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.
Educators say the culture wars against LGBTQ+ people is effecting curriculum.
COLLATERAL DAMAGE: Earlier this year, LOOKOUT embarked on a simple task to understand what gaps existed in the state's sexual education curriculum across school districts.
Turns out, a lot.
We surveyed 18 school districts from urban to rural regions that accounted for just under a quarter of the state's total school-aged population. We found that tens of thousands of students were not being offered sex education at all.
When we tried to understand why, educators said it was either out of fear of being targeted by far-right groups or lawmakers, or the political rhetoric surrounding gender and sexuality that has made it too much of a hot-button issue.
As a result, not only are LGBTQ+ students not getting evidence-based education on their bodies or sexual health, but it's having an impact on the education of other students.
Nate Rhoton, CEO of the LGBTQ+ youth advocacy group One-n'-Ten said: “By simply ignoring our community through education, you're doing a lot more harm to all students.”
WHAT WE'RE KEEPING AN EYE ON: Our reporter, Shelby Rae Wills, has been working to understand how the state's sex education curriculum affects people. But we've had a difficult time hearing directly from you. If you're from Arizona and went to school here, or if you're the parent of a school-aged child, let's chat!
We want to know your stories. We currently have a survey that you can take anonymously if you are a student or recently graduated. We also have another survey that you can take if you're a parent.
But we'd also love to learn how sex education framed your life, for good or bad. If you'd like to be included in some of our reporting coming up (or even if you just want to tell us a bit about your experience with no expectation of it being published), either respond back to this email or send a message to our reporter at: rae@lookoutphx.org.
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 May 30.
_ABA_ _T
Hint: This musical features a bisexual lead male who has an affair with Sally Bowles and her other male lover.
Last Week's Answer: BJ BUD
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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LOOKOUT Publications is a federally recognized nonprofit news outlet. EIN Number:92-3129757
