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.
Counselors are using "sex addiction" as a way to mask practicing conversion therapy on young men.
SEX ON THE MIND: The term "sex addiction" brings to mind salacious stories of celebrities caught cheating and forced into rehab centers to address their infidelity. But it's also being used to treat people who are queer.
"Sex addiction" is not a recognized diagnosis by the American Psychiatric Association—nor is any kind of sexual addiction promoted by self-described “sex addiction counselors”—but that hasn’t stopped therapists in Arizona from using it to push conversion therapy practices.
Alongside our news partners at the Arizona Mirror and KJZZ radio, LOOKOUT identified at least three therapists who previously advertised that they practiced conversion therapy and describe themselves as sex or porn addiction specialists. And some of those are working with teenagers.
WHAT WE'RE KEEPING AN EYE ON: For the past four months, LOOKOUT has been diving deep into the world of conversion therapy in Arizona.
We've exposed the world on conversion therapy at a practice in Mesa, Ariz., revealed a new form of conversion therapy that avoids legal scrutiny from an executive order signed by the governor, and called out the state's licensing board for not addressing the accreditation of people who practice conversion therapy, despite violating their code of ethics.
As a result, our reporter—and LOOKOUT—has been served with a cease and desist from one of the family practices to limit our reporting on this subject.
We have started hearing back from people who have survived conversion therapy, and we'd like to learn more from you. If you or someone you know has experienced this kind of predatory treatment in Arizona, feel free to reply back to this newsletter. Your information will be kept confidential.
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.
B_
B_ _
Hint: The name of one of the organizers for Phoenix Pride's first parade. (Another hint: Her name is used for one of the Phoenix Pride Spirit Awards. LOOKOUT was nominated for that namesake award this year.)
Last Week's Answer: Western Express
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.
If you like independent and accountability-driven queer news, then you'll love LOOKOUT's weekly newsletter.
LOOKOUT Publications is a federally recognized nonprofit news outlet. EIN Number:92-3129757
