Slap Ya' Mamaw and other political spices

It's going to get real tough real soon, and with that we need to come together.

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


🪩 KIKIS FROM THE INTERNET

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.

🪭 WHERE ARE WE KIKI-ING?

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.

  • Fri. Jan. 24 - The Desperado LGBTQ+ Film Festival at Paradise Valley Community College begins. Info
  • Fri. Jan. 24 - FreeBirdz Group hosts their shared table night with tacos and vision boards. Info
  • Sat. Jan. 25 - Join Trans Queer Pueblo for a community healing circle. Info
  • Sat. Jan. 25 - Phoenix Pride is hosting a drag fundraiser with big-name performers at Charlie's Phoenix to benefit their community foundation. Info
  • Sun. Jan. 26 - Queer AF hosts their first brunch of 2025 in Tucson. Info
  • Sun. Jan. 26 - Thems. in Phoenix hosts a leather embellishing workshop. Info
  • Sun. Jan. 26 - Head to a FREE self defense class for queer communities at Gracie Arizona Jiu Jitsu Academy. Info
  • Sun. Jan. 26 - Wasted Ink Zine Distro hosts a zine making event. Info
  • Mon. Jan. 27 - Pip Coffee and Clay hosts a "Stitch n Bitch" craft night. Info
  • Mon. Jan. 27 - Join One n Ten at their youth meetup in Litchfield Park. Info
  • Tues. Jan. 28 - Day dance in Sedona with Sedona Dances. Info
  • Wed. Jan. 29 - Barflies is hosted by Valley Bar. Info
  • Wed. Jan. 29 - Thems. hosts their first Fruity Poetry Night of the year. Info
  • Thurs. Jan. 30 - If you're an ASU student, join QMunityASU for a movie night and watch "I Saw the TV Glow." Info
  • Fri. Jan. 31 - The Coven in Phoenix is hosting POWERS OUT, a mutual aid party in Tempe celebrating local Phoenix artists and organizations. Info

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


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