Agenda Takeover: Lookout
Agenda Takeover: Lookout
Our tour of Arizona's best newsletters continues...
We mentioned on Friday that we’re turning over the Agenda to some friends while Hank takes a little time off. Today, we’d like to introduce you to LOOKOUT, a queer-focused newsletter and quarterly magazine (print is so retro!) that keeps an eye on powerful people in and outside of the community.
Its co-founder, Joseph Darius Jaafari, is a former investigative reporter for the Republic who made the jump to newsletters full time recently after securing a big grant to grow and expand LOOKOUT alongside its executive director, Phoenix entrepreneur Jake Hylton. They’ve been doing great work from day one, and now they’re getting bigger and better than ever.
Take it away, LOOKOUT…
LOOKOUT recently looked at the recent trans athlete ban for students in Arizona. As a refresher, the state Legislature last year passed a ban that would bar any trans girl in high school or elementary school from playing on a sports team that aligns with their chosen gender identity.
That law went into full effect at the beginning of this year, and was met with a civil rights lawsuit brought on by two families of trans girls, both of whom wanted to race in track and field.
That ban, though, has been temporarily lifted as the case goes through the courts. This is a win for LGBTQ+ and human rights activists, but are proceeding with caution. State Superintendent of Public Schools Tom Horne has vowed to take the case all the way to the Supreme Court, and that may not play nice for the community in the end.
WHAT WE’RE KEEPING AN EYE ON:
The story above is exactly the kind of work you can expect from us, with more nuance and deeper reporting than you’d get at other outlets.
For those who don’t know about us, LOOKOUT is a nonprofit news organization that exclusively covers LGBTQ+ issues in Phoenix and the surrounding metro areas. We’re brand new, and mainly on Substack right now. We believe in accountability journalism, with a heavy emphasis on elevating the queer voices in the greater Phoenix area.
Many people ask, “why does Arizona need an LGBTQ+ news organization?” A few things you may not know:
Arizona has the 12th largest LGBTQ+ population in the nation, and the community makes up a larger percentage of residents when compared to cities like New York, Silicon Valley or Chicago, according to a 2015 Gallup poll. But news discussing our issues represents less than 2% of coverage at legacy outlets.
Every week, we provide context on what is happening in Phoenix politics, culture, health, business, and education. You can subscribe to us via our Substack, and start receiving more newsletters in the format like the one you’re receiving now, courtesy of our friends at the Arizona Agenda.
» LOCAL LGBTQ+ NEWS
“QUEER-BLENDED”: Arizona’s largest non-profit focusing on queer youth, One n’ Ten, is planning on opening up a middle school using the state’s controversial voucher program. AZ Family 🔻LOOKOUT CONTEXT: The announcement for the school was made at One n’ Ten’s “Fresh Brunch” fundraiser, where Gov. Katie Hobbs was the keynote speaker. LOOKOUT
CHURCH BURNING: The man who set fire to a church in Douglas, Arizona acted out of hatred toward the LGBTQ+ community, according to a federal indictment. Episcopal News Service 🔻LOOKOUT CONTEXT: Hate crimes in Phoenix are some of the highest in the nation. LOOKOUT
BACK TO SPORTS: Republicans are challenging the federal judge’s decision to lift the state’s transgender sports ban. AZ Mirror 🔻LOOKOUT CONTEXT: The lawyer representing the family said the judge saw the kids as who they were: young girls. LOOKOUT
» NATIONAL LGBTQ+ NEWS
CONVERSION THERAPY BAN: Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed a bill that would ban conversion therapy, a junk-science practice that has been medically discredited and banned in multiple other states. ABC News
LEAVING THE CHURCH: Almost 20% of congregants with the united Methodist Church have left because of its stance against LGBTQ+ parishioners. NPR News
For the month of August, we’re offering 50% off a yearly subscription to LOOKOUT. Founding members receive exclusive swag! Support local LGBTQ+ news today!
CELEBRATE YOURSELF!
Get featured by sending us a picture showing off queer joy in your community and get some LOOKOUT swag. Email your photos and two sentences about the picture to joseph@lookoutphx.org
UPCOMING EVENTS
Have an upcoming queer-focused event you want amplified in our newsletter? Email joseph@lookoutphx.org to send us your event!