Trans Spectrum AZ has been holding community meetings for gender-expansive people, but their goals are loftier than just talking to each other. LOOKOUT spoke with Jay Brown, board member of TSAZ, to learn more.
In this week's newsletter: Getting old, gay, and social in retirement; A gay bar from California is relocating to Phoenix amid allegations of lewd conduct; Tips in finding an LGBTQ+ friendly bank; Kamala Harris's record on LGBTQ+ rights; And a new In-Queer-sitive game for the week!
HOW TO BUILD COMMUNITY: When Susie Broussard moved to Sun City to take care of her mother a decade ago, she fell in love with the age-restricted village because of its vast amenities. So when she was at the age where she was eligible to buy property, she did so immediately.
But being in Sun City was challenging, especially as an openly gay person who thrived off being around other queer people. Sun City, she said, sorely lacked a visible community, even though hundreds of people were part of a local LGBT club.
So, she decided that if she wanted it, she would have to build one of her own.
It didn't come without its own set of challenges, including dispelling lots of religious discussions and changing people's minds that they didn't need to be silent or kept secret. But in the end, she helped shape the town to be a home for a growing number of aging queers. Read our story below.
LOOKOUT'S TAKE: Growing old is one of those human experiences none of us ever escape. Unfortunately, it's also one of those things humans try to push away until we're faced with it.
So it comes as no surprise that stories about elder LGBTQ+ communities are rare when coverage of elder issues is already sparse, generally.
That's why our summer intern, Fitzwilliam Anderson, has been focused on issues facing our aging queer community. In his first story for us, he looked at what it's like to try and be part of an aging community that, for better or worse, has tried to keep to themselves and not be public about who they are.
But the reality is that going back in the closet in our older years can result in serious isolation, and studies have shown that it reduces life expectancy by more than a decade.
This story illustrates the power in being out and proud later in life, and the community you can build—even when there might seem to be no one on your side.
🌵 LOCAL NEWS
BARRACKS: The Barracks, a gay leather bar in Cathedral City, California, is closing down and relocating to Phoenix after complaints issued to the city regarding “lewd” behavior. The Desert Sun
BABY NEWS: Phoenix Mercury player Brittney Griner and her wife Cherelle gave birth to their first child during the WNBA All Stars Weekend. Watermark
MESA PUBLIC SCHOOLS: A judge dismissed a lawsuit brought by the anti-LGBTQ+ legal group America First Legal Foundation that aimed to attack Mesa school district's LGBTQ+ inclusive policies. 12 News
🇺🇸 NATIONAL NEWS
VANDALISM: Four gunmen broke into Club Oasis in San Francisco and robbed the bar's cleanup crew and ransacked the venue looking for a safe. CBS News
HARRIS ON LGBTQ+ RIGHTS: Many may remember the unforgettable scene from "The Case Against Hate," where Vice President Kamala Harris conducted the first same-sex wedding after Prop 8 was struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court. She has a longer history supporting queer rights. Pink News
EQUAL RIGHTS: New York senators are arguing to add abortion and LGBTQ+ rights to the state's equal rights amendment. Gothamist
GAY BANKS: Research shows that two in five LGBTQ+ people felt blocked or discouraged from joining certain banks. Here's a guide in finding a bank that's right for you. (And if you've experienced this, locally, let us know by responsing back to this email). Business Insider
IN-QUEER-SITIVE
Test your knowledge of this week in queer news! Answer the question below related to a story in this week's newsletter and get entered into a raffle to win LOOKOUT swag at the end of each month. The more times you play, the more chances you get to win!
What was the California law passed by voters in 2008 that made same-sex marriage illegal?
Nearly a fifth of new diagnoses in the state are people over 50 years old, while half of Americans living with the virus are approaching retirement age.