Courtesy of OUTWATCH
Audio By Carbonatix
Arizona LGBTQ+ news organization LOOKOUT will host its third annual OUTWATCH Fest Friday to Sunday, Nov. 7 to 9. For 2025, the focus is on strengthening community and inspiring action through a packed weekend of events.
“Outwatch has always been, at its core, about resilience,” says Jake Hylton, LOOKOUT executive director. “It has been about celebrating resilience and making that accessible — having the community come together and celebrating that in all of us.”
Like most nonprofits, the publication recognizes the need for an annual fundraiser. Since 2023, OUTWATCH has been a way to raise money in a way that provides value to donors and benefits both LOOKOUT and the community..
“We had a lot of discussions that the typical old way of doing (annual fundraisers) felt really inaccessible, especially for a lot of queer people,” Hylton says. “So we decided that we would never do a gala and we would never do a plated dinner.”
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We feel thankful for our staff and for the privilege of fulfilling our mission to be an unparalleled source of information and insight in Phoenix. We’re aiming to raise $30,000 by December 31, so we can continue covering what matters most to this community.
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Instead, OUTWATCH events have focused on celebrating queer culture and identity, providing access to information and holding space for people to interact, enriching connections. After last year’s weeklong extravaganza, this year will be a scaled-back, three-day event. The theme is The Homecoming.
“This homecoming is about reclaiming your space and celebrating the found family you choose to surround yourself with,” the event website reads.
The festivities kick off on Friday with a free town hall-style conversation and panel. From 7 to 9 p.m., the event will feature a discussion about the state of LGBTQ+ civil rights with activists and experts from organizations including Trans Queer Pueblo and Greater Phoenix Equality Chamber of Commerce.
In an effort to empower folks to apply the information they are learning, this year, several community organizations will provide sign-up opportunities for volunteer or mutual aid work.
“We can give you the information. We can give you the resources and we can put those resources right in front of you,” Hylton says. “We will activate you to go do what you feel is best. And we’re not going to point you in one direction. We’re going to give you the buffet.”
The location of the town hall will be given out to people who register.
On Saturday, get outside with a friendly-but-competitive game of kickball. Sign-ups for the community game start at 4 p.m. and end when the game starts at 5. Those not inclined to play kickball can play community art games for prizes. After the games are over, enjoy a movie night in the park along with a picnic dinner.
Like the town hall, the Saturday event is free to attend, and the location will be given to those who register.
OUTWATCH 2025 concludes on Sunday afternoon with a daytime dance party at downtown Phoenix’s Central Records. Show up in your most fabulous attire for an afternoon of lunch bites, drinks and performances.
The party runs 2:30 to 7 p.m. VIP ticketholders can arrive at 1:30 p.m. for a fireside chat with Ariz. Sen. Analise Ortiz and LOOKOUT reporter Tori Gantz, plus free food and drinks.
The cost is $20 for general admission or $80 for VIP. Central Records is located at 824 N. Central Ave.
Visit the OUTWATCH event page for tickets, registration, and more info.
