We Can Face This Storm Together

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.

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