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Part of our brand is partnering with people doing cool things. This year, we teamed up with Strawberry Hedgehog in Midtown Phoenix to create a custom vegan, organic soap for paid subscribers: a lavender cold brew bar called “Lavage Par LOOKOUT.” It’s designed to clean you up, get you relaxed, and energize you to get out and about with your friends and fam. Only paid members get it in their annual swag pack — along with other fun perks. Click the button below and join us in some "clean" (get it?) fun!

Happy Rodeo/Gaga/Galentine’s Weekend, LOOKOUT fam!

That's right! It’s a queer trifecta weekend and the planets have aligned to bring us what might be the gayest few days Arizona (and specifically Phoenix) has seen in recent memory.

We’re talking cowboy boots with pink fringe and glitter; Operatic gothic costumes with patent leather; Friends-instead-of-lovers brunches with bottomless mimosas.

I’m participating in all three in some capacity. But don’t expect me to dress up for the Gaga concert because I’m too sweaty and hairy to convincingly pull off a leather corset.

Why am I extra excited? Because this is the first weekend since the start of the year that I’m *actually* taking time off. We’ve officially onboarded our new full-time staff writer, John Washington, and I plan to celebrate accordingly.

If you don’t know John, yet: he’s based in Tucson, and before that was a Fulbright fellow in Mexico, an author of three books, and an all-around fantastic human. You may have seen his byline at Arizona Luminaria (yes, we stole him), where he covered immigration. His work has also appeared in The Nation, The Intercept, The New York Review of Books and In These Times tackling criminal justice, border politics, and food justice.

With John on board, we’re doubling down on LOOKOUT’s mission to elevate queer journalism beyond a “fringe” beat and treating it like what it is: essential news. That means reporting on the stories you care about, centering voices from our community and its allies as the people affected by and doing the work, not just using us as the “other side.”

You’ll start seeing John’s work next week as he takes over Eyes on the State. He’ll also be out at events with us, so say hi. Want to drop him a line now? Click here and welcome (or warn) him to this chaotic family. 

All of this is to say: this newsletter has always been about celebrating community wins. Bringing John onto LOOKOUT is one-million-percent a win for all of us — including my ability to clock out, see Gaga and wear cowboy boots to brunch this Sunday.

Can't join in those fun events? Then rummage around below and see what we picked out from our website's Kiki Calendar to find something 9or someone) else to be your Bad Romance for the weekend. 

Cheers-

Joseph Darius Jaafari

Editor in Chief, Founder

LOOKOUT

🏳️‍🌈 YOUR WEEKLY KIKI

We've curated the entire week for you below with select events taken from our community calendar, which has everything below AND MORE FROM ACROSS THE STATE on our website. Click here to see the full calendar with links and tickets to the events!

Want to see your event highlighted below? Fill out our form. 

Friday, Feb. 13

In Phoenix, Gypsy Rose Tattoo hosts its Friday the 13th Market from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 1505 E. Thomas Rd., with flash tattoo deals running all day. The Night Market portion kicks off at 5 p.m. with local vendors, shopping, and live entertainment. If you’ve been waiting for a Friday the 13th tattoo, this is it.

Later that night, Gracie’s Tax Bar hosts Pitch Your Single Friend from 6 to 10 p.m., where besties present each other to a room full of singles via PowerPoint. Hosted by SissyArt and Las Lloronas, it’s free, 21+, and sure to be embarrassingly fun.

Saturday, Feb. 14

The 40th Anniversary Arizona Gay Rodeo runs Saturday and Sunday at Corona Ranch and Rodeo Grounds in Laveen, with events starting at 10 a.m. both days and gates opening at 8. As an IGRA-sanctioned rodeo, expect the full lineup: bull riding, barrel racing, team roping, wild drag race, and more. “Games on the Green” runs midday for those who want something lower impact, and the pavilion bar opens at 10 a.m. Awards wrap things up Sunday evening.

Back in Phoenix, Wasted Ink Zine Distro hosts For the Love of Zines from 2 to 9 p.m. at 323 W. McDowell Rd., a Valentine’s fundraiser supporting PHX Zine Fest and the distro’s year-round work. Expect zine vendors, crafts, a themed photo booth, readings, and live music. Donations of any size get you in.

In Tucson, Lovers and Friends Sleepover with Queer AF takes over Snooze on East Grant from 3:30 to 6 p.m., with doors at 3:30 and the drag show at 4. Expect performances, cocktails, and brunch with a Valentine’s twist.

Sunday, Feb. 15

In Phoenix, Sip and Scribble with Thems runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Scraps Market inside Indigo Room (702 E. Coronado Rd.), featuring a paper portrait workshop led by illustrator Kyana Mitchell. It’s free, all skill levels welcome, and supplies are provided.

Up in Flagstaff, Sunday Morning Klatch meets from 10 to 11 a.m. at Kickstand Kafé (719 N. Humphreys St.) for informal, agenda-less conversation over coffee. Look for the sign and join in.

That night in Phoenix, Club Mayhem: Lady Gaga Afterparty runs from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Club Contact (747 W. Van Buren St.), with DJs, go-gos, and a $5 presale option if you plan ahead.

Monday, Feb. 16

Student Walk Out 101 takes place virtually from 5:30 to 7 p.m., offering high school students a webinar on organizing campus walkouts and building local movements.

In Tucson, SAGA’s Gender Outlawz meets from 7 to 9 p.m. at Fluxx Studio & Office (4400 E. Broadway Blvd. #114), creating space for genderqueer, nonbinary, and gender-expansive community members to connect.

Tuesday, Feb. 17

In Phoenix, the Phoenix Atheists Meetup Group hosts a morning hike from 9 a.m. to noon at South Mountain, covering roughly four miles at a moderate pace. Bring water and plan for elevation gain.

That evening, Live Nudes! Drawing with Thems runs from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at Afternoons Studio (2811 N. 7th Ave.), an 18+ figure drawing session open to all skill levels. Tickets are $35 and space is limited.

Wednesday, Feb. 18

In Phoenix, Building Communities that Matter  takes place from 6 to 8 p.m. at dialog (1001 N. Central Ave., Suite 110), featuring a talk from Co-Hoots CEO (and LOOKOUT supporter!) Jaime Muñoz, followed by a panel discussion on sustaining creative communities.

In Flagstaff, Wily Writers meets from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public Library (300 W. Aspen Ave.), continuing its weekly writing practice with prompts and group feedback.

Thursday, Feb. 19

Chandler Pride Happy Hour runs from 5 to 6 p.m. at QuartHaus (201 S. Washington St.) in downtown Chandler, part of its weekly Thursday gathering.

Later in Phoenix, Soundcheck begins at 6 p.m. in Whiteman Hall at Phoenix Art Museum, featuring a performance by Sunflower King. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and admission is free for members or included with general admission.

UPCOMING LOOKOUT EVENTS

Click on the pictures for more info. A reminder that paid subscribers get access to all our events, and exclusive perks at free events. 

LOOKOUT’s Office Hours is our signature annual event that brings the community face-to-face with some of Arizona’s sharpest, best-connected politicos for an engaging conversation about the Legislature — from water rights to AI, state budgets to lobbying. On Feb 21 from 10am—12pm at dialog, we're featuring a discussion with editors from local papers, moderated by Joseph Darius Jaafari (LOOKOUT) with panelists Maritza Félix (Conecta AZ), Nicole Ludden (AZ Agenda), Jim Small (AZ Mirror), and Sam Eifling (Phoenix New Times), followed by a 30-minute meet-and-greet for deeper questions and insider guidance.

Want to meet the whole LOOKOUT team? Join us Feb. 28 from 8–11 a.m. at Window Coffee Bar on Camelback before the Melrose Street Fair. We’ll have magazines, free swag, and we’ll buy your coffee if you grab a seat with us.

We Were Here, a collaboration between LOOKOUT and the AZ LGBT+ History Project, explores Arizona’s queer history through music, culture and intergenerational conversation by pairing community elders with younger leaders doing similar work to bridge past and present. On March 14 from 1-3pm at dialog, the program turns to the power and history of sex work in Phoenix’s old Fruit Loop (now Roosevelt Row), featuring former workers and current community members in conversation about how the work has evolved, followed by a free public event and an optional $40 VIP cocktail hour at Rough Rider to continue the discussion.

G_ _ _G_     _ _T_

Hint: On Feb. 14, 2011, this 23-year-old Tucsonan was fatally stabbed in what many believe was an anti-gay attack. He is now memorialized locally each Valentine’s Day. 

Last Week's Answer: George Quaintance

LOOKOUT Publications, 221 East Indianola Avenue, Phoenix, AZ 85012, United States

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