An 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.
Mesa 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.
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.
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
FOOD INSECURITY: The Arizona Food Bank Network is surveying LGBTQ+ people about food insecurity, since only federal data about the issue exists. KJZZ
🇺🇸 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
KENTUCKY VOTES: A rise in anti-LGBTQ+ laws has helped garner an increase of openly queer candidates across Kentucky. Queer News Network
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
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
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?
A private web meeting last week showed how a far-right religious organization is trying to teach families to challenge schools, causing a chilling a chilling effect.
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