Sharon Benson is named in a lawsuit for allegedly defaming a teacher she is set to have power over.
A last-minute appearance by Dr. Jill Biden at this year’s Flagstaff Pride left community members to lash out against their local Pride organization.
The considerable shift to the right locally showed many that the work to attain civil rights is far from over.
A democrat running a progressive campaign has not-so-progressive ties, we found.
Every week, we highlight the lives of our readers by showing off what queer joy looks like to them. Show off your life by replying back to this email with a photo, or tagging us on Instagram @lookoutphx.
MAGA DEMOCRAT: Last Friday, we published a story alongside our friends at the Arizona Agenda that exposed how Mario Garcia, a Democrat running against LGBTQ+ Legislative Caucus member Rep. Analise Ortiz, had a history of questionable support for Kari Lake and other conservatives.
In our story, we were able to show that Garcia had posted and reshared events hosted by Lake, as well as posed for a photo with her on his Facebook page. Garcia's former Campaign Director Patrick Morales said that him posing with Lake doesn't mean he endorsed her.
But after a Republican lawmaker tipped us off that the photo with Lake was taken at a legislative event for Republicans, Morales issued a statement saying he was lied to, and that his firm would no longer represent Garcia. Read our full story here.
WHAT WE’RE KEEPING AN EYE ON: Had Garcia run as a Republican, it probably wouldn't have caught our eye, or even been worth reporting on. As an investigative and accountability-based news outlet, we're not trying to compete with other papers when it comes to the 2024 election horse race.
But when there's something off with a candidate who is running a progressive campaign based on civil rights, while also running against a member of one of the few LGBTQ+ house members, it then became our business to look into Garcia.
We are nonpartisan and have no financial or editorial benefit in the outcome of the race. But we do have a vested interest in the transparency of people and organizations that claim to represent us.
As the state's only LGBTQ+ news outlet focused on keeping people within and outside our community accountable to you (our readers), we love to get tips on what (or who) you think we should look into. Email us by clicking here to send us tips.
Have a community event coming up you want LOOKOUT to highlight? Email us.
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 to be entered into our monthly drawing for exclusive LOOKOUT swag. The more times you play, the more chances you get to win! The next drawing will be April 30.
BI_ _ _L_
Hint: The tongue-in-cheek in-group slang for bisexuals.
Last Week's Answer: FLINTA
The Arizona Corporation Commission race could affect the LGBTQ+ community in ways you may not have thought about.
Interviews with 24 people show consistent concerns about Phoenix Pride.
If a small rural city can find common ground, maybe we all can.
A private web meeting last week showed how a far-right religious organization is trying to teach families to challenge schools, causing a chilling a chilling effect.
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