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