> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.lookoutnews.org/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Thank you, Arizona! - URL: https://www.lookoutnews.org/were-simply-the-best/ - Published: 2024-07-12T16:07:58.000Z - Updated: 2024-07-12T16:07:58.000Z - Description: LOOKOUT's community newsletter on culture, events, and happenings! - Author: Joseph Darius Jaafari (he/him) - Tags: NEWSLETTER #### 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)