LOOKOUT Marks Two Years of Impactful Local Queer Journalism

LOOKOUT celebrates its second anniversary this week, marking a significant milestone for a startup news organization dedicated to nuanced, nonpartisan, and deeply reported stories about queer people in the Grand Canyon State.

This year, more than 350,000 people read and shared our stories across our website and social media. We also educated thousands more people on queer issues at our various in-person events across the state including our annual OUTWATCH Fest, Summer of Solutions series, and various tabling events.

But the center of our work has been in the stories we've told:

From sex education in schools to nonprofit leadership, LOOKOUT has driven stories that matter not only to the LGBTQ+ community but also to all Arizonans. As we reflect on two years of impactful journalism leading up to Dec. 22, we celebrate our achievements and the accolades that highlight LOOKOUT's mission to elevate queer journalism to the highest levels of the industry. Our work underscores the necessity of this beat in newsrooms nationwide for years to come.

Public Health Fellows Sparked Conversations on Conversion Therapy and Sex Education

At the beginning of the year, LOOKOUT received a grant to bolster reporting on public health issues. Historically, LGBTQ+ media coverage of public health has focused on disease and depression. At LOOKOUT, we chose to explore the underlying causes of these issues.

We delivered two series of stories highlighting how Arizona's lack of comprehensive sex education contributes to the rise of HIV and other preventable diseases. Our reporting revealed that since the repeal of the state’s "No Promo Homo" law in 2019, state Republicans and Christian-based organizations have introduced even stricter measures to limit sexual health discussions in public schools. These restrictions have coincided with an increase in sexually transmitted infections, particularly in areas where sex education has been reduced or eliminated.

Our second series examined conversion therapy in Arizona. While few therapists openly advertise the discredited practice, our investigation uncovered how some providers continue to use it under different terminology. We also found that under Gov. Katie Hobbs, the state licensing organizations continue to be slow—or entirely absent—in enforcing licenses for those offering conversion therapy, despite her executive order banning public resources for such providers.

A Solutions-Based Look at Services for LGBTQ+ Elders

This summer, we focused on what it means to grow old and queer in Arizona. Thanks to a small grant, we hired an intern who produced monthly stories about LGBTQ+ elders. These stories included the role of an older lesbian woman in fostering Sun City’s LGBT club and Aunt Rita's program aimed at combating loneliness among older LGBTQ+ individuals, as well as a look at how caregivers in the community are more likely to suffer from depression.

Deep Dives Into Queer-Led Businesses and Community Challenges

One of LOOKOUT's core principles is holding our own community accountable. We have reported on issues within queer-led businesses and organizations, such as the collapse of Equality Arizona, discrimination against lesbians and trans men in Phoenix and Tucson gay bars, and pay disparities among drag performers.

We also covered concerns about Phoenix Pride, including ticketing issues and police presence, and explored how Flagstaff Pride faced backlash for silencing dissent over inviting Dr. Jill Biden to speak.

Community Events That Fostered Connections

Beyond journalism, LOOKOUT has worked to build a stronger sense of community among LGBTQ+ Arizonans, many of whom have expressed feelings of being unwelcome. To address this, we have hosted events aimed at fostering social connections outside bars and nightclubs.

Our Summer of Solutions event brought together experts in health, education, politics, and business to provide readers with tools to improve their daily lives.

We also expanded our annual OUTWATCH Fest, a week-long festival featuring events in partnership with 10 local organizations and businesses. This year, more than 500 people participated, making it one of our most successful initiatives to date.

We are grateful that we can continue doing this work for Arizona's LGBTQ+ community. And you might have noticed that our most impactful work comes from grants and donations that help hire reporters. For our birthday gift, consider donating to us today and help us continue our mission of delivering impactful journalism that not only holds power to account, but builds stronger communities.