories-of-aggression?ref=lookoutnews.org), at least online. And scientists have also found that [chromosomes, not testosterone](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3289987/?ref=lookoutnews.org), cause aggression. What all of this competing information should say is that the immediate reasons for people to be violent are not as black and white as to whether or not testosterone is present. But even if it were the case that testosterone, alone, is the reason for aggression,[ trans women on hormone therapy are able to get to estrogen levels to that of cisgender women](https://www.endocrinepractice.org/article/S1530-891X%2820%2935396-9/abstract?ref=lookoutnews.org#:~:text=Overall,%20the%20median%20testosterone%20levels,dL%20by%2012%20months%20%28Fig.). That would make them no more aggressive than Rep. Martinez. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-10-at-10.54.34-PM.png) ## Fact Check #2 ****Martinez’s hypothetical examples.** Martinez also implied that cisgender women have less rights in the event of being harassed by a trans woman in a bathroom: “So, if I'm a 16-year-old girl, and I go into my locker room, and I see somebody who is biologically not a girl, I feel harassed, and my harassment should be just as equal as their harassment…who has the final say?” Martinez later clarified in saying that the cisgender woman in her hypothetical example could feel “harassed” by the presence of the transgender woman. She then made a statement that appeared to suggest that trans people have more legal rights in harassment claims. ### **OUR FACT CHECK: These hypothetical examples and their outcomes are not based in reality.** Arizona state law defines harassment as communicating with someone in a way that “does in fact” seriously harm someone. This would be, for example, stalking or surveilling someone without a legitimate purpose, or following someone after asking them to stop. Simply being in the presence of someone who is different, be it biological or racial, is not a claim for criminal harassment. In the rare case of a violent attack in a bathroom, there is no state law or regulation that gives transgender people preferential treatment or increased rights during police investigations or criminal procedures. And violence in bathrooms caused by transgender people is incredibly rare, according to [a study published by the Williams Institute at UCLA](https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/no-link-between-trans-inclusive-policies-bathroom-safety-study-finds-n911106?ref=lookoutnews.org), the nation’s only academic research institution that focuses on LGBTQ+ social research. In the study, scientists found that transgender or nonbinary people, instead, are more likely to be the victims of verbal or physical harassment. Such was the case in [Oklahoma in Feb. this year,](https://www.vox.com/culture/24092224/nex-benedict-death-what-happened-okhlahoma-anti-trans-laws-backlash?ref=lookoutnews.org) when two teenaged girls beat a nonbinary trans teen, Nex Benedict, who later died the next day. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-10-at-10.59.35-PM.png) ## ****Fact Check #3** ****Rep. Justin Heap’s question on trans prisoners.** In one moment during the hearing, Rep. Justin Heap (R-Mesa), asked a question on housing women prisoners: “If a biological male is convicted of a crime and is going to go to a state prison, but that person also identifies as female, should they be sent to a female prison consistent with their with their personal belief about their gender misgivings?” It’s a common argument for conservatives to mention trans women being held in prisons with other women, but there is one problem with these examples, primarily it's not common, if at all. ### **OUR FACT CHECK: This doesn’t happen in Arizona.** According to the Arizona Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s protocols, transgender prisoners are housed not by how they identify, but what sex [is listed on their birth certificate](https://corrections.az.gov/sites/default/files/documents/policies/800/0810.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org). And even then, it’s never a guarantee on the local level. In Flagstaff, for example, *LOOKOUT* reported on how at least one trans woman who had the sex her state ID listed as female was [still placed among men in the county jail. ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/woman-arrested-flagstaff-lgbtq-liaison/) In other cities or states, there have been separate prison dorms created specifically for transgender people, but [that is the exception and not the norm](https://www.nbcnews.com/feature/nbc-out/transgender-women-are-nearly-always-incarcerated-men-s-putting-many-n1142436?ref=lookoutnews.org). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/03/Screenshot-2024-03-10-at-10.57.28-PM.png) ## Fact Check #4 ****An exchange between Reps. John Gilette and Selina Bliss.** Rep. John Gilette (R-Kingman) asked former nurse and chairperson of the committee, Rep. Selina Bliss (R-Prescott) about how sex is determined, genetically. “Madam Chair, may I ask you a question, as the only doctor in the room,” he asked, except Bliss has her doctorate in education. “When a human is born, and if you can confirm this, it's either born xx or xy. Yes or no, Representative?” “That's correct,” Bliss responded. ### **OUR FACT CHECK: No modern science supports this statement.** In overly broad terms, females have two “X” chromosomes, and males have one “X” and one “Y” chromosome. [But that is not always the case.](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/sex-redefined-the-idea-of-2-sexes-is-overly-simplistic1/?ref=lookoutnews.org) Biologists have argued for [quite some time](https://www.vox.com/2014/6/3/5776396/why-theyre-not-really-sex-chromosomes?ref=lookoutnews.org) that chromosomes, alone, are an inaccurate way of defining sex. For example, there are males who can have two “X” chromosomes, but with a “Y” variant. There are females who can have a “Y" chromosome, as well. It’s estimated that one out of every 100 people have some form of chromosomal variant that doesn’t neatly fit into the binary of what sex is, when based on chromosomes, alone. ### Equality Arizona is back, but under a leader who allegedly doomed it. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/equality-arizona-michael-soto/ Last updated: 2025-04-03T20:13:32.000Z For more than 30 years, Equality Arizona has existed as a local beacon of advocacy among queer Arizonans, a successful LGBTQ+ nonprofit that lobbied legislators, hosted star-studded events and held sway in lobbying circles and in Capitol hallways. So, it came as a surprise last year, when without any public announcement Equality Arizona quietly lost all of its staff and was on the verge of completely folding and brought in another nonprofit leader to help close the business down. There was no explanation to its abrupt end and no press coverage that the organization’s Interim Executive Director Jeanne Woodbury left her position. But heading into the 2024 legislative session and a divisive election year coupled with a swarm of anti-LGBTQ+ bills and resolutions there was worry not enough queer voices, especially Equality Arizona leadership, would be at the Capitol. Now, it’s back, but again under the leadership of Michael Soto, the same person who many say caused its original downfall. Interviews with lobbyists at the state capitol, former board members, and former staff for the organization show that under Soto, the nonprofit and lobbying group saw immense success and grew from a team of volunteers to fully paid staff fundraising millions of dollars. But that success was followed by hundreds of thousands of dollars in alleged overspending that decimated the nonprofit’s assets. *LOOKOUT* has been given internal investigation documents that Equality Arizona’s board and lawyer reviewed, which include text and internal Slack messages, a formal grievance letter, and phone recordings that explained how Soto allegedly bled the organization of money, spent lavishly on out-of-state causes, took on a full time job in another state, and spent thousands of dollars on unauthorized expenses. Soto denies any allegations that he improperly handled or spent funds, and dismissed claims that he was working two full time jobs. In an interview with *LOOKOUT*, Soto said the implications made in the letter to the board were proven false and that he was operating ethically and well within his parameters as CEO of the company. He also said he was fully transparent with his spending and employment with other organizations, and provided receipts and emails from lawyers and Equality Arizona’s accountant that showed he had no hand in the organization’s financial troubles. But in September of 2022, after Equality Arizona’s board did an investigation based on the same documents *LOOKOUT* obtained, the board quietly eliminated Soto from his position as executive director while requiring employees and board members to sign non-disclosure agreements saying he resigned. Now, along with taking back Equality Arizona as the president of the board and executive director in December, Soto is chief advocacy officer at ONE Community, a LGBTQ+ nonprofit that builds business relationships across political party lines. His return to the organization has made some former Equality Arizona employees and LGBTQ+ advocates uncomfortable, leaving them to say that people should be made aware of what happens inside nonprofits and also be the ones to make decisions of who represents them at the Capitol. ### A WHOLE OTHER JOB When you meet Soto, you understand why he is so effective in his job as an advocate and LGBTQ+ leader. His presence easily fills a room. He's charming and speaks passionately on queer issues. Mix that with his track record at Equality Arizona and it's easy to see why he was a leading contender for a job with the Greater Seattle Business Association, one of the nation's largest LGBTQ+ business alliances. The organization sought out a new leader for almost a year after their former chief executive resigned from the position in 2020 and left the company without an official CEO. That changed, though, in November of 2021\. The GSBA announced Soto as its new president and CEO. A seasoned professional who had worked with Arizona’s LGBTQ+ businesses, forged alliances among conservative and faith-based organizations, and secured hundreds of thousands of dollars in grant funding for equality campaigns, Soto was seen as a fierce advocate of queer causes and a worthy replacement. “Soto was selected after an extensive nationwide search for the ideal candidate to grow and further develop GSBA’s mission to bring communities together through business while advocating for civil rights by supporting small businesses, promoting LGBTQ+ tourism, and investing in the next generation of leaders,” GSBA’s press release read. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/02/EQAZ_TEAROUT_3.png) A screenshot of an internal GSBA press release from November 2021 announcing Soto's position and a quote attributed to him. Soto signed his contract on Dec. 13, according to GSBA, with the understanding that he would move to Seattle in January 2022 to work full-time. “I am excited to call the Pacific Northwest my new home and am proud to work toward equality and inclusion in the Seattle area and beyond through GSBA,” said Soto in the same press release. “I’ve been dedicated to advocating for the Arizona LGBTQ+ community, having led a team of professionals to build its political power…I hope to help GSBA to create even more positive social impact and continue to support the ongoing success of this organization.” The release noted that Soto was “most recently serving as the executive director for Equality Arizona.” But Soto did not leave his position in Arizona. Instead, in the same month he signed the contract with GSBA, he also negotiated a bonus and backpay of more than $60,000 with Equality Arizona, according to the grievance letter filed with the organization's board. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/02/EQAZ_TEAROUT_4.png) Screenshots from Slack messages given to the board to show Soto was still working at Equality Arizona in January 2022, when he told GSBA he was no longer working there. The conversation on the left is from Jan. 12, 2022, and on the right is from Jan. 27, 2022, according to the board documents. It didn’t take long for people to notice: people at both organizations raised questions about Soto’s employment after noticing that he was missing certain days, or was seen in Phoenix when he should have been in Seattle. At one point, when Equality Arizona rebranded its website in March 2022, Soto was still listed as the nonprofit’s executive director. He allegedly told staff at GSBA that he wasn’t sure why Equality Arizona wouldn’t remove him from the website, and assured them that he was no longer working as the organization’s executive director, according to the grievance letter and a recorded phone call with an Equality Arizona staff member and GSBA leader that was provided to the board. At the same time, though, Soto was telling his staff in Arizona a different story. On at least three occasions, internal messages and recorded calls between Equality Arizona staff and Soto show that Soto said the job at GSBA was just a “contract,” and was not permanent. That isn’t true, according to the GSBA. “He was not on contract basis,” said a GSBA leader in a phone call that was used in the investigation by Equality Arizona. “He was a full time employee, employed as president and CEO of GSBA.” > On his official start date with the GSBA on Feb. 7, Soto claimed he was in an accident that broke his ankle, and couldn’t be there. In a phone conversation with a GSBA leader that was given to the board for review, they said Soto later claimed he also broke two ribs. That same day, though, he was seen working at the Arizona Capitol. On multiple occasions, the grievance letter said staff at both Equality Arizona and GSBA confronted Soto on where he was employed. In an emailed statement to *LOOKOUT*, Soto defended his job at GSBA and said that “having work outside of Equality Arizona was common practice for all staff and included working with other social justice nonprofit organizations in Arizona and outside of Arizona.” When later asked about the GSBA leader who said Soto was hired as a full-time employee, he said he wouldn’t comment on any organization’s claims against him, just that they were false. “I don't know what's happening with any of those folks and it's not my business,” he said. “I don't know what their motives are for saying what they're saying, but I'm not gonna comment on them.” Former staff at Equality Arizona confirmed that contract work outside of the organization was common and not prohibited. However, those jobs were either part-time or short-term, they said. Screenshots reviewed by the board also showed that those outside contract gigs for staff typically went through an approval process to make sure there were no conflicts of interest. Staff said in interviews that never happened with the GSBA job for Soto. ### CONFLICTING STATEMENTS Despite public statements from Soto saying he was excited to call the Pacific Northwest his “new home,” the permanent move to Seattle never happened. Soto was initially expected to move to Seattle in January 2022, with a start date of February, according to a phone call with the GSBA leader. But during that time, he was still in Arizona working for Equality Arizona. He told leadership at GSBA that he had COVID-19 and was hospitalized, according to phone calls. Screenshots from Slack messages and emails showed that Soto was very much still involved with work at Equality Arizona throughout January, and did not tell staff about his new job with GSBA. It’s unclear if Soto was, indeed, hospitalized or had COVID-19\. But an interview with a former staff member said they did not recollect Soto ever being ill at that time. On his official start date with the GSBA on Feb. 7, Soto claimed he was in an accident that broke his ankle, and couldn’t be there. (In the phone conversation with the GSBA leader, they said he later claimed that he also broke two ribs.) But while allegedly suffering from broken ribs and an ankle, Soto was seen, photographed, and quoted at the Arizona State Capitol promoting a nondiscrimination bill that he helped forge with the help of ONE Community and members of the House LGBTQ+ Caucus. In a response to questions from *LOOKOUT*, Soto said that despite claims he openly told GSBA members about illnesses and accidents, he keeps his medical life private from staff. “None of the individuals who are your sources have ever been involved in my life in a way that would give them substantive knowledge of my medical challenges or needs including in regard to illness, injury, or anything else… Like many people, I choose to be as private as possible in regard to my medical care and health,” Soto said. > “He pulled all our trans staff aside in a private meeting, and literally people were pitted against each other." **\- Statement from a GSBA leader in a recorded phone call.** While employed at both organizations, members at Equality Arizona and GSBA noticed there were issues with Soto, primarily not showing up to meetings, disappearing from phone calls, or saying he was out fundraising for one organization when he was actually meeting with people for the other nonprofit. According to the grievance letter, in one instance Soto said he was in Seattle meeting with a prospective funder for Equality Arizona. In reality, GSBA officials said that he was working for them on the same day and going to multiple meetings. In another occasion, the letter read, GSBA leaders raised alarm on Soto missing an important meeting. He said he was with funders. Instead, the letter alleged that he was in a meeting with Equality Arizona Board President Caitlin Breedlove. Breedlove wouldn’t comment on the allegations raised in the letter, citing the non-disclosure agreement. Pushback to Soto being hired at both companies was met with attempts at retaliation, according to the phone call with the GSBA leader. The person said a staff member who noticed the video at the Arizona State Capitol in February 2022 and then brought it to GSBA’s attention “had a target on their back,” and said Soto wanted them fired, but was unsuccessful. Also, the letter sent to the board said that when Equality Arizona Deputy Director Nichole Cassidy confronted Soto about his employment with GSBA during a private phone call, he accused her of being transphobic and racist, and said she was “spinning out of control.” The authors of the grievance letter, Cassidy and Woodbury (who at the time was Equality Arizona’s communications director), wouldn’t speak on record about Soto’s leadership. Both Cassidy and Woodbury signed NDA’s related to their time at the organization. (Woodbury currently works at Creosote Partners, where *LOOKOUT* board member Gaelle Esposito is a partner. *LOOKOUT* board members are not involved in editorial decisions.) Soto also allegedly “pitted” GSBA staff against each other, according to the GSBA leader’s phone call. “Half of our staff is trans,” they said. “And he put such a rift between the staff, he alienated the staff from each other. The first time was in Seattle, he pulled all our trans staff aside in a private meeting, and literally people were pitted against each other.” “It was horrible,” they said. ### FINANCIAL PROBLEMS Soto calls himself a community organizer at heart, and his time in advocacy reflects that. According to a publicly available resume from 2017, he previously worked as a program manager at St. Joseph the Worker, and at Arizona Citizens for the Arts as its outreach and community developments manager. He even had a stint as communications fellow at Equality Arizona in 2008 — years before he was tapped to run the organization. Soto started leading Equality Arizona in 2018, after serving on its board for almost three years. In 2020, he took over officially as its CEO. It could have been his background in grant management, relationship building and advocating for LGBTQ+ people and the arts that made him a qualified candidate for the job at Equality Arizona, which at the time had been a major force in queer advocacy across the state, but made little money and had almost no staff. The year Soto started, IRS Form 990 filings—tax documents charities are required to file and make publicly available every year—show that Equality Arizona’s 501(c)(3) arm brought in less than $80,000 a year, with only $17,187 in financial assets. Within his first year, revenue tripled to $240,421, and increased year over year until 2021 when the organization under his leadership brought in $314,905, and had net assets of more than $113,000. > “I want to be clear. That funding was explicitly there.” **\- Soto speaking on allegations that he misspent money.** Equality Arizona Foundation is registered as a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit, and a 501(c)(4) named Equality Arizona that can lobby on behalf of Arizonans. But after taking his position at GSBA, tax forms showed that revenue for Equality Arizona’s 501(c)(3) arm only increased by $50,000, whereas spending almost doubled from $362,000 in 2021, to $601,272 in 2022\. Most of that spending went to a federal initiative that focused on the U.S. Respect for Marriage Act, Soto said. But without more money coming in, the organization was spending money it didn’t have, staff members claimed in the letter. At one point, an Equality Arizona staff member raised the alarm that they were worried about the company’s finances, according to a Slack message shared with the board. In response, Soto wrote that funding was coming and not to worry about budgeting. Soto sat down with *LOOKOUT* and presented a spreadsheet showing that during 2022, he brought in more than $600,000 of grants that covered the costs of traveling to Washington, D.C. and working on federal initiatives. “I want to be clear,” he said. “That funding was explicitly there.” He didn’t provide a copy to *LOOKOUT* for review. But by September 2022, when Woodbury took over as interim executive director, the organization was left without any reserves. Equality Arizona’s tax forms in 2022 showed that after Soto left, the nonprofit had negative financial assets totaling more than $124,000 for the 501(c)(3) arm. Soto said he wasn’t with Equality Arizona when the 2022 tax forms were filed, and had no insight into why the organization’s 990 showed a deficiency in funds. “I have no idea what happened with it,” he said. “That's not something I could comment on.” He also said now that he’s back as president of the board for Equality Arizona, it would be a priority for him to understand what happened to the organization, financially, and re-evaluate the 2022 tax documents. In the grievance letter, employees claimed that Soto had also linked the Equality Arizona business debit card to a personal Amazon account and made unauthorized purchases. Slack messages and internal documents showed that Soto was pressed to provide receipts totaling more than $11,000 in Amazon and other purchases for almost eight months. A message showed that in order to finish accounting for the quarter, some of the purchases were designated as “office supplies” without knowing what they were. Soto provided a confirmation email from his lawyer and Equality Arizona’s accountant that detailed his Amazon purchases, refuting the claims in the letter. He said that he was consistent during his time as executive director in providing receipts, and wasn’t sure why the claims were made against him. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/02/EQAZ_TEAROUT_2.png) A screenshot from the 2022 grievance letter submitted by Nichole Cassidy and Jeanne Woodbury to the Equality Arizona board showing concern over finances under Soto's leadership. “All purchases made by me on behalf of Equality Arizona have been recorded and accounted for in accordance with the organization’s financial processes,” Soto said in his prepared statement. He said he confirmed with the organization's accountant on Jan. 23 this year that “the 2022 financial year would not have been able to be closed out if all expenses and purchases had not been properly accounted for by the organization.” ### AN EXIT STRATEGY After months of playing both sides in Seattle and Phoenix, Soto quietly left his position at GSBA. In conversations with one staff member, he said he “fired” GSBA as a client in May 2022, adding that the organization was “fucked up,” according to a phone call provided to the board. News articles from Seattle Gay News needled Soto and said he must have not been able to handle the Pacific Northwest’s weather. The Puget Sound Business Journal only said that Soto would continue working on a national campaign for LGBTQ+ equality. But the phone call with the GSBA leader said that he resigned in June 2022, a month later than when he told Equality Arizona staff. They said an internal investigation was done after Soto claimed the organization was “toxic,” and implied that members of GSBA had to sign an NDA. Months later, Equality Arizona’s board received the grievance letter. It accused Soto of holding two positions secretly, not being present for many of Equality Arizona’s events or meetings, and showed concern over the organization’s financial problems during his time as CEO. In August 2022, the board put Soto and Cassidy, the deputy director, on temporary leave and later decided to terminate Soto from his position at Equality Arizona. Cassidy resigned from her position at the same time, while Woodbury was appointed as interim executive director. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/03/012223-lgbtq-rally-state-capitol-mh---27.jpeg) Jeanne Woodbury, former interim executive director of Equality Arizona, was one of two people who wrote a letter to the board describing problems with Michael Soto as the CEO of Equality Arizona. (Matt Hennie, Phoenix New Times) Members of the board and staff signed NDA’s that didn’t allow them to speak publicly on the subject for two years or while employed at the organization. The agreement said that Equality Arizona would “have its record reflect that Soto’s employment ended by resignation,” and that if media or organizations asked for an explanation, Equality Arizona would “only provide a copy” of a letter written by Breedlove, the board president. The letter explained Soto was leaving to continue federal work in LGBTQ+ matters. Breedlove left in September 2022 right after Soto’s departure, and only confirmed in a phone call that Soto was removed from his position. On Sept. 23, 2022, his final day at Equality Arizona, he was named Chief Advocacy Officer for ONE Community, the group he had worked with to push an anti-discrimination bill alongside other local campaigns for LGBTQ+ equality among business owners, where he remains in that role. Angela Hughey, ONE Community’s executive director, wouldn’t respond to questions on the allegations leveled against Soto, but confirmed in an email that Soto’s position as chief advocacy officer was as a consultant. When asked on his termination from Equality Arizona, Soto sent *LOOKOUT* the letter from Breedlove, as well as a signed letter from former board member Ritchie Taylor, who is now the spokesperson for the Arizona Attorney General, that praised his work as CEO. Taylor also wouldn’t speak on record about Soto’s time or the investigation. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/02/EQAZ_TEAROUT_1.png) A sample from the termination agreement and non-disclosure that was signed by Soto and members of the board. This all came to a head in the summer 2023, when Woodbury stepped away from Equality Arizona. Woodbury wouldn’t comment on why she left, but said in a text message that everything in the letter “is all true to the best of my recollection.” Soon after, rumors abounded that the organization was defunct. And with no one leading it, Soto said he was approached and asked to be reinstated as Equality Arizona’s president. It’s unclear who on the board approached him. But people close to the matter said the board was facing financial liability with Equality Arizona’s debts, and wanted to exit from the company. Soto said that wasn’t true. “I've looked at all of the bank statements, there hasn't been a shortfall,” he said. “So that's where I was like, ‘What are you talking about?’... Like the records don't reflect that.” The Arizona Corporation Commission shows that as of Dec. 27, 2023, Soto was in charge, with all other board members removed from their positions. He wouldn’t comment about why board members left, only that some had finished their term. Soto remains an influential figure in Arizona’s LGBTQ+ advocacy scene, and despite the allegations against him, he said he won’t dwell on them. “We live in a really difficult time,” he said. “I believe in an ethic of solidarity, and regardless of what these folks what's happening for them in their lives, that's making this feel appropriate for them, make them feel like it's okay for them to make these kinds of allegations I'm not going to say anything that would hurt them or be detrimental in any way. Because I have empathy for these folks, and they're part of my community.” And taking back Equality Arizona as it exists currently, he finds himself in the same situation he did when first leading it in 2018\. He said there’s an opportunity for the organization to approach advocacy through community organizing, outreach and building partnerships to dispel misinformation and get community members activated in local politics. “For me, that's still the point of Equality Arizona,” he said. “It's not a direct service provider, right? It doesn't do a whole lot of things. It works strategically to pass bills that increase the rights and make better the quality of life of LGBTQ people.” But since the start of legislative session, with more anti-LGBTQ+ bills proposed than ever before, Soto has scarcely been seen advocating for the community at legislative hearings. And there are some people that question if Soto is the right person to lead Equality Arizona. Breedlove, the former board president, spoke generally that the people running local nonprofits—especially ones that represent marginalized communities—should consider more transparency and letting those they help have a say in who represents them. “It shouldn’t be up to a small number of people,” she said. “And if there are concerns from the community, they should be raised—so long as it’s proactive.” ### How trans kids and their families shut down an anti-trans bill URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/how-one-student-helped-shut-down-an-anti-trans-bill/ Last updated: 2024-03-15T17:03:12.000Z During this past legislative session, lawmakers introduced 21 bills in both the House and Senate that impact LGBTQ+ people. Of those, Republicans pushed 14 bills directly limiting queer Arizonans’ rights in schools or other public places. While none of the Democrat-sponsored bills were heard in a committee or brought to a vote, six of the 14 Republican-sponsored anti-LGBTQ+ bills passed out of their original chambers and are now headed to the other. One that was expected to sail through the Senate last week, SCR1013, is now dead. The Senate resolution, drafted by Sen. John Kavanagh (R-Fountain Hills), was a way to bypass a governor veto and send culture war topics—like trans bathroom access in schools, or how students identify—to voters in November. (Kavanagh has attempted to restrict bathroom access to trans people since 2013, when he was the first state lawmaker in the country to propose such a law. His bills have consistently either been voted down or vetoed.) But last week, in a shocking about-face to his party, Sen. Ken Bennett (R-Prescott) cast a vote against the resolution, essentially shutting down far-right attempts to get LGBTQ+ issues on the ballot. Earlier in the year, Bennett voted the bill out of committee. When he explained his vote at the time, he choked up while talking about how the bill would effect at least two of his own family members. He said that he couldn’t vote affirmatively on the Senate floor with the bill as it was written, and asked that Kavanagh changed the resolution’s language. In between that meeting and the vote last week, the national conversation on trans students in bathrooms hit a flashpoint: Two teenaged girls assaulted an Oklahoma nonbinary teen, Nex Benedict, in a school bathroom. Benedict died a day later. Oklahoma’s legislature passed a bathroom ban that Kavanagh’s resolution would mirror. Members in an Arizona-wide network of LGBTQ+ advocates gathered families of student-aged kids and their caregivers to meet with both Kavanagh and Bennett. They wanted to explain the impacts the resolution would have on their families. But an interview with at least one family—Tucson residents Diana and her 14-year-old daughter Mya—shows how vastly different the two interactions were. Diana described her and Mya's meeting with Bennett as respectful and illuminating, while Mya described her interaction with Kavanagh as aggressive, transphobic, and dismissive. (We are withholding last names for privacy and safety concerns.) Mya transitioned in second grade, Diana said, and has always used the women’s restroom. But in the time since conservative politicians like Kavanagh have attempted to criminalize and disparage trans and nonbinary youth and adults in the state, Mya said she has had anxiety about using the restroom. She remembered that at one point, she didn’t use the restroom all day and waited to get home. “I just didn’t want to even get into it,” Mya said, adding that her friends at school tried to joke that it’s not that serious of an issue. “This is serious,” Mya said. “This isn't something that should go on. This is not a joke.” In 2017, The American Academy of Pediatrics released a statement in opposition to legislative rollbacks that made it harder for trans youth to use bathrooms of their gender. Two years later, the American Medical Association [released a brief](https://www.ama-assn.org/delivering-care/population-care/exclusionary-bathroom-policies-harm-transgender-students?ref=lookoutnews.org) that explained how anti-trans policies could result in students avoiding using the restroom for hours, such as in Mya's situation. They said those actions can lead to infections and other medical issues. The experience for Mya and Diana at the Capitol was telling, they said, on how much lawmakers are willing to listen to the citizens they represent. “We kept saying to them that this is a problem you are making,” Mya said. But only one of the lawmakers, she said, appeared to listen. Bennett, she said, took notes, asked thoughtful questions and seemed to lean in when Mya described how she could only be part of a co-ed cheerleading team because of the state’s law that bans her from playing on other sports. “I could tell he wasn't a mean person,” Mya said. “I was really happy that he wrote down our names, because it kind of felt like he actually cared. And he really took the time to actually meet with us.” In contrast, she said, Kavanagh was aggressive. In their meeting, the senator pushed Mya to explain what her biological sex was, and Mya had to continuously defend herself, she said. “I’m a girl, period,” she remembers telling Kavanagh. Parents in the meeting allegedly also had to continually protect their kids from Kavanagh misgendering them. “When we left, he said to us, ‘Well, we'll leave it up to the voters,’” Mya remembers Kavanagh saying. “I honestly just think he's homophobic and transphobic and doesn't like the LGBTQ community.” The group left the Capitol that day discouraged. But last week, after Bennett voted against the resolution, Mya called her mother immediately. “I just felt really happy and excited,” Mya said. “And I felt that I saved a lot, or helped a lot of people in Arizona and I felt very empowered.” Bennett told [The Arizona Agenda, a daily political newsletter,](https://arizonaagenda.substack.com/p/from-campus-to-the-capitol) that meeting with students such as Mya was "impactful," and was one of many factors that influenced his vote. On the Senate floor, he explained his vote: "I am very concerned about putting this bill to a vote of the people," Bennett said. "These bills combined are roughly a third of the entire U.S. Constitution. When we put things on the ballot for people to vote on them, if something goes awry, if there are unintended consequences, we have to go back to the people to fix it." Diana remembers that Mya left home and entered into the Capitol on a rainy day, with storm clouds overhead. And while talking to Mya about the experience, afterwards there was a moment of hope: “Maya had said ‘Oh, look the sun's coming out.’ So that really like touched her. It's a moment where the sun's actually shining for a little bit.” ### An executive order last year aimed to curb conversion therapy, but a handful of counselors still practice it. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/conversion-therapy-arizona/ Last updated: 2024-03-11T06:41:40.000Z Tres Adames believed he had to change himself. It was 2010, and he had recently graduated with his Master of Divinity degree hoping to find a job as a pastor. Since childhood, he had been told that being gay wasn’t compatible with being a leader in the church, so he went to see a therapist who told him he could change his sexual orientation. That therapist, John Hinson, is a licensed professional counselor in Arizona. Adames’ sessions with him deepened his shame over his sexuality and intensified his depression and anxiety. This was not the first time Adames had sought out conversion therapy, and his experience with counselors, church leaders, and peers attempting to change his sexuality weighed on him: “The only time I’ve ever really been suicidal is when I was in these programs,” Adames said. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/02/TresAdames1.jpg) Tres Adames went to John Hinson for conversion therapy in 2010 through 2012\. (Courtesy of Tres Adames) Hinson said in an email to *LOOKOUT* that he does not practice any kind of conversion therapy, but records show that he has been practicing it for years in the state, just under a different name. He is just one of several conversion therapists in Arizona, even though the practice has been labeled as harmful by the American Psychological Association and most other [major mental health organizations](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fsHt7AzNpU7jlgr4IjmMXBJbgwmY3a58/view?ref=lookoutnews.org). Last year, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs [banned through an executive order](https://azgovernor.gov/office-arizona-governor/executive-order/2023-13?ref=lookoutnews.org) any state agency from using resources to “promote, support, or enable” the practice for people under 18 years old. But this is only a ban on state resources and hasn’t gone as far with other states forbidding the practice, entirely. According to the Trevor Project, an LGBTQ+ research and advocacy organization, there are at least 20 conversion therapists operating in Arizona. Many of the therapists *LOOKOUT* identified reject the term conversion therapy, instead calling what they do “sexual attraction fluidity exploration” or “reintegrative therapy.” They say they are simply [following the lead of their clients](https://www.therapeuticchoice.com/frequently-asked-questions?ref=lookoutnews.org). But when people like Adames seek out conversion therapists, the end-result has been real-world harm to clients: According to the APA, efforts made by mental health professionals to help change people’s sexual orientation increases the risk of depression and suicidal thoughts, especially in young people. In a Trevor Project [survey conducted in 2023](https://www.thetrevorproject.org/survey-2023/?ref=lookoutnews.org) among queer people age 13 to 24, more than a quarter of those who had attempted suicide in the past year had been subjected to conversion therapy. The American Counseling Association—the largest professional association of counselors in the country—says therapists practicing any form of conversion therapy violate a core ethical principle of modern medicine, the maxim to do no harm. And even though Arizona’s licensing board for counselors, the Board of Behavioral Health Examiners, uses the ACA’s ethics code as a baseline for determining ethical conduct, *LOOKOUT* has found that a number of licensed counselors in the state still offer conversion therapy, just using different terminology. ### **CONVERSION THERAPY BY A NEW NAME** Contemporary conversion therapy has its roots in the work of [Dr. Joseph Nicolosi Sr.](https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2017/03/10/joseph-nicolosi-father-ex-gay-therapy-dies-flu-complications?ref=lookoutnews.org), known as the “father of conversion therapy.” Nicolosi believed that—with his help—gay people could renounce their same-sex attractions and live as heterosexual. He coined his therapeutic approach “reparative therapy,” and he believed that being gay was a trauma response that he could cure. His clinic opened in Los Angeles 1980. In 1992, Nicolosi co-founded the leading organization advocating for conversion therapy, the National Association for Research & Therapy of Homosexuality, or [NARTH](https://www.josephnicolosi.com/resume?ref=lookoutnews.org). Nicolosi also worked closely with leaders of the conservative Christian “ex-gay” ministry movement, which pushed supposed “success” stories of his therapies who had managed to renounce their attractions in the name of Jesus. The largest ex-gay umbrella ministry, [Exodus International](https://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/21/us/group-that-promoted-curing-gays-ceases-operations.html?ref=lookoutnews.org), had support groups for people like Adames who described themselves as struggling with their same-sex attraction. The group disbanded after 37 years in 2013, and issued a public apology to the people they gave services to. Before seeing Hinson in 2010, Adames attended an Exodus International support group in college in Mississippi. The participants in Adames’ support group were mostly gay men. Taking a page from Nicolosi’s work, the leaders of the group would say that homosexual feelings were the result of unresolved trauma, specifically sexual abuse, Adames said. Exodus wasn’t just one ministry—there have been hundreds, with member organizations in every state, [including Arizona.](https://web.archive.org/web/20120216051902/http://exodusinternational.org/affiliate-listings/?State=az) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/02/Untitled-1.png) A screenshot from Exodus International's webpage in 2012, leading people to seven locations across Arizona that practiced conversion therapy. (WayBack Machine, ExodusInternational.org) Exodus also kept a list of licensed conversion therapists to refer their members to, [according to their website in 2012](https://web.archive.org/web/20120306235942/http://exodusinternational.org/find-help/professional-counselors-info/professional-counselor-listings/). Hinson, Adames’ counselor, was one of those recommendations. Adames said Hinson told him that getting more in touch with his own masculinity could help ease his attractions to other men. “When you’re constantly told that you aren’t masculine simply because you’re gay, it can cause you to doubt yourself a lot,” Adames said. Eventually, in 2012, with little progress made, Hinson recommended Adames go to a local conversion therapy camp called [Journey into Manhood](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Hg8ohZD-9U0M%5FXstED1lZrKflrP9kEyJ/view?ref=lookoutnews.org). Adames said Hinson had been a staffer for the camp and it was billed as a weekend for men who “feel that their homosexual desires do not reflect their true selves,” [according to a letter he provided](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OABKAQNHXkxjUb9A9v5n3L0%5FPp8yswYZ/edit?ref=lookoutnews.org) to *LOOKOUT*. It was run by the group Brothers on a Road Less Traveled (at the time called People Can Change). The organization was co-founded by David Matheson, [an ex-gay protege of Nicolosi.](https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/intelligence-report/2019/out-darkness-conversion-therapist-quits-ex-gay-movement?ref=lookoutnews.org) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/02/JourneyIntoManhood-letter.png) Adames was told to attend a camp called Journey Into Manhood. Above, a letter sent to Adames outlining the goals of the camp, and also confirming the total cost of the camp at more than $600\. Journey Into Manhood continues to this day with upcoming events in Virginia, Indiana, Texas, as well as overseas in Israel, Mexico, and Egypt. In 2010, when Adames was seeing Hinson, the Family Strategies Counseling Center in Mesa website described him as being “part of a staff of licensed therapists who specialize in sexual addiction recovery, reparative therapy, and other mental health issues.” When asked by *LOOKOUT* if he ever practiced conversion therapy or reparative therapy, Hinson said he no longer uses those terms. "I respected the rights of clients and their decisions," he said. "This includes whatever choices they made concerning their behaviors and identity." Hinson said he was phasing out of seeing clients entirely. He is currently listed as an Executive Team Member at the center. After being contacted by *LOOKOUT*, Hinson’s staff page was edited to remove any mention of treating “same-sex attraction” as one of his specialties. ### **“SHAME IS THE PROBLEM”** Hinson is not the only Arizona therapist with ties to Exodus International and the ex-gay movement. Melissa Ingraham, another licensed professional counselor in Arizona, was also listed on the Exodus website. In 2013, Ingraham and her husband, Garry, formed the Arizona-based [Love And Truth Network](https://loveandtruthnetwork.com/home?ref=lookoutnews.org#TheMission), which purports to help others on their journey to freedom from “sexual and relational brokenness (including homosexuality).” The ministry is listed on the directory of the [Restored Hope Network](https://www.restoredhopenetwork.org/ministry-finder/church/78/melissa-ingraham-ma-ncc-lpc?ref=lookoutnews.org), a group widely touted as the successor to Exodus International. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/02/L-TNetwork.png) The Love and Truth Network is a faith-based ministry started by Arizona locals Melissa Ingraham and her husband Garry. On their website (above), they purpose to help with unwanted same-sex attraction. (Love and Truth Network website) “Just because I felt something didn’t make it right,” Melissa Ingraham said in a Facebook video, referring to her attraction to other women. “Because that had been my entire justification for this lesbian relationship and believing that this was who I was supposed to be.” Melissa Ingraham is [listed separately](https://www.restoredhopenetwork.org/ministry-finder/church/78/melissa-ingraham-ma-ncc-lpc?ref=lookoutnews.org) on the Restored Hope Network as a “therapist affiliate” in Arizona. She is [also listed on the conservative](https://www.christiancounselorsnetwork.com/counselor/melissa-ingraham/?ref=lookoutnews.org) Focus on the Family’s Christian Counselor Network as specializing in “sexual and gender identity issues.” Conversion therapy or reparative therapy isn’t explicitly mentioned by Ingraham on her practice’s website, Overflow Christian Counseling. Melissa Ingraham did not respond to a request for comment for this story. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/02/Screenshot-2024-02-28-at-10.26.46-AM.png) A screenshot of a video where Melissa Ingraham (pictured above) discusses her same-sex attraction. (Love and Truth Network Facebook Page). According to the Trevor Project, licensed conversion therapists have been less likely to openly advertise their services to the public in order to escape growing public disapproval of the practice. In addition, the success stories conversion therapists had relied on are disappearing. In 2013, Exodus International disbanded. Alan Chambers, the leader of the ministry, renounced the organization, making a public apology to the LGBTQ+ community. He is one of several prominent ex-gay spokespeople to come out as still being attracted to the same-sex. The co-founder of Brothers on a Road Less Traveled, Matheson, left the organization in 2019 and also came out as gay. NARTH [rebranded itself](https://www.therapeuticchoice.com/why-the-alliance-supports-safe-ther?ref=lookoutnews.org) as the Alliance for Therapeutic Choice and Scientific Integrity (ATCSI) in 2014\. The organization began to distance itself from the term reparative therapy entirely, but still publishes on its website that it can help clients move away from “unwanted same-sex attraction.” Now, conversion therapists and their advocates have mostly abandoned the term “reparative therapy” in favor of the monikers “Reintegrative Therapy” and “SAFE-T” (Sexual Attraction Fluidity Exploration in Therapy). Carolyn Pela, former president of ATCSI, is a licensed marriage and family therapist in Arizona, practicing at [Freedom Family Counseling](https://www.freedomfamilycounseling.com/our-team/dr-carolyn-pela/?ref=lookoutnews.org) in Glendale. She has a long history in the movement, having worked [alongside Nicolosi](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HufMnalnCGo&ref=lookoutnews.org), and she is the current vice chair of the [International Foundation for Therapeutic and Counseling Choice](https://iftcc.org/people/?ref=lookoutnews.org) (IFTCC), another pro-conversion therapy group. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/02/carolyn-pela-screenshot.jpeg) Carolyn Pela (right) alongside Joseph Nicolosi, considered the "father" of conversion therapy. Pela is a proponent of "reintegrative therapy" or "SAFE-T," two models of conversion therapy that are not deemed credible by the American Psychiatrists Association. (YouTube) She [co-authored a study](https://drive.google.com/drive/u/2/folders/1ufQpyJQyHSCf2ScxmRfw8m6SEZysDPwy?ref=lookoutnews.org) in an attempt to position Reintegrative Therapy and SAFE-T as separate from conversion therapy, while still being a practice that aimed to reduce clients’ same-sex attractions. In an appearance on a conservative online show, she stated that she does not believe in sexual orientation, saying that doing so gives ground to queer people as even having sexual identities. “Essentially, what’s being said is that you should privilege your sexual feelings over your core values of faith,” Pela said. When asked by *LOOKOUT* whether a client suppressing their same-sex attraction was an acceptable outcome for her practice, Pela said she puts her clients’ goals first. “Sexual fluidity is the norm,” she said. “Therapist demands, or even encouragement, for rigid compliance to categories of sexuality or sexual identities in order to support the cultural narrative, or someone else's political agenda is, in my view, unethical practice.” Pela sent *LOOKOUT* the citations for two papers authored by psychologist Lisa Diamond, and recommended them as sources to learn more about sexual fluidity. Hinson also cited Diamond in his response to *LOOKOUT*, saying that "fluidity is common with regard to attraction." Diamond, though, said her work was being used for disinformation. “I am so tired of this,” Diamond said when reached for comment by *LOOKOUT*. “Fluidity has nothing even to do with it…It’s about the reasons that you even want to change.” Diamond said she is disheartened that conversion therapists have twisted her words to support the practice for close to a decade. Diamond’s research, instead, explains that sexual attraction is complex and can change over time on its own. “And that is fundamentally different from an attempt to sculpt or change or shape your sexuality in a particular direction,” she said. “It is fluidity plus shame that is harmful,” she continued. “Shame is the problem, and shame doesn't come from individuals — it comes from our culture, and it comes from religion, and it comes from a therapist saying, ‘Why don't you try a little bit harder?’” ### **“THERE’S NOTHING WRONG WITH YOU”** Adames felt ashamed enough to entertain going to Journey Into Manhood. He was about to go, having paid the security deposit, when his roommate told him he didn’t need to. “There’s nothing wrong with you,” Adames remembers his roommate saying. So he pulled out of the camp and eventually stopped going to his conversion therapy sessions. “\[He was\] one voice of reason out of, like, all the other church people I was around,” Adames recalled. “And he’s still my best friend.” Over the years, Adames has reconciled his faith with his sexuality. And he has moved from being counseled to now counseling others: He works as a pastoral counselor at a church that accepts him for who he is: “There have been Christians that have not had an issue with it for decades,” he said. Adames specializes in working with clients who have experienced conversion therapy or who have grown up in disaffirming households. “If they’re not able to have that support in their current life, what does that look like?” he asked. For some, that might mean leaving the church entirely, but Adames doesn’t judge. “Some people do have to leave the faith in order to get better.” ### A bill to help LGBTQ+ students access local scholarships died in the House URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-bill-to-help-lgbtq-students-access-local-scholarships-died-in-the-house/ Last updated: 2024-09-29T21:40:17.000Z A bill aimed at creating a scholarship fund for LGBTQ+ students and others failed after the state's only openly gay Republican motioned against it. Last week during the House Committee of the Whole, where state representatives do a final debate on bills passed through committees before switching over to the Senate, Rep. Lorena Austin (D-Mesa) tried to amend a bill to include legislation she proposed that created a special license plate where proceeds went to Maricopa Community College’s [Prism Scholarship](https://www.mcccdf.org/scholarship-funds/equality-maricopa-prism-scholarship-fund/?ref=lookoutnews.org) supporting LGBTQ+ students. As [*LOOKOUT* reported last year**,**](https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizona-might-be-getting-its-own/) the bill faced the reality of not being heard in the legislature, since both Senate and House Republican leadership have stonewalled any bills in support of LGBTQ+ causes. House leadership never assigned Austin's bill to a committee so it didn't receive a hearing for a vote. There are more than [two-dozen specialty plates available](https://azdot.gov/mvd/services/vehicle-services/plates-and-placards/plate-selections?ref=lookoutnews.org), including one for the State48 Foundation, run by a local brewer and clothing company, and Alice Cooper's Solid Rock Teen Center, which gives youth free music lessons. By law, organizations that want to raise money for causes using state license plate sales simply need to raise $32,000 for production and design of the plate and then get a bill passed in the legislature approving the plate. Equality Maricopa, an LGBTQ+ student and staff organization at the colleges, raised the required money last year with significant help from [press coverage](https://www.12news.com/article/news/local/arizona/arizona-closer-to-being-4th-state-with-an-lgbtq-license-plate/75-86bdb45f-cfe0-4633-8593-97c4aac75c9f?ref=lookoutnews.org), donations and [promotions from local businesses](https://beerinfo.com/az-wilderness-partners-with-equality-maricopa-to-make-arizonas-first-lgbt-license-plate-a-reality/?ref=lookoutnews.org), as well as a [Pride event](https://www.southmountaincc.edu/events/equality-maricopa-prism-drag-ball?ref=lookoutnews.org) that brought in RuPaul's Drag Race winner Willow Pill, and other performers. Austin, the main sponsor on the the bill for Equality Maricopa, pleaded on the Capitol floor with the House Committee of the Whole to include the plate. “Currently, Maricopa Community Colleges is not funded on a state level, we give scrums of money here and there, but they do need a lot of resources for students,” Austin said. “They have worked really hard to raise this money for the past two years and they have the money.” But the state’s only openly gay Republican Matt Gress (R-Paradise Valley), shut down the bill immediately, saying it needed to be “contained in its current form.” Rep. Neal Carter (R-San Tan Valley) went on to say incorrectly that the bill was “discriminatory,” and said that “it’s a scholarship for one subset of Arizonans instead of all Arizonans.” (Though the scholarship gives preference to LGBTQ+ students, it does not require it.) Through a floor vote—not tabulating individual votes and instead relying on vocal yea's or nay's—the House voted no. ### What is a truly safe space? A pop-up event might have an answer. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/safe-space-maudies-phoenix-nightlife/ Last updated: 2024-03-03T20:28:45.000Z As soon as you enter Maudies at The Wayward Taphouse, you know something is different. The bar pop-up, which launched last June, is inspired by Maud’s, the iconic lesbian bar in San Francisco. But here they're not just lesbian, they are also queer, non-binary, and trans. No one is turned away at the door for how they identify. There are no glares. At Maudies, creator Abigail Spong is building on Maud’s legacy of what it means to be a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community in Phoenix. Businesses, especially gay bars, often tout they are “safe spaces,” a stamp of approval where queer folks can be and express themselves freely in an establishment without the weight of fear, shame, or harassment. That’s not quite true, though, as LOOKOUT’s reporting exposed how multiple people—especially those who are femme or female presenting—discussed their own mistreatment inside the very same spaces. So, what does it mean to be a “safe space,” especially because what one person considers safe can easily be construed as unsafe for someone else? The concept of “safe space” originated in the gay liberation and women’s movement during the mid-1960s. In her book, “Mapping Gay L.A.”, scholar and activist Moira Kenney defined these various spaces as a [“certain license to speak and act freely, form collective strength, and generate strategies for resistance.”](https://www.google.com/books/edition/Mapping%5FGay%5FL%5FA/jClBq04FbDoC?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA1&printsec=frontcover&ref=lookoutnews.org) The term refers to places [“intended to be free of bias, conflict, criticism, or potentially threatening actions, ideas, or conversations,”](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/safe%20space?ref=lookoutnews.org) creating a safe space for marginalized people. Ultimately, it’s an extension of comfort for those outside of dominant spaces and normative social identities that may be subject to some form of abuse, discrimination or harassment. Before the famed 1969 riots at Stonewall Inn in New York City—one of the birthplaces of the gay liberation movement—there was one such safe space called Maud’s in San Francisco, a lesbian bar that claimed to be the oldest one of its kind in the United States. As the subject of the 1993 documentary “Last Call at Maud’s,” Maud’s was considered a safe haven at the time, where patrons were known as “Maudies,” and formed what would become the Gay Softball League. In the film, patrons reminisced about their experiences and the bar’s role in women’s and LGBTQ+ history. It was a place of common ground and understanding. Owner Rikki Streicher, a lesbian and gay rights activist, tended the bar herself even though women were not allowed to be employed as bartenders in California until 1971\. In “Last Call at Maud’s,” Streicher spoke about the backbone of her bar: “I've always felt that bars were the most honest, open, free place that women could go.” When Spong began hosting Maudies at The Wayward Taphouse, a queer-run bar in downtown Phoenix, she held the queer history of Maud’s close to her heart. Her deepest desire, she said, was to honor the original Maud’s and continue where it left off, cultivating a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community in downtown Phoenix: “I wanted it to be intentional,” Spong said of her vision for Maudies. Spong, who had pitched her idea to Wayward Taphouse co-owner Hilda Cardenas and operations manager Serena Fonze, said that she wanted to create a similar experience to Maud’s, but with even more intention, inclusiveness and purpose. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/01/IMG_4569.jpeg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/01/IMG_4570.jpeg) Spong often uses queer artists to showcase Maudies events. Illustration on left by Wolfe. Illustration on right by Leika Kitamura. “A bar scene can be easy and approachable for a lot of people and it’s also such an integral part of gay culture,” Spong said. “I feel like the bar and club scene is very important to our history, but I think that the queer experience is so much more vast than that.” It was important to Spong, who is an advocate for sobriety, to offer non-alcoholic options, including one that is free of charge. “The point of Maudie’s was to start it as a bar pop-up,” said Spong. “But to include different things, have different legs, and branch out in different ways.” Because more people within the LGBTQ+ community suffer from discrimination, hate crimes, social rejection, isolation, healthcare inequality, and everyday life challenges, a large portion of the community suffers from depression and anxiety, inevitably leading to an increased risk of substance use disorder. Spong said she wanted to recognize Maudies as a “holistic, casual and conversational” event without the pressure of drinking alcohol in order to socialize. In addition, there is a Maudies group chat on the social media app Geneva which gives guests another way to meet and interact outside the pop-up events, because “unless you’re on a dating app or going to a bar, it’s hard to meet other queer people,” Spong said. With more than 200 members and several different chat rooms—Book Club, History Lesson, and Missed Connections, to name a few—the online group provides members a comfortable and convenient way to connect digitally. Since Maudies started in June of 2023, Spong has received an enormous amount of positive feedback from guests. One patron interviewed at the event commented on the successful pop-up bar by saying it was, “the most positive experience I’ve had…they’re doing what a lot of other places have not.” Maudies has expanded on what it means to be an inclusive and accessible space for queer folks, continuing to evolve with intention for the community that it serves. By acknowledging that there are always ways to improve and encouraging an open dialogue between guests and the organizers, Spong recognizes that though safe spaces aren’t always guaranteed, we can all strive to build one as a collective. Local patrons have noticed that Spong’s mission for Maudie’s is a departure from other LGBTQ+ bars it competes with. “There aren’t enough queer spaces where alcohol isn’t involved.” said Amanda Smith, a member of the queer community in Phoenix. “There are a lot of people in the queer community who are disenfranchised, who are more prone to turn to substance abuse, and drinking is way too normalized.” “It doesn’t feel like I’m at a club,” she said. “It’s not about drinking so much, it’s about socializing. Everyone’s just hanging out and talking. It’s a good vibe.” Leo Fulwider, another Maudies-goer who identifies as non-binary and transmasc, said that while at the gay Sountry-Western bar Charlie's, it was a “shocking and jarring experience” to be turned away at the door for not paying a cover because their state ID identifies them as female. “I walk to a place like Charlie's, and quite literally at the door, I am being forced to explain my identity,” Fulwider said. “That should not be happening and that should not be happening for any trans person who walks into that establishment.” For Fulwider and many other members of the LGBTQIA+ community, searching for a safe space is sometimes exhausting and violating, even within places that advertise themselves as a “gay bar”. “My intention coming to spaces like that is ideally to be around folks who are on the same page as me, who share similar values, who are interested in creating a space that is truly inclusive for everyone,” they said. “Where I can be myself.” ### Seeking to address fears inside salons, queer barbers make their own spaces URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/queer-how-barbers-arizona-safe/ Last updated: 2024-09-29T21:34:32.000Z As a licensed barber, Addison Mees considers an appointment for a haircut as an act of self care. The owner of HEADCRAFT studio in Chandler, Mees opened the space in November as a haven of inclusivity that encourages clients to “Come as you are. Leave with great hair.” He designed the studio with that spirit by intention, offering a safe space for everyone, and primarily focused on the LGBTQ+ community. A space where gender and sexual identities—and hairstyles that express individuality—aren’t judged or assumed, but rather embraced. He’s also attempting to create an inclusive and affirming space for those who may be neurodivergent, introverted, and those who navigate and manage a mental illness. The name of the studio itself is actually a nod to the intersection of hair, identity and mental health, Mees said. More than anything, Mees' shop is a departure from tradition – of the run-of-the-mill businesses catering to cisgendered people or those not within the LGBTQ+ community. Businesses that can be social minefields for people who live a queer experience.. “There’s a lot of toxic masculinity in the barber world,” Mees said. Clients have repeatedly told Mees about their efforts to alter who they are or how they appear in order to align with the atmosphere in a barber shop or salon. Some are afraid to ask for the style they truly want, or share the inspiration behind their choices, for fear of what the barber or stylist behind the chair might think. To protect themselves, they change who they are. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/01/DSCN0189.JPG) Addison Mees (above) at his studio in Chandler. “Butching yourself up, altering your voice, altering your mannerisms, altering a lot about yourself to be in the space and getting ready to be taken care of by someone who you don’t know where they stand on their identity? I felt that gap in so many other areas in my life, so I empathize with that,” Mees said. Against what can often be a bigoted backdrop, salons and barbers from California to Georgia to Iowa and Arizona have declared their spaces as ones that are gender free and safe for anyone, including those in the queer and trans communities. HEADCRAFT is among a handful of salons and barbers in the Phoenix area—alongside Electric Haven Barber, Mermaid Hair Salon and The Peacock Room, among others—that are registered as “queer safe” on HER, a map-based app. The studio also participates in Strands for Trans, a national network of trans-safe salons, barbers and wellness providers. Because barber shops typically cater to male clients and salons predominantly serve females, environments that favor traditional gender roles and norms leave little space for individuals who don’t fall into those categories. A widely cited survey, conducted by [Pantene in 2019,](https://www.teenvogue.com/story/pantene-and-the-dresscode-project-launched-trans-visibility-campaign?ref=lookoutnews.org) found that 93% of non-binary individuals were misgendered at a salon. And, nearly a third of non-binary individuals feel stress ahead of a salon appointment. Earlier this year, a Michigan hair salon owner came under fire for sharing a social media message that stated she would not serve anyone who doesn’t identify as either a man or a woman, suggesting that non-binary [individuals should look for a local “pet groomer” instead](https://apnews.com/article/michigan-salon-owner-discrimination-gender-04174eecc065b4ba95412f2669794993?ref=lookoutnews.org). Mees witnessed an interaction between a barber and a non-binary client, in which the stylist’s transphobia brought the client to tears. “Talk about trauma. You’re coming in to make a statement about who you are and facing the fear of what the world will feel about that and in that vulnerable space you’re completely torn down,” Mees said, mentioning the person is now a client of his. “We’re always adjusting ourselves, particularly male-presenting people. It’s exhausting.” Queer-safe establishments allow clients to leave those adjustments at the door. And Wesley Capps appreciates it. “Barber shops tend to be this traditional space of hyper masculinity. I used to go to a barber who I liked very much and who is a very high quality professional and did an amazing cut, but he made plenty of assumptions about me,” Capps, a hospital chaplain, said. The wedding ring he wore while married to his now ex-husband sparked an uncomfortable conversation for Capps when his barber once asked how his wife was doing. Capps managed a nervous laugh in response. “I figured he would be fine with it,” Capps said of his barber’s potential reaction to him having a husband. “But, watching the other barbers in the shop joke around, making homophobic comments to each other…I never felt safe there.” Capps has found solace in the space Mees provides, even though he describes himself as a “straight-passing, cisgender-type of dude.” Because, he said, hair is personal. “Hair is so inherently part of human identity,” he said. For Capps, he isn’t afraid to mix up his styles. He’s had a faux hawk and he’s grown it out past his shoulders. But during the COVID-19 pandemic, he needed to shave his beard to accommodate a protective mask while making rounds at the hospital. And when he did, he began to understand the deep connection between his hair and his identity. “It literally put me into an existential crisis of identity,” he said. “I definitely rocked the ‘70s ‘stache for a few minutes, but it made me realize in a new way just how much my other friends, who have their hair as really a truly holistic part of their identity as it relates to gender and their expression of who they are…hair is important.” ### The students who found a home URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/the-students-who-found-a-home/ Last updated: 2024-02-28T18:26:38.000Z In the past two years, Arizonans have found themselves talking a lot about what public school looks like. We’ve discussed teacher pay, how the COVID pandemic has upended learning styles, and student safety. But more than usual, we’ve also been discussing gender and sexuality on campuses and what that means for students. Last legislative session, Republicans in the state capitol and on school boards have focused heavily on limiting how kids can identify in school, what books they can read, and which students should be talking about themselves and their individuality. Almost all of the conversations are coming from older adults who have power over the youth, leaving student voices unheard. As a result, many queer students have turned inward, focusing less on what the government is doing and more on how they can make their schools accepting and safe. We spoke to four nonbinary and transgender students from across the state to hear what they think about everything, but also how they’ve found happiness and joy on their campuses. --- ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/01/DSCN0246.JPG) #### ****Milo Morales (they/he/she)** ****18 years old in Laveen, Arizona** When Milo Morales wants to show the people in their life that they care, they turn to art. As a kid, they taught their young cousins to draw. Recently, they crocheted a blanket in the colors of the trans flag, and gifted it to a friend. “I was seeing myself in it. Being able to affirm someone else’s identity, while they have helped me affirm mine in so many different ways,” Morales said. “I felt like I could pay them back just a little bit with this project.” Morales grew up in the Mormon Church. Their family continues to be religious, but Milo no longer practices as the church historically does not accept queer people. When Morales spoke to the church therapist about being gay, they said the church would only accept them if they closeted themselves. “I was having issues with my mother. We were always butting heads,” Morales said. “It wasn’t necessarily about my queer identity, but it always ended up going back to that. I forgot to wash the dishes. And you start arguing and then slowly it just goes back to something. ‘Oh, you're gay?’ What does that have to do with washing dishes?” In school, Morales was involved in various clubs: dance club, science club, reading club, and theater. And even though they were active in various social scenes in school, being part of the school’s Gender and Sexuality Alliance (formerly known as Gay Straight Alliances), they were hesitant. “I was scared, like what if my mom found out I was doing GSA stuff at school? And what if she punished me,” they said. “That’s stressful.” But Morales learned there were protocols to help protect members who were not publicly out, such as a private photo for members who participated and needed extra protection. “It’s helped me grow more comfortable with the idea of accepting this part of me that I had been so resentful towards,” they said. “And so it was a great learning experience, a great journey.” Having a safe space at the GSA became especially crucial after Morales was nearly kicked out of their house following a conflict with one of their parents. “When that happened, it was kind of just like a reality check: oh, you’re not safe,” they said. “But the fact that I did have that safe space, it just might not have been at home.” “It’s hard, especially when you’re in an environment that isn’t too accepting towards you,” Morales said. “You just got to persevere. I remember countless nights when I would just be like ‘Oh, maybe it would be better if I’m just gone.’ But there are those safe spaces for you. They exist. You just got to find them.” --- ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/01/DSCN0649.JPG) #### ****Daniel Trujillo (he/him)** ****16 years old in Tucson, Arizona** Daniel Trujillo loves being a passionate speaker for what he believes in. Sometimes that is the rights of LGBTQ+ students like himself in Arizona—he’s spoken at the state capitol and helped put together a national prom for queer youth. Other times, his passion is Radiohead. “It was kind of funny because I really like pop punk bands, and finding this kind of alternative rock threw me off,” he said. But as he has done multiple times in life, he’s listened to his inner voice. “Freshman year is when I really started listening to Radiohead all the time—it’s all I listen to. I was in the top .5% of their listeners this year on Spotify.” Daniel Trujillo is a trans teenager who lives in Tucson. At turns he’s talkative, at others shy. He’s also become one of the most visible trans youth in Arizona through the advocacy of his parents and, increasingly, he is raising his own voice to speak on trans rights and awareness. It wasn’t always an easy road to walk. He said he hated wearing dresses from a young age. When kids on the playground would ask if he was a boy or a girl, he’d say boy—and then they’d continue playing tag. As he grew older and became more aware of a gap between the gender he identified with, and the one people saw him as, he found the word “tomboy” helpful. But he was still getting increasingly anxious around his gender identity. His parents saw that if they wanted a happy and mentally healthy kid, affirming his gender identity was a key part of the puzzle: “In kindergarten, he would come home and cry and say that he was afraid to die,” said his mother Lizette Trujillo, who also is a volunteer for the Southern Arizona Gender Alliance and a member of the Human Rights Campaign Parents for Transgender Equality National Council. “And I was like - why would my child die? What is going on?” Lizette Trujillo and her husband saw no other choice but to affirm what they were hearing from Daniel: he is a boy. “You're seeing your child tell you something over and over again. And I think even though I didn't have all the answers, my husband and I, like when I told him what Daniel said, he said, ‘Okay, then we have to support him.’” At first, Daniel Trujillo would go to events with his parents and sit under the table, or doodle on a notepad quietly in a corner. In many photos of him where his parents spoke publicly on trans issues, he made a point to sit just out of the frame. Eventually, he became more confident, a change that came as his parents became more and more affirming of his gender identity. But that has come with some painful moments: the first time he spoke on the Senate floor against a bill, a politician changed Daniel to “Daniella,” a name not aligned with Daniel’s gender identity—it wasn’t even his dead name. “It’s still really freaky and stressful,” he said. The family has also taken concrete steps to ensure Daniel Trujillo’s safety and comfort, among them driving him to a school with open enrollment a little farther from their home. Last spring, he was one of the organizers of the Trans Youth Prom in Washington, D.C., which was an effort to bring attention both to the difficulty and joy of being a trans youth in America. Some of the attendees have been texting each other since they met at the event, says Daniel. “It’s a lot of community building and being there for each other.” These days, Daniel says he is less upset by passing comments about his gender or appearance or any other things that teenagers may get teased about. “As I’ve gotten older I feel like, I don’t know, this sounds corny, but I’ve grown a thicker skin,” he said. “People have said comments in passing but I could really care less about them.” --- ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/01/DSCN0753-1.JPG) #### ****Ash Snyder-Olfers (he/him)** ****15 years old in Laveen, Arizona** When Ash Snyder-Olfers is feeling discouraged, there are two touchpoints in queer history that help him get his resolve back: thinking about the Stonewall riots and Wanda Sykes. For Snyder-Olfers, it all goes back to history. The Stonewall riots of 1969 were a series of protests in New York City following police raids on a gay bar in Greenwich Village, and have long been a touch point for queer people who want to push back against unequal treatment in a range of areas. Wanda Sykes, a comedian and television personality, early in her career openly called out people who used “gay” as a slur, and later came out as gay herself. Snyder-Olfers is a 15-year-old high school student in Laveen. And many of the challenges he has faced as a trans man—both in self-acceptance and in a homophobic society—feel connected to the history he’s continually tried to learn via YouTube videos. But that hasn’t always helped. His middle school years felt stark, and experienced regular name calling and threats of violence at his charter school. He was successful, however, in starting a GSA, despite pushback from the administration. Still, the school environment didn’t feel safe. When he moved to a new and supportive elementary district, it was a relief: “Just being able to relax and focus on school, not having to basically hold up the world… it was just very nice,” he said. He joined another GSA in high school, and for the first time he felt welcome. “I never had a safe space away from home,” he said. “And I knew that 90% of kids don’t have a safe space at home. I wanted to make sure that these kids knew that ever they need whether it's self harm, or suicidal ideation, or I just got kicked out by my parents, I got outed for being gay. Yeah, that they know that they're not alone, and that they can always go to school and have someone help them.” And when he became president, it felt like another step toward building the world he and his friends needed. Since being elected, he has helped make space for members who are not yet out to their parents, thrown parties, and helped arrange conversations about mental health with school counselors. Snyder-Olfers speaks openly, and often with a wry humor about the difficult things he carries. He’s no stranger to depression or suicidal ideation, and he isn’t afraid to talk about it. “I try to be open about my experiences with self harm,” says Snyder-Olfers. “Everyone seems super surprised. It’s like, you can seem 100% fine, but you are not…. I try to be 100% open so that kids will be like, ‘oh, I’m feeling that way too.’” He also has advice for parents of trans kids: “Listen to your kid. I know for a fact, this is not something that they just decided this morning over waffles.” --- ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/01/DSCN0418-1.JPG) #### ****Dawn Shim (they/she)** ****18 years old in Chandler, Arizona** Dawn Shim first stepped into activism like many other people do, by getting angry. It was April 2022, and the Arizona legislature was in the midst of efforts to pass a wave of legislation that would impact the experience of LGTBQ+ students in school, including prohibiting transgender girls from school athletic teams designated for girls. When they first learned about the bill from a story in *The Arizona Republic*, they were confused. Then indignant. And finally, furious. Needing somewhere to put their emotions, they typed a letter on their laptop, posted it to Instagram, and went to bed for the night. “I am a high school student … interested in politics, but I’ve never paid much attention to state issues,” Dawn said in the letter shared on social media. They wrote about the despair of learning about the adult legislators writing the bills, and the dire mental health impacts on their peers. “Honestly, I think that this bizarre trend is just a very badly created facade to hide discrimination in Arizona schools.” By the time Dawn woke up the next day, they had a flood of messages from classmates saying they were mad too. And they posed an uncertain question: now what? A few in-person meetings with equally concerned classmates led to a Discord server, an online forum, that turned into a student group called Support Equality AZ Schools. It would span multiple schools in the sprawling suburban district of Chandler Unified School District, and include students from several other nearby districts and charter networks. “Young people can't vote, we can't really do anything to change the system, except going to politicians and demanding something to happen or standing outside their door and demanding something to happen,” Dawn said. “And we need to demand it at a large level. And that's what we tried to do.” Since the spring of 2022, the group has staged school walkouts, held protests that target state legislators (in one stunt they laid out body bags in front of the state capitol representing trans people’s deaths) and pushed both the Chandler school district and city council to consider non-discrimination ordinances. Still, organizing felt heavy. It was driven by anger and tragedy and LGBTQ+ issues, they said, but also included the reality that the student body as a whole is not safe, especially with the prevalence of school shootings: “Because of the grief our generation has grown up around, a lot of students, every time we go into a lockdown it’s like: are we going to be shot up and killed?” To shift away from that very real fear, says Dawn, takes some active work. They hope to see the group they helped found, and their work, shift into a less reactive place. Support Equality AZ Schools has been renamed to the Student Solidarity Collective. They care about LGBTQ+ issues, but about any issue of school speech on campus, and about the increasing demand for school policing from school officials that they say unnecessarily target minority students. “We want to make our work into something that is more optimistic,” says Dawn. “Minority student rights, the ability of students to speak on campus, campus security, even what schools are allocated more resources. There’s so much tied up in it.” ### So Your Child Is Queer: A guide to finding a safe school URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/so-your-child-is-queer-a-guide-to-finding-a-safe-school/ Last updated: 2025-03-05T17:06:47.000Z Targeting LGBTQ+ people has become a common political tool used by conservative politicians. With trans people’s existence challenged and the queer communities’ belonging in American society questioned by legislators, the stakes for queer kids who attend public schools are high. Conservative legislators in Arizona have passed more than a dozen bills targeting trans children and gender nonconforming kids in the past few years. Most have met with a veto this past legislative session from Arizona’s Democratic governor. But regardless, the bills have thrust Arizona’s trans students into the spotlight unwillingly. Media stories capture the fears of violence at school for trans students. A trans high school freshman in Pittsburgh suffered a concussion[ from another student in a women’s restroom](https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/sexual-assault-harassment-bullying-trans-students-say-targeted-school-rcna7803?ref=lookoutnews.org) in 2021\. Another trans high school student in Nova Scotia, Canada [was assaulted on camera](https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/cape-breton-middle-school-student-speaks-out-after-violent-attack-caught-on-camera-1.6563566?ref=lookoutnews.org) this year. A transgender high school student was also assaulted at school in the [small city of Kalama, Washington.](https://www.koin.com/news/washington/students-walk-out-after-transgender-student-assaulted-at-kalama-high-school/?ref=lookoutnews.org) As a result, many local parents and guardians have newly become advocates in their children’s schools and, in some cases, switched schools or even districts to make sure their children’s safety can be assured. While many schools promise to keep all students—including queer students—safe, there are tools parents and guardians can use to help make sure they are sending their child to a supportive school. *LOOKOUT* asked a group of education experts, leaders, and advocates—along with Arizona students themselves—what parents and their families need to take into consideration as they choose a school that is safe and supportive for their child. “It’s really hard to know everything by yourself,” said Tami Staas, a Mesa Unified School District teacher and parent of a trans child who graduated high school in 2016 and executive director of the Arizona Trans Youth Parent Organization (AZTYPO). “In the beginning, I was afraid to ask.” Here are some tips to help parents and guardians get started in assessing whether their school is a good fit. ### **BASIC LEGAL PROTECTIONS** Even as the Arizona legislature seeks to roll back bathroom or sports team access for trans students, federal law ensures some clear protections. As parents and guardians embark on their initial conversations with school officials, advocates recommend getting familiar with four federal laws. . They include: - The First Amendment, which protects students who want to discuss their identity or same-sex families. - The Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment, which guarantees equal protection under the law for students, including LGBTQ students. - [Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits sex discrimination](http://assets2.hrc.org/files/assets/resources/title-ix-obligations-to-trans-students-6.12.18.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org), (including in relation to gender identity), in any education program or activity that receives federal funding. (Private schools who do not receive any federal funding are exempt from following the non-discrimination ordinances laid out by Title IX protections.) - The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, or FERPA, which gives both students and parents certain rights related to a student’s educational records, including the option for parents to request, on behalf of their child, a change in the name or gender on school records. Looking for specific school districts to have specific and clearly stated policies in place, rather than just guidelines, is key, according to advocates. These policies would ideally include sexual orientation and gender expression on a list of protected categories and groups. Having gender and sexual identity-related protections on the books means that it doesn't depend on one teacher or one staff member having an accepting attitude—the protections are on paper. Without that, “if somebody leaves, if somebody moves on, there is a continuance of care,” says Mesa teacher Staas. “It also gives parents that legal leg to stand on.” For example, if a school district governing board does adopt a policy limiting the access of LGBTQ students to certain supports, or an anti-trans definition of gender, it doesn’t change the underlying federal protections that students have. ![Two people are engaging in a conversation, one taking notes. Speech bubbles indicate dialogue.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/01/Safer-Schools-2.png) (Theo Grace Quest) ### **INTERVIEW THE SCHOOL STAFF** School leaders have a responsibility to make sure that every student has a safe and positive experience, including LGBTQ+ students, say parents and advocates. They suggest setting up a meeting with a school principal, counselor and any relevant staff before their student starts at a new school. The goal, though, should be to speak with the most senior person on the campus. Families should expect school leaders to prioritize safety and privacy, said Paul Bixler, a trans woman and Liberty Elementary School District governing board member. “If there is a protective, positive attitude toward student use in something as simple as a restroom, that will flow into everything else,” Bixler said. Ideally, families create a gender support plan with the administration to cover a student’s preferred name and pronouns, bathroom use and other areas where their gender identity may intersect with their experience at school. \[[See tips for creating a school transition plan from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation here](https://hrc-prod-requests.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/ParentsGuideForSchoolTransitions%5F071921.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org). [An anti-bullying professional development training can be found here](https://welcomingschools.org/?ref=lookoutnews.org). \] In one example, Lizette Trujillo, a Tucson parent and a member of the Human Rights Campaign Parents for Transgender Equality Council, wrote her son’s school a letter stating her expectations for how her son would be treated. “People will treat our children the way we do - so we have to set the tone that is loving and supportive of who they are,” Trujillo, who has advocated at the school board and state legislative level, said. “We want to make it the expectation, and not the exception.” If a student is not yet ready to publicly share their gender identity, families don’t have to disclose to school officials that a student is trans. For cases in which an administration appears reluctant to support the safety and comfort of an LGBTQ+ student, families can always escalate their concern to the Arizona Department of Education, the federal Office of Civil Rights, or the U.S. Department of Education. ![Colorful cartoon of diverse, joyful characters holding LGBTQ+ items: a flag, book, protest sign, and event flyer.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/01/Safer-Schools-3.png) (Theo Grace Quest) ### **WHAT SOCIAL CLUBS ARE AVAILABLE?** Student clubs can be a helpful way for young people to learn social skills and make connections beyond academics. A school that has a Gender and Sexuality Alliance, or GSA, formerly known as a Gay-Straight Alliance, can signal a supportive environment for LGBTQ+ students. Students with access to a GSA [are less likely to hear homophobic slurs](https://www.glsen.org/sites/default/files/2022-10/NSCS-2021-Executive%5FSummary-EN.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org), or feel unsafe regarding their sexual orientation and gender expression, according to GLSEN’s 2021 survey on LGBTQ student experiences in school. Sometimes those clubs are listed on a school’s website, or can be found through a conversation with an administrator. At the same time, guardians should ask about whether there are clubs that may make LGBTQ+ students feel unsafe, such as Turning Point USA, which has had an increased presence on high school campuses and has been tied to physical violence against queer people. ![An explorer with binoculars approaches an all-gender restroom amid tropical plants. Suitable for lgbtq resources for parents.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/01/Safer-Schools-4.png) (Theo Grace Quest) ### **WALK THE BATTLEFIELD** You’ve spoken to the principal, researched school clubs and talked to other parents. Now, it’s time to see what the school community is like outside of formalized meetings. families should request a school visit to get a sense of the environment among students, parents and school support workers suggest. On the tour, families can see how far a gender neutral bathroom option is from the lunch room or classrooms, how rowdy passing periods can become and what the presence of school security guards looks like during lunch periods or at the end of the school day. They can also keep an eye out for subtle visual representations of support for queer and gender non-conforming students—rainbow flags, trans pride badges, to name a few—as well as other signs that the school is welcoming to different personal and cultural identities. “You’re studying the culture there,” said Jaxinta Shaffer, a certified school social worker, adding that your work should be “almost as an anthropologist.” ![A person speaks at a podium, surrounded by speech bubbles and exclamation marks in a colorful illustration.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/01/Safer-Schools-5.png) (Theo Grace Quest) ### **SPEAK UP** To Shaffer, school board meetings have become spaces that have solicited particularly harmful discussions around LGBTQ+ people. She said that while it is important to highlight the struggles that LGBTQ+ students face—high anxiety, depression or suicidal ideation—meetings should also be used to highlight positive parts of that community. They can also send a message to a listening student who may not be getting positive reinforcement from an adult in their school environment. “That sends a message not only to the governing board members… but for a child that might be listening and might not have an adult or guardian in those spaces,” Shaffer said. “It’s a powerful, recorded message. That’s how we support each other… knowing that somebody else has done it on our behalf is just tremendous.” After a student joins a school community, having parents continue to speak out publicly about their support for LGBTQ+-friendly policies is helpful, said advocates. It is important to note that speaking at a school board meeting means your name goes into public record. “That is a very public form of advocacy,” said Sean Nonnemacher, Arizona policy fellow for the national education advocacy group GLSEN. (Nonnemacher is a paid *LOOKOUT* Community Ambassador. To learn more about what that means, [click here.](https://www.instagram.com/p/CzUVdEYS4pV/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==)) For parents or guardians who are not yet comfortable speaking publicly, Nonnemacher reminds them that they can always request to meet with school board members in private. For Trujillo, the parent in Tucson, being a public advocate at school boards wasn’t one she expected to walk, but she has seen it open up relationships for both her and her son. “The debate around our children and whether or not they are valid or deserving of rights forces us to advocate every day,” Trujillo said. “Parents have to be aware, and not afraid, in sometimes uncomfortable moments.” ### Poor sex education and outreach is to blame for HIV increase in Arizona, advocates say. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizona-hiv-rising-sex-education/ Last updated: 2025-12-12T15:14:52.000Z A state health department report released last December shows that HIV transmissions in Arizona have grown to alarming numbers, bucking national trends where the virus is declining across most of the country. And while advocates and health providers say there needs to be more work done on the ground, experts working in the field almost unanimously believe that the state’s poor sex education curriculum is playing a heavy-handed role in the trend. Since 2020, overall transmission rates increased by 20% last year with new HIV diagnoses disproportionately affecting Black and Latino populations. The increase in people diagnosed with HIV or AIDS was mostly among men who have sex with other men, but the state department's data showed there was also an increase for Black and Hispanic females, a demographic that long has been seen as “safe” from the virus. Craig Crabtree, an HIV care continuum manager for Maricopa County at Valleywise Health, said in order to make meaningful strides in reducing HIV transmissions there needs to be better education surrounding sexual health. He also said that governments and health providers need to be knowledgeable about treatments available to suppress HIV in patients to undetectable levels—which is when transmission of the virus is almost impossible. “The HIV rates just continue to climb,” Crabtree said, adding that [Phoenix is one of 33 areas ](https://www.fast-trackcities.org/cities?ref=lookoutnews.org)across North America designated as a Fast Track City—a global initiative overseen by the United Nations to reduce HIV’s spread through direct funding at the city level. The designation isn’t new for Phoenix, which has been included in the program since 2016, but the increase reported by the state follows a relatively static era when there were fewer transmissions in previous years. Beyond outreach, HIV experts interviewed by LOOKOUT said that Arizona’s legislature—which is controlled by Republicans in both the House and Senate—is partially to blame, as state laws have restricted teaching comprehensive sex education. And if school districts and parents opt-in, teachers are required to provide an abstinence-only curriculum. ### **The Numbers** Every year, the Arizona Department of Health Services releases their analysis on the status of HIV and AIDS across the state. The most recent 2023 report revealed that in the year prior, Arizona’s Latino and Black populations experienced a notable rate increase in transmissions when compared to their population levels, which sits at 32% and 4%, respectively. Despite being the smallest population, Arizona’s Black population had higher transmission rates than others. In 2021, the group had a 31% rate increase. Last year, it increased again by more than 15%, the report showed. In the same time period, Arizona’s Hispanic population also saw transmission rates increase by more than 10%. The Hispanic population has experienced a 181% rate increase in new HIV transmissions since 1988, while White populations saw their numbers drop by 59% in the same time period, according to AZDHS. Eddie Moreira-Orantes, HIV prevention manager for the Arizona Department of Health Services, said the data illuminates where outreach and education are needed the most. “In 2021, we noted that the Black and African American community accounted for about 16% of incidents but they represent only about 5% of Arizona’s population.” he said. “They’re disproportionately affected.” HIV trends locally are going the opposite direction to the nation where HIV transmissions have declined in recent years, dropping by 4% between 2020 and 2021, according to [data available](https://ahead.hiv.gov/?ref=lookoutnews.org) on America’s HIV Epidemic Analysis Dashboard. Organizations tasked with reducing HIV in marginalized communities have said the challenge has been getting into economically poor areas to provide testing and preventative medicine. But local health experts say cultural stigma is a more profound influence on HIV’s spread and further underscores the need for educational efforts. ### **A “Huge Eye-Opener”** Cynthia Estrada, a social worker with [Chicanos por la Causa](https://cplc.org/?ref=lookoutnews.org), isn’t shy about how unsettled she is with the increase in HIV infections across the state. She cites fragmented or stifled prevention efforts, cultural stigma, and incomplete education as to why just under half of new HIV infections in Arizona are among Hispanic individuals. “That is a huge eye opener; Not just as an organization, but a huge eye opener for the entire state,” she said. “To me, that’s not just because of the stigma, but also the lack of knowledge and lack of education. We need to focus more on the colored community.” She said she’s seen commercials for preventative medicine, which she applauds, but she hasn’t yet seen one in Spanish. And she doesn’t understand why. “Why are they not showing more advertisements in Spanish as we see the rates? Why are we not targeting them?” she said. And, when it comes to younger individuals testing positive, she looks to schools as a main contributor in not stopping the spread. “I’m seeing 18 and 19-year-olds getting diagnosed,” she said. “We have to get education across the school systems and get that information to them young. We all have to work together and break the stigma and educate.” Tracy Pedrotti, an adolescent health program supervisor with [Affirm](https://www.affirmaz.org/?ref=lookoutnews.org), agreed. She said reproductive health and sex education are vital components of overall well being. And in Arizona, school-aged kids aren’t being taught complete or accurate information on sexual health that involves risk, she said. “There’s this idea that an abstinence policy is going to prevent unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases. But we believe it’s education and access to care that gives people knowledge to make decisions for themselves,” she said. “A lot of these stats are a reflection of our state not providing access to that education for its young people. It’s health. It’s part of health. It shouldn’t be so taboo for young people.” ### **Connecting At A Community Level** Outside of proper sex education, health providers say there needs to be more outreach and information on preventative treatment, such as PrEP or PEP. PrEP, which stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis, is considered a “highly effective” prescription regimen for the [prevention of HIV](https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/risk/prep/index.html?ref=lookoutnews.org#:~:text=Pre%2Dexposure%20prophylaxis%20%28or%20PrEP,use%20by%20at%20least%2074%25.), according to the Centers for Disease Control. PEP is a post-exposure prophylaxis for those who may have been [exposed to HIV](https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/hiv-prevention/using-hiv-medication-to-reduce-risk/post-exposure-prophylaxis/?ref=lookoutnews.org). Both have been available for at least a decade, and if patients take it correctly they can reduce transmission by more than 99%. Two daily pills—Descovy and Truvada—are the drugs primarily used for the PrEP regimen. Both of those drugs use components of other pharmaceuticals that have been used for HIV treatment since the 1990’s. In 2021, the [Food and Drug Administration approved an injectable form of PrEP](https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-approves-first-injectable-treatment-hiv-pre-exposure-prevention?ref=lookoutnews.org) called Apretude. The drug is given to patients once every other month through a doctor. But awareness surrounding the efficacy and availability of the medications is lacking among those who may benefit from them and also among those who are able to prescribe them. Andrew Rascon, outreach and community engagement manager for the Southwest Center, said he has been trying to take a more fun approach to PrEP education with a Taylor Swift-inspired ask at festivals: he questions if people are “in their PrEP era.” While most people will pick up the pop culture reference, many miss its linkage to HIV prevention. “A lot of these communities are not ready to have these conversations, so we’re trying to meet them where they’re at, so we’re not scaring them off,” Rascon said. “A lot of folks still don’t know what PrEP is. We get a lot of folks who didn’t even know this existed. They don’t know we have preventative measures now.” Hedda Fay, community outreach manager for Northland Cares, keeps the medications on hand in case one of her [Yavapai County](https://www.northlandcares.org/?ref=lookoutnews.org) clients needs it. She feels like she has to, she said. “It is a challenge up here in a rural community because pharmacies don’t carry it and think, ‘Not in this community,’” Fay said. “Some people think we’re in this bubble and think it’s a big-city problem and not a rural problem.” Fay said mistrust of the medical community is also an obstacle that is still profoundly prevalent among some ethnic and racial populations, such as Black and brown or indigenous communities. And those groups’ sensitivities require a nuanced approach. “We have resources for HIV to make it livable,” she said. “But if people don’t know about it, they’re still going to die. #### Correction An earlier version of this article incorrectly attributed a statement to Craig Crabtree. This article has been updated. To learn more about our editorial guidelines, corrections, and retractions, [click here](https://www.lookoutnews.org/ethics/?%5Fgl=1%2Aldr646%2A%5Fga%2AMTg0NzgzNjQzOC4xNzA1NTE3Mjkz%2A%5Fga%5F5LBGZS7XVE%2AMTcwNjczMDE3Mi4yMy4wLjE3MDY3MzAxNzQuMC4wLjA.). ### Parents of trans youth say bullying starts at the top URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/trans-youth-parental-rights-law-arizona/ Last updated: 2025-01-08T01:40:24.000Z Hazel Ray just wanted to go on a school field trip to the Grand Canyon. As a junior at a small school with a graduating class of 19 students, nobody took issue that Hazel—who is a trans woman—planned to share a room with other female students. It also wasn’t the classmates who complained and inquired about what bathroom Hazel planned to use. Instead, it was a parent who had met Hazel before she was out but had a problem with her transition. Right before the trip, that parent called the school and threatened to contact the media. Hazel, who is now 19 years old and graduated, worried about public backlash and that the parent would sue the school. She acquiesced and arranged to get her own room, but she said it was an uncomfortable and scary experience for a teenager who had never stayed alone in a hotel before. Although her mother, Nancy, said she didn’t feel her daughter was in direct danger, she was livid that her child had to make separate accommodations. She was also angry at other parents and lawmakers who put her child in that position in the first place. Nancy also said people who show up at school board meetings and the Capitol to spread anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric and harass trans kids and their guardians or parents—whom they often disparagingly and untruthfully call “groomers” or pedophiles—cause harm that isn’t easy to shrug off. “It’s never just words when you’re throwing them at someone who’s marginalized,” she said. “There’s always an implicit threat of violence behind those words. It’s harder to get people to see that when they don’t have to live in that reality.” Nancy’s story echoes similar ones from other parents of trans kids concerned about their child’s treatment in schools. Specifically, they’re worried about the adults. They said they are bothered by the increased anti-trans sentiment from other parents, lack of support at the school and district level, and state laws oppressing trans students. And after almost three years of continuous anti-trans legislation, parents are upset with the politicians who argued for more parental rights, yet refuse to listen to their own concerns. Because of this, many guardians have turned to LGBTQ+ advocacy groups like Arizona Trans Youth and Parent Organization and GLSEN to learn from other parents about schools that offer a friendlier environment. But with no standardized policies on how to treat LGBTQ+ people or queer-focused curriculum across the state, it’s often confusing and leads to more work with no guaranteed positive outcome for their child. So, the focus for parents and their advocates is to get out and vote. ### **HOW “PARENTAL RIGHTS” IGNORES PARENTS OF TRANS YOUTH** Parents who have kept attuned to local politics have seen Republican state lawmakers push anti-trans bills cloaked as “parental rights.” The term is a catch-all for conservatives who argue that parents need more say in their children’s education. But that legislation has resulted in reduced access to equitable sexual education and an inability to teach LGBTQ+ history or discuss queer issues on school campuses. Lawmakers in the last legislative session doubled down on parental rights and proposed a handful of bills that banned students from using their preferred names or pronouns unless parents signed off on it. Another bill would have “outed” students to their parents. This year, Republicans introduced similar bills that bypass the privacy of children in favor of biological parents or charge teachers with a felony if they don’t get parents to approve materials that could be used in sex education classes. > **“We have rights, too, and our kids deserve the same educational opportunities as other kids.”** > \-Tami Staas, Executive Director of AZTYPO Last November, a[ lawsuit was filed](https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/mesa-education/2023/12/01/mesa-teachers-criticize-lawsuit-transgender-student-guidelines/71743315007/?ref=lookoutnews.org) on behalf of a Mesa School Board member against the district for its guidelines supporting LGBTQ+ students, claiming it violated the 2022[ parents' bill of rights law.](https://azleg.gov/ars/1/00602.htm?ref=lookoutnews.org) The debate and legislation around the subject left parents such as Tami Staas behind. As executive director of AZTYPO and the mother of a trans son and nonbinary child, she said the Mesa lawsuit sent a message to her kids that they “didn’t deserve to be.” “Imagine how that feels to have your existence constantly debated in the public eye,” she said. “We have rights, too, and our kids deserve the same educational opportunities as other kids.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/01/4dplodRiM3cby3ypQJE-r0d1I074nIpLLO5aBdznP29QzAyQ86THGW68HxLaCqs_-KyDscA97SMJMdpdN_Ds1AfvJ7aahuQktXVy3O2AWSCkONHL-20felEzvf33RSB_1BXO6ggIVMDzfifJgsPlFaNumg-s2048.jpeg) Executive Director of AZTYPO Tami Staas (second to left) with her family at the Phoenix Pride Parade. (Photo courtesy of Tami Staas) Advocacy group leaders point to the state’s Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne as the one leading the charge against trans students and ignoring the concerns of trans students’ parents. Early in his tenure, Horne [removed a database from the department’s website](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tom-horne-continues-crusade-against/) that provided resources for parents, students, and educators looking to support LGBTQ+ students. In an email, Horne’s office stated the page was taken down because it ran afoul of the state’s [parents’ bill of rights law](https://www.azleg.gov/ars/1/00602.htm%23:~:text=All%2520parental%2520rights%2520are%2520exclusively,2.?ref=lookoutnews.org). The email also stated that the database “collected personal information of a sexual nature from minor children that could easily be hacked and used for malevolent purposes by child predators.” Recently, Horne[ forbade employees from using gender-identifying pronouns](https://www.lookoutnews.org/state-education-department-bars-gender-identifiers-for-staff/) in staff emails. He also has been silent on denouncing far-right and evangelical Christians who frequently[ show up](https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-investigations/2023/12/29/arizona-school-boards-misinformation-transgender-bathroom-access/71175071007/?ref=lookoutnews.org) to[ antagonize](https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-teachers-road-to-acceptance-and-fighting-back-against-hate/) LGBTQ+ staff and teachers. And he was [the main speaker at an event](https://www.lookoutnews.org/rachel-mitchell-moms-for-liberty-hate-group/) in Mesa hosted by Moms for Liberty, which is designated as an anti-LGBTQ+ hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. “It comes all the way from Supervisor Horne to … school board members who see this as a way to rev up a political base and further their own political goals,” said Emily Kirkland, communications director for the Arizona Education Association. “It’s not because they’re trying to be responsive to what’s happening in schools day-to-day. It’s because they’re trying to feed into a national narrative.” Horne’s communications team responded to questions about how the department ensures safety for LGBTQ+ students by saying the Department of Education has funded counselors and police officers in schools. It didn’t specifically address LGBTQ+ safety. ### **PATCHWORK OF POLICIES** When Staas, the executive director of AZTYPO, has challenged school districts about how they handle transgender or queer issues, she said administrators claim they’re “following district policy…but when I ask for a copy of that policy to review, there is no policy,” she said. “They lied. Flat-out lie.” Across multiple school districts, policies on dealing with transgender issues are not in place, or they exist as blanket statements on embracing diversity. The result is a patchwork of varying policies (or lack of policies) across the state, leaving parents and students in the lurch. Sometimes, parents get lucky, such as Kelly Stewart, who is a parent of a trans son, Augie. Augie attended Herberger Young Scholars Academy, and Kelly said she found the school to be “exceptionally inclusive and supportive.” Augie was a founding member of the campus’s Gay Straight Alliance (also known as a Gender and Sexuality Alliance) group before he came out as transgender. She said the school also had a rainbow flag in the lobby alongside the other flags: “When you walk in the building, it says to families and kids, ‘You belong here,’” she said. > **“Your gender expression is the last thing on my mind when I walk in the door in the morning...It’s about your education and making you a better person.”** > \-Melissa Caroll-Jackson, Paradise Valley teacher and mother For other parents, the experience is different. Andi Young,[ GLSEN Arizona](https://www.glsenarizona.org/?ref=lookoutnews.org) board chair and mother of a nonbinary trans teenager, said the Gilbert Schools administration was supportive of her child in certain ways, such as using their correct pronouns, but like most districts, it doesn’t teach an inclusive curriculum: “They don’t have books that have representative transgender identities,” she said. Paradise Valley teacher Melissa Carroll-Jackson of Phoenix said her experience with her trans daughter (who also attends Paradise Valley Unified School District) is not as clear. She said while the school handbook says it operates without bias toward gender and sexuality, “I feel like this is not always respected, and I don’t know that all our teachers and administrators execute that as equally as they should, necessarily, from what I’ve seen.” Carroll-Jackson said her child feels safe—she’s allowed to use the girls’ bathroom, for example—but she’s only 10 and already female-presenting. She worries about what might happen as her daughter grows up. “From teaching high school, I see things very differently,” Carroll-Jackson said. “I see a lot of negativity.” Carroll-Jackson said that teachers are also tired of navigating the culture war politics and just want to focus on a holistic education inside their classrooms. “Your gender expression is the last thing on my mind when I walk in the door in the morning,” Carroll-Jackson said. “It’s about your education and making you a better person.” ### **WHAT CAN PARENTS DO? VOTE.** In Arizona, 62 percent of LGBTQ+ students reported being verbally harassed based on their sexual orientation, according to[ GLSEN’s 2021 National School Climate Survey.](https://www.glsen.org/research/2021-national-school-climate-survey?ref=lookoutnews.org) Parents say a more inclusive curriculum—such as LGBTQ+ history or having books in the library that represent the community—and clubs would be a good start in making schools safer for trans and nonbinary kids. They said those kinds of student-focused initiatives can lead to safer spaces for transgender kids and could reduce slurs. Also, advocacy groups urge parents and guardians to maintain open communication lines with schools, specifically the people in charge such as principals, assistant superintendents, and counselors. But these actions could be moot if politicians are successful in chilling the discussion on trans kids. The main action item, advocates say, is to get involved and vote. “I believe our politicians are using transgender youth as pawns in their political game to get elected or re-elected,” said Young. “They know that they can rally their conservative base by talking about how they’re going to protect parents’ rights and protect kids from this dangerous gender ideology, and they know it’s going to get people to the polls.” ### LOOKOUT dives into public health accountability URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/lookout-dives-into-public-health-accountability-with-two-new-hires/ Last updated: 2026-08-21T23:56:53.000Z > **Note**: This is an older article. Some information, links, or figures may no longer be current. For LOOKOUT's most recent coverage, [see our latest stories](https://www.lookoutnews.org/). From homelessness and school shootings to access to medical care, public health issues are among the singular most important topics in making sure there is equity for all Arizonans. In an attempt to cover this topic with the nuance and justice it deserves, *LOOKOUT* has brought on Josephine Jaye McAuliffe and Rae Wills as public health accountability fellows for the spring of this year. Both fellows will use their skills in community research, outreach, and storytelling to highlight the various ways that Arizona’s LGBTQ+ communities face hardships and successes within the state’s network of public health systems. The fellowship, partially funded by Vitalyst Health Foundation, is a five-month long program aimed at helping early career journalists gain valuable accountability reporting skills while diving deep into communities that are often under or misrepresented in local media. “*LOOKOUT* dominates Arizona's media through prioritizing accurate representation of our queer population,” said *LOOKOUT* Editor in Chief Joseph Darius Jaafari. “McAuliffe and Wills bring valuable expertise and an enthusiasm to learn that will ensure quality coverage of public health to our pioneering newsroom. We're eager to amplify our community's voices, uplift individuals, and ensure accountability.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/01/JosephineJaye_Headshot.jpg) ## Josephine Jaye McAuliffe (she/her) McAuliffe—an Arizona native—is an investigative reporter and podcast producer who works out of Phoenix, Arizona. She is a producer and reporter for Brooklyn-based TransLash Media's “Anti-Trans Hate Machine” podcast. The show is a deep-dive into the people and groups organizing against transgender people across the nation. In it, she tracks the spread of anti-trans ideas from their origins in far-right online spaces to their use as evidence in legislative hearings. A graduate of ASU's undergraduate journalism program, McAuliffe worked at KJZZ Radio in Tempe. She produced for the station’s daily local news show and reported on accessibility issues in Phoenix. Among other things, she will focus her fellowship on queer people’s experience in mental health settings, including the continued use of conversion therapy in the state and access to care for trans individuals in rural Arizona. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/01/Headshot-Rae-Wills--1--1.jpg) ## Rae Wills (they/them) Wills is a recent graduate of the master’s degree program at ASU’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism in investigative journalism. While in school, they reported on LGBTQ+ issues, criminal justice, women's rights and education. Originally from California, they taught English while serving in the Peace Corps in Kosovo, and again at a high school in rural Northern California. But Wills found a passion in journalism and left the classroom after the pandemic. Wills resides partially in Tucson, and intends to focus their fellowship on how different parts of Arizona's various suburban, rural, and urban areas approach sex education and its impacts on queer populations. ### State education department bars gender identifiers for staff URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/state-education-department-bars-gender-identifiers-for-staff/ Last updated: 2024-02-07T17:57:03.000Z As the heated conversation around gender pronouns continues—specifically among students and teenagers—the state's top education officials are using their powers to implement guidelines that bar adults from identifying their gender in official emails. In a requirement that seemingly singles out trans or nonbinary people, Arizona’s Department of Education under Superintendent Tom Horne issued guidance this morning that orders state employees not use gender identifiers in their email signatures. A screenshot from an email named “The Last Bell,” which appears to be a departmental email sent out to employees, explicitly laid out how signatures should be written: “How we write can say a lot about us,” read the email. “When at work though—and in today’s electronic age—it’s important to confirm that your official \[Arizona Department of Education\] email signature block meets agency required standards.” The standards include that employees “should not include identifying pronouns.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/01/Screenshot-2024-01-05-at-2.25.04-PM.png) Screenshots from an email leaked to LOOKOUT. *LOOKOUT* reached out to Horne’s communications team to see who made the decision, why it was made, and what repercussions staff face if they include their pronouns in email signatures. The department's communication team responded that: "This was an executive decision of the department, and there is no punishment. It’s a matter of consistency much in the way that we do not want one person to have an email signature in Calibri font another with Times New Roman, one with a personal message or artwork, etc." This is far from Horne's first dabble into trans and nonbinary issues at his department. The superintendent is [pursuing a lawsuit](https://grandcanyontimes.com/stories/641913952-horne-i-m-gonna-hire-my-own-legal-team-to-defend-against-lawsuit-challenging-arizona-ban-on-boys-participating-in-girls-school-sports?ref=lookoutnews.org) individually after a federal judge put a stay on restrictions for trans teenagers playing on girl’s team sports. He also was the [guest of honor at an event in Mesa](https://www.lookoutnews.org/rachel-mitchell-moms-for-liberty-hate-group/) hosted by Moms for Liberty, which has been listed as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center and whose leaders have made homophobic statements and condoned quoting Adolf Hitler. In a phone conversation last year with *LOOKOUT*, Horne said that he has been active in supporting gays and lesbians in the past. But his campaign for superintendent—and even his past work as Attorney General— runs counter to his claims. He has drawn a hard line with trans students, and often uses discredited—or fringe—science on the [athletic abilities of trans kids](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tom-horne-continues-crusade-against/), and [pushed for bathroom bans](https://news.azpm.org/p/news-splash/2023/8/17/217142-arizona-schools-chief-targets-transgender-students-and-bathrooms/?ref=lookoutnews.org) for trans students. Particularly among sports, though, Horne main focus is only when trans women are involved. When asked multiple times why he hasn't given any focus to trans boys in school sports, he told *LOOKOUT* that trans men don't have the same unfair advantage. During his time as Attorney General, [Horne aided the Alliance Defending Freedom to defend Arizona’s ban on gay marriage](https://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2014/07/23/az-gay-marriage-no-kids-attorneys-argue/?ref=lookoutnews.org). The alliance is also designated as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, and has been successful in challenging and reversing local school board decisions to not renew contracts with religious groups who espouse anti-LGBTQ+ beliefs. ### How SCOTUS decisions are used to fund a discriminatory nonprofit in Arizona URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/after-the-governor-signed-an-executive-order-barring-discrimination-in-state-contracts-the-state-paid-an-anti-lgbtq-organization-250-000/ Last updated: 2024-02-07T17:57:19.000Z Despite an executive order from Gov. Katie Hobbs, federal court decisions have hampered local governments from enforcing their own nondiscrimination ordinances in relation to LGBTQ+ people. As a result, at least one current contractor that forces staff to sign a faith pledge claiming homosexuality is immoral and ignores trans people’s existence is still raking in taxpayer money. In October, *LOOKOUT* reported on how Phoenix Rescue Mission, a religious nonprofit that provides services to unhoused people, openly discriminates against LGBTQ+ people through a statement of faith pledge they [require all employees and volunteers to sign](https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-leading-aid-provider-for-phoenixs-unhoused-population-discriminates-against-lgbtq-people/). The agreement Phoenix Rescue Mission issues to employees states that God “immutably creates each person as male or female”; that marriage’s sole meaning is “the uniting of one man and one woman”; and that God “intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married.” The religious nonprofit has received over $5.8 million in city, county and state funding since 2018, public records show. In the first week of Hobbs’s tenure, [she signed an executive order that updated a 2009 fair employment order](https://www.hrc.org/press-releases/arizona-gov-katie-hobbs-signs-executive-order-providing-employment-protections-to-state-employees-and-contractors-who-are-lgbtq?ref=lookoutnews.org#:~:text=The%20executive%20order%20directs%20the,prohibit%20discrimination%20on%20sexual%20orientation) to bar state agencies and contractors from openly discriminating against LGBTQ+ people. But while Hobbs’s executive order didn’t directly include an exemption for religious organizations and practices, that exemption already exists in federal law and other parts of state law. An analysis of Phoenix Rescue Mission’s tax records and payments made by government agencies show they have still received hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars since Hobbs signed her order in January, including almost a quarter million paid out by the state. County and city payment records also show various agencies paid Phoenix Rescue Mission more than a million dollars since Jan. 2023\. There are multiple local and state regulations that prohibit such discrimination by government contractors, but those rules, spokespeople said, either aren’t retroactive or make significant exceptions for religious organizations, following the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent rulings that gave larger freedoms for how they hire people and engage with state contracts. What that comes down to: Phoenix Rescue Mission is able to continue discriminating against LGBTQ+ people without legal repercussions. ### **Federal Rulings vs. State Protections** Phoenix Rescue Mission likely isn’t the only one of its kind. Many faith-based organizations throughout the U.S., including schools, foster care agencies and housing nonprofits, require employees to sign religious agreements known as morality clauses. But those organizations often don’t advertise that, making it difficult to know which ones do. Following *LOOKOUT*’s reporting, staff members of the Arizona Attorney General’s Office met with several Democratic state representatives to discuss how to address the issue. Richie Taylor, a spokesperson for the office, said the meeting was “a productive conversation” but wouldn’t say what the next steps were or whether the office planned to officially investigate the issue. Phoenix Rescue Mission did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Attempts by federal, state and local government officials to outlaw discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation have come up short. At the crux of the issue is the Supreme Court, which in recent years has set precedents limiting how jurisdictions can enforce hiring nondiscrimination laws. In 2012, the Supreme Court carved out a “[ministerial exception](https://www.scotusblog.com/case-files/cases/hosanna-tabor-evangelical-lutheran-church-and-school-v-eeoc/?ref=lookoutphx.org)” that gave religious organizations the freedom to make faith-based decisions when hiring ministers, but the decision did not give clear guidance on how to define a minister, and if that could be a rank-and-file employee or a leading religious practitioner. In 2020, the [court extended that exception](https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/19pdf/19-267%5F1an2.pdf?ref=lookoutphx.org) and clarified the definition to include anyone whose work supports the organization’s religious mission, such as teachers. And in 2021, the court said that if a government has a contract that prohibits discrimination but allows for some exemptions, [it can’t refuse to provide the same for religious groups](https://www.scotusblog.com/case-files/cases/fulton-v-city-of-philadelphia-pennsylvania/?ref=lookoutnews.org). Despite that, Arizona recently attempted to put its own protections in place. In January 2023, on her very first day in office, Hobbs signed an executive order banning state agencies and state contractors from discriminating based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Christian Slater, Hobbs’s spokesperson, said in an email that the order doesn’t apply to active contracts, of which Phoenix Rescue Mission has two. Those expire in 2024 and 2027. Phoenix Rescue Mission and its related entities received over $4 million in state funding since 2018, according to the Arizona Financial Transparency Portal. Over $250K of that was paid out after Hobbs’ executive order was signed. “They entered into those contracts before the Governor’s executive order and it can’t be enforced on already signed contracts,” Slater said. But it’s unclear if Hobbs’s office would try to enforce a nondiscrimination agreement with the organization, given the Supreme Court rulings and existing protections for religious organizations in state law. ### **Seeing SCOTUS's effects** Maricopa County and a number of cities in the Valley have local ordinances banning their contractors from discriminating against LGBTQ+ people. But because of the federal court’s decisions expanding religious freedoms and discrimination, their rules make sweeping exceptions for religious organizations. *LOOKOUT* dug into how much money Phoenix Rescue Mission—which also does business as Phoenix Gospel Mission—received from the most populous jurisdictions in the Valley. At least four cities in Maricopa county have contracts with Phoenix Rescue Mission, both currently or in the recent past. Altogether, the organization has received a combined $1.7 million in recent funding. In statements to *LOOKOUT,* Phoenix, Tempe and Scottsdale spokespeople all said there are religious exemptions for freedom of speech. Glendale, the fourth city, did not respond to questions from *LOOKOUT*. In Scottsdale, the organization doesn’t have an active contract, but will be able to apply for money in the future, said city spokesperson Kelly Corsette. “There is considerable case law allowing religious organizations certain leeway in hiring those who share the organization’s beliefs,” Corsette said in an email. Maricopa County also has an ongoing relationship with the organization, according to contract and payment records. The county paid Phoenix Rescue Mission roughly $99K in the past two fiscal years and has a current contract with the organization that could be up to $248K, according to county records. County contracts include a nondiscrimination clause that mirrors the state’s, county spokesperson Fields Moseley said. ### **Private donors stay silent** Though Phoenix Rescue Mission has received steady government funding in recent years, the overwhelming majority of its revenue comes from private donations, tax records show. Between July 2021 and June 2022, the organization received $1.5 million in government grants and nearly $29 million in other contributions. *LOOKOUT* reached out to several businesses and nonprofits that have partnered with or donated to Phoenix Rescue Mission in recent years. They include: - Phoenix Mercury basketball player Brittney Griner, one of the most well-known, openly gay athletes in the world, whose annual shoe drive raises money for the organization; - Thunderbirds Charities, the charitable giving arm of The Thunderbirds, which grants funds raised by the Waste Management Phoenix Open and gave $750K to Phoenix Rescue Mission in 2019; - M3F Festival, a nonprofit music festival that takes place in Downtown Phoenix, which lists Phoenix Rescue Mission as one of its community beneficiaries; - The Junior League of Phoenix, a nonprofit women’s organization, which gave the organization an $85K grant in 2020. Those organizations did not respond to questions about how they decided to fund Phoenix Rescue Mission or whether they plan to continue to do so in the future, given its discriminatory hiring practices. ### In Cottonwood, a conservative church drives local anti-LGBTQ+ politics URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/in-cottonwood-a-church-has-been-the-main-organizing-group-for-anti-lgbtq-politics/ Last updated: 2025-04-27T20:06:18.000Z They showed up to city council meetings in droves. Some wore tee shirts in support of former President Donald Trump, some held up signs calling for the mayor’s resignation. Others held Bibles, or spoke softly about “Godless” people. The one unifier was their relationship with River Bible Church, a local self-described “conservative church” in Arizona’s Verde Valley. River Bible Church is openly hostile against LGBTQ+ people and prominently publishes their stances against homosexuality, transgender people, and same-sex marriage on their website. Leading its flock at the public meetings was Dustin Daniels, the church’s senior pastor and one of the main organizers against LGBTQ+ rights in the small city of Cottonwood. Records show that Daniels sent out emails to his congregation telling congregants about a [local drag show headed to Cottonwood](https://www.lookoutnews.org/another-drag-show-in-arizona-was/) and how they could show up at the council meetings to support a resistance against the performance. Church members arrived en masse, not once, but to multiple city council meetings. At one point, a working group meeting became a standing-room-only event inside a banquet hall at the local recreation center. But emails gathered by *LOOKOUT* show that Daniels’s influence doesn’t just include his own congregants; he’s also used his position to have conversations with Cottonwood city council members who were politically aligned with his church, specifically on anti-LGBTQ+ issues, and pushed leaders to vote for specific partisan bills. Through a public records request, *LOOKOUT* reviewed dozens of emails sent by Daniels to council members that showed the religious leader was organizing his church to take part in political activities specifically in support of anti-LGBTQ+ elected officials, such as Lisa DuVernay, a Trump-style conservative. > “We shudder at the thought of outsiders disturbing our great city with morals and values that we ourselves do not hold, performing a sexually deviant ‘show’ that we do not want, and then abandoning our community, placing a blight on our friends, families, and children." > > \- Dustin Daniels, senior pastor for River Bible Church in a petition against a touring drag show coming to Cottonwood. Both DuVernay and Daniels did not respond when *LOOKOUT* reached out for comment via email. Emails show that through his church email, Daniels solicited hundreds of signatures to rally against a drag show coming to town, called the Arizona Pride Tour, and then presented that petition to Cottonwood’s city council. “Council Member DuVernay, please know that nothing good will come from this event,” he wrote. “I’m begging, please, do not allow The Arizona Pride Tour into our community.” In the email, he continued to say that he created the petition and attached the full list of signees to urge a vote against the drag show from performing in a public venue. “We shudder at the thought of outsiders disturbing our great city with morals and values that we ourselves do not hold, performing a sexually deviant ‘show’ that we do not want, and then abandoning our community, placing a blight on our friends, families, and children,” he wrote. Daniels gathered more than 1,200 signatures for the petition he presented to council. But only half of the people who signed and registered their zip code were from Cottonwood. “I have updated my congregation and will also update the 1,200+ people who have signed the petition,” he said. “We are praying for you.” In response, DuVernay said that the city could not actively discriminate by denying the show’s performance, but she ended her email saying that she would be doing what she could to keep it from happening: “It is not a city sanctioned event and from what I’m being told the City cannot discriminate on who they rent to. I am praying we can find some way to prevent this in any way possible.” Arizona state law prevents discrimination against LGBTQ+ people in accessing public spaces. When asked by email for DuVernay to clarify if she was covertly trying to stop the event based on the performer’s sexual identity or orientation, she did not respond. DuVernay and the council were later successful in revoking the drag show’s liquor license. And in an email, Daniels thanked DuVernay again for the vote: “Hello Council Member DuVernay,” he wrote on March 22 this past year. “I hope you are enjoying your stay with your mum! I also wanted to thank you for your vote against the alcohol permit pertaining to the drag show.” There is currently a [civil rights complaint filed against the city of Cottonwood](https://www.lookoutnews.org/cottonwoods-city-council-charged-with-discrimination-in-relation-to-local-drag-show/) by the show’s creator, Miss Nature LLC, in the state attorney general’s office. The complaint alleged that revoking the liquor license was based on LGBTQ+ discrimination. Under federal law, churches are not allowed to partake in partisan politics without risk of losing their tax-exempt status. Examples where churches can organize politically is, for example, getting congregants out to vote, or holding a political debate, so long as it is nonpartisan and doesn’t aim to elevate one candidate over another. However, churches are allowed to take part in political activism, nonprofit legal experts said. Churches, they said, can show favor toward certain laws or policies and can act as de facto lobbyists for certain issues. They only step over the line in violating federal tax law when, for example, a pastor tells their parishioners they should vote for a specific person. It’s unclear if Daniels and River Bible Church are acting squarely within federal law. Though churches can rally behind a specific bill or ordinance being passed, when churches push one bill “that is indicative of supporting one party over another, we worry about that,” said Ellis Carter, an attorney at Caritas Law Group who specializes in nonprofit law and has chaired for multiple nonprofits. Carter said that even though laws are clear on what churches can do, many simply ignore the rules or flout them. Without speaking specifically about River Bible Church’s activities, Carter mentioned that certain activities, such as organizing a member of a congregation to run for council or pushing signatures for a mayor's recall, would be a violation of federal tax law. But according to Secular AZ, a state watchdog group that raises awareness on the separations between church and state, they said that the emails *LOOKOUT* obtained don’t show any illegal activity. In a statement to *LOOKOUT* through the organization's legal committee, they said what Daniels is doing at city council meetings and in the community is “perfectly legal.” The organization clarified that a church can take a stance that they don’t support drag if it's in line with their church values and even support certain legislation. “They can lobby all they want and spend every dime of church resources if they want for an issue they agree or disagree with.” What they can’t do is, “give money to a campaign, host a political rally for a candidate at the church, or tell people how to vote on a candidate,” the statement said. Despite the legal certainty, the church’s seeming influence at city council has made some Cottonwood residents uneasy. “The issue is that they’re trying to insert their bible into our government,” said Molly Heckman, a Cottonwood resident who has attended multiple city council and school board meetings. “Their agenda is still pervasive in the community. And if they’re following everything with the tax laws, they’re still one of those churches that need to be watched because they do have the movement and the congregation to create an evangelical system." Heckman said that the church’s presence inside political arenas has made people in the community go into hiding. She and others have taken the stance that it’s a losing battle to try and debate them publicly. “It’s like trying to explain color TV to someone who’s never seen it,” she said. “We’re trying to build a bridge to people who are just trying to burn everything down because they see us as an abomination to their God.” Recently, Heckman said, the church helped in gathering more than 800 signatures to recall the city mayor, Tim Elinski. The galvanizing force behind the recall, according to the Verde Independent, was the city allowing the drag show to continue as planned. The petition fell short by 42 signatures from registered Cottonwood voters and the mayor said he would not run in next year’s election, according to the Verde Valley Independent. But despite River Bible Church’s ability to organize people, there are others who have attempted to find common ground and fight against hate and religious bigotry. During one meeting, local activist Julie Fernatt organized 50 community members to say that they would not participate in the culture wars instigated by the church and certain members of the council, but that they would be keeping tabs on council member’s votes and public statements. “The things people say at the city council meetings are horrific,” Fernatt told *LOOKOUT*. “They think we should be part of a Christian theocracy.” Since that happened, Fernatt said, church leaders haven’t showed up in their former numbers. “We essentially shut them down,” she said. This year, Fernatt along with help from other local activists started the Rural Organizing Initiative, a progressive non profit that aims to work on supporting local candidates in bipartisan elections, such as at the school board. Since starting, Fernatt said the response has been overwhelming in support of trying to find bipartisan solutions to issues in the community. “I’m encouraged by the number of people showing up and getting involved about upcoming elections and why they matter,” Fernatt said. “A lot of us across the country got a little complacent… and people are kind of waking up now and seeing that they need to participate to protect democracy in their backyards.” ### Attorney General’s Office Takes Up Case on ASU Attack, Vows to Protect LGBTQ+ Community URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/kris-mayes-attorney-general-lgbtq-protections/ Last updated: 2023-12-12T20:23:30.000Z The Attorney General’s office has taken up an investigation looking into the attack on David Boyles, a queer ASU professor who was attacked by two people associated with Turning Point USA, a conservative group that has made anti-LGBTQ+ comments and homophobic remarks. Arizona Deputy Attorney General Bill Mundell mentioned the office taking up the case during a meeting with a select group of community members within the state’s LGBTQ+ businesses and nonprofits, who met with the Attorney General’s office last week in an attempt to understand how it could help in combatting anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and hate-motivated behavior. Present at the meeting were Bridget Sharpe, the Arizona state director for the Human Rights Campaign, Gabe Hagen, co-owner of Brick Road Coffee in Tempe, and Mundell. *LOOKOUT* was also invited to join the conversation, and Executive Director Jake Hylton was present and made remarks. During the meeting, Mundell doubled down on previous statements and comments Attorney General Kris Mayes made regarding the LGBTQ+ community, including how the office was not defending the state’s position on banning transgender school girls from playing certain youth sports, Mayes’s position on trying to end the ban on gay men and trans people donating blood, and her statement denouncing the U.S. Supreme Court decision that allowed religious exemptions for private business owners from doing business with LGBTQ+ people. Mundell said that the Attorney General’s Civil Rights Division was taking on the investigation into Bowles’s attack, but he wouldn’t explain as to why the state office took the case opposed to the county attorney. Hagen noted that his business, which is one of the few queer community spaces in the East Valley, has been the target of several far-right attacks, and was worried about how the office would be responding to the prospect of more attacks in the future. This past year, his business received a bomb threat for hosting a drag story hour for children, where members of far-right militias showed up. Mundell said that the civil rights office would investigate all identity-related hate crimes as prospective cases, and urged people to come forward and file a complaint with the civil rights office. [Complaints can be made here](https://www.azag.gov/complaints/civil-rights?ref=lookoutnews.org). He also noted that investigations into cases can take years, and was sympathetic to complaints from the community that the office hasn’t been as active as it could be in regards to discriminatory actions and possible hate crimes. In regards to the next legislative session, which many LGBTQ+ political leaders expect to be just as divided as last year with multiple anti-trans and anti-LGBTQ+ bills passed by both the house and senate, he said that in the event that districts enact their own rules that go against the state’s anti-discrimination law prohibiting discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity, Mayes’s office could be in a position to enact her own opinions that could force municipalities to reverse their decisions. In Cottonwood, for example, local elected leaders recently floated a local ordinance that would ban drag in public spaces, making it possibly illegal for trans people to exist publicly. Mundell wouldn’t commit to Mayes intervening in that scenario, but said that the situation would warrant the attorney general’s attention. ### While Flagstaff pushes back the case against Epona Rose, activists gather demanding her freedom. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/epona-rose-flagstaff/ Last updated: 2026-06-18T14:16:19.000Z A group of almost 50 people gathered inside of the Coconino County Courthouse in Flagstaff last Monday in support of Epona Rose, the woman who was arrested in August for allegedly defending herself against a group of people in Flagstaff this past summer. The group of local queer activists, residents and community members marched through the city and called for Rose’s charges to be dropped, and later filled the inside of the courthouse lobby before getting news that Rose’s case was being pushed to a different date. Rose, who identifies as a woman of trans experience, [has been out on bail for almost three months since local police arrested](https://www.lookoutnews.org/flagstaff-trans-woman-attacked-facing-felony-charges/) her and charged her with attempted manslaughter, and multiple counts of assault. She was originally held on $100,000 bail, but that was eventually reduced to $10,000 and the attempted manslaughter charge was dropped. The police report obtained by *LOOKOUT* said that on August 11, Rose attacked a group of men unprovoked, macing one of the men and putting a knife to the throat of another. But Rose has made multiple statements to the contrary saying she defended herself against a transphobic attack. Rose said she was attacked “by a group of three men while two or more watched. The men were drunk and sexually harassing her,” according to a statement from activists who worked to free Rose from the Coconino County Detention Facility. “The attack escalated into threats of rape, and then to physical violence, when they realized that Epona is transgender.” None of the men Rose described as assaulting her have been charged with a crime, and the arresting affidavit from the police report showed the police never questioned the men on Rose’s allegations that they assaulted her. Outside the courthouse, Rose spoke to the group, calling herself a “political prisoner” and said that the men she’s accused of assaulting “got away with molesting me and touching my genitalia, and they were mad with the kind of woman I am.” [*LOOKOUT* previously reported that the police continually misgendered Rose both in their report and in person](https://www.lookoutnews.org/woman-arrested-flagstaff-lgbtq-liaison/), and that she was held in isolation at the county jail and strip-searched by a male corrections officer despite two official state ID’s classifying her as female. *LOOKOUT* learned that the City of Flagstaff is expecting to offer Rose a plea deal, but it’s unclear what the deal will be, or if Rose will take it. Epona’s lawyer, Ryan Stevens, could not be reached for comment before publication. At the end of October, Steven’s said there hadn’t been any major updates but he was working with the city to find a resolution. He did not respond to questions regarding if a plea deal was in the works. Since August, the City of Flagstaff has not returned emails and calls nor provided a statement on Rose’s case, or how the city provides training to police on handling LGBTQ+ issues. However, the Human Rights Campaign gave the city perfect score in their Equality Index for having an LGBTQ+ liaison inside the police force. It’s unclear what the liaison‘s activities or job description is. While her court dates continue to get pushed back, Rose said she has been living in legal limbo in Flagstaff—where she is not from—and is without permanent or sustainable housing. “I'm currently located at a house that some friends opened up to me, but that lease is over with soon, and then I have to figure out what I have to do next,” Rose said, adding that she can’t leave Flagstaff until her case is over. “So along with navigating for my rights and trans people’s rights, I have to just navigate my day-to-day.” Rose’s next court date is December 20th at 10:30 a.m. ### In West Mesa, a legislator reaches across the aisle, while challenging gender norms URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/in-west-mesa-a-legislator-reaches-across-the-aisle-while-challenging-gender-norms/ Last updated: 2024-09-29T21:33:41.000Z When a West Mesa woman opened her front door to Rep. Lorena Austin last year, she immediately told the Democratic state legislator that her son would not want to talk. Austin was canvassing the district, one that has historically been a Republican stronghold, and was hoping to connect with the woman’s son because he was someone data showed who sat “in the middle.” Despite that initial rebuff, Austin learned after a few minutes of conversation that the woman’s son was having difficulty entering a training program. At the doorstep, Austin told her exactly how to get the resources she and her son needed. When they parted ways, the two shook hands. “That was one of my favorite interactions,” Austin said, noting that knocking on doors has become comfortable, especially with undecided voters. “We agree on so much more than we disagree on.” But Austin said knocking on doors that have long been represented by conservatives—many of whom have been against the rise and continued conversation around gender identity and sexuality—comes with an added layer of context. Austin is nonbinary, a term used interchangeably with gender nonconforming, and uses they and them pronouns. They also are Chicane, recognizing Austin’s Mexican heritage. Austin, along with Seth Blattman, another Democrat, flipped Legislative District 9 in last year’s midterm election, with a victory margin of just a little more than 2,000 votes. The recently redrawn West Mesa district runs from McKellips to Baseline Roads between Val Vista Road and Country Club Drive, and stretches south of Guadalupe Road to University Drive, reaching Price Road on its westernmost edge. It’s a diverse district, where devout Mormons and higher-income individuals live on sprawling, orchard properties, and where working class, ethnically diverse families make ends meet in neighborhoods where day laborers congregate and locals support the nearby carniceria—a neighborhood butcher store. The Arizona Independent Redistricting Committee has labeled the district as “highly competitive.” In some ways, it’s not unfair to say the area represents an older Arizona clashing with a newer, evolving one. Austin, a fifth-generation Arizonan, is perhaps a living example of the old versus new dynamic within their district. “We’re the first Democrats to serve in this area,” Austin said of them and Blattman. “People, in my opinion, want representatives who look like them and know how to stretch a dollar and know what social services look like. I wasn’t necessarily surprised, but I think others were very surprised and will be very active this next cycle to challenge us.” Austin’s introduction as the nation’s first nonbinary Chicane legislator earned them headlines across the country, from political juggernaut news outlets such as Axios and Politico to youth-focused Teen Vogue and beyond. It also meant they would be positioned to give a voice to bills proposed by Arizona’s Republican-controlled legislature that took direct aim at the state’s LGBTQ+ community in the same way other conservative legislatures did across the country. > “I grew up in a community where I knew I would not be accepted. I knew I would not be supported at home or in public. I need you to hear that. This is my lived experience." **\- Rep. Lorena Austin, April 3, 2023** Austin will be the first to say it was never their intention to run for office and become the first of anything, especially not one of Arizona’s most prominent voices to fight against the onslaught of anti-LGBTQ+ bills. But, the moment presented itself during committee discussions regarding what has become known as the “pronoun bill.” “I grew up in a community where I knew I would not be accepted. I knew I would not be supported at home or in public. I need you to hear that. This is my lived experience,” Austin said during a committee meeting while declaring their vote against a bill that would regulate the use of pronouns in school. Austin’s statement inspired a viral response for a bill that would pass the Arizona legislature but not make it past the desk of Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs. But it also illustrated how the LGBTQ+ community needed a voice and advocate in a position of power, more than ever. Months later, it remains one of Austin's proudest moments, knowing they spoke up for the rights of the community. It’s what a legislator should do, Austin said. “I didn’t even know I was going to react that way. After hearing the misinformation and the hatred and misunderstanding of what this bill would do, I have never felt the type of emotion that I did and that was very apparent in my response. It was organic and I didn’t know I had that in me,” Austin said. “It’s almost like the moment will present itself to you and you’ll recognize exactly why you were there. It’s very validating.” Oscar De Los Santos, a Democratic legislator representing District 11 in Phoenix, readily calls Austin “inspirational” for the work they are doing. The two work in the legislature together and serve alongside each other on the legislature’s LGBTQ+ caucus. He said the “pronoun bill” moment was more than a viral clapback: It humanized a legislative issue because Austin gave a face and a voice to it. “In this space, that has been nothing short of horrifying to people like Lorena, it takes an immense amount of courage and bravery to do that job. And at a time when you see a horrific resurgence of attacks from the far right on queer people,” De Los Santos said. “To be able to speak to the attacks on a personal level — it’s really powerful to hear on the floor.” Austin’s pride in their work includes the representation they’ve offered for LGBTQ+ issues, but it extends beyond it. As a community-focused leader, Austin advocates for accessible housing and higher education. They pull from their lived experience working in higher education, coming of age during the Senate Bill 1070 era—which was marked with anti-immigrant and anti-Hispanic rhetoric—and growing up with a grandmother who was a farmworker and their “biggest fan,” they said. In their first legislative session, six of the bills Austin sponsored were approved and enacted. A sizable number of others were not, perhaps reflecting the challenges faced by political newcomers in a party that doesn’t have control of either the House or the Senate. For their part, Austin sponsored at least 10 bills related to housing and homelessness, 16 bills related to education and at least two related to issues of equality. Beyond the legislative floor, Austin champions parent and community involvement at school board meetings for Mesa Public Schools, they have advocated for the passage of the district’s bond measure, they’ve spent weekends on the streets participating in neighborhood beautification initiatives and they’ve been lauded by Progress Arizona for their voting record on issues related to education, climate justice, healthcare and more. All the while, Austin’s work has been done against an unsettled backdrop. In recent weeks, the conservative, anti-LGBTQ+ Moms for Liberty convened a town hall with a number of elected conservatives and earlier this year, the city faced criticism from the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Coalition Against Censorship for suspending an art exhibition at Mesa Arts Center that was critical of police brutality. And, in mid-October, a queer ASU professor was followed, harassed and shoved to the ground by activists from the right-wing, Turning Point USA organization. Upon hearing about the altercation involving David Boyle, Austin alerted the legislature’s LGBTQ+ caucus. “Lorena was one of the first people to know and she raised the issue quickly,” De Los Santos said. As for the learning curve they’ve experienced while getting acquainted with political life, Austin points to parents who instilled in them an acceptance for an “iterative process,” mentors who emphasize that “feedback is love,” and a mother who taught them about resilience and resistance. In fact, Austin’s mom took them to their first protest when they were little. “People aren’t looking for polished politicians anymore. They aren’t looking for those who went to Harvard. They aren’t looking for attorneys. They are looking for real people who understand and empathize and actually show up,” Austin said. “I’m not here to make anyone become a Democrat. I just believe in me showing up as a community member wanting what’s best for my community.” ### Tucson LGBTQ+ advisory group goes silent URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/tucson-lgbtq-commision/ Last updated: 2024-09-29T21:36:32.000Z Tucson’s only city commission to address LGBTQ+ issues for residents hasn’t met for more than a year. That gap has made space for local leadership to sidestep discussions, concerns and solutions from a historically marginalized community. The Tucson Commission on Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Issues, [created in 1998](https://speccoll.library.arizona.edu/collections/tucson-commission-gay-lesbian-bisexual-transgendered-issues-collection?ref=lookoutnews.org#:~:text=Originated%20in%201998%20as%20a,advocating%20for%20the%20gay%20community.), acts as the official advisory body to the mayor and city council. It was an active commission that hosted fundraisers and held monthly meetings with community members to discuss the impacts of statewide legislation, as well as published annual reports on queer issues that the city could address. The last time the commission’s actions were visible to the public was in March last year. Members sent a [letter to the mayor’s office and city council](https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=7903696596310990&set=pb.100064786473920.-2207520000) denouncing two state bills — one keeping trans girls from playing in youth school sports, and the other banning some medical care for all transgender youth. At the time, those GOP-led bills were headed to then-Republican Gov. Doug Ducey’s desk. He signed both into law. A few months later, the Tucson commission stopped meeting altogether, despite scheduled meetings listed through the end of the year. Recorded minutes or activities related to the meetings also haven’t been [uploaded to the commission’s](https://clerksboards.tucsonaz.gov/boards?run=pastagenda&board=40&ref=lookoutnews.org) website since 2021\. Since the commission hasn’t met with people in the city or discussed broader issues among the community, Shay Thomas and Ashley La Russa, co-founders of the queer event management group [Queer AF](https://www.instagram.com/queer.af.az/?ref=lookoutnews.org), have held group sessions for LGBTQ+ people. They gather to discuss the needs, solutions and problems within Tucson’s queer spaces. “It's important for the government to just take heed and listen — listen to the community,” Thomas said. “It’s not all on them, but we need resources.” #### Get Connected Below are some LGBTQ+ community groups in Tucson: - [Queer AF](https://www.instagram.com/queer.af.az/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - [Tucson LGBT Chamber of Commerce](https://tucsonlgbtchamber.org/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - [Tucson Pride](https://www.tucsonpride.org/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - [Southern Arizona Senior Pride](https://soazseniorpride.org/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - [Southern Arizona Gender Alliance](https://www.instagram.com/saga%5Ftucson/?ref=lookoutnews.org) - [LGBTQ Affairs](https://lgbtq.arizona.edu/?ref=lookoutnews.org) and [LGBTQ+ Institute](https://lgbt.arizona.edu/?ref=lookoutnews.org) at the University of Arizona In the time period that the commission hasn’t met, there have been a number of critical issues that many on the ground feel haven’t been properly addressed: the Republican legislature pushed [transphobic and anti-LGBTQ+ legislation](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tom-horne-continues-crusade-against/), the [surge of the MPox](https://www.lookoutnews.org/as-an-mpox-cluster-appears-county/) (formerly known as Monkeypox) virus last summer, and increased [violence against people within the LGBTQ+ communities](https://www.lookoutnews.org/flagstaff-trans-woman-attacked-facing-felony-charges/) across Arizona. “It feels weird that we aren't meeting,” said Kyle Snowden, who was appointed to the commission last August, but has yet to attend a meeting since one hasn’t been scheduled. Snowden has focused on on LGBTQ+ healthcare. He said the Mpox spread was a lost opportunity for the commission to meet and discuss solutions. He’s worried about the future of the commission being able to make critical decisions: “There's always the potential that there'll be another issue like that,” he said. Snowden said that since he started in the position, he’s emailed other commissioners to see when they could meet. At one point, he reached out to the city clerk’s office, which manages city commissions. “I tried asking them when we would meet and just was never told,” Snowden said in a phone interview. After following up twice with board members, he eventually gave up: “It seems a little complacent,” he said. Snowden asked the city clerk’s office if the commission was still active. “Is this board decommissioned?” he wrote in an email that was shared with *LOOKOUT* and *Arizona Luminaria*. The office’s response centers on an issue of bureaucracy that isn’t unique to the GLBT Commission alone. Staff in the city clerk’s office said the failure to get the commission meeting was because of city regulations that require commissions meet in person, not virtually. During the pandemic, some were able to change those rules, as was the case for the GLBT Commission which voted to meet virtually. But since in-office work has resumed, many appointments have left their positions or moved out of their wards. Others have simply not shown up, making it difficult to establish a quorum (a required number of commissioners present) before meetings can take place. “There's an undercurrent where the process of meeting and who can meet and how they can communicate with each other inside and outside of meetings, Snowden said. It sort of makes it more difficult to meet.” The result, according to people in the city clerk’s office, is a number of commissions failing to meet and provide city leaders with community input on various issues from climate to workforce development. *LOOKOUT* called and sent e-mails to the clerk’s office to get comment on the issues regarding commissions meeting, and did not receive a response. According to data gathered from the city’s website, at least 12 commissions haven’t posted agendas or had meetings since 2022\. A third of the city’s commissions haven’t met since the beginning of summer. Two of the GLBT Commission’s seats are vacant, which means the members have not been able to reach their quorum. The positions are appointed through a ward leader. The two seats missing belong to appointees from Wards 2 and 5, run by Paul Cunningham and Richard Fimbres, respectively. Fimbres could not be reached by phone by the time of publication. Cunningham said that he wasn’t aware that the seat was vacant until *LOOKOUT* and *Arizona Luminaria* called to inquire about the board. “This was not brought to my attention until I spoke with you,” he said. “We have to have that commission in full effect,” he said, adding that he has a “personal point of pride” in making sure his commission appointments are filled. Cunningham, through a text message, later confirmed that Jessica Patrick, a development manager at Sonoran Prevention Works, was appointed to the commission as late as March of this year. However, online the position shows as vacant. Cunningham said he wasn’t sure why the position was empty. In a phone call, he said the position would be filled by the end of the month: “We’re going to get on it right away.” Patrick, who uses they and she pronouns, couldn’t be reached through their work email or calls to their office. There is an opportunity that the quorum issue may be solved, at least for some of the commissions that haven’t met. The city council recently passed a resolution that would allow members to meet remotely or in a hybrid setting. Until then, community leaders on the ground said there is a gap in how the community is represented in its government, “If we’re not having conversation, that is a problem,” said Rebecca Wicker, treasurer of the [Tucson LGBT Chamber of Commerce](https://tucsonlgbtchamber.org/?ref=lookoutnews.org). “We’re not above any of the horrible things that we see happening in communities across the country, and just because that hasn’t happened on a large scale here, doesn’t mean we’re above it. And just because our mayor gets it, doesn’t mean the rest of the city does.” There’s room for education, she said. ### What will it take for Arizona’s gay bars to stop overdoses? URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/what-will-it-take-for-arizonas-gay-bars-to-stop-overdoses/ Last updated: 2023-11-08T16:24:16.000Z According to her family, Valerie Lucas had trouble dealing with high-stress situations. Her mother, Heather Lucas, said her daughter was an extrovert by all definitions: She was the first to dance at a party; If there was a debate between going out with friends or staying in and watching a movie, the former was the correct choice. “She was not a homebody whatsoever,” Heather Lucas told me. “She was very, very smart. And I think that was part of the issue, was the emotional side. She just didn't know how to deal with everything.” It’s a story many young women have faced. Logic was easy enough to work with. But emotions—those were more difficult to process. And just like other young people battling through tough times, it was easier to dive into binge drinking, which led to irresponsible drug use, which led to even worse decisions. In Valerie Lucas’s case, she was 13 when her father died, which is also when she began using heroin. Like many mothers who tried to manage a teenager falling into serious drug use, Heather Lucas didn’t know how to cope. But she knew what prison could do to her little girl, and she didn’t want to risk reporting her to authorities. At some point, though, drugs took over. A robbery while Valerie Lucas was high led to a three-year stint inside Perryville Correctional facility, Arizona’s all-woman prison. While inside, Valerie Lucas started dating another prisoner. Both women were forced to work at Hickman’s Egg Farm in Tonopah, Arizona during their incarceration. After Valerie Lucas’s release, she and her girlfriend continued working at Hickman’s, and the two became inseparable, her mother said. In May 2021, Valerie’s girlfriend died of an overdose, a mixture of fentanyl and alcohol at her apartment off-site from the farm, according to a Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s report. Soon after that, her grandfather passed away—another emotional blow that Heather Lucas said her daughter took to heart. “I just think she didn’t know how to handle it,” Heather Lucas said. “The stress. It just — she just couldn’t deal.” Probation notes for Valerie Lucas, gathered by *LOOKOUT* through a records request, mentioned a friend—whose name was redacted—dying of an overdose, and said that Valerie swore off drugs. “You just don’t know what's in it,” she told the probation officer, according to the report. But just a few days later, the probation officer logged an additional note to Lucas’s file. They needed a death certificate to close her case. Valerie Lucas had died of an overdose. I met Heather Lucas while working on a story about drug-related deaths of people who leave prison. As I spoke with her and others who knew Valerie Lucas, it made me wonder what could be done within the LGBTQ+ community when it comes to overdoses and drug usage. In 2022, more than 1,900 people died of overdoses in Maricopa County. Nearly half of those deaths happened in Phoenix. Beyond geography, there is little data to account for overdoses within the LGBTQ+ community, both nationally or statewide. But public health researchers say they know it's there: The first hint of a national LGBTQ+ drug problem emerged in 2015\. The U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration did a health study that showed sexual minorities had abused opioids far more than their straight peers across multiple age groups. In 2019, six heads of research across Canada published a letter in the medical journal The Lancet, pleading with the U.S. and Canadian governments to start tracking and monitoring drug use and overdoses across both countries in regards to LGBTQ+ people. Since that plea, little has been done on a federal level. That’s not incredibly uncommon. Often, federal agencies don’t have the best tools to get granular data, which leaves local governments to figure out who is being affected by specific public health crises. The sense of urgency to address LGBTQ+ opioid abuse has not yet filtered down to Arizona. In 2018, the state did recognize it as a problem in a needs assessment report done by a third-party administrator. But on the state health department’s website, as well as the Maricopa County Health Department’s data portal, there still is no way to track how the overdose epidemic is affecting our community. As a result, it’s unclear how bad our drug epidemic might be. #### Three Things to Know - Overdoses of fentanyl in drugs is a continuing problem within Arizona's LGBTQ+ community, though it's unclear how bad it is since no one tracks it. - The FDA has allowed Narcan, the overdose-reversing drug and its generic form naloxone, to be bought over the counter. Despite that, many queer spaces don't carry the drug in their first-aid kits. - A number of groups, though, have attempted to work on getting the drug into the hands of people within the community. Here is a list of organizations who are working on this issue: [Shot in the Dark](https://sitdaz.org/?ref=lookoutnews.org), [Riot Phx](https://nasen.org/sep/riot-phx?ref=lookoutnews.org), [Terros Health](https://www.terroshealth.org/narcan/?ref=lookoutnews.org), [Sonoran Prevention Works](https://spwaz.org/?ref=lookoutnews.org). Arizona isn’t alone in this dearth of local data. Many other cities with large queer populations—Seattle, Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco, to name a few—have turned to queer spaces, like gay bars, to carry Narcan. Also known by its generic name naloxone, Narcan is an overdose-reversing drug and has become a staple in first-aid kits. The nasal spray works within minutes and the intravenous needle has even better uptake in reversing an overdose. But in Arizona, many LGBTQ+ bars across the state (primarily in Phoenix and Tucson) have yet to even acknowledge a problem. I contacted 20 of Arizona’s gay and lesbian bars and surveyed them on their use or knowledge of Narcan. Only 12 responded. Of those who did, most staff were unfamiliar with Narcan. Others who were familiar with Narcan dismissed the need for such a life-saving drug in their businesses, pushing back saying their establishments were “drug free,” or that they didn’t want to “face liability” for having the drug on hand. Only a few said they had trained their staff on how to use Narcan and it was something they had on hand. While many queer spaces are failing to help keep their community safe, there is a small group of people across various organizations in Arizona working to change the way people view drug use and to see that the owners of queer spaces start doing their own part. ### A SOLUTION WITH A STRUGGLE For those who only deign to visit Phoenix’s most populous corridor in midtown—the area surrounding Steele Park and over to the Veteran Administration Hospital—it’s often referred to as a dump or a “ghetto.” It’s true to a mild degree; the area has its stragglers and vagabonds. But it’s an important location for queer history in Phoenix, if only because it’s where the yearly Pride festival is held. There’s another gem around the area, blocked behind brown-tinged gates and brick walls, working to help fight the opioid crisis within queer spaces–and he’s just under 6-feet tall. When I first walked into the medical center where Al Chapoy worked as a social worker, I was taken aback. I have spent many hours, both in my personal and professional life, inside medical centers. For the most part, they all have the same feeling: clean, cold, and sterile. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/10/_20230923_Lookout_Narcan_DONE_003.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/10/_20230923_Lookout_Narcan_DONE_023.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/10/_20230923_Lookout_Narcan_DONE_001.jpg) Photos by Moses Martínez Chapoy’s office, though, had a bit more whimsy than I was used to. And it all made sense when I sat down at his desk. It was a mess, cluttered with pamphlets and worksheets. A gallon-sized Ziploc bag overflowed with drug test strips and empty nasal spray bottles which he said he uses to demonstrate how to save a life using Narcan or test drugs for fentanyl. Chapoy reached into the Ziploc bag and pulled out a small white nasal spray. It was Narcan. The device, itself, looks a bit like an all-white toy rocket, the kind you’d win in an arcade machine. The drug inside, naloxone, acts as an inhibitor for opioids. The drug was introduced in the 1970s and given to paramedics to reverse overdoses. For a while, you’d only see Narcan inside ambulances. But that changed when the opioid epidemic made its way into the white-rural enclaves of Appalachia. As a result, more first responders began carrying the drug. It wasn’t just paramedics. Firefighters and cops were carrying it, too. The spread of fentanyl in recreational drugs over the past five years has meant that overdoses can literally happen anywhere, at any time, and with any amount of drug. For example, Chapoy explained, a bag of cocaine often has what he calls a “chocolate chip effect,” which means that a bit of fentanyl can live in one part of the bag, and not infect the rest of it. When you take any kind of opioid—from a painkiller prescribed by your doctor to that tiny bit of fentanyl that has become more likely to turn up in bags of your favorite party drug—the opioid latches onto receptors in your brain that slow your breathing and moderate pain. Take too much, and the receptors stay stuck, then you stop breathing. Once introduced into the body, naloxone immediately takes the opioids off the receptors within moments. The easiest way to get the drug into someone is through the nasal spray, which is what Chapoy held in his hand. Once you put the shaft of the rocket inside the nose, you press the middle plunger and the drug is inhaled, even if the person overdosing doesn’t seem to be breathing. When Chapoy got his job, he went out on a limb and took a box of Narcan to gay bars, places like Stacy’s, Pat O’s Bunkhouse, or Kobalt, where he knew it would be welcomed. He wasn’t supposed to do it, legally. But, he said, there was a hidden need within queer spaces and groups. At one point, there was an entire roster of spaces that wanted to get trained in Narcan usage, which included how to use the nasal spray, along with the injectable form that goes into someone’s leg. Chapoy also trained staff at these spaces on how to spot an overdose: pale skin, sweaty, short of breath, wide pupils. “Whenever we start to have the conversations where they actually allow us to go ahead, they're receptive to the idea of having these trainings in their businesses, they actually get pretty excited,” Chapoy said. But with the COVID-19 pandemic, funding disappeared and overdoses became more prevalent, and at the same time, many queer spaces pulled back on carrying Narcan. He pointed to the calendar behind him: “Before COVID, this whole thing was filled,” he said, mentioning that he had talks with people at many different queer spaces (he calls them Rainbow places). Now, there are only a few dates filled out for the whole month of August. For months, Chapoy has tried to go back into gay bars and make a point that they need to have Narcan available. But he’s received nothing but pushback from owners and managers who falsely claim they would be held liable if anything went wrong with administering the drug. Other spaces are claiming that they are “drug-free” and don’t want to condone illicit drug usage in their space. “The reality is that there are people doing drugs in these spaces,” he said. “Whether you say you don’t want it to happen, or not.” ### “We Don’t Have Drugs” The Anvil bar on Thomas Road and 24th Street is as close to a classic leather bar that Phoenix has. I’ve been to The Anvil many times. I danced there every now and then, sat on the back bench of the patio corner a handful of times more, and I’ve seen dozens of people do bumps of cocaine in multiple corners. In broad daylight, I was once asked if I was selling drugs. But when I called The Anvil to ask if they had Narcan, the response I got shocked me. “What? Do we have what?” the employee asked. “Do you have naloxone, or you might know it as Narcan? It helps reverse overdoses in the event there’s one on your property,” I responded. The bartender on the phone was miffed in my questioning. “This is a bar,” he said. “We don’t have drugs.” I then asked if they’d be open to anyone coming in and talking to them about having Narcan on site, and I was politely told no. But it wasn’t just The Anvil’s response that made my head go sideways. BS West, the only gay bar in Scottsdale, doesn’t have Narcan and the staff has never done training. My reporting revealed that Oz Bar, The Rock, and Bar1 also are Narcan-free zones. When I called IBT’s in Tucson, the bar manager who answered the phone explained they didn’t have Narcan because, “We are a successful bar and we don't want to be associated.” Of the businesses I called, only four—Stacy’s, Charlie’s, Kobalt, and Flex Spas—have naloxone available. ### WHO TO TRUST The westside of Phoenix, for those who have never been, looks vastly different from the East. There’s more congestion and greenery as you head East, closer to downtown and beyond there into the East Valley. But on the westside around 27th Avenue and Indian School, it’s more industrial, with miles of single-family ranch homes and strip malls. It’s more suburban, and it’s where the best tacos usually exist. It’s also where Beth Joly works. Joly and I first meet in the waiting room of her office at Terros Health. From the entrance to the back wall, there are signs promoting Narcan, and how to properly clock the signs of an overdose. On the back glass divider, which separated the waiting room from the offices, hangs a picture mural of everyone who has died of an overdose across multiple states. Joly walks out in an oversized black tee shirt, a giant black metal chain hung across her neck, a tight mullet sprouted from her head, and has a labret piercing, all tinged with the smell of cigarette smoke. Her voice is powerful, but incredibly friendly. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/10/_MG_6359.JPG) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/10/_MG_6295.JPG) Beth Joly at her work at Terros Health holding up a photo of her sister who died of an overdose (left). Photos by Joseph Darius Jaafari I had heard of Joly through the grapevine multiple times, that she was doing impactful work in creating access to Narcan and getting people into recovery. She was a one-woman advocacy group, making a difference in people’s lives and showing up for legislative testimonials. Joly starts off by telling me that she’s been in recovery for almost a decade. She did time in Perryville prison, and a few years ago got her wife into recovery. Her sister, who overdosed from fentanyl, is why she got into harm reduction. Her office is exceptionally clean yet littered with pictures of people who have died and molded her worldview of how serious the fentanyl problem has gotten: “The reality is that this shit is everywhere,” she said. “And if you don’t think it’ll ever happen to you, you’re wrong.” When I told Joly about what we found in our reporting about gay bars in Arizona not providing Narcan training to their staff, she guffawed. “Why don't you just take a look at the Good Samaritan Law,” she said. She’s referring to the law passed last year that allows all private citizens, including business owners, to step in and help someone in the case of an overdose without legal repercussions if the situation turns fatal. “So why not protect yourself with something that could save a life? Would you rather have someone dead in your bar? That seems like more of a liability.” It’s a common problem, said Alexis Moran, a care navigator at Shot in the Dark, which is a rag-tag group going into parking lots at night and handing out harm reduction supplies, such as naloxone, clean syringes, and other products. Moran, who uses they and them pronouns, said there is a lot of misinformation around the use of Narcan, but more often it’s a problem of empathy. They explained how only a few weeks before we spoke, someone overdosed in a Safeway parking lot in Scottsdale. “I went to grab my Narcan out of the car, and the people, you know, surrounding me just, you know, were shouting their comments like, ‘What if he's allergic,’ ‘Why do you have that?’,” they said, adding that they eventually brought him back from the overdose. And out of that entire experience, Moran said they left livid with the other people who stood by. “I was angry at the questions, or people telling me that I'm an angel, and saying that I saved my spot in heaven. That kind of made me mad,” they said. “So it wasn't so much about like, yeah, I saved this man's life. It was, ‘Why the fuck couldn't you guys have?’” When I told Moran about the response of the employees and managers at the gay bars I spoke with, they sighed heavily: “People want to complain about how many people are using drugs, but just turn a blind eye to it and not be part of the solution,” Moran said. “You could literally have someone dying in front of you and the ability to save them, and they still say no.” Moran’s comment rang through me, and left me with a sense of hopelessness. Who can we trust, if not the people with power in our community? Do the people who own and manage our dedicated safe spaces care if we live or die? But it also left me with a bit of hope, that maybe they’ll get to see the power of someone being revived back to life in front of them, and possibly asking themselves the question Moran asked of others: “Why aren’t I doing this?” ### Phoenix’s gay bars and the case of the “missing stairs” URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/phoenixs-gay-bars-and-the-case-of-the-missing-stairs/ Last updated: 2025-07-01T04:01:12.000Z For five years before moving to Phoenix, I lived in various small towns—populations of under 1,000 people. When I moved to Phoenix a year ago, I was ecstatic to be a part of a vibrant queer scene—[the 13th largest in the nation, in fact. ](https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/MSA-LGBT-Ranking-Mar-2021.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) What I never expected was to find a “missing stair” in the city’s LGBTQ+ community. The “missing stair” is [a common metaphor](https://captainawkward.com/2015/11/03/784-the-geek-social-fallacy-host-missing-stair-guest-relationship/?ref=lookoutnews.org) for social situations where it’s widely known someone or something is problematic, but no one corrects the problem; Everyone just learns to step over the stair to avoid harm, and the stairs never get fixed. Phoenix’s “missing stair” is a blatant misogyny problem within self-described queer spaces. Anecdotally, I was told there is a misogyny and transphobia problem in Phoenix's queer community. As a femme, or a person that is perceived to be feminine or female-presenting, I was discouraged from going to certain places. But how could that be? Gay bars are hailed as inclusive. But after speaking to more than a dozen queer folks, I learned that people felt Phoenix’s gay bars are focused heavily on cisgender men’s experience. Some say there is room for "men only" bars. But in a city that has so few spaces for queer people across the gender spectrum, and in a state that has had an increase in aggressive legislation against trans and nonbinary people, should we really accept gay bars to act exclusionary? While reporting for a story on security in Phoenix’s queer community, I visited all of the queer bars on Melrose, and many of the ones off Melrose. I, as a femme, was not well received across the board. The sexism was palpable at multiple places I walked into. Reactions to me inside the bars ranged: from Stacy’s on Melrose being welcoming, warm, and willing to set up a time to speak, to Cruisin’ 7th, which gave me the up-down, hurriedly heard me out, then gave me a business card and rushed me out the door. But it was Bar 1 that made me feel most uneasy. The bar, located on 16th Street just south of Indian School Road, some say, is a neighborhood go-to. A bar-top game machine sits in the corner. Two pool tables fill the main space of the bar which are, I’m told, crowded out at nights by locals competing in games, and the patio is shaded by massive trees that house what feels like a full aviary of birds that chirp louder than the music at points. In mid-March, I walked in around 6 p.m. while on assignment. My eyes took a moment to adjust from the bright setting sun outside. Before they could adjust, I heard the chatter among the bar quiet down. I eventually saw the bar was pretty full of masculine types. I quickly scanned the faces of everyone inside before heading to the bar. Some looked at me without a care (the preferred reaction). Others were obviously annoyed to see a feminine body in their space. One person looked outright disgusted. I felt unwelcome. When the bartender eventually spoke to me, it was under the assumption I was there for business. To be fair, I was. But I was also there to scope out places where I felt comfortable. It’s not like I dress as a reporter. I’m not dressed in a pant-suit. I don’t have a microphone on me. I don’t even have a media badge. So starting off, it was clear that I was a person meant to be dealt with, rather than welcomed. I smiled as I rattled out my spiel about reporting on safety and security in the LGBTQ+ community and requested to speak with the owner. He wasn’t in, but while the bartender fetched a business card for me, a couple next to me hushed their voices and looked down at each other. The bartender came back without a card, so I left a note. I later called the general number and left a voicemail. I still haven’t heard back. To be clear, it’s not like there is a need for resounding applause whenever a feminine-looking person walks in the doors. In fact I went to Bartlett Bash, the bi-annual gay campout, with two femme friends recently and a few men commended us for our bravery for going. Which was well-intentioned and supportive, but pointed out that we were out of place even at a queer event.[https://www.lesbianbarproject.com/](https://www.lesbianbarproject.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org) In 2005, there was an [academic dissertation](https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/epdf/10.1080/01490400590962443?needAccess=true&ref=lookoutnews.org) on the misogyny at Saddlebags, a popular country gay bar in the South, even on the night of the week known for lesbians going there. After months of observation, the researcher found how territorial gay men were in defining their space, clinging to societal norms of pitting men against women, with men having more power. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/10/Copy-of-Substack-Banner-2.png) Like this kind of journalism? Why not leave your writer a tip! [Tip Jar](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tip-jar/) Some have written [the solution is to create female-centric spaces](https://www.cosmopolitan.com/sex-love/news/a62531/queer-women-lgbt-places/?ref=lookoutnews.org). But answering misogyny with misandry still leaves gender non-conforming folks in the lurch. The recent [Lesbian Bar Project](https://www.lesbianbarproject.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org) docu-series demonstrates the value and need for explicitly lesbian spaces because they welcome demographics that are often left out of “inclusive” spaces such as gay bars Earlier this year, [Cruisin’ 7th had a “ban list” with a disproportionate amount of trans women](https://lookoutphx.substack.com/p/a-popular-drag-bars-ban-list-has) and drag queens of color. The people interviewed in that article explained how the bar's ban list destroyed the concept of the bar being a “safe space.” Cruisin’ 7th isn’t the only missing stair in Phoenix, though. “They don't want, really, any women going. Or anybody else, besides gay men.” Martee Holmes said of Charlie’s, a popular country-western gay bar in Melrose, after being charged a cover because she’s a woman. Martee Holmes and her femme partner recently moved to Phoenix and took Martee’s male cousin and his girlfriend to Charlie’s. Martee was shocked when her partner, her cousin’s girlfriend and herself were charged a cover charge. Her straight male cousin “just walked right on in free and willy-nilly.” Martee said she asked the security guard why only the femme-presenting people were being charged. She said the bouncer told her the policy is meant to create a safe space for gay men, who need to be protected. "If you're saying you're supposed to be a safe space, or being inclusive, just charge everyone," she said. "There shouldn't be someone at the door identifying people saying that you're a man or a woman." I called Charlie’s to ask about this policy and what they do about trans and non-binary folks, and they told me that bouncers determine a patrons gender by checking their ID card. I also called Anvil, Phoenix’s only leather bar, to inquire about their“Men’s Only” nights. The bartender who answered said he didn’t know about any men’s only nights (even though its plainly stated on their website and social accounts). But, he told me, in general “it's a men's bar, so I don't know what your purpose of coming in here would be other than just to hang out with a bunch of gay men who would rather not have a woman in the bar.” He then seemed to deter me from going to Anvil: ”Women are allowed in here. It's just that a lot of men leave the bar when a woman comes in.” When I asked about trans and non-binary people, he said, “Nobody's going to be treated like crap by the staff. But customers… you can't really do anything about that… I don't want you to come in and then feel like you were treated like shit by certain customers because they didn't understand.” He was warning me about yet another missing stair. Trans people of any orientation, gender non-conforming folks, lesbians, bisexual, pansexual and asexual women are all part of the queer community and we deserve to belong in so-called inclusive spaces. If you’ve faced gender discrimination in the queer community, I hope you feel seen and know that we don’t need to quietly step over the missing stairs anymore. If you’re a cisgender man reading this, I hope you see the stairs that are missing and help us fix them. Because there’s a full staircase missing, at this point. ### A leading aid provider for Phoenix’s unhoused population discriminates against LGBTQ+ people. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-leading-aid-provider-for-phoenixs-unhoused-population-discriminates-against-lgbtq-people/ Last updated: 2023-11-08T16:25:23.000Z #### Three things to know - Phoenix Rescue Mission requires employees to sign and agree to a morality clause, which discriminates against LGBTQ+ people. - Though they are one of the largest, Phoenix Rescue Mission is not the only aid organization that requires this, and anecdotal cases show how these morality clauses effect care for LGBTQ+ people. - Technically legal, the clause is allowed due to multiple U.S. Supreme Court cases affirming religious freedom to discriminate. When a woman named M.B. applied as an intern at the Phoenix Rescue Mission in 2018, one of the state’s largest religious organizations dedicated to fighting housing insecurity and substance use, she said she had high hopes. As a social work graduate student at ASU, she thought working at the longstanding nonprofit would allow her to make a difference in people’s lives. After interviewing at its women’s shelter, M.B. accepted a job and began filling out the required paperwork on the spot. That’s when a Phoenix Rescue Mission staff member handed her one last policy to sign: a religious agreement that mandated employees follow the organization’s Christian values, including its disapproval of same-sex marriage. “I stopped there and said, ‘My beliefs don’t align with this,’” said M.B., who asked *LOOKOUT* to use her initials instead of her full name out of fear of professional repercussions. *LOOKOUT* has verified M.B.’s story through emails and a copy of Phoenix Rescue Mission’s religious agreement. The agreement was non-negotiable, M.B. remembered a staff member telling her. “It kind of dead-ended the conversation,” M.B. said. “I said, ‘I’m sorry, I’m not comfortable signing this.’ And we were done.” Copies of emails M.B. supplied to *LOOKOUT* confirmed M.B. declined a job at the organization because of its discriminatory policy. *LOOKOUT* reached out to Phoenix Rescue Mission multiple times for a comment. The organization never responded back. Faith-based institutions across the U.S., including schools, foster care organizations and substance use treatment centers, routinely ask prospective employees to sign similar religious agreements, known as morality clauses. Some institutions have [turned away interviewees who reveal they are LGBTQ+](https://www.kuow.org/stories/union-gospel-mission-argues-anti-gay-hiring-policy-religious-freedom-work?ref=lookoutnews.org) or who don’t agree with their stated values. Others have [fired workers who violate the policies](https://www.indystar.com/story/news/education/2021/11/23/gay-cathedral-teacher-wins-appeal-case-against-indy-archdiocese/8734731002/?ref=lookoutnews.org). The legality of such practices is a gray area that is actively being battled out at multiple levels of government, from city halls and state legislatures all the way up to the Supreme Court. In Arizona, the Washington Elementary School District came under fire when they decided to not renew a contract with the faith-based Arizona Christian University, which also required students to sign a discriminatory religious agreement. The agreement, which is also [in the student handbook](https://www.arizonachristian.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/ACU-Student-Handbook-JULY-2023-24.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org), says that not abiding by one’s gender assigned at birth is “offensive to God,” and that same-sex marriage is immoral and aligned homosexuality with bestiality. The school sued the district, which eventually renewed the contract. But there’s a rub in all of this: LGBTQ+ people are more likely to be impacted by housing insecurity, according to research from True Colors United, an advocacy group for unhoused LGBTQ+ youth. And some are now asking: If a powerhouse organization like Phoenix Rescue Mission can require employees to abide by discriminatory practices, how is it impacting people on the ground? ### **LEGAL DISCRIMINATION** Whether or not a person can lawfully be discriminated against based on their sexual orientation, gender identity or personal values can depend on a variety of factors, including the specific position they’re being considered for, whether the employer receives government funding and more, legal experts said. “There’s layers of complications to this that policymakers really haven’t done a good job of unwinding and really thinking through all the implications of,” said Darrell Hill, policy director for the American Civil Liberties Union of Arizona, which advocates for greater LGBTQ+ protections in the state. Arizona is one of 29 states that does not have a statewide law explicitly protecting LGBTQ+ people from discrimination, according to Human Rights Campaign, a national nonprofit that lobbies for LGBTQ+ rights. “I think states and policymakers need to make clear, and we as a society need to make clear, our continuing support for and belief in nondiscrimination,” Hill of the ACLU of Arizona said. “That people’s characteristics—their race, their gender, their sexual orientation, their gender identity—should not be the basis for whether or not they’re employed or receive services.” But when is an employer allowed to discriminate based on sexual orientation or gender identity? The short answer: It’s complicated. Several recent Supreme Court decisions and local actions have complicated how laws are enforced. In 2012, the Supreme Court carved out a “[ministerial exception](https://www.scotusblog.com/case-files/cases/hosanna-tabor-evangelical-lutheran-church-and-school-v-eeoc/?ref=lookoutnews.org)” that gave religious organizations the freedom to make faith-based decisions when hiring ministers, but the decision did not give clear guidance on how to define a minister, and if that could be a rank-and-file employee or a leading religious practitioner. In 2020, the [court extended that exception](https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/19pdf/19-267%5F1an2.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) and clarified the definition to include anyone whose work supports the organization’s religious mission, such as teachers. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/10/Copy-of-Substack-Banner-1.png) Enjoy this kind of reporting? Consider giving a tip as a donation, and help keep this kind of high quality accountability journalism alive and free to the public. [Tip Jar](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tip-jar/) ### **‘A HUGE DISSERVICE’** Phoenix Rescue Mission makes no secret of its anti-LGBTQ+ views. A “Statement of Faith,” which employees, volunteers, and board members are required to sign [is posted on its website](https://phoenixrescuemission.org/about/mission-vision/?ref=lookoutnews.org). It says: - God “immutably creates each person as male or female”; - Marriage’s sole meaning is “the uniting of one man and one woman”; and - God “intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married.” [Phoenix Rescue Mission Morals ClauseA copy of the morality clause on Phoenix Rescue Mission's website. Phoenix Rescue Mission Morals Clause.pdf119 KBdownload-circle](https://www.lookoutnews.org/content/files/2023/10/Phoenix-Rescue-Mission-Morals-Clause.pdf "Download") Some other faith-based nonprofits in the Valley publicly maintain similar values, though it’s not clear whether they require employees to comply with them. Church on the Street, which operates a sober living home and conducts outreach to people experiencing homelessness, states on its website that it believes “marriage is a union between one man and one woman permanently united spiritually, emotionally, and physically in a lifetime bond of loyal love.” Church on the Street would not respond to calls or emails asking about their hiring policy. *LOOKOUT* found that there are other religious-based missions, including Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest and Phoenix Dream Center, whose websites state they accept employees and clients of all religions and backgrounds. Not only do such policies affect job seekers, they can also harm clients, M.B. said. Several years after turning down the job at Phoenix Rescue Mission’s women’s shelter, M.B. was working as a case manager at another local nonprofit when a judge mandated one of her clients to complete a program at the very same shelter. The client, who is bisexual, had to hide her sexuality and pretend to believe that homosexuality is a sin in order to get through the program, M.B. said. If she didn’t complete it, her children could have been taken from her. “It was a huge disservice because she didn’t make any therapeutic progress,” M.B. said. “She just checked a box.” Multiple staff members of other local housing nonprofits told *LOOKOUT* the strict religious rules of Phoenix Rescue Mission and other faith-based nonprofits like it are well-known among the Valley’s nonprofit sector. “Everybody knows,” M.B. said, adding that the practice is a way to manipulate people. “Everybody who works in that field for any significant amount of time knows the way that those agencies function.” ## Sign up for The LOOKOUT newsletter Get Arizona's "Best Newsletter of 2023" directly in your inbox at the end of every week. Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. ### A teacher’s road to acceptance, and fighting back against hate URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-teachers-road-to-acceptance-and-fighting-back-against-hate/ Last updated: 2025-07-11T14:55:38.000Z On July 13 of this year, River Chunnui decided to do something they had never thought about before: stand in public at a school board meeting and tell their side of the story. “I just was terrified,” Chunnui said. “I was so scared.” For months, Chunnui, who is nonbinary and who uses they and them pronouns, had been the target of fearmongering, specifically by two school board members in the district where they worked. Chunnui looked both Heather Rooks and Rebecca Hill in the eye, describing what it was like to be on the receiving end of a hate-filled campaign against gender identity. “Let me be clear,” Chunnui said. “The past year has been nothing short of two members of this very board lobbying against a subgroup of individuals and children simply because of who they are. This is the very definition of discrimination. And this discrimination, prejudice, transphobia and hatred for other–” “Point of order,” Hill interrupted. “Point of order. You're not allowed to call me transphobic. That's a slur.” Rooks came to Hill’s defense, “Yes, if you could just please refrain from comments made against those–” The crowd of a few dozen people screamed back: “Shame on you!” The people had had enough. #### Three things to know - In Arizona, Peoria Unified School District has been at the center of the argument on religion, parental rights, and the conservative-created culture war on LGBTQ+ issues. - River Chunnui is one of dozens of people who have been targeted by far-right religious extremists who attend public school board meetings, as well as elected officials, who say that queer people like Chunnui "sexualize" children, without evidence. - Chunnui has filed a lawsuit against the school district, and is now becoming vocal and public about their experiences being a target of the far-right. Through social media posts and their known position on Peoria’s Governing School Board, Rooks and Hill have attacked trans kids in schools and on sports teams. They have used religion to promote extremist ideologies in a public forum, garnering the attention of Turning Point USA, a far-right religious and political group that denounces the existence of trans people. As the audience moaned in defiance, shrugged, and rolled their eyes, Rooks raised her voice: “Excuse me! If you continue, I will ask the officer in the back of the room to remove you.” Chunnui continued to address the room. “We have a moral responsibility to speak out against discrimination and injustice, even when those who commit such acts are in positions of power. The consequences of silence are too high for queer and trans students who already experience higher rates of depression and suicidal ideation. Our students, our children, are watching us and counting on our voices.” Since coming out publicly at work two years ago, Chunnui, a special education teacher who has taught in Arizona for more than a decade, has been a target. Both local far-right elected officials and evangelical Christians called for Chunnui termination online and during school board meetings. At first, Chunnui avoided the spotlight, fearful that speaking out would put their two daughters in harm’s way. But violence eventually found them. The stress of coming out and the hostility from people they didn’t even know became so unbearable that last November, Chunnui tried taking their own life. Chunnui's experience is far from isolated. In interviews with dozens of students and staff across Maricopa County, LOOKOUT has learned that the experience for trans people attending (and working at) public schools has become tenuous, at best. It coincides with the spate of anti-queer rhetoric and legislation nationwide over the past year. In Arizona alone, state legislators have passed 12 bills to limit queer visibility in public and private spaces. Although Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed all of the legislation, it is cold comfort to people like Chunnui, who have been navigating public life in the middle of a one-sided culture war. The most heated public debates are happening at school board meetings and public meetings in which religious groups and individuals are using scripture to shape public policy. Meetings like the one at which Chunnui spoke. As a result, the increased harassment and false information said regarding LGBTQ+ issues in the meetings has resulted, anecdotally, in the rise of violence. Chunnui knows first-hand about, with threatening emails and phone calls, car tires slashed on school grounds, and rock-smashed windows at home. But with a new-found self-advocacy, Chunnui has decided to fight back and stand up against the same people who would rather see them—and others like them—go away. ### THIS IS ME ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/10/_MG_6180.jpg) River Chunnui outside their school in Peoria. (Photo by Joseph Darius Jaafari) Chunnui became a teacher more than a decade ago. Helping children learn about themselves and watching them grow is part of what makes the job so rewarding. But working with kids who have special needs is the personal fulfillment of a professional dream. In 2021, Chunnui secured the teaching job in Peoria they had always wanted. “I was set on getting a job in Peoria at Desert Harbor,” Chunnui said. “I knew the people that worked there, I knew the work that went into that school, and I knew that I could excel there.” Around that time, Chunnui was also on a personal journey. Words like “transgender” and “nonbinary” were brand new to the cultural lexicon. For Chinnui, these words were relatable, at last. As a child, the idea of being a girl or a boy didn’t compute with Chunnui. One night, their mother sat down with an anatomy coloring book and talked about the differences between boys and girls. When their mother wasn’t looking, Chunnui grabbed a pair of scissors and began cutting and pasting body parts. “This is me,” Chunnui remembers saying to their mother, proudly. Their mother said it wasn’t possible to be both. That moment stuck with Chunnui their whole life, and made the transition to identifying as nonbinary difficult, both personally and professionally. With two kids at home and being newly divorced from their husband, trying to solve personal issues with managing a new identity was too difficult a task to wrangle. Chinnui originally came out as a lesbian to test the waters of coming out. But it wasn’t enough because it wasn’t fully true. As the COVID pandemic settled, so did Chunnui's anxieties over the world’s perception of them. That same year they got the job in Peoria, Chunnui came out as nonbinary to their boss. At first, there was acceptance. When Chunnui asked if they could announce being nonbinary to the staff in an email, the principal, Chunnui said, shifted a bit. “I don’t know,” Chunnui remembers the principal saying. “Let me talk to the district.” A few days later, they were authorized to send an email explaining their pronouns. It was then Chunnui took on the name “River” publicly. “It felt so freeing,” they said. The students were unfazed. Chunnui explained that they would simply go by “Mx” instead of “Miss.” There weren’t any questions, no talk about genitals or the intricacies of gender dysphoria or class discussion on if girls are indeed just girls. But Chunnui's announcement did not sit well with the school district. ### A HISTORY OF INTOLERANCE When Markus Ceniceros was in the eighth grade, his teacher hung a sign outside the classroom. He remembers it was a rainbow flag, and it meant one thing—that people like Ceniceros were safe. The sign didn’t appear randomly—it was there because members of the Littleton School District community in western Phoenix were unhappy with the presence of gay teachers and a gay principal, Ceniceros said. Ceniceros, now 19, remembers the conversations the sign sparked in his school, that being gay wasn’t OK, and it was an affront to God. A week after it went up, the sign was removed. The message to Ceniceros and his classmates was clear: They were not welcome. “I don’t want kids to have to go through what I went through,” said Ceniceros, who now sits on a school board as one of the state’s youngest elected LGBTQ+ individuals. He governs the same district where he once closeted himself, in Littleton. The rhetoric around queer people’s existence in public has only heightened, he said.. This year, Ceniceros tried to push for a statement of support for queer kids during Pride month. He tried to bring up his own experience as a gay young boy in Arizona, and how there was immense fear and shame. It didn’t get the votes. Although his stories have shed light in school board discussions, they have not helped push the narrative that queer kids do exist, and that they need to feel welcome and safe when they enter a classroom. “If we are leaders in learning, we have to learn from every student's experience,” he said. The Littleton School District is in Avondale, about 20 miles away from Peoria. The cultural climate and discussions around queer visibility are just as prevalent there as they are in Peoria, showing that the discussion has permeated almost every part of Phoenix’s various education boards. School boards from Gilbert to Glendale have experienced a wave of people showing up at school boards or town halls, using religion and conservative talking points to denounce the experiences of trans kids using public bathrooms or who can play in sports. Last month, LOOKOUT published data that shows how in the Peoria Unified School District, religious words, such as “Jesus,” “God,” “church,” or “Bible,” were brought up at least 47 times during board meetings between February and August 2023 in an attempt to sway votes on agenda items related to LGBTQ+ issues. These same people attempted to get Chunnui fired from their job for simply sending an email about an honorary national holiday. ### “I see you” It was March 31, 2022, International Trans Day of Visibility. When Chunnui arrived at work, they saw a handful of students congregating outside of the school dressed in teal, white, and pink, the colors of the transgender flag. (This year, President Joseph R. Biden released a statement proclaiming March 31 a national holiday honoring trans people.) On the same day that the kids stood outside their school showing their pride, former Gov. Doug Ducey was miles away at the state Capitol and refused to acknowledge that trans people even existed. Instead, he doubled down on two bills he signed: one that banned gender-affirming care for youth, and another that banned trans girls and women to play in girls’ high school sports. “We have trans kids on our campus and in our district. What does that say to them when they don’t get any kind of acknowledgement?” Chunnui asked, “I was just thinking to myself that teachers probably should just be aware of why a number of students are dressed like this.” In an email, Chunnui wrote to the school staff: > “Hello Fabulous Staff. I just wanted to let you know that you may see our students wearing more pink, teal, and white today. Today is a quickly growing annual event called ‘International Transgender Day of Visibility.’ Our President is expected to make some announcements today on new \[legislation\] to protect the rights of Trans students…many of our students have taken a keen interest in these legislative movements. How can you help? If you notice a student purposefully wearing the colors of the trans flag, a simple ‘I see you’ or ‘I support you’ can go a long way. Thank you fabulous staff!” The email didn’t seem ground-breaking. It was, by all accounts, an “FYI.” People often sent emails to the entire staff about upcoming fundraisers, personal life updates, and any news to share on or off campus, Chunnui said. This email, telling teachers about an honorary holiday, seemed equally on par. But the email was leaked to far-right evangelical and conservative talking heads in addition to local elected officials going as high as the state Senate. “No level of sexuality or lifestyle should be pushed onto little children. I don’t care if they are pushing for heterosexuality. Leave our kids alone. Teach them math, reading, and science,” said Warren Petersen, the leading Republican state senator who represents Gilbert. “These actions are completely inappropriate as someone who is in a position of trust with our children.” Facebook and Twitter posts attacked the teacher and the school district, calling Chunnui and the other teachers “groomers” and sexually exploiting kids. But Chunnui, who had gone home sick with COVID a few hours after sending the email, had no clue that anything was wrong until days later: “I got a phone call several days later, because I was quarantining, from the principal saying, ‘Hey just letting you know the news got ahold of your email’.” The email circulated among far-right news sites, such as AZ Free News, and was being parroted by people who normally espouse and legislate anti-trans policy, such as Peterson. Chunnui was confused. “I didn’t really understand at all, because I felt my email wasn’t negative in any way,” they said. “I didn’t feel it wasn’t educational, and I felt it was necessary for our teachers to know why a small group of students was dressed that way.” By the end of the day, Chunnui was placed on administrative leave, pending an investigation. “It was devastating,” Chunnui said. “My identity is tied to being a teacher. Much of my friendships are with my community of teachers. And when you’re on paid leave, you’re not allowed to talk to your co-workers. You’re really taken away from your community.” ### TO THE END Meanwhile, school board leaders such as Rooks and Hill began their campaign to remove Chunnui. Rooks, who often re-tweets posts from the LGBTQ+ hate group Moms for Liberty, received a copy of Chunnui's original email sent out to staff about their transition and posted it on Twitter with Chunnui's full name. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/10/Screenshot-2023-09-11-at-11.21.32-AM.png) Before Heather Rooks became a governing school board member, she would often post on X, formerly known as Twitter, anti-LGBTQ+ statements and tried inciting people to rally against Chunnui and other LGBTQ+ people. (Screenshot from X) Chunnui's birth name was exposed and said out loud during board meetings, and was posted online. Hate-filled emails, sent to both their personal email address and official school account, flooded their inbox. An investigation sanctioned by the school district made Chunnui's life harder, they said, explaining that the process and the questions asked were “unfair” and “felt political.” The investigator asked questions about Chunnui's email: why they sent it, their curriculum, and what books were read. “She kept asking, ‘are you teaching pronouns’,” Chunnui remembered. “And I just kept saying no.” The investigator asked why Chunnui decided to read a book about boys wearing pink on a public reading day. Chinnui explained that the choice was made by their own child, and it was broadcast over the district’s YouTube channel without repercussions. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/10/Copy-of-Substack-Banner.png) Enjoy our reporting? Consider giving a small donation in our tip jar below. [Tip Jar](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tip-jar/) By the next year, in an April public meeting for the school district, Hill and Rooks both motioned to rehire a roster of teachers except for Chunnui and one other teacher. During that board meeting, a rock went through the window of Chunnui's home, according to a Peoria Police Department’s report. “I didn’t know how to compartmentalize it all. I was just prioritizing keeping my job,” Chunnui said. The stress of being called out publicly and having their reputation questioned took a toll on on Chunnui's mental health. Soon after, Chunnui took a handful of pills and tried ending their life. A speedy phone call to friends saved Chunnui, who stayed in an inpatient psychiatric care facility for a week. The suicide attempt wasn’t going to be a moment of failure for Chunnui. Instead, they used it as an opportunity to grow and advocate for themself and other students. They decided to fight back and put an end to the abuse. In July this year, Chunnui filed a civil complaint against Peoria Unified School District and board members Rooks and Hill. The complaint asks for $50,000 in damages and an additional $1,000 from both Hill and Rooks. Hill has since resigned from her position on the board. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/10/RIVER_2.jpg) River Chunnui speaks in front of cameras during an event in the park next to their school. (Photo by Joseph Darius Jaafari) ### A NEW SELF On August 13, 2023, Chunnui stood in front of a large crowd for the second time. Rather than addressing the people who had drove them to the lowest point in their life, this crowd was there in support. Flanked by cameras and photographers, they fumbled with a megaphone; speaking still wasn’t a strongsuit, and they relied on reading from a phone. But Chunnui had a lot to say, and a little bit of stage fright wasn’t going to stand in their way. The crowd—which had gathered to support Chunnui's battle against the Peoria Unified School District—cheered and waved signs, calling for an end to queer-based hatred. It was a moment Chunnui had been yearning for—acceptance among a crowd of people that saw them for what they were, not just how they labeled themselves. Standing outside Desert Harbor Elementary in Peoria, the school Chunnui worked so hard to be part of, their voice shook slightly when starting to speak. Their message was clear. They took a big breath in, and yelled: “My name is River Chunnui and my pronouns are they, them!” *A version of this story in the magazine misspelled Chunnui's last name. We regret the error.* ### County attorney's appearance at Moms for Liberty event raises questions on political alignment with hate group URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/rachel-mitchell-moms-for-liberty-hate-group/ Last updated: 2024-09-30T23:09:52.000Z #### Correction **An earlier version of this story misidentified Sen. Jake Hoffman as president of the Senate. He is the leader of the Arizona Freedom Caucus. We regret the error.* *Mesa, Ariz.*— A Moms for Liberty event that took place in Mesa last week applauded state legislators who have actively promoted anti-LGBTQ+ policies. But the event also included Rachel Mitchell, the Maricopa County Attorney, who has in the past remained silent on the debate waged by conservative lawmakers on LGBTQ+ rights in public schools. The full meeting was posted on [YouTube by AZ Right Watch](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7xjiOiewVk&ref=lookoutnews.org), an activist group focused on exposing far-right ideologies among the state’s elected officials. Mitchell’s appearance was a surprise, as her presence wasn’t mentioned in the initial invite to the event. She attended alongside State Superintendent of Public Schools Tom Horne, Sen. Jake Hoffman, Sen. Justine Wadsack, and other local representatives. Mitchell didn’t speak on stage with the other lawmakers, but Rep. Barbara Parker, R-Mesa, pointed her out by name as someone who is “fighting” against pedophilia and grooming inside public schools. *LOOKOUT* asked the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office how many cases are being prosecuted dealing with sexual imagery of children, in direct relation to LGBTQ+ publications, as the representative alluded. We have not received an answer, but will update this story with comment if we receive one. Other comments made at the event that targeted LGBTQ+ people included Tom Horne calling queer rights groups, “the crazy'' side, as well as state leader of the Arizona Freedom Caucus Jake Hoffman boasting about his ability to get a law passed that banned diversity training for state agencies. He said students were being indoctrinated, “sexualized and dumbed down.” It’s unclear how much Mitchell’s political background supports what was said on stage last week, but attending a Moms for Liberty group is suspect, in itself, considering that the Southern Poverty Law Center has labeled the group as an anti-LGBTQ+ hate group, as well as an anti-government group. A speaker at the event dismissed the SPLC’s designation of the group, joking that they were among “radical American terrorists.” The SPLC has been the nation’s leading organization that designates hate groups across the U.S. since the 1990’s, and explains on their website [how they label and categorize groups.](https://www.splcenter.org/news/2020/03/18/methodology-how-hate-groups-are-identified-and-categorized?ref=lookoutnews.org) Moms for Liberty’s leaders have routinely denounced LGBTQ+ communities and their existence, calling queer people “groomers” and attempting to get queer-friendly books banned from public schools. And their arrival in Mesa comes at a time when the Federal Bureau of Investigation this year noted that Arizona is one of the [leading states with the most anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes](https://lookoutphx.substack.com/p/despite-record-low-reports-az-still) in the country. Mitchell’s office didn’t respond to comment on who invited her to the event, nor would her office provide context to her involvement with speakers or the event organizers. The main speaker at the Moms for Liberty event was Horne, who said in media interviews before his appearance that he would focus only on charter schools and the state’s voucher program. But at the beginning, Horne spoke about how he was vehemently against trans girls playing in girls sports, and went all the way in quoting an Arkansas lawmaker who said, “We’re involved in a war between the normal and the crazy,” he said, adding that he was the only person in Arizona top leadership ”fighting in the war against the crazy.” *LOOKOUT* reached out to Horne’s office for comment. His office said he was not immediately available for a response. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/09/Copy-of-Substack-Banner.png)](http://lookout-publications.fundjournalism.org/lookout-publications-1?ref=lookoutnews.org) Enjoy our reporting? Consider a small donation through our tip jar below. [Tip Jar](http://lookout-publications.fundjournalism.org/lookout-publications-1?ref=lookoutnews.org) ### Woman’s arrest in Flagstaff reveals missteps in police interactions with queer community URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/woman-arrested-flagstaff-lgbtq-liaison/ Last updated: 2024-02-23T18:56:39.000Z The City of Flagstaff boasts on its main city website a nearly perfect score with the Human Rights Campaign, especially when it comes to interactions with police. Out of a possible score of 12, HRC awarded the city 10 points for having an LGBTQ+ liaison in the police department and reporting hate crime data to the FBI. But a recent arrest of a woman who transitioned for felony assault after she claimed she attacked in self defense and the subsequent police report issued by the Flagstaff Police Department calls into question if the training done inside Flagstaff’s police department is actually in service of the community. In the report, one officer consistently dead-names and misgenders the woman, and downplayed her allegation of an attack. In a probable cause affidavit obtained by *LOOKOUT* through a records request, officers consistently referred to Epona Rose, a 34-year-old woman who started medically transitioning almost two years ago, as “he,” describing her as a “male dressed in feminine clothing” and dead-named Rose multiple times. (”Dead-naming” means calling someone by the name they had before transitioning.) “I socially transitioned years ago,” Rose said, adding that she’s been on hormone replacement therapy, as well, and has had her ID changed to show their gender as female. But police consistently misidentified and misgendered her, despite being told to stop. Rose provided a copy of her state ID to *LOOKOUT* which showed her gender listed as female. One of the officers’ reports said: “Just my referring to \[Rose\] as ‘him’ was enough to cause an instantaneous and very angry response,” the officer wrote in his report. “He stated ‘Her! My sex is 'her' on my identification! It's female. This is the whole problem, this is the whole problem! That's why they abused me, that's why they fucking attacked me!’” But most glaring is the absence of Rose’s version of events in the affidavit. Out of the 27-page report, there is only one paragraph dedicated to her side of the story. “She began explaining the two men were attempting to fight her due to her being transgender,” the affidavit read. “Both males stood up from the table and were taking aggressive stances so she reached into her bag and pulled out a can of bear mace. She then sprayed the two men with the bear mace and one male continued to ‘talk shit’ so she placed him in a choke hold.” Another officer in his report downplayed the alleged assault, saying the men were “being mean” to Rose. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/09/IMG_0092-1.jpeg) Protesters gather outside the Coconino County Courthouse in Flagstaff to demand the release of Epona Rose. Rose was arrested and charged with two felony assaults and three misdemeanors, but she says that she was attacked for being trans and acted in self-defense. (Credit: FreeEponaRose.org) County prosecutors rely on probable cause affidavits written by police to determine if an arrest was warranted. With only one side of the story told in the affidavit, it’s unclear if the county attorney knew that Rose claimed that the men initially sexually assaulted her. The affidavit quoted the alleged victims of the attack, who said that Rose attempted to have a conversation with a group of five men near Heritage Square in downtown Flagstaff. One of the men identified as a victim said that Rose, “kept pressing her like transexualness, rights, this and that," and that she was “trying to force a conversation that nobody wanted to have.” The man said he told Rose to leave after she head butted one of the men “out of nowhere,” but allegedly came back after 20 minutes and maced one of the other men, and put a knife against his throat. A witness doesn’t describe what lead up to the attack, but did tell officers that an altercation happened where Rose allegedly screamed, “Here is this for aggressiveness or violence” after macing someone. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/09/IMG_0094.jpeg)](http://lookout-publications.fundjournalism.org/lookout-publications-1?ref=lookoutnews.org) Do you enjoy this kind of reporting? Your donations helps keep LOOKOUT free to the public and helps pay writers fairly. Use the tip jar below to give a donation. [Tip Jar](http://lookout-publications.fundjournalism.org/lookout-publications-1?ref=lookoutnews.org) Rose, who had never seen a copy of the affidavit before *LOOKOUT* contacted her, said the men’s story was “great fan fiction.” She said their account is vastly different from Rose’s version. She said that while killing time for her friend to show up in Heritage Square, five men were at a table drinking. She said she asked to join the group and they invited her in, and Rose said she did talk about about having transitioned years ago. “We were all talking for a while, laughing even,” she said, contradicting one of the men’s stories that Rose was never invited to join the group. “Then they kept asking me questions about what’s in my pants, and I kept pushing back and saying it was none of their business.” Rose allegedly asked multiple times to change the conversation, which is when one of the men put his hand up her leg and touched her genitals. Rose said she pushed the man’s hands away and she attempted to fight the men off, and ended up macing the men. The police report said she was mirandized, but Rose said that never happened, and despite asking for a lawyer multiple times, they were not granted one. The report said she did ask for a lawyer at least twice before being questioned, but spoke willingly after they informed her of her rights. The City of Flagstaff did not provide comment by the time of publishing Thursday a.m., but we will update this story in the event they respond. Flagstaff’s police department has a “Citizen Liaison Committee” that, according to the police’s website, “proactively build\[s\] trust among our constituencies and between the constituencies and the Flagstaff Police Department.” There is a phone number listed that goes to a voicemail that isn’t always monitored, according to the FPD website. Flagstaff also has an LGBTQ+ liaison, according to the Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index. *LOOKOUT* contacted FPD Chief of Police Dan Musselman twice by email to inquire on trainings offered by the liaison, or how Rose’s arrest and the officer’s report comports with the training rank-and-file officers receive. We received no response back. *This story has been updated to confirm a statement made by Rose.* --- ***Before you leave, we’d like to take a moment and tell you how important your contributions are in helping make* LOOKOUT *free to the public. You’ll never see our work behind a paywall, and we’ll never sacrifice our storytelling for clicks or advertisers. But we need your help. [*Become a member today and consider a tax-deductible monthly or yearly donation to LOOKOUT.*](http://lookout-publications.fundjournalism.org/lookout-publications-1?ref=lookoutnews.org)*** ### How "God" and "Jesus" found themselves in Peoria School Board politics. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/peoria-unified-school-district-religion-god/ Last updated: 2024-09-29T21:39:13.000Z Peoria, Ariz. — Community members and elected officials in Peoria's school district were responsible for quoting religious scripture and using loaded religious language to justify eliminating trans rights, a *LOOKOUT* analysis shows. Religious language was used at least 47 times in the past year during school board meetings at Peoria Unified School District, some of them by elected board members. *LOOKOUT* downloaded and transcribed over 35 hours of audio from board meetings held between February and August this year to see how often certain religious words were quoted in order to promote limiting or completely decimating LGBTQ+ rights inside publicly funded schools. The words *LOOKOUT* did a search for were: “God,” “Jesus,” “Christ,” “Lord,” “church” and “Bible.” The analysis also did a search for religious scripture, such as Psalms or quotes from specific books of the Bible. *LOOKOUT* analyzed the context of the words said so that everyday uses—such as the word "God" in the Pledge of Allegiance or as an exclamation—were not included in the total count. Most of the comments came from members of the public, including people who ally themselves with national and local far-right groups, such as Turning Point USA, which is based in Arizona. A member of that group, for example, said at a May 22 meeting that the school board was not adhering to the tenets of the Christian religion, adding that, “Members of this board are neither securing the God given rights of the students and families of this community, nor are they defending the innocent entrusted to their care.” Other comments made by community members included: - “We believe that we are called as Christians to love everyone. But loving someone does not mean agreeing with them on everything. It does not mean condoning behaviors. And it does not mean sacrificing our identity and beliefs for others. I feel that a policy needs to be written to protect our girls.” - “You take God out of it, and this is what you get. It's kind of too bad." - “I want God in the decision making on this board.” [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/Copy-of-Substack-Banner-2.png)](http://lookout-publications.fundjournalism.org/lookout-publications-1?ref=lookoutnews.org) Like this kind of reporting? Consider donating to us and help keep queer local journalism alive. [Tip Jar](http://lookout-publications.fundjournalism.org/lookout-publications-1?ref=lookoutnews.org) Governing boards can't stop people from speaking during public comment, but individual members are required to abstain from promoting their own religion. Still, two elected officials to the board—Rebecca Hill and Heather Rooks—consistently used religious language, or borrowed rhetoric from other religious leaders, to further anti-LGBTQ+ policies. In the past, both Rooks and Hill have been warned for speaking scripture by the school district's attorney, as well as by groups such as the [Freedom from Religion Foundation and Secular AZ](https://secularaz.org/activists-slam-religious-bigotry-at-peoria-unified-school-district-meeting/?ref=lookoutnews.org), both watchdog nonprofits dedicated to church and state separation. But *LOOKOUT*'s analysis gives a glimpse into how both members' stature on the board has emboldened evangelicals to come out in their support. At least four times, *LOOKOUT* tracked members of the public applauding the two officials for using religious rhetoric. One community speaker even said, referring to Hill and Rooks, "I appreciate the board officials who are standing on the side of righteousness. Thank you and God bless you for your boldness." Though Rooks has never been as bold as Hill to use specific religious scripture to justify promoting anti-trans rules or regulations in the meetings, she starts out every meeting with a publicly stated prayer, and often uses talking points made by other religious leaders about "protecting" girls from trans girls. Hill, though, used religion at least twice to specifically target trans youth, including one time where she said it was “Time to protect our kids, specifically our girls. And one final thing… God has been brought up a lot. And God created man, and God created woman.” Hill recently resigned from her position, [citing family reasons](https://www.azfamily.com/2023/08/15/peoria-school-board-member-resigns-had-told-parents-unenroll-district/?ref=lookoutnews.org). Her position will be appointed until next term. During the most recent meeting on Aug. 24, one community member advocated for Hill: “We're all free to exercise first amendment rights, including those with the dumb anti-science ideas like gender fluidity,” she said. “But I'll tell you what these two board members have done. They have triggered the anti God, anti Christian prejudice, hetero-phobic Target moms, Bud Light dads and Disney district employees who are obsessed with sexualizing children.” The analysis done by *LOOKOUT* shows how the argument against trans rights in public places, such as schools, has become a foundational argument for religious people, despite taxpayer-funded agencies and government officials being required to keep personal religious beliefs out of the decision-making process. Peoria Unified is not the only school district to face community members using religious bigotry to promote anti-LGBTQ+ rules. Earlier this year, Washington Elementary School District received national attention after trying to not renew a contract with a local college that forces their students to sign a pledge that included abiding by certain moral standards, including not recognizing trans people or same-sex couples. ### A trans woman in Flagstaff defended herself from an attack. She's now facing felony charges. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/flagstaff-trans-woman-attacked-facing-felony-charges/ Last updated: 2025-07-22T15:42:02.000Z ![Activists gather outside Coconino County Superior Court in Flagstaff, holding signs supporting Epona Rose, a transgender woman facing felony charges after defending herself.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/free-epona-credit-freeeponarose.org_-1.jpg) A protest led by group of local community activists was held outside the Coconino County Superior Court last week in support of Epona Rose. Rose, 32, was allegedly assaulted and after defending herself, was charged with two felonies and three misdemeanors. (Image courtesy of freeeponarose.org) *This is a developing story. We will update this page as we learn more. Have a tip about this story? Email us at editor@lookoutphx.org* A trans woman in Flagstaff who was allegedly harassed and sexually assaulted by multiple men is facing two aggravated assault charges after defending herself against her attackers, her lawyer and local activists said. On August 11, Epona Rose, 34, was attacked “by a group of three men while two or more watched. The men were drunk and sexually harassing her,” said a press release from activists working to free Rose from the Coconino County Detention Facility. “The attack escalated into threats of rape, and then to physical violence, when they realized that Epona is transgender.” The release said that Rose defended herself against the attacks, but was the only one arrested or charged. ![Close-up of Epona Rose, a transgender woman in Flagstaff, photographed at a rally advocating for her release and raising awareness of Flagstaff transgender violence issues.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/Screenshot-2023-08-22-at-6.17.00-PM.png) Epona Rose is being charged with two felonies and three misdemeanors after being allegedly attacked and defending herself against three men. (Photo courtesy of FreeEponaRose.org) Rose was “touched sexually without her consent," said her lawyer Ryan Stevens in a court filing. "She was subjected to transphobic statements. She was vulnerable, unsafe, and alone among a group of four or five men. Her actions were limited to the unique situation in which she found herself as a woman of trans experience.” There is no public record yet available that has released the names of the men Rose allegedly defended herself from. A voicemail was left with the Coconino County Attorney's Office after work hours. Rose was charged with two felonies and three misdemeanors, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and disorderly conduct, according to online court records. What happened to Rose that night is not clear, since police reports and probable cause affidavits were not made readily available to *LOOKOUT* through a public records request made on Tuesday afternoon. But through the organization [FreeEponaRose.org](https://freeeponarose.org/2023/08/21/press-release-trans-woman-arrested-after-being-attacked-in-flagstaff-az/?ref=lookoutnews.org), which has raised over $9,000 for Rose's bail and legal fees, she said that, "I defended myself against three men." She also said that the jail has classified her as a male, and that she does not feel safe. [![Clear reporting on issues, plus centering the community's voice, equals Lookout.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/Copy-of-Substack-Banner.png)](http://lookout-publications.fundjournalism.org/lookout-publications-1?ref=lookoutnews.org) A call to the detention facility did not confirm if she was being held as a male, but online court records show that she is being recorded under her former name, also called a "dead name." Originally arrested and facing charges of attempted murder, Rose was issued a $500,000 bond, according to court records. A grand jury, instead, indicted her for two felony aggravated assault charges and three misdemeanors. That bail amount is far out of reach for Rose and her friends, her lawyer said. "Ms. Rose's current bond is excessively high," Stevens wrote in a recent motion to get her removed from the jail. "She remains in custody solely due to a lack of financial resources." Bonds are issued to ensure that defendants show up in court, but trans women in other states have been disproportionately [effected by excessive bail amounts](https://www.out.com/transgender/2019/9/06/new-yorkers-establish-bail-fund-rescue-trans-women-jail?ref=lookoutnews.org). “Our goal is to make sure she’s out, and she’s safe,” Stevens told *LOOKOUT*. In Steven's motion to get his client removed from the detention center, he said that Rose is not a flight risk: "Ms. Rose dedicates her life to providing support to marginalized people and communities, including the Native American and transgender communities.” Last week, protesters and organizers gathered outside the Coconino County Superior Courthouse to demand Rose's release. More than 40 people attended a vigil later that day. Rose’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for August 28 at the Superior Courthouse in Flagstaff. ### A drag performer filed discrimination charges against Cottonwood City Council URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/cottonwoods-city-council-charged-with-discrimination-in-relation-to-local-drag-show/ Last updated: 2026-08-16T19:18:52.000Z Cottonwood, Ariz. — The owner and creator of a rural drag charity performance has filed a discrimination charge with the city of Cottonwood and the city council after its members voted to remove the organization’s liquor license from its event in April this past year. Christopher Hall, who performs as Miss Nature and runs the Miss Nature LLC brand, hosts an annual tour in rural Arizona towns and cities called Arizona Pride Tour. The performance raises money for charity as through family-friendly drag shows, Hall said. In April this past year, Hall brought the private drag show to Cottonwood, which was met with ferocious feedback from far-right community members and religious leaders who showed up at city council meetings. On April 4, four days before the event, there were worries that the drag show would have been canceled completely, prompting the ACLU of Arizona to[ write a legal letter](https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/23910224-img%5F0786?ref=lookoutnews.org) to the City of Cottonwood’s lawyer, Justin Pierce. The civil rights group said they were “fully prepared to take emergency legal action” to protect first amendment rights for the performers and the audience members. The members, instead, [voted to remove the liquor license from the show](https://lookoutphx.substack.com/p/another-drag-show-in-arizona-was?utm%5Fsource=twitter&sd=pf). Cottonwood Mayor Tim Elinski, said it was for “security reasons.” However, Hall said that the council removing the liquor license was discriminatory. [In his complaint with the Attorney General’s civil rights division](https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/23910223-765323c8-44bb-41f4-9cce-e7afee352b28?ref=lookoutnews.org), Hall said that he had approval by the council for both a liquor license as well as a rental application for the space, and had paid for two off-duty officers to “ensure adherence to the existing laws that protect our children from exposure to sexually explicit content or behavior.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/765323C8-44BB-41F4-9CCE-E7AFEE352B28.jpeg) A photocopy of the complaint made to the Attorney General's office by Christopher Hall, who said that him being denied a liquor license was discriminatory. The liquor license was not granted to Hall, but to a local business that was partnering with the drag show. Hall said the council “did not inform us of the alleged safety concerns,” or speak with them on how to mitigate any further issues brought by the community. [In the city’s response](https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/23910220-2023-05-01-hall-v-cottonwood-ps?ref=lookoutnews.org), it said that “Mr. Hall failed to provide any evidence to support his allegations,” and mentioned that Hall had not actually gained a liquor license through the council, because he was not eligible for one. ## Sign up for The LOOKOUT Newsletter Fierce, independent, and queer investigative news serving Arizona's LGBTQ+ community. Subscribe Email sent! Check your inbox to complete your signup. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. Since he was not the one denied the liquor license, Pierce said, the city could not be charged with discrimination. *LOOKOUT* reached out to Mayor Elinski and left voicemails at his office, but none were returned. “It seems like that they're using some kind of unspecified safety concern as a way to justify denying a liquor license, when the real reason they're denying this is they don't agree with the sort of content of the performance,” said Jared Keenan, the legal director for the ACLU of Arizona. Keenan said that there are other citywide events that have marked security concerns, but liquor licenses were never revoked. Since the charge, the Attorney General’s office has met with Hall to discuss his rebuttal, and they have a year to make a determination on if they will file a civil claim against the city, [according to the Attorney General’s website](https://www.azag.gov/civil-rights/faq?ref=lookoutnews.org). While Hall’s touring drag show has long passed, bigoted rhetoric around the queer community in Cottonwood hasn’t settled down. At an emergency city council meeting last week, one of the council members, Lisa DuVernay, a conservative, tried to get an ordinance proposed that would ban drag shows where minors would be present. She said that other states, such as Tennessee, have similar laws in place, and that Cottonwood would not find itself in legal troubles. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/Screenshot-2023-08-15-at-2.25.46-PM.png) Screenshot of a video taken during an emergency city council meeting held last week. During the meeting, Councilwoman Lisa DuVernay (above) said she was discriminated against for not being allowed to pass an anti-LGBTQ+ ordinance. (Image courtesy of Molly Heckman) But other states have, indeed, found themselves in pricey legal battles: Tennessee’s drag ban was overturned after a federal judge[ called the law unconstitutional](https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/03/politics/tennessee-drag-ban-law-unconstitutional/index.html?ref=lookoutnews.org). Texas’s drag ban is[ currently being challenged](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/drag-artists-and-lgbtq-advocates-sue-to-block-texas-law-expanding-ban-on-sexual-performances?ref=lookoutnews.org). Lawmakers in[ Arkansas had to gut a similar](https://fayettevilleflyer.com/2023/02/06/arkansas-house-passes-amended-bill-that-no-longer-targets-drag-performances/?ref=lookoutnews.org) bill and remove drag from the list of performances. And Florida’s ban on drag in public[ also has been blocked by a federal judge](https://apnews.com/article/lgbtq-desantis-florida-drag-shows-89cc68eb3a34ceead38ec00831817eb9?ref=lookoutnews.org) from moving forward. At the council meeting, DuVernay showed a video of an Austin, Texas Christmas drag show held in December last year and positioned local drag as sexual and inappropriate for children. “A lot of people within the crowd thought that that was a clip from (Hall’s drag show),” said Molly Heckman, a Cottonwood resident who advocates for the LGBTQ+ community locally. “So she is intentionally using her platform to manipulate her constituents into making the situation look a lot worse than it is.” *LOOKOUT* attempted to reach DuVernay by phone and email, but did not receive a response. The council voted against the measure 4-3, with Vice Mayor Debbie Wildem saying, “It would put the city under attack legally.” In her response, DuVernay claimed that she, instead, was being discriminated against. She went on to say that she would hire an outside lawyer to draft an ordinance in the hopes of bypassing the city council’s vote. There is another Cottonwood City Council meeting tonight. ### A popular drag bar's "ban list" has caused a rift in the community URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-popular-drag-bars-ban-list-has/ Last updated: 2026-08-16T19:13:04.000Z Phoenix, Ariz. — Community members have called out a local drag bar’s “ban list” as suspiciously racist and transphobic, after the names of the performers barred from the establishment was leaked online last week. Last month, a picture taken of a “no book list” for the popular drag bar Cruisin’ 7th was posted via Facebook and Instagram. The picture shows 10 people on the list, and online users pointed out that majority of them were people of color and trans women. Performers on the list are: SerraTonan Savage, Brooklyn DeMornay, Gaba Ghoul, Lala Vanhorn, Lawanda V Wakanda, Sassy D. DeMornay, Haze J. Hollywood, Tom Anita, Kristofer Inez Onyx, and Ivy Foxglove. Every bar or club has a similar kind of list for performers or customers who are unruly, cause trouble, or fight with management, but online users said that the list released was suspect for a number of the performers named, many of whom told *LOOKOUT* that they are only on the list because they have a sordid history with the owner’s husband, Mike McGarry, who runs the bar with his wife, Lynn. Performers — both on the list and not — said that McGarry has made racist comments, ignored complaints on assaults made against performers, and made misogynistic comments about trans women, though McGarry denies all the claims. Sassy D. DeMornay, a nonbinary performer, said when they started a show with trans drag performers, McGarry allegedly told them, “I don't think this is good idea because girls don't do drag.” “He had had many, many instances of doing things like that,” DeMornay said. McGarry denied ever saying that to DeMornay, and said that he cancelled her show because it was “averaging less than 25 people through the door,” he told *LOOKOUT* in a phone interview. “Our show room seats 80 people, about, so I think you can do the math. That's not a successful show. And I'm losing money.” But performers named on the ban list who spoke with *LOOKOUT* echoed similar stories, saying that their only reason for being banned was their personal experience with McGarry. McGarry, who also co-runs the bar The Anvil, said that the people who were listed were not targeted for being trans or people of color, but instead they were added to that list based on conversations with management, other staff, and show runners. “The 10 people that were on that list — no matter what, they were upset, I guess, because they're on the list,” McGarry said. “Maybe they didn't know why they were on the list. But it went obviously viral.” McGarry also said that people were lying online, and that many who said they’ve had conversations with him, he’s never met in real life before. He said he has personal Facebook messages that would show that he’s said nothing wrong, but wouldn’t provide them to *LOOKOUT* when asked for a copy. “In 21 years or whatever, we've probably been to 24 shows at most, probably not even,” McGarry said. “We don't go to drag shows. I have seen hosts. I don't see entertainers. I don't know most of them. I hardly met any of them. And so I rely on my staff to tell me who's been troublemakers or who's good and who's bad.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F9319f1e0-acfb-4536-8e65-f355136c8b67_970x250.png) [Subscribe now](#/portal/signup) The post showing the ban was met with fierce criticism from members of the queer community, and show runners met to discuss pulling their performances out of the establishment. But before they could pull their shows, the bar’s Facebook page said that all drag would be postponed, putting the slate of current drag performers out of work. McGarry said a show runner contacted him, saying they were receiving threats for putting on shows at Cruisin’ 7th, and he made the decision to cancel all shows out of safety. McGarry shared a screenshot of some messages between him and an unknown person, saying that he should pull the shows. “I don’t think it’s safe for your casts,” read the message. “I don’t trust these folks. They have violent reputations within the community.” One of the show runners, who didn’t want to be named because they still have a working relationship with the bar, said that they did receive threatening phone calls from people who demanded they stop performing at the bar, but the decision from management to cancel the shows felt like retaliation. “Before we were given the opportunity to walk away from our shows, the owner canceled all of the shows,” the show runner said. Because drag performing is often a tips-heavy job, not performing in the city’s most renowned drag spaces often means a hefty cut to income. “It's a gig economy,” said a prominent local drag artist who didn’t want to be named as they still get offered work at Cruisin’ 7th. “For some people, this is their primary livelihood.” The performer added that Cruising 7th’s “reputation is not new” in regards to how trans performers and performers of color feel unwelcome at the bar. Another trans performer not on the ban list said that when they perform there, they take the money and leave: “I’ll never buy a drink from that bar and give them money,” they said. Though once considered a safe space for trans women for decades, this isn’t the first time Cruisin’ 7th has been accused of discrimination within the community, which has now become infamous for not being a welcome space for trans and gender nonconforming people. SerraTonan Savage, a Black woman and drag performer, said that even when she was the reigning “Miss C7,” a regional award and title given to performers at the bar, the venue would not hire her for performances. “I feel like I’m not welcome,” Savage said. “If I'm not wanted in this space, why would I go there?” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F0b87c06a-074b-4a7c-be15-110c41a84b1d_970x250.png) [Donate to LOOKOUT](http://lookout-publications.fundjournalism.org/lookout-publications-1?ref=lookoutnews.org) ### AZ's trans athlete ban has been lifted. What's next? URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/azs-trans-athlete-ban-has-been-lifted-whats-next/ Last updated: 2026-08-16T18:38:12.000Z Phoenix, Ariz. — Last week, a federal judge for the U.S. District Court blocked the enforcement of Arizona’s controversial trans athlete ban in high school team sports, which barred transgender teens from playing in the sports that matched with their gender identity. The law, SB1165, was passed under former Gov. Doug Ducey’s final term in March 2022\. The bill was one of the first legislative actions the nation saw during the pre-midterm election cycle last year, which would later be used as a platform for conservative talking points around the queer culture wars. But as the law went into effect, two teenaged transgender girls brought a lawsuit against the state and AZ Public School Superintendent Tom Horne, who quickly dismissed the lawsuit and said the controversy around trans girls in sports wasn’t an “LGBT issue.” The two girls are unnamed in the lawsuit, but referred to as 11-year-old Jane Doe and 15-year-old Megan Roe. The student athletes [filed their suit ](https://lookoutphx.substack.com/p/tom-horne-says-the-trans-student)against Arizona in an attempt to lift the state’s law. Since the district court judge made her ruling, and as the case runs through the court system, the two girls represented in the lawsuit have been able to return back to playing on their respective teams according to their gender identity. Horne pledged to appeal the ruling, and said that if the battle goes [all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court](https://ktar.com/story/5519143/arizona-schools-chief-horne-calls-transgender-sports-ruling-wrong-says-he-will-appeal/?ref=lookoutnews.org), the justices would “rule in our favor,” he said during an interview with *KTAR* Radio. “We are very pleased with the Court’s decision that allows our clients to play on girls’ sports teams while this case proceeds,” said Rachel Berg, a staff attorney at the National Center for Lesbian Rights, in a [press release](https://www.nclrights.org/about-us/press-release/arizona-federal-court-allows-transgender-girls-to-play-on-girls-sports-teams/?ref=lookoutnews.org). ”The Court recognized the law is overbroad and cannot survive constitutional scrutiny. We look forward to securing a permanent ruling.” Berg briefly spoke with *LOOKOUT Phx* about the case, which you can read below: Not a paid subscriber yet? LOOKOUT Phx is the state’s ONLY independent news site for LGBTQ+ issues. Subscribe today! **LOOKOUT: What was the lawsuit you brought against Arizona in relation to SB1165?** **BERG:** Arizona passed a law in 2022 that bans all transgender girls from playing school sports on girls’ teams. So we brought a lawsuit to challenge the constitutionality of that law and we also allege that it violates civil rights-related statutes. **LO: Can you explain what happened last week with the circuit court’s ruling? What exactly did it do?** **B:** We filed what’s called a motion for preliminary injunction, which is to get relief for our clients while the case proceeds through trial. The judge agreed with our entire case and said that she agreed that the law was unconstitutional and violated Title IX. So that means that our clients can play sports while the case proceeds through trial. **LO: So, essentially, the court's ruling lifts the sports ban temporarily. What does that mean? And what will it take for the case to secure a permanent ruling?** **B:** Now we have to go through the full litigation process and we now have a roadmap for the judge’s opinion to be able to follow in order to secure that permanent ruling. I’m confident we’ll be able to get that. **LO: Recently, President Joe Biden made his own** [**executive order regarding this**](https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/20/executive-order-preventing-and-combating-discrimination-on-basis-of-gender-identity-or-sexual-orientation/?ref=lookoutnews.org)**, can you explain how your case intersects with the executive order?** **B:** Biden passed an executive order? I think what you might mean to say is that the Department of Education issued and proposed a rule regarding Title IX and trans sports. However that rule has not yet gone into effect. I think it’s important to recognize that the Biden administration understands that laws that exclude trans youth from sports are unconstitutional and violate Title IX. ***LO Context: In 2021, Biden signed an executive order that ordered states to enforce discrimination laws for all transgender people in the U.S., including in youth sports. The executive order cited the* Bostock v. Clayton County *Supreme Court decision made in 2020, which established non-discrimination laws based on sex and sexual preference. This year, though, the*** [***White House pared back some of that language***](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/07/us/politics/transgender-athletes-schools-title-ix.html?ref=lookoutnews.org)***, and said that states could not establish outright bans, but must make considerations in a case-by-case basis.*** ***In addition, the Department of education proposed changes in 2022 to Title IX, which “would strengthen protections for students who experience sexual harassment and assault at school, and they would help protect LGBTQI+ students from discrimination,” according to the Department of Education’s Website. Those proposed changes, as Berg mentioned, have not taken effect.*** **LO: How has this case impacted the two families involved? What have they said and what are they excited or even scared about?** **B:** Our clients are, as stated in our press release, thrilled that the judge recognized that the law is unconstitutional and violates Title IX. They are thrilled that their daughters will be able to play sports with their friends this year. **LO: Have the families received any backlash in their communities or schools?** **B:** Not that I’m aware of. They’re also anonymous. **LO: How has the schools/community been supportive of the girls?** **B:** All I can say is that their families are very supportive of them. **LO: In response to the ruling, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tom Horne, released** [**a statement**](https://www.azed.gov/communications/horne-statement-federal-judge%E2%80%99s-ruling-challenge-arizona-law-prohibiting-biological?ref=lookoutnews.org)**, saying he’d take this all the way to SCOTUS. What’s at stake if this case goes all the way to the Supreme Court?** **B:** I think what’s important here is everybody knows what it feels like to be excluded when you’re a child. And no child should be excluded from a school activity because of who they are. **LO: Tom Horne continues to misrepresent the two transgender girls involved in the case. He calls them “biological boys” in press releases about the case. Have there been any conversations about that phrasing, and how it impacts these kids and their families?** **B:** I think what’s important is that the court recognized that these girls aren’t recognized as transgender girls, they’re recognized as the girls that they are. **LO: Does this court decision have any ancillary impacts with other anti-LGBTQ cases and laws in the state?** **B:** Not that I’m aware of. It provides a further basis for why laws that exclude people based on who they are, particularly transgender youth, are unconstitutional. ### What the lawyer representing trans student athletes says about the future for students URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/now-that-azs-transgender-sports-ban/ Last updated: 2023-10-10T16:49:13.000Z Last week, a federal judge for the U.S. District Court blocked the enforcement of Arizona’s controversial trans athlete ban in high school team sports, which barred transgender teens from playing in the sports that matched with their gender identity. The law, SB1165, was passed under former Gov. Doug Ducey’s final term in March 2022\. The bill was one of the first legislative actions the nation saw during the pre-midterm election cycle last year, which would later be used as a platform for conservative talking points around the queer culture wars. But as the law went into effect, two teenaged transgender girls brought a lawsuit against the state and AZ Public School Superintendent Tom Horne, who quickly dismissed the lawsuit and said the controversy around trans girls in sports wasn’t an “LGBT issue.” The two girls are unnamed in the lawsuit, but referred to as 11-year-old Jane Doe and 15-year-old Megan Roe. The student athletes [filed their suit ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tom-horne-says-the-trans-student/)against Arizona in an attempt to lift the state’s law. Since the district court judge made her ruling, and as the case runs through the court system, the two girls represented in the lawsuit have been able to return back to playing on their respective teams according to their gender identity. Horne pledged to appeal the ruling, and said that if the battle goes [all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court](https://ktar.com/story/5519143/arizona-schools-chief-horne-calls-transgender-sports-ruling-wrong-says-he-will-appeal/?ref=lookoutnews.org), the justices would “rule in our favor,” he said during an interview with *KTAR* Radio. “We are very pleased with the Court’s decision that allows our clients to play on girls’ sports teams while this case proceeds,” said Rachel Berg, a staff attorney at the National Center for Lesbian Rights, in a [press release](https://www.nclrights.org/about-us/press-release/arizona-federal-court-allows-transgender-girls-to-play-on-girls-sports-teams/?ref=lookoutnews.org). ”The Court recognized the law is overbroad and cannot survive constitutional scrutiny. We look forward to securing a permanent ruling.” Berg briefly spoke with *LOOKOUT Phx* about the case, which you can read below: **LOOKOUT: What was the lawsuit you brought against Arizona in relation to SB1165?** **BERG:** Arizona passed a law in 2022 that bans all transgender girls from playing school sports on girls’ teams. So we brought a lawsuit to challenge the constitutionality of that law and we also allege that it violates civil rights-related statutes. **LO: Can you explain what happened last week with the circuit court’s ruling? What exactly did it do?** **B:** We filed what’s called a motion for preliminary injunction, which is to get relief for our clients while the case proceeds through trial. The judge agreed with our entire case and said that she agreed that the law was unconstitutional and violated Title IX. So that means that our clients can play sports while the case proceeds through trial. **LO: So, essentially, the court's ruling lifts the sports ban temporarily. What does that mean? And what will it take for the case to secure a permanent ruling?** **B:** Now we have to go through the full litigation process and we now have a roadmap for the judge’s opinion to be able to follow in order to secure that permanent ruling. I’m confident we’ll be able to get that. **LO: Recently, President Joe Biden made his own [executive order regarding this](https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/20/executive-order-preventing-and-combating-discrimination-on-basis-of-gender-identity-or-sexual-orientation/?ref=lookoutnews.org), can you explain how your case intersects with the executive order?** **B:** Biden passed an executive order? I think what you might mean to say is that the Department of Education issued and proposed a rule regarding Title IX and trans sports. However that rule has not yet gone into effect. I think it’s important to recognize that the Biden administration understands that laws that exclude trans youth from sports are unconstitutional and violate Title IX. ***LO Context: In 2021, Biden signed an executive order that ordered states to enforce discrimination laws for all transgender people in the U.S., including in youth sports. The executive order cited the* Bostock v. Clayton County *Supreme Court decision made in 2020, which established non-discrimination laws based on sex and sexual preference. This year, though, the [*White House pared back some of that language*](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/07/us/politics/transgender-athletes-schools-title-ix.html?ref=lookoutnews.org), and said that states could not establish outright bans, but must make considerations in a case-by-case basis.*** ***In addition, the Department of education proposed changes in 2022 to Title IX, which “would strengthen protections for students who experience sexual harassment and assault at school, and they would help protect LGBTQI+ students from discrimination,” according to the Department of Education’s Website. Those proposed changes, as Berg mentioned, have not taken effect.*** **LO: How has this case impacted the two families involved? What have they said and what are they excited or even scared about?** **B:** Our clients are, as stated in our press release, thrilled that the judge recognized that the law is unconstitutional and violates Title IX. They are thrilled that their daughters will be able to play sports with their friends this year. **LO: Have the families received any backlash in their communities or schools?** **B:** Not that I’m aware of. They’re also anonymous. **LO: How has the schools/community been supportive of the girls?** **B:** All I can say is that their families are very supportive of them. **LO: In response to the ruling, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Tom Horne, released [a statement](https://www.azed.gov/communications/horne-statement-federal-judge%E2%80%99s-ruling-challenge-arizona-law-prohibiting-biological?ref=lookoutnews.org), saying he’d take this all the way to SCOTUS. What’s at stake if this case goes all the way to the Supreme Court?** **B:** I think what’s important here is everybody knows what it feels like to be excluded when you’re a child. And no child should be excluded from a school activity because of who they are. **LO: Tom Horne continues to misrepresent the two transgender girls involved in the case. He calls them “biological boys” in press releases about the case. Have there been any conversations about that phrasing, and how it impacts these kids and their families?** **B:** I think what’s important is that the court recognized that these girls aren’t recognized as transgender girls, they’re recognized as the girls that they are. **LO: Does this court decision have any ancillary impacts with other anti-LGBTQ cases and laws in the state?** **B:** Not that I’m aware of. It provides a further basis for why laws that exclude people based on who they are, particularly transgender youth, are unconstitutional. ### LOOKOUT awarded $400,000 grant by American Journalism Project URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/lookout-awarded-400-000-grant-by-american-journalism-project/ Last updated: 2023-10-10T16:12:31.000Z Phoenix, Ariz. - LOOKOUT Phx is pleased to share that it will participate in the American Journalism Project’s [Local News Incubator](https://www.theajp.org/incubator/?ref=lookoutnews.org), an 18-month program to support the development and launch of new local news organizations in communities across the country. The news organization was one of four teams chosen for the program, which has a specific focus on lowering the barrier to entry of diverse talent in the local news field by investing directly in founders and their ideas. Participating teams will receive $400,000 in seed capital for the incubation program. With entrance into the incubator, *LOOKOUT Phx* will be positioned to work alongside Arizona’s growing ecosystem of news outlets and help serve Phoenix’s local LGBTQ+ community through accountability journalism and community events. *LOOKOUT Phx* will work alongside coaches at the American Journalism Project to expand editorial strategy, operations, and fundraising, as well as bring on a team of reporters and business leaders who are invested in local news and the power it can bring to communities. .Joseph Darius Jaafari, an investigator formerly with The Arizona Republic, Spotlight PA and The Marshall Project, will lead the newsroom and oversee investigative projects and collaborative partnerships with other news outlets as Editor in Chief. “LGBTQ+ people are under attack by both local and national legislators seeking to take away our rights and bad actors sowing disinformation and fear about our communities,” said Jaafari. “Local news outlets aren’t meeting our community’s needs. Rather than be upset about the lack of coverage, the purpose of LOOKOUT is to help those newsrooms in a collaborative model. In turn, we’ll inform and nurture our community with fact-driven, insightful and non-partisan news that Arizonans will be proud to read.” “With this grant, we’ll be able to ensure that we interrogate and advance journalistic coverage of - and for - local queer communities through accountability journalism and deep investigations,” he said. *LOOKOUT Phx*’s business operations will be led by its inaugural Executive Director, Jake Hylton, a native to Arizona and entrepreneur with experience managing and running small business operations in the Phoenix area. “Arizona's queer communities are long overdue for meaningful representation. We deserve to be seen, heard and supported,” said Hylton. “Our communities have fought too hard and for too long to continue standing back while our humanity is overlooked and pulled out from under us. LOOKOUT Phx is a much needed source for Arizona’s queer community — the time for something like us is past due and I’m excited to say, our future is bright.” *LOOKOUT Phx* will continue to publish our weekly [subscription newsletter](https://lookoutphx.substack.com/subscribe). ### In rural Arizona, queer communities brace for impact URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/in-rural-arizona-queer-communities-brace-for-impact/ Last updated: 2023-08-14T16:56:02.000Z *This story was published in partnership with the [Arizona Mirror](https://www.azmirror.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org), an independent, nonprofit news organization that covers Arizona government and politics and is an affiliate of [States Newsroom](https://www.statesnewsroom.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org), a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by grants and a coalition of donors and readers.* *Prescott, Ariz.* — On one side of Granite Creek Park earlier this month, members of Prescott’s LGBTQ+ group, Prism Network, had a cake walk. They put up a “wishing wall” to write notes of hope, and had a board of photos with owners and their pets. Meeting them on the other side were members of a local far-right hate group. It was an outcome Prescott’s queer community has been forced to live with. Every time they put on an event to make queer people visible in this rural northern Arizona city, they said, they’ve experienced [twice as much pushback](https://twitter.com/WheatLuci/status/1672721358252568576?ref=lookoutnews.org), and even death threats. In years before, members of the nonprofit group had planned on protests or foul-mouthed passersby. They even had a sign out front preempting that, asking for people to take their “bad vibes” somewhere else. But this year has been different, members of the Prescott community said. The all-volunteer team of community organizers at Prism Network’s Pride Picnic said that anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric in Yavapai County has escalated. Organizers said they had received numerous homophobic threats leading up to the day of the picnic, and for the first time in their history, Prism hired off-duty police officers to protect people who simply showed up to eat snacks and win cakes. What’s happening in Prescott is not unique, but instead a small ripple effect from the nation’s politics: A rise in anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment, spurred by discriminatory media coverage and laws, has created a climate of hostility towards the queer community in both suburban and urban areas. But in the far-flung rural areas, there are few resources to help. ### **A national trend come home** Between June 2022 and April this year, there have been at least 356 incidents of anti-LGBTQ+ hate and extremism in the U.S., according to [a new report](https://www.adl.org/resources/report/year-review-anti-lgbtq-hate-extremism-incidents-2022-2023?ref=lookoutnews.org) from the Anti-Defamation League and the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. The incidents listed in the report included [armed members of Proud Boys and the Patriot Fron](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ohio-drag-queen-storytime-event-canceled-amid-armed-protests-proud-boys-patriot-front/?ref=lookoutnews.org)t, both [militant](https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/group/patriot-front?ref=lookoutnews.org) and [far-right hate groups](https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/group/proud-boys?ref=lookoutnews.org), [protesting and disrupting drag shows](https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2022/12/03/royal-oak-school-drag-storytime-canceled-proud-boys-protest-columbus/69691753007/?ref=lookoutnews.org), persistent bomb threats ([including one in Tempe](https://lookoutphx.substack.com/p/bomb-threat-made-against-children)) made on [various queer-focused events](https://www.thedailybeast.com/college-lgbtq-group-gets-bomb-threat-over-hosting-kid-friendly-drag-show?ref=lookoutnews.org) and businesses, and violent [threats of harm](https://abcnews.go.com/US/threats-lgbtqia-community-intensifying-department-homeland-security/story?id=99338137&ref=lookoutnews.org) to other LGBTQ+ organizations. At the start of June, the Human Rights Campaign [declared a state of emergency](https://www.hrc.org/press-releases/for-the-first-time-ever-human-rights-campaign-officially-declares-state-of-emergency-for-lgbtq-americans-issues-national-warning-and-guidebook-to-ensure-safety-for-lgbtq-residents-and-travelers?ref=lookoutnews.org) for LGBTQ+ people. The 2023 legislative session has been the worst year on record for anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, with [more than 75 anti-LGBTQ+ bills have gone into law this year](https://www.hrc.org/press-releases/roundup-of-anti-lgbtq-legislation-advancing-in-states-across-the-country?ref=lookoutnews.org) across the U.S. — doubling last year’s record. A total of 525 bills targeting the queer and trans community have been introduced in 41 states. Arizona’s queer community has, for the most part, evaded the trajectory of other conservative-majority states. Democrat Gov. Katie Hobbs, who has vetoed seven anti-LGBTQ+ bills that made it to her desk, [said that](https://www.azmirror.com/blog/hobbs-vetoes-anti-drag-bills/?ref=lookoutnews.org), “Intolerance has no place in Arizona, despite the legislature’s frequent attempts to pass legislation that says otherwise.” Still, legislators introduced [13 homophobic bills](https://equalityarizona.org/legislature/?ref=lookoutnews.org#antiLGBTQ), as classified by the LGBTQ+ rights group Equality AZ, in an attempt to win political points on the nation’s culture wars. > “I’ve seen people online calling librarians groomers, predators, pedophiles that they’re preying on kids, that our library staff are committing felonies, and that they’re supplying sexual content to children…That is not the case.” > \-Kell Palguta, Prescott Valley Mayor The Republican-backed bills included an [anti-trans bathroom bill](https://www.azmirror.com/2023/03/28/anti-trans-school-bathroom-bill-advances-with-gop-backing/?ref=lookoutnews.org) that would ban students from using the restroom that matches their gender identity, a [pronoun bill](https://www.azmirror.com/2023/05/22/hobbs-shoots-down-anti-trans-pronoun-ban/?ref=lookoutnews.org#:~:text=The%20bill%20would%20have%20barred,regardless%20of%20the%20student's%20request.) that would have required parents to give signed permission for students to be called by their preferred pronoun, a parental rights bill that would allow parents to [sue teachers for providing affirmative LGBTQ+ spaces](https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/78047?ref=lookoutnews.org) and a set of [drag bans](https://www.azmirror.com/blog/hobbs-vetoes-anti-drag-bills/?ref=lookoutnews.org) that set out to criminalize and restrict drag shows. And though the bills were always doomed to fail with Hobbs as governor, the goal to introduce legislation and gin up public anger over LGBTQ+ issues appears to be working, at the very least in Prescott. ### **Puppies vs. Proud Boys** In past years, Prism has hosted its annual picnic at Watson Lake, a reservoir about four miles north of Prescott. Surrounded by round granite boulders, the picnic used to take place on top of a hill where the wind, locals say, had a mind of its own: Attendees talked about the 2018 “gaynado” – a small microburst that sent papers from vendors and canopy tents flying everywhere, and also snatched the wig off a local drag queen’s head. As the lore goes, the wig still wanders the lake. To keep the picnic close to downtown Prescott this year, though, the venue changed from Watson Lake to Granite Creek Park. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fa0aa72c7-b93b-4e42-a62b-44cdb5e071a2_6000x4000.jpeg) The entrance into Prism's Pride Picnic at Granite Creek Park asked visitors to leave "bad vibes" at the door. (Photo by Yezmin Villarreal) The move wasn’t just for geographic reasons, organizers said. It also made sense in terms of the community’s safety. As the small, rural queer community faced increased opposition, it made sense to be closer to town in the event of hecklers or, worse, an active shooter. Molly Freibott, the co-founder of Prism Network, said religious groups earlier in the year started threatening members, with email subject lines that read: “Stop the Satanic worship,” and “God hates Pride.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F47989150-eec4-44c4-89ee-0284595200bc_1898x554.png) A screenshot of one of the messages sent to Prism Network regarding their picnic. (Courtesy of Prism Network) Most threats Prism receives are anonymous, but two groups, Prescott Valley Republican Women and Granite Mountain Republican Women, openly led threats and harassment campaigns against community members in the past. When the Prescott Valley Public Library created a small display for Pride in the children’s section of the library, representatives from the[ Prescott Valley Republican Women](https://prescottvalleyrw.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org) and [Granite Mountain Republican Women](https://www.gmrw.org/?ref=lookoutnews.org)’s group [harassed librarians](https://twitter.com/michele4board/status/1568736279759847426?ref=lookoutnews.org). Women from the group called for librarians to resign from their positions or requested they be fired, says Freibott. The librarians were concerned for their job safety and contacted Prism for support. Prism organized a letter-writing campaign and demanded that the Prescott Valley City Council respond. Prescott Valley’s mayor Kell Palguta later said at a [city council meeting](https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=453310553399735) that no books would be banned. “I’ve seen people online calling librarians groomers, predators, pedophiles that they’re preying on kids, that our library staff are committing felonies, and that they’re supplying sexual content to children,” Palguta said during the meeting. “That is not the case.” Prism has faced opposition to its LGBTQ+ community-building work in the past, but recent threats have pushed much of the work Prism and other local LGBTQ+ organizations are doing into the underground. Prism’s trans-specific support group no longer publicly lists the date or location of its meetings online. Two months ago, a queer prom for teenagers was postponed because of ongoing death threats, and was ultimately relocated to an undisclosed location. The Launch Pad Teen Center Prescott, which hosts a weekly meetup by the Phoenix’s LGBTQ+ youth group One-n-Ten, said their organization faced intense scrutiny during the recent Prescott School District Board elections because of their connection to One-n-Ten. One-n-Ten could not confirm any specific anti-LGBTQ+ threats made, but did say in an emailed statement that, "We are aware of the increased anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric in and around the Prescott satellite and have taken heighten safety precautions to ensure the safety of the young folks who attend this group." Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Prescott campus announced plans to host a drag show in April and consequently received death threats. News of the event reached international sponsors of the school, who threatened to pull sponsorship if they hosted the event. Word of the drag show [spread on social media](https://twitter.com/michele4board/status/1645792894031388674?ref=lookoutnews.org) and far-right conservatives called, emailed, and threatened the school for hosting the event. The drag show was canceled. Prism leaders believe the Pride Picnic would have been susceptible to additional threats from other conservative groups in the area if the group had publicly promoted the event on social media. Because of the rising anti-LGBTQ+ fervor in town, Prism opted to share the invite mostly through word-of-mouth. “I had to go around the picnic three times and let everyone know—we hired the police, they’re with us and there’s nothing going on,” said Friedbott. “This wasn’t an event where adults are attending with full knowledge that there could be protestors. This is an event where there’s kids, babies, seniors, and puppies.” ### **Feeling like a “sitting duck”** Prescott wasn’t the only city facing these kinds of threats from far-right militant groups and the legislators who support them. In Flagstaff, on the same weekend as the Pride picnic, the annual Pride in the Pines celebration held at the Thorpe Park Ball Fields was also the focus of conservative state Sen. Wendy Rogers, who called on her Twitter and Truth Social followers to protest outside an after-party drag show that was aimed at people over 16 years old. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F8a0d5f1e-4612-4c3c-bb91-e26477396d4d_1284x2778.png) A screenshot of Republican State Sen. Wendy Rogers’s Truth Social account calling on her followers to shut down the drag show happening in Flagstaff and saying attendees should be reported as child abusers. (Truth Social) In her post, she told her followers to call a child protective services hotline to complain that adults were abusing children by letting them attend the drag show. The event ended up hiring extra security, though only one protester showed up. Hiring off-duty police officers comes at a financial cost for Prism, which is an all-volunteer run organization. The nonprofit, run under the Greater Yavapai County Coalition, only raised less than $4,000 in its last tax filing year. John Duncan, an event planner for the Prism Network, organizes drag shows and theatrical productions in Yavapai County. He started, for the first time, receiving hate mail and calls this year and started paying for security. “It’s all been because of the political environment of what’s happening, and that’s primarily because of the drag shows,” he said. Duncan said there haven’t been any serious incidents, and that most of the threats end up not being real. The police presence at Saturday’s picnic, though, may have paid off. Someone hired for security located eight individuals who were standing on the outskirts of the park. The person identified the group wearing clothes associated with the Proud Boys, the far-right conservative group aligned with the January 6th insurrection. Although Proud Boys showed up armed at [a charity drag show event](https://lookoutphx.substack.com/p/another-drag-show-in-arizona-was?utm%5Fsource=twitter&sd=pf) in April in Cottonwood, they were unarmed at the picnic, according to Prism. Prescott Police at the Pride picnic told *LOOKOUT* they were notified of the presence of Proud Boys by attendees. The officers located the group and kept a close eye on them until they left the premises. The group cut through the picnic at least once, but didn’t cause any trouble, according to the officers. The two police officers said they parked their cruisers near the entrance of the Pride picnic to make their presence known to anyone driving into the park. One of the officers said he believed having two police marked vehicles at the entrance would intimidate anyone who may have come with bad intentions. At a booth for the First Congregational Church of Prescott, a lesbian couple who volunteer for their church, Melissa and Elizabeth Gates, voiced concern about rising anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment in Prescott. The couple described an incident that occurred the week before. While the two were standing in front of their church during the daytime, a man in a moving vehicle rolled down his window, stuck his head out, and yelled, “Fucking queers!” Elizabeth felt threatened after the incident, while Melissa, a former cop, says she doesn’t want to let such vocal instances of hate get to her. Because of the brewing anti-LGBTQ+ hostility in Prescott, Elizabeth insisted she and her partner finish up their trust and wills prior to tabling at the Pride Picnic event, “because you never know when there’s going to be another mass shooting.” Instead of feeling safe at Pride, Elizabeth described feeling like she’s a “sitting duck.” She said she’s not living in fear, but she’s being prudent. And she “feels freer” knowing that things will be taken care of if something were to happen to either of them. ### Here is a roundup of all the anti-LGBTQ+ bills Gov. Hobbs vetoed URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/here-is-a-roundup-of-all-the-anti-lgbtq-bills-gov-hobbs-vetoed/ Last updated: 2023-10-10T16:28:09.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F2648385a-6fb3-4abb-9473-db503bb3730f_1024x576.jpeg) Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoes a Republican-backed "skinny budget" proposal on Feb. 16, 2023\. The governor has vetoed three anti-LGBTQ+ bills so far, and is expected to sign a handful more before this session’s end. (Photo courtesy of Arizona Governor’s Office) Arizona. Gov. Katie Hobbs is not afraid to wield her veto power, to the point of being labeled the “veto queen,” by both Republicans and Democrats. In April, Hobbs surpassed the record of her Democratic predecessor, Gov. Janet Napolitano, with more than 60 vetoes. As of last week, though, that number has risen to [106 vetoes within her first year](https://www.azmirror.com/2023/06/05/katie-hobbs-vetoes-gop-bills-criminalizing-homelessness-ranked-choice-voting/?ref=lookoutnews.org). Among bills she’s vetoed have been laws that would criminalize homelessness, expand food sales of street vendors, and criminalizing filming pornographic content on government-owned property. Many of the laws sent to her, she said, are either over-broad or created out of a moral panic rather than data-informed policymaking. But among the cadre of vetoes includes a small number of anti-LGBTQ+ laws that have, so far, been passed through the capitol with the help of almost-exclusively Republican votes. Hobbs has vetoed three anti-LGBTQ bills—SB1005, SB1001, and as of last week, SB1040\. Another ten anti-LGBTQ bills have been introduced in the 2023 legislative session, and still could make their way to her desk. (Read our “Eyes on the State” below for context.) The latest veto, SB1040, was an anti-trans school bathroom bill that would have banned students and school staff from using the school bathroom that aligns with their gender identity. If SB1040 had been signed into law, it would have allowed people to sue schools if they shared a school bathroom or similar school facility with a transgender person. Human Rights Campaign Arizona State Director Bridget Sharpe applauded Hobbs for vetoing the anti-trans school bathroom bill: “Schools should be safe and welcoming places for all students. We sincerely thank Gov. Hobbs for rejecting SB 1040 – a shameful bill designed to alienate and stigmatize trans school personnel and kids simply trying to navigate childhood and their adolescence. This discriminatory bill never should have reached the governor’s desk, and we thank Gov. Hobbs for vetoing it,” [wrote Sharpe](https://www.hrc.org/press-releases/breaking-human-rights-campaign-applauds-arizona-gov-hobbs-for-vetoing-anti-transgender-bathroom-bill?ref=lookoutnews.org). In her SB1040 veto letter, Hobbs wrote: “SB1040 is yet another discriminatory act against LGBTQ+ youth passed by the majority at the state legislature. As I stated in my veto letter for SB1001, I will veto every bill that aims to attack and harm children.” Here are the LGBTQ+-related bills Hobbs has vetoed so far: #### **SB1005**: Parental rights bill Vetoed on April 11, 2023 Parents are allowed to sue teachers or schools if they believe their parental rights have been violated. Under this bill, judges are prohibited from requiring parents to pay any attorneys fees or damages if they lose a lawsuit against a school or a teacher who they believe violated their parental rights. The Human Rights Campaign [said SB1005](https://www.hrc.org/press-releases/human-rights-campaign-applauds-arizona-gov-katie-hobbs-for-vetoing-bill-attacking-lgbtq-students?ref=lookoutnews.org) “left schools open to the threat of litigation for providing supportive and affirmative spaces for LGBTQ+ students.” Hobbs [Veto letter](https://azgovernor.gov/sites/default/files/veto%5Fletter%5Fsb1005.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org): “This bill does not protect parents’ rights but merely encourages litigation—no matter how frivolous—without consequence. Across the country and here in Arizona, schools and teachers have been maligned by bad actors who spread baseless theories, seeking to create conflict with teachers, school boards, and administrators. Parents, acting in good-faith concern for their children, are often caught in the middle of these conflicts.” #### **SB1001** \- Pronoun bill Vetoed on May 19, 2023 Teachers and other school staff would have been barred from respecting the pronouns of trans or non-binary students without signed parental permission. Hobbs [veto letter](https://azgovernor.gov/sites/default/files/veto%5Fletter%5Fsb1001%5F0.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org): “As politicans across the country continue to pass harmful legislation directed at transgender youth, I have a clear message to the people of Arizona: I will veto every bill that aims to attack and harm children.” #### **SB1040** \- Anti-trans bathroom bill Vetoed on June 8, 2023 Bans transgender students and school staff from using school bathrooms that match their gender identity. The bill would have also allowed people to sue schools if they shared a restroom or other similar school facility with a transgender person. Hobbs [veto letter](https://mcusercontent.com/44a5186aac69c13c570fca36a/files/cea067ab-8825-272c-d1f6-6248c20f3352/SB1040.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org): SB1040 is yet another discriminatory act against LGBTQ+ youth passed by the majority at the state legislature. As I stated in my veto letter for SB1001, I will veto every bill that aims to attack and harm children.” --- **LOOKOUT** *relies on subscriptions and donations to keep our news free and consistent. For every $100 raised, we provide five people access to local queer news they won’t find anywhere else. Consider a 100% tax-deductible donation today.* [Donate to LOOKOUT](https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted%5Fbutton%5Fid=6PKTXBM2E4D4Q&ref=lookoutnews.org) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fe89d40f9-ca03-4c7b-82d8-4cf01b793709_6912x3456.png) #### **More context on the vetoes, and what to expect next.** Last week, Gov. Hobbs announced her veto of SB 1040, a bill that would have restricted bathroom access for transgender students. Her veto marks a full decade of failure for anti-trans bathroom bills in Arizona.In her veto letter, Governor Hobbs reiterated her promise to veto any legislation targeting LGBTQ+ children. On Monday, June 12, the legislature will return from nearly a month’s recess to complete some unfinished business, including zoning reform and housing supply legislation. With a high probability that the legislature will adjourn sine die as soon as the end of the week, we should expect a few remaining anti-LGBTQ+ bills to be sent to the Governor soon, including four bills introduced as drag bans: [SB 1026](https://apps.azleg.gov/BillStatus/BillOverview/78075?ref=lookoutnews.org), [SB 1028](https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/56leg/1R/bills/SB1028P.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org), [SB 1030](https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/56leg/1R/bills/SB1030P.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org), and [SB 1698](https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/56leg/1R/bills/SB1698P.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org). ### Mpox is officially back in Maricopa County. Why isn't more being done? URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/mpox-is-officially-back-in-maricopa/ Last updated: 2026-08-16T19:38:25.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F3d5e78d6-17cf-4275-ad9c-4783daa77330_1280x720.jpeg) Microscopic view of the mpox virus, formerly known as monkeypox. Maricopa County had its first case test positive since last January, but there is little concern, it seems, from the agencies in charge of getting information and vaccines out. As Pride month begins, public health officials are concerned of a potential resurgence of mpox, the virus formerly known as monkeypox. But with all that concern, it appears not much is being done besides business as usual. At this past weekend’s Tempe Pride—the first one to take place in the city—county and private health providers focused on the LGBTQ+ population were present at booths promoting pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV, and regular STI testing, but mpox vaccinations were noticeably absent. This, despite the county’s first mpox test-positive case being recorded on May 19th, according to the Maricopa County Department of Public Health. The department [confirmed the first reported case of mpox](https://www.maricopa.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=2735&ref=lookoutnews.org) since January in the Valley. The Phoenix resident affected was fully vaccinated, had mild symptoms, and recovered. “Like we see with other vaccines, while vaccination may not prevent disease completely, it will reduce the severity of disease,” said Dr. Nick Staab, medical epidemiologist at the county’s health department. “Last summer’s mpox outbreak led to many hospitalizations and some deaths in the U.S. People being aware of the risk of mpox in our community and getting vaccinated can prevent severe disease and decrease the spread.” Public Health officials from the [Center for Disease Control](https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/2023/han00490.asp?ref=lookoutnews.org) are recommending gay and bisexual men who are at high risk of being exposed to mpox, particularly those who are HIV+, get vaccinated in preparation for the summer. Concerns over recent outbreaks in[ Chicago](https://www.lookoutnews.org/as-an-mpox-cluster-appears-county/) and France are putting pressure on health agencies to offer more vaccines and resources for gay and bisexual men who are at risk. Because many gay and bisexual men will be gathering in large crowds for Pride celebrations all over the country, doctors are advising individuals to take precautionary measures to protect themselves from the virus. On June 1st, the first day of Pride month, the CDC published a page on their website titled “[Safer Sex, Social Gatherings, and Mpox](https://www.cdc.gov/poxvirus/mpox/prevention/sexual-health.html?ref=lookoutnews.org).” The page contains information about how to have safe sex, what to do if you have a rash or symptoms, and how to lower your chances of getting mpox at social events such as raves, parties, and festivals. Apart from the news release in May that there was one reported case of mpox in Phoenix, the Arizona Department of Health and Maricopa County Public Health have yet to release any public statements regarding the Chicago outbreak on any of their social media pages or websites. While there are plenty of posts on their social media accounts offering free vaccines, there is no mention of opportunities to get the mpox vaccine. *LOOKOUT* reported the county’s lacking to push the vaccine or precautions first three weeks ago. The county has not made comment. *LOOKOUT* reached out to Sonia Singh, the county’s public information officer for the medical department, but she did not respond to emails or phone calls by the time of publishing. Spectrum Medical, an LGBTQ+ health provider in Phoenix, was one of the community organizations tabling at Tempe Pride this past weekend. A staff member who isn’t authorized to speak, told *LOOKOUT* that, while they offer HIV treatment, PrEP/PEP, and STI testing, they don’t currently offer the mpox vaccine. Ruben Valenzuela, a queer attendee of Tempe Pride, was one of the first people to get the the mpox vaccine back in 2022 when the first surge occurred. He said the Arizona Department of Public Health was packed with queer people trying to get the vaccine last year. Valenzuela usually monitors social media for public health news, but he told LOOKOUT he hasn’t heard anything about the concern of a potential summer outbreak. If an outbreak happens this summer, Valenzuela believes more LGBTQ+ people should get vaccinated. “We need to protect ourselves physically, but we also want to take care of the way people view us. So if we’re nonchalant about it and there’s a vaccine, then we don’t want somebody pointing fingers, saying, ‘oh, you guys are spreading it.’” Public health officials are concerned that out of those who are most at risk for mpox, only 23% have been fully vaccinated. According to the CDC, the projected risk of a resurgent mpox outbreak is[ greater than 35%](https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/2023/han00490.asp?ref=lookoutnews.org) in most states in the U.S. without taking into account additional vaccination or adjusting sexual behavior to mitigate the spread of mpox. Resurgent outbreaks have the potential to be as large or larger than those in 2022, reports the CDC. Since 2022, when the virus first appeared, there have been over 30,000 reported cases of mpox in the U.S. Of those 30,000\. Arizona has had 591 cases in Arizona, with the majority of them taking place in Maricopa County. While there have been 42 reported deaths in the U.S., none have happened in Arizona. The state, with an estimated population of a quarter million LGBT people, is ranked 12th among states with the highest mpox transmission rates per 10,000 queer people in the country. When accounting for the general population, it ranks 13th. Maricopa County health officials are asking Valley residents to stay aware of the risk of mpox as they venture out into group settings this summer. There are currently a [limited amount of doses](https://www.maricopa.gov/5825/Mpox?ref=lookoutnews.org) available for the general public in Maricopa County. The health department has enough vaccines available to treat people who are at higher risk of getting mpox, and states on their website that: “available vaccine and treatment for mpox means that spread should be controllable, and cases can be managed appropriately.” “Have fun and be healthy while avoiding the summer heat,” said Dr. Staab. “Know your risk for mpox and STIs and get vaccinated. And don’t forget the sunscreen.” --- **LOOKOUT** *relies on subscriptions and donations to keep our news free and consistent. For every $100 raised, we provide five people access to local queer news they won’t find anywhere else. Consider a 100% tax-deductible donation today.* [Donate to LOOKOUT](https://www.paypal.com/donate/?ref=lookoutnews.org) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fe89d40f9-ca03-4c7b-82d8-4cf01b793709_6912x3456-2.png) #### **Mesa Public Schools Trans Support Policies** Just days before the beginning of Pride Month, Mesa Public Schools board member Lara Salmon Ellingson announced she would resign from her seat effective May 30, 2023\. This decision comes after months of furor over two district-wide policies to support trans students that boiled over into intense backlash against Ellingson for her support of the policies at a May 9 school board meeting. These policies have been in place since summer 2022, and are available to the public on the school district’s website, [here](https://www.mpsaz.org/legal/tngns/?ref=lookoutnews.org). They provide an overview of relevant terms for understanding trans and gender-diverse experiences, guidelines for teachers and administrators to create inclusive environments, and a support plan template which students can request to receive help navigating their social transition at school. Since August 2022, criticism of the policies has been a recurring feature of public comment during MPS board meetings. In May, after consulting the law firm Udall Shumway, the board assured the public that the policies were legally sound, and announced an intention to add an FAQ section alongside the policies on their website to respond to many of the common concerns raised during board meetings. Ellingson took the time to rebut several of those concerns during the May 9 meeting, striking a balance between acknowledging her family connection to the LGBTQ+ community and giving full faith to concerns about privacy and safety in bathrooms and locker rooms. Her comments referenced existing disciplinary policies that would apply to students of any gender and highlighted elements of the trans support policies that are narrowly tailored to prevent misuse. [Subscribe](#/portal/signup) ### As an mpox cluster appears, county health officials in other states respond. Except in Maricopa. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/as-an-mpox-cluster-appears-county/ Last updated: 2026-08-16T19:17:03.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F747e351c-79e4-4c33-b745-b811f595dcff_600x278.jpeg) A person receiving a vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control issued a warning for this upcoming Pride month and summer to be wary of a surge, after a cluster of mpox appeared in Chicago. (*CHRISTIAN EMMER/CC BY-NC 4.0)* A new outbreak of mpox—formerly called Monkeypox—among gay and male-identifying people in Chicago this past month is raising alarms for infectious disease doctors around the nation, including at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But that urgency is not being met at the local level, some say, since the county health department isn’t bringing the same urgency to the problem as other cities. Recently, Chicago had an outbreak of 12 people. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a [warning this past weekend](https://emergency.cdc.gov/han/2023/han00490.asp?ref=lookoutnews.org), saying that there were, “12 confirmed and one probable case of mpox… All cases were among symptomatic men. Nine (69%) of 13 cases were among men who were fully vaccinated for mpox.” The [CDC along with Chicago’s Public Health Department is investigating](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mpox-resurgence-dozens-new-cases-nationwide-cdc-investigating/?ref=lookoutnews.org) the source of transmission, the release said. The CDC's Dr. Chris Braden said at an emergency meeting last week that officials are “very concerned that we are going to see more of what Chicago has experienced,” [CBS reported](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mpox-outbreak-monkeypox-not-over-cdc-community-transmission/?ref=lookoutnews.org). That outbreak comes right before the city’s largest annual gay leather event, International Mr. Leather, which hosts tens of thousands of people who attend fetish-themed parties, including traveling Phoenicians. **Kobalt**, a gay bar near Phoenix’s Melrose district, is hosting a send-off for Arizonans who make the trek every year. But in the wake of the outbreak, public health experts have called for early action. San Francisco health officials for the city government urged people to get mpox vaccinations before this year’s Pride season, which officially launches on June 1. But in Arizona, the Maricopa County Health department has remained notably silent on the recent outbreak. The department has not released any statements on a possible surge, nor has it urged any kind of similar push for vaccinations, as other cities have done. When reached by phone on Monday, the county health department spokesperson said she couldn’t comment on events happening outside of Arizona, but that there are weekly vaccine events held in the Melrose District at **Off Chute Too**, a local sex toy and clothing shop located on 7th Avenue and Indian School Road. Vaccines are being offered at times below: - Fridays in May 2023 4:30 - 9:00 p.m. - Saturday, May 20 12 - 4 p.m. People who want to get an mpox vaccine in Maricopa or Pima an also fill out a “vaccine interest form” on the [county website here](https://www.azdhs.gov/preparedness/epidemiology-disease-control/mpox/index.php?ref=lookoutnews.org). The department’s spokesperson said it was important that people who have only gotten one dose of the vaccine be sure to get their second shot. But on the department’s Twitter, which also publicizes free vaccine clinics, its most recent vaccination push doesn’t appear to include monkeypox. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Ff0f41687-de41-4ef1-b48e-b39f663a18c5_906x1238.png) This isn’t the first time county officials in Arizona have been called out by queer community members for not meeting people where they are at, in regards to public health access. During the mpox outbreak last year, queer people lined up outside the county health department to receive vaccinations, but many of those who showed up were there only out of coincidence or luck — not active engagement, according to people in attendance. Some said they only knew about it because someone else online or in their friend groups knew about it. But in one instance, a non profit group leader (who wished to remain anonymous since they rely on public health grants and county assistance) said they were denied the ability to set up a free vaccine clinic to migrant queer people because they were “too close,” to the health department’s main office. That’s wildly out of step in comparison to other [public health agencies](https://www.intomore.com/impact/gay-sex-clubs-bathhouses-los-angeles-fighting-monkeypox-stigma/?ref=lookoutnews.org), such as in Chicago, or Berkeley Calif.,, where city and [county health officials](https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/long-line-forms-in-northalsted-district-for-monkeypox-vaccine/?ref=lookoutnews.org) showed up at [bars or sex clubs with free vaccines](https://www.dailycal.org/2022/07/17/berkeley-partners-with-steamworks-to-administer-monkeypox-vaccine?ref=lookoutnews.org) at the ready for people who visited the establishments. (Though,[ the business was criticized](https://sfstandard.com/public-health/bay-area-sex-clubs-two-tiered-monkeypox-vaccine-policy-spurs-outcry/?ref=lookoutnews.org) for offering quicker access to the vaccine if they paid.) No such push appears to have been made at the two male spas here in Phoenix, according to conversations with customers who attended. Those people’s experience, though, is in contrast to the department’s view of how they responded. In a survey conducted last year during the mpox outbreak, county officials said they were [able to reach over 8,000 people](https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/full/10.2105/AJPH.2023.307224?ref=lookoutnews.org), and get hundreds of eligible people also on pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PEP. Since summer 2022, when the virus first appeared in the United States, more than 30,000 cases have been recorded in the U.S., and 42 have died. Arizona has had [591 cases across the state,](https://www.azdhs.gov/preparedness/epidemiology-disease-control/mpox/dashboard/?ref=lookoutnews.org) majority of them being in Maricopa County. There have been no deaths. The state, with an estimated population of a quarter million LGBT people, is ranked 12th among states states with the highest mpox transmission rates per 10,000 queer people in the country. When accounting for the general population, it ranks 13th. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F9ebe54e7-7eec-4ab0-9009-4c0f49ab3174_566x371.png) LGBTQ+ population data from the Williams Institute at UCLA, compared to rate of infection of mpox cases, taken from CDC website. But the biggest concern is for [people living with HIV,](https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/staying-in-hiv-care/other-related-health-issues/monkeypox/?ref=lookoutnews.org) who either have not been treated for the disease or who risk severe illness from poor treatment. In a study conducted last year, people diagnosed with HIV and living without proper treatment had a higher chance of dying from mpox. Those who died from the disease also were predominantly Black gay men, who are also at one of the highest risks of transmitting and contracting the HIV virus next to White gay men and Black women. “I think its pretty clear we have not interrupted endemic transmission of mpox,” said Dr. Brad Perkins, chief medical officer at Karius, a pharmaceutical testing company that has created a blood test to find mpox in carriers before showing symptoms. The virus was never seen in the U.S. until 2022, Perkins said, but has now established itself as something everyone—but especially the queer community—will have to plan and prepare for. “It continues to be and will likely continue to be a sporadically occurring disease in the U.S., and as a result, people will have to be watchful and take appropriate precautions,” Perkins said. Perkins said even though the disease should not be viewed as a sexually transmitted disease exclusively, people should exercise the same caution as they would with other kinds of STDs, such as asking about testing history, making sure your sexual partner is fully vaccinated, while also making sure to recognize lesions on private areas that are consistent with the mpox virus. --- **LOOKOUT** *relies on subscriptions and donations to keep our news free and consistent. For every $100 raised, we provide five people access to local queer news they won’t find anywhere else. Consider a 100% tax-deductible donation today.* [Donate to LOOKOUT](https://www.paypal.com/donate/?ref=lookoutnews.org) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fe89d40f9-ca03-4c7b-82d8-4cf01b793709_6912x3456-3.png) #### **The Legislature** Now that the legislature has passed a budget, pressure is on to wrap up the long list of bills not passed yet. They met today to push through as much pending legislation as possible, including every remaining anti-LGBTQ+ bill. Here’s a preview of what’s on the calendar: - SB 1001, which restricts teachers from using the pronouns and names their trans and non-binary students request, unless they out those students to their parents in order to obtain written permission. - SB 1026, which bans drag story hour events in public libraries, adding fuel to a moral panic with dangerous real-world consequences. - SB 1028 & SB 1030, two bills that started out as drag bans and that, even with amendments to remove the word “drag,” the sponsor continues to claim are about drag shows. - SB 1040, which bans trans kids in school from using bathrooms and other facilities that align with their gender. - SB 1323, which extends a problematic ban on sexually explicit materials in schools to threaten teachers with felonies for any violation of the ban. - SB 1503, which age-gates the internet, breaking longstanding privacy conventions. - SB 1694, which bans public entities from adopting inclusive policies or hosting DEI trainings. - SB 1698, another moral panic bill initially introduced as a drag ban with mandatory prison time. #### **Two School Board Stories** First is the fight in Washington Elementary School District over a contract with Arizona Christian University to provide student teachers. Earlier this year, the WESD governing board voted to not renew its contract after criticizing ACU’s anti-LGBTQ+ policies. The university sued, with representation from the anti-LGBTQ+ hate group and law firm Americans Defending Freedom. Facing a cost-prohibitive legal battle, the WESD board voted to settle, reinstating the contract with ACU and paying $25,000 in legal fees. The second story is in Peoria Unified School District, where two anti-trans board members forced the issue of trans-inclusive polices and urged protesters to show up to force a vote. While their attempt to ban trans students from school bathrooms ultimately failed, they repeated their call the next meeting, even though the issue was not on the board’s agenda. [Subscribe](#/portal/signup) ### Tom Horne continues crusade against trans kids in school sports, pushes false medical information URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/tom-horne-continues-crusade-against/ Last updated: 2023-10-10T16:50:26.000Z Arizona’s Superintendent of Public Instruction continued to lash out against trans kids playing in sports last week, filing a letter in opposition against President Joe Biden’s executive order trying to limit how states can target trans teens from playing in sports, while also preparing his defense in a local case, also related to trans kids playing youth sports Superintendent Tom Horne, who does not support the removal of the Arizona state ban on transgender girls playing on the team consistent with their gender, [submitted a formal comment ](https://www.azed.gov/communications/horne-files-have-transgender-sports-lawsuit-argued-phoenix-rather-tucson?ref=lookoutnews.org)to the U.S. Department of Education regarding the proposed rule change to Title IX. The Biden administration’s [proposed rule change](https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/fact-sheet-us-department-educations-proposed-change-its-title-ix-regulations-students-eligibility-athletic-teams?ref=lookoutnews.org) will enact some restrictions on transgender student athletes, but makes it illegal to outright ban transgender students from participating on sports teams consistent with their gender identity. Many trans people have said the order from Biden doesn’t do anything special, and that doing nothing would have been better. They say the order still allows states wiggle room to ban students who are trans. But Horne said that the order was intrusive to the state and pushed a false medical theory that trans girls are “stronger” because they are biological males. “The proposed rule submitted by the U.S. Department of Education would decimate girls’ sports in public schools and is contrary to the original intent of Title IX to provide a level playing field for women and girls to participate in team sports,” Horne wrote in his statement. “Leaving the decision to schools will result in those with ideological school boards permitting stronger boys to compete against girls.” There is no substantiated evidence by pediatrician groups or other medical doctors that support the claim that trans students have any biological benefit to other students, but Horne has furthered a false medical trope that student athletes, specifically trans girls, have a “biological advantage” over cisgender girls. In Horne’s comment against the federal rule, he said that Biden’s order runs contrary to an Arizona state law signed last legislative session that banned trans girls from playing sports Arizona is one of five states that targets transgender girls and bans them from playing on sports teams consistent with their chosen gender identity. Superintendent Tom Horne was [named a defendant in a lawsuit](https://www.lookoutnews.org/tom-horne-says-the-trans-student/) filed on April 17 by the parents of two transgender girls who are attempting to fight the state’s law that bans transgender girls from participating on sports teams consistent with their gender identity. On May 4, lawyers representing Horne in the lawsuit filed a motion to transfer the case from Tucson to Phoenix. The lawsuit was filed in Tucson because one of the plaintiffs, Megan Roe, resides in Pima County and attends The Gregory School, a private school located in Tucson. In the motion, Horne’s lawyers argue that counsel for all parties involved in the lawsuit are based out of Phoenix. In addition, Superintendent Horne “anticipates that the Arizona legislature will intervene to defend the statute.” Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen and House Speaker Ben Toma, both of who voted for anti-LGBTQ+ bills en masse this past session, have also filed to intervene in the case. Horne, who calls himself an “ally” of the LGBTQ+ community, said the lawsuit and the sports debate “is not an LGBT issue.” “When I was in the Arizona legislature, I voted for every bill to extend civil rights to LGBT people,” he said in a press release. But his campaign for superintendent—and even his past work as Attorney General— runs counter to his claims. Horne aided the Alliance Defending Freedom to defend Arizona’s ban on gay marriage. The alliance is designated as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, and has been successful in challenging and reversing local school board decisions to not renew contracts with religious groups who espouse anti-LGBTQ+ beliefs. And his time as the state’s top educator has been equally marred with anti-queer rhetoric and support. “While campaigning for State Superintendent, he perpetrated damaging stereotypes about the LGBTQ+ community while advocating to shut down supportive resources for LGBTQ+ students,” said Jeanne Woodbury, interim executive director of Equality AZ, a lobbying group for civil rights. Tami Staas, the Executive Director of [Arizona Trans Youth & Parent Organization](https://www.aztypo.com/?ref=lookoutnews.org), said Horne is gaslighting the public. Staas, a school teacher and also the parent of a trans child, has direct experience working with the Arizona Department of Education in support of trans and queer youth. She served on a committee during Hoffman’s tenure that worked to develop a section of the Department of Education’s website with resources for queer and trans youth. When Superintendent Horne gained power, he stripped all mention of queer or trans issues or resources from the Department of Education’s website. During his election against former superintendent Kathy Hoffman, Horne took aim at a particular resource called QChat that facilitates online discussion groups for questioning queer and trans youth where they can meet their peers and openly discuss LGBTQ topics. Horne claimed, with no evidence, the site moderators “could be predators.” QChat is an online resource that is recommended for young people by the [Center for Disease Control](https://www.cdc.gov/lgbthealth/youth-resources.htm?ref=lookoutnews.org) and maintained and controlled by mental health professionals. --- **LOOKOUT** *relies on subscriptions and donations to keep our news free and consistent. For every $100 raised, we provide five people access to local queer news they won’t find anywhere else. Consider a 100% tax-deductible donation today.* [Donate to LOOKOUT](https://www.paypal.com/donate/?ref=lookoutnews.org) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fe89d40f9-ca03-4c7b-82d8-4cf01b793709_6912x3456-4.png) What the hell is happening with the school boards in Arizona? Last month, Equality AZ met with three leaders to discuss what’s going on in the small local school governance meetings, and why those spaces right now are the political hot seats not only locally, but nationally. #### WHERE IS THIS ALL COMING FROM? For 30 years, lawmakers in AZ have attempted to privatize schools. In 1995, Gov. **Fife Symington** laid the groundwork to elevate charter schools as an alternative to public education, saying that public schools were "failing." This idea of U.S. children not being internationally competitive also was resonant in the 2000's with President George W. Bush's **"No Child Left Behind Act"**, which increased federal oversight of local schools. In 2015, a decade after the law was passed, no schools were able to meet the federal mandate. Private schools were exempt. Since then, the idea that public schools are not fulfilling student needs is a major argument for lawmakers, business people and parents who argue public education isn't good enough. > **"The conversation around schools failing really ramped up around No Child Left Behind. And Arizona has been ground zero. Those moves 25-30 years ago changed the landscape dramatically for public in education. Particularly in Arizona...it created two systems."** > > *\-Richie Taylor, former communications director for AZ Public School Superintendent Kathy Hoffman* #### HOW IS THAT AFFECTING US TODAY? Those two systems in Arizona, educators say, has fomented mistrust among parents, who can attend board meetings to air grievances. Because governing school board meetings are open to the public, people have started showing up and demanding that their schools—similar to tactics used for "No Child Left Behind"—adhere to a specific curriculum, primarily that is absent of proper sex education, or an accurate teaching of history. That, public education advocates say, has been a tactic to make parents question what's being taught in schools, and by who. This mistrust came to a head in 2019, when lawmakers repealed AZ's so-called **"No promo homo" law**, a watered down version similar to Florida's modern "Don't Say Gay" law that was passed in 1991. Since then, there has been backlash from religious groups, mostly seen during the **public comments section** at board meetings. But who are they? Jeanne Casteen, executive director of the group Secular AZ, which advocates for separation of church and state, used the term “crisis actors” to describe them, the term that far-right figures such as Georgia State Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green and conservative shock-jock Alex Jones used to describe student survivors of mass school shootings. "These are not real individuals who live in the district,” she said. Secular AZ has identified **Turning Point USA**, **Moms for Liberty**, and the **Alliance Defending Freedom** as groups that have continually showed up at school boards. **"I think we see this come in waves and cycles based on the cultural waves in our country. And, unfortunately, we tend to be at the center of those cultural moments in our nation as Arizonans in our nation."** *\-Katie Gibson McClean, governing board member, Creighton School District (Phx)* #### WHAT ARE THEY ARGUING? For one, banning pronoun usage in schools that don't adhere to Christian religious dogma. For example, people from Turning Point USA, which is based in Arizona, have shown up and argued that Christians are being discriminated against, and have pushed bigoted anti-LGBGTQ+ rhetoric around queer people being pedophiles or "groomers." Fringe groups have also shut down board meetings and made bomb threats, or have disrupted school board meetings to advocate anti-trans policies, even when those policies are not on the agenda. > **"How do we measure success in education?** **Testing is one measure of data. But...the real importance of public education, is coming into contact with people who are different from you and learning to work together and live together…Thats what’s so offensive to people on the far right, they don’t want that."** > > *\-Richie Taylor, former communications director for AZ Public School Superintendent Kathy Hoffman* [Subscribe](#/portal/signup) ### Stories from April you might have missed, but definitely need to read URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/stories-from-april-you-might-have/ Last updated: 2026-08-16T19:42:11.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F67246e85-76de-4147-b898-5034152a1184_640x428.webp) Protesters march outside the state capitol against the state’s anti-trans bills. (Photo by Moses Martinez) April was a busy month for LOOKOUT. We followed the city council meetings in Cottonwood to see what was happening with a touring charity drag show that was met with fierce opposition from Proud Boys, and started an initiative to create more diversity in news sourcing. Check out the stories below. ### At Rainbows Festival in Phoenix, safety was top of mind Dubbed “Arizona’s Greatest Street Fair,” Rainbow Festival typically draws a crowd of over 25,000 people every year. This year the festival took on a greater significance, given the national and state tension over LGBTQ+ news in the media. ### LOOKOUT’s President in Voyage Magazine > It’s been a struggle, but a worthy one. LOOKOUT is still very much in its infancy, but it’s punching above its weight. The stories we have published so far have gained national and local attention. And even though we’re small and new, when we’ve attended our local pride events, people know about us and thank us for the coverage we’re providing. [Read the full interview here.](http://voyagephoenix.com/interview/daily-inspiration-meet-jacob-hylton/?ref=lookoutnews.org) --- *Not a paid subscriber to LOOKOUT yet? All subscriptions are 100% tax deductible, as LOOKOUT is Phoenix’s ONLY nonprofit queer news site. Consider a paid subscription today, as low as $5 a month. Annual subscribers get free swag, and founding members get exclusive invite-only access to events.* [Upgrade to paid](#/portal/signup) --- ### A change to the national blood ban Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes along with 21 other state Attorneys Generals [signed a letter on March 31st ](https://www.azag.gov/sites/default/files/docs/press-releases/2023/letters/3%5F31%5F23%5FMultistate%5FComment%5FLetter%5Fre%5FFDA%5FBlood%5FDonation.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org)in support of the Food and Drug Administration's new proposed guidance that would ease restrictions for gay and bisexual men to donate blood and plasma, after a 40-year ban. ### Proud Boys fought back against charity In the small town of Cottonwood, a touring drag show meant to raise awareness and bring queer visibility to rural Arizona was met with fierce opposition from paramilitary groups. [A charity drag show in Arizona clashed with Proud Boys and Christian nationalists A rural drag show that raises money for charity was met with outrage among Christian nationalists and far-right protesters this past weekend, including members of Proud Boys and Oathkeepers—groups that were involved in the Jan. 6 insurrection that attempted to overturn the election of President Joe Biden.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fa6177d34-9d29-419a-89a5-0ddcc00bcec9_320x320.png)LOOKOUT PHX](https://www.lookoutnews.org/another-drag-show-in-arizona-was/) ### Students showed out for trans rights and against school boards > “We have to realize we are students up against adults, but that doesn’t mean we can’t do anything. Right now we are all here in solidarity and we will all make a change,” said one student, speaking into a megaphone. ### The trans athlete bans, AZ’s top education official, is not about trans rights After two students filed a lawsuit against the state for banning them from playing in school sports, state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne went on to say the lawsuit was bogus, and that the ban on trans students had nothing to with with LGBTQ+ rights. ### Arizona might be getting its own LGBTQ+ vanity plate, if it can get passed in the legislature. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizona-might-be-getting-its-own/ Last updated: 2026-08-16T19:16:01.000Z ### *As Phoenix’s only nonprofit LGBTQ+ news site,* LOOKOUT*’s mission is to not simply cover queer news, but also elevate queer voices. We are looking for queer experts in various fields to volunteer their information in our diverse source database, to make sure everyone in our community is heard. Click the button to fill out the form,* [*or learn more here*](https://www.lookoutnews.org/lookout-announces-news-diversity/) *about why we are creating a diverse source database.* [Fill out the form](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfn3HehqsOM6G6G3Q%5FxZ9KRO453vwsDMYqcdrvYRULj%5F-n%5FxQ/viewform?ref=lookoutnews.org) --- ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F40f775b5-032b-469c-a0e3-e7412e9b2fcb_582x287.png) Queer students and staff at Maricopa Community Colleges are organizing to make Arizona the third state in the country to offer an LGBTQ+ specialty license plate for cars and other motor vehicles. Arizona has dozens of license plates [manufactured by state prisoners](https://kjzz.org/content/1795197/republic-kjzz-investigation-examines-how-prison-labor-works-arizona?ref=lookoutnews.org) that raise money for [different causes](https://azdot.gov/mvd/services/vehicle-services/plates-and-placards/plate-selections-gallery?ref=lookoutnews.org), from Barrett Jackson to wildlife conservation. Equality Maricopa, an employee and student group at the community colleges, proposed a rainbow-colored license plate that would benefit the Prism Fund—a scholarship for queer and trans community college students at Maricopa Community Colleges. “Our vision once we get this license plate is any LGBT student that applies for the scholarship will get it,” said Jay Franzen, an officer for Equality Maricopa. “It’s heart wrenching to go through these scholarship stories. *All* of our students need it. It’s really disheartening to know that we’re not able to give scholarships to all our LGBTQ+ students who need it.” The scholarship fund is available to all queer and trans students, regardless of immigration status. In June, Equality Maricopa is partnering with Wilderness Brewing to release a special “Prism brew” in commemoration of Pride month. With every pint of the “Prism brew” sold, Wilderness Brewery will donate a $1 to the Prism scholarship fund. Equality Maricopa will hold their annual Prism drag ball fundraiser on October 13\. Last year the event raised around $10,000\. This year, the group is hoping to raise around $20,000\. Plastique Tiara from Ru Paul’s Drag Race will be headlining the event and performing alongside five other local drag kings and queens. Members of Equality Maricopa look at the license plate as a way of providing a sustainable future for queer and trans college students in Phoenix. But there are roadblocks to getting the license plate approved by the legislature, and even before then. Arizona law requires nonprofit organizations to raise $32,000 to cover the [Motor Vehicle Division’s programming and production costs of the plate](https://azdot.gov/news/specialty-plates-raise-millions-supporting-arizona-charities?ref=lookoutnews.org). Equality Maricopa has spent the past year and a half fundraising by hosting drag shows, raising donations, and partnering with local organizations. So far, the group has raised $22,000, but they are hopeful they will raise enough to cover the fees for the license plate by the end of the year. For a specialty plate to become legal, it must be introduced into the Arizona legislature. The bill must be passed by a legislative majority and make its way to Governor Hobbs desk who can then sign it into law. Given the rise of anti-LGBTQ+ bills introduced and passed by the Arizona legislature, Equality Maricopa is worried they may not receive the support they need for the LGBTQ specialty plate to become available for drivers in Arizona. Equality Maricopa has been working with Rep. Lorena Austin and Rep. Analise Ortiz to draft legislation for the plate that will be introduced in the Arizona House of Representative in Spring of 2024. “We know we have an ally in the Governor’s office, but we’re very fearful that as soon as the Republican counterparts in this get a hold of it, they may be reluctant to sponsor this bill, but we feel that we have a strong legal standing should they not want to support this bill,” said Franzen. Equality Maricopa went through several rounds of mockups before coming to the final iteration of the design. Members of the group wanted to find a way to pay respect to the state, while honoring the queer community. The design of the Prism pride license plate is inspired by the iconic Arizona license plate. The only difference? “We wanted to pay homage to the Arizona license plate in its entirety and also have a splash of \[queer\] colors,” said Franzen. In Equality Maricopa’s Arizona, the gradient of the desert sunset comes in the [progress pride flag](https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/the-progress-pride-flag?ref=lookoutnews.org) colors. When a specialty license plate becomes law, $17 of each $25 fee from each purchase goes to the nonprofit group tied to the plate. “Imagine we get to a point where we sell 10,000 license plates—that’s $170,000 a year in funding for our students,” said Franzen. “Right now the scholarship is only $500\. There’s a real possibility that we change the scholarship criteria and make it more. The possibilities are really, really bright if we’re able to get this.” If you’d like to donate to the fund to get the plate in front of state lawmakers, [click here](https://www.mcccdf.org/scholarship-funds/equality-maricopa-prism-scholarship-fund/?ref=lookoutnews.org). --- **LOOKOUT** *relies on subscriptions and donations to keep our news free and consistent. For every $100 raised, we provide five people access to local queer news they won’t find anywhere else. Consider a 100% tax-deductible donation today.* [Donate to LOOKOUT](https://www.paypal.com/donate/?ref=lookoutnews.org) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F58b1f5d2-6710-4e51-bfaa-dfc22af18693_1080x1080.webp) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fe89d40f9-ca03-4c7b-82d8-4cf01b793709_6912x3456-5.png) **What’s happening in the legislature?** After taking over a week off, the legislature returned to session on Tuesday to advance SB 1001 through the Committee of the Whole, before voting to take another week off. Every remaining anti-LGBTQ+ bill is now stalled in the House, waiting for a final floor vote before they can be sent to the Governor. And while harassment against LGBTQ+ people has stalled (for now) in the state Capitol, we’re shifting our look to school boards, which is the second area of government where LGBTQ+ rights has entered into the culture wars. There’s an old adage in politics that says people who care about voting need to be more aware of what happens at the hyper-local level, and there is no greater example of this than at school boards, where a number of groups have tried to make culture war issues top of the board’s agenda. Here is a bit of an update of where we’re at: #### *Superintendents under fire* In 2023, mirroring similar pressure campaigns against elections workers, superintendents in multiple school boards have come under intense scrutiny for their inclusive policy positions. In the Casa Grande High School District, when superintendent Anna Battle was fired with no explanation at the end of January, one board member ([Taylor Kerby](https://equalityarizona.substack.com/p/religion-and-lgbtq-life)) called out the clear racist motives for her termination in his vote to retain her. In the Scottsdale Unified School District, board members and legislators (including Senator Kavanagh) have called for the resignation of superintendent Scott Menzel over support for trans students. Similar to the balance of responsibility between a city council and city manager, it’s superintendents who are actually responsible for the operations of a school district, with school boards serving to create policy and — critically — to hire and fire the superintendent. Because of this, pressure campaigns to force out a superintendent are essentially a way to fast-track a cultural reset in a district. #### *Targeted harassment of LGBTQ+ board members* Parallel to the attacks on superintendents, queer and trans school board members are facing targeted harassment in their districts, sometimes through misrepresentations in the media. After Washington Elementary School District voted to end a voluntary contract with Arizona Christian University over a violation of the school district’s nondiscrimination policy, board member Tamillia Valenzuela came under attack for her part in that decision. Criticism of the move highlighted her neurodivergence, ethnicity, and queerness while largely ignoring the participation of other board members in the unanimous vote to end the contract. Meanwhile, in Liberty Elementary School District, board member Paul Bixler has faced ongoing harassment and targeted threats simply for being a trans woman. #### *Anti-trans policies* Regardless of whether a school board has formally added a policy for trans students to their agenda, intense discussions about trans inclusion have been spreading from district to district. Most recently, Heather Rooks, a Peoria Unified School District board member affiliated with the anti-LGBTQ+ organization Arizona Women of Action, proposed a trans-exclusive bathroom ban mirroring the legislature’s SB 1040\. The measure failed by a 3-2 vote. [Subscribe](#/portal/signup) ### LOOKOUT announces news diversity initiative to elevate local queer voices URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/lookout-announces-news-diversity/ Last updated: 2023-10-10T16:13:09.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F1fe68873-567f-498f-9b65-3b9a5921b430_5616x3744.jpeg) Board member Meg Taylor (right) signs people up for LOOKOUT’s newsletter at this past year’s Rainbows Festival in Phoenix. (Photo by Moses Martínez) As Phoenix’s only nonprofit LGBTQ+ news site, ***LOOKOUT***’s mission is to not simply cover queer news, but also elevate queer voices. We make sure the city’s queer community is being recognized in all aspects of news, from medical stories on child birth to housing insecurity among queer adults. During our bi-monthly listening sessions that we’ve held, one of the most common complaints we’ve heard from our readers is that they don’t see enough queer people in news coverage that isn’t solely focused on LGBTQ+ issues (i.e. we’re only used to show queer trauma, or Pride-related events.) That’s why ***LOOKOUT*** is following in the footsteps of a handful of other nonprofit news outlets to create a diversity database of local LGBTQ+ people, experts, and allies. We are planning a launch of the database later in the year, but we need to have a solid enough number of nominees in our database. That’s where we need your help. We invite all of Phoenix’s news outlets and reporters within their ranks to participate in helping build this database, as we see this as a communal benefit to not only our community, but an opportunity for these outlets to build trust in news. If you have expertise in any field, you’re invited to fill out our Google form below. [Fill out the form](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfn3HehqsOM6G6G3Q%5FxZ9KRO453vwsDMYqcdrvYRULj%5F-n%5FxQ/viewform?ref=lookoutnews.org) To learn more about LOOKOUT, visit our website at [lookoutphx.org](https://www.lookoutnews.org/). MEDIA CONTACT: Jake Hylton, President and Managing Director LOOKOUT Publications jake@lookoutphx.org (602) 690-8242 [Subscribe](#/portal/signup) ### Tom Horne says the trans student athlete ban isn't an "LGBT issue." URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/tom-horne-says-the-trans-student/ Last updated: 2025-07-22T15:39:24.000Z ![Protesters holding signs outside the Arizona State Capitol in opposition to the Trans Student Athlete Ban, highlighting public dissent.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F97cb50d8-a100-48ff-acdb-9ef71e41938d.avif) Protesters gather outside to protest against national bans against trans students that have swept the nation, including Arizona. (Photo by Ted Eytan) Last week, two student athletes filed a [lawsuit](https://www.nclrights.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Doe-et-al-v.-Horne-et-al%5FFiled-Complaint-1.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) against Arizona in an attempt to lift the state’s law that bans transgender students from participating in youth sports. The bill, SB1165, was signed into law in March 2022, by then-Gov. Doug Ducey, and was the first in a spat of similar transphobic laws that swept the nation among state legislatures last year. Arguments for the bill claimed incorrectly that student athletes, specifically trans girls, would have a “biological advantage” to other cisgendered girls on the team. There is no substantiated evidence by pediatrician groups or other medical doctors that support the claim trans students have any biological benefit to other students. The two trans girls are unnamed in the lawsuit, and referred to as 11-year-old Jane Doe and 15-year-old Megan Roe. The public and private schools where the two students want to play have stated they would allow the two athletes to play for the girls team, if it wasn’t for the ban currently in place. Doe’s family is suing to give her the right to participate in soccer, basketball and cross-country when she enters middle school in the fall. Roe, a volleyball player, wants to join her friends and play on her school's volleyball team. “I want to be able to play with my friends and to hopefully make new friends too. It hurts to know that some people want to keep me away from sports and from my friends,” said Doe. The Gregory School, the private school where Roe attends, is a member of the Arizona Interscholastic Association and complies with its rules in order to be eligible to compete in interscholastic competitions. Before the ban was signed into law, the AIA permitted transgender girls to play on a sports team consistent with their gender identity on a case-by-case basis. In the lawsuit, one of the family stated that because their daughter had not yet started puberty, she had not “experienced any of the physiological changes, including muscle development, that increased testosterone levels would cause in a pubescent boy.” [Tip Jar](https://lookoutphxorg.outpost.pub/donate?ref=lookoutnews.org) Roe has been on puberty-blocking medication and hormone therapy for several years. Because of the hormones, instead of developing muscles or increased testosterone levels, she has “developed many of the physiological changes associated with puberty in females.” [Subscribe now](#/portal/signup) The lawsuit named State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne, Superintendent of the Kyrene School District Laura Toenjes, the Kyrene School District, The Gregory School, and the Arizona Interscholastic Association as defendants in the case. When pressed on how the Department of Education would respond to the lawsuit, a communications assistant for Horne said that he “does not view this topic or lawsuit as a LGBT issue.” The representative stated, again incorrectly and without evidence, that it was “unfair to women who are competing with less muscle and bone mass.” The representative also made claims that cisgendered women were being injured. The department would not provide any evidence or instances when that happened, though. Horne’s representative also said that Horne was a strong proponent of LGBTQ+ rights. However, Horne on multiple occasions has denounced support for LGBTQ+ students, including during his campaign last year when he and his supporters argued that queer students shouldn’t have access to [community-specific social services](https://news.azpm.org/p/newsc/2022/10/11/213248-fact-check-az-examining-the-allegations-made-by-schools-superintendent-candidates/?ref=lookoutnews.org), calling them [“groomer” services](https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/divisions-on-race-gender-intensify-a-fight-for-state-superintendent/2022/09?ref=lookoutnews.org). “Groomers” is a term that is used by conservative activists and politicians to gin up fear against LGBTQ+ people, similar to the scare tactics and language used against gay men in the 1980’s and 1990’s. Professional sports groups, such as the [National Collegiate Athletic Association](https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2022/1/27/transgender-participation-policy.aspx?ref=lookoutnews.org), have promoted trans student athletes, so long as certain medical thresholds exist. The state’s ban on transgender athletes doesn’t take into account any of the scientific evidence around measuring hormones. “This policy allowed for determinations to be made on a case-by-case basis in order to ensure fairness and safety without unduly or unlawfully limiting inclusivity,” said Jeanne Woodbury of Equality Arizona told LOOKOUT, referring to the AIA policy. She said that out of the 12 students in the past decade who tried to play, only seven were accepted. “Arguments against trans inclusion on the basis of developmental differences don’t hold water,” she said. “For trans students who are able to access gender affirming care during adolescence, some are able to avoid experiencing unwanted developmental differences from their cisgender peers.” --- *LOOKOUT relies on subscriptions and donations to keep our news free and consistent. For every $100 raised, we provide five people access to local queer news they won’t find anywhere else. Consider a donation today.* [Donate to LOOKOUT](https://www.paypal.com/donate/?ref=lookoutnews.org) ![Three hand-drawn sun-like symbols with rays, black on white background.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F58b1f5d2-6710-4e51-bfaa-dfc22af18693_1080x1080-1.webp) ## EYES ON THE STATE *LOOKOUT's 'Eyes on the State' is brought to you by an exclusive partnership with . Check here every week to see what's being proposed by lawmakers, who are the state power brokers, and context for current and upcoming bills.* Right now, Arizona has a shortage of 270,000 homes, a crisis of access and affordability that disproportionately harms the LGBTQ+ community. While a large majority of non-LGBTQ+ adults own their own homes— 70.1%, according to the Williams Institute)—less than half of LGBTQ+ adults are home owners. LGBTQ+ people who rent are also 28% more likely to move than non-queer renters, making the community even more vulnerable in a housing shortage. Queer people, especially the youth, are also more likely to experience housing insecurity and homelessness. While there are many factors at play, the preponderance of evidence makes it clear that zoning is the main cause of Arizona’s housing shortage, and as long as housing supply remains drastically lower than demand, other positive reforms will be largely unable to address affordability. Right now, there are three active bills carrying forward research-based solutions to the housing crisis. ![The image details Housing Bill SB1161, focusing on affordable housing and urban development priorities in Arizona.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F5fc7ee72-31ab-4a5d-8f2c-03f90299f202_1080x1080.png) ![Housing Bill SB1163 aims to expand affordable housing, focusing on duplexes and triplexes, benefiting LGBTQ+ communities.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F96694a29-a5c4-4105-9bf1-df4b44aafd29_1080x1080.png) ![The image outlines details about Housing Bill 2536, focusing on affordable housing and zoning reforms.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F5e2cc948-81f6-4a2f-8b24-35dffc11d8a9_1080x1080.png) ### Hundreds of Arizona students protest against school boards' push to eliminate trans rights URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/hundreds-of-arizona-students-protest/ Last updated: 2026-08-16T19:34:20.000Z *LOOKOUT relies on subscriptions and donations to keep our news free and consistent. For every $100 raised, we provide five people access to local queer news they won’t find anywhere else. Consider a donation today.* [Donate to LOOKOUT](https://www.paypal.com/donate/?ref=lookoutnews.org) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F4b3485cb-7816-4541-bb42-64b177ea4a0a_4032x3024.jpeg) Students hold signs outside Chandler Unified School District to protest in support of trans students’ rights. Photo by Yezmin Villarreal. Hundreds of high school students from across the Valley walked out of school on Friday in protest of the lack of support for LGBTQ+ students in Arizona schools. Dawn Shim, 17, speaking outside of Hamilton High School in Chandler, asked students to participate in a moment of silence in solidarity with the Gay and Lesbian Straight Education Network (GLSEN) National Day of Silence, before students delivered impassioned speeches about the importance of standing up against the Chandler High Union School Board. “We have to realize we are students up against adults, but that doesn’t mean we can’t do anything. Right now we are all here in solidarity and we will all make a change,” said one student, speaking into a megaphone. Students nationwide participate in GLSEN’s Day of Silence, in protest of the negative effects of bullying and discrimination that impact LGBTQ+ people in schools. Shim is the co-founder of Support Equality Arizona Schools, the student group that organized the walkouts for eight participating high schools in the East and West Valley. The walkout is the second action organized by students from Support Equality Arizona Schools, who founded the group a year ago in reaction to anti-LGBTQ bills introduced by Arizona Republican legislators, including one that became law that prevents transgender girls from playing on school sports teams that match their gender identity. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F5a2aef58-d812-4af6-9856-610edfc49edc_4032x3024.jpeg) Photo by Yezmin Villarreal. Students read from a list of demands that they’ve previously presented to administrators from the Chandler High Union School District. The pro-LGBTQ+ list of demands includes requests for access to gender-neutral bathrooms for transgender students, a requirement for school staff to receive training on diversity, equity, inclusion and LGBTQ cultural competency, and an easier pathway for transgender students to choose the name and pronoun they want to be called at school, among other demands. Despite the generous student turnout across eight different high schools in the Valley on Friday, Shim said she didn’t feel hopeful that school administrators would listen. “One of our demands is that our administration doesn’t have enough accountability, so I don’t anticipate them responding to us.” “We’ve sent them countless emails that they never even took the time to say, ‘We saw your email.’ And that’s not something that's unique to us, that’s something that we’ve noticed as an ongoing pattern in our administration.” Three miles down the road, students from Chandler High School gathered on the lawn of A. J. Park. Salem, 15, a transgender student, was one of more than 50 students who walked out of Chandler High on Friday. Salem recognizes the real-life effect of anti-LGBTQ bills on queer and trans youth in Arizona. “Statistics from the Trevor Project show that 65% of transgender kids considered or attempted suicide, which is awful. It’s the administration's fault,” said Salem. “It’s a fight and we won’t stop fighting because we’re here, we’re queer, and we’re not going away.” --- *LOOKOUT relies on subscriptions and donations to keep our news free and consistent. For every $100 raised, we provide five people access to local queer news they won’t find anywhere else. Consider a donation today.* [Donate to LOOKOUT](https://www.paypal.com/donate/?ref=lookoutnews.org) ## EYES ON THE STATE *LOOKOUT's 'Eyes on the State' is brought to you by an exclusive partnership with* [*Equality AZ*](https://equalityarizona.substack.com/)*. Check here every week to see what's being proposed by lawmakers, who are the state power brokers, and context for current and upcoming bills.* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F4ac8e20d-0368-4c74-aed3-3599976e55b2_1080x1080.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F1f48b079-b4b6-4355-b681-5d34d86f9d7c_1080x1080.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fb00a5a2c-d2b4-43ad-af69-6cfd19fcdcb8_1080x1080.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fae0d4721-bf64-4c14-8cce-0723a6262463_1080x1080.png) [Subscribe](#/portal/signup) ### A charity drag show in Arizona clashed with Proud Boys and Christian nationalists URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/another-drag-show-in-arizona-was/ Last updated: 2026-08-16T19:14:22.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F24892953-3719-49d1-850b-5425baf9dda7_1750x880.png) Dale Partridge, who has promoted anti-LGBTQ+ views on his podcast “Real Christianity” and is author of the anti-queer children’s book “Jesus and My Gender,” speaks at a Cottonwood city council meeting on Feb. 7, 2023\. He cited drag performers do not “honor God,” as a reason to ban a touring drag show. A rural drag show that raises money for charity was met with outrage among Christian nationalists and far-right protesters this past weekend, including members of Proud Boys and Oathkeepers—groups that were involved in the Jan. 6 insurrection that attempted to overturn the election of President Joe Biden. The drag event, put on by Arizona Pride Tour, is an annual traveling show in a handful of small cities across the state, including Lake Havasu, Prescott and Payson. The purpose of the tour, according to the show’s creator Christopher Hall, is to build community and engagement among LGBTQ+ people in areas that historically have a lack of resources, such as medical queer outreach groups or social events. [Subscribe](#/portal/signup) This year’s Arizona Pride Tour follows two previous years of going around the state to tertiary or rural areas and doing drag shows, raising thousands of dollars for various charities, as well as organizing to start queer representation groups in cities they perform. “We ask people who want to make a lasting impact to go up on stage and kind of say what they want to do,” said Hall. “So it’s not like we just put on a great show and leave, we’re making lasting impact and building community.” Last year’s show in Payson resulted in the city’s first Pride parade organization, Hall said. When Hall planned his touring charity shows this year, the purpose was to bring awareness to a long-time art, which has also doubled as a subculture within the LGBTQ+ community to combat for queer civil rights. But more than anything, he said, the tour was meant to give non-traditional families in rural areas a place to feel welcome, where there would be “laughter in a supportive, non-judgmental zone where everyone can feel safe,” Hall said. And in a time when the Arizona legislature has passed some of the nation’s most restricting anti-drag and anti-trans bills (though they have been vetoed by the governor), Hall said that the need for drag in small towns was a requirement for LGBTQ+ people in the area. There had been pushback in the past. In 2022, Hall’s tour aimed to raise money for both Northern and Southern chapters of Arizona’s Girl Scouts of America. The Northern chapter refused to work with the drag show, and so tour had to give the Southern district the full $14,000 raised. But the pushback in Cottonwood, “was an experience in itself,” Hall said, adding that the vitriol and anger was more than he’s ever seen. When the announcement came that Hall’s performance was coming to Cottonwood, Arizona, a petition from a local church began gathering signatures against the show coming to town. The church gathered more than 1,000 signatures. “In order to ensure domestic stability, promote the general welfare of its citizens and protect its children, we shudder at the thought of outsiders disturbing our great city with morals and values that we ourselves do not hold, performing a sexually deviant ‘show' that we do not want, and then abandoning our community, placing a blight on our friends, families, and children,” the petition stated. On Feb. 7, a heated city council meeting heard from dozens of Christian nationalists who likened the performance to child sexual assault, abusive sexual conduct, and moral depravity. Chris Roach, a Cottonwood resident, said the show was advocating “the sexualization of children by demonic pedophiles. It's just absurd that you would even consider bringing that here.” Others said the event was not child appropriate, also likening performing in drag to sexual acts. Only a few spoke in favor of the event, including Misty Knight, a local performer: “I'm here to tell you that this hate and anger towards the drag performers is misguided,” they said. “The art of drag serves no threat to the community drag is about freedom of expression and unity among those who have been cast aside by society.” Three other city council meeting resulted in a free-for-all for so-called religious freedom advocates, people who are often Christian nationalists and use their religion to espouse anti-LGBTQ+ beliefs. Among them were people who said that LGBTQ+ relationships should be labeled as “twisted,” and another speaker made veiled threats against a city councilman saying they “would not see 2024.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Ff09eb142-a5c9-46b9-9f60-a60fb52f3027_1080x1080.png) [Donate to LOOKOUT](https://www.paypal.com/donate/?ref=lookoutnews.org) A few months later, days before the performance, the city council [voted to deny a liquor license for the show](http://journalaz.com/2023/04/03/council-denies-liquor-license-for-drag-show/?ref=lookoutnews.org), citing security concerns. “ I didn’t feel comfortable allowing alcohol to be served at an event which drew so much controversy and angst and where I knew protesters would gather,” Cottonwood Mayor Tim Elinski said in an email to *LOOKOUT. “*There was too much uncertainty in my mind and I didn’t want to add an element that could make a bad situation much worse.” The show sold out, and dozens of people showed up to support the performers and attendees. But leading up to the show this past Saturday, religious groups also called on each other to come out and “pray” outside the event. Alongside them were [ski-masked Proud Boys](https://www.verdenews.com/news/2023/apr/12/proud-boys-drag-show-supporters-keep-peace-video/?ref=lookoutnews.org), Oathkeepers, and other White and Christian nationalists who screamed and [derided people walking into the show](https://twitter.com/az%5Frww/status/1645262214906155012/photo/1?ref=lookoutnews.org). Some appeared to be armed. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F48ba648e-a995-42ca-9eda-770e142a71c4_1028x942.png) No arrests were made at the event, but the protest represents a growing cause of concern for LGBTQ+ people in Arizona, where the [state leads the nation in anti-LGBTQ+ hate crimes](https://www.lookoutnews.org/despite-record-low-reports-az-still/), according to the FBI. This is the third known drag show in Arizona that has been met by Proud Boys and other Christian nationalists, who come to events fully armed and masked in order to hide their identities. In Tempe, [a drag show had to be cancelled after a bomb threat](https://www.lookoutnews.org/drag-queen-arizona-bills/) was made against children and parents inside a local coffee shop. A drag event at a Phoenix Bookman’s was also forced to cancel their events after threats were issued and Proud Boys threatened to demonstrate. Cottonwood’s event is the third reported show where drag performers and LGBTQ+ people were targeted. Even though the Cottonwood show may have been marred by the protests, the tour’s creator, Hall, said that the show was worth it, and there will only be more shows to come. When he went up on stage that night to a packed house, he was overwhelmed, he said. “You know, for a city that doesn’t want us here you sure did show up,” he said. And he said that for people who have strong feelings for drag shows, he welcomed them to attend an all-ages show to dispel any myths or misconceptions about what they see online versus what happens in real life. “All those in attendance said that was the most G-rated show they have ever seen,” he said. There has been speculation, now, that the city is aiming to make all drag events ages 21 and over only. --- *The kind of reporting we do at* LOOKOUT *isn’t like what you’ll get at any other Arizona news outlet. We cover queer issues for queer people, written from queer perspectives. We’re unapologetic in our mission, but we can’t do it without your financial support. Consider a tax-deductible donation to* LOOKOUT *so that we can keep doing this kind of reporting.* [Donate to LOOKOUT](https://www.paypal.com/donate/?ref=lookoutnews.org) ### Stories from March you might have missed, but definitely need to read URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/stories-from-march-you-might-have/ Last updated: 2023-10-10T16:13:29.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fc47bc789-b6a3-4b3e-86dc-df7ed40b6170_1456x1092.webp) In case you haven’t been keeping track, *LOOKOUT* last month was incredibly active in covering a wide variety of local queer news. From the Washington School Board fight that resulted in a religious liberty protest outside schools, to our first partnership with Prison Journalism Project highlighting the voices of incarcerated LGBTQ+ people, our news is bringing unique coverage with modern perspectives. ### Religious Fiasco at Washington Elementary School Board In February, the school board voted unanimously to end their agreement with Arizona Christian University—a private Christian university—because student-teachers who attend the school are required to sign a pledge that says, among other things, that being queer is a moral sin, and that there are only two genders, which cannot be changed. The city’s non-discrimination ordinance allows boards to sever contracts with people and organizations that promote discrimination against students, including those who identify as queer. In their first board meeting since severing the contract, Christian nationalists and legislators that ally with them protested outside the school. [Amid school board fight, state lawmaker and far-right activists double down on religious bigotry as "free speech"LOOKOUT relies on subscriptions and donations to keep our news free and consistent. For every $100 raised, we provide five people access to local queer news they won’t find anywhere else. Consider a donation today. Before Lindsay Love took her seat on the Chandler Unified School District Board, she’d been frequenting meetings for years. A social worker by trade, the job seemed straightforward: review challenges teachers and administrators had, approve contracts and funding, and hear grievances during public meetings.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fa6177d34-9d29-419a-89a5-0ddcc00bcec9_320x320-1.png)LOOKOUT PHX](https://www.lookoutnews.org/amid-school-board-fight-state-lawmaker/) ### LOOKOUT on KJZZ In an exclusive interview with KJZZ, *LOOKOUT*’s founder Joseph Darius Jaafari and Managing Director Jake Hylton spoke with a producer at The Show to highlight why queer news is needed in Phoenix. [LISTEN HERE.](https://kjzz.org/content/1842631/journalist-says-queer-news-lacking-phoenix-so-he-started-his-own-newsletter?ref=lookoutnews.org) --- *Not a paid subscriber to LOOKOUT yet? All subscriptions are 100% tax deductible, as LOOKOUT is Phoenix’s ONLY nonprofit queer news site. Consider a paid subscription today, as low as $5 a month. Annual subscribers get free swag, and founding members get exclusive invite-only access to events.* [Upgrade to paid](#/portal/signup) ### ‘Not On My Watch’ At the annual Fresh Brunch put on by One n’ Ten, the LGBTQ+ youth advocacy group, Gov. Katie Hobbs was honored with being an honorary chair. She also had some things to say about the legislature’s consistent push for anti-LGBTQ+ bills. Though Hobbs has promised to veto harmful and bigoted legislation aimed at curbing (and in some cases completely eliminate) the rights and existence of queer people in the state, she said she only handles the politics. Much of the work needs to be done on a community level, she said. “We cannot rely solely on legislation to create real change,” she said. [Hobbs's Challenge to AZ GOP: Any bills targeting queer people will "meet my veto stamp." LOOKOUT relies on subscriptions and donations to keep our news free and consistent. For every $100 raised, we provide five people access to local queer news they won’t find anywhere else. Consider a donation today. Governor Katie Hobbs this past Sunday re-pledged her support to the state’s queer community, saying at a benefit brunch event that any bill passed by the Republican-controlled Senate and House will “meet my veto stamp.”![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fa6177d34-9d29-419a-89a5-0ddcc00bcec9_320x320-2.png)LOOKOUT PHX](https://www.lookoutnews.org/hobbss-challenge-to-az-gop-any-bills/) ### Surviving Being Black and Gay in an AZ Prison From an excerpt of our first essay partnership with Prison Journalism Project: > “More often than not, I find myself educating staff and prisoners alike about the realities of being a gay man. In my conversations with straight men on sexuality I am often giving perspective to their one-dimensional worldview. > > For them, it is expected and demanded that gay men "come out the closet" and "show respect," but these obligations are seldom reciprocated. Instead, people like me are forced to be gender-conscious and sexually aware, and yet when we ask for the same from the rest of the world we are "forcing gay upon everyone" or being disrespectful. [How Do You Survive Prison When You're Gay and Black? Same As You Do On the Outside. This essay was published in partnership with Prison Journalism Project, which publishes independent journalism by incarcerated writers and others impacted by incarceration. Sign up for The Prison Journalism Project's newsletter, or follow them on Instagram![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fa6177d34-9d29-419a-89a5-0ddcc00bcec9_320x320-3.png)LOOKOUT PHX](https://www.lookoutnews.org/being-gay-inside-arizonas-prisons/) ### LOOKOUT Roundtable on Criminal Justice and Queer Incarceration Last month, LOOKOUT founder Joseph Darius Jaafari joined a roundtable of criminal justice and abolition activists to discuss the difficulties queer communities face in incarceration and policing. The hour-long roundtable hosted by LOOKOUT's content partner Equality Arizona can be found here: [LGBTQ+ Criminalization and IncarcerationListen now (61 min) | We’re back with another episode of Ask Smart People Smart Questions, recorded live at the Tempe Public Library on March 22, 2023\. With each installment of the series, Equality Arizona convenes a panel of experts to talk about the big picture of some of the biggest issues that affect the LGBTQ+ community in Arizona. For the month of March, our topic was …![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Ff7bf68ab-1daf-4446-bae1-a6a5510b9cec_500x500.png)Equality Arizona](https://equalityarizona.substack.com/p/lgbtq-criminalization-and-incarceration) ### AZ has record low reporting on LGBTQ+ hate crimes, but still worst in the nation Every year the FBI compiles hate crime data for the state of Arizona from National Incident-Based Reporting System reports submitted to the FBI. The Hate Crime Statistics compiled in 2021 were taken from data received from 82 of 127 [law enforcement agencies in the state](https://cde.ucr.cjis.gov/LATEST/webapp/?ref=lookoutnews.org#/pages/explorer/crime/hate-crime). However, only [half of the state’s police agencies](https://www.themarshallproject.org/2022/08/15/see-if-police-in-your-state-reported-crime-data-to-the-fbi?ref=lookoutnews.org) reported a full year of crime data. Despite the small number of crimes reported, Arizona still has the highest number of LGBTQ+ hate crimes reported than most other states in the country, according to the FBI. [Despite record low reports, AZ still ranks highest in hate crimes against LGBTQ+ peopleLOOKOUT relies on subscriptions and donations to keep our news free and consistent. For every $100 raised, we provide five people access to local queer news they won’t find anywhere else. Consider a donation today. AN EDITORIAL NOTE ON THE NASHVILLE SHOOTING![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fa6177d34-9d29-419a-89a5-0ddcc00bcec9_320x320-4.png)LOOKOUT PHX](https://www.lookoutnews.org/despite-record-low-reports-az-still/) [Subscribe](#/portal/signup) ### Kris Mayes Pushes to Change Rules on National Blood Ban URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/kris-mayes-blood-ban-gay/ Last updated: 2023-08-14T17:31:10.000Z *LOOKOUT relies on subscriptions and donations to keep our news free and consistent. For every $100 raised, we provide five people access to local queer news they won’t find anywhere else. Consider a donation today.* [Donate to LOOKOUT](https://www.paypal.com/donate/?ref=lookoutnews.org) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F3f85fe59-89c2-4e76-b240-773bd323a604_1024x683.jpeg) The Food and Drug Administration proposed new rules in January that would allow gay and bisexual men to donate blood after decades of banning them from doing so. (Photo by Pietro Naj-Oleari) Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes along with 21 other state Attorneys Generals [signed a letter on March 31st ](https://www.azag.gov/sites/default/files/docs/press-releases/2023/letters/3%5F31%5F23%5FMultistate%5FComment%5FLetter%5Fre%5FFDA%5FBlood%5FDonation.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org)in support of the Food and Drug Administration's new proposed guidance that would ease restrictions for gay and bisexual men to donate blood and plasma, after a 40-year ban. Blood bans for gay men became a federal law during the AIDS and HIV epidemic in the 1980s, as it became clear that the virus was a blood-transmissible disease. The lifelong ban continued well into the 2000’s and 2010’s, and only recently was updated to reflect the vast amount of studies that showed how gay men had become less of a risk for the virus. Though gay men continue to be one of the largest drivers of HIV transmissions, that is alongside a considerable rise among Black women, Black men who have sex with other men (but who don’t identify as gay), and incarcerated people. In the past few years, the FDA has changed donation requirements from a blanket ban on gay and bisexual men, to allowing them to donate, so long as they hadn’t had sexual activity in a year. The new rule included married or monogamous couples. “Discriminatory blood donation policies not only stigmatize the LGBTQ community, and gay and bisexual men in particular, but also endanger the lives of patients in need,” [said Mayes](https://www.azag.gov/press-release/attorney-general-mayes-calls-end-outdated-blood-donation-policy-stigmatizes-lgbtq?ref=lookoutnews.org). “It’s long past time to abandon outdated practices and embrace a risk-based approach that allows all eligible donors to contribute to the blood supply. If implemented, the new guidance proposed by the Biden administration will undoubtedly save lives.” But this past January, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the FDA [introduced a guidance](https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-proposes-individual-risk-assessment-blood-donations-while-continuing-safeguard-us-blood-supply?ref=lookoutnews.org) that would use an individual risk-based analysis to assess potential donors—of all genders and sexual orientations—rather than a time-based deferral. The [new proposed guidance](https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-proposes-individual-risk-assessment-blood-donations-while-continuing-safeguard-us-blood-supply?ref=lookoutnews.org) will initiate a process where if a prospective donor reports having a new sexual partner or more than one sexual partner in the past three months, they will be asked about their past sexual history regarding anal sex in the last three months. If prospective donors report experiencing all three in the past three months, they will be deferred from donating blood. Other prospective donors who answer no to all three statements will be eligible to donate, as long as they meet all other eligibility criteria. HIV positive people or anyone who has taken medication to treat HIV will still continue to be permanently deferred from donating blood. Those taking medication to prevent HIV, such as PrEP or PEP, are deferred for three months from their most recent dose. The existing FDA policy recommends barring gay and bisexual men from donating blood within three months of their most recent sexual contact. The FDA revised this policy for the first time in 2020, but didn’t take into account specific risk factors. In turn, this policy prevented non-celibate gay and bisexual men from donating blood. A [2014 report by the Williams Institute](https://www.azag.gov/sites/default/files/docs/press-releases/2023/letters/3%5F31%5F23%5FMultistate%5FComment%5FLetter%5Fre%5FFDA%5FBlood%5FDonation.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org) showed that lifting the blood donation ban for gay and bisexual men would make over 2 million blood donors eligible to donate and create nearly 300,000 pints of extra blood donations each year. According to estimates gathered by the American Red Cross, a single blood donation has the capacity to be used in life-saving circumstances for at least three individuals. Given these statistics, removing the ban has the potential to save more than a million people. International countries such as the United Kingdom and Canada have successfully enacted similar policies. A Canadian study from 2022 showed that eliminating deferral periods for gay and bisexual men would not cause an increase in HIV infections. In a [press release](https://www.azag.gov/press-release/attorney-general-mayes-calls-end-outdated-blood-donation-policy-stigmatizes-lgbtq?ref=lookoutnews.org) signed by Arizona Attorney General Mayes, she supported the new policy because of its potential to increase the available blood supply. Since the onset of the pandemic, The American Red Cross has seen a ten percent decline in the number of blood donations. Mayes also stated the importance of removing discriminatory aspects of the current FDA guidance because it violates constitutional Equal Protection principles. --- *LOOKOUT relies on subscriptions and donations to keep our news free and consistent. For every $100 raised, we provide five people access to local queer news they won’t find anywhere else. Consider a donation today.* [Donate to LOOKOUT](https://www.paypal.com/donate/?ref=lookoutnews.org) ## EYES ON THE STATE *LOOKOUT's 'Eyes on the State' is brought to you by an exclusive partnership with [Equality AZ](https://equalityarizona.substack.com/). Check here every week to see what's being proposed by lawmakers, who are the state power brokers, and context for current and upcoming bills.* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F9effe916-a131-4844-8399-19c8d48a9ae7_1755x1755.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F6c443737-9d7e-40f7-873e-15db9e146481_1755x1755.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F9ff9ce15-b2cb-47d4-9df4-0c405d0b4d69_1755x1755.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fe262f416-18bb-4ee4-bf30-635e2448692b_1755x1755.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fdd5fc032-8b66-49e6-90f4-e5cc4f4a7718_1755x1755.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F875348b5-ef0c-49f9-9f58-ea02b38bb2c5_1755x1755.png) [Subscribe](#/portal/signup) ### Amid one of Phoenix's largest queer celebrations, some attendees worried for their safety. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/amid-one-of-phoenixs-largest-queer/ Last updated: 2026-08-16T19:13:58.000Z *LOOKOUT relies on subscriptions and donations to keep our news free and consistent. For every $100 raised, we provide five people access to local queer news they won’t find anywhere else. Consider a donation today.* [Donate to LOOKOUT](https://www.paypal.com/donate/?ref=lookoutnews.org) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fe4b228dc-b152-41a2-81d1-d8da3900498a_2400x1600.jpeg) Phoenix Rainbows Festival is the city’s second largest pride festival next to the annual Pride Parade and Festival, which will be held in October this year. Some attendees told LOOKOUT they worried for their safety, but showed up in support anyways. While this past weekend’s Rainbow Festival in downtown Phoenix was a success for queer representation, attendees told LOOKOUT they had feelings of anxiety and trepidation because of the state’s far-right legislature that continues to push anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, and using last week’s school shooting involving a trans perpetrator to continue pushing for the eradication of queer people from public sight. Dubbed “Arizona’s Greatest Street Fair,” Rainbow Festival typically draws a crowd of over 25,000 people every year. This year the festival took on a greater significance, given the national and state tension over LGBTQ+ news in the media. Police said there were no incidents of violence reported. In February, Tempe’s Brick Road Coffee, an LGBTQ+-owned coffee shop, received a bomb threat before a drag story hour event they were hosting. The coffee shop closed down temporarily while the threat was investigated by Tempe police and the FBI. Bookman’s, a local used book store with locations throughout Arizona, also had to halt a drag story hour at one of their Tucson locations because of threats. In an [online blog post](https://bookmans.com/bookmans-drag-story-hour-event-postponed/?ref=lookoutnews.org), Sean Feeney, the President of Bookman’s Entertainment Exchange, wrote, “Combined with the recent FBI-involved bomb threat at another Drag Story Hour event in Tempe on February 19, 2023, this very real risk of violence could not be ignored.” As a result, the event was postponed until further notice. Queer advocates in attendance at the Rainbow Festival voiced their concern for public safety, given the threats against the two drag story hours in Arizona, coupled with fear of further anti-trans backlash from right-wing media and protesters. Kelly Square, 32, a drag queen who performs with The Drag Bus, expressed concerns over her safety. “I absolutely have safety concerns,” she said. “Anytime I go to a public event, like a Pride, an event that’s outdoors in the public. It’s obvious that there’s people out there who want to harm our community, especially because we’ve had events where people have been harmed recently. It’s always something that’s in the back of my head everytime I step out of the house in drag.” Despite the fear, downtown Phoenix’s Heritage Square Park was packed with rainbow flags all weekend. House music brimmed throughout the plaza, coming from the main stage of Rainbow Festival, the largest LGBTQ+ event in Phoenix—second only to Phoenix Pride, which is scheduled for October this year. [Parents who evacuated their kids during drag story hour say lawmakers are the real dangerHannah Moulton Belec just wanted to take her kids to a performance surrounded by other children. A local coffee shop near where she lived had scheduled a drag story hour, and with a professional performer doing the reading, it was an opportunity to unplug for a bit.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fa6177d34-9d29-419a-89a5-0ddcc00bcec9_320x320-5.png)LOOKOUT PHX](https://www.lookoutnews.org/drag-queen-arizona-bills/) Among the 150 sponsors, vendors, and nonprofits in attendance at Rainbow Festival, Arizona Trans Youth and Parent Organization was one group that stood out. Their table was decorated with trans-friendly stickers, transgender flags, rainbow flags, and a flurry of visitors who stopped by simply to say, “Thank you!” Tami Staas, a volunteer with AZ TYPO, is a third-grade public school teacher, and the mother of a trans child. “I have myself received hate mail, and been doxxed in the right wing media,” Staas said. “I’ve had to report incidents of that. There’s that fear—what if somebody decided this was the day? I try and not let that loom too close to my mind because the work \[we do\] is so much more important.” She continued that the work was too important: “The community needs us…Parents need us.” ### FINAL OUTLOOK ##### “I had to walk \[to Rainbows Festival\] today because I’m so close, and I was walking down the street in drag. It’s a statement, but it’s also a risk.” ###### **\-Kelly Square, local drag queen** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F3aaf1446-8627-4fdb-bc1e-993d67a74026_1080x1080.png) [Subscribe](#/portal/signup) ## EYES ON THE STATE *LOOKOUT's 'Eyes on the State' is brought to you by an exclusive partnership with* [*Equality AZ*](https://equalityarizona.substack.com/)*. Check here every week to see what's being proposed by lawmakers, who are the state power brokers, and context for current and upcoming bills.* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F5abedb81-ed9a-44aa-9f66-739f3d7c2da8_2025x2025.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fdf47e724-0b27-4ac4-bb37-00dabbe06baa_2025x2025.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fdcdf7130-1563-4cf3-9cdf-9b19f5de309d_2025x2025.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fcc7fa68e-cf19-49e3-a8c1-5533bea61d0d_2025x2025.png) ### Despite record low reports, AZ still ranks highest in hate crimes against LGBTQ+ people URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/despite-record-low-reports-az-still/ Last updated: 2025-05-23T16:28:09.000Z *LOOKOUT relies on subscriptions and donations to keep our news free and consistent. For every $100 raised, we provide five people access to local queer news they won’t find anywhere else. Consider a donation today.* [Donate to LOOKOUT](https://www.paypal.com/donate/?ref=lookoutnews.org) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F961ade55-194e-4ce9-865f-23485e24a814_768x512.jpeg) Protesters who went to the streets for Black justice awareness after the murder of George Floyd. Photo credit: Ted Eytan. ### AN EDITORIAL NOTE ON THE NASHVILLE SHOOTING Yesterday, six people were shot and killed, three of them children, in a private religious school in Nashville, TN. There has been much speculation and talk about the gender identity of the shooter, after the police kept referring to the shooter as one gender, but social media snapshots referred to them as another. As journalists, we are bound by our ethics to make sure we don’t parrot bad narratives or elevate bad arguments. Unfortunately, one of the arguments is that trans people are somehow more dangerous, and that recent shootings have happened specifically because of trans people. This is simply untrue. Majority of mass shootings, and specifically school shootings, are done by cisgendered (born in their original gender) men. Journalists need to make that point clear and if they report on this, it needs to be up on top, and quick to debunk any reference otherwise. We also urge, though, to not dive deep into the rabbit hole of gender identity for the shooter until it’s verified, as we have seen this argument used as a straw man in the past before being debunked. For more on our ethics around this conversation, please visit [Trans Journalists Association.](https://transjournalists.org/style-guide/?ref=lookoutnews.org) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F3aaf1446-8627-4fdb-bc1e-993d67a74026_1080x1080-1.png) ### AZ’s hate crime reporting is at a record low, but still the highest in the region against LGBTQ+ people ###### By Yezmin Villarreal, LOOKOUT newsletter writer Every year news headlines pop up on social media claiming hate crimes have risen an exorbitant amount, but the data driving those statistics is much more complicated than one single headline can reveal. Specifically, the data news writers and politicians are using isn’t complete, especially when it comes to [reported LGBTQ+ hate crimes](https://www.themarshallproject.org/2023/03/25/asian-hate-crime-fbi-black?ref=lookoutnews.org), which had the largest increase in cases next to crimes against Asian communities. That rise in reported hate crime runs in contrast to reports that the FBI’s data is far less complete than the agency would like. Every year the FBI compiles hate crime data for the state of Arizona from National Incident-Based Reporting System reports submitted to the FBI. The Hate Crime Statistics compiled in 2021 were taken from data received from 82 of 127 [law enforcement agencies in the state](https://cde.ucr.cjis.gov/LATEST/webapp/?ref=lookoutnews.org#/pages/explorer/crime/hate-crime). However, only [half of the state’s police agencies](https://www.themarshallproject.org/2022/08/15/see-if-police-in-your-state-reported-crime-data-to-the-fbi?ref=lookoutnews.org) reported a full year of crime data. Despite the small number of crimes reported, Arizona still has the highest number of LGBTQ+ hate crimes reported than most other states in the country, according to the FBI. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F94cb4e72-1b5c-4df7-9946-f704975c4eb2_1080x1080.png) To combat the poor number of LGBTQ+ hate crimes reported and compiled each year in the FBI’s Hate Crime Statistics, the Department of Justice organized an event in Phoenix called “United Against Hate,” hosted at Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law on March 21. The event was the second in a series of events, organized by the Department of Justice outreach program, and was “designed to improve reporting, to rebuild trust, and to create and strengthen alliances” with the LGBTQ community in Arizona. FBI Special Agent Dan Johnson, who investigates hate crimes in Arizona, gave a presentation at the beginning of the panel, highlighting the lack of reporting of hate crimes and how the FBI is aware that the data they have doesn’t present an accurate picture of the actual number of LGBTQ+ hate crimes that happen every year in the state of Arizona. The FBI has had a challenging time convincing LGBTQ+ people to report hate crimes, not just nationally, but also here in Arizona. Members of the panel from groups such as Phoenix Pride acknowledged that there’s a distrust that exists with the LGBTQ+ community and law enforcement. The tension could be alleviated, members of the panel said, if law enforcement took steps to build relationships with LGBTQ+ community groups or community members. When pressed by *LOOKOUT* about how the Department of Justice plans to measure the success of the panel, Gary M. Restaino, the U.S. Attorney for Arizona, said: “One of the things that is measurable is reporting on incidents…But beyond that, I'd invite you to give us our metrics, tell us what we should be using to measure success, or at least forward progress in the community.” Restaino acknowledged the concerns of panel members and the audience with regards to working on building relationships with the LGBTQ+ community in the state. “We need to have transparency. If we’re asking you to report on hate crimes, we need to do a better job—if we can—of reporting back the results of investigations,” Restaino said. “Can’t always do it, but we should try to do it.” ### FINAL OUTLOOK ##### “It’s personally very difficult for me to measure success with regards to cases because I can’t make the cases come to me, so I measure success by how many new people I talk to every year. **”** ###### **\-Dan Johnson, FBI Special Agent on how the DOJ can set measurable standards to address record low reporting of hate crimes, locally.** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F3aaf1446-8627-4fdb-bc1e-993d67a74026_1080x1080-2.png) [Subscribe](#/portal/signup) ## EYES ON THE STATE *LOOKOUT's 'Eyes on the State' is brought to you by an exclusive partnership with [Equality AZ](https://equalityarizona.substack.com/). Check here every week to see what's being proposed by lawmakers, who are the state power brokers, and context for current and upcoming bills.* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F58f937a6-2da5-4469-9755-46c62d9bec33_1700x4250.png) ### How Do You Survive Prison When You're Gay and Black? Same As You Do On the Outside. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/being-gay-inside-arizonas-prisons/ Last updated: 2023-10-10T16:28:58.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fd706606e-3e7d-4baf-8248-1ab34675c857_2400x1800.jpeg) Illustration by Prison Journalism Project. #### Partnered content **This essay was published in partnership with* [**Prison Journalism Project*](https://prisonjournalismproject.org/?ref=lookoutnews.org)**, which publishes independent journalism by incarcerated writers and others impacted by incarceration. Sign up for The Prison Journalism Project's* [**newsletter*](https://prisonjournalismproject.org/inside-story?ref=lookoutnews.org)**, or follow them on* [**Instagram*](https://www.instagram.com/prisonjournalism/?hl=en&ref=lookoutnews.org) *or* [**Twitter*](https://twitter.com/prisonjourn?ref=lookoutnews.org)**.* Being Black and from Phoenix, Arizona, I wasn’t afforded the same opportunities as other kids. I was born and raised in south central Phoenix, surrounded by a vibrant Black community. But the area, in my experience, was heavily influenced by homophobia within churches, which were pillars in preserving strong Black families. My family attended Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church, and as a kid I was sent to a youth summer camp where the pastor told me I was possessed with demons and then put his hands on me to “release” me from the “curse” of homosexuality. I was told I was abnormal. I was going to hell. My dad said I would not be anything but a "fag.” And, in turn, that meant to me that I was unloved and unworthy. So for the greater part of my life, I have been engaged in a war within and against myself. I have been suicidal since I was 12 years old, and have struggled with low self-esteem and severe depression. And after my mom died eight years ago, I began using methamphetamine. I was homeless, grieving, hopeless, vulnerable and desperate. God wouldn't hear me because I was gay; my dad was unavailable for the same reason. So I found my peace in “party and play,” the term used by gay men to smoke meth and have sex, often unprotected. A series of bad situations with people, never substantial enough to be considered relationships, led to STDs, more drug usage and eventually prison. --- *Do you enjoy this kind of reporting? You'll never see our work behind a paywall, and that's because we believe in the power of journalism in creating a stronger community. Consider a donation to our tip jar today and keep LGBTQ+ news free for the public.* [Tip Jar](http://lookout-publications.fundjournalism.org/lookout-publications-1?ref=lookoutnews.org) --- Now, I have PTSD. I am in recovery. And I am currently incarcerated for a charge of disorderly conduct and am down to my last 80 days of an 18-month sentence. I am currently in the Residential Substance Abuse Treatment program, which is a therapeutic community. Prisoners like myself take part in a program that explores the causes of our addictions, their effects and provides us with some resources to aid in our recovery. But the RSAT program, like most of the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry programs, promotes heterosexuality and is negligent—at best—of the specifics of being a homosexual. More often than not, I find myself educating staff and prisoners alike about the realities of being a gay man. In my conversations with straight men on sexuality I am often giving perspective to their one-dimensional worldview. For them, it is expected and demanded that gay men "come out the closet" and "show respect," but these obligations are seldom reciprocated. Instead, people like me are forced to be gender-conscious and sexually aware, and yet when we ask for the same from the rest of the world we are "forcing gay upon everyone" or being disrespectful. But just as being born straight was not a choice for them, or being born Black was not a choice for me, being born gay is the same—I just got lucky! To be fair, that’s not so different compared to the outside. Being gay in prison is merely a smaller experience of what being gay in south central Phoenix is like on a normal day. In my experience, though, being a gay man has meant that I have to be tougher, smarter, more self-reliant and more resilient than straight men, both in and out of prison. [More than 2,300 Arizona prisoners have been punished for queer intimacyWhen living inside prison, every aspect of your life is determined by people who have power over you, from work to sex. You could end up in solitary confinement for complaining about the rotted meat served to you. For pennies on the dollar, you can work full time but not make enough in wages for sanitary products. And holding hands with someone you care about will result in a punishment that can lead to your privileges taken away.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fa6177d34-9d29-419a-89a5-0ddcc00bcec9_320x320-6.png)LOOKOUT PHX](https://www.lookoutnews.org/prisons-lgbtq-punishment/) A lot of gay men in prison (or "cheetos," as they’re called in here), are more than complacent in surrendering to their abuse. There are innumerable incidents of sexual assault, harassment and other abuses that slide under the radar—prisoner on prisoner, as well as staff on prisoner. I’ve seen male inmates violated in the shower, on the toilet and even in housing units by both male and female staff who watch us, like voyeurs. For me, being incarcerated has taken the best of me; I have given more than I have received and lost more than I have gained. I have nonetheless been unapologetically audacious and honest about who I am as a Black gay man because I have nothing to prove—or to lose—at this point. ### Hobbs's Challenge to AZ GOP: Any bills targeting queer people will "meet my veto stamp." URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/hobbss-challenge-to-az-gop-any-bills/ Last updated: 2026-08-16T19:33:24.000Z *LOOKOUT relies on subscriptions and donations to keep our news free and consistent. For every $100 raised, we provide five people access to local queer news they won’t find anywhere else. Consider a donation today.* [Donate to LOOKOUT](https://www.paypal.com/donate/?ref=lookoutnews.org) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fbd76298f-5ba5-4f21-80b7-05a148093358_1618x1280.jpeg) Gov. Katie Hobbs speaking at the One n’ Ten Fresh Brunch on Sunday, March 19\. Hobbs re-upped her support for the LGBTQ+ community, and restated that any anti-LGBTQ+ bills would be vetoed. Photo Credit: Katie Hobbs’ Twitter Governor Katie Hobbs this past Sunday re-pledged her support to the state’s queer community, saying at a benefit brunch event that any bill passed by the Republican-controlled Senate and House will “meet my veto stamp.” Hobbs made her comments in support of the community at the Fresh Brunch event at the Marriott at Desert Ridge, hosted by the LGBTQ+ youth nonprofit group [One n’ Ten](https://twitter.com/1n10?ref=lookoutnews.org). The nonprofit made the governor, who also used to volunteer with the nonprofit, an honorary chairperson at the gala. Hobbs said that the LGBTQ+ community, “particularly trans children, are under attack” in the state, with multiple bills targeting trans children and drag queens sailing through legislative committees and passing both chambers through party-line votes which Republicans hold a slim majority. “As we speak, there are a number of bills moving through our legislature that seek to do everything from regulate the pronouns use in our schools, to which bathrooms people are allowed to use,” she said. “This is scary and dangerous.” > [](https://twitter.com/GovernorHobbs/status/1637525426544459776?ref=lookoutnews.org) Though Hobbs has promised to veto harmful and bigoted legislation aimed at curbing (and in some cases completely eliminate) the rights and existence of queer people in the state, she said she only handles the politics. Much of the work needs to be done on a community level, she said. “We cannot rely solely on legislation to create real change,” she said. “We must also work to shift the cultural attitudes and beliefs that underlie discrimination and prejudice. That means challenging harmful stereotypes and promoting empathy and understanding. That means calling out hate when we see it and holding people, no matter how powerful they are accountable for their words and actions or lack thereof. It also means not being afraid to display symbols of support and affirmation.” In 2019, Hobbs was forced to take down a pride flag from her office by the state legislature, and mentioned how that sent a message that LGBTQ+ people were not welcome. As a bit of a tit for tat, Hobbs promised that this year’s pride month—which nationwide is historically in June, but this year’s Phoenix Pride Festival will be held in October—will be a larger celebration than in years before: “Just wait until you see what we have planned to celebrate.” One n’ Ten Chief Executive Officer Nate Rhoton spoke at the gala after Hobbs, and echoed her statements on the continued attack in the legislature against queer youth, specifically. “Statements of intolerance combined with the increase in anti-LGBTQ bills, sends a direct message to our youth of unacceptance and rejection of who they are at their core,” he said. ### FINAL OUTLOOK ##### “Times were different than the 90’s. When One n’ Ten was founded…”Don't Ask, Don't Tell” and DOMA or the Defense of Marriage Act”, were passing in the United States Congress. Marriage equality was not even on the radar issues impacting the trans community, we're simply not discussed. We have come so far. Where we stand today, in many ways, though, feels like a backslide into darker times. **”** ###### **\-Nate Rhoton, CEO of One n’ Ten at this year’s Fresh Brunch, held on Sunday, March 19 at the Marriott Desert Ridge.** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F3aaf1446-8627-4fdb-bc1e-993d67a74026_1080x1080-3.png) [Subscribe](#/portal/signup) ## EYES ON THE STATE *LOOKOUT's 'Eyes on the State' is brought to you by an exclusive partnership with* [*Equality AZ*](https://equalityarizona.substack.com/)*. Check here every week to see what's being proposed by lawmakers, who are the state power brokers, and context for current and upcoming bills.* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F80cc8ee8-ae8a-4a27-903f-7ad281313731_1600x4000.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fc248229a-af00-4ba5-8f96-be206996a27d_1080x1080.png) ## UPCOMING EVENTS ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fef8add7b-f3d5-4b3d-8f4e-bbf72c238fd2_2160x1080.png) **Mark your calendars! On March 30, *LOOKOUT* will be holding its second semi-regular listening session. Get your** [**tickets here and be notified this week when a location is determined**](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/579828712287?ref=lookoutnews.org)**.** On **March 22,** EqualityAZ has their weekly social hour at Brick Road Coffee from 6-9 p.m. On **March 25**, Crescent Ballroom is hosting “The Funky Latina Music Festival.” [Learn more here](https://localfirstaz.com/community-events?gclid=CjwKCAjwiOCgBhAgEiwAjv5whGVipSdbO4ufdVHokfKAPkBEsiwCglXeQ67Tr6QjO1lW7lDnKh1m1RoCb-cQAvD%5FBwE&ref=lookoutnews.org#!event/2023/3/25/the-funky-latina-music-festival-1). On **March 25**, Tempe Beach Park is hosting the [Aunt Rita’s AIDS Walk Arizona Festival & 5k](https://support.auntritas.org/event/2023-aids-walk-arizona-festival-and-5k-run/e414496?ref=lookoutnews.org) from 10-4 p.m. On **April 1-2**, the [Phoenix Rainbows Festival](https://phoenixpride.org/events/rainbows-festival/?ref=lookoutnews.org) will be held at Heritage Square. Come find us to get some free swag! ### Amid school board fight, state lawmaker and far-right activists double down on religious bigotry as "free speech" URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/amid-school-board-fight-state-lawmaker/ Last updated: 2024-09-29T21:37:04.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2024/09/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fecf28202-6835-4a44-962a-7271413360cd_1440x810.webp) Members of the Washington School Baord approve to end their contract with Arizona Christina University, which requires its students to sign a pledge that discriminates against LGBTQ+ people. *LOOKOUT relies on subscriptions and donations to keep our news free and consistent. For every $100 raised, we provide five people access to local queer news they won’t find anywhere else. Consider a donation today.* [Donate to LOOKOUT](https://www.paypal.com/donate/?ref=lookoutnews.org) Before Lindsay Love took her seat on the Chandler Unified School District Board, she’d been frequenting meetings for years. A social worker by trade, the job seemed straightforward: review challenges teachers and administrators had, approve contracts and funding, and hear grievances during public meetings. But Love soon realized that the politics of being on the school board became complicated once she was in power. Suddenly, she said, threats and insults were hurled her way. Parents would show up en masse to protest her and the board. They painted her a pedophile by calling her a “groomer” because she supported LGBTQ+ students, they made racist remarks, and they attacked her reputation. This was in 2019, before the pandemic and when all eyes seemed laser-focused on the power of school boards in the nation’s continued culture war, stoked by far-right Republicans aimed at targeting queer youth, or education lessons around history and race. “We started warning people in other school districts,” Love said, recollecting that her and the board had reached out to Mesa, Tempe and Phoenix school districts to warn them about the increased threats made by religious conservatives swarming their meetings. “They thought, ‘oh it’s over there, not here.’” Now, just as in many places across the nation, religious conservatives packing school board meetings has become a commonplace scene across Arizona, arguing that schools are “indoctrinating” schoolchildren to “woke” ideologies. “I don’t know when equity became ‘woke,’” Love said. “But the purpose of the school board is to make sure every student is treated and taught fairly and equally.” That purpose that Love described has sparked another national firestorm by conservative news outlets, politicians and religious zealots targeting the Washington Elementary District School Board in Phoenix for enforcing a non-discrimination ordinance passed by their city years earlier. [Subscribe](#/portal/signup) Last month, the board voted unanimously to end their agreement with Arizona Christian University—a private Christian university—because student-teachers who attend the school are required to sign a pledge that says, among other things, that being queer is a moral sin, and that there are only two genders, which cannot be changed. The city’s non-discrimination ordinance allows boards to sever contracts with people and organizations that promote discrimination against students, including those who identify as queer. “An institution has policies that are openly bigoted and I will not sit here and let our children be subjected to that,” Tamillia Valenzuela, a member of the school board, said on Thursday night at the district school board meeting, which was met with both claps and loud boos. Attendees at the meeting said that they felt their religion was being persecuted and many said, incorrectly, that ACU student-teachers were being unfairly targeted. (For clarity, the agreement to end the relationship with ACU was because of the university’s pledge against queer people, not for being Christian.) “No one on this board has stated that Christian teachers will not be allowed in this district,” Valenzuela said to the crowd, some of them hissing from the audience. Since ending the relationship, multiple far-right news outlets—including Fox News, the Alliance for Defending Freedom, and the Christian Post—have targeted board members, but specifically Valenzuela, its only queer woman of color. ACU’s president, Len Munsil, told [*The Christian Post*](https://www.christianpost.com/news/arizona-christian-university-pledges-action-school-district-ban.html?ref=lookoutnews.org) that, “The school board's recent decision to ban ACU students from serving as student teachers was done for one reason only: our university's commitment to our Christian convictions. That's wrong, it’s unlawful, and it will only hurt the district’s students.” But the statement made by Munsil, who also runs the Center for Arizona Policy which has a long history of pushing “traditional marriage” and lobbied for a bill that allowed businesses to discriminate against gay couples, is not fully correct, at least in how the board decided its vote. “For me, this is not a concern about Christianity,” said Board Chairwoman Nikkie Gomez-Whaley. “There are plenty of Christian denominations who are LGBTQ friendly, so I want to make it clear that for me, my pause is not that they’re Christians so much as this particular institution’s strong anti-LGBTQ stance.” Still, Arizona’s far-right conservative lawmakers, such as Sen. Anthony Kern of Gilbert, have taken Washington Elementary School Board’s spotlight to platform their own anti-LGBTQ+ ideologies. Kern has said that the school board encroached on people’s first amendment rights, where religious beliefs—even bigoted ones—should be recognized as religious freedom allowed in public institutions. > [](https://twitter.com/anthonykernAZ/status/1633331675483766784?ref=lookoutnews.org) He was also at the school board meeting Thursday night and held a rally outside the school, with protesters behind him chanting, “Jesus back into government,” an ethos that violates the nation’s Bill of Rights. > [](https://twitter.com/JosephJaafari/status/1634028419574026240?ref=lookoutnews.org) This isn’t the only time where religious discrimination by teachers inside of schools has been promoted by Kern and others in the state’s “Freedom Caucus,” a group of conservative leaders who have leaned heavy into the nation’s culture wars. In this year’s senate bill, SB1001, which recently passed the Senate and is set to be voted through the House, teachers and staff could use personal religious beliefs to not acknowledge trans students’ preferred pronouns or names if they have a sincerely held religious beliefs against it. And though that bill and others similar to it are all expected to be vetoed by the governor, LGBTQ+ people and their advocates say that the push of anti-LGBTQ+ bills has resulted in exactly what republicans in the House and Senate wanted: for people to fight the battle amongst themselves. ### FINAL OUTLOOK ##### “**You’ve called me fat, called me the N-word, told me to go back to Mexico. You can say what you want, but our students—our young people—are watching you. You are letting them know that you are not a safe person to be around, and that they cannot exist in their full humanity. And that is a shame.”** ###### **\-Tamillia Valenzuela, Washington Elementary School Board member who has been targeted by conservative news outlets.** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F3aaf1446-8627-4fdb-bc1e-993d67a74026_1080x1080-4.png) [Subscribe](#/portal/signup) ## EYES ON THE STATE *LOOKOUT's 'Eyes on the State' is brought to you by an exclusive partnership with* [*Equality AZ*](https://equalityarizona.substack.com/)*. Check here every week to see what's being proposed by lawmakers, who are the state power brokers, and context for current and upcoming bills.* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F3c5a1748-fb12-4cd4-a325-3c32e8c63b39_800x2000.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fc248229a-af00-4ba5-8f96-be206996a27d_1080x1080-1.png) ## UPCOMING EVENTS ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fef8add7b-f3d5-4b3d-8f4e-bbf72c238fd2_2160x1080-1.png) **Mark your calendars! On March 30, *LOOKOUT* will be holding its second semi-regular listening session. Time and place TBD, but sign up and** [**get your tickets here and be notified next week when a location is determined**](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/579828712287?ref=lookoutnews.org)**.** On **March 11**, EqualityAZ hosts another Queer People Fit series at [South Mountain](https://www.mobilize.us/equalityarizona/event/551583/?ref=lookoutnews.org) at Judith Tunnel. On **March 11**, Tempe is hosting the annual [Aloha Festival](https://www.downtowntempe.com/do/arizona-aloha-festival-1?ref=lookoutnews.org) which celebrates local Micronesian communities. On **March 12**, the Tempe Center for the Arts is hosting the Miss and Mister Phoenix Pride Pageant. Tickets are $20 and [can be bought here](https://www.tempe.gov/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/74199/?ref=lookoutnews.org). On **March 18**, Phoenix will host the [annual Pride Run](https://www.tempetourism.com/events/pride-run-phoenix/?ref=lookoutnews.org), which will start in the Melrose district. On **March 19**, One n’ Ten is hosting its [Fresh Brunch](https://onenten.org/fresh-brunch/?ref=lookoutnews.org), celebrating 30 years Desert Ridge Resort and Spa. ### Stories from February you absolutely need to read URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/stories-from-february-you-absolutely/ Last updated: 2023-08-14T16:57:03.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F27b0898b-5d4f-4932-ac47-1469f753e48c_5616x3744.jpeg) A member of the Phoenix Gay Rodeo attending the annual gay rodeo event in Laveen, Phoenix. Photo by Jake Hylton. In *LOOKOUT*’s second month of publishing, our reporters are getting wild traction and punching above their weight in what they’re covering. Here are some of the stories you might have missed. [Subscribe](#/portal/signup) #### Drag Story Hour On Feb. 19, the LGBTQ+-owned and operated coffee shop, Brick Road Coffee, closed down its doors after a bomb threat targeting children and their parents inside. The threat was made because the shop hosted a drag story hour event. The violence against queer spaces is on the rise, anecdotally, and advocates and parents are saying its due to the anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric being fanned by republican lawmakers stoking a culture war. [Parents who evacuated their kids during drag story hour say lawmakers are the real dangerHannah Moulton Belec just wanted to take her kids to a performance surrounded by other children. A local coffee shop near where she lived had scheduled a drag story hour, and with a professional performer doing the reading, it was an opportunity to unplug for a bit.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fa6177d34-9d29-419a-89a5-0ddcc00bcec9_320x320-7.png)LOOKOUT PHX](https://www.lookoutnews.org/drag-queen-arizona-bills/) The president of Drag Story Hour-AZ submitted a commentary to LOOKOUT, echoing what parents have said. [COMMENTARY: I'm the president of Drag Story Hour-AZ, and our safety is at risk because of senate republicans. The following editorial was submitted to LOOKOUT. The views and opinions expressed in our opinion pieces don’t always reflect the views of LOOKOUT as an organization. Opinion pieces are fact-checked, verified, and edited for style. You can read more on our editorial standards on our![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fa6177d34-9d29-419a-89a5-0ddcc00bcec9_320x320-8.png)LOOKOUT PHX](https://www.lookoutnews.org/bomb-threat-made-against-children/) #### LOOKOUT at the Arizona Gay Rodeo Every year, the Arizona Gay Rodeo attracts wranglers and bull riders from across the state. We were there to capture the fun and the fashion. [Arizona's Gay Rodeo Brings Together Families, Diverse CommunityFor the next three days, LOOKOUT is offering a 30% discount on all annual subscriptions. Your subscription helps pay writers and photographers, and ensures that Phoenix’s only non profit local queer news publication stays alive. Subscribe today to read stories before they’re available to the public, and comment on our stories.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fa6177d34-9d29-419a-89a5-0ddcc00bcec9_320x320-9.png)LOOKOUT PHX](https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizonas-gay-rodeo-brings-together/) #### A rise in suicide rates among queer youth A new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study that analyses risk behaviors among American youth found queer people faced higher rates of depression and thoughts of self-harm. Many point to unsafe school environments, amplified by legislation aiming to eliminate queer students. [Unsafe school environments could contribute to rise in attempted suicides among queer youth. This article is provided for free with the support of subscribers. If you enjoy local news covered with a queer lens, consider a paid subscription today. A quarter of queer youth have tried to end their own lives in the past, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fa6177d34-9d29-419a-89a5-0ddcc00bcec9_320x320-10.png)LOOKOUT PHX](https://www.lookoutnews.org/unsafe-school-environments-could/) #### Ticketed for holding hands A LOOKOUT investigation found that gay men and lesbian women inside prisons were being ticketed for innocuous offenses such as holding hands. [More than 2,300 Arizona prisoners have been punished for queer intimacyWhen living inside prison, every aspect of your life is determined by people who have power over you, from work to sex. You could end up in solitary confinement for complaining about the rotted meat served to you. For pennies on the dollar, you can work full time but not make enough in wages for sanitary products. And holding hands with someone you care about will result in a punishment that can lead to your privileges taken away.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fa6177d34-9d29-419a-89a5-0ddcc00bcec9_320x320-11.png)LOOKOUT PHX](https://www.lookoutnews.org/prisons-lgbtq-punishment/) --- *As Phoenix’s only nonprofit news site dedicated to covering LGBTQ+ issues,* LOOKOUT *is dependent on subscriptions and donations to keep our news free and our coverage diverse. Consider a donation today to help keep local queer news alive.* [Donate to LOOKUT](https://www.paypal.com/donate/?ref=lookoutnews.org) --- ### Eyes on the State ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Ffca6a674-c54f-458d-a97b-04f8324c19fc_800x2000.png) [Subscribe](#/portal/signup) ### Parents who evacuated their kids during drag story hour say lawmakers are the real danger URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/drag-queen-arizona-bills/ Last updated: 2026-08-16T19:19:07.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F92727246-ec35-447f-af42-e4fca602db76_4728x3383.jpeg) Freddy Prinze Charming, a drag performer, reads a storybook at a December Drag Story Hour-AZ event. Photo credit: Erik Waibel, DSH-AZ. Hannah Moulton Belec just wanted to take her kids to a performance surrounded by other children. A local coffee shop near where she lived had scheduled a drag story hour, and with a professional performer doing the reading, it was an opportunity to unplug for a bit. “To even have an excuse to get out of the house and do anything that is welcoming of kids, knowing that they're going to run around, have a space to color, get space on the floor to let them kind of, like, wobble around and bring parents together to connect with each other was important,” she said. “And then, to have those kid friendly spaces be excellent purveyors of art, or, you know, literacy programming—that's a whole other level.” But within an hour of being at the coffee shop, the mood shifted from playful and exciting, into trepidation. A bomb threat was made to the coffee shop, which at that point had filled up with children and their parents. “I didn't know if we should stay or not, because I don't want to show my kids that we give into this kind of terrorism,” Moulton Belec said. “But, like, I also want them to be safe.” Eventually the business had to empty out and close its doors for the day. A win for the religious-right which has done just about everything in their power to shut down these kinds of performances from happening, even on private property as this had been. But bomb threats aren’t the only threats levied against places like Brick Road Coffee, which is a regular host of Drag Story Hour-AZ. The threats to performers’ and small business’ bottom line is being done directly in tandem while legislation is brought on by three different senators: Justine Wadsack from Tucson, Anthony Kern from Gilbert, and John Kavanagh from Fountain Hills. Though the lawmakers say that their bills are only targeting drag shows that are inappropriate for children, a true reading of the bills’ broad language makes it easy for anyone, such as protesters, to call police and file complaints against even the most innocent performances, like the ones done during drag story hour. The three have also used a spat of language to describe people who perform drag as “groomers” who want to have sex with kids, or part of a gay “propaganda” campaign, or “perverted,” as one lawmaker described drag performers. [Subscribe](#/portal/signup) But while state lawmakers have tried to push Arizona to the front of the nation’s culture wars by passing laws that will surely die at the governor’s desk, the benefits and education behind drag story hour has been lost. Lawmakers have been focused on trying to malign drag as an inherently sexual art form, but the drag done during story hours is based on an understanding of how school-aged kids grasp reading comprehension through performance and active engagement. It also highlights stories that aren’t typically read inside of schools, such as issues on gender, race, or religion. And parents who take their children to readings say they take their kids in the hopes of learning empathy toward people who are different from them. That, though, is all at stake. Now, parents are worried about them and their children’s safety. “I was just shaken up,” Moulton Belec said. “I've never been in a situation like that with my kids.” “You spend so much time like trying to nurture them and keep them alive and thriving, but like, the idea that I would bring them to a place that where they would be in danger is just, like, there's just so much to that emotionally,” she said. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Ff6c7634a-5a34-43c8-a8fa-949fa653dceb_4703x3401.jpeg) A sign from Brick Road Coffee, where a bomb threat forced a Drag Story-AZ Hour to shut down. Photo credit: Erik Waibel, DSH-AZ While there are, indeed, drag shows that have sexual aspects incorporated into their performance, those shows are already restricted by the state’s cabaret laws, and done in adult settings. In spite of current law, Republican lawmakers have tried to push legislation to label all drag as a cabaret performance, to which children wouldn’t be able to see. Some bills have attempted this by giving people—even protesters—the decision on what is “obscene” or “prurient.” Yet, the drag done inside libraries or children’s shows is far from even the most conservative definitions of obscenity, with performers dressed sometimes in full gowns or entire costumes that cover every part of their body. The entire purpose of story hour is to mix reading with lessons of cultural acceptance, said David Boyles, the president of Drag Story Hour-Arizona, the local chapter of the national nonprofit, Drag Story Hour. “Our executive director is someone with a background in children's literacy, and when a performer wants to work with us, we do literacy training with them,” said Boyles. “We have a team of people who are educated in early childhood backgrounds, who develop the curriculum, pick the books, all that kind of stuff.” Put plainly, drag performers don’t show up in leather harnesses and read Michel Foucault. “It really is a deliberate literacy program that is rooted in just being very traditional children's literacy, ideas and research,” Boyles said. [COMMENTARY: I'm the president of Drag Story Hour-AZ, and our safety is at risk because of senate republicans. The following editorial was submitted to LOOKOUT. The views and opinions expressed in our opinion pieces don’t always reflect the views of LOOKOUT as an organization. Opinion pieces are fact-checked, verified, and edited for style. You can read more on our editorial standards on our![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fa6177d34-9d29-419a-89a5-0ddcc00bcec9_320x320-12.png)LOOKOUT PHX](https://www.lookoutnews.org/bomb-threat-made-against-children/) But that kind of literacy program doesn’t jive well with far-right Republicans pushing anti-LGBTQ+ legislation, which are carbon copies of bills being passed in Tennessee, Arkansas and South Carolina. In a recent committee hearing Sen. Christine Marsh (D-Phoenix) challenged Sen. Anthony Kern on where he got the bill text from for his anti-drag legislation, and if he was handed the bill from anyone in Tennessee. Kern scoffed at the question and said only that he was inspired by it. And when advocates have tried to challenge that conservative lawmakers are harming children, they’ve been shot down. In a Senate Government Committee, senator Jake Hoffman wouldn’t allow a speaker to testify about how drag story hour was created as a literacy program for children. But parents who take their kids to drag story hour events see a marked improvement in their children’s understanding of reading, and also appreciate a space that promotes their values of acceptance among different genders and groups of people. Julie Bufkin, who takes her 3-year-old son to the drag story hour at Brick Road Coffee, said she wanted to be sure he was able to learn in an environment that works best for him, while also being part of an event that taught acceptance and tolerance. “The ideas that they're sharing about inclusivity, radical self acceptance, even self regulation and thinking about different perspectives,” were important to her, she said. And because the event happened at a private venue, the crowds were tinier, and she knew her son learned best in small group environments. She also recognized that taking her child to the events was, in itself, a form of protest—another value she wanted to instill in her child. She said she’s walked her son through protests with Proud Boys, and evangelical church goers who scream at attendees. And even though they are working to intimidate her and her son, “The bottom line is, they're not scaring me,” she said. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F5a902f1e-c291-4eb5-9577-ef0c8fdc3a3f_3963x3225.jpeg) Freddie Prinze Charming performs at a December Drag Story Hour-AZ event. Photo credit: Erik Waibel, DQSH-AZ. In the past, protesters have been kept at a distance. But this month’s bomb threat, along with a recent event where Ethan Schmidt—a violent homophobe who has gained support from far-right lawmakers—had to be removed, parents and community advocates have become worried, and are making a point to blame lawmakers for normalizing anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric. House Representative Lorena Austin said conservatives were trying to eliminate drag from the few private businesses left that provide safe spaces for queer youth. Progress Arizona, a progressive advocacy group, specifically named Kavanagh, Kern and Wadsack as perpetuating the violence. And Bridget Sharpe, Arizona state director for Human Rights Campaign said bills, such as Kern’s, pushes misinformation and hate toward an already marginalized and underrepresented community. “The Arizona GOP has gone too far, and we cannot allow them to retain power in our state,” she said in a statement. But Kavanagh—who has long tried to pass bans to limit the expansion of LGBTQ+ rights and queer visibility in Arizona, going as far back as introducing one of the nation’s first bathroom bills that sparked threats against both trans and gender nonconforming people—said that he is the real victim. “It's truly ironic that a group that claims that my language incited violence, and falsely attributes the violence to me, could incite violence against me,” he said to *LOOKOUT.* “They're doing the exact same thing that they claim I'm doing.” In a 15-minute phone call, Kavanagh condemned the bomb threat, but continued to claim that drag story hour was “attempting to gain acceptance for drag queens.” He said the program was part of a coordinated propaganda campaign to confuse children. “People are cross dressing and engaging in exaggerated gender specific behaviors, which I think children will find confusing and disturbing,” he said. “And it also is obviously an attempt to propagandize them.” He also said that Gov. Katie Hobbs would face scrutiny if she didn’t sign one of his bills, which bans government money—such as art grants—from financing art programs if there is drag involved, and bans performances on all government property—such as during Pride events—if they “target” children. That bill, in unison with the other bills passed through the Capitol, could give far-right evangelicals the power to claim obscenity on any kind of gender nonconforming performance they see in public. “She has to go on record as saying, ‘I have no problem with drag shows targeting children being paid for by taxpayer dollars',” Kavanagh said. Kavanagh’s comments, though, have parents such as Hannah Moulton Belec enraged, but hopeful. She said she hoped the recent bomb threat showed some on the right that their tactics are more harmful to kids than the drag they claim is. “I think that anyone who has those fears, I hope that they see this kind of threat against a cafe full of babies, and mostly moms, that this is the end result of the anxieties they traffic in,” she said. “Because they do traffic them in.” --- *LOOKOUT is Phoenix’s ONLY nonprofit news site dedicated to covering queer issues. If you enjoyed this story and the kind of coverage we provide, consider a donation to keep this kind of local coverage alive in your city.* [Donate to LOOKOUT](https://www.paypal.com/donate/?ref=lookoutnews.org) --- ### I'm the president of Drag Story Hour-AZ, and our safety is at risk because of senate republicans. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/bomb-threat-made-against-children/ Last updated: 2023-10-19T18:58:00.000Z On February 2, Anthony Kern—[disgraced former cop](https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/fired-for-lying-arizona-lawmaker-tried-to-weaken-police-disclosure-11230031?ref=lookoutnews.org),[ election-denying January 6th insurrectionist](https://insurrectionindex.org/records/person/anthony-kern/?ref=lookoutnews.org), and newly elected Arizona state senator—[defended his attempts to ban family-friendly drag shows](https://www.azmirror.com/2023/02/02/arizona-republicans-approve-bill-to-criminalize-evil-drag-shows/?ref=lookoutnews.org) by saying he wanted to "protect children" and "push back on evil." Less than two weeks after saying that, someone threatened to blow up a local queer business full of children because they were [attending a drag storytelling event](https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/tempe/2023/02/19/drag-story-hour-at-tempe-coffee-shop-shut-down-due-to-bomb-threat/69921160007/?ref=lookoutnews.org). Both Kern’s legislation and the bomb threat need to be understood as part of an ongoing and coordinated attack on the existence of LGBTQ+ people – and trans and gender-nonconforming people in particular – in public spaces. They are also a part of a long tradition by the religious right to paint LGBTQ+ people as a threat to children—with no evidence—and use this as an excuse to harass and terrorize our community. Groups who oppose Drag Story Hour-Arizona weaponize trends such [#NotInOurSchools](https://twitter.com/search?q=%23NotInOurSchools%20AND%20drag&src=typed%5Fquery&f=top&ref=lookoutnews.org) and [#SaveOurChildren](https://twitter.com/search?q=%23SaveOurChildren%20AND%20drag&src=typed%5Fquery&f=top&ref=lookoutnews.org) against us. They slander our organization and other LGBTQ+ youth groups to agitate the public into believing that children are in danger, but our goal is to support children and families by countering the erasure of queer stories. Drag Story Hour was founded in 2015 as a response to the lack of representation of LGBTQ+ people and families in most mainstream children's literacy programs. Thirty years after Leslea Newman's *Heather Has Two Mommies* caused a national furor and [became one of the most banned books in the country](https://www.logotv.com/news/cp2zjs/heather-has-two-mommies-30th-anniversary-banned-books-week?ref=lookoutnews.org#:~:text=Because%20it%20portrayed%20a%20same,United%20States%20in%20the%20'90s.) for daring to depict lesbian parents in a children's book, many classrooms and library story hours still cater to the fragile feelings of cisgender and heterosexual parents by not daring to discuss the existence of LGBTQ+ people. In the eight years of its existence, Drag Story Hour has grown and spread around the world, with over 50 chapters from San Francisco to Tokyo, including Drag Story Hour- Arizona, which we started in 2019. In Arizona, as in other places, the response to our programs has been overwhelming and positive. Our audiences have continued to grow because many in our community want more family-friendly queer spaces and they want to be introduced to the kinds of stories that are often kept out of schools and other spaces. An example of the stories we tell that parents and kids might not hear elsewhere is the book [*A Song for the Unsung*](https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/carole-boston-weatherford/a-song-for-the-unsung/?ref=lookoutnews.org)by Carole Boston Weatherford and Rob Sanders, which is a picture book about Bayard Rustin, the gay Black civil rights leader who planned the 1963 March on Washington and taught Dr. King about nonviolent resistance. Our storyteller Felicia Minor planned to read the book as part of our Black History Month story hour at Brick Road Coffee on Sunday. She never did, because someone threatened to blow up the building. (She did read the book during an impromptu live streamed story hour that was organized after the event was canceled). The parallels between Rustin’s experience and how queer people are treated by legislators today should be telling: Rustin's many contributions to the civil rights movement were marginalized because he was an out gay man. The week before the March on Washington, he was called a pervert on the floor of the United States Senate by segregationist senator Strom Thurmond, similar to how Sen. Kern recently called us "evil" in the Arizona legislature 60 years later. Rustin once said, "When an individual is protesting society's refusal to acknowledge his dignity as a human being, his very act of protest confers dignity on him." Every attack on the right of LGBTQ+ people to exist publicly – from the anti-drag bills to censoring LGBTQ+ books in schools or acts of terrorism meant to silence us – is an attack on the dignity of every LGBTQ+ person. By publicly celebrating queer history and culture for people of all ages, events such as Drag Story Hour and the many other programs offered by Brick Road Coffee are conferring dignity on every LGBTQ+ person. Every family who attends one of our events is conferring dignity upon themselves by refusing to participate in the continued erasure of our community. We will continue to do this work and advocate for our community against legislators such as Sen. Kern, who uses terror tactics in the legislature to further refuse and acknowledge our dignity as human beings. *This editorial was submitted to LOOKOUT and lightly edited for calrity and fact-checking. The views and opinions expressed in our opinion pieces don’t always reflect the views of LOOKOUT as an organization. Opinion pieces are fact-checked, verified, and edited for style. You can read more on our editorial standards on our [website here.](https://www.lookoutnews.org/)* ### ### Arizona's Gay Rodeo Brings Together Families, Diverse Community URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/arizonas-gay-rodeo-brings-together/ Last updated: 2025-02-18T03:19:28.000Z ![Cowboys wrangle a calf during the Arizona Gay Rodeo on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F386589d9-935f-4135-b026-a4ff6b4e2f36_3529x2353.jpeg) Cowboys wrangle a calf during the Arizona Gay Rodeo on Saturday, Feb. 18, 2023\. Photo by Jake Hylton. ##### *For the next three days, LOOKOUT is offering a 30% discount on all annual subscriptions. Your subscription helps pay writers and photographers, and ensures that Phoenix’s only non profit local queer news publication stays alive. Subscribe today to read stories before they’re available to the public, and comment on our stories.* [Get 30% off for 1 year](#/portal/signup) --- This weekend, Arizona’s annual gay rodeo took place in Laveen at the Corona Ranch. Events included drag shows, calf wrangling, and family games. *LOOKOUT* was there to get photos of the people and events. The Arizona Gay Rodeo, also known as the Arizona Gay Rodeo Association (AGRA), was established in 1986 in Phoenix, Arizona. It was one of several gay rodeo associations that emerged in the 1980s as part of the gay rights movement. The first AGRA rodeo was held in March 1987 at Rawhide, an Old West-themed tourist attraction on the outskirts of Phoenix. The event drew more than 4,000 spectators and raised over $12,000 for local AIDS charities. It featured traditional rodeo events such as bull riding, calf roping, and barrel racing, as well as some unique events such as goat dressing and steer decorating. Over the years, the AGRA rodeo grew in popularity and became a major event on the gay rodeo circuit. It attracted competitors from all over the United States and Canada, as well as Europe and Australia. The rodeo also became an important fundraiser for local charities, particularly those that supported people living with HIV/AIDS. In 1993, the AGRA rodeo was the site of a historic protest by animal rights activists, who disrupted the event and accused the organizers of cruelty to animals. The incident sparked a debate within the gay community about the ethics of rodeo, with some activists arguing that it was a form of exploitation and others defending it as a legitimate sport. Arizona’s rodeo is part of the International Gay Rodeo Association (IGRA), which was founded in Reno, Nevada in 1985 as a way to bring together the growing number of gay rodeo associations across North America. Its first official event, the IGRA Finals Rodeo, was held in 1987 in Hayward, California. The IGRA's mission was to provide a welcoming and supportive environment for LGBTQ+ individuals who were interested in rodeo and western heritage. The organization sought to promote diversity and inclusion within the wider rodeo community, while also raising awareness and funds for LGBTQ+ causes. Over the years, the IGRA grew in size and scope, and today it has more than 25 member associations across the United States and Canada. Its annual rodeo circuit includes more than a dozen events, culminating in the IGRA Finals Rodeo, which brings together the top competitors from each association. [Get 30% off for 1 year](#/portal/signup) ### More than 2,300 Arizona prisoners have been punished for queer intimacy URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/prisons-lgbtq-punishment/ Last updated: 2023-10-10T16:40:05.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Ff632c240-5c99-43b3-86e0-2497d81bb00f_1024x678.jpeg) Image treatment by LOOKOUT. Photo by Daniel Arauz When living inside prison, every aspect of your life is determined by people who have power over you, from work to sex. You could end up in solitary confinement for complaining about the rotted meat served to you. For pennies on the dollar, you can work full time but not make enough in wages for sanitary products. And holding hands with someone you care about will result in a punishment that can lead to your privileges taken away. In an analysis of 40 years of infraction notices inside Arizona’s prisons, thousands of people are being punished for same-sex encounters that aren’t classified as sexual assault or violence. Instead, they appear to be sexual encounters between consenting residents. Between 1990 and 2022, the most recent year that data was collected, more than 1,200 women and 900 men have been issued serious infractions for having a sexual encounter with someone of the same sex inside. Fifty women and 10 men have also been given tickets for holding hands inside. In almost every instance, people of color were issued tickets inside prisons more likely than their white counterparts. Hispanic women were more commonly targeted for sexual contact inside prisons than White or Black women. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F21f8a509-3cfd-41c4-a042-b495187ec466_600x371.png) Hispanic men and women were more likely to be targeted and issued tickets for having sexual contact with each other than other groups of people. Tickets for sexual encounters often come with steep penalties, such as loss of privileges or visitation. (Data from AZDCRR) Hispanic men were, also, issued more tickets for sexual contact than their white counterparts. While the numbers, themselves, don’t give a full look within the Department of Corrections, it does give a small glimpse of their enforcement or treatment toward queer prisoners. One prisoner interviewed who didn’t want to be named said that he and another cellmate who were intimate with each other were pulled out of their cell and beaten by other prisoners. He provided video of the incident, taken in 2021 from a second floor camera, showing a corrections officer opening the cell door and letting other prisoners inside. The video doesn’t have sound. “They almost killed him,” said one prisoner who is in the same cell block. “Guard just let it happen.” Negative treatment toward gay men, especially, in prison is not unusual. In the analysis of infractions taken from the Department of Corrections, Reentry and Rehabilitation, nearly 100 men were ticketed for the specific offense of “threaten homosex.” In those cases, Black men were punished far more likely than White or Hispanic men. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fbc6a897c-12b6-4b13-b991-f5e9fdd2d603_600x371.png) The department did not provide comment to *LOOKOUT* by time of publication. ### Unsafe school environments could contribute to rise in attempted suicides among queer youth. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/unsafe-school-environments-could/ Last updated: 2026-08-16T19:44:39.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F32374d43-597b-47b7-9160-8988587c9934_2048x1363.jpeg) Youth march in the Phoenix Gay Pride Festival © Fritz Liess [Subscribe](#/portal/signup) A quarter of queer youth have tried to end their own lives in the past, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s [youth survey](https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/yrbs/yrbs%5Fdata%5Fsummary%5Fand%5Ftrends.htm?ref=lookoutnews.org) that tracks trends among young generations over a 10-year time period. The report, called the Youth Risk Behavior Survey, is an indicator of how middle-school and high-school-aged teenagers interact with their surroundings, from drug use to sexual activity. And while there are some overall good trends—risky sexual activity and drug use is down, for example—mental health issues increased across the entire group surveyed. The most shocking numbers from the report show that queer youth were more likely than their straight peers to abuse drugs, such as prescription opioids, and were "significantly more likely to experience all forms of violence,” the report said. Young women and queer youth also experienced higher rates of mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts at “alarming rates.” “The differences in terms of mental health, compared to their peers, are substantial,” said the report. "Close to 70% of LGBQ+ students experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness during the past year and more than 50% had poor mental health during the past 30 days. Almost 25% attempted suicide during the past year.” One of the reasons for this increase in depression and drug use, the report said, is increased hostility toward queer people, specifically in schools. The authors of the report proposed to make educational environments safer and more accepting. “Schools can improve students’ sense of connectedness starting with social and emotional learning programs in early grades and youth development programs in middle and high school,” the report said. “Making school environments safer and more inclusive for LGBTQ+ students…not only improves health and well-being for LGBTQ+ youth but also for their peers.” The findings and proposals from the report outlining school interventions comes on the heels of a wave of anti-LGBTQ+ bills aimed to eliminate queer youth from public view inside schools, including in Arizona, where state GOP leaders have proposed less inclusive school policies for queer youth. Those bills include banning the use of preferred pronouns or nicknames that are opposite the student’s gender at birth, and making it easier for parents to sue schools if they disagree with what students are taught or exposed to inside classrooms, such as queer history. And though GOP sponsors have said multiple times in committee hearings that the purpose of the bills is to “protect” children, trans and queer people say that it has been doing the opposite. “We’ve been saying for a while that this sort of rhetoric that the GOP has been saying is going to harm trans and queer youth,” said Xyra Flores, co-coordinator of the Queer Politics Project at Trans Queer Pueblo, a non profit dedicated to aiding queer migrants and their families. “It’s going to create isolation, and thats the underlying goals of these laws — to isolate trans and queer youth.” Previous reporting by [*LOOKOUT* ](https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-chandler-teen-describes-the-impact/)[spoke with teens](https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-chandler-teen-describes-the-impact/) who also said that they no longer feel safe in schools, and that bullying and harassment have become more commonplace in their day-to-day interactions at schools. "In our community, we believe that what we need is care not cops,” Flores said. “We need more resources and more money to be used on providing for our community, rather than criminalizing them and saying what they can and cannot do with their own bodies.” **RELATED STORIES FROM LOOKOUT:** [A Chandler teen describes the impact of the state's anti-trans legislationLast week, both the senate Education and Judicial committees moved forward with two anti-trans bills that would directly effect students and teachers who try to teach about gender identity issues wit…![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fa6177d34-9d29-419a-89a5-0ddcc00bcec9_320x320-13.png)LOOKOUT PHX](https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-chandler-teen-describes-the-impact/) [Religion wins over LGBTQ+ students' rights (for now). During LOOKOUT’s launch month, we are making our weekly newsletters free to all. If you’re enjoying our mission-driven news coverage of LGBTQ+ issues and solutions, consider a monthly or yearly subsc…![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fa6177d34-9d29-419a-89a5-0ddcc00bcec9_320x320-14.png)LOOKOUT PHX](https://www.lookoutnews.org/religion-wins-over-lgbtq-students/) [A community's response to the state's anti-trans bills? "Fuck this."In a show of force against the state’s far-right Republican caucus, drag kings and queens, trans men and women, nonbi…![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fa6177d34-9d29-419a-89a5-0ddcc00bcec9_320x320-15.png)LOOKOUT PHX](https://www.lookoutnews.org/kavanagh-protest-phoenix-drag-rights/) [Subscribe now](#/portal/signup) ### MONTHLY ROUNDUP: Stories you might have missed from LOOKOUT in January URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/lookout-phoenix-january-roundup/ Last updated: 2026-08-16T19:37:31.000Z *Our news is free to everyone, but subscribers get 24-hour early access to all the stories, and special sections in our weekly newsletter, including our exclusive content partnership with Equality AZ for our “Eyes on the State” series. Help keep our news free and consider a subscription today.* [Subscribe now](#/portal/signup) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F4ea82312-2e99-4710-a5b6-d03dcf4ed6f9_970x1280.jpeg) A protester at the capitol protest on Jan. 22, 2023\. Photo exclusive for LOOKOUT by Moses Martínez. ### **How a gay couple in Queen Creek sparked an intense debate (and assaults) on flags in one of Phoenix’s most sprawling suburbs:** A gay couple in Queen Creek decided to put up an LGBQT+ pride flag outside their home. Now, they’re getting death threats, harassed by neighbors, and targeted by conservative media. [A Gay Couple is Being Run Out From Their Queen Creek Home![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fa6177d34-9d29-419a-89a5-0ddcc00bcec9_320x320-16.png)LOOKOUT PHX](https://www.lookoutnews.org/queen-creek-lgbtq-flag/) [In his bill SB1034](https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/56leg/1R/bills/SB1034P.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org), Kavanagh offered legislation that would strike down a current law that forbids homeowners’ associations from banning specific flags—such as the Gadsden, Arizona Indian Nations, or U.S. flag—to an extension for all flags, unless they are “obscene, defamatory or likely to incite violence.” In response, one of Arizona’s most popular morning radio show hosts spent two full episodes railing against the couple, calling them “bad gays” and used homophobic language to deride LGBTQ+ people. [A rock n’ roll radio show host railed against gay men for more than thirty minutes on-air. The network aired it, anyways. An earlier version of this art…![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fa6177d34-9d29-419a-89a5-0ddcc00bcec9_320x320-17.png)LOOKOUT PHX](https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-homophobic-rant-went-unchecked/) ### Read our entire coverage of evangelical conservatives in the legislature pushing anti-LGBTQ+ bills: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F70fdf4e2-2344-4833-8b6e-2298f4001def_2056x3064.jpeg) Sen. Anthony Kern, who is part of the state’s far-right “Freedom Caucus” that courts to evangelical voters. The state’s far-right “Freedom Caucus” has introduced 11 bills targeting trans kids and drag shows. Among the most prolific sponsors of those bills is Sen. John Kavanagh from Fountain Hills, who has for more than a decade tried to eliminate rights and visibility of the LGBTQ+ community. [How a conservative senator seeks to hamper the LGBTQ+ movementLast week, we reported on the religious exemptions outlined in one of the state’s newest proposed bill, SB1001, which aims to reduce the ability for genderqueer students to express themselves. The sponsor of that bill, John Kavanagh from Fountain Hills, is also taking the bill a step further, by also trying to eliminate nicknames of people, unless they are derivatives of their name assigned at birth.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fa6177d34-9d29-419a-89a5-0ddcc00bcec9_320x320-18.png)LOOKOUT PHX](https://www.lookoutnews.org/how-a-conservative-senator-seeks/) Among the bills proposed by Kavanagh is giving religious preference to teachers and staff in schools who have a deeply held belief that trans people shouldn’t exist. [Religion wins over LGBTQ+ students' rights (for now). During LOOKOUT’s launch month, we are making our weekly newsletters free to all. If you’re enjoying our mission-driven news coverage of LGBTQ+ issues and solutions, consider a monthly or yearly subsc…![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fa6177d34-9d29-419a-89a5-0ddcc00bcec9_320x320-19.png)LOOKOUT PHX](https://www.lookoutnews.org/religion-wins-over-lgbtq-students/) #### Our coverage on the drag and trans march in downtown Phoenix: In response to the state’s push of anti-LGBTQ+ bills by Senate and House Republicans, protesters from a whole range of queer identities showed up outside the state Capitol. We were there to capture people’s voices: [A community's response to the state's anti-trans bills? "Fuck this."In a show of force against the state’s far-right Republican caucus, drag kings and queens, trans men and women, nonbi…![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fa6177d34-9d29-419a-89a5-0ddcc00bcec9_320x320-20.png)LOOKOUT PHX](https://www.lookoutnews.org/kavanagh-protest-phoenix-drag-rights/) Included in the protest was a trans teenager from Chandler, Arizona who said that the media—and by extension legislators and parents—weren’t listening to kids effected by the bills. Read our exclusive Q&A: [A Chandler teen describes the impact of the state's anti-trans legislationLast week, both the senate Education and Judicial committees moved forward with two anti-trans bills that would directly effect students and teachers who try to teach about gender identity issues wit…![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fa6177d34-9d29-419a-89a5-0ddcc00bcec9_320x320-21.png)LOOKOUT PHX](https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-chandler-teen-describes-the-impact/) [Subscribe](#/portal/signup) ### PLUS: LOOKOUT is diving into safety inside of Phoenix’s LGBTQ+ community. To start off on our reporting, read our piece on how the state’s anti-LGBTQ+ bills proposed have caused fear inside the city’s community: [A 911 call to a gay bar underscores the rising fear in Phoenix's queer community. During LOOKOUT’s launch month, we are making our weekly newsletters free to all. If you’re enjoying our mission-driven news coverage of LGBTQ+ issues and solutions, consider a monthly or yearly subsc…![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fa6177d34-9d29-419a-89a5-0ddcc00bcec9_320x320-22.png)LOOKOUT PHX](https://www.lookoutnews.org/how-a-911-call-from-a-gay-bar-underscores/) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fbb5c4185-b5b2-4564-b083-3b038d8e9cbe_1080x1080-1.png) ## EYES ON THE STATE *LOOKOUT's 'Eyes on the State' is brought to you by an exclusive partnership with* [*Equality AZ*](https://equalityarizona.substack.com/)*. Check here every week to see what's being proposed by lawmakers, who are the state power brokers, and context for current and upcoming bills.* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F5b2dd4ef-cebf-4bc4-9fe8-c3a5b93bb43e_800x2000.png) We want to hear from you! Got an interesting event coming up that promotes the community? Or want to just give us feedback? Click the button below and let us know what’s going on. Or just say hello. We love to hear from you! [Talk to LOOKOUT](mailto:lookoutphx@gmail.com) ### Commentary: Drag, in the eyes of Republicans. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/commentary-drag-in-the-eyes-of-republicans/ Last updated: 2023-08-14T16:57:19.000Z *Our news is free to everyone, but subscribers get 24-hour early access to all the stories, and special sections in today’s newsletter. We rely on subscriptions to keep our news free. If you can, consider a subscription.* [Subscribe now](#/portal/signup) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F1160ddb4-6034-4a3b-8c49-46cf6ca848c8_4032x3024.jpeg) The Senate Hearing Room in the Arizona State Capitol. On February 8, the Senate Government Committee passed a bill that would ban drag from being performed on public-funded grounds. The Arizona Senate Government Committee yesterday saw another seat-filled room of protesters, civil liberties advocates, parents and drag performers who came out in opposition of state Republicans’ continued attack on LGBTQ+ rights. Yesterday’s bill, [SB1026](https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/56leg/1R/bills/SB1026P.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org), bans drag performances from being performed in front of children on government property, and takes away state money from groups—including schools—that violate the law. The bill passed down party lines, and is just one of 11 others proposed limit and in some cases altogether eliminate drag or trans people from public spaces. You can read the [full list of bills proposed on Equality AZ’s website](https://equalityarizona.org/legislature/?ref=lookoutnews.org#antiLGBTQ), which is a content partner for *LOOKOUT*’s “Eyes on the State" series. But while every bill that’s been heard so far has been passed out of committees, two of the most vehement anti-LGBTQ+ senators who have proposed the most bills have admittedly never been to a drag show, nor even a Pride parade. Sen. John Kavanagh, for example, said during a recent committee hearing that he supported drag in the form of “Mrs. Doubtfire.” In yesterday’s Senate Government Committee, though, he then said the popular children’s movie was not, in fact, drag. He also said he’s only seen Pride parades through *Youtube*. And declined an invitation from a fellow senator to attend a pride event. Another senator questioned if movies like the Disney classic, *Mulan*, were to be shown in schools, would the school lose funding? Sen. President Jake Hoffman said he had never seen the movie, but it would not, calling the question ludicrous. But in both those cases, drag is performed, at least by the definition written out in bill proposed by lawmakers aiming to limit it. The double-speak from bill sponsors has made parsing through the bills and their effects a legal nightmare for attorneys ready to challenge the law, and political and legal reporters who are tasked with sifting through making the law understandable to the public. And while most media outlets have focused on trying to cover the horse race of some of the bills proposed, there has been a problem with how Phoenix’s local media framed the context of the bills, said Gaelle Esposito during a recent *LOOKOUT* listening session. Esposito said that from local to national news, there is a lack of historical context provided, and outlets like The *New York Times* and even the *Arizona Republic* publish stories that make it seem as if problems and issues are happening in a vacuum, rather than being created to enhance a culture war. “We're not even talking about how transparently and openly, they manufactured this narrative,” said Esposito. (Esposito also sits on the board of *LOOKOUT*.) An example of what’s being manufactured? The definition of “drag.” So, below we’ve gone ahead and laid out a basic Q&A of what drag historically and currently is, and then compare that to how drag is defined by Republican lawmakers. [Subscribe](#/portal/signup) **What is the history of drag in the queer community?** The earliest culturally relevant form of drag in the streets was trans people, who dressed in clothing that matched their preferred gender identity. Often when people refer to the Stonewall riots, they point to trans women and drag queens, not often realizing that both—at the time—were considered similar to each other colloquially. But drag is not just a queer term. Historically, it’s costuming. Drag, in its most basic form, is simply dressing in the opposite — or even same — of your preferred sex. The purpose has always been to provide a commentary on gender norms and challenge gender binaries. **Does that make it sexual?** There are sexually charged drag shows, like *Bushwig* or *Wigstock*, both held in New York. Those are often the most extreme of performances that are meant to challenge cultural norms. No legislator has been able to provide evidence that those shows are happening in Arizona, let alone in front of children. **So what is drag, by legislative definition?** The exact wording in almost every bill tries to define drag as: > “A single performer or group of performers \[who\] dress in clothing and makeup opposite of the performer’s or group of performers’ gender at birth to exaggerate gender signifiers and roles and engage in singing. “ **What, broadly, fits into that category?** - Blockbuster family musicals and plays such as *Hairspray, La Cage Aux Folles, Kinky Boots, Some Like it Hot, Peter Pan,* and many Shakespearean plays would have performers who fall into this category - Any trans performer **If these bills were to pass under this definition, what might happen?** We spoke with civil rights’ advocates and criminal justice attorneys and asked them to play out scenarios in which every anti-drag bill was passed and got enough support to override Hobbs’ vetoes. Since all the bills related to drag are aimed at removing the performances from the view of children, not every drag performer would be effected. However, they said, the bills are written so broad and vague that there are wide repercussions to even private businesses. Some common examples they gave if those bills went into law: Since lawmakers’ definition of “drag” is so broad, it’s not inconceivable to play out a scenario where a high school that wanted to do *Hairspray* wouldn’t be able to perform it on school property, even if the school’s drama club fundraised to pay for it. - If someone perceives a trans person or drag performer in public sexually offensive, they can call the police to make an arrest. - It’s also not out of the question that protesters outside bars could call the police to arrest trans people or performers in drag because it was in possible view of children. - Popular drag brunches that happen on patios would be barred because children could possibly see them. - Drag performers and trans people at Pride would be barred from performing in public. They could be arrested and cited for marching in the pride parade. But through all this, there is an important note: while supporters of the bill have said that the bills don’t effect every drag performer, because “not all drag” is provocative, sponsors of the bill have said in other settings that dressing in an opposite gender is, in itself, sexualizing children. Other supporters of the bills openly ally themselves with groups like *Gays Against Groomers* and follow accounts such as *Libs of TikTok*, which have said that all drag performers are akin to pedophiles. [Subscribe](#/portal/signup) We want to hear from you! Got an interesting event coming up that promotes the community? Or want to just give us feedback? Click the button below and let us know what’s going on. Or just say hello. We love to hear from you! [Talk to LOOKOUT](mailto:lookoutphx@gmail.com) ### Masked as a bill to protect children, Republicans continue to push bills eliminating LGBTQ+ visibility URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/masked-as-a-bill-to-protect-children/ Last updated: 2026-08-16T19:38:08.000Z In an effort to silence critics of a bill that bans drag in public spaces, Senators said that only shows that were sexual would be art risk. But then came comments from proponents. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### A rock n’ roll radio show host railed against gay men for more than thirty minutes on-air. The network aired it, anyways. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-homophobic-rant-went-unchecked/ Last updated: 2026-08-16T19:12:23.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F53a24fda-eb0c-4487-b674-4527f3c830ef_2660x1774.jpeg) A protester holds up a sign denouncing SB1001, which eliminates preferred pronouns and names for trans students in Arizona. (Photo by Moses Martìnez, special to LOOKOUT) ###### An earlier version of this article misstated the first name of John Holmberg. We regret the error. During two separate on-air broadcasts, a popular morning show host used his time to compare the Pride flag to a Ku Klux Klan flag, say gay male couples were “bad gays” for living in rural areas, and tokenize another gay staff member and asked him if it was better to be “straight or poor.” [Subscribe](#/portal/signup) The show, hosted by John Holmberg on *Holmberg’s Morning Sickness* and airs on the rock n’ roll radio station 98*KUPD*, spent more than 30 minutes between two recent episodes to degrade a gay male couple for flying a Pride flag from their home in Queen Creek, and said the couple should “read the room” and know they weren’t welcome in the newly popular suburb. *LOOKOUT* [originally wrote about the couple](https://www.lookoutnews.org/queen-creek-lgbtq-flag/), Jared and Tim Deluca, on how their fight to keep a Pride flag up is in line with current proposed legislation that would address their concerns on homeowners’ associations’ restrictions on flags. Since putting the flag up, *LOOKOUT* reported, the couple has been threatened, had their property vandalized, and had Bibles thrown at them. The Queen Creek Police have an ongoing investigation into the vandalism and threats made against the couple. > “I don't go down Van Buren and start shouting at pimps that they shouldn't be there. I just know better. Should they be there? The pimps? Probably not. But it's not my business. And they've been there longer than me. And that's just the way things work.” > \-John Holmberg on the Deluca’s being “antagonists” to their neighbors, *Holmberg’s Morning Sickness*, Jan. 31, 2023 Holmberg, who originally saw the story first aired on [Arizona Family](https://www.azfamily.com/video/2023/01/19/hoa-tells-queen-creek-couple-take-pride-flag-down/?ref=lookoutnews.org), first belittled the couple in his morning show on Jan. 19, by saying that the gay people “were not welcome” in Queen Creek: “I mean, it's just a thing,” he said. “You have to realize when you're gay, what a gay is doing in Queen Creek? What in the world are gay people doing in Queen Creek? That's like me as an atheist going to church every Sunday and being upset that they're mad at me.” He then accused the two of moving there because they were poor, or that they moved to Queen Creek because they thought it was a gay bathhouse, and then said that two men in a relationship who were not rich were “bad gays.” “If you're broke gays, you're doing it wrong,” he said. “Gays are two male incomes.” Though a rural area for years, the town of Queen Creek has sprawled into a fast-growing suburbia, with a housing market that’s grown exceptionally fast as many millennials—such as the Deluca’s—get priced out of more typical young Phoenix suburbs, such as Gilbert or Chandler. The median sale price for homes in the Queen Creek area as of [December last year was half a million dollars](https://www.redfin.com/city/30786/AZ/Queen-Creek/housing-market?ref=lookoutnews.org). Other mentions Holmberg made included: He compared flying the Pride flag in Queen Creek to someone raising a Ku Klux Klan flag in Maryvale, a predominantly Black and Hispanic neighborhood in West Phoenix; His co-host jokingly said that if a resident in his Mesa neighborhood flew a Black Lives Matter flag, “there's a for sale sign usually within two days,”; He also used a prominent lisp to impersonate gay voices. > “Heck, where I live, it's unexpected to see a heterosexual, for crying out loud. The gays are everywhere. It's clean, and it's nice, and they can hang all the flags they want. But, you know, if one Nazi flag went off, you'd kind of notice and maybe that would be a thing because in Queen Creek, that's basically a Nazi flag.” > \-John Holmberg, *Holmberg’s Morning Sickness*, Jan. 19, 2023 In response to the show host, the Deluca couple posted on TikTok saying, “The real sickness is perpetuating the idea that gays aren’t welcome in Queen Creek, AZ., and that John Holmberg makes his living off degrading people." [![](https://substack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com/public/images/e38bf953-2427-4014-8ca3-442d9a453392_1080x1920.jpeg)](https://www.tiktok.com/@jdeluca.realtor/video/7194247471583841578?ref=lookoutnews.org) [@jdeluca.realtor](https://www.tiktok.com/@jdeluca.realtor?ref=lookoutnews.org)[Audio from 98 KUPD Holmberg’s Morning Sickness, Jan. 19, 2023\. The real sickness is perpetuating the idea that gays aren’t welcome in Queen Creek, AZ.., and that John Holmberg makes his living off degrading people… #fyp #lgbt #queencreekaz #98kupd #fmradio #degrading #insult #arizona #badgays #trending #viral #livefree #whyyousoobsessedwithme #hubbardradio #3tv #speakup #speakout #pushback #ericsfamilybbq #lernerandrowe #thebigredradio](https://www.tiktok.com/@jdeluca.realtor/video/7194247471583841578?ref=lookoutnews.org) In an interview with *LOOKOUT* the Deluca’s said they flew their flag because they continually saw young queer people in their neighborhoods and wanted to show them support where there is no queer representation. They also said that since the vandalism and threats, more people have come forward with welcoming them, including the mayor, they said. On Tuesday, Jan. 31, Holmberg went back on air to defend his earlier show, and said the couple was trying to “play media victim so they put out a little TikTok video.” “I'm not watching it,” he said. “They didn't listen to my segment. They assessed what they thought they heard. I'm gonna go ahead and say — they put out a thing that says I am trying to get people killed. Well, nothing at all has happened. Nothing from my words or anyone else's has occurred where there's a bad moment. People who are smart understood my point.” Holmberg defended himself by saying he has “gay neighbors” and he also was, in fact, a gay man—Holmberg is married to a woman—but has not been “minted” as one, saying, “I'm not a minted homosexual. I'm very pristine. I’m picking the right boy not some slut. Someday, I'll meet that right boy. I haven't yet, but my wife and I talk about my homosexuality all the time.” Holmberg then continued to say that his argument was not to say LGBTQ+ people were not welcome in Queen Creek, but that the city doesn’t want them: “They just don’t say that out loud.” > “There's no gays in Queen Creek.” > \-John Holmberg, *Holmberg’s Morning Sickness*, Jan. 31, 2023 A voicemail left with the radio station, *KUPD*, asking for comment was not returned by publishing. The story will update with comment if radio station leaders do so. This is the second major media outlet in the past month to publish or air anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric in a heightened time when the state legislature has proposed more than a dozen bills that aim to erase queer people from public life, including in schools, public venues, theaters, and parades. On Jan. 26, The *Arizona Republic* published an opinion story by conservative columnist Phil Boas that, as originally published, compared trans teens to asking to be called “rats” and “frogs” and wrote, without evidence, that students who socially transition in schools are pushed to do medical interventions, such as hormone therapy or double mastectomies. The *Republic* removed the language around animals, but left most everything else untouched. In a letter to editors, reporters at The *Republic* have called for the piece to be re-edited for context, accuracy, and fairness. ### A Gay Couple is Being Run Out From Their Queen Creek Home URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/queen-creek-lgbtq-flag/ Last updated: 2026-07-22T18:04:20.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F247601b9-8f68-49c1-96b3-b01bbd8f77e1_1024x1024.png) --- Thank you for reading LOOKOUT, Phoenix’s only nonprofit news organization dedicated to covering queer communities. If this is your first read, welcome! As a reminder, this **THURSDAY, JAN. 26,** we’re hosting a meet-and-greet with the founders and board members of LOOKOUT at The New Times building at 6:30 p.m. Be sure to RSVP via the link below, so you can tell us what YOU want from your local queer news site. [GET YOUR FREE TICKET](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lookout-listening-session-tickets-513493531977?ref=lookoutnews.org) --- ### A GAY COUPLE PUT UP A PRIDE FLAG. NOW THEY FEAR THEIR SAFETY. When Jared and Tim Deluca moved into their Queen Creek home in 2020, they expected the same kind of welcome they got after they left downtown Phoenix for their home in Chandler: “We thought we were going to be run out with pitchforks,” said Jared Deluca, who explained that he and his husband were surprised to—instead—get consistent affirmation of their relationship from neighbors, business owners and even strangers. But when Jared’s mother had to go into retirement, the couple needed to find a home out of Chandler that could accommodate all of them. Neighboring Queen Creek was affordable, and with a new population surge from California and Colorado, how different could a culture be 10 miles away? Turns out, quite a bit. A week after they put up a pride flag in December last year—a seemingly innocuous gesture—someone drove by and screamed at them “fag,” twice. A few nights later, the flag was torn in half. They replaced it, but only to find it the next day ripped off the pole and thrown in the street. Then, a neighbor edged his car up onto their property and threatened them, screaming obscenities. Jared saw the car and feared for his family’s life. When he went to grab his gun for protection, the neighbor drove off. Later on, the same neighbor posted on the community Facebook page asking if it was OK if he flew a nazi flag over his house. The post was immediately taken down. (Facebook messenger screenshots shared with LOOKOUT showed that the neighbor later apologized, but dismissed it as a drunken misunderstanding.) But it grabbed enough notice that the Deluca’s homeowners’ association sent a letter saying they needed to remove their flag. All of this is against the backdrop of the state’s ongoing and pervasive culture wars stoked by Republicans on the far-right who have rallied against the LGBTQ+ community in the statehouse. This past weekend, the queer community and their allies marched on the state Capitol to protest against Sens. Anthony Kern and John Kavanagh’s bills to restrict drag shows and decimate trans rights in schools and public places. Kavanagh has gone a step further, though, in bringing that culture war to corresponding problems, such as flags in front of homes; The same homes as the ones owned by the Delucas. [In his bill SB1034](https://www.azleg.gov/legtext/56leg/1R/bills/SB1034P.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org), Kavanagh offered legislation that would strike down the current law that forbids homeowners’ associations from banning specific flags—such as the Gadsden, Arizona Indian Nations, or U.S. flag—to an extension for all flags, unless they are “obscene, defamatory or likely to incite violence.” Essentially, the bill would make it easier to put up any flag a homeowner would like, while also making it harder for homeowners in areas where there might be cultural or political disagreement. That could prove to be tricky in places like Queen Creek, for example, where religious conservative ties run deep. Queer groups recognize that Kavanagh’s bill, as written, could cause a messy legal battle between homeowners’ association’s religious beliefs versus individual rights to free speech—a battle that many religious conservatives would be more than likely to support. This is all new terrain for the Delucas, who had never been involved in politics before last year. In fact, they were—by suburban standards—the perfect gay neighbors: They never fussed, or threw audacious parties—they just wanted a small town life. But when the two tried to build out their real estate business to focus on their local Queen Creek community by deciding to join a local church group, the lead pastor told Jared Deluca that he couldn’t lead sessions because he was married to another man. People refused to list homes with them because they were gay, they found out. “It became so apparent in so many small ways,” said Tim Deluca. “It was going to the auto shop, hearing that it’s going to cost $100 dollars to get something fixed, saying you have to call your husband, and getting ‘the look.’” He mentioned the two are afraid of even holding hands in public. The biased treatment came to a head in December last year when the couple went to visit Jared’s family in Columbus, Ohio. Seeing pride flags hung from people who weren’t even queer, the two said, made them both realize they lived in an area where they were not only hidden, but they also didn’t feel wanted. [Subscribe](#/portal/signup) That needed to change, they said, which is what pushed them—though warily—to fly a modest pride flag. But as they had hoped wouldn’t happen, they soon faced a small—but loud and threatening—group of hard-lined religious conservatives who wanted them silenced and gone. And just as they wanted to find a home, now they are looking to find a place to feel safe: “Everyone keeps asking the same thing,” said Jared. “Are we going to stick around? Or do you feel differently with all the support? And I'm like, the support is wonderful. But unfortunately, I think the damage for me has already been done. And it just feels like Queen Creek has been ruined. “Even though we have a bunch of people trying to convince us otherwise, I think if we had the opportunity tomorrow to make a fast, clean, easy exit from Queen Creek today, we would,” said Jared. Just this past Monday night, after speaking to this reporter on planning to meet and discuss their experiences, a copy of the New Testament was thrown at them in their yard. --- Thursday, Jan. 26, **we** want to meet **you**. LOOKOUT is hosting its first ever listening session at the New Times building on 12th St and Jefferson in downtown Phoenix. Get your FREE ticket to the event below. [GET YOUR FREE TICKET](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lookout-listening-session-tickets-513493531977?ref=lookoutnews.org) --- ### A community's response to the state's anti-trans bills? "Fuck this." URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/kavanagh-protest-phoenix-drag-rights/ Last updated: 2026-08-16T19:35:13.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F1b28bf83-9d95-4eac-8210-9f1d6e0ef346_640x428.jpeg) Protesters March outside the Capitol on Sunday, Jan. 22\. Photo by Moses Martínez. In a show of force against the state’s far-right Republican caucus, drag kings and queens, trans men and women, nonbinary people, and the whole range of queer identities showed up outside the state Capitol yesterday to protest against a myriad of bills aimed to limit—and in some cases completely eliminate—their rights. The bills—seven, currently—are only a handful of the hundreds that legislators have filed, but they have gathered enough national attention to place Arizona squarely in the center of the nation’s culture wars, particularly on LGBTQ+ rights. Two senate bills, SB1001 and SB1005, have passed their committees: The first gives religious preference to school staff or contractors to not acknowledge students by their preferred names or pronoun if they hold a sincerely held religious belief, even if parents give permission; The second makes it easier for parents to sue school districts if they disagree with what their children are taught, such as queer issues. [Get 60% off for 1 year](#/portal/signup) Neither bill is scheduled yet for a full Senate vote. Students at the protest who could be impacted by the bills said they were horrified. “It would be really awful to live like that,” said Quinn N., a 15-year-old gender fluid student in Avondale who didn’t want to be fully named. They said all students should be able to express themselves safely in schools without fear of being outed, and said that parents—and legislators—needed to listen more to what’s happening from students, directly. **Kanix Gallo**, a 15-year-old student activist who came out as a trans male in middle school, said he already faces pushback at his school in Chandler: “I was met with discrimination for who I am,” he said. “And a couple teachers refused to use my name or pronouns and I had to talk to admin about it. But admin was not always the kindest about said situations.” Gallo also echoed what other students had said, that legislators who supported hills were failing to listen to students who their bills directly affect. He said they were hypocritically sacrificing their physical and mental safety to score political points, while also claiming the bills were written for their well-being. [Read our Q&A with Kanix](https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-chandler-teen-describes-the-impact/) For the organizers of the protest on Sunday, they say the bills are Trojan horses, creating hysteria meant to obfuscate from more important issues. “This is to distract us from things that matter,” said Brianna Westbrook, one of the state’s more galvanizing trans voices who ran for the house this past election, but lost. “Every six months, I hear about more unsheltered community members dying in the streets. Their lives matter.” Others, like Jeanne Woodbury, the interim executive director of Equality Arizona, spoke plainly: “Fuck this,” she said. “I am a lobbyist. And my job is to sit down and have reasonable discussions with these people. But there’s no reasonable discussion over my right to be myself, or what surgeries I’ve had, or what hormones I take.” (Equality Arizona is a content sponsor for LOOKOUT’s weekly newsletter.) But beyond the bills that address trans students, the march was organized primarily to confront rhetoric created by the nation’s religious right and embraced by state Sens. Anthony Kern and John Kavanagh to try and limit drag queen performances. The bills proposed by the two senators could relegate drag shows—even Broadway theatre—to performances that would require a license similar to adult clubs. Performers, themselves, would also need to be licensed. Drag performance, though it can contain sexual imagery as can all art, has long been a parody or commentary on gender. Drag performers have also historically been at the forefront of queer representation in political movements. The bills, drag performers say, is a direct attack against that historic political and artistic movement. “We know that the queer community, historically, has less resources than most,” said drag performer Daddy Satan, who organized Sunday’s protest. “I fear for what would happen to those people. But I also fear what happens when we limit this kind of art form.” Kavanagh and Kern both have (mistakenly) described drag as hyper-sexualized. And their bills are written so broadly that they could also do away with drag queens or performers who dress in drag at events such as the annual Pride marches and Phoenix’s Rainbows festival. Erica Connell, a drag performer who goes by name The Weird Violet, said that the legislature is not just playing games with their livelihood, but also with their existence. “They are playing really disgusting politics,” she said. “And they are not going to stop.” [Subscribe](#/portal/signup) ### A Chandler teen describes the impact of the state's anti-trans legislation URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-chandler-teen-describes-the-impact/ Last updated: 2026-08-16T19:12:10.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F20bdc169-5336-4d0d-a374-6d167e3dbc70_283x325.png) Last week, both the senate Education and Judicial committees moved forward with two anti-trans bills that would directly effect students and teachers who try to teach about gender identity issues within their curriculum. Both the bills, SB1001 and SB1005, are likely to be vetoed once they reach Governor Katie Hobbs’ desk, but their mere existence has made a direct impact inside schools. This past Sunday, January 22, more than 100 protesters showed up at the state Capitol to protest against the two bills as well as a package of other anti-LGBTQ+ legislation that’s been proposed by the state’s far-right “Freedom Caucus.” Among the protesters and speakers was Kanix Gallo, a teenaged activist from Chandler, Arizona who has actively campaigned within his school and his community for more trans acceptance. Among the suggestions by teens at the protest was simple: listen to them. So, LOOKOUT caught up with Gallo over the phone, and we’re publishing our full Q&A below, to hear what’s at stake in his own words. The interview below has been edited for brevity and clarity. --- [Subscribe now](#/portal/signup) --- LOOKOUT: Thanks for taking your time to talk to us, Kanix. KANIX: No, thank you. LOOKOUT: So, I guess we could probably just start from the top. Who are you? KANIX: So, I’m Kanix Gallo. I’m 15 and a sophomore and I go to Chandler High School. LOOKOUT: So talk to me a bit about your coming out story. KANIX: So, I am a trans male, and born female. I originally knew I was trans when I reached about fifth grade, which is when I started saying to my mom you know, “I don't feel like a girl, what am I?” I used to tell her that I enjoyed hanging out with the boys more, and that I was one of the boys. And of course, at that time—at that age—I never knew what trans meant, or even that trans was a thing. And so I used to just go by the term tomboy, because that’s what my mother told me. LOOKOUT: When did you start thinking it was more than that? KANIX: It was around seventh grade when I did some more research on the LGBTQ+ community, and found that the term queer associated with how I felt, identity wise. And that's also when I was first introduced to the term “trans.” And it resonated with me. LOOKOUT: What did you do with that information? KANIX: I came out to my mother as trans. LOOKOUT: And? KANIX: She basically told me that I wasn't trans and that I didn't know myself as well as she knew me. And so I kind of kept quiet throughout seventh grade. Near the end of seventh grade is when I realized, like, I can't hide who I am. LOOKOUT: But did you use different pronouns at school? KANIX: No, I was actually way too scared to tell anyone after that, because of how how big of a reaction my mother had. LOOKOUT: Okay, go ahead, continue. KANIX: So, I started a diversity club at my school in eighth grade, because I realized that we needed to create a safe space for students that also had the same experience with their parents after coming out. And after I started that club, I became a lot more openly queer, and I wasn't scared of hiding who I was anymore. LOOKOUT: How’d that go? KANIX: It was an amazing time. I was able to be out to my teachers. And I was able to use my preferred name and pronouns with them. It was around high school, when I started my freshman year, is when I really started to get backlash from my peers, and even some of my teachers, I still get backlash from them. That’s when I kind of realized how discriminatory our schools are. And that's actually what prompted me to start doing everything that I do, in regards to my activism. LOOKOUT: Let’s just take a step back real quick. So you said you were kind of afraid to live your true self, but you still had this inkling to start this diversity club, right? What was the support system you had inside of the school that made you feel like you could do that.? KANIX: There was actually my seventh-grade English teacher, her name was Miss Happy. But her classroom had queer flags, and it was just an openly safe space there. And she's actually who I chose for the sponsor of the club. And she was definitely the one who helped me feel the safest being at school. I felt if anything happened, I could immediately go to her. And she would help me out in whatever way I needed. LOOKOUT: But that changed in high school? KANIX: Making the switch between middle school and high school was scary already. But that’s when I was also met with discrimination for who I was. A couple teachers refused to use my name or pronouns and I had to talk to the administration about it. And admin was not always the kindest about said situations. LOOKOUT: So, one of the sponsors of these bills says this is a student safety bill, because parents should know what what their children’s pronouns are. He says that they should know if their child is transgender, and it's only to the benefit of the student. Do you think this bill would have helped you feel safe at home? KANIX: So, luckily, I have now come out to my parents. We've gotten to a point where they'll use my preferred name, not my preferred pronouns yet, which is okay, because I am making progress. Right? But if this bill had been around when I first started telling my friends and my teachers about my pronouns, I would have gotten a ton of backlash from home. And I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety around the same time I came out for the first time. And I feel like, things would have been so much worse for me if I hadn't been out to my parents, and they found out that way. I also know quite a few people who have been kicked out because they're trans or they're clear. LOOKOUT: But to that point—the sponsors also say these bills also provide an opportunity for Child Protective Services, for example, to be involved if a child is at risk of being kicked out. KANIX: So, being someone who has dealt with Child Protective Services before with family matters, they don't always take into account how the child feels. And I've had a couple other family members who have gone through Child Protective Services. And the system sometimes just isn't the best. It's a lot on the student. It's insane how much it can affect them later on in their life. LOOKOUT: But I want to address another issue that is commonly brought up against pronouns and trans issues for students—it’s the idea that changing pronouns or the entire conversation around transgender students is that adults are sexualizing students. What’s your take on that? KANIX: So I do a lot of student activism, and I host a lot of protests. And of course, most of the time, we do have counter protesters who bring that up. And, personally, I don't understand the connection with sexualization and a change in gender. Because, personally, I was told that I wasn't transgender my entire life. Still, by some people, I'm told that I'm not transgender. And I actually found out the term transgender on my own, and researched it a ton, on my own. No one pushed it on me. There were no adults telling me that I was transgender, it was always the opposite. LOOKOUT: Where do you feel safest right now? KANIX: Um, honestly, I feel safest with the organizations that I work with. Being in a group with them, or being anywhere with them makes me feel safest. Things have gotten better at home. So, I do feel safe there, as well. But at school, it's—it's kind of by the day. I never know, is someone going to discriminate against me at school? If someone's gonna leave me alone? It's kind of scary going to school and being openly trans and gay. And running the (Gay Straight Alliance) club at my school makes it even worse, because everyone knows that I run the GSA club. You can't really hide in that sense. LOOKOUT: What kind of message do you have for people who are just kind of on the fence, and maybe don't quite understand the repercussions of these kinds of bills? What kind of message would you want to send to them? KANIX: The message I really want to send is listen to students. A lot of these bills are being introduced by people who haven't been in school for quite a while. And so things are completely different. People don't listen to students, because they think we're too young to understand these things. These bills are directly effecting us, and only we can understand how badly it does. And parents who are on the fence, or even those who are for the bills, they should take a minute and have a conversation with a trans student. Have a conversation with a supportive teacher who has trans students in their classroom. Take a minute to listen to the educators and the students who this bill will directly affect. [Subscribe](#/portal/signup) ### Come meet the LOOKOUT team this Thursday! URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/come-meet-the-lookout-team-this-thursday/ Last updated: 2023-08-14T16:57:25.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fa31c572d-37d3-46c5-9b18-fd53711a8ddd_2160x1080.png) [Get your free ticket](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lookout-listening-session-tickets-513493531977?ref=lookoutnews.org) Friends- This Thursday night, LOOKOUT will host its first listening session, where we get to meet you, our readers, to talk about issues important to you. We will be discussing LOOKOUT’s overall vision, as well as our current and ongoing coverage. LOOKOUT is not a regular non profit newsroom. Its small team of writers and editor (we only have one, for now) recognize that mission-driven journalism is different from the legacy news media. They know there are problems, because they live and work and interact within our community. And they want to help solve them. You won’t find that in any other newsroom, trust me. [Get 60% off for 1 year](#/portal/signup) To do that, LOOKOUT needs to hear from more than just other non profit groups. We need to hear from business owners, large and small, renters and homeowners, the unhoused population, parents, students. True to our mission: wherever we exist, we need to be seen AND heard. For our first listening session, we are being generously hosted by our friends at The New Times’ office building on 12th Street and Jefferson Road, in their conference room on the second floor. Light food and beverage will be provided. Attendance is free, but space is limited! Be sure to RSVP on Eventbrite and [get your ticket here.](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lookout-listening-session-tickets-513493531977?ref=lookoutnews.org) \-Joseph Darius Jaafari Founder \-Jake Hylton Managing Director ### Religion wins over LGBTQ+ students' rights (for now). URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/religion-wins-over-lgbtq-students/ Last updated: 2023-08-14T16:57:30.000Z *During LOOKOUT’s launch month, we are making our weekly newsletters free to all. If you’re enjoying our mission-driven news coverage of LGBTQ+ issues and solutions, consider a monthly or yearly subscription, currently at 60% off till the end of January.* [Subscribe now](#/portal/signup) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F859bb747-ee76-4896-a14e-6b9cc13ca7f1_2686x1502.png) In a win for religious conservatives in the Arizona legislature, the Senate Education Committee, chaired by Sen. Ken Bennett (R-Prescott) , moved forward with a bill that would defer to people’s religious viewpoints over students’ and parents’ rights. In a 4-3 decision, the committee moved forward with SB 1001\. The bill gives a religious exemption to teachers, contractors and school staff who have a sincerely held belief against trans individuals’ existence from referring to students by their preferred pronouns or nicknames, even if parents give a signed permission slip saying they are allowed to. Sen. Christine Marsh (D-Paradise Valley) during the committee hearing called the bill “hypocritical” and argued the bill sounded like it was “for parental rights sometimes, but not other times.” She grilled the main sponsor of the bill, Sen. John Kavanagh (R-Fountain Hills), and asked him if he could name one example of when a teacher’s religious belief trumped a student’s individual rights. He said he couldn’t think of any, and instead gave examples of students exercising their own religious beliefs. Marsh also said she worried the bill invited religion inside schools. But the most misguided testimony from the public came from recently elected Peoria School Board member Heather Rooks, who won her seat in last year’s election. Without evidence, she claimed pronouns were “sexualizing” students, a homophobic trope made by conservatives who assert LGBTQ+ people are grooming school children for sexual acts. The bill also heard from fringe supporters such as a member from the group Gays Against Groomers, a queer religious organization that has courted the support of far-right candidates who push anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. Though the bill moved forward, it was met with fierce criticism from queer community leaders who testified against the bill. In the Senate hearing room were teachers and elders of the community who argued with lawmakers to not pass the bill, which also mandates parents be notified if a child asks to be addressed by a name or pronoun different than the one listed on their birth certificate. “In grade school, all I wanted to do was to be a girl; When I told my parents, all I got was conversion therapy,” said Sadie Redfern, a veteran fifth-grade teacher who is part of the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network. “As a teacher, I understand the need for safe spaces…If you want to help make absenteeism decrease, if you want to make academic success increase, requiring teachers to out LGBTQ students does exactly the opposite by removing that important support.” For current trans students, said that if this bill passes it will cause an increase in more mental health problems for trans students, not solutions. “If this bill had been around when I first started telling my friends and my teachers about my pronouns, I would have gotten a ton of backlash from home,” said Kanix Gallo, a sophomore at Chandler High School who transitioned at the end of middle school. “I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety, around the same time I came out for the first time. And I feel like things would have been so much worse for me if I hadn't been out to my parents and they found out that way.” Though SB1001 is a win right now for evangelical conservatives, it still has to be approved by the Arizona House and Senate. And it will almost certainly meet its defeat if it ever gets to Gov. Katie Hobbs’s desk, who vowed during her State of the State address to veto any legislation that would strip away rights of people. ### FINAL OUTLOOK #### "Me trying to commit suicide was not something wrong with me, but with how people were treating me. All you need to do to keep these trans kids alive, is to respect them.” #### *\- Austin D., speaker at SB1001 hearing* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fbb5c4185-b5b2-4564-b083-3b038d8e9cbe_1080x1080-3.png) --- On Jan. 26, LOOKOUT is hosting its first listening session for community members to come and discuss what you want reported, and to hear our vision for a more informed and engaged queer community across the greater Phoenix metropolitan area. We invite any and all to join us. Click below to register to our event for free. Space is limited. [Join LOOKOUT on Jan. 26.](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lookout-listening-session-tickets-513493531977?ref=lookoutnews.org) --- ## EYES ON THE STATE *LOOKOUT's 'Eyes on the State' is brought to you by an exclusive partnership with [Equality AZ](https://equalityarizona.substack.com/). Check here every week to see what's being proposed by lawmakers, who are the state power brokers, and context for current and upcoming bills.* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fc1780c5a-23a4-488b-a31b-a043200e5ce5_1080x1080.png) #### THREE THINGS TO KNOW: 1- This bill would create a system for parents to prohibit school counselors from having conversations with students on any topic the parents choose to ban. 2- One clear outcome of this policy would be that parents could ban school counselors from discussing any of the social challenges a queer student might face because of their identity. 3- Some history here: bills extending the reach of parental rights and bills targeting the LGBTQ+ community have a long, intertwined history in Arizona. In 2022, discussions of a similar bill often discussed how school employees should handle conversations with queer students about their identities ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F884abc36-5357-4798-9ca8-94bb79df2d87_1080x1080.png) #### **THREE THINGS TO KNOW:** 1- Whether this bill finds any traction is fully in the hands of speaker Ben Toma (R-Peoria). With most of the anti-LGBT+ bills sponsored so far originating in the Senate it's still an open question as to how motivated Toma will be to push nonviable legislation. 2- Alternative gender marker options for identity documents are becoming increasingly common including on US passports and on state-issued documents in California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, and New Mexico. This bill is an attempt to prevent Arizona from joining in. 3- An identical bill was introduced in 2022 and did not get the votes to move forward ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F24795a02-2983-428f-b36d-f222096ddf59_1080x1080.png) . #### **THREE THINGS TO KNOW:** 1- During debate on the trans student athlete band passed in 2022, representatives of the Arizona Interscholastic Association testified that in the five years of their trans-inclusive policy, only 16 trans students have asked to play in high school sports. That’s out of over 170,000 total student athletes in Arizona's high schools. 2- Repealing the ban would have no effect on student Athletics but it would restore dignity to trans students hoping to participate. 3- In 2022, the Arizona Legislature passed SB1165, banning trans girls from participating in girls sports in schools ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F358c9fd3-40e6-4149-b84c-74bcfc49814f_1080x1080.png) #### **THREE THINGS TO KNOW:** 1- Studies from the Trevor Project, a national LGBTQ+ non profit that focuses on harms inflicted on the queer community, show significant harm from family rejection for LGBTQ+ youth when involved in conversion therapy. 2- That harm only intensifies under the therapy, which is recognized as a junk-science religious approach to “fixing” queer dysphoria. The bill in the house continues an ongoing, though failed, effort in the legislature to ban conversion therapy in the state. 3- Our friends at [One n’ Ten have this handy guide for parents](https://onenten.org/conversion-therapy/?ref=lookoutnews.org) to understand more on the harmful practice. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fb3b86334-729a-4034-90d6-5888efdb4946_1080x1080.png) #### **THREE THINGS TO KNOW:** 1- A House Concurrent resolution is essentially a call to action by the legislature and the voters. Though toothless in its own right, if passed the resolution would repeal the Arizona Constitution's ban on same-sex marriage and replace it with protections for same-sex and interracial marriages, which would then be sent to the ballot in 2024\. Though, that timeline could change depending on the speed of the legislature. 2- In 2008 voters approved Prop 102 which added article 30 to the Arizona Constitution defining marriage as a “union between one man and one woman.” 3- Arizona's ban on gay marriage was ruled unconstitutional by a district court judge in 2014 following the U.S. Supreme Court's *United States v. Windsor* ruling, which legalized same sex marriage across the nation the year prior. This ballot referral would allow voters to correct state law and create a safeguard for marriage equality in Arizona and the event of a supreme court reversal. [Subscribe](#/portal/signup) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F0af41726-a659-4997-8159-14877893fb3c_1080x1080-1.png) ## UPCOMING EVENTS On **Jan. 21**, Equality AZ is hosting a Civic Advocacy Jam at the Tempe Public Library. [More details can be found here](https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/546538/?ref=lookoutnews.org). On **Jan. 22,** protesters are meeting at the Capitol Lawn to protest the state’s continued push for anti-LGBTQ+ bills. Organizers suggest to dress in drag, bring signs, safety masks, water, and to wear comfortable shoes. [More info here](https://www.instagram.com/p/CnNuUoiPgEN/?igshid=MWI4MTIyMDE%3D&ref=lookoutnews.org). On **Jan. 24**, One n’ Ten is hosting a youth game night at their Peoria satellite location. For more information, text “peonenten” to 81010. On **Jan. 26**, LOOKOUT will host its **first listening session** at the Phoenix New Times Office at 6:30 p.m. Participation is free and open to the public and will include a rundown of what LOOKOUT’s yearly mission is, and an opportunity for you to provide feedback as well as give input on what you want in your coverage. **[Register for the event here](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lookout-listening-session-tickets-513493531977?ref=lookoutnews.org)**. ### Join LOOKOUT for our first listening session URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/join-lookout-for-our-first-listening/ Last updated: 2023-08-14T16:57:31.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fa31c572d-37d3-46c5-9b18-fd53711a8ddd_2160x1080-1.png) [Get your free ticket](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lookout-listening-session-tickets-513493531977?ref=lookoutnews.org) On Thursday Jan. 26, LOOKOUT will host its first of its semi-regular listening sessions, where reporters, editors, activists, artists and members of the community all get to come together and talk about issues important to them. This is an ongoing effort of many local non profit newsrooms to be engaged in their communities, and make sure that you—our subscribers—are helping us guide the coverage that *you* want, not what *we* think you should read. For our first listening session, we are being generously hosted by our friends at The New Times’ office building on 12th Street and Jefferson Road, in their conference room on the second floor. Light food and beverage will be provided. But also: don’t be afraid to bring snacks! This is a community event! We will be discussing LOOKOUT’s overall vision, as well as our current and ongoing coverage. We will then transition to a roundtable Q&A from attendees. Attendance is free, but space is limited! Be sure to RSVP on eventbrite and [get your ticket here.](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lookout-listening-session-tickets-513493531977?ref=lookoutnews.org) ### A 911 call to a gay bar underscores the rising fear in Phoenix's queer community. URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/how-a-911-call-from-a-gay-bar-underscores/ Last updated: 2024-08-06T20:12:57.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F414db0ac-6941-4f8b-b6fe-ac4a795dabd0_1024x1024.png) *During LOOKOUT’s launch month, we are making our weekly newsletters free to all. If you’re enjoying our mission-driven news coverage of LGBTQ+ issues and solutions, consider a monthly or yearly subscription, currently at 60% off till the end of January.* [Subscribe now](#/portal/signup) It was just after closing the bar on Dec. 28, 2022 when there was a banging on the door at one of Phoenix’s popular gay bars in the Melrose district. The bartender working had begun cleaning up around 45 minutes prior, and was finishing when a man started slamming the door with his fists. The bartender, who didn’t want to be named because he was afraid of drawing attention to himself, said he recognized the man from earlier. He had been staring at him all night, making the bartender uneasy. Even after the bar closed and he took the trash out, the man was still outside, he said, staring at him. Now, the same man was trying to get inside. He called the police. In the 911 recording, obtained through a records request, he sounded scared — fearing for his life. After 45 minutes of waiting, “no one came.” Eventually, the man left. On the Phoenix Police Department’s response log, also obtained through a records request, the police labeled the call as “no action required.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fbc1a8fb6-50c3-4f78-ad9c-c244d9ad4083_1558x286.png) The lack of police response to a gay bar in distress is not alarming for those who understand the dynamic between the Phoenix Police Department and the LGBTQ+ community. But the event, which was first posted on Twitter and then deleted because it had inaccurate details, was distressing for many who took into consideration the recent rise in threats made against the community in the Valley and across the nation. And while the situation may not have been an attack by an anti-LGBTQ+ activist, there is fear among community members that similar events—or worse—are imminent. *LOOKOUT is Phoenix’s only mission-driven news site focused on the LGBTQ+ community. With your subscription, you keep that voice alive. Share this post, and be sure to subscribe for 60% off till the end of January.* [Get 60% off for 1 year](#/portal/signup) Earlier this month, the Department of Homeland Security issued a warning to people in the queer community to be mindful whenever they visited LGBTQ+ establishments. Outside of Kobalt Bar, a popular drag venue located off Central Avenue and Thomas Road, one bar goer said he was anxious about coming because he didn’t feel safe. “Are we getting more security?” he asked. “It just feels like we’re a target.” He continued saying it felt like a gamble on if a random act of violence might happen. Much of that fear can be attributed to actions happening at the state Capitol, where the legislature’s “Freedom Caucus”—an off-shoot of the ultra-conservative caucus in the U.S. House of Representatives—has championed bills that have accused LGBTQ+ spaces of hosting “groomers,” or people who persuade children into sexual acts. They have proposed bills that would force local gay and lesbian bars, clubs, restaurants and public event spaces to be licensed in similar ways to pornographic establishments if they host drag shows. It would also limit drag performances to certain times that would decimate local businesses that host popular “drag brunches.” The bills are also written broadly enough that actors performing locally in theatre performances could find themselves arrested. Legislators from the Freedom Caucus who support the bills are not shy about their regressive attitudes toward the community. At Monday’s State of the State address by Gov. Katie Hobbs, members of the caucus gathered outside the Capitol building to denounce Hobbs’ executive order that extended workplace protections to queer-identified people. “(Katie Hobbs) believes she has the ability to legislate with the power of the pen attempting to create law that simply does not exist,” said Sen.-Elect Jake Hoffman. Hoffman and other conservatives argued that the they—not the governor—should decide on if equal rights protections are extended across the state. Standing behind Hoffman were senators John Kavanagh of Fountain Hills—[who we spoke with in a one-on-one interview last week](https://www.lookoutnews.org/how-a-conservative-senator-seeks/)—and Anthony Kern of Glendale. Kern has tweeted that the “Bible is truth” in response to community members in Virginia attempting to limit hate speech couched as religious freedom. He also has used religious scripture to tweet homophobic and transphobic comments about Sam Brinton, the U.S. Department of Energy’s deputy assistant secretary. Brinton is nonbinary and performs in drag, to which Kern tweeted: “Men should be men and women should be women according to God's Word!” LOOKOUT contacted the senator by email. He did not respond. But more than what was being said about Hobbs’ executive order, users on social media took to notice at least one man standing behind Kern, Ethan Schmidt, an anti-LGBTQ+ agitator who has posted online about hunting down “gays and jews.” Schmidt has been barred from a number of far-right gatherings, but hasn’t been denounced by legislators in the caucus. > [](https://t.co/pxQhivCmOs?ref=lookoutnews.org) None of this is comforting for Phoenix’s growing queer community, which has been unwillingly thrust into a culture war and political battle. As a protest against the trans- and homophobic legislation, a protest has been scheduled for Jan. 22 at the capitol lawn at 1 p.m. More details on the protest in our events section. But even preparing for that protest has made people wary about being seen in drag while in public. ### FINAL OUTLOOK > “All it takes is someone inside of Arizona who has never seen the art of drag—or known a drag queen—to take these lawmakers seriously and think these people are dangerous to children. And they could do something really bad.” > > **\-Noelle Cañez, 27, a drag performer in Mesa, Ariz. who goes by the performance name “Daddy Satan”** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F3aaf1446-8627-4fdb-bc1e-993d67a74026_1080x1080-5.png) ## EYES ON THE STATE *LOOKOUT's 'Eyes on the State' is brought to you by an exclusive partnership with [Equality AZ](https://equalityarizona.substack.com/). Check here every week to see what's being proposed by lawmakers, who are the state power brokers, and context for current and upcoming bills.* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F8950e1ea-e121-4cfe-b6de-d15760764d73_1080x1080.png) #### **What to know about it:** The specific approach SB1026 takes not only focuses on the use of state money, but also enshrines the term “drag shows targeting minors” into law in order to serve as a rhetorical foil to other more obviously draconian drag bans. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F241a089a-7028-4df5-9e3c-02afdc5ee5df_1080x1080.png) #### **What to know about it:** SB1028 bans drag performances from public places or any other locations where drag “could be viewed by a minor.” Anyone charged under the law would face a misdemeanor, escalating to a felony after the first charge. It also addresses the more generic category “adult cabaret performances” rather than specifically targeting drag, but its definition of the term includes drag performers and “male or female impersonators,” and would put all performers, along with many trans and gender nonconforming people, at risk of arrest. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F7baa4171-29a3-47a0-b01d-7b195b273337_1080x1080.png) #### **What to know about it:** Drug use among the queer community has been rising since 2015, according to studies done by the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. But the kinds of drugs people are using is often not what they think they are getting — as evidenced by the rise of accidental overdoses from people using cocaine recreationally. This bill, as written, would make it possible to get a life sentence for offering a friend drugs, if that person dies. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F175e9f62-a536-4d97-b398-df608902fa5b_1080x1080.png) #### **What to know about it:** Jake Hoffman, leader of the Freedom Caucus, chairs the Senate Government, and he’ll decide whether SB1030 will get a vote. He’s been outspoken against LGBTQ+ rights in the past, and this bill would force an end to drag brunches and drag story hours by utilizing zoning restrictions. But it also goes further than that—because the bill uses the same definition of drag as SB1026, its permitting requirements could apply to any trans or gender nonconforming person participating in the performing arts. [Subscribe](#/portal/signup) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fsubstack-post-media.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fc248229a-af00-4ba5-8f96-be206996a27d_1080x1080-2.png) ## UPCOMING EVENTS On **Jan. 12**, Equality AZ is hosting their Political Power Team Meeting at Cartel Roasting Co. in Tempe at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will go over how to be politically involved in between major election cycles. [Register here](https://www.mobilize.us/equalityarizona/event/546674/?ref=lookoutnews.org). *(Disclosure: Equality AZ is a content partner of LOOKOUT)* On **Jan. 16**, One n’ Ten is hosting a zine-making session at their satellite Surprise location at 6 p.m. For more information, text @sronenten to 81010 On **Jan. 17**, One n’ Ten is hosting a LGBTQ+ history session focused on queer spaces. The event will be held at their satellite Chandler location at 6:30 p.m. For information, text @chonenten to 81010. On **Jan. 22,** protesters are meeting at the Capitol Lawn to protest the state’s continued push for anti-LGBTQ+ bills. Organizers suggest to dress in drag, bring signs, safety masks, water, and to wear comfortable shoes. [More info here](https://www.instagram.com/p/CnNuUoiPgEN/?igshid=MWI4MTIyMDE%3D&ref=lookoutnews.org). On **Jan. 26**, LOOKOUT will host its **first listening session** at the Phoenix New Times Office at 6:30 p.m. Participation is free and open to the public and will include a rundown of what LOOKOUT’s yearly mission is, and an opportunity for you to provide feedback as well as give input on what you want in your coverage. **[Register for the event here](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/lookout-listening-session-tickets-513493531977?ref=lookoutnews.org)**. ### Only two more weeks to get 60% off a yearly subscription! URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/only-two-more-weeks-to-get-60-off/ Last updated: 2023-01-10T19:05:16.000Z Hi all! For those of you who have not become paid subscribers to LOOKOUT, keep in mind that through January, we are offering 60% off our annual subscription. As a reminder, subscribers full access to our posts online, as well as our weekly reported stories and interviews. You’ll also have exclusive access to RSVP for LOOKOUT listening sessions, as well as an opportunity to get early access to our magazine, when it’s published. Thank you for joining LOOKOUT! [Get 60% off for 1 year](#/portal/signup) ### Wanna chat with us? URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/join-my-chat/ Last updated: 2026-08-16T19:50:27.000Z Today I’m announcing a brand new addition to my Substack publication: the LOOKOUT PHX subscriber chat. This is a conversation space in the Substack app that I set up exclusively for my subscribers — kind of like a group chat or live hangout. I’ll post short prompts, thoughts, and updates that come my way, and you can jump into the discussion. **To join our chat, you’ll need to download the** [**Substack app**](https://substack.com/app/app-store-redirect?ref=lookoutnews.org)**, now available for both iOS and Android.** Chats are sent via the app, not email, so turn on push notifications so you don’t miss conversation as it happens. --- ## How to get started 1. **Download the app by clicking** [**this link**](https://substack.com/app/app-store-redirect?ref=lookoutnews.org) **or the button below.** Substack Chat is now available on both iOS and Android. [Get app](https://substack.com/app/app-store-redirect?ref=lookoutnews.org) 1. **Open the app and tap the Chat icon.** It looks like two bubbles in the bottom bar, and you’ll see a row for my chat inside. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F9a23d49f-76bd-4f75-baac-0ae5733774bd_1456x743.png) 1. **That’s it!** Jump into my thread to say hi, and if you have any issues, check out [Substack’s FAQ](https://support.substack.com/hc/en-us/sections/360007461791-Frequently-Asked-Questions). [Join chat](https://open.substack.com/pub/lookoutphx/chat) [Subscribe](#/portal/signup) ### How a conservative senator seeks to hamper the LGBTQ+ movement URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/how-a-conservative-senator-seeks/ Last updated: 2026-07-21T22:39:38.000Z Last week, we reported on the religious exemptions outlined in one of the state’s newest proposed bill, SB1001, which aims to reduce the ability for genderqueer students to express themselves. The sponsor of that bill, John Kavanagh from Fountain Hills, is also taking the bill a step further, by also trying to eliminate nicknames of people, unless they are derivatives of their name assigned at birth. Kavanagh has a long history of proposing bills that erode — and in some cases altogether eliminate — the civil rights of queer people across Arizona. That history goes back well over a decade, to when he proposed (and failed) to change how trans and gender nonbinary people use the bathrooms in the state. Aside from SB1001, Kavanagh has also proposed a new bill — under the guise of protecting children — that would limit drag queen performances in front of children, despite almost all drag queen performances being in bars or other opt-in venues, such as Phoenix Pride, The Rainbows Festival, and other public events. Still, Kavanagh has continued his push to eliminate drag from the public sphere. LOOKOUT spoke with the senior Senator, to try and understand why he continues to push these bills, specifically SB1001\. Below is a transcript of the phone call that has been edited for brevity, and clarity. [Subscribe](#/portal/signup) LOOKOUT: Sen. Kavanagh, thanks for speaking with us today. KAVANAGH: Not a problem. LOOKOUT: So, let’s just dive right in and talk about the religious exemptions to SB1001 that are mentioned in the bill. You’ve told other news outlets that this bill does not limit anybody’s use use of pronouns, it's simply giving parental choice to people. But the religious exemption would give carte blanche to individuals who have a sincerely held belief. That seems to be kind of separate from parental choice, am I correct? KAVANAGH: Yeah, that's a totally different part of the bill, that just simply had to do with respecting people's religious or moral beliefs that they just don't can't support that type of a pronoun or name usage. LOOKOUT: So, obviously, there is a lot of talk about religious exemptions, and making sure to give protections for people who have religious beliefs. But I'm curious about the other side of the coin. When we're talking about religious exemptions, we're often kind of missing the other half of the equation when it comes to, you know, freedom *from* religion. If someone has a religious belief — or even a sincerely held belief — that their gender is aligned with their religious or spiritual beliefs, how are you protecting those people from religious discrimination? KAVANAGH: I would say that a person who has sincerely held religious or moral beliefs against doing something like referring to somebody by a different gender pronoun, I think that's a more serious concern than the right of a person to be called that pronoun. Particularly, because most decent people—and I think most teachers and school personnel would be decent—will simply refer to the person by their name. I don't always use pronouns, you know. I mean, instead of saying, ‘That's her book,’ I can say, you know, ‘Give Bill or give Nancy the book.’ LOOKOUT: But aren’t you also trying to make it that people can’t even use the names they prefer to use? Such as a nickname that wouldn’t comport with their gender at birth? KAVANAGH: Yeah, they have to stick with the given name or a nickname derivative. LOOKOUT: So, actually, it wouldn't be a situation of just sticking by somebody’s preferred name, because if their preferred name is actually opposite of what their gender is, it still kind of goes back to the question I posed earlier, and you haven’t answered. Which is, if I have a sincerely held religious belief that my gender is correct, despite what it says on my birth certificate, wouldn't that be an infringement on my own religious beliefs? KAVANAGH: The religious belief does not disparage being transgender or being non binary. I don't think most religious beliefs disparage the person. It's just the individual saying, ‘I have a moral problem with recognizing this.’ That's not saying the person's bad, that the transgendered person is bad or evil. It's just saying I opt out. LOOKOUT: Correct. But the question — the question is, when does your religious belief infringe on my beliefs? KAVANAGH: I guess when my religious belief, you know, basically says, you know, you can't do things that you have a right to do. Or if I do discriminate against you illegally. LOOKOUT: Well, most people within the LGBTQ community would say that you are simply authorizing *religious* discrimination. KAVANAGH: I don't think it's religious discrimination. I think it's just respecting somebody has a different opinion of you and not forcing them to do something which they have a moral or religious problem with. I think we have to be a little bit more tolerant of each other. [Get 60% off for 1 year](#/portal/signup) LOOKOUT: So that's, that's a good point. And I think the question then goes back to you, though, on who — in this scenario — is being intolerant? For example, who is being forced to be tolerant of these children? KAVANAGH: Well, so the business with the people with the cake and everything. They were probably. LOOKOUT: But we're talking about schools right now. So focusing on schools. You know, we've talked to educators who say this is a bill without an issue. So— KAVANAGH: Well, there are several school districts in North Carolina, Durham, Chicago. Some teenagers in Baltimore — and the National Association of National Association of School Counselors adopted a policy that parents should be kept in the dark. Now, I'm not sure where they stand on employees doing names, but this is spreading. LOOKOUT: So, again, we’re not in Durham, or Chicago, or North Carolina. Your bill is for Arizona. Are there considerable anecdotes that you’ve heard where educators are being forced to use pronouns or nicknames of children that makes them uncomfortable? KAVANAGH: I think we need to be ready for it. I don't wait for a problem to happen when I see it happening all over the country. LOOKOUT: So this is a proactive approach to something that you're seeing as a trend across the nation. KAVANAGH: Yeah, although, for all I know it could be happening in Arizona. LOOKOUT: But you don’t know. KAVANAGH: No. LOOKOUT: I’m wondering if we could look at it from the children’s perspectives, those who might be trans or nonbinary. KAVANAGH: Sure. LOOKOUT: How does this protect them? KAVANAGH: All the bill does is get permission from parents to use the pronouns their children are preferring. Obviously if a parent gives their permission and the teacher is using the name against their will and their doctor’s protocol, then that would be something that would protect these kids. LOOKOUT: That’s assuming, though, that the parents are accepting of the child. There is a very real reality that many students don’t have parents who are accepting, or are not comfortable with their parents knowing. How do you account for those kids, when we know that depression, and suicidal ideation, and drug use are common among these groups of people because of a lack of support at home? KAVANAGH: Well, then we have these third-parties — instructors, school counselors — who can intervene, and if they feel the child is unsafe, then they can make a report to Child Protective Services. LOOKOUT: Possibly removing them from their home. KAVANAGH: Sure. Or something like getting counseling. I’d also say that the biggest pushback I’ve received on this has been that a permission slip is onerous for parents. But, I have to sign these slips for my kids all the time. I don’t think that’s a problem. LOOKOUT: Alright. Well, thank you Senator. KAVANAGH: Thank you. Thank you for reading LOOKOUT PHX. Share this post with your friends to spread the word about Phoenix’s newest and only LGBTQ+ news organization. ### Welcome to LOOKOUT URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/welcome-to-lookout/ Last updated: 2026-08-16T19:56:10.000Z We’ve made our first post free to everyone. If you enjoy what you’re reading today, and want to support the only non-profit queer news publication in Phoenix, be sure to subscribe to get this kind of weekly content (and breaking alerts) sent directly to your email. [Subscribe now](#/portal/signup) ## Religion, on the attack. A pre-filed bill submitted by one of the state’s conservative lawmakers aims to put the nation’s culture wars at the top of the agenda this year, by limiting teachers’ ability to address students by pronouns that don’t align with the gender they were given at birth if they don’t have parental permission. The bill, SB1001, also outlines a religious exemption for those who don’t agree with students expressing alternative gender identities. John Kavanagh, a Republican representing Fountain Hills who has a long history proposing bills to limit trans Arizonans’ rights, introduced it as the very first bill this year, signaling that the Republican party—at least in the state house—is looking to double down on the nation’s over-zealous moral panic over trans youth. The current bill is a similar mock up to last year’s House Bill 2293, introduced by Rep. John Fillmore of Apache Junction, that shielded parents and school employees from refusing to address children by their preferred pronouns or names. That bill never received a vote in committee and didn’t move forward. In a phone interview this week, Kavanagh said that the SB1001 is simply about parental power, and respecting religious beliefs. When pressed on the negative impacts of students being outed to family members, or not having familial support at home, Kavanagh stated that the bill has ancillary benefits, where families could be reported to the state child protective agency, and children could be removed. (Paid subscribers can read an edited down version of the interview publishing tomorrow, where LOOKOUT dug in with Kavanagh and pushed him to explain more in depth what his goals were with the bill.) "At the end of the day, I think we just need to be respectful of others' beliefs," he said. But that respect would appear to go one way with lawmakers who have made a career of using the legislature to reel in civil rights for queer people. In 2012, Kavanagh tried to advance a bathroom bill that criminalized people for using the restroom of their stated gender identity. The proposed bill threatened trans people with a class 1 misdemeanor and a $2,500 fine for using a restroom that didn’t match their gender assigned at birth. Later, he tried to protect businesses that enforced bathroom bans from civil lawsuits, if they had a deeply held religious beliefs against trans people. Mara Kesiling, executive director at the National Center for Transgender Equality, said of the bill that it was “disconnected from the reality facing transgender Arizonans.” Both bills failed, with the latter taking an about-face and replaced by a bill that banned health professionals from claiming they were experts or board-authorized if they actually weren’t. [Subscribe](#/portal/signup) But where Kavanagh found pushback nearly a decade ago in promoting anti-trans bills, there is speculation that he might find some footing with the state’s newly entrenched evangelical conservatives. Last year, alone, he found an alliance among other far-right legislators who proposed nine separate bills attacking trans people and, specifically, transgender children. One included banning gender reassignment surgery for youth under 18 years old— a move he called on Twitter as “genital mutilation” — despite gender reassignment surgery being an incredibly rare procedure, and done after months (or sometimes years) of hormonal and talk therapy. The other bill banned trans girls from being able to play on girls’ sports teams if they were assigned male at birth. Gov. Doug Ducey signed both bills into law. Kavanagh is just one legislator in a wave of evangelical lawmakers nationwide who have been using the pulpit to elevate their platform and denounce people who, they say, don’t conform to certain Christian sect’s teachings on gender roles. He said, in regards to SB1001, that he didn't think the bill should make any person feel like they are "bad." But the religious right's rhetoric around trans issues, pronouns, and parental choice all echo a homophobic trope that has—at least until recently—been beyond the pale, as seeing as LGBTQ+ people as a "danger." Among religious groups that Kavanagh has gone out of his way to support, almost half of evangelical voters across the nation believe that society has become “too accepting” of trans people, according to a 2022 Pew Study. That study showed that white evangelicals — by 68% — believe that Americans have gone too far in addressing and accepting trans people. But even if Kavanagh does get some support, it’s likely newly elected Gov. Katie Hobbs — who denounced both the bans on gender-affirming surgeries and girls’ sports — would veto those bills if they ever got to her desk. ### FINAL OUTLOOK #### “Violent attacks on people in the LGBTQ community are on the rise, and the cause of this lies solely at the feet of elected officials—at every level—who promote these ideologies." > \-*Jeanne Casteen, Exec. Director, Secular AZ* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F1f339a87-9e36-48a6-ac2d-9578287262a4_1080x1080.png) ## EYES ON THE STATE *LOOKOUT's 'Eyes on the State' is brought to you by an exclusive partnership with* [*Equality AZ*](https://equalityarizona.substack.com/)*. Check here every week to see what's being proposed by lawmakers, who are the state power brokers, and context for current and upcoming bills.* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F9410b84c-ca8d-4fb9-9cd1-3b2d25be123b_1080x1080.png) #### **Three things to know about it:** **1-** A bill like this has two basic functions. The first is that it makes public schools less hospitable to students of marginalized genders. The second is that it advances the legal usage of “biological sex,” which until recently did not exist in law. In Arizona, the term only entered state statute in 2022, with SB 1138 and SB 1165. **2-** A similar bill was run in 2022, [HB 2293](https://www.azleg.gov/%20legtext/55leg/2R/bills/HB2293P.pdf?ref=lookoutnews.org). It went nowhere. **3-** Kavanagh wants to extend the bill with a [similar ban on chosen names](https://www.kawc.org/news/2023-01-01/arizona-law-%20would-require-parents-permission-before-school-employees-could-%20refer-to-a-student-by-preferred-pronouns?ref=lookoutnews.org). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F0ba2d987-ebc5-44c1-bfb1-1dbc2299cc48_1080x1080.png) #### **Three things to know about it:** **1-** The parents’ bill of rights is used as a cornerstone of many anti-LGBTQ+ policies, and the intent of a bill like this is to increase the financial burden of defending against perceived instances of the government “interfering with or usurping” parental rights. **2-** The downstream effect is that government agencies and employees may avoid perfectly legal ways of supporting the LGBTQ+ community out of fear that it may expose them to legal action. **3-** Attempts to extend the parents’ bill of rights have found support and success over the years, but not uniformly so. With the new governor, it’s become less likely that this kind of bill can succeed. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fccb66146-f43d-4f3e-8aad-8436201b79ac_1080x1080.png) #### **Three things to know about it:** **1-** With the 2020 Supreme Court decision in *Bostock v Clayton County*, LGBTQ+ workers are already protected from employment discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act. This executive order directs state agencies to make specific hiring policies to ensure discrimination does not happen. **2-** Cities like Phoenix and Tucson already have anti-discrimination laws in place. Hobbs' executive order simply reaffirms those, while also expanding out the protections across the state. **3-** The anti-discrimination ordinance by Phoenix is what sparked outrage by religious conservatives like state Sen. John Kavanagh in 2012, who authored so-called “bathroom bills” that eventually failed to pass. Thank you for reading LOOKOUT PHX. This post is public so feel free to share it. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Ffd30fa90-19d8-4aaf-afe3-4b02753e128b_1080x1080.png) ## UPCOMING EVENTS On **Jan. 26**, LOOKOUT will host its first listening session. Participation is free and open to the public. We are currently looking for a space to host our first session, and if you have room for 20-25 people to come and discuss important issues, reach out! Subscribers get priority access, so be sure to sign up for a subscription. Questions? Email LOOKOUT Managing Director Jake Hylton at lookoutphx@gmail.com. ### Want to sit on our board? URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/want-to-sit-on-our-board/ Last updated: 2026-08-16T19:03:20.000Z We are less than a month out from launch, and we want to be sure we have great coverage in our first few issues. We have our first newsletter writer in place, and now we’re focusing on securing our board. We want to bring on people who can either donate to the LOOKOUT brand, either in kind — through event spaces, art and design, printing, distribution, networking, and fundraising — or in a financial donation ($2,000+). The board will meet every month, and we are asking for a minimum of 12 hours of work throughout the year, which would include the board meetings and occasional LOOKOUT events. We’ve estimated our monthly costs to be around $2,000, including paying for our quarterly magazine, writers, artists, and photographers. We need a board who is willing to act as financial oversight, but also an advisory committee to make sure we are covering the issues that need to be covered, and help with the overall messaging of LOOKOUT. Unlike a regular board, we are looking for people who are devoted to LOOKOUT’s mission of bringing queer-focused local news to the forefront of legislator’s, community leader’s, and individual’s minds. We are aiming to have the board be a true cross-section of identities and geographies, as well as industries. If you think you are this person, or know of someone who might be a good fit, please email your resume and what you can bring to the table to: Lookoutphx@gmail.com ### A strong first week for LOOKOUT URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/a-strong-first-week-for-lookout/ Last updated: 2022-12-10T20:22:11.000Z Last weekend, we announced that LOOKOUT would officially launch in January next year. Our first post from our executive editor received over 400 views and, as a result, we gained close to 200 subscriptions, with a quarter of them being paid subscriptions. This is great! But it’s not progress. [Subscribe](#/portal/signup) What progress looks like, is a unique partnership between LOOKOUT and **Equality AZ** to provide weekly legislative updates on important bills being proposed in the state and locally. Progress has also looked like teaming up with the **Anti-Violence Project of NY** to gather data on intimate partner violence within the state, so we can provide you detailed information and reporting. Progress also looks like engaging with writers, photographers, and other entrepreneurs within Phoenix and across Arizona who have reached out to try and help expand coverage of issues you won’t find anywhere else. This week, we have the ambitious goal of expanding outreach to pride groups across the Valley, to try and achieve 500 subscriptions (paid or unpaid), and schedule our first listening session to see what stories you want covered. You can help! Gift a subscription to a friend! (**You can get one for 60% off through the end of January 2023**). Or forward this email to your work groups, family, or business friends so that more people can learn about this exciting new coverage in Phoenix. **Also, our search for board members starts this week.** We want to be sure we have a completely diverse board across gender spectrums, and geographic locations. Are you someone who is interested in joining a board that not only helps to oversee finances, but also is eager to see this kind of coverage in your Phoenix neighborhood or community, and wants to make sure it is included? Email us at: lookoutphx@gmail.com. Thank you for all your support, and keep an eye out in your email for LOOKOUT’s **first** report in January. \-LOOKOUT PHX [Subscribe](#/portal/signup) ### Look out, Phoenix... URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/lookoutphx/ Last updated: 2026-08-16T20:12:46.000Z You’ve been seen. But have you been heard? I grew up in Mesa, Arizona. At the time, Chandler Fashion Mall’s opening was the “big deal.” Arizona Mills still had a Gameworks. Tempe Town Lake had finished being filled. Though some people look back on those years fondly — as a quieter time in Phoenix — I look back on it with anger. The East Valley was not an accepting place for people like me, a young teenager who was Middle Eastern, closeted, and railed hard against religion. Being gay, though, was the hardest part of my identity. It was so obvious to everyone around me I was a gay man, but I was terrified to come to terms with it myself. My friends were “pro-gay,” but said I would be going against God. My mother said she would “accept” me if I was, but that she would never go to my wedding and said I was going to get AIDS. My brother “didn’t care,” but said it was a product of conditioning. I found comfort only among my sister, and other openly gay friends. Like many who leave their hometowns before turning 20, I vowed to never return. But pandemic made a fool of many of us, and I found myself back in the Valley of the Sun. Phoenix, arguably, is not the same as when I left in 2007\. There is a bustling downtown scene. Suburbs like Gilbert and Chandler have become hubs for food and drink destinations. Tempe’s skyline rivals even other cities in the Southwest. But with that growth, it’s been shocking — and disappointing — to return to a place that has essentially been unchanged, culturally. Phoenix’s gay bars are less community-focused, the number of spaces for gay youth have remained static, the politics and rhetoric around queer Arizonans has remained stuck in the past, and places to learn about community events and queer news is gone. And even though there has been significant progress in Phoenix in regards to our community being recognized by the public, it’s not enough to only be seen. It’s time to also be heard. That’s why we started LOOKOUT. We believe that a better informed community is a closer and more energized community. [Subscribe now](#/portal/signup) LOOKOUT is a mission-driven newsletter and quarterly magazine that will keep queer issues top-of-mind and above the fold. Too often the community is treated as an “Arts and Entertainment” beat, but the reality is that we are more than just drag shows and Pride parades. We have an entire economic ecosystem. We are effected by over-policing and under-policing. We are leaders in crafting public health policy. We have entire sports teams competing on a national stage. We are targets of legislators who have more power than the least of us. And we also are targets for people who wish to hurt us. For those who can support us, we are expecting a launch in January of 2023, with monthly and annual subscribers receiving weekly news delivered directly to your inbox. Subscribers will also get access to our online news portal, as well as an opportunity to comment on stories. Subscribers also will receive early access to RSVP for exclusive LOOKOUT events we plan to start having in the Spring, in anticipation of our quarterly magazine that will launch in Summer of 2023. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2F94dc8381-a1f8-40af-a9c9-f16ecbc435b8_1545x2000.png) LOOKOUT Magazine will be a publication that Phoenicians of all colors and stripes will be proud to display on their coffee tables. It will include deep features on solutions within our community, photo essays of issues and places that are dear to us, and exclusive investigations that stand up to even legacy publishers. Your subscription to LOOKOUT will help fuel this vision for a better informed, more engaged, and activated community. And to make sure that we are offering you the best quality, and to prove to you that we have what it takes, we are offering a launch special of 60% off an annual subscription — $27.50 a year. [Get 60% off for 1 year](#/portal/signup) I hope that you’ll enjoy and participate in this exciting journey, and I look forward to making Phoenix not just a destination for snowbirds, but also open and inclusive companies, people, and everything queer. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/4c/0d/4c0d7266-d8e0-4201-8dfb-f7b14779cdc4/content/images/2023/08/https-3A-2F-2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com-2Fpublic-2Fimages-2Fd5857f67-dda1-4cc3-96cd-5fe97192ebbf_1536x1920.jpeg) \-Joseph Darius Jaafari Executive Editor, LOOKOUT --- [Subscribe](#/portal/signup)